Biz Ticker: TAEBC, Spark Innovation Center bring Cleantech Financing to Tennessee startups
TAEBC, Spark Innovation Center bring Cleantech Financing to Tennessee startups
Knoxville, Tenn., – The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) and the UT Spark Innovation Center have partnered with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) to provide Tennessee cleantech startups with additional sources of debt capital to support their growth.
LACI’s Cleantech Debt Fund is a first-of-its-kind green loan program to grow early-stage cleantech startups to accelerate equitable climate action.
The $6 million debt fund will provide first customer and working capital financing options between $25,000 to $250,000 at 9 percent interest to roughly 100 startups over the next five years. Unlike most traditional bank loans, the LACI Cleantech Debt Fund will not require founders’ personal collateral or credit scores in underwriting.
“Forward-thinking funds like the LACI Cleantech Debt Fund enable early-stage energy companies to gain traction and create economic development wins for our local communities,” said Cortney Piper, TAEBC Executive Director.
TAEBC has been working with LACI since 2020 as part of the Transportation Electrification Partnership. TAEBC and the Spark Innovation Center also joined LACI’s National Coalition of Clean Energy Incubators to rally congressional support for cleantech innovation and signed on to a $150 billion stimulus proposal to advocate for more jobs and investment in the electric vehicle industry.
“Funding cleantech startups in Tennessee will create high-quality jobs in the advanced energy sector and foster the growth of advanced energy technologies,” Piper said. “Advanced energy has a clear track record of driving economic growth in Tennessee. According to our 2021 Advanced Energy Economic Impact Report, advanced energy contributed $45.8 billion to our state GDP and employed nearly 394,00 Tennesseeans.”
LACI CEO Matt Petersen said the LACI Cleantech Debt Fund will also help reduce barriers to capital for underserved founders from historically underrepresented communities, including female founders and founders of color.
“Too many founders cannot access traditional bank financing as they lack adequate personal assets, or the personal networks needed to secure early-stage investment,” Petersen said. “We created the LACI Cleantech Debt Fund as a new tool to give early-stage cleantech founders a timely, affordable alternative to expensive venture capital and slow-moving bank debt.”
LACI will host a virtual information session on May 31 for cleantech startups and founders to learn more about LACI Cleantech Debt Fund’s financing options and the application process. Register on LACI’s Zoom Portal. To be eligible for funding, Tennessee startups must be recommended by TAEBC and the Spark Innovation Center. Applications will open in June.
About TAEBC
The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) champions advanced energy as an economic development and job creation strategy. Advanced energy is technology neutral and includes electricity and transportation. Anything that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure or more efficient is in the tent. No other entity in the state concentrates specifically on this robust sector. We educate public officials and business leaders about Tennessee’s advanced energy economy, establish strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities and inform policy that expands and strengthens the industry. TAEBC hosts the Energizing Tennessee podcast, which explores the latest news and insights about the advanced energy sector. For more information, visit tnadvancedenergy.com.
About Spark Innovation Center
The Spark Innovation Center is an initiative of the University of Tennessee Research Park, and builds on the facilities and expertise at the University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Created in partnership with Evergreen Climate Innovations (previously Clean Energy Trust) and other partners, Spark supports early-stage cleantech businesses and drives commercialization of their technologies in Tennessee and throughout the Midwest and the Southeast. Spark offers promising energy technology companies access to top-quality lab space, expert mentoring, and coordinating support services from nine partner organizations in the region. For more information, visit https://www.tnresearchpark.org/spark/.
CBRE arranges sale of 139-unit student housing community near the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, Tenn. – May 30, 2023 – CBRE announced the sale of 303 Flats, a 433-bed, 139-unit student housing community near the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to Seattle-based Horizon Realty Advisors.
CBRE’s Jaclyn Fitts, William Vonderfecht and Casey Schaefer with the National Student Housing team represented the seller in partnership with Brett Carr from CBRE’s Nashville office.
“The University of Tennessee’s full-time undergraduate population grew more than 23% over the last five years,” said Mr. Vonderfecht, Senior Vice President at CBRE. “This top performing student housing market is already 100% preleased for the 2023-2024 academic year and was one of the fastest leasing assets in the market, surpassing 95% preleased by mid-October 2022.”
303 Flats is located at 303 W. Blount Ave. in Knoxville and was built in 2018. The property is south of the UTK Campus, along the Tennessee River, offering residents quick access to Neyland Stadium and downtown Knoxville.
All units are fully furnished and feature stainless steel Whirlpool appliances, gourmet kitchens, a full-size washer and dryer, walk-in closets and 100 percent bed-bath parity. The community offers a full set of amenities, including a resort-style pool, a fitness center with a yoga and stretching studio, individual and group study lounges, a game lounge, bicycle storage and a dog park with a pet wash station.
A pedestrian-bicycle bridge across the Tennessee River is slated to begin construction and will further increase cyclist and pedestrian mobility between both sides of the river. The bridge, just two blocks from 303 Flats, would connect Clancy Avenue on the south side to the pedestrian trail on the north located between the Thompson-Boling Arena and Pratt Pavilion.
303 Flats is the second student housing asset at the University of Tennessee CBRE’s National Student Housing team closed over the last 30 days. CBRE brokered the sale of TENN, a 603-bed student housing community adjacent to the University of Tennessee, which closed fourteen days prior.
Seoul Brothers to host Kyong’s birthday celebration and new menu launch party
Knoxville, TN – On Tuesday, June 6 from 6-9 p.m., Seoul Brothers Korean Fusion Restaurant at Marble City Market will be launching a new menu with new offerings such as Bulgogi Tacos, Korean Pork Rinds, and more! In conjunction with the launch of the new menu Seoul Brothers will host a raffle for a free meal at Seoul Brothers once a week for a year, have a prize wheel with the chance to win fun prizes, and free cake while supplies last!
Josh Coates and Vic Scott who own Seoul Brothers Korean Fusion, Bubbles & Cream Soda Shoppe, and Hong’s Kitchen inside Pretentious Beer Co. are celebrating their mother’s birthday and want you to join them! Their mother Kyong passed away in 2011 and all of their concepts are rooted in the foundation of their family. They serve many of their mother’s recipes on their menu at Seoul Brothers, including her family kimchi recipe she brought from South Korea.
“Our mother is the inspiration behind the entire concept of Seoul Brothers. This is, in a way, how we pay homage to her in our everyday lives. It is an honor for us to share our memories of her through our food,” says Vic Scott.
This menu release is the second menu change for Seoul Brothers since it opened in November of 2021. This change will bring back an old favorite Bulgogi Tacos and add new items such as Mandu Dumplings, Korean Pork Rinds, and more!
Josh Coates believes that good food is what brings people together. It has always been his dream to share the flavors of his childhood with people to gather them around the dinner table.
“Celebrating our mom’s birthday with our guests brings me such joy! We hope that in doing so we are able to share good food and smiles with the Knoxville community that has embraced us since the moment we opened,” said Josh Coates.
The event is free to attend. You can find more info on Seoul Brothers' Instagram and Facebook.
Ascend Hotel Collection continues global expansion in top markets
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ascend Hotel Collection, part of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), opened 2023 with an impressive first quarter, further solidifying its status as the industry's largest upscale soft brand collection with over 330 hotels open or in development worldwide. The Collection awarded seven new agreements and added four new properties to its global portfolio in the first quarter of 2023, fueling Ascend Hotel Collection's continued growth.
Recent signings include properties from coast to coast in the United States, including:
Mayfair Hotel in New York, New York. Joining the nearby Blue Angel Hotel NYC, this is the second Ascend Hotel Collection to be developed by Henry Zheng and Mark Arend.
CityFlats Hotel properties in Grand Rapids and Port Huron, Michigan.
An 84-room property in Ellicottville, New York developed by William Paladino of 1378 Group LLC. This is Mr. Paladino's second property in the Collection, also owning and operating The Giacomo in nearby Niagara Falls.
Multiple locations in California, including San Francisco and Livermore.
"Choice Hotels pioneered the soft brand concept in the upscale segment with the launch of Ascend Hotel Collection 15 years ago and continues to redefine how hotel companies operate and drive value for owners through our legacy of operational excellence," said Mark Shalala, senior vice president, franchise development, upscale brands, Choice Hotels. "It's the value we deliver for our franchisees and the operational flexibility that helps drive profitability and continued interest in the brand. In the first quarter of 2023 we had the most deal signings in that quarter in the brand's history. As we continue to grow the portfolio, Jamey Cua joins Pete Metzger and the rest of our development team as we build on this momentum throughout the year and beyond."
Recent openings to the Ascend Hotel Collection include unique locations, from apple orchards to wineries including:
The Inn at Apple Valley, Ascend Hotel Collection (Sevierville, TN)
Located on the outskirts of Pigeon Forge in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, the boutique, 111-room hotel provides visitors with convenient access to Sevierville's premiere attractions, including Dollywood and NASCAR. Originally a cattle ranch, then an apple orchard, The Inn at Apple Valley pays homage to its unique history while providing guests with upscale amenities and indulgences. The hotel features an onsite restaurant – Apple Valley Café – and indoor/outdoor heated pools. The Inn at Apple Valley was developed by TWRS Apple Inc.
Abitta Boutique Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Located within walking distance of Condado Beach, Plaza Ventana del Mar, Casino del Mar, and several bars and restaurants, the unique, art-deco style hotel – featuring artwork from local artists – places guests at the heart of Condado near Historic Old San Juan. The 56-room hotel features an onsite restaurant, beach club with outdoor pool and hot tub, and bay view rooms. The Abitta Boutique Hotel was developed by Lagoon Vista Hotel LLC.
Casas de Suenos Old Town Historic Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection (Albuquerque, NM)
Originally built in 1937, the 24-room adobe style compound is nationally recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and the New Mexico "State Register of Cultural Properties" for its historic casitas, hidden courtyards, beautiful gardens, and authentic design. Situated near the University of New Mexico and museums including International Balloon Museum, Casas de Suenos Old Town Historic Inn is inspired by the culture and fabric of the Albuquerque community and features a 5,000-square-foot banquet hall. The Casas de Suenos Old Town Historic Inn was developed by Mark Cumbrow with Genesis Worldwide Resorts LLC.
Inn on the Square, Ascend Hotel Collection (Greenwood, SC)
Originally built in the early twentieth century and transformed into a hotel in 1985, the historic Inn on the Square is located in the heart of Greenwood, just minutes from the city's famed historic attractions. The 49-room hotel features two onsite restaurants – Carriage House Restaurant and Fox & Hound Lounge – and a 3,000-square-foot meeting space. The Inn on the Square is the second Ascend Hotel Collection property that Edgewater Group, LLC, has added to the Ascend Hotel Collection in 2023, marking its fifth Ascend overall.
"The Ascend Hotel Collection provides travelers with the opportunity to experience some of the world's most in-demand destinations while delivering the upscale experience our guests expect," said Janis Cannon, senior vice president, upscale brands, Choice Hotels. "We look forward to continuing to build on the Ascend Hotel Collection's success this year as we welcome more one-of-a-kind properties to our collection and provide guests with even more options coast to coast."
Ascend Hotel Collection is backed by the power of Choice Privileges, the award-winning loyalty program where members earn points on eligible charges during their stay, which can be redeemed for reward nights at nearly 7,400 hotels, representing over 625,000 rooms, in 45 countries and territories. worldwide. With the Choice Privileges Mastercard, members can earn more points faster, including on everyday purchases.
Choice Hotels, with a franchisee-first focus and an industry-leading retention rate, has been committed to providing its hotel owners with the support they need to succeed since it launched the country's first hotel chain in 1941. Today, Choice offers franchisees a suite of proprietary cutting-edge cloud-based solutions, including the choiceADVANTAGE property management system, the choiceEDGE guest reservation platform, and ChoiceMAX, a mobile-friendly revenue management tool that continuously adapts to changes in the market using real-time data. Additionally, the award-winning Choice University educational platform delivers customized and always evolving learning and development resources. From pre-opening to grand opening and every day forward, Choice provides hotel owners with best-in-class resources to help them maximize the return on their investment.
USDA offers disaster assistance for producers facing inclement weather
Knox County was declared a contiguous county due to High Winds using the Secretarial Disaster Designation process. Under this designation, if you have operations in any primary or contiguous county, you are eligible to apply for low interest emergency loans.
Severe weather events create significant challenges and often result in catastrophic loss for agricultural producers. Despite every attempt to mitigate risk, your operation my suffer losses. USDA offers disaster assistance when facing inclement weather.
You have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. You can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production or physical losses, to a maximum amount of $500,000. Applications for assistance in the disaster-stricken counties will be accepted by the Farm Service Agency through 11/08/2023.
For more information about emergency loans, contact Farm Loan Manager, Brandon Shipley, at the Greene County USDA Service Center located at 214 N. College Street, Suite 400; Greeneville, TN 37745, or by phone at 423-278-5708 or visit fsa.usda.gov.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Summit Sleep Services celebrates opening of state-of-the-art sleep center in West Knoxville
Summit Sleep Services, a comprehensive, accredited sleep disorder center, has officially opened its new state-of-the-art center with a focus on the latest technology and patient comfort.
Accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the new center is located at 1267 Dick Lonas Road in West Knoxville.
“We are confident that Summit Sleep Services will play a crucial role in enhancing patient care, offering a comfortable and supportive environment for those seeking answers and solutions to their sleep-related concerns,” Summit Medical Group CEO Ed Curtis said. “The new sleep center is part of the comprehensive healthcare that we offer at Summit Medical Group.”
The center takes a collaborative approach to care and works closely with primary care physicians and other specialists to ensure comprehensive and individual treatment plans.
“Sleep health is crucial for overall well-being, and at Summit Sleep Services, our cutting-edge technology and treatment methods will help our patients improve their sleep quality,” said Dr. Alok Sachdeva, a physician at Summit Sleep Services. “As a sleep specialist, I have seen firsthand the profound impact that sleep disorders can have on the lives of our patients. Sleep is a fundamental aspect of our overall well-being.”
Advanced diagnostic equipment, such as high-resolution polysomnography and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure titration studies, gather accurate physiological metrics that enable the precise diagnosis and effective treatment of a wide range of sleep disorders. These include sleep-disordered breathing, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, shift work disorder, sleep apnea and more.
Patient comfort guided the details of the new center with hotel-like accommodations, new beds, individual restrooms with showers and smart TVs in each room.
Nicole Coleman, the center’s site manager, explained the importance of patient-focused amenities, a comfortable environment and supportive services.
“Our new sleep center creates a welcoming, non-clinical atmosphere to ensure our patients feel at ease during their stay,” Coleman said. “The fully redesigned rooms feel more like home.”
During the official opening, attendees took guided tours of the center and spoke with staff members about the services offered. For more information about Summit Sleep Services or to schedule an appointment, visit summitmedical.com/services/sleep or call 865-909-0744.
Youth-serving organizations receive city funds to support violence prevention efforts
Thirteen local organizations will receive a total of $198,621.50 in Summer Youth Opportunity Grant funding to provide summer job opportunities and activities to opportunity youth – young people ages 16-24 who are most at risk for violence.
“It’s especially important for young people who have been engaged in violence as a victim or as someone who has caused harm to see that they have options beyond violence, that they are connected to a community that cares about their quality of life and their futures,” says Mustafa Ali-Smith, Program Specialist with the Office of Community Safety and Empowerment. “This funding is helping expand those opportunities to more young people.”
City Council voted unanimously to approve funding, which will go to the following applicants:
The Bottom: $10,000
The Change Center: $19,981.50
Closer Walk Reentry & Advocacy Program, Inc.: $20,000
Drums Up Guns Down: $20,000
Emerald Youth Foundation: $15,000
The 5th Woman: $10,000
Girl Talk, Inc.: $18,000
Karate Five Association: $20,000
Shora Foundation: $14,640
Two Bikes: $20,000
Yoke Youth Ministries: $6,000
You in the Mirror: $5,000
YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley: $20,000
In 2022, 220 youth participated in Summer Break programming; 86 percent were Black, and 147 reported Opportunity Youth status. The full Grants Impact Report is available at KnoxvilleTN.gov/CommunitySafety.
The City’s Office of Community Empowerment piloted the Summer Youth Opportunity Grants program in 2021. This year, 18 organizations applied, reflecting a year-over-year increase in applications submitted. Funded organizations include long-standing entities as well as new organizations created to meet a need in our community.
Chief Community Safety and Empowerment Officer LaKenya Middlebrook says it’s important for the City to partner with agencies that work with young people when they’re out of school, especially those not already participating in other programs. “We know that connection through jobs and activities provides support for opportunity youth to build social and professional skills and develop tools that can help them make healthy decisions. It is also critically important for young people to be able to try new experiences and have fun,” says Middlebrook.
Applications for the summer grant program were reviewed by an ad-hoc committee consisting of two City employees, one community member, and a member of the Mayor’s Youth Council. Committee members met to discuss the applications and vote on which would be funded and at what amount. Ali-Smith and Middlebrook provided background information to support the committee but did not vote.
The Office of Community Safety, established by Mayor Kincannon in August 2021, leads violence interruption strategies, coordinates safety innovation and collaboration among City departments, and enhances partnerships with on-the-ground people and organizations who are working to make Knoxville safer. Mayor Kincannon recently announced that the OCS will merge with the Office of Community Empowerment to form the Office of Community Safety and Empowerment, under the leadership of LaKenya Middlebrook and newly announced Deputy Tiffany Davidson, who currently serves as Director of the Police Advisory and Review Committee (PARC).
For more information about available grants and other activities of the Office of Community Safety and Empowerment, visit https://KnoxvilleTN.gov/CommunitySafety.
Tennessee Theatre launches ‘Pass the Mic’ podcast
The Tennessee Theatre has released its debut podcast episode as part of its “Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change” series. The new episode, which aired May 18, features Grammy-nominated Allison Russell.
In the episode, Russell discusses her work on Love Rising (a benefit concert for LGBTQ causes), recent gun violence that has impacted Nashville and the country and the role arts can play in making positive change.
“While we have been working on producing a new Pass the Mic podcast series for some time now and look forward to sharing more episodes with you very soon, our host, Cecilia Wright, recently had the opportunity to sit down with Allison Russell,” said Becky Hancock, executive director of the Tennessee Theatre. “In light of recent events in Tennessee, this conversation felt important to share as soon as possible.”
A Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, poet and activist, Russell released her first solo album, Outside Child, in 2021. Included in the podcast are excerpts from “Nightflyer,” “4th Day Prayer” and “Persephone.” The episode concludes with the track “You’re Not Alone” featuring Brandi Carlile.
“Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change,” which launched in 2022, provides an opportunity for artists from marginalized and underserved communities to share their art with others. Through performances, visual art displays, discussions and panels focusing on important issues and educational opportunities, artists have the chance to engage with the community and share insight.
A “Pass the Mic” video series of performances also will be distributed to increase the accessibility of the theatre to more people and remove barriers to participation for the audience. The first two episodes of the series will air on PBS early this summer and will feature performances and interviews from The Black Opry and Las Cafeteras.
Listeners can access the newly released podcast through Apple Music, Spotify and by visiting tennesseetheatre.com/ptm. The project is supported in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission and produced by the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation.
For more information, visit tennesseetheatre.com and follow Tennessee Theatre on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
Cherokee Health Systems launches Legacy Garden in New Tazewell
NEW TAZEWELL, Tenn. – Cherokee Health Systems (CHS) is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of its new Legacy Garden. The first garden, set to open at CHS’ New Tazewell Health Center on May 15th, will be the first of three gardens created in honor of Dr. Dennis Freeman, the former CEO of CHS. The other two gardens will be located at CHS’ health centers in Maynardville and Alcoa. The Legacy Gardens, strategically placed near CHS’ rural health centers, will provide fresh produce to patients and serve as a skills-building project for patients living with mental illnesses.
The garden in New Tazewell will be located outside the entrance to CHS’ Psychiatric Day Treatment Program for adults, which is a structured, non-residential program of skill-building activities that assists people with mental illnesses. The program’s goals are to help people live more independently and strengthen the skills that support autonomy and achieve successful, confident and comfortable integration into the community. Program members have been involved in the planting of produce and will care for the gardens. They will harvest the veggies and then prepare them for the share daily lunch, which is part of the program. Program members will be able to take the produce home and excess produce will be distributed to other CHS patients.
TNECD requesting letters of intent for Tennessee Historic Development Grant
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced today that letters of intent are now being requested for the Tennessee Historic Development Grant Program (HDGP).
Developed by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2021, the first and second rounds of the program provided $15 million for projects that aim to renovate and preserve the state’s commercial historic buildings.Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly approved a third round of this program in April 2023 after overwhelming support and interest. The funds encourage communities and private developers to invest in buildings that have contributed to a community’s history but now sit idle. These buildings can once again contribute to the economy through job creation and commercial opportunities.
A letter of intent is required to participate and can be submitted from May 15 to June 23, 2023, to confirm eligibility of the historic property by TNECD and the Tennessee Historical Commission. Applications will be accepted from July 10 to August 25, 2023. This program will be highly competitive, and applications will be scored based on project need, impact, overall plan, financing, feasibility, support and location.
Various criteria must be met for a structure to be eligible for a grant. Eligible properties that qualify as certified historic structures are defined here. Additionally, frequently asked questions can also be found on the website.
Applicants will be notified of award later this fall, and contracts are expected to begin within a month of announcing the awards.
TNECD will be hosting a webinar for those interested to learn more about the letter of intent and program guidelines. Webinar information can be found below:
Thursday, May 18, 202312:30 – 1:30 p.m. CDT
The webinar will be recorded and uploaded to the website for those unable to attend. Additional information about the grant, eligibility and application can be found here.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Like us on Facebook. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
The Arc Anderson County hosts Dove Awards Banquet and annual meeting
The Arc Anderson County will hold its Annual Meeting and Dove Awards Banquet on Friday, July 28th at 6:00 p.m. at Emory Valley Center located at 723 Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge.
The Arc will elect new officers and board members at this meeting as well as presenting awards to those that have exhibited exceptional support in the area of intellectual and developmental disability service and community involvement. If anyone would like to nominate a community member for a Dove Award or become an event sponsor, please email the Arc at arc@arcaid.org for additional information.
Kevin Mahoney, Josie Award nominee for Songwriter of the Year, will be the musical guest. Kevin has been featured in Relix magazine as one of the Artists on the Rise, as well as recently being a finalist in the World Songwriting Awards. There will be a buffet meal and a silent auction. To purchase tickets for this event, please contact the Arc at 865-685-0159 or email at arc@arcaid.org. Tickets are $20 each. Please plan to join us and reserve your seat today.
The Arc Anderson County supports and advocates for people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities and serves Anderson, Morgan and Roane Counties. To make a tax deductible donation to The Arc visit their website at www.thearcandersoncounty.org and click the “donate today” button.
Pilot Company seeks 10,000 new team members to fuel summer travel
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (May 2, 2023) – Gearing up for summer travel season, Pilot Company aims to hire over 10,000 new team members across its family of travel center brands. The company remains committed to “fueling life’s journeys” and plans to add team members across North America in preparation for a busy season and beyond.
There are open opportunities across all Pilot and Flying J travel centers, One9 Fuel Network locations and on-site restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, with a large number of openings in key travel states including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Texas and Virginia.
Available positions include full-time and part-time roles such as:
Travel center leadership
Hourly retail
Restaurant leadership
Hourly food service
Class A CDL drivers
“This is an exciting – and rewarding – time to join Pilot,” said Jamie Landis, vice president of team member experience at Pilot Company. “In addition to great perks and benefits, the launch of our new rewards and recognition program, Fueling Recognition, further empowers leaders to celebrate and reward individuals in those moments that matter, big and small.”
As part of Pilot Company’s dedication to creating a winning team member experience, Fueling Recognition allows leaders to reward team members for their hard work and milestones, big and small, with in-app points. Team members can redeem their points on thousands of items, including restaurant gift cards, electronics, company swag, concert tickets and more.
In addition, competitive benefits for both full- and part-time Pilot Company team members include:
15-cent per gallon fuel discount
Weekly pay
$10 meal and beverage credit each shift
Rewards and recognition programs
Low-cost health plans
Paid parental leave
24/7 access to on-demand healthcare
Tuition assistance
Paid time off
And more perks and programs
“Pilot is offering better opportunities, better benefits and brighter futures,” Landis said. “It’s all in store for you, and we’d love to have you launch your career with us – as many of our team members have.”
Pilot Company continues to grow and evolve to provide an exceptional team member experience. In March 2022, Pilot Company launched New Horizons, a $1 billion initiative to remodel its stores nationwide and give back to local communities. Feedback from team members and guests was incorporated into store remodels, making improvements that mattered to them and upgrades that provide team members with better technology, spaces and equipment to make their jobs faster, easier and more rewarding.
To explore Pilot Company open positions and locations, full benefits and team member experience programs, go to jobs.pilotflyingj.com/nationalhiring.
The University of Tennessee Medical Center opens Regional Health Center Morristown
Knoxville, Tennessee, May 2, 2023 – The University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) is opening its newest Regional Health Center—Morristown. With the community’s growth, UTMC is pleased to continue expanding services to meet the health care needs of Morristown and the surrounding area. Located at 6232 W. Andrew Johnson Pike, Talbott, TN, this new facility offers specialty care, infusion and diagnostics services under one roof and the expertise of health care providers from the region’s academic medical center.
“One of our key strategic objectives is providing access to quality health care. We built this regional health center for the community to offer convenient access to health care as this area continues to grow,” said Joe Landsman, President and CEO at UTMC
The new 51,000-square-foot facility will offer diagnostic services such as echo and vascular ultrasound, pulmonary function testing and X-ray. Other outpatient sub-specialty services include cardiology, colon and rectal surgeons, neurosurgeons, physical therapy, pulmonary and critical care, sleep center, urology, wound care and hyperbarics.
Regional Health Center—Morristown is the fourth regional health center the medical center has opened to better serve the region. UTMC opened Regional Health Center—Sevierville in December 2014, Regional Health Center—Lenoir City in December 2017 and Regional Health Center—Halls in February of this year.
To schedule an appointment at the facility, call the medical center’s Healthcare Coordination line at (865)305-6970. For more information about the Regional Health Center—Morristown, call (423)690-3400 or visit UTMedicalCenter.org.
MZ Capital Partners acquires single family rental home community in Knoxville
NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 28, 2023 – MZ Capital Partners, expanding its Knoxville Tennessee asset footprint, has announced the purchase of the Residences at Devanshire, an 87 single family home rental community.
Knoxville is one of the best rental real estate investment markets in the nation. Occupancy in the Knoxville market has ranged from 95% to 98% over the past five years. Over the last year, occupancy levels have exceeded 97%. The Knoxville occupancy rate ranked #1 among the 66 key South region markets and #9 among the top 150 markets nationally.
Located in the West Knoxville sub-market, the 87 Single Family Homes, built in 2006, feature 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths with back porches or patios, attached garage parking, and grass back yards with mountain range views.
The acquisition provides a unique opportunity for increased cash flow and appreciation in value through more efficient institutional quality management and a value-add renovation and repositioning program.
MZ Capital Partners, headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois is a demographically driven real estate investment firm with a specialty niche in multifamily assets throughout the United States. The firm has been recognized with placement on the INC 500 list of the fastest growing private companies in America and was named overall winner of “Best Places to Work” in the multifamily industry by the National Apartment Association.
http://www.mzcapitalpartners.com
Children's Hospital launches Mental Health Initiative Fund
Tennessee is facing a Mental Health Crisis among our children, adolescents and teens. One in five Tennessee children struggles with mental health issues, and nearly 19 percent of all children in the state have seriously considered suicide. These critical cases are the ones we see most often in the Pilot Emergency Care Center at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
Children's Hospital is launching a new designated fund to support and ensure our commitment to providing world class care to our mental and behavioral health patients. The Mental Health Initiative Fund is designed to support current initiatives and needs at Children's Hospital as well as help enhance education, assessment tools, programs and access.
"Every dollar donated to the Mental Health Initiative Fund will help grow programs which expand our reach and provide direct support to patients," said Adam Cook, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at East Tennessee Children's Hospital. "It was created to specifically address the growing mental health crisis in our community."
Children's Hospital needs the community's help to combat the mental health crisis affecting children across Tennessee. Visit www.etch.com/mentalhealth to donated to our Mental Health Initiative fund and support the care Children's Hospital is providing every day.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Get the latest updates on Knoxville business happenings
