by Ryan Egly
August was a month of showing up.
Sometimes the Chamber’s work is highly visible—a ribbon cutting, Chamber Coffee, or community event. Other times, it means sitting across the table from a manufacturer, representing Lawrence County at a statewide meeting, or traveling hundreds of miles to build a relationship that may benefit our community years from now.
We did a little bit of all of that in August.
Our Chamber Community Continues to Grow
We were pleased to welcome six new business members to the Chamber in August:
• Williams Auto Sales
• White Poplar Properties, LLC
• Hometown Coverage with Michele, LLC
• Family Advantage Federal Credit Union
• Ladner Insurance
• Little Caesars Pizza
Membership is important, but engagement is what makes a Chamber strong. Seeing businesses invest in the organization while more individuals step forward to connect, volunteer, and lead is a great sign for where we’re headed.
Listening to Our Existing Industries
Some of the most important economic development work we do is taking care of the companies that are already here.
In August, Ben and I began a series of listening visits with local manufacturers, starting with Cornerstone Rack & Tool, Advanced Design Solutions, and Craig Manufacturing. We have more visits planned in the coming weeks.
The purpose is simple: listen. We want to better understand what our manufacturers are seeing in the marketplace, where they are finding success, what challenges they are facing, and what the Chamber and our partners can do to help.
That work also carried into the Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association Annual Seminar, where Ben spoke about our efforts to increase local manufacturer participation in the Middle Tennessee Wage & Benefit Survey. Lawrence County achieved the highest participation rate in Middle Tennessee this year.
That matters because better participation gives our employers better data. Reliable information about wages, benefits, and workforce trends helps companies remain competitive and gives us another tool as we work to retain and grow existing industries.
Representing Lawrence County
August also gave us several opportunities to represent Lawrence County beyond our county lines.
We once again showcased Lawrence County at the Tennessee State Fair, giving thousands of fairgoers an opportunity to learn more about our community, attractions, agriculture, and the people and places that make Lawrence County special.
I also attended the Southern Economic Development Council Annual Conference, which marked the conclusion of my service on SEDC’s Board of Directors. Serving alongside economic development professionals from across the South has been a tremendous opportunity to learn, build relationships, and make sure Lawrence County has a voice in conversations taking place well beyond our borders.
Later in the month, I had the opportunity to meet with Governor Bill Lee, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner, and Senator Bill Hagerty to discuss Opportunity Zones 2.0 and what the next generation of this federal economic development tool could mean for communities like ours.
Relationships at the local, state, and federal levels are an important part of economic development. We may not always know when a conversation or connection will turn into an opportunity, but Lawrence County needs to be at the table when those opportunities are being discussed.
Developing Leaders Through Leadership Lawrence
Our Leadership Lawrence class continued its year with Health & Social Services Day in August.
Each Leadership Lawrence program day is designed to give participants a deeper understanding of one part of our community, and this session focused on the organizations and professionals working every day to improve the health and well-being of Lawrence County residents.
Healthcare and social services affect everything from quality of life to workforce participation and economic development. Giving emerging leaders a better understanding of those systemsand the people behind them is exactly what Leadership Lawrence is designed to do.
Child Care Is Economic Infrastructure
We also participated in the Tennessee Child Care Solutions Summit, joining business and community leaders from across the state to discuss one of the most significant workforce challenges facing working families and employers.
Child care is more than a family issue. It is workforce infrastructure. If parents cannot find reliable, affordable child care, they cannot consistently participate in the workforce. That affects employers, economic growth, and ultimately the competitiveness of communities like ours.
There is no simple solution, but these conversations are important as we look for ways to support working families while helping employers attract and retain the workforce they need.
Celebrating Investment in Our Community
Closer to home, August gave us several opportunities to celebrate organizations investing in Lawrence County.
We celebrated the ribbon cutting for Magnolia Surgical Care, led by Dr. Rachael Clark. The practice provides general surgery, breast surgery, and endoscopy services, expanding access to care for patients and families in our community.
Our August Chamber Coffee was hosted by Southern Tennessee Regional Health System Lawrenceburg, where members heard updates on the hospital’s continued growth and its impact on our community.
In Loretto, we joined White Poplar Properties for a groundbreaking on South Military Street. Their new development will bring additional commercial space to the community, and we look forward to watching that investment take shape.
A New Chapter at David Crockett State Park
We also spent a morning at David Crockett State Park for an open house at its new Event Center.
The former park restaurant has been transformed into a venue for weddings, reunions, meetings, and community gatherings. Ranger Ann Paley shared more about the transition and some of the exciting plans ahead for one of Lawrence County’s most important tourism assets.
David Crockett State Park attracts visitors while providing an incredible amenity for those of us who call Lawrence County home. Finding new ways to utilize existing facilities and create additional experiences only strengthens the park’s role in our community and tourism economy.
Looking Ahead
August may be behind us, but our calendar certainly isn’t slowing down.
Nominations are currently open for the 2026 Citizen of the Year and Small Business Hall of Fame. These awards give us an opportunity to recognize the individuals and businesses whose work makes Lawrence County a better place to live and do business. Nominations close September 18.
September will also bring the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Conference: Build for More on September 18 at Columbia State Community College’s Lawrence Campus. We’re excited to partner with Jubilee to bring this experience to Lawrence County and create another opportunity for entrepreneurs and business leaders to connect and grow.
And finally, registration is open for the Chamber’s 2026 Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, October 16, in Downtown Lawrenceburg. This is one of my favorite nights of the year—an opportunity to bring our business and community leaders together, recognize some incredible people and organizations, and celebrate the progress we’ve made together.
If August reminded me of anything, it is that showing up matters. Whether that’s listening to a local employer, developing a future leader, advocating for Lawrence County outside our community, or simply supporting the business down the street, progress starts with people who are willing to be engaged.
Thank you for continuing to show up for Lawrence County.
About the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce / Visit Lawrenceburg
The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce champions economic opportunity and community vitality by supporting local businesses, workforce development, and quality-of-life initiatives. Visit Lawrenceburg, the Chamber’s destination marketing effort, promotes Lawrence County’s attractions, events, and experiences to drive tourism, visitor spending, and long-term community growth.
Media Contact
Destiny Gobble, Communications & Hospitality Coordinator
destiny@lawcotn.com