The Community Development Division exists to facilitate public/private partnerships to enhance the quality of life for citizens and serve as the “voice of business” in Cookeville and Putnam County. Programs include the Adopt-a-School program, the Cookeville Christmas Parade, and the Community Appearance Committee.
What We Do
Programs
Ambassadors
 Zach Buckner
The District Creative |
 Carey Davenport
Crye-Leike Realtors |
 Hannah Davis
Cookeville Regional Medical Center |
 Kathy Dunn
First Realty Company |
 Tibet Dycus
Tibet Dycus Accounting & Bookkeeping Service |
 Toni Evans
American Bank & Trust |
 Jennifer Guerrero
Manpower |
 Tracy Hughes
Pelican’s SnoBalls |
 Becky Hull
Upper Cumberland Workforce |
 Avery Hutchins
WCTE-TV |
 Lee Jones
REI |
 Leslie Loftis
McGriff Insurance Services |
 Becky Magura
WCTE-TV |
 James Massengille
The Swallows Agency |
 Jeremiah Miller
First Tennessee Bank |
 Jewell Miller
Bank of Putnam County |
 Melissa Mitchell
Twin Lakes |
 Lavonda Moore
Retired Board Chair |
 Pamela Nash
Raymond James Financial Services |
 Melissa Parks
Putnam County Habitat for Humanity |
 Brandon Parrish
Mortgage Investors Group |
 Ashlyn Poplin-Hall
GO Advertising |
 Ian Robson
FirstBank |
 Evan Shields
Huddleston & Shepherd Family Vision Care |
 Sue Swearengen
Plateau Insurance Agency |
 David York
Farmers Insurance – David York Agency |
Community Development & Public Policy Division
Economic Development Division
The Economic Development Division seeks to create and retain jobs and promote the region through targeted and comprehensive programs like the Highlands Industrial Trade Show, the Existing Industry Committee, the Workforce Development & Education Committee, the Industrial Development Board, and the Joint Economic and Community Development Board (JECDB).
Organizational Development Division
The Organizational Development Division strengthens the organizational structure for greater service to chamber membership with an emphasis on recruitment, retention, benefits and services. Programs like the Ambassadors Committee, Small Business Expo Committee, Membership Golf Tournament Committee, and the Annual Meeting Committee all work to ensure the success of chamber membership.
Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Cookeville-Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau exists to promote Putnam County as a tourist destination through public/private partnerships and by encouraging local citizens and visitors to discover the community’s sports and recreational opportunities, scenic back roads, arts and crafts, historical sites, musical heritage, shopping and dining venues. The Convention & Visitors Bureau also seeks to be a catalyst in attracting resourceful retirees and relocating citizens to the county and region that will become economic assets.
Highlands Economic Partnership
The Highlands Economic Partnership is recognized as a best-practice model of public/private cooperation, not only in our region, but throughout the entire state of Tennessee.
Founded in 2006 by the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, the Highlands Economic Partnership exists to improve the quality of life regionally through job generation and retention, workforce development and community advocacy.
With 80+ investors spanning a four-county region of Jackson, Overton, Putnam and White Counties, it is clear that the region is committed towards the vision of a better future with the belief that together we can more effectively and efficiently achieve our vision.