The Metropolitan Action Commission’s Summer Cooling program provides air conditioning units at no cost to at-risk residents.

The agency’s cooling program prioritizes income eligible residents who are: 60 years or older; physically disabled or a medical condition that is worsened by extreme temperatures; or households with children age 5 or younger.

“Having a program like this allows our agency to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community such as asthma sufferers, young children and others with disabilities or medical conditions that become worse if they are overheated,” says Marvin D. Cox, director of Family and Community Services.

The program is supported partially from financial contributions and donations of new air conditioning units. The Fan and Air Conditioner Program application period ends Aug. 30.

Anyone interested in applying for help should call 615-862-8860, Extension 70120 or visit the agency’s website at www.nashville.gov/mac.

State to provide free child reminder hang tags

Two statewide departments have teamed to distribute visual signs to help prevent heat-related child deaths in cars.

The Department of Health and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security announced a plan to distribute free “Baby in the Back” hang tags to remind regular caregivers, as well signal to first responders in case of an emergency, to the presence of small children in vehicles.

On average, every 10 days, a child dies from heatstroke in a car, and in more than half these deaths, the caregiver forgot the child was in the vehicle. In Tennessee, it is illegal to leave a young child unattended in a car.

“On a hot summer day, the temperature inside a vehicle can climb up to 140 degrees in a short period of time, which can cause a child to get overheated and result in serious medical issues or even death,’’ says Tobi Adeyeye Amosun, M.D., FAAP, Tennessee Department of Health Deputy Commissioner for Population Health. “Something to help remind you that a child is in your car, like the Baby in the Back hang tag, could help to prevent a tragic situation from happening.”

In June, the Department of Health began distributing Baby in the Back hangtags through regional Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinics. Clients of Tennessee WIC clinics and Metro Health Departments can receive a free hang tag by request.

To request free Baby in the Back hangtags, visit sos.tn.gov/requesthangtags.

Truxton top community bank by American Banker

Truxton Corporation, a financial holding company and the parent of Truxton Trust Company, announced that it has been recognized by American Banker as one of the top 200 best performing community banks in the nation.

Truxton has earned this recognition for 11 consecutive years and is the only bank with a Nashville headquarters and the highest-ranked bank based in Tennessee to make the list this year.

American Banker’s annual ranking of publicly traded banks with less than $2 billion of assets is determined by return on average equity across three years. Truxton Corporation ranked 13th, with a 3-year return on average equity (ROAE) of 18.9% for the period ending Dec. 31.

Stone, Rudolph & Henry earns accounting award

Stone, Rudolph & Henry, PLC, a Clarksville accounting firm, has won the Best of Accounting Award for providing superior service to their clients.

Winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients. On average, clients of 2023 Best of Accounting winners are more than 1.7 times as likely or 70% more likely to be satisfied than those who work with non-winning firms. Stone, Rudolph & Henry, PLC received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 92.2% of its clients, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 50% in 2022.

TSU first HBCU to add hockey

Tennessee State University for so long has been best known in athletics as the place where Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph and the Tigerbelles made track history and produced NFL talent like Super Bowl champ Ed “Too Tall” Jones.

Now the university that’s also the alma mater of Oprah Winfrey is taking a big step as the first historically Black college and university to introduce ice hockey.

Last week the school announced plans to have a men’s team playing at the club level in 2024, with a goal of fielding Division I men’s and women’s teams “in the near future.”

“It is our hope that while TSU is the first HBCU to start an ice hockey program, we certainly won’t be the last,” university president Glenda Glover said at a news conference before the NHL draft.

The Tennessee State program has been created in partnership with the National Hockey League, the National Hockey League Players’ Association and the Nashville Predators. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman sat in the front row for the news conference at Bridgestone Arena, which is 4 miles from TSU.

Athletic director Mikki Allen says the program will help diversify hockey with a partnership helping embrace inclusivity and diversity. Allen noted TSU has a full complement of other sports including a football program currently coached by former NFL star Eddie George.

Now they will use TSU’s history, Nashville and this partnership to grow hockey from the ground up, and Allen believes the Tigers will be attractive to recruits nationally. The mighty Southeastern Conference has many members who field club hockey teams.

“I want the next P.K. Subban, I want the next Ryan Reaves, the next Willie O’Ree,” Allen says.

Leasing begins at new Germantown complex

Quarterra Multifamily, a subsidiary of Lennar Corporation and a vertically integrated multifamily apartment builder, developer, and property manager, announced the start of leasing at Towne Nashville, a 329-home mid-rise community in Germantown.

“It really is hard to beat the culture and energy that Germantown brings to the table, and Towne puts all of those opportunities within easy reach of residents, while providing easy access to the rest of Nashville,” says Cameron Palm, Quarterra Senior Development Manager, Southeast Division. “From re-envisioned warehouse spaces to the brick sidewalks to the history of the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the neighborhood has a period charm that is completely unrivaled.”

With a prime location at 808 Garfield Street, Towne also facilitates an active lifestyle. The community puts residents within easy access of Cumberland River Greenway, Morgan Recreation Center, Ted Rhodes Field, Metro Center Complex, Elizabeth Park and First Horizon Park – home to the Nashville Sounds AAA professional baseball team.

Towne consists of studio, one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den and two-bedroom apartment homes, ranging from 630 to 1,150 square feet. Homes are designed in two different color schemes, and come with internet ready Wi-Fi connection, smart locks and wide-plank vinyl tile flooring. Modern kitchens are equipped with under-cabinet lighting, frameless shaker cabinets, tile backsplashes and quartz countertops, while bathrooms are highlighted by tile tub surrounds and walk-in showers. Bedrooms feature walk-in closets.

Towne is Quarterra’s third development in Nashville and second managed property, joining The Morris – a high-rise community on Music Row.

Chartwell, Rockbridge team for three new hotels

Chartwell Hospitality and Rockbridge announced they are expanding premium hospitality options in Middle Tennessee by developing three new hotels in high-growth neighborhoods.

Construction will begin this summer on a TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Brentwood, a TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Murfreesboro, and a Home2 Suites by Hilton in Lebanon.

The TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Brentwood is located in the Eastpark development of Maryland Farms and is part of a multimillion-dollar revitalization project to modernize the area. This will be Chartwell’s third hotel in the Brentwood market, providing 119 total rooms and suites to the area.

Chartwell’s TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Murfreesboro is the only hotel approved for the Clari Park mixed-use development. The hotel is located on Medical Center Parkway with easy access to St. Thomas Hospital, offers 120 guest rooms, and the exterior is customized to fit within the development’s architectural guidelines and requirements.

The Home2 Suites in Lebanon will be an attractive option to an area that is undergoing significant industrial growth, bringing new global corporations to the area with new hospitality needs. The new hotel will offer business travelers a 120-room extended-stay facility.

Chartwell Hospitality and Rockbridge partnered on all three, new hotel developments. Chartwell and Rockbridge are also partners on the 298-room Hilton at Nashville International Airport, expected to open in early 2024.

Franklin Construction Group is serving as the construction manager for the three-hotel portfolio project.

Delta Dental program expands special needs care

To help expand access to dental care for individuals with special health care needs, Delta Dental of Tennessee is introducing enhanced benefits and a new training program for providers.

Beginning Jan. 1, children and adults with special health care needs will have access to expanded benefits through the Delta Dental network.

Dental care is often cited as the greatest unmet health care need facing individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID).

The enhanced special health care needs benefit will cover additional consultations to help patients learn what to expect before their first treatment, up to four dental cleanings in a benefit year, and treatment delivery modifications necessary to care for patients with sensory sensitivities, behavioral challenges, severe anxiety or other barriers to treatment.

There is no age limit for the coverage, which aligns with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s definition of special health care needs. These benefits will be available with Delta Dental of Tennessee’s Individual & Family Plans and with all fully-insured clients effective Jan. 1. Self-insured clients will have the opportunity to opt-in for these benefits for contracts already in service.

Delta Dental first announced its plans June 17 at First Horizon Park in advance of the “Smile Power” Nashville Sounds game. The press conference featured remarks from Adam Germek, President and CEO of Special Olympics of Tennessee, who highlighted the work of the organization’s Special Smiles program, the dental health division of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes.