Sponsor Spotlight: The Greater Jackson Chamber
Featured in Vol 9, Issue 1: Community
The Greater Jackson Chamber has a long history of promoting economic growth and stability in the Jackson-Madison County area. With a diverse and talented staff, a board of directors, dedicated volunteers, and over 1,000 business members, the chamber is committed to developing and maintaining an economic climate that creates and retains jobs and enhances the quality of life for all citizens of Jackson-Madison County and West Tennessee.
To achieve this mission, the chamber works to promote the region as a great place to do business, attract new investment and companies, and retain our current companies.
The presence of established companies like Toyota, Kellogg's, and Delta is critical to the region's economic growth and stability, as they provide jobs for local residents and contribute to the tax base. These companies help to create a stronger and more prosperous community for all.
In addition to promoting economic growth, the chamber recognizes the importance of building a strong and livable community for its current and future residents. The region has a rich history, a strong sense of community, and a wide variety of cultural events and attractions. The chamber helps to showcase these assets and promote the area as a great place to live, work, play, and learn. This focus on community building helps to attract and retain talented workers and families, which is essential to the long-term success of the region.
The chamber also provides a wide variety of resources and services to its members, including networking opportunities, business development resources, and access to educational and training programs. By providing these resources, the chamber helps to support the growth and success of its member businesses, which in turn supports the overall economic health of the region.
Another important focus of the Greater Jackson Chamber is the development of new business partnerships. By providing resources and support to businesses and entrepreneurs, the chamber helps to create new opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
Jackson is a place that is poised to grow over the next few years, and the chamber is excited about the future. With a growing economy and a strong sense of community, the future of the region looks very bright. Ultimately, Jackson’s success relies on the contributions and collaboration of the local community. By working together to build a strong economy and community, residents and businesses alike can help to create a brighter future for Jackson-Madison County and West Tennessee as a whole.
Megan Davis
Sales Operations Manager, Master Medical Equipment
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN JACKSON?
One year.
What is your favorite thing about the Jackson community?
I love the warm welcoming environment that is fostered here I love going to the local coffee shop and they know my order before I even say anything. It feels like family. Moving across the country this was so important to me to find a place that felt like home. Jackson has that.
Was there anything in particular about Jackson that made you want to live here?
I grew up in a smaller farm town in Illinois but moved from the metro Pheonix area, and Jackson blended both of those environments in one. All the fun local spots downtown drew my attention in as well as the outdoor things to do.
What would you tell someone considering moving to Jackson?
Jackson is everything you want it to be, if you put forth the step forward to meet people and get to know folks you will have an instant family. It has a lot of fun things to do, and great people.
FAVORITE THINGS IN JACKSON
Dog park with my pup, Turntable Coffee Shop downtown, farmers market, Hub City Brewing for live music, and shopping at all the local boutiques. Plus any activity that is outside.
Marietta Haywood
ARCHITECT, TLM aSSOCIATES, INC.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN JACKSON?
I have lived in Jackson for five years, and have worked in the Jackson area for over 20 years, since I moved from Brazil.
What is your favorite thing about the Jackson community?
The city I left in Brazil was 2 million people. Moving here, the sense of community is better. If you are in a sea of people, you don't have as much personal integration. With life in Jackson, you can have more connections that allow you to do more.
The personal relationships that you build with everyone in the community are strong. When anybody has a need, everybody jumps in to help. There is a feeling of servitude in Jackson. People volunteer and get things done with a spirit of servitude and faith to improve the lives of people who are in need.
Was there anything in particular about Jackson that made you want to live here?
I moved here to marry my husband Jim. So what brought me to Haywood County was my husband, but Jackson was where the business opportunities were as an architect.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR WORK IN JACKSON?
I enjoy getting to preserve the heritage of Jackson and West Tennessee when we design buildings. Everytime we plan anything we look at where it is going and how we are going to integrate with the history of the neighborhood where it is included, while also bringing innovation and sustainability to the projects.
Mike Cook
Plant Director, GP-Dixie Jackson Facility
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN JACKSON?
My family and I have been residents for only about nine months, but it feels like we have been here much longer as the transition process has gone smoother than we could have ever imagined.
What is your favorite thing about the Jackson community?
That’s an easy answer... the people! It didn’t take long for us to recognize and appreciate the people, the culture and the proud spirit that exists here. People who live here are genuinely proud of Jackson and all it has to offer.
Was there anything in particular about Jackson that made you want to live here?
When evaluating relocation opportunities, it was an important consideration for my family and I that we would be able to fully make ourselves a part of the community. In my previous role, I spent ~3 hours in a vehicle per day due to the commute that was necessary to provide my family with the opportunity to have access to the desired environment, resources, activities, and amenities. We found that the Jackson area checked all of those boxes and we are excited to be here!
What would you tell someone considering moving to Jackson?
The people of Jackson have welcomed my family and I with open arms and the quality of life here provides big city amenities and access while maintaining a small town, family-oriented environment.
FAVORITE THINGS IN JACKSON
When we are not supporting the kids in their extracurricular activity schedules, my wife and I have enjoyed exploring the many restaurants and entertainment options around the city and the surrounding area.
Dan Brooks
MATH INCLUSION TEACHER, NORTH SIde high SCHOOL
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN JACKSON?
Almost 20 years.
What is your favorite thing about the Jackson community?
Everybody cares about the city, and they're willing to help in the city. . In the 2008 tornado that went through Union University, and through my neighborhood, North Side High School sent over their student council to help clean up in the neighborhood, and I saw that throughout the community in 2008. And I see it even today in all kinds of volunteer work that goes on in the community. We are a volunteer community. Everybody is willing to pitch in to help and that's what we love about it. It's a small enough community, you can see the results of what people do.
What would you tell someone considering moving to Jackson?
Having worked for the Jackson Arts Council, especially as their Vice President of Development, I can tell you about a few things people look at when they move to a community. First off, they move because of the school system. And we love the schools and my wife and I both work in the schools. Number two, they want to know about the arts and entertainment in the community. We have lots of art and entertainment that go on, and that is building because of the Jackson Arts Council, and so is the school system with Dr. King's leadership.
FAVORITE THINGS IN JACKSON
I have become involved in a lot of nonprofit organizations, the Boy Scouts, Jackson Arts Council, RIFA, March of Dimes, the Sons of the American Revolution and am active in my church, and in the school with a lot of activities that go on. So my schedule is busier in retirement than ever.
Being involved in the Boy Scouts over the years — all of the outdoor activities have been a great thing. I love doing that. We have great State Parks around Tennessee, and being empty nesters right now, we do a lot of traveling, including to a lot of the state parks. One of the parks that is really coming together that we've worked with on some Eagle Scout projects is Middle Fork Bottoms.
