staff writer
10/01/08
Forrest Martin
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In a way, a sheet cake depicting a big truck, just inside the former Dana building at Fulton Industrial Park, said it all: “Welcome to the community.” Representatives of Hartt Transportation on Sept. 24 got a taste of southern hospitality as some 60 officials, dignitaries and well-wishers gathered about for the company’s official announcement of its terminal location at the Fullton Industrial Park. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony as well. The welcome party started at 10 a.m., at the former Dana plant, which Hartt purchased earlier this month. One could almost hear the “wow” from company officials, who said they were awed by the community’s response. The crowd was gathered around, forming a circle. “We’re excited that Hartt Transportation has decided to become the newest member of our industrial community,” said Eddie Crittendon, Fulton County- Hickman County Economic Development executive director. Crittendon said last year the Fulton County Economic Development group formed a partnership with Hickman County. “Alone, we couldn’t accomplish as much by ourselves,” he said. “But by working together, anything we do and they can do will benefit both counties,” he said. Sen. Ken Winters said he is “proud of what is happening and honored to welcome this new business.”
“It’s a wonderful turnout today,” Rep. Steven Rudy said. “This is great news for this region – having Hickman and Fulton County working together.” Fulton County Judge/Executive David Gallagher said it marks a momentous occasion to welcome a new business. “This is just the first of more to come.” “The city is always ready to help economic development,” said Mayor Elaine Forrester. “We are always here for you – just a phone call away.” Ricky Hughes, the firm’s national account executive, said he started working on this project a month ago. “We got an e-mail on this place and started a dialogue and it pretty much just took off. “We didn’t expect something like this. It is quite a welcome for us. We’ve done this in the past in another state. This is a tremendous turnout.” Hughes said, “I want to thank City Manager Kenney Etherton and Eddie Crittendon, too. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here. Eddie put everything he had into it – even a sign on the side of City Hall.” The city let the company use the building – office space and phones - to do interviews for job applicants while they were tying down the purchase of their terminal building and getting organized. Hughes told the crowd, “This summer was our 60th anniversery. Our owner (Delmont Hartt) started the business in 1948 with a single truck and a shovel.” Today the company, based in Bangor, Me., has more than 600 trucks and serves all 48 contiguous states, Ontario, Quebec and Maritime Canada. Hartt still oversees all operations as the Chief Executive Officer and his son, William, heads the company as president. “Our goal is to keep money in this area, not to outsource goods needed, such as tires but to do as much business as we can (locally) and pump a lot of money back into the community,” Hughes said. He asked for the business cards of those at the ribbon cutting. “I’d like to have a contact for anything you have a specialty in.” Hartt’s new terminal manager, Bill Tracey, from Vermont, said he had some 222 inches of snow at his hometown there last year, but said he is getting used to the higher temperatures here. He moved his family to Fancy Farm in Graves County recently. Tracey called the hospitality here “spectacular.” He said, “I will be the terminal manager. I look for a long relationship and hope to provide a lot of jobs to local folks.” During their first week, the company added nine truck drivers, an office person and warehouse person. This week they hope to add another seven or eight more drivers. “And we hope to have 40 drivers by the end of the year, with the office and warehouse growing accordingly,” Tracey said.
