maury county business
DESCRIPTION
Located 30 miles south of Nashville, Maury County boasts one of the most progressive business climates in Tennessee. Encompassing the cities of Columbia, Mt. Pleasant and Spring Hill, the region is a hub for manufacturing, services and retail throughout the south central portion of the state. Maury County's strategic location, abundant land, low costs and skilled workforce attract a diverse mix of industries, from automobile suppliers like IB Tech, which produces seat adjusters and other automotive parts for Honda and Mitsubishi, to Numatics Incorporated, which makes motion control products. Mt. Pleasant has an industrial heritage that dates back to its days as the "Phosphate Capital of the World" and a strong work ethic that continues to attract niche manufacturers.TRANSCRIPT
Business
Maury couNTy
SponSored by the Maury County ChaMber & eConoMiC allianCe | 2013
Steering GrowthExisting businesses drive investment, job creation
businessclimate.com/maury-county
From big box to boutique, Maury County revitalizes downtown retail
newly opened State route 840 boosts area commerce, distribution potential
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 3
buSineSS
Maury couNTy
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2013 Edition | VolumE 17
20EnErgy/tEchnology
acceleraTiNg iNNovaTioNEntrepreneurs find resources, mentors for startups at Northfield business accelerator
24logistics
road readyNewly opened State Route 840 boosts commerce, distribution potential
34rEtail
FroM Big Box To BouTiqueMaury County revitalizes shopping scene with national chains and locally owned retailers
42hEalth
raisiNg The BarHealth-care providers boost access, quality of care for area residents
coNTeNTs
12BusinEss climatE
sTeeriNg growTh
16Education
workForce warriors
7 overview
8 discover
37 ecoNoMic ProFile
28transportation
TakiNg oFF
38livaBility
easy oN The eyes
All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing
10% post-consumer waste.
pleaSe reCyCle thiS Magazine
on the CoverHome to Middle Tennessee’s third longest runway, the Maury County Regional Airport is a logistical asset for the area. Photo by Jeff Adkins
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buSineSS
MaurycouNTy
SponSored by the Maury County ChaMber & eConoMiC allianCe | 2013
Steering GrowthExisting businesses drive investment, job creation
businessclimate.com/maury-county
From big box to boutique, Maury County revitalizes downtown retail
newly opened State route 840 boosts area commerce, distribution potential
Business ClimateRead more about Maury County’s competitive advantages and assets.
EducationExplore workforce development and training programs offered by area educational institutions.
TransportationLearn more about logistics and transportation infrastucture in the area.
Photo Gallery & VideosOur award-winning photographers show you Maury County’s unique faces, spaces and places.
Keep updated and informed on the latest real-time news, developments and information.
Demographics
Drill down on the numbers behind the region’s powerhouse economy with a full set of statistics and data.
Top Industries
Learn more about the key industry sectors and top companies that make the region work.
TabletTake the region with you with a digital edition optimized for tablet viewing.
TrendsLearn more about what’s shaping the region’s business climate.
Top EmployersFind out who the major players are in the region.
LivabilityArts, culture, recreation, entertainment, education, health care and all the things that make the region an outstanding place to live.
Site GuideLinks to comprehensive data on available land and buildings.
Cool CompaniesMeet more innovative, fast-growth businesses finding success.
what’s on businessclimate.com/maury-county
Online
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buSineSS
Maury couNTyeditor | EMiLy MCMACKiNContributing writerS | NAN BAuROTH, HEATHER JOHNSON, AMANDA MOORHEAD, STEPHANiE VOzzA, GARy WOLLENHAuPT Content Coordinator | JESSiCA WALKER BOEHMStaFF writer | KEViN LiTWiNprooFreading Manager | RAVEN PETTy
lead deSigner | KACEy PASSMORESenior graphiC deSignerS | STACEy ALLiS, LAuRA GALLAGHER, KRiS SExTON, JAKE SHORES, ViKKi WiLLiAMSgraphiC deSigner | MATT WESTCreative teChnology analySt | BECCA ARy
lead photographer | MiCHAEL CONTiSenior photographerS | JEFF ADKiNS, BRiAN MCCORDStaFF photographerS | WENDy JO O’BARR, FRANK ORDONEzColor iMaging teChniCian | ALiSON HuNTER
integrated Media Manager | KARi QuiLLSaleS Support projeCt Manager | SARA QuiNTSaleS Support Coordinator | CHRiSTiNA MORGAN
ad produCtion Manager | KATiE MiDDENDORFad traFFiC aSSiStantS | KRySTiN LEMMON, PATRiCiA MOiSAN
web projeCt Manager | DAViD DAyweb developMent lead | yAMEL HALLweb developer i | NELS NOSEWORTHyweb deSigner ii | RiCHARD STEVENSweb produCt Manager | JOHN HOODdigital projeCt Manager | JiLL RiDENOuRdigital produCtS deSigner | ERiCA LAMPLEy
ChairMan | GREG THuRMANpreSident/publiSher | BOB SCHWARTzMANexeCutive viCe preSident | RAy LANGENSenior v.p./SaleS | TODD POTTERSenior v.p./Client developMent | JEFF HEEFNERSenior v.p./operationS | CASEy HESTER
v.p./SaleS | JAREK SWEKOSKyv.p./Content operationS | NATASHA LORENSaudienCe developMent direCtor | DEANNA NELSONMedia teChnology direCtor | CHRiSTiNA CARDENdiStribution direCtor | GARy SMiTHphotography direCtor | JEFFREy S. OTTOweb ServiCeS direCtor | ALLiSON DAViS
Controller | CHRiS DuDLEySenior aCCountant | LiSA OWENSaCCountS payable Coordinator | MARiA MCFARLANDaCCountS reCeivable Coordinator | DiANA GuzMAN
it direCtor | DANiEL CANTRELL
exeCutive SeCretary | KRiSTy GiLEShuMan reSourCeS Manager | PEGGy BLAKE
Maury County Business is published annually by Journal Communications inc. and is distributed through the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at [email protected].
For More inForMation, ContaCt:Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance106 W. 6th St.Columbia, TN 38401Phone: (931) 388-2155 • Fax: (931) 380-0335
viSit Maury County Business online at buSineSSCliMate.CoM/Maury-County
©Copyright 2013 Journal Communications inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Ste. 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.
Member The Association of Magazine Media
Member Custom Content Council
Member Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance
2013 edition | voluMe 17
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We Love Having You Here.®
I-65, Exit 46 Columbia, TN 931-540-1222
www.columbia.hamptoninn.com
Nestle into a small town with a rich historical background and
a sense of warmth and hospitality in Columbia, less than an hour
south of Nashville. The Hampton Inn® hotel in Columbia is located
off I-65, within easy reach of most historical sites, parks and malls.
• Newly Renovated Lobby
• Clean and Fresh Bed
• Complimentary Hot Breakfast
• Whirlpool Rooms
• Fitness Center with PreCor Equipment and Free Weights
Columbia
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 7 6 || maury county
In late 2010, the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance unveiled a four-year strategic plan, focusing on a diversified economy for
Maury County. The emphasis of this strategy is about capitalizing on the unique assets of the community to create jobs.
One such asset is Maury County’s strategic location on Interstate 65. This enviable location translates into great accessibility and cost effectiveness for a company considering Maury County. Currently, we are in the planning stages to potentially develop a business park along I-65 that will offer companies exceptional access to our regional transportation infrastructure, including I-65, I-24, I-40 and TN-840.
Another asset to help our economic diversification is the Northfield Building in Spring Hill. Formerly GM’s Saturn corporate headquarters, Northfield offers plug-and-play office space to companies looking to be operational in a short timeline. In 2011, the Northfield building became home to IBEX Global, a leading global business process outsourcing provider of customer management solutions. The company occupies 60,000 square feet of the property and employs more than 1,000 people.
Finally, Maury County has a livability factor that is unique among its peers. Not only are we located on I-65, but our proximity to Nashville (30 minutes) and Huntsville, Ala., (50 minutes) provides residents with easy access to metropolitan amenities while also giving them a low cost of living and a great small-town atmosphere.
Known as the Antebellum Capital of Tennessee, Maury County’s rich history and stately old homes help give the cities a distinctive sense of place. Ancient and beautiful natural landmarks, such as the Stillhouse Hollow Falls and Southport Saltpeter Cave, are complemented by modern recreational
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Spring HillSanta Fe
Hampshire
Mount Pleasant
Williamsport
Culleoka
TO NASHVILLE
Maury County Offers Ideal Mix of Big-City Access and Small-Town CharmAREA KNOWN FOR iTS LOCATiON, WORKFORCE AND LiVABiLiTy ASSETS
ovErviEw
facilities in more than 240 acres of parks. The Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance
invites you to see what Columbia, Spring Hill and Mount Pleasant have to offer. To see for yourself, visit www.mauryalliance.com. Or just call Maury County Alliance Director of Economic Development Wil Evans. You are invited to take a look at the old and new advantages a Maury County location offers businesses.
Maury county chamber & economic alliance 106 w. sixth st. columbia, TN 38401 (931) 388-2155 | www.mauryalliance.com
Maury County
Discover Maury County
bringing ideaS to liFeFrom elaborate waterfalls and trees to a giant beanstalk, no structure is too fanciful for artisan industry, which creates large-scale play installations for hospitals, parks, and other buildings and public spaces across the country. The Columbia fabrication firm has received national accolades for its whimsical decor. Its work at the Brentwood Children’s Library was recognized on PBS’s Reading Rainbow blog and helped the library score a spot on Livability.com’s list of Top 10 Libraries for Children. Other unconventional companies in the area include:
Froggy’s Fog: Makes all-natural, water-based fog and other atmospheric fluids used everywhere from haunted houses, fun centers and theme parks to concerts, musical shows and television productions. Along with customers like Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Six Flags, Paramount Productions and Cirque Du Soleil, the Columbia firm provides atmospheric effects for military and fire and rescue training.
softspace inc.: Designs and fabricates interior design furniture and accessories for the trade show, event marketing, retail and architectural industries at its Columbia facility. Clients have included Maybelline, U.S. Cellular and Nike.
cool companiEs
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Columbia-based Artisan industry creates large-scale play structures for local libraries, hospitals and other community buildings.
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 9 8 || maury county
BMC METALWORKS LLC“Emphasizing High Quality, Service and Value to its Customers”
1116 New Highway 7 Columbia, TN 38401 931.388.2978 www.bmcmetalworksllc.com
A 38-year-old company providing a full line of machining, press repair
and rebuild, fabrication, and field maintenance services for numerous
industries throughout the Southeast. The company, originally
established in 1974, has grown to its present size, which includes
three large production buildings, totaling more than
70,000 square feet, and positioned on seven acres
just 3 miles northwest of downtown Columbia, TN.
The City of Spring Hill, TN
is Proud to Support
Maury County
199 Town Center Pkwy. P.O. Box 789
Spring Hill, TN 37174 (931) 486-2252
www.springhilltn.org
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antebelluM Capital oF tenneSSeeMaury County has more antebellum mansions preserved than any county in the state. One home with an illustrious past is Spring Hill’s rippavilla Plantation, pictured below. Built in the 1850s, it was the site of a meeting between Confederate generals hours before the historic 1864 Battle of Franklin. Other mansions include:
rattle & snap: Built for landowner George Polk, the Mount Pleasant home represents one of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture of its time.
The athenaeum: This Moorish Gothic-style home, built for Samuel Polk Walker (nephew of President Polk), flourished as a girls’ school in the late 19th century.
elm springs: Built by a New Orleans merchant, the home was one of the only ones not burned by the Union Army during its occupation of Columbia.
oaklawn: This Spring Hill plantation home served as the headquarters for Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood the night before the Battle of Franklin.
CenterS oF exCellenCeFrom one of the most highly ranked health-care systems in Middle Tennessee to an assembly hub for GM’s up-and-coming vehicles, Maury County is a center for excellence in both services and production. Serving 260,000 people in south central Tennessee, Maury regional Medical center in Columbia is the largest hospital between Nashville and Huntsville, Ala., and the flagship center for medical facilities in Marshall, Wayne and Lewis counties. Repeatedly ranked as a top health-care system by Truven Health Analytics, formerly Thomson Reuters, Maury Regional operates accredited centers specializing in cardiac, cancer, neurological and orthopedic care. Other key employers in the region include:
gM: Operates a flexible assembly plant in Spring Hill that produces high-in-demand vehicles, along with engines and components supplied to GM plants worldwide. Employs more than 1,800.
Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation: Nation’s largest state farm bureau; provides its 650,000 members with financial, marketing and political support as well as life, health, auto and property insurance. Employs 625 in Columbia.
engine oF ingenuitySince making headlines more than 20 years ago for bringing GM’s Saturn concept car to life, Maury County has earned a reputation for its automotive production prowess. The once-idled Spring Hill plant is back at it again, producing the auto giant’s new crossover sports utility vehicle, the Chevrolet Equinox, as well as parts for its iconic Chevrolet Corvette. GM also tapped Spring Hill as a manufacturing site for the four-cylinder Ecotec engine used to power models like the Chevrolet Malibu. Other Maury County companies producing high-tech products include:
experimental design & analysis solutions inc.: Makes the GPS-enabled performance tracking tool Ripxx used by athletes, including several U.S. Olympic teams, to train for skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, mountain biking and other extreme sports competitions.
grafTech international: Produces advanced graphite materials and refractory products used in everything from steel manufacturing to petrochemical, electronics and aerospace products at its Columbia facility.
66Number of historic homes and sites in Maury County listed on the National register of historic Places
By thE numBErs
madE hErE
sitEs to sEE
who’s hErE
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 11 10 || maury county
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W ith an enviable location on the I-65 corridor 30 miles south of Nashville, Maury County has enjoyed a burst in business growth that shows no signs of
stopping. Attracting corporate investment and jobs, it prepares for the future by taking care of the businesses it has today.
“Maury County has a pro-business climate,” says Wil Evans, director of economic development and
interim president for the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance. “Several of our existing businesses have recently announced expansions, and we’re seeing interest from new companies that are considering opening a location in our area.”
General Motors recently kicked off production of its new Ecotec engine in Spring Hill and announced the addition of other vehicles, which will create more than 2,000 jobs.
“The creation of jobs at Spring Hill manufacturing is a direct result of GM’s recent $460 million
Steering Growth
BusinEss climatE
ExiSTiNG BuSiNESSES ExPAND AND THRiVE, DRiViNG iNVESTMENT
AND JOB CREATiON iN MAuRy COuNTy
“We’re doing great things to improve and develop a future workforce.”
Wil Evans, director of economic development and interim president for the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 13 12 || maury county
investment into the plant,” says Kristy Bergstrom, GM spokesperson. “The investment facilitated additional flexibility to our state-of-the-art engine plant and led to the creation of more than 800 new jobs in 2012. Spring Hill manufacturing will continue to play a critical role within GM North America. With 26 product launches for model years 2012 and 2013, it supports an astonishing 19 of those by supplying engines and parts.”
The area’s mix of business and quality of life advantages make it an attractive location for GM, according to Bergstrom.
“Maury County offers competitive rates for conducting business, an ideal location to transport vehicles, parts and engines to sites across GM’s North American operations, and wonderful amenities for
our employees and affiliates,” she says. “Southern hospitality is especially prevalent in Maury County with many GM employees opting to remain in Tennessee even after retirement.”
more Automotive, Business Expansions
GM’s restarted operations in Maury County have had a ripple effect, bringing automotive suppliers to the region like Magna Seating, which produces seats for the Chevrolet Equinox at its primary assembly plant in Ontario and moved to Columbia to support production of the vehicle.
Auto parts manufacturer IB Tech hired close to 500 employees at its new Mount Pleasant facility. And on the call center front, IBEX Global, a customer
Gm’s Spring Hill plant produces the Chevrolet Equinox and the four-cylinder Ecotec engine. the facility also includes a stamping plant, polymer injection molding operations and a painting operation.
gM
GM recently invested
$460 millioninto its Spring Hill
manufacturing plant.
Production of the Ecotec engine and
other vehicles in Spring Hill will
create more than
2,000 jobs.
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“Old South Charm,
New South Progres
s”
in the Heart
of Middle TennesseeCity of Columbia
700 N. Garden St. • Columbia, TN 38401
www.columbiatn.com
management technology company, is looking to expand its Spring Hill operations.
“IBEX Global has about 1,100 employees,” Evans says. “They have become one of our largest employers since they opened their call center in Spring Hill in 2011. We definitely appreciate the automotive market as a huge part of our economy, but we also know a diverse economy is a strong economy. We’re working to recruit different types of advanced manufacturers as well as logistics, operations and support centers similar to IBEX Global.”
Evans says the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance works to keep existing businesses happy and in the area by meeting with industry leaders. His office conducted 40 interviews of existing business leaders during 2012 to identify and address their needs.
“We are always looking to improve what we have to offer,” he says.
Building a World-Class Workforce
One area that county officials are constantly enhancing is the education system. Evans says the county has strong schools and is committed to continuous improvement.
“We’re doing great things to improve and develop a future workforce,” he says.
Maury County is home to Columbia State Community College and Tennessee Tech Centers in nearby Hohenwald and Pulaski, all of which offer programs to prepare workers. A 25,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing development center is also open at the Northfield facility in Spring Hill.
The county is also served by the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance and the Tennessee Career Center, both of which help businesses by pre-screening applicants and coordinating workshops and training.
“These facilities are top-notch in the state,” Evans says. “I’ve heard from people in other parts of the state that have good things to say about our organization. We can definitely offer job training for companies that are looking to locate or expand here.”
Maury County also offers an exceptional quality of life, Evans says.
“Our atmosphere is definitely that of a smaller community,” he says. “Everybody knows everybody. But we are close enough to Nashville to offer the livability factors desired by some. Maury County has it all.” – Stephanie Vozza
opening in 2011, iBEX Global, a call center in Spring Hill, is now one of maury County’s top employers.
magna Seating operates a production support site in Columbia.
Read more about Maury County’s business climate and workforce at businessclimate.com/maury-county.
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“Old South Charm,
New South Progres
s”
in the Heart
of Middle TennesseeCity of Columbia
700 N. Garden St. • Columbia, TN 38401
www.columbiatn.com
When businesses open in Maury County, a whole team of professionals is available to help them grow. Boosting business and quality of life is the mission of two groups recently launched by the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance.
“Our chamber has several committees, such as membership and public affairs, that keep business leaders updated and informed on issues,” says Kara Huckaby, director of the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance. “We host annual events and provide a State of Maury County address, too. But we’ve launched two groups in particular that further the involvement opportunities for our business leaders.”
Women of Wisdom, which launched in the spring of 2012, is a group that meets monthly.
“it was formed as a way to educate ourselves about the issues that affect community, particularly women in the workforce,” Huckaby says.
Huckaby says the group, which has grown to about 30 members, looks at financial issues as they pertain to women and highlights agencies that are making a difference in the community.
“Most of our programming and speakers are geared toward personal development,” Huckaby says.
Generation Maury, launched by the Chamber in 2011, is geared toward advocacy. With a membership of about 40 young professionals, speakers
address local government, education, business codes and retail studies.
“This is a group for those who want to empower themselves and move forward,” Huckaby says. “Anytime you increase knowledge and awareness of current issues you are increasing the likelihood that things will get done. Generation Maury is a group that is eager to learn and make a difference. By empowering them with knowledge, we empower them to make a difference.
“These two groups have increased the passion and involvement in our county,” she continues. “People are excited to be in Maury County. When you’re involved and excited, you become engaged.”
– Stephanie Vozza
Team MauryBuSiNESS LEADERS COME TOGETHER TO CREATE ExCiTEMENT, CHANGE
community collaBoration
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WOrkfOrCe WarriOrS
PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHiPS GiVE MAuRy COuNTy STuDENTS THE SKiLLS NEEDED TO ExCEL iN
THE AREA’S TOP iNDuSTRiES
workforcE dEvElopmEnt
Maury County is committed to providing relocating and expanding companies with the best possible workforce. To prove it, educators are working hand in hand with industry
leaders to address skill gaps before they arise and prepare future workers for high-in-demand jobs in the area’s top industries.
One vital partner in this effort is the Workforce Development and Conference Center at Northfield, a nonprofit facility that helps advance business, economic and workforce development for southern Middle Tennessee. Housing a 25,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing lab, one-third of the center is used for training, and the rest of the 300,000-square-foot space is available for lease to
companies creating jobs. The facility allows education providers throughout the region to offer classes under one roof, some of which are even offered to dual-enrollment high school juniors and seniors.
“All classes are developed with the assistance of the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance to focus on the emerging job market and close skill gaps,” says Tom Brewer, director of the Workforce Development and Conference Center at Northfield.
Columbia State Community College offers several courses at Northfield, including EMS emergency medical training and paramedic training. The Tennessee Technology Center at Hohenwald provides training for automotive technology and industrial maintenance, along with a program for certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The Tennessee Technology Center at Pulaski also holds
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Columbia State students can take medical technician courses at northfield’s Workforce development and Conference Center.
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courses at Northfield in CNC computer numeric controlled machine technology, phlebotomy science, customer service/call center preparation and solar photovoltaic technology.
Workforce-Ready Curriculum
Along with its partnerships with regional colleges and tech centers, the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance provides numerous services to both employers and job seekers. Its 34-member workforce board, governed by business leaders
across the region, meets regularly to discuss the needs of local employers and evaluate how the current workforce can meet those needs.
Jan McKeel, executive director of the SCTWA, says it can be as simple as asking, “How do you describe what you want in an employee?”
SCTWA then works with schools to find graduates who meet these needs or help the schools better understand which courses should be offered to address those gaps.
Under the umbrella of the SCTWA is the Tennessee Career Center, the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Vocational Rehabilitation and Adult Education (Project Learn). All of these entities collaborate to help companies find their ideal employees, partly through aptitude tests that measure interests and skills in a particular area, including math and reading. National Career Readiness Certificates are then issued at a bronze, silver or gold level.
“Employers have also come to rely on these certificates as an excellent screening device for finding qualified applicants,” McKeel says.
A Columbia State student gets hands-on training as part of the Advanced integrated industrial technology program offered at the northfield facility in Spring Hill.
statE-of-thE-art laBs
Thanks to the quick actions of the grants office of Columbia State Community College, the school inherited six pieces of equipment the u.S. Department of Energy no longer needs. Three oscilloscopes (used to monitor varying signal voltages), a microscope, a hygrometer (used to measure the moisture content in the environment) and a frequency meter found new homes in the college’s physical science, physics and chemistry laboratories. For more details on Columbia State’s programs and facilities, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.
Ahead of the Curve
Columbia State Community College also partners with Northfield for some of its training in the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and Advanced Integrated Industrial Technology (AiiT) programs. The goal is to provide hands-on experience in labs and through internships and practicums, whenever possible.
Columbia State’s AiiT program launched in fall 2012, with 22 students at Northfield.
“The emphasis for AiiT is to train graduates for the highly technical manufacturing jobs of today with skills in hydraulics, pneumatics, electricity and robotics,” says Dearl Lampley, dean of the science, technology and mathematics division at Columbia State. “All courses have critical-thinking and problem-solving skills embedded in the labs.”
Columbia State Community College also offers the EYH (Expanding Your Horizons) and GRITS (Girls Raised in Tennessee Science) programs, both founded by Middle Tennessee State University professor Judith Iriarte-Gross.
“The primary mission of these organizations is to further enhance the opportunities and awareness of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) academic fields, primarily for young females,” says Glenn Hudson, associate professor of math at Columbia State. “Although females represent about 50 percent of the population, they hold less than 25 percent of all the available STEM-type professions in the U.S.”
Through high school and college programs and educational alliances, Maury County continues to elevate the skills of job seekers, an approach that benefits both local employers as well as current and future workers in the area.
–Amanda Moorhead
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Emphasis on new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum at Maury County middle and high schools is revolutionizing the way students learn and helping them stay plugged into a changing world.
At Spring Hill High School and Sante Fe unit School, students have the opportunity to take pre-engineering courses. Each week, students from Spring Hill High School and Hampshire unit School participate in Tech Tuesday, which allows them to bring their own technologies, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, netbooks and e-readers to the classroom to use during lessons.
Mt. Pleasant High School is home to a STEM Academy that offers technology courses focusing on everything from minor design and construction to renewable energy.
“All of the STEM courses incorporate working as a team, developing leadership skills and critical-thinking skills,” says Molly Hulen, the school’s STEM quality leader. “The courses also let students apply what is being taught in other classrooms.”
Not only are these efforts better preparing students for a four-year college education, but they are also training them for the possibility of
beginning a technical career right out of high school.
improved test scores reflect the well-rounded education students are receiving, as well as the success of intervention programs designed to help them better understand their strengths and where they should aim to improve.
High school graduation in Maury County rose six percent in 2012, according to the Tennessee Department of Education report card. Rates grew from 81.9 percent in the 2010-2011 school year to 87.3 percent in 2012.
– Amanda Moorhead
Studies in STEMMAuRy COuNTy PuBLiC SCHOOLS DiSTRiCT ADDS TECHNOLOGy, ENGiNEERiNG TO CuRRiCuLuMS
stEm Education
accelerating innovation
ENTREPRENEuRS FiND RESOuRCES, MENTORS FOR STARTuPS AT AREA
BuSiNESS ACCELERATOR
NORTHFiELD’S AuTOxLR8R iS DESiGNED TO HELP
ENTREPRENEuRS LAuNCH NEW TECHNOLOGiES FOR
THE AuTOMOTiVE iNDuSTRy.
NEW SPRiNG HiLL BuSiNESS ACCELERATOR GiVES
ENTREPRENEuRS ACCESS TO RESOuRCES AND VENTuRE CAPiTAL.
THE NORTHFiELD ACCELERATOR HOSTS
ENTREPRENEuRiAL BOOT CAMPS TO HELP AREA
STARTuPS BROADEN THE SCOPE OF THEiR VENTuRES.
EnErgy/tEchnology
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W hen it comes to promoting startups, Maury County puts its money where its
mouth is. Last year, the county opened a business accelerator at the Northfield Workforce Development & Conference Center in Spring Hill to give area entrepreneurs access to resources and venture capital. The accelerator is part of the Southern Middle Tennessee Entrepreneur Center (SMTEC), a public-private partnership and one of nine regional entrepreneurial accelerators established and partially funded by the state of Tennessee.
“This requires a dollar-for-dollar match, so we solicit funds from local philanthropies and the business community,” says Dan Marcum, executive director of SMTEC.
Last summer Marcum led SMTEC’s first major initiative, the TenneSeed Camp, a 12-week immersion program held at Northfield and the Tullahoma accelerator for 11 regional startups.
“It teaches things I didn’t learn in an MBA program. It was an eye-opening experience,” says Michael Letterman, CEO of Cortac, a startup company in the nearby city of Hendersonville that produces a product called CTAV, a revolutionary device that works with military body armor to provide cooling and reduce the impact of gunshots.
During summer 2013, SMTEC staged its second TenneSeed Camp and attracted more than 500 applicants, up fourfold from 2012.
“If we see they have high probability of success, we can help speed that up by exposing them to the experience of top-quality mentors, proven processes and
networking them with key individuals around the U.S.,” Marcum says.
This time the camp was held for the most part at Northfield, but also included visits to other accelerators in the Southeast, where participants were able to network with other venture capital firms and entrepreneurs to enlarge the scope and perspective of their ventures from regional to national.
Automotive Bootcamp Spurs innovation
In addition to the accelerator’s annual TenneSeed bootcamp, Marcum is focusing on developing entrepreneurship in several niches, including automotive, aerospace, defense and law enforcement.
During the summer of 2013, SMTEC revved up its first AutoXLR8R, a
Participants in the AutoxLR8R
bootcamp were provided with office
space and
$20,000in exchange for six
to 10 percent equity.
the northfield Workforce development & Conference Center is now home to a business accelerator that helps entrepreneurs find a market for their ideas.
25% of the economy in Tennessee is
automotive- based
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 21 20 || maury county
Accelerating InnovationEntrEprEnEurs find rEsourcEs, mEntors for startups at arEa businEss accElErator
northfiEld’s autoxlr8r is dEsignEd to hElp EntrEprEnEurs launch nEw tEchnologiEs for thE automotivE industry.
nEw spring hill businEss accElErator givEs EntrEprEnEurs accEss to rEsourcEs and vEnturE capital.
thE northfiEld accElErator hosts EntrEprEnEurial boot camps to hElp arEa startups broadEn thE scopE of thEir vEnturEs.
EnErgy/tEchnology
W hen it comes to promoting startups, Maury County puts its money where its mouth is. Last year, the county opened a
business accelerator at the Northfield Workforce Development & Conference Center in Spring Hill to give area entrepreneurs access to resources and venture capital. The accelerator is part of the Southern Middle Tennessee Entrepreneur Center (SMTEC), a public-
private partnership and one of nine regional entrepreneurial accelerators established and partially funded by the state of Tennessee.“This requires a dollar-for-dollar match, so we solicit funds from local philanthropies and the business community,” says Dan Marcum, executive director of SMTEC.Last summer Marcum led SMTEC’s
first major initiative, the TenneSeed Camp, a 12-week immersion program held at Northfield and the Tullahoma accelerator for 11 regional startups.“It teaches things I didn’t learn in an MBA program. It was an eye-opening experience,” says Michael Letterman, CEO of Cortac, a startup company in the nearby city of Hendersonville that produces a product called CTAV, a revolutionary device that works with military body armor to provide cooling
and reduce the impact of gunshots.During summer 2013, SMTEC staged its second TenneSeed Camp and attracted more than 500 applicants, up fourfold from 2012.“If we see they have high probability of
success, we can help speed that up by exposing them to the experience of top-quality mentors, proven processes and
networking them with key individuals around the U.S.,” Marcum says.This time the camp was held for the most part at Northfield, but also included visits to other accelerators in the Southeast, where participants were able
to network with other venture capital firms and entrepreneurs to enlarge the scope and perspective of their ventures from regional to national.Automotive Bootcamp Spurs InnovationIn addition to the accelerator’s annual
TenneSeed bootcamp, Marcum is focusing on developing entrepreneurship in several niches, including automotive, aerospace, defense and law enforcement.During the summer of 2013, SMTEC
revved up its first AutoXLR8R, a
participants in the autoxlr8r
bootcamp were provided with office space and $20,000in exchange for six to 10 percent equity.
The Northfield Workforce Development & Conference Center is now home to
a business accelerator that helps entrepreneurs find a market for their ideas.
25% of the economy in tennessee is
automotive- based
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 21
20 || maury county
13-week automotive bootcamp co-sponsored by an extensive network of research institutions, top engineering schools, and automotive manufacturers and suppliers. The program was designed to identify, commercialize and fund promising new technologies born in the area that are applicable to the automotive industry.
“In Tennessee, 25 percent of the economy is automotive-based, so there are vast opportunities available for inventive technologies as vehicles to become technologically advanced,” Marcum says.
One concept is superhydrophobic materials that repel water – a process that could be used in the automotive or defense industry, Marcum adds.
“It takes four to six years to develop an auto, but some of the new technologies take only four to
six months, so we’re looking at how they can be integrated both at the time of sale and the aftermarket,” he says.
With the automotive industry in recovery, the southern portion of the United States is targeted for assembly plants as well as Tier 1, 2 and 3 subcontractors, and “we hope to help build that base,” Marcum says.
The AutoXLR8R bootcamp, held May through August at the Northfield Center, immersed 10 selected entrepreneurs in accounting, legal, human resources and marketing disciplines, as well as venture capital opportunities. In addition, participants were provided with office space and $20,000 in exchange for six to 10 percent equity. Entrepreneurs also traveled to auto plants inside and outside the state, and visited Clemson University’s
International Center of Auto Research, located in Greenville, S.C., to interface with engineers on ideas for the industry’s future.
Ultimately, the goal of SMTEC is to help startups understand what it takes to make connections in the venture capital community.
“At these bootcamps, we help companies turn an idea into an investable story,” Marcum says.
–Nan Bauroth
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THE CHALLENGE:13 weeks to identify, commercialize and secure funding for promising new technologies applicable to the automotive industry
THE TERMS:Office space and $20,000 in exchange for six to 10 percent equity, plus immersion in accounting, legal, HR and marketing training and visits to southeastern auto plants as well as Clemson University’s International Center of Auto Research.
THE CONTENDERS: 10 selected entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs, Start Your EnginesIn summer 2013 the Northfield Workforce Development & Conference Center hosted AutoXLR8R, an automotive bootcamp sponsored by the Southern Middle Tennessee Entrepreneur Center and a regional network of research institutions, engineering schools, and automotive manufacturers and suppliers.
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 23 22 || maury county
24 || maury county 24 || maury county
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 25 24 || maury county
W hen Mike wade sends truck drivers on routes to the west of Maury county, he knows they’ll have a safer and faster journey since
the opening of state route 840.wade, vice president for Mount Pleasant
Transfer, a trucking company with terminals across Middle Tennessee, sees the opportunities the new bypass around Nashville creates for transportation businesses like his. his firm offers next-day delivery for less-than-truckload shipments to many points in the region. That means every minute counts.
“any time you can stay out of a major city, you’re a whole lot better off regarding safety,” wade says. “it does cut down on some miles, but the No. 1 thing that’s helped us as a trucking company is the safety issue.”
The final 14-mile leg of the 78-mile corridor in southern Middle Tennessee opened officially on Nov. 2, 2012, marking the end of a project that began in 1986. overall, state route 840 runs through wilson, rutherford, williamson, hickman, and dickson counties, connecting with i-40 east of Nashville at lebanon, i-24 near Murfreesboro, i-65 south at Franklin and i-40 near dickson, and opening up the potential for local businesses to increase commerce from Memphis to Texas.
Maury county offers easy access to route
840 via i-65, putting it within easy reach of interstates running north, south, east and west. Trucks from the county will no longer have to travel on narrow state highways or detour for miles to connect with i-40 in Nashville before heading west.
Plus, the route will allow Maury county to offer a more accessible workforce and plenty of opportunity for economic development that relies on highway transportation.
drawing a wider labor Force
companies like Mount Pleasant Transfer, american corrugated and others serving markets to the west can save time and costs by skirting traffic around Nashville.
The route also opens up the labor pool because now workers can apply for jobs at companies where the commuting time was not feasible before.
The south central Tennessee workforce alliance has held job fairs for workers in Maury county to fill open positions in dickson and other counties. Maury county landed two large employers with the opening of iBex global in spring hill and iB-Tech in Mount Pleasant, and the opening of 840 helps companies draw from a larger talent pool.
“we think it will really open up some paths that folks haven’t necessarily thought about before,” says Jan Mckeel, executive director of the workforce alliance. “we’re trying to get the
road ready
logistics
NEWLy OPENED STATE ROuTE 840 BOOSTS COMMERCE, DiSTRiBuTiON POTENTiAL FOR MAuRy COuNTy
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 25
396
Columbia
31
43
412
65
40
24
40
MAURY COUNTY
Spring HillSanta Fe
Hampshire
Mount Pleasant
Williamsport
Culleoka
Cherry Glen Industrial Park
26 || maury county
state route 840
Newly opened segment of sr 840
interstate
highway
396
Columbia
31
43
412
65
40
24
40
MAURY COUNTY
Spring HillSanta Fe
Hampshire
Mount Pleasant
Williamsport
Culleoka
Cherry Glen Industrial Park
word out that this drive has been cut down, and it’s commutable now.”
Future developments
The new route enhances the area’s highway system and boosts its attractiveness to companies that rely on transportation and logistics. Additionally, Maury County is looking to capitalize on its proximity to Interstate 65.
In cooperation with the Tennessee Valley Authority, area economic development leaders have been busy examining sites along I-65 to find the perfect spot for a potential new industrial park.
The as-yet-unnamed I-65 business park could position Maury County to compete for corporate offices like those in nearby Cool Springs.
Recently, the existing 547-acre Cherry Glen Industrial Park in Mount Pleasant received a boost with a commitment to build a 50,000-square-foot speculative building to attract companies. The county donated 12 acres of land and will make additional investments, along with the city of Mount Pleasant and Mount Pleasant Power Systems.
Local leaders expect these steps to be just the first to support additional economic development.
“This could really open up northern Maury for development,” McKeel says. “It will be very convenient to jump on 840 because if you’re headed west, you do not have to go through Nashville.”
Thanks to State Route 840’s easily navigable corridor and quick, convenient access to major interstates, truck drivers, commuters and customers have plenty to be happy about.
“There are a lot of good things to say about it,” Wade says.
– Gary Wollenhaupt
Find out more about State Route 840’s impact on Maury County at businessclimate.com/maury-county
28 || maury county
M aury County is an area that offers plenty of positives
for businesses, including a strong transportation network. Infrastructure that gives the county a logistical and distribution advantage include direct access to Interstate 65 as well U.S. Highways 412, 43 and 31, along with proximity to newly opened State Route 840. Maury
County is only 40 miles from Nashville and just four hours away from key markets such as Atlanta, Birmingham, Chattanooga, Huntsville, Lexington, Louisville and Memphis.
Maury County also has convenient rail service via CSX and the Tennessee Southern Railroad, which connects to the Port of Florence 60 miles away.
Air Access
A key transportation asset in Maury County is the Maury
County Regional Airport. The Mount Pleasant-based airfield has a 6,000-foot runway, ideal for larger corporate jets and freight carriers that has recently been resealed and repainted.
“Our fuel islands have been upgraded, and in the spring of 2013 we relocated our taxiway, moving it over about 50 feet to provide easier maneuverability for all of our flight customers,” says Paul Turner, manager of Maury County Regional Airport. “We also rent Hertz cars out of our airport, and
Taking Off
transportation
MAuRy COuNTy’S DiVERSE TRANSPORTATiON NETWORK
PRiMED FOR MAJOR GROWTH, iMPROVEMENTS AND uPGRADES
AS THE AREA GROWS
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 29 28 || maury county
40 corporate and individual planes are parked on site.”
Turner says the airport averages 150 flights each month, plus it accommodates transient and military aircrafts.
“In early 2013, four Apache helicopters from New York stopped at the airport to refuel on their way to Louisiana for training; then the four helicopters and two additional Blackhawk jets specifically stopped at our airport on their return trip to New York,” he says. “All of the pilots said they were so impressed with our hospitality on their way to Louisiana that they returned two weeks later.”
Turner adds that the airport serves the needs of area business and industry with charter service for both passengers and freight. Aircraft maintenance is available, along with heated hangars.
“We are open 24 hours, and our terminal is equipped with an on-site conference room for anyone to use,” he says. “This airport is a real asset to Maury County.”
Beautifying the Boulevard
Adding to Maury County’s transportation infrastructure are major plans to beautify and improve James Campbell Boulevard in Columbia, the
Maury County Regional Airport
averages
150 flights
each month
Maury county regional airport
Home to middle tennessee’s third-longest runway, maury County Regional Airport is ideal for larger corporate jets and freight carriers.
30 || maury county
county’s most traveled corridor. The boulevard, designated as U.S. Highway 50, serves as the location of Maury Regional Medical Center, the Walmart Supercenter, Belk, the Columbia Mall, hotels, and numerous businesses and restaurants, so a long-term plan is under way to improve traffic routes while adding to James Campbell’s aesthetic charms.
“It’s the most valuable stretch of real estate in all of Maury County,” says Norman Wright, director of development services for the city of Columbia.
In the next few years, the boulevard will undergo a number of traffic and sidewalk upgrades to improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians, Wright says. He adds that the
overall focus of the improvement project is to transform the busy thoroughfare from a highway into a city street.
“Highways are where motorists drive through the area as fast as possible, but city streets are made for much slower stop-and-go traffic and are lined with nice trees, sidewalks and bike lanes,” he says. “This is an overall $10 million
“It (James Campbell Boulevard) is the most valuable stretch of real estate in all of Maury County.”
Norman Wright, director of development services for the city of Columbia
MAURY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
COLUMBIA MALL
WALMART SUPERCENTER
BELK
trotWooD avenue
HatcHer lanesoutH Jam
es m. cam
Pbell boulevarD
Wes
t Ja
mes
m.
ca
mP
bel
l b
ou
leva
rD
Planned Beautification and Route improvements to James Campbell Boulevard
30 || maury county
project that will take time to raise money and complete, but it’s a top priority here in Columbia and Maury County.
“The city will build a two-lane road between the parking lots of Walmart and the adjacent Belk department store to alleviate traffic, plus construct some through-streets to Hatcher Lane to provide further access to Walmart,” he continues. “Plans for James Campbell Boulevard stretch to the year 2050, but residents will begin seeing initial upgrades very soon.”
–Kevin Litwin
maury County offers shortline rail service through the tennessee Southern Railroad.
MAURY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
COLUMBIA MALL
WALMART SUPERCENTER
BELK
Find out more about Maury County’s transportation network at businessclimate.com/maury-county
Plant Maintenance • Machining ServicesMetal Fabrication and WeldingTurnkey Project Management
www.columbiamachineworks.com
Providing Complete Manufacturing Support and Solutions
1940 Oakland Pkwy. Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 388-6202
Cytec Industries Inc.Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee
Supporting the Community for More Than 55 Years
32 || maury county
32 || maury county
Serving Tomorrow’s Needs Today
410 W. Seventh St. Columbia, TN(931) 388-5387
Redman-davis insuRance agency
INSURANCEAuto ✦ Home ✦ Business
www.redmandavis.com
eCOnOMiC prOfile
Labor Force36,200
Top Employers Population growth in Maury CountyMaury Regional Medical Center:
2,135GM Spring Hill Manufacturing:
1,868Maury County Public Schools:
1,580iBEx Global:
1,200Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation & Affiliates:
625Walmart:
500iB Tech:
385City of Columbia:
373
2000 Census: 69,4982010 Census: 80,9562012 estimate: 81,9902016 projection: 94,487
Sources: Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance, U.S. Census Bureau
2000
69,
49
8
2016
94,
487
2010
80,
956
2012
81,9
90
Cost of Living
Median Household income:
$53,728
Medium Home Sale Price:
$118,420
$$ Estimated Rent for a 2BR Apartment:
$713
IncomePer Capita income:
$23,098Change in Avg. Household income since 2000: 10%
Major Population Centers (2011 estimate)Columbia:
34,915Spring hill:
29,735Mount pleasant:
4,591
Population (2012 estimate)Maury County: 81,990
This secTion is sponsored by
from Big Box to Boutique
MAuRy COuNTy
REViTALizES SHOPPiNG
SCENE WiTH NATiONAL
CHAiNS AND LOCALLy
OWNED RETAiLERS
Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant recently opened a new location in historic downtown Columbia. the Franklin, tenn.-based eatery and live music venue is already helping draw more traffic downtown.
34 || maury county
W hether shoppers prefer the dazzle of a mall, the eclecticism
of a boutique or the convenience of a superstore, Maury County delivers.
Long considered one of the most thriving towns in south central Tennessee, Maury County’s county seat of Columbia has maintained a thriving retail market for decades. With the town square serving as its heart and soul, locals in decades past could spend all day downtown, shopping at JCPenney and Woolworth’s, having lunch at the By-Path Café or catching a show at the Princess Theater.
But like many small towns nationwide, the development of suburbs, shopping centers and strip malls pulled people away from downtown. Revitalization efforts began in the 1980s with initiatives such as the Tennessee Main Street Program, organized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, but results ebbed and flowed – until now.
Retail in downtown Columbia is in the midst of an upswing. New businesses, such as Pie Sensations, The Old Curiosity Book Shop and Wall Candy Custom Framing & Gallery, are joining established operations such as The Wheel bike shop and Ted’s Sporting Goods.
“Downtown Columbia offers a great opportunity for retail because it is such a pleasing place to be in,” says Kristi Martin, executive director of Columbia Main Street. “Columbia has history and integrity.”
the Puckett’s Effect
One especially pleasing newcomer is Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, a
rEtail
popular eatery and live music venue with locations in Franklin, Nashville and now Columbia. The newest Puckett’s location offers two private dining rooms as well as a second-story event center that accommodates up to 400 people. Puckett’s Columbia also marks the flagship for Puckett’s Creamery, a hand-churned ice cream shop located next door to the restaurant.
The excitement surrounding Puckett’s Columbia is something that James Lund, co-owner of The Old Curiosity Book Shop, calls “The Puckett’s Effect.”
“Downtown has needed an anchor store for a long time,” Lund says. “Little stores like us aren’t going to do that as well as a place like Puckett’s.”
Home to unique shops and restaurants, downtown Columbia is a popular retail center.
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 35 34 || maury county
Lund and his wife, Heather, opened the Old Curosity Book Shop in December 2012 two doors down from Puckett’s Columbia, making it an ideal place to linger before or after a meal.
“There are a lot of really nice, unique stores in downtown Columbia, and we wanted to be a part of that,” Lund says.
In addition to new business, aesthetic improvements to
downtown, including everything from bike racks to the Duck Riverwalk trails and Farmer’s Market pavilion, add to the appeal. Columbia also has plans to overhaul James Campbell Boulevard, a busy thoroughfare that provides access to the Columbia Mall and other businesses. The project is part of a larger vision to enhance livability.
“We’re planning to install bike
lanes, sidewalks, trees and new streets,” says Norman Wright, City of Columbia development services director. “We’re confident that our plan will improve safety, property values and access. If it happens to help the mall, that’s just icing on the cake.”
Springing Forward
While Columbia regains its foothold, neighboring Spring Hill
“There are a lot of really nice, unique stores in downtown Columbia, and we wanted to be a part of that.”
James Lund, co-owner of The Old Curiosity Book Shop
Pie Sensations, which sells homemade pies, truffles, cakes and other sweet treats, is one of several new businesses that have opened along the courthouse square in downtown Columbia.
36 || maury county
enjoys a growing, family-centered population, which makes it an attractive choice for large shopping centers such as The Crossings, a development that includes stores like Target and Kohl's, as well as almost 50 additional retailers.
“We receive a vast amount of retail traffic from areas such as Wayne County,” says Spring Hill City Administrator Victor Lay. “People like that can get in and out without the traffic of larger cities such as Franklin.”
From the mega-shopping of Spring Hill to the mid-size and boutique offerings of Columbia and Mount Pleasant, Maury County has retail to suit myriad tastes and budgets. And the future holds promise for even more diversity.
“The time is right for renewal in downtown,” says Wall Candy co-proprietor Mary Helen Payne of her Columbia locale.
Neighbor James Lund agrees. “The square isn’t just the place to get tags anymore,” he says.
– Heather Johnson
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Above left: the old Curiosity Book Shop in downtown Columbia offers residents a place to linger after a big meal. Above right: Founded in 1955, ted's Sporting Goods is one of Columbia's staple stores.
that’s EntErtainmEnt
downtown businesses hosting regular events include:
artisan party: New and local artist showcase First Thursday of the month 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wall Candy Custom Framing & Art Gallery 116 W. 7th St., Columbia
local author book Club: Last Thursday of the Month 7 p.m. The Old Curiosity Book Shop 12 Public Sq., Columbia
Music on Main: Mt. Pleasant Grille Saturday at 6 p.m. 100 S. Main St., Mt. Pleasant.
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 37 36 || maury county
W hether shoppers prefer the dazzle of a mall, the eclecticism of a boutique or the convenience of a superstore, Maury County delivers.Long considered one of the most thriving towns in south central Tennessee,
Maury County’s county seat of Columbia has maintained a thriving retail market for decades. With the town square serving as its heart and soul, locals in decades past could spend all day downtown, shopping at
JCPenney and Woolworth’s, having lunch at the By-Path Café or catching a show at the Princess Theater.But like many small towns nationwide, the development of suburbs, shopping centers and strip malls pulled people away from downtown. Revitalization efforts began in the 1980s with initiatives such as the Tennessee Main Street Program, organized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation,
but results ebbed and flowed.Until now. Retail in downtown Columbia is in the midst of an upswing. New businesses, such as Pie Sensations, The Old Curiosity Book Shop and Wall Candy Custom Framing & Gallery, are joining established operations such as The Wheel bike shop
and Ted’s Sporting Goods.“Downtown Columbia offers a great opportunity for retail because it is such a pleasing place to be in,” says Kristi Martin, executive director of Columbia
Main Street. “Columbia has history and integrity.”The Puckett’s Effect
One especially pleasing newcomer is Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, a
From Big Box to Boutique
RETAIL
MAURY COUNTY REVITALIZES
SHOPPING SCENE WITH NATIONAL CHAINS AND LOCALLY OWNED
RETAILERS
popular eatery and live music venue with locations in Franklin, Nashville and now Columbia. The newest Puckett’s location offers two private dining rooms as well as a second-story event center that accommodates up to 400 people. Puckett’s Columbia also marks the flagship for Puckett’s Creamery, a hand-churned ice cream shop located next door
to the restaurant.The excitement surrounding Puckett’s Columbia is something that James Lund, co-owner of The Old Curiosity Book Shop, calls “The Puckett’s Effect.”“Downtown has needed an anchor store for a long time,” Lund says. “Little stores like us aren’t going to do that as well as a place like Puckett’s.”
Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant in historic downtown Columbia has helped rejuvenate the local retail industry by drawing people
to the area's many businesses including The Old Curiosity Book Shop, The Wheel, Ted's Sporting Goods, Pie Sensations and Wall
Candy Custom Framing & Gallery.
Home to shops and restaurants, downtown Columbia is a center of activity in Maury County.
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 33
32 || maury county
38 || maury county
eaSy On The
eyeSNATuRAL BEAuTy, CuLTuRAL ATTRACTiONS AND OuTDOOR ESCAPES HiGHLiGHT MAuRy COuNTy’S QuALiTy OF LiFE
POPuLAR OuTDOOR DRAWS iNCLuDE THE DuCK RiVER, SOuTHPORT SALTPETER CAVE AND CHiCKASAW
TRACE BiKE TRAiL.
MAuRy COuNTy BOASTS SEVERAL BED-AND-
BREAKFASTS AND THREE WiNERiES WiTH REGuLAR TASTiNGS AND EVENTS.
THE AREA iS HOME TO MORE THAN 60 ANTEBELLuM
SiTES iNCLuDED ON THE NATiONAL REGiSTER OF
HiSTORiC PLACES.
livaBility
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 39 38 || maury county
f rom its picturesque, pastoral setting to landmarks rich in history and heritage,
Maury County has a charm that sets it apart from other communities its size. Aside from its natural beauty, the area offers a wealth of quality-of-life advantages that make it an attractive place to visit and live.
“It is a nice-sized community, and it’s friendly and welcoming with warm Southern hospitality,”
says Brenda Pierce, executive director of the Maury County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Plus the county is easily accessible to Interstate 65 for convenient drives to Nashville or Huntsville.”
Maury County is home to high-quality schools, Pierce adds, as well as an active arts community that includes a recently opened children’s museum called aMuse’um.
“Maury County has also been designated a Retire Tennessee community thanks to affordable housing, low cost of living, low
property taxes, a top medical facility, the four seasons, good restaurants and plenty to do,” she says.
Retire Tennessee is a state economic development initiative that markets 12 Tennessee counties through advertising campaigns in trade shows and other outlets.
natural Attractions
Outdoor buffs can find plenty in the area to keep them occupied.
“Maury County has a full range of recreational activities such as
golf, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, bowling and hiking at five spacious parks,” Pierce says. “Columbia State Community College offers continuing education classes available to people of all ages, and the more active and adventurous can try caving at Southport Saltpeter Cave, while mountain bikers can enjoy several challenges at Chickasaw Trace Bike Trail.”
Another one-of-a-kind recreational asset in Maury County is the Duck River.
“The Duck is great for canoeing and kayaking, plus a new River
Walk Park with a farmers market is open along the river on Riverside Drive, a couple blocks from the downtown Columbia district,” Pierce says.
A Heaping of History, Culture
Maury County boasts several bed-and-breakfasts and three wineries, all of which are in Hampshire, with regular tastings and events. Natchez Hills Vineyard’s 200-seat event center puts on a weekly concert series and occasional dinner theater performances, while Amber Falls Winery and Cellars has live music on the weekends, including a monthly Gumbo Sunday event. Keg Springs Winery offers an array of wines to sample in its tasting pavilion.
Downtown Columbia hosts annual events, Pierce says, including the highly anticipated Mule Day celebration that brings 80,000 people to the community each late March or early April.
“There are other festivals such as a Southern Fried Festival each fall that is a big draw for dozens of live music acts, and a Sunset Symphony every summer as well as an autumn Country Ham Festival in Spring Hill,” she says. “Historic preservation is also a big deal in Maury County where more antebellum homes are preserved than in any other county in Tennessee.”
Several antebellum sites in Maury County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Athenaeum Rectory, Elm Springs, Rattle and Snap, Rippavilla Plantation and St. John’s Episcopal Church. Also a proud part of the community is the James K. Polk Ancestral Home, the former residence of America’s 11th president.
“Besides the Polk Home, on that same block in downtown Columbia is a Sisters House where two of President Polk’s sisters once lived, plus there is a Polk
the duck River is a favorite spot for canoeing and kayaking in maury County.
40 || maury county
Presidential Hall that features exhibits related to Polk and his presidency,” says Tom Price, curator at Polk Presidential Hall. “People can first enter the Sisters House for a quick introductory video, then tour the James K. Polk Ancestral Home and all its interesting belongings, and finally visit the Presidential Hall. They are three amazing historic
attractions all within yards of one another.”
The three Polk sites are open seven days a week, Price says, with several items on display that were owned by the former president and his family.
“Touring the Sisters House and the Polk Home are like stepping back into the first half of the 19th century, just 50 years after the
U.S. was formed,” he says. “And the Polk Presidential Hall showcases all aspects of the vibrant presidency. One of our recent exhibits was entitled Sarah Polk: First Lady of Style, which highlighted the First Lady’s life because she was an unconventional woman of the 19th century.”
–Kevin Litwin
kid-Friendly FunFrom outdoor to indoor adventures, Maury County offers plenty of pint-sized entertainment, including:
aMuse’um: Children are encouraged to explore, discover, imagine and create through interactive exhibits and educational play at this downtown Columbia museum.
ring Farm: Families can enjoy hayrides, a corn maze and Halloween ghost tours at this corn and soybean farm in Columbia.
Kids Kingdom: With a castle-like structure, a sandbox and plenty of play areas, this playground at Maury County Park is a favorite among families.
whippoorwill lake: Adult-supervised fishing for bass, bluegill, catfish and sunfish is available for kids at this 25-acre lake in Williamsport.
the royal brush: Kids can channel their inner artist at this paint-your-own-pottery studio near the Columbia Mall.
natural gEm
Part of a 90-acre state natural area 20 miles southwest of Columbia and three miles northeast of Summertown off u.S. Highway 43, Stillhouse Hollow Falls is a must-see. The natural area opened to the public in 2006 with a small parking area, signage, a kiosk and developed trails. Streams, waterfalls and wildflowers regale hikers along the 2.3-mile trail. Those who want more can explore a small forest of sugar maples, sycamores, white oaks, beeches and tulip poplar trees near the falls.
Kids Kingdom in Columbia’s maury County Park is a popular playground, drawing between 600,000 and 800,000 visitors each year.
40 || maury county
it’s feast first at restaurants throughout Maury County – and each town in the area is served well, with a diversity of eateries from meat-and-threes to fine dining.
Newcomers to the local restaurant scene include the Columbia location of Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, which has Southern cooking and live music on the menu, and River Terrace Restaurant, which serves up authentic Cajun cuisine cooked by native New Orleanians.
Columbia also offers places like Buckhead Coffee House, Embers Tavern & Grille, Legends Steakhouse, Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse, Christy’s 6th Street and Stan’s Restaurant, while Spring Hill has destinations such as
Amigo’s Mexican Grill, JJ’s Barbecue, Pancho’s Place, yaya’s Bakery & Cafe and Sultan Table. Campbell Station Store & Restaurant serves customers in Culleoka, and Mount Pleasant Grille is a favorite of diners in Mount Pleasant.
An upscale venue that has been a fixture in downtown Columbia’s public square is Square Market & Cafe, which opened in 2003.
“it took a while to get established because no restaurants and very little retail were on the square at that time,” says Debra Mann, owner of the eatery. “But word grew, and so did our restaurant.”
Square Market & Cafe is now open for breakfast and lunch Monday-Saturday and dinner on weekends.
“Dinner can feature anything from steak to salmon served in an elegant and romantic atmosphere,” Mann says. “Our chef is Chris Howes, a graduate of the famed Johnson and Wales College of Culinary Arts. We’re lucky to have Chris.”
Mann adds that all items on the menu are fresh and made to order, and catering services are also available.
“We were nominated in seven restaurant categories in the recent Columbia Daily Herald Best of Maury competition, including best wait staff, best romantic environment and best soups,” she says. “We enjoy being in Maury County and thank our customers for supporting us all these years.”
–Kevin Litwin
A Full PlateMAuRy COuNTy RESTAuRANTS OFFER DiVERSE DiNiNG
cuisinE
raising the Bar
hEalth
HEALTH-CARE PROViDERS BOOST ACCESS, QuALiTy OF CARE FOR AREA RESiDENTS
42 || maury county
M edical advancements are common-place at Maury Regional
Medical Center, home to heart, cancer, neurology and orthopedic centers, and nationally acclaimed for its patient care and safety.
Located in Columbia, the hospital was recently ranked among the nation’s top 100 hospitals by Truven Health Analytics, formerly known as Thomson Reuters. The facility was also the only hospital in Tennessee to attain Truven Health’s annual Everest Award, which recognizes hospitals that have achieved both the highest level of current performance and the fastest long-term improvement over the course of five years.
Maury Regional’s ongoing expansions and enhancements to technology and services continue to boost the quality of and access to care for patients. A new Maury Regional Cancer Center opened in June 2012 at the Columbia Mall. The new center includes a FHG Oncology physician practice, a large chemotherapy area and an on-site pharmacy.
“As the number of cancer patients treated at the hospital continued to increase, it created the demand for a more spacious facility,” said Alan Watson, Maury Regional Medical Center CEO. “The site at the Columbia Mall was selected for patient convenience and affordability compared to building a new center.”
Also in 2012, Maury Regional added neurosurgery to its list of hospital specialties. Its neurosurgery services include craniotomies, radiosurgery for treating inoperable brain tumors, spinal surgery for degenerative disease, and removal of benign and malignant spinal tumors.
Excellence in Cardiac Care
The hospital’s cardiac program also marked a milestone, with
the newly opened maury Regional Cancer Center, located in the Columbia mall, offers increased space and convenience for cancer patients.
physicians performing their 1,000th radial artery cardiac catheterization since the procedure was first introduced at Maury Regional in 2011.
“The radial artery cardiac catheterization is less invasive, reaching the heart via a small puncture through the wrist,” Watson says. “The benefits to the patient include a significant decrease in recovery time and discomfort as well as a lower possibility of complications.”
The medical center offers cardiovascular and thoracic services through a collaboration with Vanderbilt Heart. Services include interventional procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting, as well as cardiac bypass surgery, defibrillator implantation and more.
Health Care Expands in Spring Hill
Maury Regional first expanded into Spring Hill with a three-physician primary care practice and imaging center on Main Street, and now the hospital is adding a facility near the intersection of Port Royal and Saturn Parkway. Services at Maury Regional Spring Hill, which opened in the spring of 2013, include pediatrics, physical therapy and radiation oncology, along with an outpatient surgery center for general, gynecological, ophthalmologic, orthopedic, urological, and ear, nose and throat surgeries.
Health provider TriStar Centennial also expanded into Spring Hill. In February 2013, a
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 43
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highly ranked for health careMaury regional Medical Center www.mauryregional.com
NAMED AMONG 100 TOP HOSPITALS
AND RECEIVED THE EVEREST AWARD
IN 2013 FROM TRuVEN HEALTH
ANALyTICS, FORMERLy THOMSON
REuTERS
NAMED TOP HEALTH SySTEM
IN 2011 AND 2012 By TRuVEN
HEALTH ANALyTICS
NAMED AMONG 50 TOP
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2012 By TRuVEN HEALTH ANALyTICS
RECEIVED THE QuEST AWARD FOR
HIGH VALuE HEALTH CARE IN 2011 By
PREMIER HEALTH-CARE ALLIANCE
HOME TO A LEVEL III ACCREDITED
CHEST PAIN CENTER
FIRST HOSPITAL IN TENNESSEE TO
RECEIVE A PATHWAy OF ExCELLENCE
DESIGNATION FROM THE AMERICAN
NuRSES CREDENTIALING CENTER
new TriStar Medical Park at Spring Hill opened near the intersection of Kedron Road and Saturn Parkway. The three-story, $15 million building has a free-standing emergency department on the first floor staffed by board-certified physicians and emergency care staff.
“The entire first floor features a 10,000-square-foot, 24/7/365 emergency department that has 12 rooms, including two dedicated pediatric rooms, one large trauma room and an isolation respiratory room,” says Joe Mazzo, vice president of clinical operations for TriStar Centennial. “Much of the U.S. is moving toward free-standing emergency room facilities in growing communities, and Spring Hill certainly has needed such a medical park for some time.”
The goal of the medical park is to provide as many health-care services as possible to area residents, Mazzo says.
“Current services include X-ray, CT scans, ultrasound and imaging, plus telemedicine that allows doctors from afar to offer helpful diagnoses,” he says. “We will eventually lease second- and third-floor offices for cardiology, ob/gyn, mammography and other specialties. There is no surgery or overnight stays at the Spring Hill medical park. Its main purpose is being an emergency department along with specialty offices.”
The emergency department also has a medical laboratory as well as an adjacent helipad.
“There is also a decontamination room, a seclusion room and plans for much more,” Mazzo says. “Spring Hill continues to be an expanding community, and we want to eventually have all of its medical needs covered.”
–Kevin Litwin
Find out more about Maury Regional Medical Center’s expansions at businessclimate.com/maury-county
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 45 44 || maury county
Take a sTeP Back iN TiMeHoused in a restored church originally built in 1882, the Polk Presidential Hall, the exhibition center for the James K. Polk Home, offers visitors a glimpse at historic documents and artifacts related to u.S. presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson.
gallEry
46 || maury county
a shoPPer’s MeccaHome to an array of eclectic shops and locally owned boutiques, the Public Square in Columbia is a popular stop for shoppers looking for unique merchandise.
businessclimate.com/maury-county || 47
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501 West 8th St. Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-8403
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Ad Index 32 AmericA’sHomePlAce
c4 AscendFederAl creditUnion
10 BmcmetAlworksllc
c2 BostelmAnenterPrises
15 cityoFcolUmBiA
10 cityoFsPring Hilltennessee
32 colUmBiAAcAdemy
6 colUmBiAHAmPtoninn
32 colUmBiAmAcHineworks
41 colUmBiAPower &wAtersystems
22 colUmBiAstAte commUnitycollege
44 commUnityFirstBAnk &trUst
32 cytecindUstriesinc.
32 dUckriverelectric memBersHiPcorPorAtion
32 FAnciwork/PAtcHtown
1 FirstFArmers
5 generAlmotors
32 HeritAgeBAnk&trUst
44 krAFtcPAs
27 mArtinmetHodistcollege
22 mAUrycoUntyconvention &visitorsBUreAU
48 mAUrycoUnty PUBlicscHools
c3 mAUryregionAl medicAlcenter
48 PAintingwitHAtwist
Ad Index (cont.) 31 PArksmotorsAlesinc.
33 redmAn-dAvisinsUrAnce
48 tAP-rsi
32 tennesseeFArm BUreAUFederAtion
2 vAnderBiltmedicAlcenter
48 viPmoving&storAge oFtennessee
48 ymcAoFmiddletennessee
19 ZioncHristiAnAcAdemy
