Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance Celebrates a Century
The Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance is observing its 100th anniversary throughout 2024, recalling some of its history and celebrating its widespread impact throughout the community and region.
The organization has 650 members, including several that have been with the chamber for more than 50 years, says Wil Evans, president and CEO of the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance. Those longtime members are Columbia Neon, First Farmers & Merchants Bank, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and McDonald’s of Columbia/Mount Pleasant/Spring Hill.
The chamber has gone through a number of name changes over the years. When it first started as a group of businessmen in 1924, the organization was called the Chamber of Commerce of Columbia, Tennessee.
In 1956, the name changed to the Columbia & Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce, then in 1973, it became the Maury County Chamber of Commerce Inc. In 1999, the organization took the name Maury County Chamber & Maury Alliance, then in 2010 it was updated to the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance, which it is today.
“One of our biggest milestones occurred in 1999 when the chamber and the county’s economic development agency merged into one organization under the name Maury County Chamber & Maury Alliance,” Evans says. “The chamber and economic development have always had the same goal – to promote everything the county has to offer, but we were now under one roof beginning in 1999 to support and recruit businesses.”
Evans says he is proud that the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance is known across the state for its successful recruitment in the industry sector.
“Over the last 10 years, our organization has helped recruit more than 7,500 new jobs and $6 billion in capital investment to Maury County,” he says. “We’ve had a really good run and will continue to do so.”
Evans adds that the organization has come a long way from mainly being a place where people call for directions or get a map.
“We still do that – a lot of people still phone us and then we Google the information for them, always wanting to help,” Evans says. “But we are so much more. Another one of our focuses is backing a workforce development initiative to keep talent here for companies in Maury County.”
The Importance of Local
Another longtime chamber member is Ye Peddler Gift Shoppe, a Columbia-based retail store that was started by Peggy Porter in 1974. Ye Peddler has gone through several other owners over the years; current owner Rachel Hughes purchased the business in 1999.
“Gift items, home goods, kitchen items and wedding registries are the bread and butter of the business, and I also added a ladies boutique that has become very popular,” Hughes says. “In fact, over the past five years or so, Ye Peddler has even become somewhat of a tourist destination, with customers traveling from as far away as Knoxville [Tennessee] and Alabama. I also started online sales in 2020, which is a big part of my business nowadays.”
Hughes says she attends a few chamber events each year, including the Annual Meeting to hear about the state of Maury County.
“In the past, I’ve been on the chamber’s retail committee and involved in the local gift card promotion, and I have spoken about being a woman business owner,” Hughes says. “I also speak to groups about the importance of shopping local, including a speech I made to the kids at Whitthorne Middle School in Columbia.”
Hughes says Maury County enjoys a good business environment, and the chamber does a fine job of promoting the region’s attractive quality of life.
“Congratulations on the chamber being 100 years old,” she says. “Ye Peddler is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2024. I hope we also make it to 100.”
The Chamber by the Numbers
7,500
new jobs created in the last 10 years
$6B
capital investment in Maury County in the last 10 years
650
members of the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance
Mount Pleasant Honors History and Embraces Progress
Maury County was established in 1807, and the city of Mount Pleasant was incorporated 17 years later in 1824. Now in 2024, this community of nearly 5,000 residents is commemorating its momentous 200th birthday.
Pop-up events are taking place throughout 2024, with the culmination on Oct. 13 when Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is scheduled to appear as part of the official celebration on the Mount Pleasant Public Square.
But prior to that, the city is undergoing some major construction projects in preparation.
“We are replacing the Sugar Creek Bridge along Main Street, and a total renovation of the Public Square is also underway,” says Phillip Grooms, Mount Pleasant city manager.
If you’re new to Mount Pleasant, the city’s longtime claim to fame was being known as “Phosphate Capital of the World” from 1895 until the 1960s, when brown phosphate rock was discovered in abundance and caused a mining boom. Nowadays, the city’s economy is anchored by a strong manufacturing sector led by companies such as Fuel Total Systems, Landmark Ceramics, RAE Products, Sekisui Kasei, Smelter Service Corporation, Solvay Group and many more.
Grooms says Mount Pleasant actually has 35 manufacturing plants in operation, from small to large.
“Also adding to our economic success is a current residential project push underway,” he says.
According to Zillow (June 2024), the median home value in Mount Pleasant is $274,327. Along with a low cost of living, residents can enjoy outdoor attractions like the 23-acre Williams Spring Park and the nine-hole Mount Pleasant Country Club public golf course.
“A lot of people are showing interest in Mount Pleasant these days,” Grooms says. “Our city is involved in many good projects.”