Express Printing, Signs and Shipping, 124 E. Baltimore St., has earned the Southwest Tennessee Development District 2018 Small Business of the Year award.
The award was one of several presented during the Southwest Tennessee Development District’s annual meeting and awards dinner.
“Susan Stewart and daughter Brandy opened the doors to Express Printing, Signs, and Shipping in downtown Jackson, Aug. 8, 2008,” said Teresa Sanders, SWTDD’s loan officer. “Four years ago, SWTDD’s business loan program provided these two with equipment financing, allowing them to provide more in-house services and eliminate expensive outsourcing.”
Express Printing, Signs and Shipping specializes in aluminum signs, plastic yard signs, vinyl window graphics for storefronts and vehicles, business forms, letterhead, envelopes and business cards, graphic design for marketing materials, brochures, postcards, and flyers; photo enlargements, and wide format printing of posters and banners. Specializing in promotional items, Express Printing can put a logo on just about anything.
REDI Collaboration Award – Michael Davis, Savannah/Hardin County
The REDI Collaboration Award recognizes a project, community or person that demonstrates outstanding cooperation, uses collaborative partners or resources, demonstrates impact in multiple areas, has clearly defined goals and outcomes, can easily be replicated, and can lead to improvement in the quality of life in a community.
2018 Project of the Year: Monogram Refrigeration/McNairy County Economic Development
The SWTDD Project of the Year Award is for a project that is the epitome of success for the Southwest Region. Encompassing not only facility expansion, multiple funding partnerships, and company investment dollars, this project more importantly is creating jobs in the distressed counties in West Tennessee.
Monogram employees about 400 people.
SWAAAD Senior Center of the Year: Chester County Senior Center
Under the direction of Emma Hopper, the Chester County Senior Center has shown an increase in attendance and daily activities as well as congregate meals served.
Through grants and community donations, the Senior Center added a Wellness Center with new exercise equipment. Its fresh and modern look has inspired seniors to become more active and to participate in classes such as yoga.
SWAAAD Partner of the Year Award: Lawrence-Sorensen Funeral Home in Jackson/Madison County.
During the past several years, Lawrence-Sorensen Funeral Home’s representative Melissa Stanford has been a blessing to the Public Guardianship Program for Southwest Tennessee.
Stanford is willing to assist in any situation — often locating additional resources and negotiating reasonable services in order to ensure a client’s final disposition is as dignified and appropriate as possible.
In addition to Stanford, the rest of the staff members at Lawrence Sorensen have been kind and helpful in our quest to meet the final needs of our public guardian clients.
SWAAAD Advisory Council Members of the Year Award: Patricia Pruett of Sardis/Henderson County
Mrs. Patricia Pruett was appointed to the Southwest TN Advisory Council in 2004, representing Henderson County.
“’Ms. Pat’, as she is affectionately known, has always been a hard worker and a dedicated advocate for programs and services for the elderly and disabled population in her community,” said Hale. “She serves on the Sardis Senior Center Board of Directors and as an active participant. Truly, Patricia Pruett leads others by her example.”
SWAAAD Volunteer of the Year Award: Terrie Adkins of Selmer/McNairy County
Since her retirement as an employee of Southwest Tennessee Development District, Terrie Adkins from McNairy County has been faithfully volunteering for the SWAAAD’s Public Guardianship Program.
She makes regular visits to clients in surrounding counties and provides thorough documentation regarding those visits.
SWAAAD MyRide Volunteer of the Year – Don Hubbard of Three Way/Madison County
Donald Hubbard “Don” joined the MyRide team in June 2017 (the program launched in Jackson-Madison County in May 2017) after hearing about the new program on a television commercial.
Recently retired, Hubbard wanted to do something to “keep busy and to give back to his community.”
After seeing the commercial, he decided to submit an application. From the beginning, he has been a dedicated volunteer who goes above-and-beyond for MyRide: he volunteers to drive multiple rides a week and often handles multiple rides a day.
SWTDD Employee of the Year: Charley Brown, McKenzie/Carroll County (and Hardin County native)
Each year, SWTDD employees vote for an “Employee of the Year” to recognize a peer who exhibits excellence in fulfilling the mission of SWTDD while demonstrating a capacity to contribute to the lives of co-workers and peers.
(PHOTO: Susan Stewart, right, with daughter Brandy)
