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"Movies under the Stars" rescheduled
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"Movies under the Stars,"
originally scheduled for July 17th, was cancelled due to inclement
weather. The event has now been rescheduled for Saturday night, August
8th, at the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Recreational Complex.
Several changes have also been
announced.
Upgrades include a larger screen and a
newer movie. The originally scheduled "Night at the Museum"
has been upgraded to "Night at the Museum: Battle of the
Smithsonian." This movie is yet to be released on home video.
Co-sponsored by the Chamber and The
Forest-Blade, the event is free. Moviegoers should arrive around 8:30
p.m. for 9 p.m. show time. Families are encouraged to attend together.
Popcorn and drinks will be offered by
the Emanuel County Pageant Association.
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Chamber unveils upgraded website
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In an effort to keep a fresh new look,
the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce has recently
completed a redesign of the organization's website,
www.emanuelchamber.org.
The new look features modern appealing
graphics, movement, optimal balance between graphics and text, and easy
navigation throughout the website.
"We have the same basic,
important information on our community and chamber, everything from our
membership listing to our community calendar. It's packaged
differently," stated Bill Rogers, Jr., president of the
organization.
"It had been three years since
our last redesign and technology now allows us to do so much more. We
hope our members will visit the site and let us know their thoughts and
opinions on the new design."
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Chamber to offer limited advertising possibilities!
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The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber
of Commerce will offer a very limited number of advertising spots as
part of the organization's new website redesign. The banner ads will be
offered on only three pages-the homepage, the membership listing, and the
community calendar.
"A number of businesses have
approached us about advertising on our website since this site is
normally among the first places a visitor explores when gathering
information on Swainsboro and Emanuel County," stated Bill Rogers
Jr., chamber president. The banner ads are offered on a "first
come" basis.
Businesses interested should contact
the Chamber.
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Applications are in!
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The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber
of Commerce has received some 30 applications for this fall's 2009
leadership program. The class participants will be named shortly by the
Leadership Emanuel board of directors.
Entitled "2009 Leadership
Emanuel," the program will consist of ten topics offered on
Tuesday nights from September 1st through November 3rd. The University
of Georgia's Fanning Institute, along with local leaders, will
facilitate the courses and program.
The goal of the program is to create a
new level of leadership in Emanuel County with program goals focused on
community growth & economic development. Session topics include
understanding community leadership, knowing your community, community
leader's role in economic development, and local governance.
"We are very excited about the
number of applications we have received. The response has been
tremendous and bodes well for the future of our county," stated
Milton Gray, chamber board chairman.
A $5,000 grant was awarded early in
the year to the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce by the
University of Georgia's Fanning Institute to conduct the renowned
leadership program this fall. This marks the second grant awarded to
the local chamber by Fanning Institute.
Serving on the Board of Directors for
"2008 Leadership Emanuel" are Elizabeth W. Gilmer, Desse
Davis, Erma Jenkins, Kenny Griffin, Ken Warnock, Mark Crosby, Wade
Johnson, Bobbie Collins, Andy Riley, and Bill Rogers Jr.
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"A Day for East Georgia College" is set
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Thursday, October 8th, is the date set
for the annual fund raising campaign for East Georgia College. On this
date, EGC Foundation members, staff, faculty, alumni and other
volunteers will be visiting individuals and businesses in the area to
solicit donations for the work of the Foundation.
"With recent state budget cuts,
the dollars raised become even more critical for EGC to remain true to
the mission of providing a quality education at an affordable
price," added Elizabeth Gilmer, EGC's Director of Development and
Alumni Relations.
For more information on this important
date call 478- 289-2037 or email egilmer@ega.edu.
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Emanuel has "Champion Tree"
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The Georgia Forestry Commission has
notified the Swainsboro- Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities
that they are the proud owners of Georgia's largest known
"sawtooth oak tree." The tree is located off Hwy 278 near the
Rayonier sawmill.
Known as a Quercus accutissima, the
tree was nominated by Jimmy Hadden. The tree is now listed among the Commission's
"Champion Trees." A list of champion trees can be viewed at
http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/ForestManagement/Champi onTree.cfm.
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Chamber joins "Facebook"
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It's a social phenomenon--the hot new
trend to have your own "Facebook" page on the internet.
The Chamber recently joined the ranks,
launching its own page. Facebook is a social internet utility that
connects people with friends and others who work, study, and live
around them. People use "Facebook" to keep up with friends by
sharing photos, comments on events or notices, and more.
The chamber will use it as another
means of notifying people of events in our community and sharing
pictures from ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, and other chamber
events.
The results have been phenomenal, the
chamber has over 300 "friends" in less than three weeks.
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Merger is completed
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It's official! Swainsboro Technical
College and Southeastern Technical College have merged, effective July
1, 2009.
In ceremonies at the local
institution, Dr. Kathy Mitchell welcomed over 100 people including
local dignitaries. The new president stated considerable planning and
effort had gone into the process.
Eight counties including Emanuel,
Candler, Johnson, Jenkins, Montgomery, Toombs, Tattnall, and Treutlen
are within the college's new service area. New programs and services
are now available to each county.
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Start Your Own Business!
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Do you have a great idea for a
business but need help getting your idea off the ground? There is no
better time than now to make that dream a reality.
The City of Swainsboro, Downtown
Development Authority, Swainsboro-Emanuel County Joint Development
Authorities and the Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a contest to
determine the best business ideas.
Called the Creative Marketplace
Competition, three winners will receive a wide-range of incentive to
assist them. The incentive packages for the new ventures include
capital seed money, subsidized rent, free advertising and more.
Applications are available for the
business plan contest at Swainsboro City Hall, 101 South Main, or
online at www.cityofswainsboro.org.
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Rogers elected to GACCE Board
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Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of
Commerce President Bill Rogers, Jr. has been elected to a three- year
term on the board of directors for the Georgia Association of Chamber
of Commerce Executives (GACCE).
The GACCE consist of Chamber of
Commerce executives and staff, as well as those members of business and
community organizations who are directly interested in or allied with
Chamber of Commerce work in Georgia. The GACCE has a long history of
serving chamber professionals in the state of Georgia. The organization
exists to advocate the role of the local chamber of commerce in
economic and community development and to provide GACCE members with
exceptional service in the area of professional development.
GACCE currently has 142 chambers as
members and 28 associate members.
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Georgia Court Decision on CO2 a Victory for Business
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On July 7, the Georgia Court of
Appeals overturned five of six findings in a 2008 lower court ruling
that, if upheld, would have significantly hindered Georgia's ability to
meet the energy needs of its residents and businesses, increased energy
prices, and placed draconian restrictions on new development across the
state.
In a 34-page order, the court reversed
a requirement that state authorities begin regulating carbon dioxide
(CO2) emissions, which the judges determined would "impose a
regulatory burden on Georgia never imposed elsewhere" and subject
the state to "far- reaching economic hardship."
The judges noted that--contrary to the
opinion of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings
Moore--CO2 is not currently regulated under any state or federal law
(including the Clean Air Act and the Georgia Air Quality Act) and
determined that Moore far exceeded her authority in ruling on a federal
issue still under debate in Washington.
These are the same arguments the
Chamber has made ever since Moore's ill-considered ruling over a year
ago. The Chamber filed two amicus briefs in the case, each of which was
co-signed by more than 100 businesses, trade groups and local chambers
of commerce from across Georgia.
The issue is not yet completely
resolved; an administrative law judge must review a permit for the
Early County power plant at the heart of the case, and the Sierra Club
is expected to appeal the decision. But the appeals court decision is
an encouraging step in the right direction, and a major victory for
Georgia businesses and consumers.-From "Insights from the Georgia
Chamber of Commerce", July, 13, 2009
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"Survival Tips for Small Business & Industries"
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As part of efforts to assist local
businesses during these difficult economic times, the Chamber, The
Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities and the Small
Business Development Center at Georgia Southern University will present
a special seminar at 8 a.m., Wednesday morning, August 19th.
Entitled "Survival Tips for Small
Business," the seminar is open to all businesses and industries in
the area. According to SBDC officials, the information is highly
beneficial to any business, and serves as a very useful checklist to
navigate turbulent times. Management and staff should benefit from the
seminar.
In today's uncertain economy, small
business owners are challenged with not only how to maintain revenues,
but also how to meet the ever-changing needs of their customers,
vendors, and employees. Join us for a presentation from Lori Durden,
Director of the Small Business Development Center at Georgia Southern
University, as she offers tips for indentifying "holes" in
your business and developing a strategy for surviving these difficult
economic times.
The event will be held Wednesday
morning, August 19th, at North Main Grill from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. A
light breakfast will be served.
Please call the Chamber at 237-6426 to
register for this free seminar.
July 2009 Chamber Member Renewals<br
Anderson Homes
American Diabetes Association
Bellamy Motorsports, Inc.
Best Western Bradford Inn
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Meadows Sleep Center at Swainsboro
Moore Electrical Company
Poole, Harry G. IV
Poole, Mabel Y.
Swainsboro Golf & Country Club, Inc.
Youmans, Mr. & Mrs. J.R.
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Upcoming
Events
Monday, August 3rd, 6:00 pm - Tribute to
Jim Crowdis, Regional Representative Region 9, Department of Community Affairs,
Swainsboro City Council Meeting, Swainsboro City Hall
Wednesday, August 5th, 9:00 am - Pine
Tree Festival & Southeast Timber Executive Board Meeting, Chamber
Building
Thursday, August 6th, 12:00 pm - Golf
Committee Meeting, Chamber of Commerce
Saturday, August 8th, 9:00 pm -
"Movies Under the Stars," Swainboro/Emanuel County Recreation
Department
Tuesday, August 11th, 9:30 am - Chamber
Executive Committee Meeting, Chamber Building
Thursday, August 13th, 12:00 Noon -
Chamber Board Meeting, Chamber Building
Tuesday, August 18th, 11:00 am - Annual
Congressional Luncheon, Perry, GA Fairground
Wednesday, August 19th, 8:00 am -
"Survival Tps For Small Businesses & Industry," North
Main Grill, FREE BREAKFAST BUFFET
(TENTATIVE) JOB FAIR, sponsored by the
JDA, 9 am - 1 pm, Swainsboro Recreation Complex
(TENTATIVE) Wednesday, August 26th, 9:00
am - Pine Tree Festival & Southeast Timber Executive Committee
Meeting, Chamber Building
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