Lunch is $7.00 - Please email us for a lunch reservation, or call the Chamber at 731-645-6360.

BONUS: Bruce Manley would like to present a free “Selmer T-Shirt” to everyone who attends this meeting.

Below is a summary of the organizations news and thoughts:

Roundtable 2008 - May 8, 2008
At Another Realm Café at 6:00 p.m.
Complimentary Dinner Served to 2 from participating organizations (community-minded businesses & service organizations) - Pepper Roast, Twice baked potatoes, salad, bread, sorbet

Attendees:
Adamsville/Buford Pusser Foundation: Renee Moss & Fred Kahren
Adult Education: Patsy Pearson & Tammy Moore
Arts in McNairy: Barbara Tennyson
Bethel Springs: Mayor Norma Smith
Chamber of Commerce: Ted Moore
Coon Creek Science Center: Vicky Goodrum
Guys Community Development Corporation: Paul & Sheila Durr
Habitat for Humanity: Donny Gibbs & Richard Howard
Hardin County Chamber of Commerce: Beth Pippin (Chamber Director) & Gary Welch (City Manager)
Harold Knight Media: Harold & Pat Knight
Lion’s Club: Marc Anderson
McNairy Co. Economic Development Commission: Ted Moore
McNairy County Historical Society: Judy Hammon
Rosenwald Alderman: Shirley Williams
Purple Martin Festival: Steve Stoll & Herman Beachy
Rose Creek Village Arts: Simchah Park
Rotary Club: Marc Anderson

Participants by Information Sent:
Corinth Chamber of Commerce
MCHS Bobcat Community Service Club
UT Martin, Selmer Location

Unable to Attend:
Big Hill Pond State Park
Dr. Timothy Linder
Independent Appeal
McNairy Regional Hospital
Selmer Parks & Recreation

Community leaders

Renee Moss from the Buford Pusser Festival organization spoke on the annual festival and the new bus tour that will go to all the Pusser historical sites (ambush site, state line areas, courthouse, and courtroom).

Norma Smith the mayor of Bethel Springs invited everyone out to Bethel Springs for the Quilt Show in October and their Holiday celebrations.

Shirley Williams from the Rosenwald Community explained that their organization main purpose to rebuild the Rosenwald school that was originally used for African Americans in the 1850’s.Currently using the civic center the Rosenwald Community hosts events monthly many of those events focused on activities for young people.

Rose Creek Village Arts, a multi-cultural organization, will be hosting a Community Conference with ten-twelve different workshops in late June.
In September, money raised at the Villagefest that includes music, dance, dramas, vendors, and wonderful food will go to needy children and orphans.

Marc Anderson, a representative for the local Rotary that is part of the International organization that works to completely eradicate polio, and supports several internation projects including getting clean water and electricity to Honduras, and the program “books to birth.”

Also, Marc Anderson spoke for the Lion’s Club, an organization that Focuses on Eyesight primarily providing glasses for those in the community that cannot afford them.

Vicky Goodrum the head of Coon Creek and the Duncan Nursery & Christmas Tree Farms invited everyone out to the 232 acre fossil deposit and fall events at the tree farm that include: corn maze and pumpkin patch. The tree farm also hosts the McNairy County Health fair this year that will offer free health screenings for children.

Habitat for Humanity in McNairy County, an organization that focuses on building affordable housing for needy families in our community, has set a goal to build one house per year. Donnie Gibbs is happy to announce the 2008 project and donations/labor are always welcome.

Arts in McNairy (AiM) has many exciting events this year including the annual Artisan Trail that highlights local artists studios, and a concert series that runs all year long. AiM brings different venues of the global art world into our count. AiM’s reputation has spread across western Tennessee and now has individuals from several counties auditioning for their theatrical productions.

Steve Stoll, the son of the late Victor Stoll gathered with ten to twelve people in 1998 for a love of wildlife especially our local Purple Martin. This organization has grown into The Purple Martin festival where up to 400 people from over thirty states gather. Unknown to most in our county, McNairy has the largest population of Purple Martin’s in the nation with 600-700 pairs of birds. The Purple Martin Festival is the 3rd weekend in June. Everyone is welcome to enjoy learning about the wildlife along with door prizes, and raffles.

Fun and excitement is coming to Guys, Tennessee: Shelia and Mayor Paul Durr are putting on an information day at the Guys Community Center. This is an opportunity for people to get together, enjoy good food, entertainment while getting information from various agencies. Mayor Durr believes he can make a difference in Guys through programs focused on improving their community.

Guys Economic Development Corporation headed up by Shelia Durr is hosting a Youth Leadership Conference for 7th-11th graders on July 11th-12th. This two day event led by Elias Durr will help the youth learn to express themselves and bring outhe “good in them” explained Mrs. Durr.

Harold Knight of the Knight of Knight Media has begun putting on shows at the Civic Center that include dinner, dancing, and different venues of music. Knight Media is excited about bringing Rock-a-Billy music into the McNairy Community with the help of the new bill passed that makes this part of 45 the Rock-a-Billy Highway. Bill Tull a local artist is said to be painting murals with this theme around town.

Mayor Robinson commented how great it was for everyone to gather for the 2nd year in a row. Mayor Robinson is looking forward to all the changes we shall see in the county/town and the movies in the park.

Ted Moore with the chamber and the economic development board has been reorganized this year to help to do things differently and focus on goals other than fundraising. By June, a new Chamber director will be in place that will allow Mr. Moore to focus on promoting economic development; which includes bringing in new and retention of existing industry, working closely with education system, work-force development and much more. Mr. Moore also spoke about a new company coming to the old Schefnacker building that would bring eighty new jobs. The best part was that this company looked at the five other communities before choosing. They saw everything and met every mayor, but our Mayor was their favorite!

Patsy Pearson & Tammy Moore spoke on all the programs provided by McNairy County’s Adult Education. Their goal is to provide services that open doors to a better life, and the biggest challenge is letting the community know all the services they provide. This year 78 adults earned their GED. Not only does the Adult Education Center help the community with a GED program there is also other community education classes, and youth mentoring programs.

The Historical Society and Museum of McNairy County host meetings once a month with speakers that focus on the historical aspects of the county. Judy Hammons and the other volunteers work diligently on preserving the history by erecting historical markers.

Beth Pippin, the director of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce, and Gary Welch, the city manager of Savannah, were pleased to be invited to the roundtable and commented that “when one looks at the McNairy you do not see separating cities or communities” but a whole entity. With the work of Team Hardin, the chamber, and other community leaders Savannah is proud to be apart of the Certified Main Street Program. The newest tourist attraction in Hardin County is the Pickwick Belle, an authentic paddlewheel boat located at the Pickwick State Park.

Chashaq Denson, closing comments:
The Selmer Business Alliance has been working hard for 2 years to exist and contribute to the city and county, reach out to surrounding area. Where people can work together, have comradeship, and learn from one another. Selmer Business Alliance meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month and hosts a variety of speakers. Everyone is invited to attend.
A new board will be voted in this June and we look forward to new friendships and business alliances to develop.

***The Selmer Business Alliance was formed by the McNairy County Chamber and Commerce and was developed as part of the Three Star Program for Economic and Community Development. The Selmer Business Alliance, with the joint efforts of local business owners and professionals, has worked to increase economic stability by nurturing local businesses, bringing new business to the city of Selmer, and making numerous contributions to the community.

We’ll be updating this website with information on events, happenings, news, and other information regarding the Selmer Business Alliance.  Until we have some events posted, why not check out our Members page to find a listing of all the current members with their contact information?