I told you last week about the food processing business that has expressed interest in Warren County. Industrial Development Board director George Burke has finished submitting his proposal to that company and will now play the waiting game.
“They produce a high-end food product,” said Burke. “They really asked a lot of questions about our community life, so much so I think they would like to be in downtown New York.”
Burke said he and IDB assistant Ashley Laird got creative with the proposal and put together what he believes is a respectable packet.
At the regular IDB meeting Thursday afternoon, Burke also revealed another prospect that’s interested in Warren County. This is an automotive supplier that’s interested in a 100-acre site. This company estimates it will create over 300 jobs.
“We can use a site at the back of the industrial park,” said Burke. “This company will have a very high electrical demand, which we can meet. I think we stand an excellent chance.”
If you recall, it was three or four years ago when the IDB paved a road through the industrial park to open up land in the back portion of it. Prior to the road, it was difficult accessing the property and showing it to prospects.
“Both these projects want rail, which puts us in a unique position,” said Burke. “We may be looking at running a rail spur to the back of the industrial park.”
Burke said he will have his proposal sent to the automotive supplier by Monday. Burke also said he predicts an increased interest in Tennessee from tier 1 automotive suppliers in the wake of the recent vote at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga to reject the UAW labor union.
“I think a lot of people were looking at that,” said Burke. “We may see a real rush of major tier 1 automotive suppliers looking to locate in the Southeast after that.”
I’ll get to more industrial news later in this column.

Historic home
now a venue

Miles and Pam Wilson have gone to great lengths to restore a home on North Spring Street. They are now making that home available to groups which would like to reserve it for their special event.
“We would like for it to be a special venue like for a 50th wedding anniversary,” said Pam. “But it could be for just about anything. We thought about having things like cookies and milk with Santa there. Or we could have an Easter egg hunt there. It could be for just about anything.”
The property features a half circle driveway, which Pam says would be great for people looking to arrive in a limousine. The home also features a full working kitchen.
Pam has a wide range of ideas of what she’d like to do, but unfortunately she has more ideas than she does time. She is normally very busy working at All-O-K’sions.
“I’d love to make a go of it doing parties there,” said Pam. “Women could get together and it would be a great place for spa parties. It’s a nice atmosphere so it would be a nice place for weddings or reunions. I think it would be a great place for a prom party. You have all these kids who drive out of town to go eat and by the time they go and get back, they only have about an hour to be at the prom. It could be a place where we have a really nice catered meal and a place to go on prom night.”
Anyone who would like more information on renting the home can call Pam at 473-7371.

Get in swing
with music lessons

If you’ve been wanting to get your fiddle or guitar playing in tune, Bill Cathcart and Mike Foster are currently using the historic home on North Spring Street as their place for guitar and fiddle lessons.
Bill is a seasoned fiddler who took lessons for seven years under Jim Wood, the legendary fiddle player with the Tennessee Fiddle Orchestra. Now Bill plays like a pro and is really impressive with that fiddle and bow. If you’d like lessons, he can be reached at 259-3900.
Mike gives guitar lessons throughout the week and on Saturday. He used to give lessons in the back of the Main Street music store owned by George and Sherrill Bull. Mike can be reached at 473-4546.

Pool season
almost here

Believe it or not, we’re more than halfway through February and the end of winter is in sight. Hooray!
It won’t be long before spring is in the air and we can start thinking about outdoor activities like swimming. For folks who have a pool in their yard and are looking for a person to provide upkeep and maintenance, keep Robert Rondolet in mind. Robert has opened Rondolet Property Services and specializes in all things related to swimming pools.
“You’d be surprised at how many people have a pool in Warren County,” said Robert, who has been doing pool work since 2003. “There are two pool places in McMinnville that sell a lot of products, but they don’t do a great amount of service work.”
Robert can do it all when it comes to your pool. This time of year, people are starting to think about opening their pool and Robert can do that. If there are any equipment repairs that are needed, he can do that.
Equipment repairs could include rebuilding a pump motor or installing a salt system. He can also replace pool liners.
“That very first month, there’s a lot of expense involved in getting your pool ready after it’s been neglected all winter,” said Robert. “I can provide weekly service, or work through a service contract, to allow you to space out that expense for the entire summer. I can add chemicals and do whatever is needed.”
Robert has computerized, professional water testing equipment that allows him to determine exactly what your pool water needs to make it sparkle. He says a recent trend is for people to change over to a salt-water system for their pool. While this can be easier on the skin and eyes, Robert says it’s not easier on your pipes.
“You can see what damage salt does to cars up north,” said Robert. “Salt water can eat away at your pipes and cause problems with your bearings.”
Robert can replace pipes and bearings if the need arises. He can work on above-ground or in-ground pools and also does maintenance around the pool. This includes pressure washing the deck or concrete around the pool or doing landscaping work.
Rondolet Property Services can be reached at 212-4934.

Adams embraces
retirement

A reception is scheduled this Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Southern Insurance to recognize the distinguished career of Janie Adams, who is retiring after 41 years with the company.
“I’m not the oldest one here, but I’ve been here the longest,” said Janie. “I love my customers and I’ve enjoyed my work here.”
The reception will feature plenty of refreshments, although Janie said there won’t be a live band.
She began her career working for Tom Bragg of Bragg Insurance. The business has acquired and merged with other insurance agencies over the years and now operates as Southern Insurance.
Like the rest of the world, computers have impacted the insurance industry. Janie says she’s seen big changes during her 41 years.
“Modern technology has taken over,” she said. “We used to type bills and policies and we hand wrote applications. Now when a customer comes in, we put their information in the computer and they have their policy on the spot. They walk out the door with their insurance card.”
In leaving Southern Insurance, Janie will join her husband Charlie in retirement. He retired from Kroger last February. Janie says they are looking forward to spending more time together, doing church activities, traveling, and watching their grandchildren play ball.
Remember to stop by this Friday at Southern Insurance on Chancery Street to give best wishes to Janie as she enters retirement.

Sansin
ready to roll

It was about three months ago I told you about Sansin Manufacturing and its plans to expand its local manufacturing facility and move into Spec Building 3. Sansin general manager Steve Tilton made an appearance Thursday at the Industrial Development Board to give members an update about the company’s progress.
Tilton told IDB members about Sansin’s 40-year history of supplying automotive parts mainly to Honda. The company’s facility in Warren County is closely linked to Yorozu, but Tilton said Sansin will definitely branch out.
“It’s not a smart business move to have just one customer,” said Steve. “We’re anxious to get moved in because we have other customers like Newman Technologies and Calsonic which want to do business.”
Spec Building 3 is largely complete, although wiring the building so it can accommodate heavy duty industrial output still has to be done. Tilton said he’s hopeful the electrical work can be complete in the next month so the company can begin to get its equipment running.
“We’re going to phase in. We’re not going to completely shut everything down,” said Steve. “We’re developing a move-in schedule so the whole process will be well-timed.”
Among Sansin’s equipment are two large presses which are badly in need. Yorozu North American president Jack Phillips said so much automotive work has moved to the South, there’s a scarcity of presses.
“Everyone in the South needs more stamping capacity,” said Jack. “I know one company that’s outsourcing its stamping work to Toronto, Canada and paying the logistics because it’s in such high demand. It’s confusing to me why more companies haven’t located here with stamping capacity.”
With Sansin’s commitment to the stamping business, Phillips is confident the company will be overwhelmed with work once it gets up and running.
As for Yorozu, Jack once again emphasized to IDB members the company’s lack of room at its current facility. He said Yorozu has been fortunate to land several new lines that includes the Rogue, Leaf, Morano and Maxima for Nissan, and the Odyssey and CRV for Honda.
“The common thing we hear from anyone in the automotive industry who visits our plant is they’ve never seen so much equipment crammed together in one place,” said Jack. He said Yorozu’s agreement with Sansin is expected to solve their space problems for two more years, but after that there could be a need for more space. Jack went on to say Yorozu had looked at a vacant building in Alabama as a possible spot for a new facility.
Note to McMinnville and Warren County officials: This is a giant hint you need to start working with Yorozu about expansion plans here.

That’s all folks

I’ve squeezed all the business news I could possibly squeeze into one column. If you have business news which didn’t appear above, there’s always next week. Give me a call at 473-2191.