Chamber quietly pays off mortgage for center

"We didn't think it was necessary to have a big public announcement," said Dyers-burg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce CEO Allen Hester. "We had tried to budget for it and to pay it off as early as we could to avoid interest. As it turned out, we had a final payment of about $66,000 due and we were able to make it."

The Lannom Center, which houses the Chamber and a 400-seat conference hall, was built as part of a five-year capital campaign started in 2004.

The goal was to raise $2.25 million, said Hester, through the "Building Bridges for Tomorrow Campaign." The Foundation of the Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce was established as a not-for-profit organization to raise money and fund economic development projects.

Chamber board president Eddie Anderson praised Hester's management of the finances.

"$2 million was the goal, and about $1.9 was pledged," said Anderson. "But things change over time and the numbers changed a little bit, and Allen and his staff were able to make it work."

Hester said the recent good news of NSK, Briggs & Stratton and other additions to the city and county have surpassed the 1,000 new industrial jobs in five years target that he had made a personal mission.

"Now I think, and the board thinks, it's time to look at something new," said Hester. "We've got to move up to the next level. Whether it's another 'Building Bridges' campaign, we don't know."

Dyersburg/Dyer County's selection by the Tennessee Valley Authority as one of three places in the utility's seven-state service area to be named a "Valley Targeted and Prepared Community." The program is to help communities enhance their current economic development efforts.

"With that going on now we can learn about where we need to go over the next few years," said Hester. "We've got to weave that into our business plan for '08."

The Lannom Center has proven to be a prime asset for economic development, said Hester.

"It's hard to overstate how impressive it is to people from other parts of the country or other countries," said Hester. "When Briggs & Stratton's people came here, they didn't expect a building and conference center in a community of 20,000 people and county of 40,000. That's the reaction consultants have, too. It makes a positive impression."

Extra office space is available for prospects.

Hester said NSK operated out of the Lannom Center while plans were under way for the building in the Dyersburg Commerce Park. State officials have also used the space for work away from Nashville.

The center had also become a host site for events ranging from high-school proms to national economic conferences.