| Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce |
Swainsboro Jaycees prepare for their 30th Annual Fireworks Show
 On Sunday night, July 4th, just after the skies have grown dark, the Swainsboro Jaycees will begin their 30th Annual July 4th Fireworks Show. This Jaycee project, which actually began as a partnership with local radio station WJAT back in 1981, has seen many changes through the years as the project has grown. The show has been held at the Swainsboro Emanuel County Airport, Swainsboro Jaycees Fairgrounds, Harmon Park, and of course, is now back at the southwest end of the airport. As usual, this year's show can be best viewed from the Swainsboro/ Emanuel County Recreation Complex on McLeod Bridge Road.
Over the course of the last fifteen years, the show has more than tripled in size. As recently as 1995, approximately 180 mortar shells were fired into the air during the thirty minute show. Actually, that wasn't that bad considering that the whole show was fired from ten metal mortar tubes that had been submerged in the ground. About 20 Jaycees would work tirelessly to load, fire, clean, and reload each of these tubes over and over again. Since teaming up with Falcon Fireworks Company of Savannah in 2002, many more improvements have been made. The members of the "Jaycee Pyro Crew" are trained by Falcon Fireworks, all mortar shells are preloaded, and a portion of the show is fired electronically. The show now includes hundreds of smaller fireworks, as well as hundreds of shells that are three, four, five, and six inches in diameter. Some shows have even included eight inch shells....that's right, a shell that is the size of a small watermelon!
The local Jaycees Chapter always looks forward to this show on July 4th, but it doesn't happen without lots of time dedicated to raising money and organizing the event. The Jaycees could not present this show without the support of local businesses and the City of Swainsboro. The Jaycees raise the money used to purchase the fireworks and supplies through the Jaycees' American Flag Project, a grant from the City of Swainsboro, and other Jaycee fundraisers throughout the year. The Jaycees and Falcon Fireworks then obtain all necessary permits for the show.
In the weeks leading up to the show, the Jaycees will clean all of the mortar tubes, repair any of the racks that are not in top shape, and load the tubes and racks onto trailers that will transport them to the site. The City of Swainsboro, the Probate Judge's office, airport officials, local law enforcement, Emanuel County EMS, the Swainsboro Fire Department, and other local fire departments also play vital roles in the success of this project, both during the planning stages of the project and the night of the actual show.
On July 4th, the Jaycees will spend much of the day setting up the racks and tubes at the show site, securing the site, loading the mortar shells, and doing the necessary wiring needed for the portion of the show that will be fired electronically. Just after dark, a final safety meeting and prayer are held, and then the "Jaycee Pyro Crew' will ignite the first shell, sending it high into the evening sky. Hundreds more shells are then ignited by a Jaycee with a torch in hand or electronically.
After the show and the mandated sixty minute cool down period, the area must be checked for any shells that did not discharge or that misfired. After this is done, any shells that may still be smoldering are extinguished, the area is cleaned and all mortar racks and supplies are loaded back onto trailers and transported away from the site. It is usually quite late at night when the job is done and there are a number of Jaycees who are mighty tired from a long day (and evening) in the July heat.
Let's pray for good weather and for the safety of the Jaycees as the 30th Annual Swainsboro Jaycees July 4th Fireworks Show quickly approaches. See you there!-Story by Swainsboro Jaycee member Hugh Hendrix |
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CleanTech Foreign Media Tour visits Swainsboro
The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a "welcome reception" for foreign journalists who were part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development's CleanTech Media Tour. The event was held Tuesday, June 15th, at the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Airport.
Journalists from France, Canada, Italy, Germany, Korea and United Kingdom were in the state visiting various sites and locations associated primarily with clean green energy, wood fiber, biomass, and bio-fuels. The group visited Phillip Jennings Turf Farms, LLC, near Soperton before heading to Savannah.
Each journalist received a gift bag from the Chamber filled with Emanuel County products and information.
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Chamber and East Georgia College host housing function
The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce and East Georgia College recently hosted a luncheon for local realtors, rental housing owners, and developers on Thursday, June 17th. The meeting, entitled "Taking Care of Business," and was held to make the group aware of the growing demand for student housing at East Georgia College.
While the college is expected to break ground in the near future for "on-campus" student housing which will be available in mid-2011, the college is expecting an influx of students this fall.
"We expect approximately 80 students to attend East Georgia College this fall who will participate in our athletic program. All of these students will require some type of housing. This will be in addition to our normal demand for student housing." stated Elizabeth Gilmer, Director of Development & Alumni Relations.
Those interested in more information on providing student housing are asked to contact the college.
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Temporary Signage goes up!
The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce continues to make progress on permanent signage for the Swainsboro Bypass. Until construction is completed on the permanent signs, the Georgia Department of Transportation has recently permitted "temporary signage" that has now been placed on the southern end of the Swainsboro Bypass, near the intersection of Business Hwy 1.
Cars and trucks moving north on the bypass can view the Swainsboro directional sign some 150 yards before the turn onto the Hwy 1 Business. The directional sign is 5 x 10 ft and is made of wood.
"These types of Transportation Enhancement (TE) grants for permanent signage take an inordinate amount of time," stated Bill Rogers, president of the Chamber. "All the various federal and state agencies must sign off on the permanent project before the next step is taken. We probably have another 12 to 18 months before the permanent signs are completed, so I'm glad we can move ahead with temporary signage."
The cost for the temporary signage is $1250.
A grant for $90,360 was awarded for permanent signage through a TE grant in early 2008. Since then, with the assistance from the Heart of Georgia Regional Commission, the grant process has gone through concept stage, environmental clearances, historical preservation determinations, site and archaeological assessments, ecology, air and noise assessments. "Since this is a federal project, the steps required for permitting must be done in order and verified before addressing the next requirement," said Mr. Rogers.
"It's our hope the signs, both temporary and permanent, will direct folks into our city where they are more likely to impact our local economy with expenditures for things like gas, food, lodging and the like," he added. |
East Georgia College to offer A.C.E. Experience
The Academy Camp for Enrichment (A.C. E.) experience promises to offer a unique camp opportunity in which academics are emphasized in a fun-filled and exciting atmosphere. A different content area will be covered each day to include: science, language arts/creative writing, math, social studies and creative problem solving.
Participants must be rising 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders. Dates of camp are July 19-23, 2010 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Sudie A. Fulford Community Learning Center at East Georgia College. Snacks will be served daily with a special cook-out planned for Friday lunch.
Cost for the program is $60 and the deadline to apply is July 12, 2010. Class enrollment is limited to 18 and applications are received on a first come, first served basis. For more information, contact Jean Schwabe at 478-289-2464. |
Development Authorities ask Commission to assist with cancellation of Huber Bonds
The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities have voted to ask the Emanuel County Commission to assist with the defeasance of $2.5 million in bonds that had been set aside for the proposed plant that Huber Engineered Woods LLC (HEW) had hoped to build in Emanuel County. In layman's terms, the defeasance of bonds renders such bonds null and void.
HEW announced plans to build a $280 million dollar plant to manufacture oriented strand board (OSB), which is the primary wood product used for roofing and flooring in the construction of a new house, near Nunez in 2006. At the time, the project was listed by economic developers as one of the "top-ten" investments in the state for that year. Construction of the facility would have taken 2 years. It was estimated that nearly 600 workers and craftsmen would have been required for construction. Permanent employment was estimated at 150 to 175 positions. The facility would have required 300 truckloads a day of raw product, pine trees, at maximum production.
The $2.5 million bond package was to be used as an incentive to assist the company with infrastructure including land preparation and the construction of a rail spur. The money generated from the sale of the bonds was never awarded to Huber since construction never started on the proposed facility. Since 2006, the money has been held in a special account by the Emanuel County Commission.
The defeasance of bonds by the Emanuel County Commissioners will lower the county's millage rate by .537 mills. This was the millage rate levied each year to retire the bonds based on a 20-year payout.
The project has been on hold since its inception due to the downturn in the economy and the collapse of the nation's housing market.
"We still believe the Huber project is viable. Had the housing market remained strong, Huber would be here today. The company has invested more than $9 million in land purchase, environmental studies, planning and site preparation. The site remains a prime location for an OSB plant since Emanuel County lies at the heart of the Southeast United States pine belt region," stated Loy D. Cowart, Chairman of the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities. "We hope that sometime in the future this project will once again become viable."
Brian Carlson, President of HEW, noted "We continue to believe that Swainsboro is an ideal location for an OSB mill." He added, "Given the recession's significant impact on the housing industry, we cannot move forward with a new plant until economic conditions improve. We want to do right by the community and we fully support the decision of the Joint Development Authorities to cancel the bond that was designed to pave the way for our arrival. We look forward to the day when we will be able to once again engage in discussions on becoming a member of the Swainsboro business community." |
2009 Leadership Class gives update!
The 2009 Emanuel Leadership Class has chosen a beautification and promotional project for East Georgia College and Meadowlake Parkway as their class project. Included in the project are improvements to Meadowlake Parkway and the addition of a directional sign at the intersection of Hwy 1 and Meadowlake Parkway to help promote East Georgia College. Project Chairs, Heather Cook and Shanna Taylor have met with Elizabeth Gilmer and Jerry Hooks from East Georgia College recently and gained the college's assistance with the project. Preliminary design and cost estimates are now being garnered. Once the sign is purchased and placed, the class will move forward with the landscaping around it. |
Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony
The Georgia Historical Society, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, hosted a ceremony on June 25, 2010, to dedicate replacement markers for seven missing historical markers on Sherman's March to the Sea. This event, held at George L. Smith State Park was part of a statewide commemoration of the upcoming Civil War 150th anniversary. The seven missing markers along the route of Sherman's Army March to the Sea have been re-cast and re-erected at their original locations as part of the anniversary program. Those markers are located at Milledgeville, Midville, Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Monticello, Sylvania, and Davisboro.
With the support of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, GHS is conducting a program across the state to unveil new and recently replaced historical markers that explore the stories of Georgia's Civil War history as lived and experienced by its people during those tumultuous and transformative years.
Keynote speaker for the local event was Senator Jack Hill. This event was the second in a series of ten ceremonies. |
Emanuel County/Southeast Georgia Pageant Announcement
The 33rd Miss Emanuel County/Miss Southeast Georgia Pageant will be held at the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Auditorium at 532 West Church Street in Swainsboro on July 31, 2010 at 6:30 pm. Titles to be crowned include Miss Emanuel County 2011, Emanuel County's Outstanding Teen 2011, Miss Southeast Georgia 2011, and Southeast Georgia's Outstanding Teen 2011. These winners will go on to compete in the Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen Pageant to be held in Columbus, GA, in June 2011. For more information on becoming a contestant, please visit www.missemanuelsoutheast.com . Tickets are available by contacting DeAnna Moore at 478-289-9900. |
Do you have an important date coming up for your business, club or organization? The Chamber's community calendar is available to list your events. Don't find out later that your event was planned on the same date as another. List your events today and visit the Chamber website's community calendar when planning your next event. Avoid calendar conflict. Call 478-237-6426 or email your information to chamberassistant@bellsouth.net. |
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Fulford Learning Center is set for "Business after Hours!"
The Chamber's next "Business after Hours" is sure to be lots of fun. The event has been set for Thursday afternoon, July 8th and will be hosted by the Chamber from 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Sudie Fulford Learning Center at East Georgia College.
For those folks who have not visited the new facility, tours will be given. In addition, door prizes will be given away and refreshments will be served. "It should be a great time to network and see other business friends outside of daily business activity," state Donna Brinson, chamber executive assistant. "We hope to have a huge turnout."
As for the cash drawing, there was no winner at the last BAH event, which was hosted by United Hospice. The Chamber's cash giveaway will be $225. The drawing will be held during the BAH event around 6:30 pm.
(Here are the rules for the special drawing: Each chamber member-business or individual, has his/her name placed in a box. A drawing is held during the BAH event. If the member whose name has been drawn is in attendance, the cash prize is awarded. If the chamber member selected is not present, twenty-five dollars is added to the cash prize for the next drawing. The money is added until such time as a winner is declared. For a chamber business or organization, the first name on the membership application is placed in the box for the drawing. A business or organization may call to substitute a name listed, but the change must be prior to the event. Each business and organization is allowed only one name per drawing.) |
| June 2010 Chamber New Members |
New Great Wall
537 South Main Street
Swainsboro, GA 30401
478-237-8888 |
| June 2010 Chamber Member Renewals |
Market Place Antiques
Southern Traditions
Sturgis Vineyard |
Monday, July 5th - Chamber Closed in observance of Independence Day
Thursday, July 8th, 5:00 pm-7:00pm - Summer Business After Hours, Sudie Fulford Learning Center
Tuesday, July 13th, 5:00 pm - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities Meeting, Chamber Building
Monday, July 19th, 7:00 pm - Emanuel County Commissioners Meeting, Commissioners Chambers
Monday, July 19th-Friday, July 23rd - GACCE Conference, Jekyll Island, Georgia
Saturday, July 31st, 6:30 pm - 33rd Annual Miss Emanuel County/Miss Southeast Georgia Pageant, Swainsboro/Emanuel County Auditorium |
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