• Lightning Source will invest $22 million to establish company’s fifth U.S. facility

• La Vergne-based company plans to create nearly 150 jobs in Jackson

• Lightning Source provides print-on-demand and book distribution services for publishers



NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Lightning Source LLC® officials announced today that the La Vergne-based company will establish its fifth U.S. facility in Jackson.


Lightning Source®, a part of Ingram Content Group®, will invest $22 million and create nearly 150 jobs in Madison County over the next three years.


Lightning Source provides a comprehensive suite of inventory-free, on-demand print and distribution services for books to the publishing industry. It offers publishers the ability to print books in any quantity and provides customers access to a worldwide bookselling channel.


Ingram will expand its presence in Jackson to include new print-on-demand operations alongside the existing distribution center located at 193 Edwards Drive in Jackson. The facility, Lightning Source’s fifth location in the U.S., will increase its global print-on-demand production capacity. Lightning Source is one of the world’s leading print-on-demand providers. Headquartered in La Vergne, TN, it provides digital content to consumers around the globe. The new Lightning Source print facility will work in partnership with the existing distribution center run by Ingram Publisher Services, also a part of Ingram Content Group.


Since 2015, TNECD has supported 26 economic development projects in Madison County, resulting in nearly 1,600 job commitments and $567 million in capital investment.


“The strength of Tennessee’s economy is built on our existing businesses, and I’m pleased to see Lightning Source expand with this new operation in Jackson. I look forward to the many ways Lightning Source’s new plant will spark economic growth in West Tennessee.” – Gov. Bill Lee


“Ingram Content Group, including Lightning Source, already has a deep presence in Tennessee, employing more than 2,000 residents across our state. This expansion in Jackson underscores the ripe environment for job creation and investment we’ve fostered here in Tennessee. I’d like to thank Lightning Source for its commitment to invest in Jackson and create valuable, family wage job opportunities for our residents.” – TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe


“We are a homegrown, Tennessee company with deep roots here. Our presence in Jackson has been an important part of that. From the day we started operations in Jackson in 2016 to today, we’ve found the community deeply welcoming and the workforce outstanding. As our global business has grown and we were looking to expand, it was an easy decision to reinvest in our presence in the State of Tennessee and for Jackson to be an important part of that.” – Shawn Morin, President & CEO, Ingram Content Group


“Ingram’s Lightning Source’s on demand printing offers an innovative approach to customer satisfaction and we are excited to have this progressive technology in our community.” – City of Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist


“Madison County continues to offer a business environment where industries can thrive, and this additional investment and new jobs validate that Ingram has had success here.” – Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris


“This large investment will have a very positive effect on our communities and offer many new job opportunities. The Governor, legislature and county officials have worked diligently to attract investment and break down barriers to job growth, and it is producing results. It is also a testament to the great people who make up our local workforce.” – Sen. Ed Jackson (R – Jackson)


“This investment in Jackson by Lightning Source is great news for our neighbors. I am proud to support the efforts of our local leaders in bringing these high-quality jobs to our community, and I appreciate Gov. Lee, TNECD and Lightning Source for their commitments to District 73.” – Rep. Chris Todd – Madison County


TNECD Media Contact

Scott Harrison, TNECD

(615) 417-2076

Scott.Harrison@tn.gov


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. Connect on the web: tnecd.com. Follow on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.


About Ingram

The world is reading and Ingram Content Group (“Ingram”) connects people with content in all forms. Providing comprehensive services for publishers, retailers, libraries and educators, Ingram makes these services seamless and accessible through technology, innovation and creativity. With an expansive global network of offices and facilities, Ingram’s services include digital and physical book distribution, print-on-demand, and digital learning. Ingram Content Group is a part of Ingram Industries Inc. and includes Ingram Book Group LLC, Ingram Publisher Services LLC, Lightning Source LLC, VitalSource Technologies LLC, Ingram Library Services LLC, and Tennessee Book Company LLC. For more information, visit IngramContent.com.

Kevin Charlebois stands with John Ross and wife, Missy, as they display a 50th anniversary plaque.


MILAN Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. has been serving the Southeast region for 50 Years this month. The company started by Tom Ross as Milan Express on June 16, 1969 with 1 tractor. Over the past 50 years it has grown to over 600 tractors, 1400 trailers and also provides warehousing, distribution and brokerage services.


MILAN employees 600+ individuals with the majority living in West Tennessee. The company is honoring its customers, suppliers and employees - past and present, during this monumental month.


The company's first delivery truck.


John Ross, son of Tom and past president of Milan Express, spoke briefly about his father and his passion for truck driving and the company he started. John was given a plaque to commemorate the 50 year anniversary.


“Since joining MILAN, I can attest to the dedication of our employees and the values our company brings to the community and to this industry," says Kevin Charlebois, CEO. "Our mission continues to be the industry leader in transportation and distribution solutions with a commitment to excellence. With our team of dedicated employees and core values as our foundation, we are a business partner that delivers safe, reliable and diverse solutions.”


MILAN Supply Chain Solutions is building a new distribution center off of Christmasville Road in Jackson.



About MILAN

MILAN Supply Chain Solutions is a leading provider of regional transportation services since 1969 in the southeast and mid-west area, headquartered in Milan, Tennessee. MILAN provides warehousing and distribution services integrated with truckload, dedicated and brokerage transportation services.

Haven’t made your 4th of July plans yet? According to Visit Jackson, TN’s calendar, you’ll have plenty of activities to choose from over the holiday. Celebrate the with the Jackson Generals, Wednesday, July 3 at the Ballpark at 6:05pm as they take on the Montgomery Biscuits. Stick around after the game for a post-game fireworks show. Festivities continue in Jackson on July 4th with the Firefighters Freedom Festival, a free, family-oriented festival and 4th of July fireworks. This event includes activities for children, food vendors, and live music. Join the Madison County Fire Department at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Gates open at 3:00pm, and the music will begin at 4:00pm. You will not want to miss Hubtet, Hunter Jordan Band and headliner the Kimberlie Helton Band! Later in the evening, enjoy the fireworks show beginning around dusk! Bring your lawn chair and blanket and visit the available concession stands while enjoying an evening of family fun in celebration of the 4th of July! Visit the Madison County Fire Department or call 731.424.5577 for more information. A quick look at the calendar displays a dozen major events happening over the 4th of July holiday throughout West Tennessee. Here’s your itinerary on the Visit Jackson, TN APP and a partial list including: June 28 - 30 Tennessee River Jam, Paris   June 29 Full Throttle’s Celebration, Trimble   July 3 Jackson Generals Baseball & Fireworks. The Ballpark   July 4 Firefighters Freedom Festival, McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport, Jackson Pickwick Landing State Park Paris Landing State Park Lexington’s Festival of the Lakes McKenzie Freedom Festival Union City Fireworks Selmer’s Freedom Fest   July 5 Dyersburg Fireworks Show Medina’s Fourth of July Celebration Milan Fireworks Show   Whether it’s an annual event or one of our great live music venues, experience the music which could only be “Made in Tennessee” found halfway between Memphis and Nashville in the heart of the Americana Music Triangle!   Visit JacksonTN to connect with what is happening in Jackson and West Tennessee or use the new Visit Jackson TN APP to plan the best weekend ever, available on iTunes, Google Play or our website.  

Todd Swims (President & CEO), Noah Simpson, Katelyn Thornton, Shelby Exline, Ansley Wofford, Shea Brown (Leaders)

Leaders Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative based in Jackson, Tenn., is committed to investing in the communities they serve through their Champion Scholarship Program. The late Mrs. Martha Britt served for over 30 years in the Jackson-Madison County School System and was instrumental in promoting educational opportunities for local students through her involvement with the Board of Directors and scholarship committee at Leaders. These awards are given in her honor and champions like her who help their communities move forward. Each award is given to a student who portrays leadership in their school and community and who are members or related to a member of Leaders Credit Union. This year, Leaders Credit Union is proud to collectively award over $10,000 to seven deserving students.

“Our Champion Scholarships honor both our past and our future here at Leaders Credit Union,” said Todd Swims, President and CEO of Leaders Credit Union. “We are proud to be a small part of these students’academic journeys toward success and look forward to seeing them excel in the future.”

The Financial Wellness Video Scholarship awards $2,500 to a student who provides a video application detailing the importance of financial literacy. Noah Simpson, a graduate of Madison Academic High School, was awarded the Financial Wellness Video Scholarship for his production of a short video highlighting tips for financial fitness to his peers. Video submissions were voted on by the public on Leaders Facebook page and Noah’s video engaged over 11,000 viewers in West Tennessee.

The Leaders Founders Scholarship honors Leaders’ founding membership group, the Jackson-Madison County School System, with one $1,500 scholarship to a student within JMCSS. The student who is receiving the Founders Scholarship is Katelyn Thornton, a graduate of Madison Academic High School.

Leaders also awards $1,500 Community Scholarships to students in Madison County, Bartlett, Obion County, Gibson County, and all other areas served by the credit union. This year, the community scholarship winners are Shelby Exline (South Gibson County High School), Wilson Harris (Union City High School), and Ansley Wofford (Sacred Heart of Jesus High School).

Leaders Credit Union was able to award two additional $1,000 scholarships to two deserving Leaders members who are current college students. Each student is enrolled in local programs in West Tennessee. This year, the students receiving these scholarships are Brooke Woodard (University of Memphis-Lambuth) and Melissa Craigie (Jackson State Community College).

Recipients were honored and publicly recognized at Leaders’ Member Appreciation Night at the Jackson Generals ballgame on June 15, 2019.

Williams

Ginger Williams


The team at Town & Country REALTORS® continues to grow as local real estate investor Ginger Williams comes aboard. Along with her background in marketing, Ginger brings her experience working with local business owners as the editor of the Jackson Business Journal and account executive as VIP Magazine.


“I love finding great deals and making wise investments and can't wait to teach and serve others,” Ginger said. "Real estate is the perfect way for me to connect families, business owners and investors with the best property to help them create a home or grow their business.


“Our Town & Country family is very excited to welcome Ginger,” Town & Country REALTORS® owner Joey Hale said. “Our firm has previously partnered with her on several investment properties, and we are pleased to officially bring her talents to the team.”


Ginger’s passion for service and real estate helped cement her decision to become a REALTOR® here and be a part of Town & Country’s strong reputation in the community for helping people and valuing integrity in every transaction.


Town and Country is actively preserving it’s 50 year legacy and I’m excited to be a part of its future. They have a deep commitment to see their agents succeed, and they have the best training and support system in the city.”


Ginger also brings with her an immense love of Jackson, which led her to join the team of authors of Jackson’s own history book, Jackson & Madison County: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow.


“Jackson is at a turning point in its history,” she said. “This city is experiencing new energy across the board and is set to grow exponentially in the next few years. I especially love the strong presence of local art and the local people who love Jackson. This is my hometown, and I am so excited to be part of a team that loves this city as much as I do!”


For over 50 years, Town & Country REALTORS® has been serving the West Tennessee community with excellence and integrity. For more information about Town & Country and the services provided, call 731-668-7000, visit the website, or drop by the office at 1944 Hwy 45 Bypass. Email Ginger Williams, or call 731-426-2855 to contact her.

Watch for information on upcoming events, new members, ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings; plus, get the scoop on featured member, Jackson Coca-Cola with our Member Connection. Looking for live music this weekend? Jackson and West Tennessee are home to numerous live music venues and special events over the June 13th weekend. Thanks to our friend Matt Barnacastle and the Jackson Area Music Society for sharing the weekend's live music events!       Tuesday, June 18   Whether it’s an annual event or one of our great live music venues, experience the music which could only be “Made in Tennessee” found halfway between Memphis and Nashville in the heart of the Americana Music Triangle!  Visit JacksonTN to connect with what is happening in Jackson and West Tennessee. Connect socially on Facebook and Twitter or call 731.425.8333. Joel-Melinga Melinda Pierce, owner of Vineyards Gifts, Inc., received the Retail Award from the Tennessee Small Business Development Center(TSBDC)/Jackson State Community College. Joel Newman, director, TSBDC, presented the award. Vineyards was nominated by the TSBDC and chosen as the recipient during National Small Business Week, May 5-10, 2019. More than 100 women pilots will take off on the adventure of a lifetime when the flag drops to mark the start of the 43rd annual Air Race Classic (ARC), the oldest airplane race of its kind in the United States. Starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 49 small airplanes will launch full throttle, 30 seconds apart, down the runway at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport in Jackson, TN.  From there, they will embark on a course that will take them 2,538 miles to Welland, Ontario, in just four days. Teams will face unfamiliar terrain and challenging weather as they put their piloting skills to the test, flying at maximum speed across 9 states and 2 countries, from the delta of Tennessee through the American heartland to the Welland lakeways and canal connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. At each stop along the way, they will execute a high-speed low pass across a timing line, racing to reach the Terminus, Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport located in Welland, Ontario, by the arrival deadline at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 22. The nine intermediate stops are
  1. LAGRANGE, GA (KLGC) LaGrange-Callaway Airport
  2. HATTIESBURG, MS (KHBG) Hattiesburg Bobby L. Chain Municipal
  3. BRYANT, AR (KSUZ)  Saline County Regional Airport
  4. LEE'S SUMMIT, MO (KLXT) Lee's Summit Municipal
  5. FAIRMONT, MN (KFRM) Fairmont Municipal
  6. WAUSAU, WI (KAUW)  Wausau Downtown Airport
  7. SAULT STE. MARIE, MI (KCIU, FLYBY ONLY) AND SAULT STE. MARIE, ON (CYAM, STOP) Chippewa County International Airportand Sault Ste. Marie Airport
  8. NORTH BAY, ON (CYYB) North Bay Jack Garland Airport
  9. BRANTFORD, ON (CYFD) Brantford Municipal Airport
TERMINUS – WELLAND, ON (CNQ3)  Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport You can follow teams along the route throughout the race using the link to MAProgress!    https://airraceclassic2019.maprogress.com “Every June, female pilots from across the nation fly the ARC for the competition and camaraderie,” said Air Race Classic President Lara Gaerte. “We look forward to welcoming back veteran racers and meeting new competitors at this year’s Start, and celebrating the end of a great race together at the Terminus.” The Air Race Classic traces its roots to the 1929 Women's Air Derby, in which Amelia Earhart and 19 other daring female pilots raced from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland, Ohio. That contest, aka the Powder Puff Derby, marked the beginning of women's air racing in the United States. Today, the ARC is the epicenter of women's air racing, the ultimate test of aeronautical ability and decision-making for female pilots of all ages and from all walks of life. This year's competitors range from college students to veteran racers in their 80s. Some are flying the ARC for the first time, while others have dozens of races in their logbooks. Each race plane carries a team of two or three women: pilot, copilot and an optional teammate. Of the 49 teams in this year's race, 17 are representing colleges or universities. On two of the teams, family members are racing together and there are 2 military teams How long it will take each team to finish the race depends on the weather, the pilot's strategy and the speed of the airplane. The fastest planes may complete the course in two days, while the slowest aircraft may take all four days. But because the ARC is a handicap race, teams are racing against their own best time, not against one another. This allows slower planes to compete against faster aircraft on an equal basis. Official standings aren't determined until after the last team has crossed the finish line – the last arrival at the Terminus may, in fact, be the winner! ARC fans can follow the racers' progress on airraceclassic.org. ABOUT THE AIR RACE CLASSIC: Air Race Classic Inc. is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with a mission of encouraging and educating current and future female pilots, increasing public awareness of general aviation, demonstrating women's roles in aviation, and preserving and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation.   For more information: airraceclassic.org. Air Race Classic on Facebook @AuthenticARC on Twitter Airraceclassicinc on Instagram Tennessee’s First Marathon, the Andrew Jackson Marathon (AJM), held in Jackson, Tenn., recently presented a check for $56,250 to President/CEO of the Exchange Club/Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Pam Nash. The marathon had its 47th running on April 6, 2019 and proceeds benefited the center that provides support to families throughout West Tennessee.   About the Exchange Club/Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse The mission of the center is to provide support to families in preventing and dealing with child abuse in West Tennessee and to help both parents and children meet the practical needs of preserving and improving the quality of family life. Visit the website. About the Andrew Jackson Marathon As a Boston Marathon Qualifier, the course offers a half marathon single loop (13.1 miles) and a full marathon double loop (26.2 miles) that begins and ends in downtown Jackson. Visit the website.