Baxter Cuts Ribbon On New Welding Supply Store

The city of Baxter welcomed a new welding and gas company at a ribbon-cutting on Friday.

Volunteer Welding is a welding supply store that also provides medical gases, industrial gases, PPE and more. Owner John Mark McMurtry said that they’ve been wanting to open a Baxter location for some time.

“I think we’re really excited about what the market is here in Baxter and in the Cookeville area,” McMurtry said. “It’s such an up-and-coming and developing area outside of Nashville so it just really was a great opportunity and great timing I think for us to bring our business here.”

McMurtry said that a location in Baxter is also a plus logistically. He said that they serve the entire state as well as southern Kentucky, so a central store in Baxter makes sense.

Mayor Randy Porter said that the company will serve as a huge asset to the city and the county. He said that with the rapid growth in the city, it can fill a gap in the need for welding.

“There’s always been a shortage of welding supplies and welding materials and the gas and everything,” Porter said. “So this is going to be huge for the area with all the construction going on. This end of the county down towards Baxter is going like crazy, so I think this is going to be really good for our county.”

Area Manager Brent Cole said that the Baxter store will have five employees, with an estimate of three more serving as sales people.