Category Archives: Uncategorized

In the post about social media strategy on Reimagine Rural titled “Social Media: Are you still a doubter“, Michael Gass was quoted, “The next 5 years will hold more change for the advertising industry than the previous 50 did.” I’m … Continue reading →

Tennessee Technological University has a new, improved website. Check out Tennessee Tech at www.tntech.edu .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber announced that Hickman County has achieved certification under the state’s Three-Star program for excellence in economic development. “The Three-Star designation is the result of a great deal … Continue reading →

Do economic development professionals use social media? Survey says… DCI and IEDC conducted a survey of economic development experts on whether they use social media like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, etc. and how they use it. Survey says… Check out … Continue reading →

I read the article , “The Towns that Build Entrepreneurs“, with interest, which was mentioned in the IEDC Economic Development Now newsletter. I think part of the secret is finding what sparks that entrepreneurial spirit in people. Maybe it is … Continue reading →

If you are planning your professional development for the year and are looking for an IEDC accredited basic economic development course, Georgia Tech’s 43rd Annual Basic Economic Development Course is scheduled for March 23-26, 2010 in Atlanta. Georgia Tech hosts … Continue reading →

Rural areas like Hickman County face challenges in ‘brain drain’ – rural communities doing a great job educating their youth but failing to attract them back after they become college graduates. This paper from the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, … Continue reading →

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Hickman County, Tennessee qualifies for economic development financing of $644,000 for Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds and $967,000 for Recovery Zone Facility Bonds. For more information on Recovery Zone Bonds, check … Continue reading →

Efforts to increase broadband availability and speeds continue: “Rural Tennessee gets broadband hope” from The Tennessean.

To observe Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance, I gave a pint of blood today in honor of those lost eight years ago and to recognize the people whose contributions, large and small, make our world … Continue reading →

I think fear of public speaking may be up there with the fear of death, but the fear of the Internal Revenue Service, keeping records, and paying taxes is probably way up the list. Why worry…. check out the IRS … Continue reading →

AGRICULTURE UNDER SECRETARY TONSAGER URGES FARMERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS TO APPLY FOR VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS Grants may be used for planning activities and for working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy. Eligible applicants are independent … Continue reading →

The Hickman County Fair will be held August 26-29 at the Hickman County Agricultural Pavilion and Fairgrounds. Agricultural exhibits, nightly entertainment, ‘festival food’, and fun rides on the midway. Be sure to ride all the rides and see all the … Continue reading →

In doing research for a presentation by an associate on strategic planning, I ran across the following excerpt from the study, Community Opinions on Economic Development in the South by Thomas W. Ilvento: Rural residents in the South face a … Continue reading →

Transitions. Appropriately enough, I once had ‘transition director’ in my job title. Yep, still working on them. In the recession and the impending recovery, there are transitions that must be made. Starting a business, gaining a degree or certification for … Continue reading →

Hickman County will receive the Governor’s Three-Star Award for Economic & Community Development Preparedness at the Governor’s Conference on Tennessee Economic and Community Development scheduled for September 14-15. Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association leads Hickman County’s efforts and … Continue reading →

I just finished reading a blog post with the premise, ‘if you dread doing your business plan, you probably should not go into business.’ Good point. If you don’t have enough passion about your business that doing a little research … Continue reading →

A topic close to my heart these days is how and when does a part-time entrepreneur make that leap to saying goodbye to the old 9 to 5? First, is there something fulfilling – either financially or personally rewarding – … Continue reading →

Yesterday, I attended the Small Business & Federal Funding Seminar hosted by U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis for his constituents in the Tennessee 4th District, which includes part of Hickman County. Small businesses and community leaders are invited to interact with … Continue reading →

Leaving Nashville International Airport late tonight and negotiating the road construction, I was thinking about how much this transportation resource has grown and improved since my road warrior days in the 90’s. Though the mess of construction was aggravating tonight, … Continue reading →

Hickman County Economic & Community Development Assn., which leads Hickman County’s efforts, had its recertification review yesterday for the Governor’s Three-Star Award for Economic & Community Development Preparedness. The official award ceremony will be a part of the Governor’s Conference … Continue reading →

The New York Times had an article yesterday titled “Mom-and-Pop Operators Turn to Social Media” that gives some examples of small businesses using Twitter to market their business.

Did Twitter cost the movie Brüno millions? There is evidence (see MSNBC.com article) that the crowds that rushed to the new Sacha Baron Cohen movie Brüno came out of the theatre tweeting to their friends and followers that the movie … Continue reading →

I have been trying to find the secret to getting people engaged in their community. Related to that quest is how we as managers of businesses and organizations become better engaged in an interactive, mutually beneficial relationship with our customers. … Continue reading →

The Tennessee Department of Human Services and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is providing training for the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). TVA will provide energy auditor and weatherization contractor training across the state that meets U. S. Department of … Continue reading →

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has always been a great asset for financing small business. SBA has responded to the economic times with some new programs made available by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA or ‘the stimulus package’). … Continue reading →

I’m off today out of town exploring some future opportunites. Looking at other communities – their assets and elbow-grease energy – makes one think not only of greener pastures, but also of fertilizer one might could bring home.

I am anxiously awaiting my wife, Gayle Shay, flying home Tuesday from her work at the Vancouver International Song Institute (VISI). Gayle received recognition for one of her performances at VISI in a review in the Vancouver Sun newspaper.

Though bad for blogging, it was a beautiful weekend for doing those chores outside that I had been putting off. Tomorrow will be a great day to get back to work at Hickman County Economic & Community Development and rest … Continue reading →

Though more on the economic development side, http://www.downtowndevelopment.com/ has a page with a lot of downtown development information, www.downtowndevelopment.com/perspectives.php , but it also has some information that will be helpful to downtown businesses.