Kellogg’s Distribution Center nears opening

With a Certificate of Occupancy in hand, Kellogg has a green light to begin moving product into its new Project Nexus Distribution Center on James Lawrence Road in Airport Industrial Park.

“They will probably start the second week of September,” Alston Construction Superintendent Dwayne Wattenbarger said. “We’re wrapping up the offices, painting and landscaping. We’ll have a small crew here until the end of September.”

The work is all part of the largest construction project — 1,062,055 square feet — in the history of Jackson-Madison County.

“There are 73 dock doors, with possibilities for 105 total,” Wattenbarger said. “But that depends on expansion.”

Wattenbarger said an additional 371,800 square feet will be available for expansion.

The project consists of 24 acres (107.2 acres total) under roof.

When complete, Kellogg’s total investment is expected to be between $45 million and $50 million, and when fully staffed, Kellogg hopes to employ 100.

Dement Construction

Construction nears completion on an 11,000-square-foot office for Dement Construction at 96 Smith Lane.

“We’re looking to begin moving in next week,” said Bill Dement, president of Dement Construction LLC. “We’ll have about 20 employees.”

The company leaves 403 N. Parkway for its new location at Airport Industrial Park.

Skechers to Vann Drive

Skechers will occupy 6,000 square feet on the west corner of a new 25,000-square-foot shopping center at 1150 Vann Drive.

Skechers is an American footwear company headquartered in Manhattan Beach, Calif., founded in 1992.

Belk sold

Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc., has been sold to Sycamore Partners, a New York private-equity firm for about $3 billion.

The retailer, which became the largest family-run department store chain in the nation, has a store in the Old Hickory Mall at 2021 N. Highland Ave.

Store management could not be reached for comment.

Test your knowledge

These four stocks — Intel, Cisco Systems, General Electric and Pfizer — are the four least expensive in the Dow 30. Which one ranks 30th? (answer can be found at the end of the column)

Fairfield Inn opens

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott opened its 82-room hotel today, at 1335 Vann Drive.

Besides a complimentary breakfast, amenities also include an indoor swimming pool, exercise room, outdoor patio with a fire pit, valet laundry service, complimentary Wi-Fi, and fax and copy services.

Symphony begins 55th season Saturday

The Starlight Symphony begins the Jackson Symphony’s 55th season on the grounds of First Presbyterian Church, 1573 N. Highland Ave., at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Jackson Symphony offers eight concerts for the 2015-16 season, and tickets are available at the Symphony’s office at 207 E. Lafayette St., or online at thejacksonsymphony.org.

For more information, call (731) 427-6440.

Unemployment numbers

County unemployment rates for July 2015, show rates increased in 53 counties, decreased in 21, and remained the same in 21 counties.

Locally, Madison County has a 6.7 percent rate of unemployment; Crockett County (6.8); Chester County (7.1); Hardeman (7.7); Gibson (8.2); Hardin (8.2); Weakley (8.3); Henderson (8.4); Decatur (8.4); Benton (8.5); Carroll (9.1); McNairy (9.2) and Haywood (9.4). The state average stands at 5.7 percent and the national average is 5.3.

Morgan McCarty Classic

The ninth annual Morgan Leah McCarty Memorial Golf Classic will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, at Woodland Hills Golf & Country Club.

The Classic benefits the Morgan Leah McCarty Scholarship Fund to aid with college expenses.

Fees: Team of four, $400; individual, $100. Hole sponsorship: $100 corporate; $50 family or friend.

Scholarship fund sponsorship — Platinum level, $1,000; Gold level, $500; Silver level, $250.

Make checks payable to Morgan McCarty Scholarship Fund, 31 North Acres, Jackson, TN 38301. For more information, call Alan Rheney at (731) 426-5838, or Danny Williams at (731) 267-2457.

WTH fundraiser benefits hearts

West Tennessee Healthcare will sponsor the Tennessee Rhythm Run, which will be held Oct. 3-4 at The LIFT Wellness Center in downtown Jackson.

The event will feature four races: a 26.2 mile marathon, a 13.1 mile half-marathon, which will be held Oct. 4, and a 5,000 meter (3.1 miles) road race and a one mile fun run/walk on Oct 3.

Fees are $85 for marathon and $65 for the half-marathon; $30 (5K) and $15 for the one-mile walk. Proceeds from the race will benefit the West Tennessee Heart and Vascular Center.

With plans to have the marathon USATF certified, the race would be a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon.

For more information on this event visit tnrhythmrun.org or call (731) 984-2140.

Open house

George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home will host a “Thank You to the Community,” as part of its 85th anniversary at the North Chapel from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The come and go event will have guest speakers and refreshments.

Answer

The answer to the business quiz is: General Electric — the stock closed at $25.01, up $1 at Thursday’s close.

Reach David Thomas at (731) 425-9637. Follow him on Twitter: @dgthomasbiz