FORD celebrates progress at BlueOval City
BlueOval City hosted a live event on Friday, March 24, at the Megasite property in Stanton.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee; Jim Farley, President/CEO of Ford Motor Company; BlueOval SK officials were present to celebrate progress being made at the facility. Ford announced that a new generation of EV pickups will be rolling off the assembly line in 2025. A huge contingent of officials and community leaders were present at the event.
Watch video of Governor Lee at BlueOval City Celebration
SWTDD Golf Tournament raised $12.3+K for charity
In October each year, SWTDD hosts its annual "Future Choices Charity Golf Tournament." This tournament is a day that brings together players from across the region and raises much needed funds for SWTDD's Future Choices Fund -- a 501(c)3 that provides assistance to the elderly and disabled who are in dire circumstances in Southwest Tennessee. The 2022 tournament raised more than $12,000 for this fund! The date for the 2023 tournament is October 5 and will, again, be at the Pickwick Landing State Park Golf Course.
Thanks to our generous corporate sponsors, most tournament expenses are covered and player registration fees go almost exclusively to the Future Choices Fund. The tournament's sponsors are TVA (platinum sponsor), BancorpSouth/Cadence Bank (gold sponsor), FSB Insurance (silver sponsor), AT&T (beverage sponsor), Jackson Energy Authority (19th Green Sponsor), and SIC Project Management (putting contest sponsor). Central Distributors and Coca-Cola Bottling Works of Jackson also donated beverages, greatly helping to hold costs down.
Because of the generosity and support of these sponsors, the 2022 SWTDD golf tournament raised $12,383 for the Future Choices Fund. In addition, the putting contest raised $875 for Alzheimer's Tennessee and the Pay-to-Play contest raised $870 for SWTDD's fund that covers the expenses for an up-and-coming community leader in the southwest Tennessee region to the State of Tennessee's Economic & Community Development 101 course. Henderson County Mayor Robbie McCready is the recipient of this year's scholarship and will be attending the ECD 101 course held in Nashville in May.
"We so grateful to the businesses that sponsor a team, donate hole prizes, donate door prizes, and for all the players that come back and play in our tournament year after year," said Joe W. Barker, SWTDD Executive Director. "We also are grateful to Randy Etheridge, Hardin County Solid Waste Department, the Hardin County Fire Department, and the SWTDD staff for assisting with our tournament logistics.
“In 1933 TVA was created by the Federal Government to make life better in the Tennessee Valley Region. Generating reliable, clean and affordable power and promoting economic development throughout a seven state region is what we do every day" said Paul Phelan, TVA Program Manager/Government Relations. "Part of TVA's mission is to partner with our Local Power Company Partners to re-invest in our communities -- the young and older. The STEM grant program in K-12 helps incentivize our educators to better prepare our young, and sponsoring events - like this golf tournament - throughout the region to help organizations like SWTDD serve those that have given so much is consistent with our mission”.
"TVA is proud to support the SWTDD and we look forward to many more years of partnership with Joe and the fantastic people that make up the SWTDD,” continued Paul. “The public power business model allows TVA to put people over profits.” (Pictured above: Paul Phelan, TVA, with Lisa and Joe Barker at the SWTDD 2022 Golf Tournament on Oct. 6, 2022 - Photo courtesy of the Pickwick VIP Magazine).
New Alzheimer's Awareness T-Shirts Available
SWTDD recently unveiled its new Alzheimer’s Awareness t-shirt!!! The $20 short-sleeved shirt is Heather Purple Gildan Soft style t-shirt and comes in sizes Small through 3XL. For more information or to purchase a t-shirt, contact Summer Howell at SWTDD, 731-668-6419. All proceeds are donated to SWTDD's Alzheimer's Team which, in turn, donates all funds raised to the Alzheimer's Tennessee Walk on June 3 at Liberty Park in Jackson. If you don't need a t-shirt but would like to support the SWTDD team, click here to go to our fundraising page.
The Alzheimer’s Tennessee Walk
Saturday June 3, 2023
Liberty Garden Park & Arboretum,
24 Channing Way in Jackson
REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS - TOWN OF BETHEL SPRINGS
The Town of Bethel Springs, an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer, seeks to retain the services of a professional consultant engineering firm to provide services related to American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. The project shall be accomplished in accordance with TDEC guidelines. ARP projects could consist of drinking water, wastewater, and/or storm water. Requested engineering services could include investigation, planning, design, and/or construction.
Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated on the following:
Specified experience or technical expertise of the firm in connection with the type of services to be provided.
Past record of performance on contracts with the community and other clients including quality of work, timeliness, and cost control.
Capacity of firm to perform the work within time limitations, taking into consideration the current and planned workload of the firm.
Familiarity with the ARP program and eligibility requirements.
Familiarity with local conditions.
Firms can submit Statements of Qualifications to the Town of Bethel Springs, Attn: Mayor John Wood, 4066 Main St., Bethel Springs, TN 38315 or by email at bethelsprings4u@hotmail.com by Friday, April 14, 2023.
REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS - CITY OF SELMER
The City of Selmer, an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer, seeks to retain the services of a professional consultant engineering firm to provide services related to American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. The project shall be accomplished in accordance with TDEC guidelines. ARP projects could consist of drinking water, wastewater, and/or storm water. Requested engineering services could include investigation, planning, design, and/or construction.
Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated on the following:
Specified experience or technical expertise of the firm in connection with the type of services to be provided.
Past record of performance on contracts with the community and other clients including quality of work, timeliness, and cost control.
Capacity of firm to perform the work within time limitations, taking into consideration the current and planned workload of the firm.
Familiarity with the ARP program and eligibility requirements.
Familiarity with local conditions.
Firms can submit Statements of Qualifications to the City of Selmer, Attn: Sherry Inman, 144 N. 2nd St., Selmer, TN 38375 or by email at sherry.inman@selmer-tn.gov by Friday, April 14, 2023.
REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS - CITY OF HENDERSON
The City of Henderson, an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer, seeks to retain the services of a professional consultant engineering firm to provide services related to American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. The project shall be accomplished in accordance with TDEC guidelines. ARP projects could consist of drinking water, wastewater, and/or storm water. Requested engineering services could include investigation, planning, design, and/or construction.
Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated on the following:
Specified experience or technical expertise of the firm in connection with the type of services to be provided.
Past record of performance on contracts with the community and other clients including quality of work, timeliness, and cost control.
Capacity of firm to perform the work within time limitations, taking into consideration the current and planned workload of the firm.
Familiarity with the ARP program and eligibility requirements.
Familiarity with local conditions.
Firms can submit Statements of Qualifications to the City of Henderson, Attn: Mayor Robert W. King, 121 Crook Ave., Henderson, TN 38340 or by email at bking@hendersontn.gov by Friday, April 14, 2023.
REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS - TOWN OF STANTON
The Town of Stanton, an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer, seeks to retain the services of a professional consultant engineering firm to provide services related to American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. The project shall be accomplished in accordance with TDEC guidelines. ARP projects could consist of drinking water, wastewater, and/or storm water. Requested engineering services could include investigation, planning, design, and/or construction.
Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated on the following:
Specified experience or technical expertise of the firm in connection with the type of services to be provided.
Past record of performance on contracts with the community and other clients including quality of work, timeliness, and cost control.
Capacity of firm to perform the work within time limitations, taking into consideration the current and planned workload of the firm.
Familiarity with the ARP program and eligibility requirements.
Familiarity with local conditions.
Firms can submit Statements of Qualifications to the Town of Stanton, Attn: Mayor Allan Sterbinksy, 8 Main St., Stanton, TN 38069 or by email at allan.sterbinsky@gmail.com by Friday, April 14, 2023.
REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS - HARDIN COUNTY
Hardin County, an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer, seeks to retain the services of a professional consultant engineering firm to provide services related to American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. The project shall be accomplished in accordance with TDEC guidelines. ARP projects could consist of drinking water, wastewater, and/or storm water. Requested engineering services could include investigation, planning, design, and/or construction.
Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated on the following:
Specified experience or technical expertise of the firm in connection with the type of services to be provided.
Past record of performance on contracts with the community and other clients including quality of work, timeliness, and cost control.
Capacity of firm to perform the work within time limitations, taking into consideration the current and planned workload of the firm.
Familiarity with the ARP program and eligibility requirements.
Familiarity with local conditions.
Firms can submit Statements of Qualifications to Hardin County, Attn: Mayor Kevin Davis, 465 Main St., Savannah, TN 38372 or by email at mayor@hardincountytn.net by Friday, April 21, 2023.
Click here to register for the African American Leadership Conference
Register for the Reentry Simulation
Get outdoors.
Did you know... March 30 is Take a Walk in the Park Day?
“Time in nature…it is an essential investment in our health.” – Richard Louv
Take a Walk in the Park Day promotes taking care of your body through walking and nature appreciation. If the weather forecast holds stays favorable, take time get out and enjoy nature!
Tennessee has 56 state parks, 85 State Natural Areas, 12 National Parks, and countless city and county parks and greenways (not to mention your own neighborhood). There are an abundance of places to take your health in to your own hands and get outside!
It has been proven that time spent in nature provides health benefits - both mental AND physical. Just 20 minutes a day of outdoor physical activity can improve your outlook and increase your health benefits. It's a win-win.
Take your health into your own hands
Tennessee's Healthy Parks, Healthy Person program allows participants to earn points towards prizes by spending time in any Tennessee park!
The Healthy Parks Healthy Person program includes using a simple, free app that encourages Tennesseans to engage in outdoor physical activity. App users earn points by participating in healthy activities in any park in Tennessee and then can redeem their points for free rewards!
Download the app for free in the App Store or Google Play store today and get moving!
April 1-2: Shiloh hosts 161st Artillery Weekend
Shiloh National Military Park will Commemorate the 161st Anniversary of the Battle by offering artillery demonstrations on April 1st and 2nd.
“The Shiloh battle anniversary activities from April 1 through April 15 will be our first signature event for 2023, and we invite everyone to come out to the park and remember the epic battle and the Americans who fought here in 1862,” said Acting Park Superintendent Stacy Allen.
On Saturday April 1, Shiloh will present McAllister’s Battery Day at the park. Battery D, of the 1st Illinois Light Artillery, was one of the most conspicuous Federal artillery units that participated in the Battle of Shiloh. Led by Captain Edward McAllister, the unit also had the singular distinction of being armed with 24-pounder Howitzers. The only unit on the battlefield with these weapons.
Living historians will portray McAllister's battery and teach visitors about the unique 24-pounder Howitzers they used in the battle. The crew will display the drill, the movement, and the ammunition used on an original 24-pounder Howitzer from the Starkville Civil War Arsenal.
Park Rangers will lead car caravan tours to McAllister’s Monument twice on Saturday. Participants will learn about actions of McAllister’s Battery during the battle of Shiloh. All kids who attend this program will receive a McAllister Civil War trading card.
Cannon firing demonstration will be provided by the Shiloh Cannon Crew firing a 6-pounder Field Piece on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2. Visitors will learn about the implements, projectiles, and tools cannoneers used during the Civil War. See and hear a cannon being fired. The presentations will be 20-minutes in length with the gun being fired twice during each demonstration.
For more information and the schedule for the 161st Artillery Weekend and other events at Shiloh in 2023, call the park’s Visitor Center at 731-689-5696, go to www.nps.gov/shil, or follow on Facebook at Shiloh National Military Park.
UT MARTIN EARNS 2023-2024 MILITARY FRIENDLY® SCHOOL DESIGNATION
The University of Tennessee at Martin has earned the 2023-2024 Military Friendly® School gold ranking in the small-public category for the support provided to military veterans who attend the university. The Military Friendly® Schools survey is the longest-running, most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students.
Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
“This is a testament to the dedication that UT Martin staff and faculty have to the advancement of support for student veterans and their family members,” said Jason Earley, UT Martin Veteran Services coordinator.
For more information about UT Martin Veteran Services, visit www.utm.edu and search “Veteran Services” or contact Earley by calling 731-881-1689 or by email at jearley3@utm.edu.
USDA Offers Grants for Programs to Create High-Wage Jobs and New Businesses in Underserved Rural Communities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development recently announced that USDA is accepting grant applications for community-driven programs that will help create high-wage jobs and new businesses in underserved rural communities. The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program provides grants for job accelerator partnerships that will serve people in low-income and underserved rural communities.
For fiscal year 2023, the RISE program is making $2 million available to consortiums of local governments, investors, industry, institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities in rural areas. The funding may be used to support innovation centers and job accelerator programs that improve the ability of distressed rural communities to create high-wage jobs, form new businesses, and identify and maximize local assets. To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement.
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USDA Rural Development, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and U.S. Forest Service Partner to Create New Tools and Resources to Expand Recreation Economies
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also recently announced that it has created a plan to expand recreation economies to help people thrive across rural America. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, USDA Rural Development, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the U.S. Forest Service will partner to develop an annual plan to expand economic opportunities related to recreation in communities surrounding America’s national forests.
The annual plan will outline the ways the agencies will partner to conduct program outreach, host informational sessions and workshops, and develop tool kits to help people access the resources they need to thrive in recreation economies. To learn more about this program, click here: Stakeholder Announcement.
JSCC Workforce Solutions Offers Expanded Online Degree and Certificate Programs
Get the training you need when you need it! Workforce Solutions offers on-demand training to fit your unique situation. Various topics are available... ranging from robotics, electrical, mechanical, fluid power, safety and first aid, leadership, and office productivity applications such as Microsoft Office. Here are a few upcoming courses:
FANUC HandlingTool Operation and Programming - May 8 - 11
The course consists of lectures, chapter reviews, demonstrations, and a series of lab exercises designed to reinforce what the student has learned. In addition to lab exercises, a pre-test, and a post-test are used to measure mastery of objectives.
Register HERE for FANUC HandlingTool Operation and Programming
OSHA 30 for General Industry – May 9 – June 6
This six-day course will meet every Tuesday for five weeks at the JSCC campus. This is a comprehensive safety program designed for anyone involved in general industry.
Register HERE for OSHA
Fiber Optic Boot Camp -- July 17-21
The five-day hands-on course will guide participants through completing three industry-standard credentials for fiber optic technicians. The boot camp is conducted by BDI DataLynk and is sanctioned by the Fiber Optic Association to provide standards-based instruction which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. The five-day course is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at JSCC’s McWherter Center in Jackson.
Register HERE for the Fiber Optic Boot Camp
Contact JSCC's Workforce Solutions if there are other classes you would like to see offered. Almost any training can be tailored specifically for your organization. To learn more, contact John McCommon by emailing workforce@jscc.edu or calling 731-425-8826.