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.
La Michoacana Ice Cream & Paletas opens on Carriage House Drive
La Michoacana, a family-owned and operated ice cream parlor, has opened in the Kim Center, at 566 Carriage House Drive.
La Michoacana has over 50 years of experience in making ice cream products and paletas – a Mexican popsicle.
Additional menu items include Fruta Con Chile, which is a 16-ounce cup of fresh cut fruits with lime, tajin and chamoy.
Fruits include pineapple, cantaloupe, mango, cucumber, jicama and watermelon.
Chamoyadas is a 16-ounce cup of frozen natural mango treat, that includes a sour mild tangy recipe.
The restaurant occupies about 1,700 square feet with seating for 50.
Besides Jackson, La Michoacana restaurants are located in Memphis (4), and one each in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Southaven, Mississippi.
Toyota’s chief administrative officer pitches skilled labor during visit to Jackson’s Bodine plant
When Chris Reynolds, Chief Administrative Officer, Manufacturing & Corporate Resources for Toyota Motor North America, visited Toyota Bodine in the Airport Industrial Park, Wednesday, the discussion led with the big picture for Toyota – car sales and the threats from potential tariffs.
But Reynolds brought it down to the grassroots level with one subject – skilled labor.
“We need skilled workers,” Reynolds said, “By that, I mean, we have these machines that make parts for our vehicles, and we need skilled workers to both maintain those machines and run those machines.
“We’re like many other employers in the U.S., but I’m talking right here in Jackson – there’s a shortage of skilled workers, so the message I would like to get out … even if you don’t have those skills, there are places you can go in the state of Tennessee to get them.”
Namely, Jackson State Community College and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology with an assist from Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Re-Connect.
“Tennessee Promise, if you are a high school student, you can graduate and then access technology college and learn skills that will make you employable by Toyota … free,” Reynolds said, “Then, even if you aren’t a high school student, and work in some other context, there’s a program called Tennessee Re-Connect that allows you to take your skills … go to some place like Jackson State Community College or the Tennessee College of Applied Technology – get the training – and you can be employed by Toyota.”
Toyota Bodine produces the engine blocks for all of the Toyota and Lexus vehicles built in North America.
The company also produces transmission cases and housings.
The company announced a $50.1 million investment, which will add 15 percent – or an additional 65,000-square-feet to the plant’s existing facility at 301 James Lawrence Road, in March.
“There is opportunity to be hired at Toyota at Bodine Jackson – if you have the kind of skills we need – if you don’t you can get trained to get those skills and you will have a job,” Reynolds said, “The need for skilled workers is not unique to Toyota, but since I work for Toyota, I’m pitching Toyota.”
West Tennessee Healthcare – interruption of electronic systems addressed during Board meeting
When the West Tennessee Healthcare Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, Tuesday, James Ross addressed a temporary interruption of the electronic systems at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital that occured July 18.
“Yes, there were delays, yes, there were some things put off until the next day when you can’t match up lab work, medicines and the thresholds our patients need to be on,” Ross, the president/CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare said, “We were trying to make sure our patients are safe, and that’s what we did.”
Ross said the interruption was a great opportunity to test the downtime procedures.
“It was a learning environment,” Ross said, “Thank goodness it was not a hack or Ransomware – something along those lines – but it did allow us to improve our downtime and recovery procedures.”
WoodCreek Apartments, 1000 Hollywood Drive, holding open house, Saturday (Aug. 3)
Looking for like-new apartments in Jackson with an affordable rent and reliable property management?
If that’s the case, you might want to act fast and scoop up one of the 12 newly-renovated WoodCreek Apartments at 1000 Hollywood Dr, near downtown.
According to a press release, the units will go on display during an Open House Saturday, Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The apartments were purchased in February by investors out of Nashville with Jackson ties. Since then, the apartments have been totally renovated throughout, offering new kitchens appliances, new flooring, new HVAC systems, new tile showers and new lighting for security.
Starting at $625 each, the one-bedroom, 700-square-foot apartments will allow renters to get in at an affordable price and have appliances and fixtures that have never been used.
The new ownership, Forged Investments, whose name is derived from the idea of forging partnerships for renovation projects that impact communities, has also committed to offering reliable property management.
“One of the things we hope to do at 1000 Hollywood Dr. is offer the Jackson community an affordable option to live in a well-maintained space,” said Jordan Buie, a former Jackson resident and Jackson Sun writer, who is a partner in the company.
“Part of that is offering you somewhere you can be proud to call home,” he said. “But another part is connecting renters with someone who will help them in a timely manner if something stops working.”
Those interested in viewing and renting an apartment at WoodCreek can call (731) 446-6509.
Buie also said that anyone with a home or apartments they would like to sell that could be a good candidate for renovations can call (615) 933-4999.
“We hope to find more renovation projects in Jackson, and we are always looking for new opportunities,” Buie said.
Christian Publishers Outlet opens at 8 Stonebridge Blvd., in Towne Center North
Jackson’s new full-service Christian bookstore – Christian Publishers Outlet – has opened at 8 Stonebridge Blvd., in Towne Center North, next door to ALDI.
Christian Publishers Outlet offers Bibles, books, gifts, church supplies, wall art, music movie and apparel.
Business hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
West Tennessee Healthcare – Heather Sills named employee of the month
Heather Sills, a staff therapist at Jackson-Madison County General, is the West Tennessee Healthcare employee of the month for July.
Heather was presented with the award by Deann Thelen, a vice president, CEO/Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, and Lyn Tisdale, director of Respiratory Care, when the West Tennessee Healthcare Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, Tuesday.
A four year employee, Heather’s co-workers describe her as someone who responds quickly and compassionately to the needs of her patients.
According to a press release, Heather is recognized as someone who not only cares FOR her patients, she cares ABOUT her patients.
(PHOTO: Wes Harris, State Farm Agent)
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