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.
Q&A: Daryl Fortner, owner of Tulum Fresh Mexican Grill
NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM visited with Daryl Fortner – owner of Tulum Fresh Mexican Grill at 71 Carriage House Drive and 1319 Union University Drive in Thomsen Farms – for a question and answer session.
For complete Q&A Click Here
Bill Kipp named Jackson Chamber Honorary Lifetime Member during Annual Celebration
When Bill Kipp made plans to attend the Jackson Chamber’s Annual Celebration, he went with the idea he would be on the giving end.
But Kipp was caught off-guard when it was announced he was named an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Jackson Chamber, during ceremonies at the Carl Grant Events Center, Thursday.
“I’m so honored to receive the Chamber’s award for Honorary Lifetime Member,” Kipp said, “This opportunity would not have been possible had it not been for the support of my family, my wife Julia, and my employer Gerdau.”
Kipp, a human resources manager, worked 40 years at Gerdau Long Steel North America, 801 Ameristeel Road, prior to his retirement in October, 2018.
“They supported me, encouraged me in my support of my local community,” Kipp said, “I have to give real credit to the chamber because they provided us the opportunity to know where the needs were in our community, and the opportunity for involvement and the importance of involvement by those of us in the community.
“Finally, the real heroes in our community are the people who work for these organizations that are on the frontline providing service to others. They are the ones there helping others, serving others and assisting others and if it wasn’t for them, it wouldn’t be the community it is.”
The celebration honored businesses, industries and non-profits and the Jackson Chamber’s volunteer of the year award.
The list of winners for 2018 were –
West Tennessee Hearing & Speech Center – Non-Profit of the Year
Complete Dental Care – Emerging Business of the Year
LyondelBasell Industries – Industry of the Year
Jackson Energy Authority – West Tennessee Healthcare Health & Wellness Award
Express Employment Professionals – Business of the year (1-49 employees)
Leaders Credit Union – Business of the Year (50+employees)
Danny Wheeler, retired Jackson Energy Authority CEO – The Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year
Toyota Bodine Jackson announces $50 million expansion – adding jobs
Toyota Bodine’s commitment to Jackson and West Tennessee is expanding.
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, near the Airport Industrial Park.
The announcement, which was made Thursday at Toyoto Bodine, means an additional 13 jobs.
Toyota Bodine in Jackson manufactures 4-cylinder engine blocks for Camry, Corolla, RAV4 and V6 engine blocks for, Camry Highlander, Sienna, the Tacoma pickup and the Lexus ES and Lexus RX, and the V8 engine block for Sequoia SUV and Tundra truck.
Toyota Bodine also manufactures automatic transmission cases and housings for Avalon, Camry, Lexus RX 350 and Sienna.
About 2.2 million engine blocks and transmission cases are manufactured each year at the Jackson facility.
“The most import resource is our people, said Wes Woods, president of Toyota Bodine, “Each day our team members produce high quality cylinder blocks and transmission castings that contribute to an amazing driving experience for our customers.
“This latest investment is a direct reflection of their hard work as well as Toyota’s commitment manufactured products in the United States.
“I’m also thankful for our strong partnerships with local leaders in Jackson, Madison County, and the state of Tennessee.”
Jerry Gist, mayor of Jackson, remembered when Toyota Bodine selected Jackson for the plant in 2003, and the growth that continues.
“Toyota’s continued investment in this community solidifies its long-term commitment here,” Gist said, “It validates this region – and its workforce – as one of the top locations to do business in the United States.”
The floorspace expansion will incorporate about 1.5 acres under roof at the 10 acre under roof plant.
“The $50.1 million investment in building and equipment will allow us to double our capacity to make hybrid transmission cases and housings, said Shawn Daly, Toyota Bodine, general manager, plant manager, “This secures a bright future for our team members, and allows us to put down deeper roots in Jackson and continue doing what we love to do – make Jackson a better place to live, work, raise a family and build a better community.”
REAL ESTATE – Market report for Jackson-Madison County
Wes Harris, State Farm Insurance Agent – home, auto, life & banking – 319 Vann Drive, sponsors the Real Estate Market Report.
According to the Multiple Listing Service, new homes for sale in Jackson in February stood at 22, compared to 41 for the same period in 2018.
New construction homes sold January 1 through February 28, was 20, compared to 12 for the same period in 2018.
The number of homes on the market, which includes all of Madison County through Feb. 28, stood at 252.
Average days on the market – January 1 through Feb. 28, was 64.
The average sales price for a home for February was $162,389.
Opening of Empire Theatre nears on Vann Drive
An opening date has not been announced, but Empire Theatre – a new eight-screen movie theatre in The Columns II on Vann Drive – nears completion.
NOTE: NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM will participate in the GREAT MOVIE GIVEAWAY. Listeners can win free tickets to the opening of the theatre.
All seats will be reserved seating. When you order a ticket – even days in advance – you select exactly which seat you want in the auditorium you want to sit in.
At the concession stand, Empire Theatre will offer an expanded menu not generally found in most theaters.
Empire Theatre will offer pub style concessions with french fries, pizzas, Orville Redenbacher Popcorn, chicken strips, mozzarella sticks, soft pretzels, Coke products and local craft beers.
All seats at the new theatre will recline, but the “Empire Theatre X-perience” will be the only auditorium in the Jackson area to offer recliners with armrests that will raise between two recliners to allow more space between the customers.
The “ETX” auditorium features the only NEC laser projection system in the state of Tennessee.
The 11.1 premium digital sound system will feature immersive surround sound, including ceiling speakers.
The “ETX” auditorium will offer both 2D and 3D films.
The screens will be wall to wall and the digital sound system will be of the highest quality.
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(PHOTO: Wes Harris, State Farm)
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