News Release: 11/6/2024

COMMUNITY BANKS STRENGTHEN THEIR SUPPORT OF LOCAL BUSINESSES IN 2024. TENNCOMMUNITY BUCKS ARE BACK WILSON COUNTY — In an ongoing effort to strengthen the local economy, Wilson County’s chambers of commerce and community banks are continuing their collaboration through the TennCommUNITY initiative. This initiative is dedicated to supporting local businesses and business owners who live and work in Wilson County. With small businesses being the backbone of our community, fostering a culture of shopping local and giving back is essential to maintaining the vibrancy and stability of our local economy. The popular TennCommUNITY “bucks” program is making its return, just in time for Small Business Saturday on November 30. “Bucks” will be distributed starting November 18, and eager shoppers are encouraged to act quickly, as supplies are limited. Buck can be picked up at any of the participating banks including F&M Bank, First Bank, First Freedom Bank, Liberty State Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Southern Bank of Tennessee, and Wilson Bank & Trust while supplies last. One buck per person per day. Bucks are valid at participating merchants from November 29 thru December 8. Please visit https://tenncommunity.com/ for a full list of participating merchants. Since its inception in 2020, representatives from seven local banks have dedicated countless hours to volunteer work that serves the Wilson County community. This week, TennCommUNITY volunteers joined forces to pack food for families in need as part of the Wilson County Schools’ Stuff the Bus Project. In September, they supported the Lebanon Special School District’s (LSSD) backpack program, which provides meals for children during long weekends when school is not in session. Previous efforts have included collaborations with Wilson County Kind, Habitat for Humanity, Everyone’s Wilson Global Leadership Summit, and participation in the “Let Lebanon Shine” Community Clean Up Day, among others. Melanie Minter, Lebanon Wilson County Chamber President/CEO emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Small businesses are the heart of our community. They make each city unique, and we are all committed to help them succeed.” “She also expressed, TennCommUNITY’s additional efforts through volunteerism only strengthens the bond of these banks providing full community support throughout Wilson County. I want to personally thank the banks for their unified commitment to small businesses and their enthusiasm to have a strong presence with kind community service acts in the community they love. ” “Together, we're stronger than ever," said Mark Hinesley, President/CEO of the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce. "Our small businesses consistently step up to support our community’s volunteer and fundraising efforts. By encouraging the support of local businesses, TennCommUNITY offers us the opportunity to give back and show our appreciation for everything they do." About TennCommUNITY TennCommUNITY is an initiative created and designed through the collaboration of several local banks and Chambers, united together with a common goal of supporting the growth of our small business community. By educating Wilson County residents about the importance of investing in local businesses and promoting the entrepreneurial spirit of its communities, the economy and community will continue to prosper and enhance the quality of life for all its citizens. To learn more about the TennCommUNITY initiative, please visit tenncommunity.com