Over 100 people attended the April 2nd & 3rd inaugural symposium for the National Nanotechnology Manufacturing Center in Swainsboro. The symposium's three events were held at East Georgia College, Swainsboro Technical College and Flat Creek Lodge Resort.

The speakers included representatives from NanoMist Systems, LLC, nGimat Co., the University of Missouri-Columbia, Louisiana Tech University, Imerys, The Georgia Maritime Logistics Center, Georgia nanoFAB and the U. S. Army's Research, Design and Engineering Command in Pictinny Arsenal, New Jersey. Attendees also included State Representative Butch Parrish, Swainsboro Mayor Charles Schwabe, representatives from the Swainsboro City Council and members of the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners. Members of the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities and Chamber of Commerce were also in attendance.

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, who was instrumental in securing congressional funding for the center, addressed the gathering via electronic media. Senator Chambliss commended local leadership for this innovative concept that will "benefit Georgia and the nation." Senators Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, Rep. Jack Kingston and Rep. Jim Marshall were thanked for their efforts in providing funding.

The National Nanotechnology Manufacturing Center (NNMC) in Swainsboro will function as a non-profit entity that will serve as a clearinghouse for projects involving manufacturing both in the nano and micro scale for military and commercial use. Barbara Stafford was announced as the NNMC's new Executive Director.

This center is intended to provide the U.S. military as well as commercial companies with a sustainable manufacturing infrastructure regardless of the nation's level of military involvement.

"This is not a research facility, but a means to attract and generate high-tech companies and jobs for our area," stated Andy Riley, President, Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities. "It will provide universities with the ability to turn some of their research projects into useful, everyday products."

"This first product to be manufactured locally is a new antenna technology from which the Army has so far identified nine specific applications. Other projects are in the works will benefit both military and private interest."

The center is currently housed at Swainsboro Technical College.

As Event Chairs, Harry and I would like to thank all the citizens of Emanuel County for their enthusiastic support of the 2007 Emanuel County Relay For Life, which is scheduled for April 20-21. We have big shoes to fill and have worked hard to get the word out about the event and what it is all about. Relay Night is a great night to bring the whole family and enjoy all the activities throughout the night. The corporate sponsorship drive is over, and we have had the largest support ever through this drive. The teams are raising money and getting ready to set up tent sites in selected themes related to “Elvis”. “Cancer has left the building” is showing signs of being the most fun theme ever used at an Emanuel County Relay. Most major fund-raising is over prior to Relay Night, so funds raised that night are “icing on the cake”. This is a night of fun, games, eats and entertainment. Bring your lounge chairs and relax. There are special events just for the kids this year in the “Kids' Zone”.

With Relay being only two weeks away, we want to paint the town purple! We encourage all businesses to show their support by displaying their purple bows and any other signs and flyers they might have. Between now and Relay night, you can support teams with fund-raising activities by purchasing a ticket, product or attending an event. Be reading the paper and listening to the radio for more information about the actual events of the night. A schedule will be printed in the paper the week of Relay.

Cancer deaths have declined for the second year in a row. The cancer incidence rate is declining. People surviving cancer beyond five years has risen 66 percent and we could go on and on with these points of accomplishment. All this is only possible through your support financially for research and through volunteers giving their time.

A huge THANK YOU!

Harry and Deborah Martin, Event Chairs – Emanuel County Relay For Life 2007

Emanuel County has received special recognition in one of the country’s leading economic development publications, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Trade Industry & Development, a premier source of information on site selection and corporate growth strategies, has recognized Huber Engineered Woods location announcement here in Emanuel County among their 2007 Corporate Investment and Community (CiCi) award winners. Along with the Huber project, the Kia Motors location in West Point and the Gulf Stream expansion in Savannah were the three manufacturing projects in Georgia to win national recognition.

CiCi awards recognize companies that are investing, locating and building relationships in communities throughout North America as well as economic development organizations that have facilitated their decisions.

The awards are presented in two categories: corporate investment and community impact. Georgia is one of only five states to receive an award in both categories. The award winners are reported in March/April 2007 issue of Trade & Industry Development.

In the community impact category, Georgia Department of Economic Development received a CiCi award recognizing Huber Engineered Woods, LLC’s expansion in Emanuel County. The Huber expansion, announced May 8, 2006, embodies an investment of more than $200 million and creation of up to 150 jobs in one of Georgia’s Tier 1 (economically disadvantaged) counties.

In the category of corporate investment, the Georgia Department of Economic Development was also recognized for its announcement of Kia Motors Corporation’s new location and Gulfstream’s Aerospace’s expansion.

The Kia project represents as investment of $1.2 billion and creation of 2,893 jobs, while the Gulfstream expansion corresponds to an investment of $300 million and creation of 1,100 new jobs.

Trade & Industry Development, the only vertical market publication dedicated to site selection, received more than 1,000 submissions from across North America for the 30 CiCi awards it handed out this year.

Emanuel County Board Of Education, East Georgia College, Swainsboro Technical College, Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities and the Chamber of Commerce will join forces to present a special program for current 8th graders and their parents. The program will focus on decisions, challenges and opportunities facing these 8th grade students as they approach their high school years and beyond. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 19th at 6:30 p.m. in the Luck Flanders Gambrell Center on the campus of East Georgia College. All county 8th grade students and their parents are urged to attend.

The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce is seeking designation as an “Entrepreneur Friendly Community.” The program, initiated by Gov. Sonny Purdue to address the state’s high rate of business startup failures, seeks to improve the rate of success for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The goal is to have smarter business startups, less business failures and to identify and support business growth and opportunities. By becoming an “Entrepreneur Friendly Community,” Emanuel County can join the growing rank of counties throughout the state that received this special designation.

The Chamber has formed a committee to undertake a 7-step process which includes interviewing a substantial number of small businesses. Information gleaned from the process will give insight into problems local businesses have in our community. Benefits of the “Entrepreneur Friendly” program include assisting communities in developing or enhancing a culture that supports entrepreneurs and small businesses; identifying barriers that can be reduced or eliminated; educating businesses that want to grow and identifying resources that can assist in that growth.

The committee will be meeting on Thursday, April 19th, to begin the process

The Chamber is excited to announce 27 people have already signed up for small business classes hosted by the Swainsboro/ Emanuel County Chamber, East Georgia College and the Small Business Development Center at Georgia Southern University.

“It’s tremendous to have this many local people interested in starting their own businesses. We still have ample room for others, so call and sign up now,” stated Bill Rogers, Jr., Chamber Executive Director.

Slated to begin on April 10th, the first class is entitled “Starting Your Own Business.” On April 17th, “Finding the Money for Your Small Business” is the topic, while “Secrets of Small Business Marketing Strategies” is the topic of discussion set for April 24th.

In May, classes will be held on May 8th and May 22nd . The topics will be “Understanding Financial Statements: Managing by the Numbers” and “The 25 Biggest Sales Mistakes & How to Avoid Them.”

The classes will be held at the Chamber Annex Building located at 124 North Main Street. All classes will begin at 6 p.m. and end at approximately 8 p.m. The classes are free to chamber and non-chamber members alike. Classes are open to any area resident. For more information or to sign up, please call the Chamber at 478-237-6426.

The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce has made application with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Tourism Division for a matching grant for tourism. The funds are awarded each July through the Department’s Tourism Marketing Co-Op program. This marks the first time an application has been submitted through the local Chamber for grant money for tourism development.

This year’s local tourism goals and objectives call for the development of a new Website and production of a visitor’s guide to Emanuel County. The total budget for the two projects is set at $18,092.00. The amount of the 50% matching grant, should it be awarded, will be $9,046.00.

“We are very excited about the prospect of receiving grant funds. If we are successful, this is a great way to further our local dollars by working with the Department’s Tourism Division. The grant will allow us to create, print and distribute over 30,000 visitor’s guides for Visitor Centers across the state. In addition, we hope to be able to create a new website for both the Chamber and Development Authorities. The website will integrate both industrial/business and tourism aspects of our economic development, thereby creating a more effective, comprehensive marketing tool.

The Chamber is continuing to host "Chamber Coffee Connections" in April. A meeting is planned for Tuesday, April 17th at 9 a.m. These meetings are being held to discuss membership services and the Chamber's role in the community. Invitations are being sent out to all members. If you have already received an invitation yet were unable to attend, please call the Chamber if you would like to make our April meeting. Call 478-237-6426 to be included.

The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce staff attended this year's three-day staff clinic held March 20-22 at Brasstown Valley Resort near Young Harris, Georgia.

The conference offered special training in the areas of leadership, labor law, member services, membership growth and retention, member sponsorships, Entrepreneur Friendly Community Program, Drugs Don't Work Program, and Partners in Workforce Development: Georgia's Quick Start & Technical College System. Over 140 people attended the conference representing 60 chambers across the state.

Among the speakers at this year's conference were Attorney Melvin Hass III, Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLC; Chuck Wade, president and CEO, The Council on Alcohol and Drugs; Louise Hill, Fanning Institute, University of Georgia; Jan Hackett, president, Fanning County Chamber of Commerce; Rick Robinson, Head Baseball Coach, Young Harris College; Suzanne Browne, Regional Project Manager, Entrepreneur and Small Business, Georgia Department of Economic Development.

In an effort to further promote tourism growth in Emanuel County, the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce has joined the Classic South Regional Tourism Association. This group is comprised of the following counties: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Greene, Hancock, Jenkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Lincoln, McDuffie, Oglethorpe, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, and Wilkes counties. By joining the Association, member counties can take advantage of increased state funding of regional associations.

Why is this important to Swainsboro/Emanuel County chamber members? Travelers in Georgia directly spent nearly $16.6 billion during 2005 on transportation, lodging, food, entertainment, recreation and incidentals. In addition to direct spending on travel, travelers in Georgia produced more than $4.3 billion in indirect expenditures. We need to do all we can to make sure Emanuel is getting its share of the pie!

Connie, Ryan, & Amy Sconyers, Owners
664 S. Main Street #7
Swainsboro, GA 30401
478/237-9621
FAX 478/237-9622
ars3642@yahoo.com
5315.candysurprise.com