Rachel and I find that we weren't always as cautious about upcoming storms prior to being parents.  However, after the tornados a couple years ago that hit Murfreesboro pretty hard, we pay more attention now.  Since we're on the road quite a bit, I had been researching what the best mobile alert system was for a smartphone. 

After researching them all, I found the iMap Weather Radio was the right choice for us.  It is one of the few that sends Push Notifications to your phone, so it will alert it whether on standby or being used at the time.  Plus, many just ding...I wanted to be alerted.  Simply a ding, like receiving an email, wouldn't wake us up.  After the initial alarm, a voice comes on and explains the warning.

The app is just $9.99 and more information can be found her:  http://www.wdtinc.com/pages/imapweather_radio

Stay safe tonight! 

Online retailer Amazon.com is in the process of building two new distribution centers in Lebanon and Murfreesboro, creating an estimated 1,300 new jobs for the Nashville area.

This formalizes a deal struck in October between the online retailer and Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration. The deal requires Amazon to collect sales taxes from Tennessee consumers beginning in 2014 — something the retailer had previously resisted. As part of the deal, Amazon also agreed to build the two new facilities.

Part of the package to lure Amazon to Middle Tennessee also includes certain tax breaks for building the two new fulfillment centers, which will serve as giant warehouses of goods shipped to online shoppers across the country.

The company already has facilities in Chattanooga and in Cleveland, Tenn. The new facilities are expected to open and be operating by next fall.

So...where is it???  If you're coming down Interstate 24 from Nashville, you'd take the Joe B. Jackson exit and head to the left.  Then, the property is just down on your right, directly across the street from Interstate Warehousing and also neighboring the new NHK Seating which relocated to Murfreesboro this past year.  What a great couple new additions to the community!  I will keep you posted when information is posted on job applications for the new Amazon facility.  If you're considering a move to the area, let me know what information I can help with!  Have a great week!  Justin Holder, Bob Parks Realty.  justin@Justinholder.com.

Looking for something specific?  Just let me know and I'll watch out for it!  I check new listings throughout the day, so you'll know the minute something hits that meets what you're searching!  Oh, and Happy Valentines day! 

While showing real estate all over Middle Tennessee, I'm often on the road about a thousand miles a week.  You can see where the savings would add up quickly! 

Apparently Murfreesboro Electric has made the switch as well, purchasing one of the new Nissan Leaf's.  It's the new electric car from Nissan to arrive this spring.  I have a good friend at Nissan that has pledged to sneak me one to try out for a weekend....and I'll be holding him to it!  Enjoy it! 

Tennessee Valley Authority residential bills will increase on average by up to $3.50 a month in March to pay another fuel cost increase.

The utility said in a statement Friday that a planned unit outage at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant during March will require the use of more expensive fuels to generate electricity during the month.

During nuclear plant outages, there is increased use of more expensive coal-fired power plants.

For an average home using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month, power bills for March will be $1.50 to $3.50 higher than bills for February.

A drop in fuel costs in February reduced residential bills by about $1.50.
TVA supplies power to nearly 9 million people in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

http://www.dnj.com/article/20110213/NEWS01/102130321/1002/Property+assessor+aims+for+equality

for the full story. 

Rutherford County Property Assessor Bill Boner repeats the words "fair and equal" frequently when asked about his reappraisal decisions.

A chart posted in Boner's office shows that median sales prices on homes in the county peaked at $168,00 in 2008 before the worst of the Great Recession took hold. The median dropped to $149,000 in the 2009 reappraisal year, but some wanting to keep their property tax bills lower wish the median price was even lower than the reappraisal year of 2005's median value of $139,900.

Boner also is facing appraisal challenges from large commercial properties. Embassy Suites and Conference Center ownership contends the hotel should be valued at $40 million instead of $67 million.

The Middle Point Landfill ownership disputes its $31.3 million appraisal, which would generate $308,643 in tax revenues, and wants a $6.5 million appraisal, which would generate $64,095 in taxes. The $244,548 difference would be enough to cover the pay and benefits for about seven entry-level county employees.

Many others have questioned Boner's decisions to remove them from greenbelt tax break status that's meant to help family farms stay in business by taxing them at a lower agricultural use value instead of market value.

The DNJ visited Boner in his office last week.

Q: While other governmental entities look to provide tax abatements as incentives to bring jobs here, why have you held the line when it comes to appraising property value?

Boner: Everybody has to pay their equal share. If they pay their fair share, it won't be so hard on an elderly person on a fixed income and the couple just starting out. We have to treat everybody fair and equal.

When the Tennessee Legislature agreed on Oct. 17, 1811, to establish Rutherford County's seat near where Lytle and Town creeks meet, few dreamed it would become the metropolis it has become.

Yet change it did, becoming known as Murfreesborough the next month on Nov. 19 and, by the time it was chartered in early January of the following year, the name had been shortened to Murfreesboro.

Now, 200 years later, a celebration is being planned that will highlight the different themes, including important historical and cultural events, that have made Murfreesboro one of the largest cities in the state.

Activities for the year are not yet settled but will likely begin Oct. 17 with an enhanced and improved Harvest Days and celebration of the county seat's founding at Cannonsburgh. Themes for each succeeding month may include the state legislation, which was based here for a time; education; multicultural influences; medicine, with highlights on Middle Tennessee Medical Center; the military; the faith community; arts and architecture; the impact of rivers and roads in the community's development; music; newcomers; business and commerce; and "The Next 100."

"I'm excited and proud our city is getting ready to celebrate its upcoming 200th Birthday," Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg said. "Murfreesboro's Bicentennial is an excellent time to reflect on the aspirations and accomplishments of previous generations.

"Our city enjoys an outstanding location, long-serving family traditions, friendly atmosphere and vibrant economy" he said. "Murfreesboro has been an integral part of regional growth, commerce and educational opportunity."

The mayor said he's confident the many groups and organizations in Murfreesboro will make the upcoming bicentennial celebration successful.

"Our business environment is among the best in the region, and our medical and educational community today reflects the perseverance and commitment of visionary providers through the ages," Bragg said. "A year-long 'Boro Bicentennial Celebration of activities and events across our county would be fitting. I ask our residents and business and community leaders to embrace this upcoming year as special.

"Make plans, events and activities commemorating the history and all the important contributions and achievement of every community segment through the past 200 years," he added. "For ideas, our convention and visitor's staff, parks and recreation department and heritage communities will be asked to lead the way."

Governor Phil Bredesen today joined with Matt Kisber, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and community officials from Rutherford County in announcing plans by NHK Seating of America, Inc. to locate a manufacturing facility for automotive parts near the intersection of I-24 and Joe B. Jackson Parkway in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. NHK will spend nearly $54 million dollars to construct the facility beginning in October 2010 and the facility is expected to employ up to 224 workers when all phases of production are implemented in 2015.

"Tennessee continues to be a leading location for investment from the automotive industry," said Governor Bredesen. "Our state’s longstanding trade and investment ties with Japan and this investment by NHK demonstrate a high level of confidence in our state’s business climate and the ability of Tennessee workers to compete globally in the areas of efficiency, productivity and quality."

"We’re grateful to NHK for their investment in our state and their confidence in Tennessee workers," said Commissioner Kisber. "ECD’s strong partnership with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and local elected officials was integral to making this project happen and we look forward to working with Murfreesboro and Rutherford County in the future."

NHK Seating of America is headquartered in Frankfort, Indiana and has been in automotive parts production in the U.S. since 1987. Initial production at the Murfreesboro facility will be the manufacture of automotive seat frames, but company officials say they hope to expand the product line over time.

"I couldn’t be more pleased NHK has chosen to make this investment in Murfreesboro," said Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg. "The company has a strong reputation for quality and reliability within the automotive industry and they’ll be creating good quality jobs for our community."