Partnering with the Boys and Girls Club “Windows of Hope” as well as Voya Financial, and Prosper Realty Group, this holiday season, the City of Jackson, is set to sparkle with the inaugural "Jingle Bell Jackson - Holiday Decoration Contest." Residents are invited to nominate their festively adorned homes for a chance to win exciting prizes and spread joy throughout the community.

The nomination period is open from now until December 7, 2023. During this time, residents can easily nominate their homes by completing a simple form, which includes an option to upload a photo of their decorated home for public voting.

The winners of the Jingle Bell Jackson contest will be announced on December 21, 2023. Two winners will not only receive recognition for their outstanding holiday displays but also a cash gift of $1,000.00, adding an extra layer of excitement to their holiday celebrations.

A map of all the submitted nominations will also be hosted on our website with assistance from Visit Jackson, TN, the Jackson-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

In addition to the decoration contest, Jingle Bell Jackson introduces another engaging activity: Guess the Bulb. A house in the community will be extravagantly decorated, and residents are invited to participate in the "Guess the Bulb" challenge. The community will be asked to estimate the number of bulbs adorning the selected house.

Community members can participate in the "Guess the Bulb" challenge by submitting their estimates during the judging period. The individual with the closest guess will be awarded a cash gift of $1,000.00, creating an extra element of fun and friendly competition.

"We're thrilled to bring the Jingle Bell Jackson festivities to our community,” said Mayor Scott Conger. “The holiday decoration contest and the Guess the Bulb challenge are wonderful ways for residents to engage and create a festive atmosphere that we can all enjoy.  Our hope is Jackson will be so lit up, Santa Claus will have no trouble spotting us from his sleigh.”

Sponsored by Voya Financial, Jingle Bell Jackson aims to illuminate the holiday season in Jackson, Tennessee, fostering community spirit and bringing joy to residents young and old. Join us in celebrating the magic of the season. A special thanks to Voya Financial.

Event Timeline:

The 2023 Holiday Season is here! What better way to start off the season than by shopping local with our 2023 Greater Jackson Chamber Holiday Gift Guide?
The 2023 Shop Local: Holiday Gift Guide is now live with discounts and gift ideas from some of our members.

Check out the guide!

Get ready for the holiday season in Jackson and West Tennessee! Here’s a list of Christmas parades to get you ready for the holidays: Monday, November 27, 2023 6:00 PM - Alamo 6:00 PM - Trenton 7:00 PM - Dyersburg Tuesday, November 28, 2023 6:00 PM - Medina *Rain Date-Nov 30* 7:00 PM - Halls Saturday, December 2, 2023 4:00 PM - McKenzie 5:00 PM - Brownsville 5:00 PM - Dyer 5:00 PM - Saltillo 5:30 PM - South Fulton 6:00 PM - Somerville 6:00 PM - Bolivar 6:00 PM - Gleason 6:30 PM - Kenton Sunday, December 3, 2023 5:00 PM - Selmer 5:00 PM - Decaturville Monday, December 4, 2023 6:30 PM - Jackson 6:30 PM - Savannah 7:00 PM - Martin Thursday, December 7, 2023 6:30 PM - Milan 7:00 PM - Henderson 7:00 PM - Union City 7:00 PM - Clarksburg Saturday, December 9, 2023 9:00 AM - Michie 5:00 PM - Paris 5:00 PM - Middleton 6:00 PM - Friendship 6:00 PM - Scotts Hill 6:00 PM - Huntingdon 6:00 PM - Troy Monday, December 11, 2023 7:00 PM - Lexington 7:00 PM - Trezevant Saturday, December 16, 2023 6:30 PM - Bethel Springs 7:00 PM - Linden Build your own itinerary or download the Visit Jackson, TN APP – Google Play or Apple Visit Jackson, TN to connect with what is happening in Jackson and West Tennessee. Connect socially on Facebook,  Instagram and Twitter or call 731.425.8333. The Greater Jackson Chamber’s Annual Celebration spotlighted accomplishments and honored businesses, industries and non-profit organizations on Thursday, November 16, at Union University’s Chapel. With approximately 600 in attendance, the celebration also honored the chamber’s volunteers and highlighted businesses that have made an extra effort to achieve excellence through high standards, professional accomplishments and community contributions. Award: Emerging Business Winner: Skillet Junction   Award: Small Business of the Year: Winner: Yukon Outfitters   Award: Large Business of the Year Winner: Old Country Store   Award: Industry of the Year Winner: Tennalum   Award: Non-Profit of the Year Winner: Jackson Animal Care Center   Award: Shirley Jones Ambassador of the Year Winner: Joyce Corley   Award: Curtis F. Mansfield Volunteer of the Year Winner: Roger Smith   Award: Jonas Kisber Entrepreneur of the Year Winner: Steve Little   Thank you to our 2023 Annual Celebration Sponsors! Academy Award Sponsors Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning Allen Samuels of Jackson, Inc. Arrington Funeral Directors and Crematory FSB Insurance Jackson Energy Authority Prosper Realty Group Regions Bank Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc Steele Martin Jones, CPAs and Business Advisors Thompson & Smith, LLC Toyota Motor Manufacturing Tennessee Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. West Tennessee Healthcare Golden Globe Sponsors Community Bank H & M Company, Inc. Hiller Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Electrical Jackson State Community College Tennessee College of Applied Technology- Jackson Emmy Sponsors BlueOval City FORD BlueOval SK. LLC Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper Community Foundation of West Tennessee Jackson-Madison County School System Flatiron Grille & Bistro Eleven Sixty Le Bonheur Children’s Premier Dental Center Simmons Bank VIP Jackson Magazine West TN Bank- a Division of Decatur County Bank West TN PBS Food Sponsor ATA CPA's + Advisors Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner! Are you ready for a delicious feast but not sure which restaurants will be open to serve up those scrumptious turkey dinners and delightful pumpkin pies? These restaurants will be open in Jackson, TN on Thanksgiving Day: Perkins 6:00 am-2:00 pm IHOP 6:00 am-4:00 pm Cracker Barrell 7:00 am-9:00 pm Panaderia El Triunfo Bakery 8:00 am-6:00 pm Brooksies Barn 10:00 am-2:00 pm Twist Midtown Bar & Grill 11:00 am-2:00 pm RESERVATION REQUIRED Sizzler Cuisine of India 11:00 am-9:00 pm Fuji Yama 3:00 pm-9:00 pm TGI Fridays 4:00 pm-11:00 pm Mulligans 5:00 pm-9:00 pm   If you are looking for a catering option, the restaurants below are offering catering that must be picked up prior to Thanksgiving Day! Carriage House Antique Market & Cafe Catering Information 731-664-6678 Order by Monday, November 20 to ensure pickup on Wednesday, November 23 between noon and 4 pm. Old Country Store Thanksgiving Meal Packages 731-300-4495 Final Day to Place Order: Friday, November 17 by 2:00 pm. Pick Up Dates Tuesday 11/21 & Wednesday 11/22. Paul Latham's Meat Co. Catering Menu 731-664-0073 Gourmet Your Way Holiday Menu 731-660-6445 Orders must be placed by Friday, 11/17 at 5 pm for guaranteed pick up on Wednesday, 11/22. Dumplins Thanksgiving 2023 Order Form 731-664-4959 Catering orders can be placed, but no deliveries the week of Thanksgiving. Clifton Brothers BBQ $25 Smoked Turkeys - *must bring your own turkey*

The Jackson Downtown Development Corporation (JDDC) is excited to announce the launch of the 2023 Downtown Jackson Passport Program, sponsored by Visit Jackson TN. From November 15th through December 15th, the passport program encourages the community to support local businesses in historic Downtown Jackson this holiday season.

Participants can pick up a free passport from any of the participating downtown businesses. Those who participate must collect six stamps at any of the participating businesses to fill their passports. Filled passports with six stamps received from six different downtown businesses may be submitted at Turntable Coffee Counter or Grubb’s Grocery Store for a chance to win $500 in downtown business gift cards. There is no limit to the number of filled-out passports that may be submitted per person.

“We are excited to kick off the holiday season with our Downtown Passport program! We hope it brings both familiar and new faces Downtown to shop small and eat local,” said Beth Ann Simpson, JDDC Director.

Winners of the drawings will be announced after December 15th and will be notified via email and a tag on Downtown Jackson’s Instagram. All community members are encouraged to pick up a passport and explore downtown Jackson this holiday season. Visit www.downtownjackson.com for full event listings, prize details, and participating business information. Happy holidays from JDDC!

  Public Notice is hereby given that the Community Economic Development Commission meeting will be held at 4:00 pm, Thursday, November 30, 2023. The meeting will be held at 197 Auditorium, Jackson, TN  38301 (downstairs Board Room). Public comment is offered to matters that are germaine to the items on the agenda for the meeting.  An individual may register prior by contacting the commission at 731-425-8333, or by registering prior on the sign-up sheet at the location of said meeting. Please confirm your availability by emailing lnunnery@jacksontn.com or calling 731-425-8333.

November 2023 Agenda

 

The Tennessee Economic Development Council (TEDC) announces its board officers for 2023-2024. The officers were elected by the nominating committee at TEDC’s Fall Conference held in Franklin, TN. 

Vicki Bunch, Chief Workforce Development Officer for the Greater Jackson Chamber, was named TEDC’s Secretary/Treasurer for the 2023-2024 year. This position comes after years of service in the economic development community. 

The full roster of new officers is as follows: 

• President: Marshall Ramsey (President, Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce) 

• Vice President: Kendrick Curtis (Assistant Executive Director, Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association) 

• Immediate Past President: Lindsay Frilling (CEO, Obion County Joint Economic Development Corporation) 

• Secretary/Treasurer: Vicki Bunch (Chief Workforce Development Officer, Greater Jackson Chamber) 

• West Tennessee Representative: Julian McTizic (Mayor, City of Bolivar) 

• Middle Tennessee Representative: Ryan Egly (President & CEO, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce) 

• East Tennessee Representative: Lisa Collett (Executive Director, Morgan County Economic Development) 

• State Liaison: Jamie Stitt (Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Business Development, Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development) 

• UTCIS Representative: Kim Denton (Economic Development Director, UT Center for Industrial Services) 

• SEDC Representative: Edward Burch (Director of Business Development, TNECD) 

• TVA Representative: Nick Cunningham (Regional Development Specialist, Middle TN, Tennessee Valley Authority) 

TEDC is a statewide organization for both public and private sector professionals involved in economic development. TEDC provides professional development opportunities for its more than 425 members and works with state officials to maintain an attractive business environment in Tennessee. 

The Ned’s Teen Theatre is proud to present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starting Thursday, November 16, and running through Sunday, November 19. The cast features some of the best singers, dancers, and actors in the Jackson community. The production is helmed by the same creative team that brought you last season’s The Wiz, Jr. with Nadia Beard directing.

Inspired by Joseph’s multicolored coat and the coming winter months, the creative team, cast, and crew are inviting all audience members to bring any extra coats they may have to the performance. Donations from the coat drive will be delivered to RIFA on Monday, November 20.

The iconic story based on the story of Joseph from the Bible is a colorful retelling of a young man whose gift for interpreting dreams made a way for him, from an object of jealousy to a position of high command.  The show is a high-energy musical blast perfect for all ages.

Tickets are available by clicking the “Tickets” link on The Ned's website at http://thened.jacksontn.gov

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Dates:

*Coat Drive throughout the run.

The Tennessee Association of Community Leadership (TACL) has named Leadership University, a youth leadership development program of the Greater Jackson Chamber, the recipient of the TACL Outstanding Leadership Program Award. The award recognizes a leadership program that has shown considerable success through the years in impacting the quality of life in the area they serve. Leadership University is a year-long program that engages forty high school students from public, private, and home schools in the Jackson community. The program provides students with the opportunity to learn about leadership, develop their skills, and serve their community. “We are honored to receive this award from TACL,” said Lauren Saliba, Director of Leadership Development for the Greater Jackson Chamber. “We believe that leadership development programs are critical to every community, and we are proud to provide our students with the opportunity to learn and grow as leaders.” The TACL Servant Leadership Award was also presented to Joseph Ross, Board Member and Past Chair of Leadership University and Past Chair of Leadership Jackson Alumni Association. Ross, Vice President, Loan Operations Officer for The Bank of Jackson, received the award for his dedication and service in the Jackson community. “Joseph is a remarkable servant leader whose contributions have left an indelible mark on our community,” said Saliba. “He epitomizes the principles and values of servant leadership, setting an example for future generations of leaders to emulate.” “Service to others is one of our greatest callings in life,” said Ross. “I am thankful for the many fellow Leadership Jackson Alumni who serve selflessly every day to make Jackson/Madison County such a wonderful place to live. Receiving this award reminds me of how important local leadership programs can be in helping to mold local community members into more productive and successful citizens.” TACL Executive Director Judy Renshaw congratulated the Greater Jackson Chamber on creating Leadership University in 1999. “Leadership development programs are critical to every community,” said Renshaw. “We extend our congratulations to the Greater Jackson Chamber for engaging their youth, enhancing their leadership skills, and developing a passion for service to their community.” The Greater Jackson Chamber has three successful leadership programs:  Leadership Jackson (adults), Leadership University (youth), and Leadership Jackson Alumni Association, an engaged alumni network. For more information about TACL (Tennessee Association of Community Leadership), a statewide association created to assist community leadership development programs, contact Judy Renshaw, Executive Director, taclresources@gmail.com.