The Buchanan Realty Group CLICK HERE is a boutique commercial real estate firm that specializes in all aspects of commercial leasing to clients across the Southeast.

With attention to detail, and client oriented goals, the team, under the direction of principal agent, Brandon Buchanan, successfully represents owners & tenants who want to see growth in their prospective investments or businesses.

BRG agents are leaders in the investment sales and acquisition department, and pride themselves in their abilities to successfully negotiate the best deals for their clients. The team has represented clients focused on retail, hospitality, C-store, medical, industrial, and multi-family sectors.

The building, not the business – commercial property on Millmaster Drive sells for $2 million+

Commercial property at 112 Millmaster Drive has been sold.

A&M Properties sold the 11,020-square-foot building – home to M&A Supply Company – which sits on 2.17-acres – to Anderson & Watts Enterprises LLC, for $2,500,000.

M&A Supply Company was founded in Nashville in 1969 as a wholesale distributor and manufacturer of heating and air conditioning supplies and rain carrying products.

The company now concentrates 100% on HVAC distribution.

Shopping for 4th of July cookout? Items not as inflated as you might think

With Independence Day just around the corner, people are preparing to hit the supermarkets with a grocery list in hand and high inflation – on their minds.

While the rate of inflation may not be what many perceive it to be, it might affect what you purchase.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the average price of ingredients for a
Fourth of July cookout for 10 people is $73.82 or $7.38 per person. This includes holiday staples
such as cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken breasts, potato salad, pork and beans, strawberries, lemonade, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream.

What will these ingredients cost you in Jackson though? Well, if you were to shop at Kroger on University Parkway you’re looking at an average cost of $74.25.

While the price may seem high, it is still only a 43 cent difference from the national average.

Also, compared to 2025 prices, we’re looking at a $3.33 increase.

People across the country are starting to notice these increases which helps fuel the thought of high inflation.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture consumers could be looking at another 3.2 percent increase on food-at-home items.

Consumers could also be looking at a 3.6 percent increase on food-away-from-home items.

These increases will especially affect items such as beef, veal, fish, seafood, fresh fruit, fresh
vegetables, sweets, and non-alcoholic beverages. However, this does not include items like eggs, dairy products, fats and oils which there is hope for a decrease in costs.

For more information about current costs and inflation rates, you can visit American Farm
Bureau Federation website as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.

Here’s a list of groceries that cost $3.33 less in 2025 – NOTE: Golden Media Group checked prices at Kroger on University Parkway and added condiment items not listed in 2025.

 Cheese Slices: $3.99, Kraft, 16 slices

 Lemonade: $2.99, Country Time Lemonade, 19 oz

 Strawberries: $5.89, 2 LB

 Ground Beef: $5.99, Kroger 80/20 Ground Beef Roll, 1 LB

 Pork Chops: $10.00, Kroger 5 Bone-In Pork Loin Chops, 36 oz

 Chicken Breast: $13.01, Heritage Farm Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, 1 LB

 Hamburger Buns: $2.49, Bunny White Hamburger Buns 2x, 8 pack

 Ice Cream: $6.99, Kroger 1883 Vanilla Ice Cream Party Pail, 1 gal

 Potatoes: $3.49, Kroger Russet Potatoes Bag, 5 LB

 Relish: $2.50, Heinz Sweet Relish Bottle, 12.7 oz

 Mayo: $4.49, Hellmann’s Real Mayo, 15 oz

 Eggs: $1.55, Kroger Grade A Extra Large White Eggs, 12 count

 Celery: $3.99, Kroger Celery Hearts, 16 oz

 Chocolate Chip Cookies: $4.99, Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, 16.5 oz

 Pork n Beans: $1.89, Van Camps Pork and Beans Canned Beans, 28 oz

TOTAL – $74.25

Rod’s Fireworks World ready for America250 Celebration, today

It’s that time of year again where folks are starting to buy their essentials to illuminate the sky on the Fourth of July.

One local business hopes to be the place you’ll go to for all things fireworks.

Rodney Hopper, a Bells native, was born on the Fourth of July and knew that it would be his destiny to open a fireworks store. Hopper opened Rod’s Fireworks World 10 years ago and is continuously expanding.

He owns and operates two locations – 14627 US Highway 79 at U.S. Highway 412 – and 8691 U.S. Highway 412 South.

This Fourth of July will bring even more business to Rod’s Fireworks World due to America’s 250th birthday celebration, Saturday.

What better way is there to celebrate independence than with a show from a 24 cannister shell Excalibur firework.

“This year is up a little bit from last year, any time the Fourth of July is on a weekend, it all comes the last three days,” Hopper said. “So you’ll sell 80 percent in three days, so those three days we’ll probably have 20 to 25 people helping us.”

While fireworks can fill your evening with lots of color and fun, they can also be very dangerous if not used properly. Hopper always sees to it that he ensures safe usage of fireworks when making sales.

“The most dangerous fireworks I don’t promote, so the rockets are the most dangerous because they go 200-300 feet and can tip,” Hopper said. “So in general we don’t promote them and we make sure we tell them every time which ones are the most dangerous, the rockets, big roman candles I don’t promote them a lot unless their parents are with them.”

In the city of Jackson, the use of fireworks is permitted from 11 a.m. -10 p.m., from June 30 to July 5.

On July 4, the permitted hours will be 11 a.m. until 12:30 a.m., July 5.

It is always best to ensure safety when lighting fireworks so that you can have a fun and safe time.

For more safety measure tips you can visit United States Consumer Products Safety Commission’s website.

Leadership Tennessee names Jackson’s Kelsea Merriweather to NEXT Program

Jackson, Tenn. – Leadership Tennessee, a group committed to fostering non-partisan conversations on key state matters, has named City of Jackson, TN Human Resources Director Kelsea Merriweather to the Leadership Tennessee NEXT program for the program’s 13th class.

A total of 32 individuals were chosen for Leadership Tennessee NEXT, representing 13 Tennessee counties. The class brings diverse professional experience in a wide range of sectors and industries.

The cohort is Tennessee’s only statewide leadership program focusing on existing and emerging leaders and spanning geographic and industry boundaries.

“The announcement of the 13th Leadership Tennessee NEXT class represents another important step in developing the next generation of civic leaders across our state,” said Alfred Degrafinreid II, president and CEO of Leadership Tennessee. “What makes NEXT special is the willingness of these emerging leaders to engage deeply with Tennessee’s challenges while building relationships that transcend geography, industry, and perspective. Class XIII brings tremendous talent, energy, and vision, and I look forward to seeing the impact they will make in their communities and beyond.”

During each class session, members engage with those from the Signature Program, learn about issues and opportunities specific to Tennessee, and engage in personal skill development.

“Being a part of Leadership Tennessee NEXT is a true honor,” said Merriweather, Class XIII member. “I look forward to working alongside these talented individuals to contribute to Tennessee’s growth and success.”

Candidates are selected by an anonymous selection committee and evaluated based on the following criteria: professionals who excel in their fields, are engaged in service to their various communities and are dedicated to improving the lives of Tennesseans.

Since Leadership Tennessee’s founding, more than 900 members have graduated from both Leadership Tennessee NEXT and the organization’s Signature Program.

The cohort’s work will begin in August and run through November 2026, and the class curriculum includes robust visits to Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga and Paris, Tennessee.

The Buchanan Realty Group CLICK HERE sponsors Strictly Business.