Payton Baggett Reporting
pbaggett@clarksvillenow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Clarksville Young Professionals (CYP) held their monthly meeting Wednesday, March 5 with guest speaker Jeff Burkhart, local business owner and City Councilman.
Burkhart answered questions and talked about professional development by giving examples from his experiences as both a politician and an entrepreneur.
“What I would encourage you to do, as young professionals, is to get involved in politics,” Burkhart said. He commented about running for political office, saying “we need fresh ideas at every level.”
Burkhart also said that the community can be more involved with and informed about the local government by attending meetings of the Montgomery County Commission, Clarksville City Council and Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board, as well as their special committee meetings.
He then spoke about his experience as a developer and businessman, highlighting his projects in Downtown Clarksville and with the new YMCA, as well as his Screaming Eagle Car Wash.
“The opportunities are there” he said, when asked about starting a new business in Clarksville.
Burkhart ended his talk positively, talking about the city’s affordable cost of living and close distance to other major cities, saying, “The reason I don’t leave is because there is no other Clarksville. It’s just a great place to live and that’s why we all live here.”
The Clarksville Young Professionals is part of the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce and provides an opportunity for young professionals to build relationships, develop professionally, contribute to economic development, and become politically and philanthropically active in the community.
To find out more about Clarksville Young Professionals visit their website or call 800-530-2847.