Sponsored by Inc. magazine, the annual list recognizes the fastest-growing private companies in America.

Monogram came in at 856 on the list, boasting a three-year sales growth rate of more than 350 percent.

Monogram was established five years ago after a group of Memphis investors bought King Cotton and Circle B Brand foods from Sara Lee Corp. It operates facilities in Chandler, Minn., Muncie, Ind., and Martinsville, Va.

The Memphis-based company's meat products include King Cotton, Circle B, Jeff Foxworthy Jerky, Bass Pro Uncle Buck's Licensed Products and the Intimidator/NASCAR Jerky and Steak Strips.

"This recognition is a testament to all of the hard work and dedication of our Monogram team over the last several years," said Karl Schledwitz, CEO of Monogram. "Even more remarkable, Monogram has announced three acquisitions during the summer of 2009, meaning we are poised for more success and growth, and perhaps even more recognition of this kind."

Research grants

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, the University of Memphis and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have been awarded millions in grants for a variety of medical research activities.

The grants, announced by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen's office, include $3.6 million to the health science center for work on allergies, health disparities among minorities, smokeless tobacco, and vision problems among the elderly.

The U of M will receive $429,139 to study the importance of language in making diagnoses.

St. Jude will receive $2.6 million for research on pneumonia in children, deafness, allergies and liver diseases.

Memphis GDP $63.8B

Memphis had a $63.8 billion economy last year, the 43rd largest economy among U.S. metropolitan areas, according to new government figures.

The new report by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis showed the Memphis economy grew 1.4 percent last year over 2007's $62.9 billion gross domestic product.

Nashville ranked 38th in the study with a GDP of $78.9 billion last year, up from $76.3 billion in 2007.

Jackson, Miss., ranked 89th with $23 billion last year.

Little Rock, Ark., came in 68th with a GDP of $30.9 billion in 2008.

New York City had the country's only $1 trillion economy with a 2008 GDP of $1.2 trillion, which placed it at the top of the USBEA's list.

The report said gross domestic product shrank in 111 of the 366 metro areas.

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Well said

B.C. Forbes:

"Diamonds are only lumps of coal that stuck to their jobs."

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Originally published by The Commercial Appeal .

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