PROJECTS & GOALS

It is the goal of the Chamber to promote Hickman County through the following projects: 

ECONOMIC/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

 

·     Chamber works with Vision 21:  The Chamber encourages economic development by providing support to our sister entity, Vision 21 (Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association).

 

·     Communities Tomorrow Program:  The Chamber of Commerce is in the process of defining all of Hickman County's assets and will then formulate a plan of action for promoting those assets.

TOURISM:

·         Grinders Switch Depot Interpretive Center – "A Tribute to Minnie Pearl":  $10,000 has been secured from the City and County to help fund this project. Fundraising sources and ideas are continually being generated. The Chamber has written and submitted application for a matching federal grant in the amount of $69,000. The survey on the 5-acre site has been completed. Goal is to have the doors open to the Interpretive Center by October 2002.

·        Grinders Switch Music & Art Festival:  For 11 years, the Chamber of Commerce has been able to expand this event to where it now has the participation of more than 100 vendors. The Chamber added temporary power sources to accommodate increased electrical demands. Growth continues as the festival now encompasses surrounding streets. In 2001, we added more entertainment, a larger carnival-type area, and pony rides. We anticipate greater competition in next year’s Chess Tournament with the help of the Middle Tennessee Regional Coordinator. This event is always on the Saturday after Labor Day.

·        Small Town Christmas Celebration:  This annual event includes a Chili Cook-Off and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony sponsored by the Chamber along with the Civitan’s Centerville Christmas Parade and takes place on the historic downtown square. Coordinating efforts include caroling entertainment and merchant participation. Our goal is to provide the community and visitors with the feeling of coming together in the tradition of holiday spirit.

·        Literature:  The Hickman County Tourism Guide produced by the Chamber of Commerce will be updated as grants become available. Statistical data, major employers, county information such as restaurants, accommodations, places to shop, etc. are part of a complete package that promote Hickman County to visitors and those interested in relocation.

SPEAKERS/SEMINARS:

·         Chamber Member Meetings:  These regular member meetings include speakers on local issues and topics of interest to the citizens of Hickman County. Chamber meetings are open to the public.

·         Candidate Forums:  These forums are held at regular member meetings prior to primary and general elections.  

·         Periodic Seminars: Seminars are held at the request of membership interest.  Past seminars have included the following: Small Business Start Up, Various Business Bookkeeping, Business Financing and other related topics.

·        Open Forums:  Open forums or roundtables are held several times a year at regular member meetings, which afford members and non-profit organizations the opportunity to share with the community their business updates and progress.

COUNTY WIDE CLEAN-UPS:

·         Fall and Spring Cleanups:  These cleanups are spearheaded by the Chamber and, since 1998, over 72.9 tons of litter have been removed from our community's highways.  This on-going beautification project is part of Hickman County's Three-Star Award certification.  In the Spring of 2003, we gained national attention for our efforts by winning an "Act Of Caring" Award, one of only 23 given nationally by the National Association of Counties (NACo).

CHAMBER WEBSITE:

·        Website:  The Hickman County Chamber of Commerce can be seen by visiting the County website at www.hickmanco.com, and following the links to the Chamber's pages.  Chamber members are listed by business category for easy access of those visiting the site. Presently, the Chamber is in the process of setting up the necessary programs so that updates to the Chamber’s portion of the website can be made from the Chamber office on a regular basis.

RECOGNITION LUNCHEONS AND AWARDS:

·         Law & Safety Recognition:  This annual event gives recognition to all the law and safety agencies throughout Hickman County. Recipients of an award are chosen within their individual agency. Presentation of the awards is done at a special luncheon held in their honor in February.

·         Business & Industry Appreciation:  Each year the Chamber shows its appreciation to our local businesses and industries by sponsoring a Business & Industry Luncheon. Individuals from both areas are invited as our guests. A motivational speaker is also presented during the luncheon.

·         Awards:  The Chamber presents a “Citizen of the Year” and a “Community Service” awards each year at the July annual dinner meeting. These awards give recognition for outstanding community service during the year.  A “Boss of the Year” award is presented at the annual Christmas dinner in December. Nominations for all awards are made by the general public and chamber members alike.

  ANNUAL MEETINGS:

·         Dinner Meetings:  Two annual dinner meetings are held for Chamber members and guests -- a Christmas Dinner and the July Annual Dinner. These meetings provide networking opportunities for those present. There is usually an attendance of 100 or more at both of these meetings.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT:

·         Adopt-A-Class:  The Chamber sponsors a class at Centerville Elementary School and East Hickman Elementary School.

BUSINESSES IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

·         Newsletter:  A Chamber Newsletter is published every two months containing current information on business members and local activities. New members are profiled. The publication reaches approximately 300 people.

·    Chamber Spotlight:  Chamber business members are drawn at random and featured in the Hickman County Times twice each month.

OTHER AREAS THE CHAMBER  LENDS SUPPORT:

·         Legislative Luncheon:  The Chamber participates in the yearly Legislative Luncheon held in Nashville, where lunch is served to legislators and their staff. Members of the Board attend this function as ambassadors to Hickman County. Over 950 rib-eye lunches are served.

·         Governor’s 3-Star Award:  The Chamber plays a vital part in the presentation to the State to qualify Hickman County for this yearly award.

·        One or more board members are involved in the following:

See something that you'd like to help with?  If so, contact............

Hickman County Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 126
Centerville, TN  37033
(931) 729-5774
hccc@mlec.net