SERVING SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS FOR 113+YEARS!
In June 2011, we celebrated our centennial birthday by opening our doors to the public with 500 guests in attendance. It was a momentous occasion not only for our operation but for the entire Nashville community, being one of only a few local businesses to hit the 100 year mark.
In 1911, the first local bottle of Coke was produced and from there we continued to expand, eventually holding the rights to bottle Coke in eight Southwest Arkansas counties. There has been a lot of change over the years but the support of Nashville has remained constant.
In attendance for the festivities was Dustin McDaniel, Arkansas attorney general at the time. He remarked, "After 100 years of business in one family and one community, (this) shows the partnership with the community pays off. It's a formula that's been tested and found true just like the formula for Coca-Cola,"
Kenneth Wilson, the fourth generation to operate the facility, remarked that the company doesn't belong to the family. He spoke to the crowd and said, "This doesn't belong to us; it belongs to the community. We've tried to take care of the community, and the community has taken care of us," he said.
Wilson's father, Ramon, also thanked the Nashville community. "I helped supervise the building of this facility. I've been an active part of the plant for many years. I had a part in getting new machines, trucks and such, but I want each one of you to know I appreciate you, because without you, we wouldn't be successful."
As a part of the celebration, the company distributed $27,300 to various Nashville civic, medical and educational organizations. The allotments were $10,000 to Howard Memorial Foundation and Cossatot Community College Foundation; $2,500 to Nashville High School Scholarship Fund; $1,000 to Centerpoint Fire Department and Dierks High School Scholarship; $500 to Howard County Children's Center, Christian Health Clinic of Howard County, KJEP-TV and Nashville Rotary Club Disaster Fund; $300 to Nashville High School Track; and $250 to Nashville Band Booster and Nashville Scrapper Booster clubs.
Thank you Nashville for journeying with us throughout the decade.
Special thanks to Elizabeth Wilson, great-granddaughter of founder, W. W. Wilson, for helping to organize such an incredible celebration.
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