Strictly Business - In case you missed it, here's a look at this week's highlights - sponsored by Buchanan Realty Group

Strictly Business – In case you missed it, here’s a look at this week’s highlights – sponsored by Buchanan Realty Group

Social distancing may save your life…News/Talk 101.5 FM may save your business –

Buchanan Realty Group CLICK HERE located in Hamilton Hills Shopping Center, 621 Old Hickory Blvd., sponsors Strictly Business, a weekly column that takes a look at a few of this week’s business highlights.

The Buchanan Realty Group – (731) 300-3071 – provides commercial real estate services throughout Tennessee. The group specializes in leasing, tenant representation, investment sales and acquisition – concentrating on retail, hospitality, c-store, medical, and multi-family sectors.

WTH – Total revenue 25% under budget for March; Trustees pass 7 resolutions

Due to the Executive Orders in place with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, the West Tennessee Healthcare Board of Trustees conducted its monthly meeting virtually – and in accordance with the open meetings laws.

“The month of March was one of great volatility for the health system,” said Jeff Blankenship, Chief Financial Officer, West Tennessee Healthcare, “Volumes began to decline early in the month and, with social distancing measures and mandated service closure and down-scaling occurring mid-month, the system experienced a sharp decline in volume in almost every area of service.

“Consequently, total revenue for the month was 25 percent under budget, compared with only one percent under for the eight months prior.”

Blankenship said during this period, the health system experienced increased cost in its order to prepare for and respond to COVID-19 concerns for West Tennessee.

“Increased testing, visitor screening, out-fitting and staffing of dedicated units, and buildup on personal protective equipment all contributed to higher than usual costs,” Blankenship said, “As a result, the system’s operating income for the month was a loss of $18.1 million, which is $19.9 million less than budgeted.

“The system is working to respond by accessing relief provided at the state and federal level and adjust operations to the significant drop in volume and revenue, which has intensified through end of April.”

One of seven resolutions passed during the meetinig was for the purchase of 40 detection systems to be used at the West Tennessee Surgery Center and in operating and procedures rooms at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, plus the purchase of 5 Situate Delivery Systems to be utilized in the Labor and Delivery area at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

The Board ratified the purchase of a sponge detection system and authorizes the President or his designee to contract for the purchase and installation of the detection systems and Situate Delivery Systems at a cost of $340,000 of budgeted District funds.

Additional resolutions included –

Meetings & Support of in the Time of COVID-19
COVID-19 Related Capital Costs
Care Aware Revision
Ratification of Linear Accelerator Purchase
Donation of Property to Bradford Special School District
Donation of Property to Dyersburg State Community College

West Tennessee Healthcare – Karen Harris named employee of the month

Karen Harris, an employee with West Tennessee Healthcare for over 11 years, is recognized as the organization’s employee of the month.

Karen works at Neuroscience & Spine and The LiFT Wellness Center.

According to her coworkers –

“She is such a wonderful person with a caring soul. She will help out with everything and never needs to be asked.

“She just jumps right in and takes over like a superstar! No matter what is going on in her life she will always say “YES!” to anyone who needs her to cover them.

“Karen has many jobs and wears many hats regardless if it’s in her job description or not.

“Her heart and soul is so real and full of compassion. Thank you, Karen, for being the person you are!!”

JEA reopens Customer Center lobbies for customers

Jackson Energy Authority Customer Center lobbies – 2030 Pleasant Plains Extension and 351 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Drive, reopened Thursday, under the restrictions of a five-customer maximum.

Customer Center business hours –

Monday – Friday

Lobby: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Drive-thru: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The lobby and drive-thru at both locations will be open 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday.

JEA says they are doing all they can to protect employees, customers and the community. They ask that customers practice the recommended safety precautions and social distancing guidelines.

Old Hickory Mall reopened Friday

Beginning Friday, May 1, Old Hickory Mall will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays.

According to the mall Facebook page, the health and well-being of our customers, employees, retail partners, and the communities we serve is always a top priority. As such, we have implemented a number of protective measures to keep our employees, retail partners, and community healthy.

We are closely monitoring updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and will follow guidelines put into place by the CDC as well as other local health and governmental agencies.

We ask that the public exercise good judgment when visiting the property; including following CDC guidelines for social distancing and hygiene practices. We also ask that anyone that does not feel well stay home.

We are taking the following measures in our shopping center:

We will follow all applicable guidelines set forth by local officials.
We encourage everyone on property to follow social distancing guidelines.
Groups of more than 10 people congregating in the mall common area will be prohibited.
The food court seating area is closed until further notice.
Our children’s play area remains closed until further notice.
Our soft seating areas and common area gathering spaces remain closed until further notice.
Mall management staff will be required to wear these masks while in common areas, public spaces or when other individuals are present, except when eating or drinking.
We are requiring that all vendors and contractors working on property wear masks while on property when other individuals are present, except when eating or drinking.
We are encouraging our retailers to provide their employees with masks upon returning to work at the shopping center and that this equipment be worn while interacting with others, except when eating or drinking.
Hand sanitizer units have been placed throughout the property.
Our mall management staff, security and janitorial staff will be required to undergo a temperature check upon the start of each shift.
Our service provider has increased the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing all high-traffic common areas with an enhanced focus on all touch points with CDC-recommended cleaning agents. Customers are encouraged to contact mall management if an area needs attention.
Each store is required to follow applicable guidelines set forth by relevant government orders; which could include but is not limited to: occupancy restrictions, social distancing markers in checkout lines, cleaning and sanitizing procedures, and the closure of fitting rooms.