Author: Webmaster

279936271 5089249991168880 2667621300579461423 n

Two Rivers Ford 13th Annual Bass Tournament

Written by Webmaster on May 6, 2022. Posted in Chamber Blog. No Comments on Two Rivers Ford 13th Annual Bass Tournament

On Saturday, August 28th, The Two Rivers Ford 13th Annual Bass tournament, presented by the Wilson County Sports Council blasted off. The tournament was held at the Old Hickory Lake Flippers landing. Boat positions were assigned and the 32 boats were off.

The proceeds from the tournament fund two Best All Around Student scholarships. One male and one female are awarded.

The day included door prizes and for those taking part in the tournament, prizes were awarded for the “Big Fish”, “Grand Prize” and 14 additional places.

Tournament winners Craig Gann and Ross Hudson weighed in a total of 18 lbs., 6 oz. are pictured with Chamber board member Greg Butler. They also snagged the “Big Fish” at 5 lbs., 20 oz.

The title sponsor for the tournament was Two Rivers Ford and major sponsors were: City of Lebanon, J. Clayborn’s Bakery & Cafe, Servpro of Wilson County, Main Street Mercantile & Creamery -Jake Sloan, Tim Leeper Roofing, Ben Hayslip, F&M Bank, Wilson Bank & Trust, THW Insurance -Jud Nave, Farm Bureau -Wes Dugan, HTK Wealth Managment, Wilke’s Outfitters, Hydrocare, Hardin Chiropractic, Jewel Insurance, State Farm -Jeff Gannon, Advantage Roofing -Donnie Self, Agee & Johnson -Ian Isbell and Greg Butler.

Winning Teams Listed below:

1. Craig Gann & Ross Hudson

2. AJ Harvey & Bud Guffe

3. Andy Vanderpool & Ransom Andrews

4. Dustin Graves & John Hazlet

5. Chris Durham & Derrick Cherry

6. Mickey Beck

7. Stephen Scoggin & Coudgn Scoggy

8. Barry Drennon & Michael Drennon

9. Chris Taylor & Corkie Change

10. Billy Thorne

Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce Groundbreaking

Written by Webmaster on March 1, 2016. Posted in Chamber Blog. No Comments on Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce Groundbreaking

The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce was proud to join the Mt. Juliet Chamber at 2:29 p.m. on Feburary 29 for a groundbreaking ceremony at what will be the location of the Mt. Juliet Chamber’s new office location.

The building project is expected to be complete by fall 2016. The office (projected facade pictured above with Mt. Juliet Chamber president Mark Hinesley and Lebanon Wilson Co. Chamber president Melanie Minter) will be located on East Division Street across from the train station.

Business Card Exchange – Wilson Co. CASA

Written by Webmaster on February 23, 2016. Posted in Chamber Blog. No Comments on Business Card Exchange – Wilson Co. CASA

Wilson County CASA hosted a Business Card Exchange at their office, located at 111 Castle Heights Avenue. CASA Volunteer Coordinator Lauren Smith and Director Cathey Sweeney (pictured above) welcomed the group in attendance, described the CASA program, and concluded with an invitation to a pancake breakfast on March 12 to benefit the volunteer-based child advocacy program.

At each Business Card Exchange, in addition to general networking and a light lunch, attendees have the opportunity to address the entire group as they share briefly about themselves and/or their organization.

Pictured: Membership Vice-Chair Necole Bell, Dr. Kylene Haskins, and Traci Pope listen as other members of the group share about themselves.

T.A. Bryan Distinguished Alumni and Tom Hines

2016 Chamber Awards Winners

Written by Webmaster on February 16, 2016. Posted in Chamber Blog. No Comments on 2016 Chamber Awards Winners

The 2016 Membership Meeting and Awards Celebration took place at The Mill at Lebanon on the evening of February 9. The format of the night was different than years past, beginning with a more intimate awards ceremony prior to the larger banquet. The celebration concluded in true party style, with the Blues Brokers performing live music for the last hour of the night.

The following Chamber members were recognized and awarded for their various contributions to the Chamber and the community:

T.A. Bryan: 2015 Distinguished Alumni, Award presented by Education Committee Vice-Chair Tom Hines

Beulah Garrett: 2015 Friend of Education, Award presented by Education Committee Vice-Chair Tom Hines

Bob McDonald of CedarStone Bank & Paine Bone of Wilson County Motors: 2015 Corporate Friend of Education, Award presented by Chamber President/CEO Melanie Minter

Bob Harrison: 2015 Public Servant, Award presented by Ambassador Committee Vice-Chair John Bradshaw and received by Sheriff Robert Bryan on Harrison’s behalf

Jason Pence: 2015 Ambassador of the Year, Award Presented by Ambassador Committee Vice-Chair John Bradshaw

Rose Tire (Chip Smith): 2015 Retailer of the Year, Award presented by Economic Development Vice-Chair Jud Nave

Active Life Chiropractic (Kelly Miller-Edmonds): 2015 Cedar Tree Award for Best New Professional or Commericial Building; Award presented by Economic Development Vice-Chair Jud Nave

City of Lebanon Square Project (Mayor Philip Craighead, City Councilman Rob Cesternino): 2015 Cedar Tree Award for Best Restoration or Preservation of a Historical Site
Also pictured at right is Rick Smith, former Chamber Chairman of the Board who was hit by a car on the square in 2013, which served as a catalyst to the renovation project.

Carroll Oakland School (Mickey Hall): 2015 Cedar Tree Award, Award presented by Economic Development Vice-Chair Jud Nave

David Hale (Hawk Specialty Services): 2015 Tapped by Tourism Award, Award presented by Special Events Committee Vice-Chair Kim Parks

Peggy & Don Simpson: 2015 Lifetime Members, Award presented by Membership Vice-Chair Necole Bell

Sarah Sharp: 2015 Volunteer of the Year, Award presented by Membership Vice-Chair Necole Bell

Hal Bone (Hal Bone Enterprises): 2015 Business Person of the Year, Award presented by John Bryan

Tommy Bryan: 2015 Lebanon Wilson County Sports Council Award, Award presented by Chamber President/CEO Melanie Minter

Other award recipients not pictured are:

Dale Nunnery (Shenandoah Mills): 2015 Industrialist of the Year
CVS Pharmacy: 2015 Cedar Tree Award for Best Improvement of Land Usage to Enhance the Area’s Aesthetic or Quality of Life
Domino’s Pizza: 2015 Cedar Tree Award for Best Structure Converted to a Commercial Use

Wilson Co Schools Teacher of the Month

Written by Webmaster on February 16, 2016. Posted in Chamber Blog. No Comments on Wilson Co Schools Teacher of the Month

“We are not afraid of working above and beyond. In fact, that is what defines us.” — Brian Cleary

This quote by Cleary, a teacher in the Evergreen Public Schools in Vancouver, Washington, perhaps best describes a new honor being bestowed on a teacher each month by Wilson County Schools and the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce.

The new Teacher of the Month Award is one that will honor teachers who “demonstrate hard work and commitment to their students,” explained Dr. Kate Burgun, supervisor of instruction for grades 9-12.

Burgun explained that each month Wilson County Schools’ supervisors ask principals to submit the name of one teacher who has demonstrated hard work and commitment to their students as their school’s Teacher of the Month.

“We also ask principals to write an explanation of why they selected this teacher,” Burgun explained. “Then, Wilson County Schools’ supervisors review the schools’ submissions and select one teacher to be Wilson County Schools and Lebanon/Wilson Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Month.”

Supervisors included in the selection process are Burgun, Deputy Director of Academics Monty Wilson, Supervisor of Instruction Grades Kindergarten-Five Yvonne Smith, Supervisor of Middle Schools Grades Six-Eight Angela Rohen, Supervisor of Testing and Accountability Jennifer Cothron, and CTE Supervisor Bill Moss.

Melanie Minter, President/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, said the organization was “thrilled” when asked to partner with the school system on this honor.

Minter noted that the Chamber partnered last year with the school system on promoting forums explaining CONNECTS, Wilson County Schools’ Digital Conversion Plan for 2015-2018.

“We also partnered with the school system’s Back to School Blast for the almost 1,200 teachers and administrators on the first day of school this year,” said Minter. “We believe in education and in the teachers who work so hard day-in and day-out. We are so happy to be a part of this, and we look forward to more partnerships like this in the future.”

Burgun said the school system wanted to partner with the Chamber to award the Teacher of the Month “because we want our teachers to know that not only does Wilson County Schools appreciate their dedication to students, but that the Wilson County community values their hard work as well.”

The first teacher to receive the newly minted Teacher of the Month honor is Julie Groover at Mt. Juliet Middle School for January 2016.

Pictured: Chamber President/CEO Melanie Minter, Teacher of the Month Mrs. Julie Groover, Director of Wilson Co. Schools Dr. Donna Wright, Chamber Education Vice-Chair Tom Hines

MJMS Principal Tim Bell wrote about Groover: “Julie works tirelessly with her drama students to prepare for large scale productions like her students’ recent “Annie” production. She choreographs most of the plays she produces, and spends nights and weekends building sets and rehearsing with students.

“Her dedication to the drama department and to Mt. Juliet Middle School students is exceptional!”

Groover said, “I love exploratory and fine arts, so I think it’s an honor to be representing the fine arts. I think it’s great. It seems like it should be math, so that’s awesome. I’m very proud, very excited.”

Burgun and Minter both added that the school system and community appreciate Groover’s commitment to her students to ensure her students’ produce a stellar on-stage performance for the community each and every time.

Adrenaline Bar & Grill Ribbon Cutting

Written by Webmaster on February 16, 2016. Posted in Chamber Blog. No Comments on Adrenaline Bar & Grill Ribbon Cutting

Owners and staff of Adrenaline Bar & Grill were joined by Chamber staff and representatives and City of Lebanon officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony at their restaurant, located at 200 Maddox Simpson Parkway, Suite A on Thursday, February 11.

Adrenaline is proud to welcome bikers and to host live music. They also boast a large beer garden with 12 specialty beers on tap.

Vibe Auto Ribbon Cutting

Written by Webmaster on February 9, 2016. Posted in Chamber Blog. No Comments on Vibe Auto Ribbon Cutting

Chamber representatives, local officials, and community members joined the owners and staff of Vibe Auto for a ribbon cutting at the newly-opened car lot on Monday, February 8.

Though the weather was cold and dreary, spirits were high at the dealership, as owners spoke of their dreams coming true in the opening of Vibe Auto, located at 102 Trinity Drive in Lebanon.

Vibe’s lot is filled with a variety of pre-owned vehicles, which each come with a Carfax report and a two month/2000 mile warranty. Additionally, the company has a four-day, no-hassle return policy on any vehicle. For more information on Vibe Auto, visit http://www.vibeauto.com/.

Economic Development Lunch & Learn

Written by Webmaster on February 2, 2016. Posted in Chamber Blog. No Comments on Economic Development Lunch & Learn

The Chamber’s Economic Development Committee hosted a Lunch & Learn featuring TN Commissioner of Economic Development Randy Boyd on Thursday, January 28 at the Lebanon Golf & Country Club.

Throughout the hourlong informative luncheon, Comm. Boyd discussed a variety of subjects ranging from how education impacts employment to broadband availability across the state. The issue of broadband connectivity has implications in a variety of areas, including education and employment. Currently, his office is conducting online surveys to assess the broadband availability throughout all ninety-five counties, with particular attention to rural areas. To access and participate in the survey, TN residents may visit http://www.tn.gov/ecd/section/broadband-survey.

Thank you to all those in the community who attended the Lunch & Learn. This was the largest such event that the Lebanon Wilson Co. Chamber has seen to date.

Pictured are Chamber Chairman of the Board Scott Jasper (Wilson Bank & Trust), Chamber President & CEO Melanie Minter, TN Commissioner of Economic Development Randy Boyd, and Vice-Chair of the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee Jud Nave (THW Insurance).

Lebanon Municipal Airport Groundbreaking

Written by Webmaster on February 2, 2016. Posted in Chamber Blog. No Comments on Lebanon Municipal Airport Groundbreaking

Local officials along with Chamber and community members attended a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, January 29 at the site of the Lebanon Municipal Airport’s new terminal.

The terminal, designed by Manous Designs will be a state-of-the-art facility, funded by a partnership between the of State of Tennessee and the City of Lebanon. Heather Bay, owner of Direct Flight Solutions and manager of the Lebanon airport, thanked those who have made this terminal a possibility and spoke hopefully of the future and the economic and community impact that the new facility will have.

Rockie Williams Groundbreaking

Written by Webmaster on February 2, 2016. Posted in Chamber Blog. No Comments on Rockie Williams Groundbreaking

On Wednesday, January 27, members of the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce staff joined new Chamber member Rockie Williams Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram as ground was broken at the future home of the company’s new dealership.

The location of what will become a state-of-the-art 46,000-square-foot facility is a 13-acre plot on Pleasant Grove Road close to Providence Marketplace in South Mt. Juliet. The new space will hold 700 new and used cars and will have 1,200 parking spaces. The design includes a planned play area for children, a customer lounge, a shuttle service that will be available to take customers to Providence shopping and recreational areas while cars are serviced, and a possible indoor nature trail.

Rockie Williams’ current dealership location, 1700 West Main Street in Lebanon, is expected to remain open and operational after the completion of the new facility later this year. Meanwhile, the addition of the Mt. Juliet location is expected to create approximately 30 jobs.