Chamber Blogs

ATTENTION Race Fans...

The Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Chamber Tailgate at the Nashville Superspeedway Friday, June 18th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. before the festivities and Rackley Roofing 200 truck race begins.

To purchase the race tickets, call 1-866-722-3849 and mention the "Lebanon Wilson Chamber".

A portion of each ticket ($10.00) will be donated back to the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce.

Location: Nashville Superspeedway 4847-F McCrary Road, Lebanon, TN 37090.

Make your reservation today...Limited seating

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Make your reservation today...Limited seating

For mor information call 615-444-5503.

Employer Registration is:
https://portal.premiervirtual.com/event/register-company/5052-wilson-county-schools-career-fair

March 16 @ 9 AM Premier Virtual Training Session for Employers via Zoom:
https://premiervirtual.zoom.us/j/85202694457

Student/Job seeker Registration is:
https://portal.premiervirtual.com/event/register-jobseeker/5052-wilson-county-schools-career-fair

For more information contact Adina Chumley-Director, Wilson Works

Phone: 615-444-5503 

Email: achumley@wilsonworkstn.org

Sneak Peak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGc2gDHeoWY

Save the Date!

Join us for our Annual Membership Meeting & Awards Celebration on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

More details to come.

#wearethechampions #chambersupport #awards #celebration #sponsoredbyfandmbank

Sign up to be featured: https://forms.gle/Jk8hx9ifbzft68kZ6

 

#fridayfivesponsor #sigrunwatson #signuptobefeatured #hendersonflorist #hotyogalebanon #sweetthingbakery #squaremarket #wigginsjewelers #specialeventsdivision #lebanonwilsoncountychamberofcommerce

The Business & Education Coalition, a Division of the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting scholarship applications.

Applications must be completed and returned to the Lebanon Wilson Chamber of Commerce Office by 4:00 p.m. on April 9, 2021. Scholarship details and applications are available on the Chamber website, www.lebanonwilsonchamber.com or by calling a Chamber team member at 615-444-5503.

Click here: https://www.lebanonwilsonchamber.com/.../edu.../scholarships

Scholarships available:

The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber Education Scholarship is a one-time $1,000.00 scholarship to be awarded to a full-time freshman student. Students must be a Wilson County resident with a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA and a minimum ACT score of 20 or SAT of 1060.  Students must be a Wilson County High School graduate. If recipient attends Cumberland University, the funds will be matched.

The Mike Baker Scholarship is a one-time $1,500.00 scholarship to be matched by Cumberland University and awarded to transferring or returning full-time student at Cumberland University. Students must have a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA.

The Beauty Boutique Scholarship is a one-time $1,000.00 scholarship to be awarded to full-time freshman accepted to a cosmetology and/or aesthetic program in the State of Tennessee. Qualifying students must be residents of Wilson County and full-time students at Wilson County High School with a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA.

The Jewelers Trade School Scholarship is a one-time $500.00 scholarship to be awarded to full-time student that has been accepted to a trade school program in the State of Tennessee. Qualifying students must be residents of Wilson County and full-time students at Wilson County High School with a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA. Funds will be awarded after completed first term of study.

The Max & Ann Smith Nursing Scholarship is a nursing scholarship to the Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions. Scholarship Dollars will be based on needs of applicant, minimum $1,000.00 to be matched by Cumberland University. Qualifying requirements are student must be a Wilson County graduate, must be entering or continuing upper division nursing, must have a minimum ACT score of 20 or SAT of 1060, must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (either transfer credits or Cumberland credits), must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and must submit all the requested information on or before the specified deadline.

FINDING A PATH FORWARD

How do you launch a new program during a pandemic?  Answer.  One step at a time.  And, flexibility.  Lots of flexibility. 
 
Wilson Works is building momentum one day at a time with a goal of improving pathways from training to jobs.  Workforce development is crucial to any community, especially if it’s in one of the fastest growing counties in Tennessee.  Despite the challenges of a pandemic, there is purpose and promise in finding a way to grow our workforce, and prepare for jobs that support families and communities.  Partnering with K12 schools, local industry, and government, Wilson Works is exploring programs and services that will elevate opportunities. 
 
In the coming months, Wilson Works will gradually roll out efforts to keep students, job seekers and employers engaged.  There is no better time than now to be training, retooling, and preparing for what’s next.  Wilson Works wants to ensure citizens and employers are aware of programs and partners positioned to improve skills.  For example, programs such as Tennessee Reconnect (www.tnreconnect.gov) provide tuition so adults can earn a professional certificate or Associates degree.  Incumbent Worker grants exist to help businesses train and retain current employees by providing skills upgrades and process improvement training.  Meanwhile, Wilson County Schools offers a diverse Career and Technical Education curriculum, and dual enrollment programs for students seeking to enter the workforce after graduation.  TCAT, Volunteer State, Cumberland University and MTSU continue to supply crucial workforce training that benefits students, adults, and the companies who are seeking skilled talent. 
 
With so many options for workforce development, it can be confusing for those seeking training, jobs, or employers trying to recruit talent.  The good news is that this community has exceptional opportunities.  With support from incredible partners, Wilson Works remains focused on a path forward for workforce development. 

Message from Mayor Randall Hutto to local businesses

2020 Taste of Wilson County Celebration Week

Join us for an entire week through videos and social media to reflect on our annual Taste of Wilson County. Please like the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page to help us celebrate our event. During the week of December 7^th- 11^th, the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce and the Wilson County Business & Education Coalition are asking our communities to continue to support all local restaurants and retail stores who have given so much to education in Wilson County. The Taste of Wilson County began in 2009 to benefit Teacher Grants, Wilson Books from Birth, Tennessee Scholars and student scholarships throughout Lebanon, Mt. Juliet and Watertown.  

For twenty - one years, the Wilson County Business & Education Coalition has funded 571 Teacher Grants totaling over $243,000.00, more than 19,000 children have benefited from the Wilson Books from Birth program and 5,871 high school seniors in Wilson County graduated as Tennessee Scholars and were awarded over $120,000.00 in scholarships.

We want to take this time to express our sincere appreciation to all of our past food and marketplace vendors, our Lebanon High School and Wilson Central High School culinary departments, our dignitaries, our emcee Mac Griffith, Hawk Specialty and others. All of our friends have made this a fun event every year.

A special thanks to our community partners, ticket purchasers, education systems and volunteers for always making Taste of Wilson County a successful event.

“During these unprecedented times, we are very thankful for our continued sponsors in 2020. Without you, our educational gifts would not have been possible this year,” said President & CEO Melanie Minter. “The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce and our Business & Education Coalition are grateful for your passion and your dedication to education in Wilson County.”

The Taste of Wilson County Title Sponsor is Wilson Bank & Trust. Major Sponsors include Cumberland University, Famous Footwear, Performance Foodservice Nashville, Ravenflight Web & Media Solutions, Wes Dugan Wilson County Farm Bureau-Castle Heights and Wilson County Chevrolet-Buick-GMC-Hyundai. New, in 2020, we were fortunate to have many additional Supporting and Friend of Teacher sponsors.

Stroll Around the City of Lebanon for a Fun, Fall Scarecrow Contest

 The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce invites the community to experience the spirit of the fall season. This is a great time for you, your family and your friends to stroll throughout the city and enjoy the unique displayed scarecrows at local businesses.

The Special Events Division of the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce is encouraging businesses to participate in the Scarecrow Contest and promote their businesses.

Participants will create their own free standing/self-supported scarecrows (no store-bought versions allowed). The scarecrows will be placed throughout the city in front of participating businesses. If a participant does not have a storefront, a location will be provided for them. 

The entry fee of $25 to participate, may be paid via cash, check, or credit card when the application is submitted. The scarecrows will be on display the month of October. A photo of your scarecrow and a promotional statement is to be submitted to the Chamber no later than September 30^th to be entered into the Facebook voting contest.

Facebook voting will take place October 1^st – October 28^th. Prizes will be given for the following categories: Best Overall ($75 value), Most Creative ($50 value), and Fan Favorite ($50 value). Photo “likes” will be counted as votes to determine the Fan Favorite. Winners will be announced via Facebook live on October 29th.

Applications and complete guidelines are available online https://www.lebanonwilsonchamber.com/chamber-events/scarecrow-contest and at the Chamber, located at 149 Public Square. For more information on how you can be a part of the contest, contact the Chamber office at 615-444-5503.

Small business is the backbone of Wilson County’s economy, and as a county, we will continue to focus on targeted relief for these businesses. TennCommUNITY is an initiative created and designed to help with recovery by urging the communities to shop locally. The mission includes providing advertising and marketing tools for small businesses, contributed by the network of partnering banks and chambers. Through the unified efforts of this partnership, we aspire to boost commerce and support for local merchants...

Link: https://www.tenncommunity.com/

Are you a member? Are you involved?  Membership in your local chamber offers numerous benefits and keeps business owners on top of important, ever-changing issues and trends within their community and marketplace.

  According a research study by The Shapiro Group, Inc. and Market Street Services, when consumers know that a business is a member of their local chamber of commerce, they are 44 percent more likely to think favorably of it and 63 percent more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.

  Membership brings credibility to your business - Increases your visibility in the community - Creates networking opportunities – offers a voice - business contacts - chamber newsletters - customer referrals - Chamber events and programs - promotions and publicity.

  How does all that sound?  Your success is our success and we are anxious to welcome you as a part of the team. Call me to discuss more details, 615-444-5503.

Andrea K. Wilke
Vice President Membership & Finance

If you were affected by the torndaoes on March 3, 2020, please see the information below on how to begin an application with FEMA. The deadline to apply is May 4, 2020.

The Tennessee Department of Health will offer drive-thru COVID-19 testing in various locations throughout Tennessee this weekend. If you have health concerns, or have concerns about the health of a family member, you are invited to receive testing for COVID-19. The Wilson County Health Department will have FREE drive-thru testing tomorrow, April 18^th from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

The Wilson County Health Department is located at 927 East Baddour Parkway, Lebanon, TN 37087.

Drive-thru testing will be held at other locations on April 19^th. To view the full list of drive-thru COVID-19 testing locations in Tennessee, visit https://www.tn.gov/health/news/2020/4/15/covid-19-drive-through-testing-locations-open-this-weekend-statewide.html. To view the full map of Tennessee COVID-19 drive-thru testing locations, visit https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov/remote-assessment-sites.html.

For qestions regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) call Tennessee’s Coronavirus Public Information Lines at 833-556-2476 or 877-857-2945. These lines are open from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily.

Effective 3/19/2020 through the remainder of the month, the Chamber office will be closed to the public due to the Covid-19. After careful consideration and taking extra precautions, these changes are to protect the health and safety of our staff, members and our community. We appreciate your support and understanding.
 
At this time, your Chamber staff will continue to keep you connected.  We are available to answer any questions you may have by calling 615-444-5503. Please follow us on social media, check your emails and our calendar for updated information.

Our Chamber team continues working for you and your business. Please submit any special services you are offering to marketing@lebanonwilsonchamber.com.