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Wes Harris, State Farm Insurance Agent – home, auto, life & banking – 319 Vann Drive, sponsors Strictly Business, a weekly column that takes a look at a few of this week’s business highlights.
Jackson Chamber CEO still believes Great Wolf Lodge remains in Jackson’s future
The State of Tennessee is working to determine an alternative incentive package plan, but Kyle Spurgeon, CEO of the Jackson Chamber, remains upbeat about Great Wolf Lodge placing a $150 million family resort in Jackson.
A $20 million commitment from the state of Tennessee to help fund the project, is on hold – for now.
“We’ve been working on this project for a year-and-a-half,” Spurgeon said, “The state legislature was looking to recess, and we were notified by Mark Ezell, the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the money didn’t make it into the essential budget.
“He announced that on a conference call with our team and Great Wolf.”
Headquartered in Chicago, a few of the amenities Great Wolf Lodge offers include an indoor water park, restaurants, arcades and spas.
The facility would be located at Tiger Jones Park, which is located off Ridgecrest Road in northeast Jackson.
The investment would mean 500 jobs for the area – 250 full time – while attracting about 500,000 visitors annually to the Lodge, which will offer 300 hotel rooms.
Great Wolf Lodge has 18 existing lodges in the United States and Canada.
Spurgeon said Great Wolf Lodge and the state of Tennessee are committed to make this project become reality in Jackson.
“The state has been nothing but supportive,” Spurgeon said, “I want everyone to know how supportive the governor’s office, tourism dept and our local legislative delegation has been.
“There is nothing they did quietly. They were above board and transparent.”
Business Spotlight – Jennifer Weems – expert home stager – takes on West TN Real Estate market
Jennifer Weems has earned her Expert Psychological Stager (EPS) certification for home staging professionals. Weems was trained by nationally acclaimed home staging expert and residential color expert, Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist, author of Psychological Staging – The Home Staging Secrets of The Decorologist.
Weems will now be able to provide her clients in West Tennessee with a full range of services including real estate consulting, home staging, and paint color consultation.
Home staging isn’t a new trend, but has been more prominent in recent years, primarily due to the popularity of shows on networks such as DIY and HGTV. Studies show that staged homes sell in a quarter of the time and for at least 15% more than similar unstaged homes.
“This is the most highly specific training in furniture/décor arrangement and paint color in the home staging industry. There are only four accredited schools in the U.S.,” Weems said, “I’m here to help clients and other real estate agents position their listings in a way to show them in the best possible light.”
In addition to home staging, Jennifer also earned certification as a Psychological Color Expert (PCE), demonstrating mastery in specifying interior paint in residential applications, also through Kristie Barnes, The Decorologist.
Real estate professionals have long understood the impact of paint colors in homes for sale. The right on-trend colors can bring multiple offers in the first week, while the wrong dated colors can result in a property that languishes on the market for many months. Homesellers benefit by seeing the value and demand for their property increase with a fresh coat of the right hues of paint.
Fast Pace Health & Urgent Care opening clinic in Jackson
Fast Pace Health & Urgent Care is scheduled to open at 2048 South Highland Avenue this fall.
The 3,000-square-foot standalone facility is located across from Walmart and Lowe’s.
Open seven days a week with extended hours, Fast Pace Health offers patients the convenience of short wait times and the ability to be seen by a provider without an appointment.
Located in Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi, Fast Pace Health & Urgent Care has clinics in Henderson, Huntington, Humboldt, Selmer and Brownsville in West Tennessee.
Buchanan Realty Group negotiated the lease for the South Highland Avenue facility.
Business Spotlight – Ron Tharpe joins Leaders Credit Union as Community Engagement Specialist
Leaders Credit Union, member-owned financial cooperative based in Jackson, is pleased to introduce Ron Tharpe as a part of their Community Engagement team.
According to a press release from Jane Wylie – Marketing Specialist, Leaders Credit Union – Tharpe’s role is to support and deepen community relationships while delivering relevant financial solutions and customized educational courses to Leaders Credit Union Select Employee Group relationships and members.
“The need to expand the Community Engagement team was great; however, the importance of finding the right team member with passion, experience, and who embodied our corporate values and brand personality became our priority,” noted Leigh Anne Bentley, Chief Marketing Officer. “We did not take our search lightly, but when we met Ron Tharpe, we knew he was a perfect fit for this growing team. He already excels in building relationships in the community and has a servant heart to help the members we serve.”
With over 200 Select Employment Groups, Leaders Community Engagement team has grown to four full-time employees led by Karen Freeman, Vice President of Community Engagement. Their primary role is to take the credit union outside and serve the business partners that have made Leaders, their credit union.
The community engagement team works with these businesses with free financial wellness programs to improve an employees’ quality of life, productivity and boosts business retention rates. They also attend on-site events such as health fairs and open enrollments and work with human resource managers to help set up direct deposits and programs. Outside the business partner role, this team provides volunteer hours for many local organizations and work to improve the quality of life of those in West Tennessee.
Tharpe brings over 20 years of financial service experience in banking, lending, investments, mortgages, and insurance. Most recently, Tharpe was the agency owner of Ron Tharpe State Farm Agency, where he serviced and worked in the community for the past fourteen years. Tharpe also serves as a bi-vocational senior paster at Wortham Chapel Baptist Church in Alamo and has spent 10 years in the ministry.
Tharpe is an active member of the West Tennessee community.
He was selected to serve on the City of Jackson budget committee, and also serves on the boards of the Jackson Exchange Club and the Carl Perkins Center for Prevention of Child Abuse. He is a member of the Exchange Club where he serves as co-chair of the community service committee.
Construction continues on Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Thomsen Farms
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is in the process of opening in mid- to late spring at 1280 University Drive in Thomsen Farms, next door to West Tennessee Bank.
With corporate offices in Atlanta, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a casual health-conscious chain cafe featuring custom smoothies, sandwiches & wraps.
The Cafe – which has more than 900 locations nationwide – will occupy 1,800-square-feet, and have a drive thru.
Seating will be available for 45 customers.
Tracy Sterling – FirstChoice Property & Development – is the project coordinator.
Ann-Marie Kelley negotiated the lease for FirstChoice Property & Development.
Business Spotlight – Jacob Taylor joins Ragan Realty Group
Ragan Realty Group welcomes agent Jacob Taylor to the sales team.
Jacob is a Crockett County native (who has now lived in North Jackson for 14 years) who comes to Ragan Realty Group with experience in Real Estate and is a Real Estate Investor.
Jacob is a Veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and a graduate of Union University. Jacob and his wife have their hands full with twin 2 year old boys. Jacob loves helping people find their dreams homes and would love the opportunity to help you with you next search.
For more information about Ragan Realty Group and the services they provide, please call (731) 410-7700, visit their website at raganrealtygroup.com, or drop by their office at 1629 South Highland Ave, Jackson TN 38301.
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(PHOTO: Wes Harris STATE FARM)
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