| Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce |
Air Force rejects Swainsboro proposal, offers new plan
Air Force officials have rejected a local plan and introduced a new plan for the Military Operations Airspace (MOA) above Swainsboro and northern Emanuel County.
For several years, Shaw Air Force Base officials in South Carolina have wished to enlarge the size of the Military Operations Airspace in Georgia. Swainsboro and much of northern Emanuel County fall in the military training airspace, which is referred to as "Bulldog MOA."
The Air Force has proposed lowering the training area from 10,000 ft. to 500 ft. above ground to allow fighters and combat aircraft to train.
Local elected officials, Chamber officials, and other concerned citizens have contended the Air Force plan will negatively impact this area's livability, create noise problems, impact economic development, and restrict use at the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Airport.
After a meeting last month in Swainsboro with Robert "Robbie" McGrath, Federal Aviation Administration Military Operations Specialist, a new proposal to change the Military Operations Area (MOA) over Emanuel County was presented to the Air Force.
"Our plan called for the creation of a new Military Operations Area for Swainsboro. The dimensions of the new area, designated "Bulldog E", were set at 6,000 AGL to 10,000 AGL," stated Ken Warnock, Swainsboro/Emanuel County Airport Commission Chairman.
"Our plan would have allowed the Air Force to use the MOA for its training exercises but without negatively impacting our community like the proposal submitted by the Air Force," added Warnock.
The local proposal also created a new "Bulldog F MOA" that runs north of the Swainsboro Airport through the entire length of the Operations Area. This new area, when vacated by Air Force training missions, would give flights a corridor when arriving or departing Swainsboro Airport.
"We had hoped the Air Force's response to our local plan would have been favorable. It doesn't appear that way now." added Bill Rogers Jr., president of the Chamber.
Last week the Air Force countered with a new plan that raises the floor to 5,000 ft. in an area approximately 1 to 1.5 miles from Swainsboro/Emanuel County Airport.
"The new plan does help our airport to some extent by raising the floor of the MOA to 5,000 feet. However, outside this boundary area, jet fighters would still train at 500 ft. above ground. Noise from jets traveling close to Swainsboro would remain a major issue. The Air Force proposal would still require planes departing from our airport to travel south to depart the MOA before turning north to Atlanta or other northern destinations. Also, the plan does nothing to address concerns at Flat Creek Lodge and their dairy operations, or the wood stork colony on the Ogeechee River," stated Warnock.
The local group fighting the Air Force plan has requested a meeting with Senators Isakson and Chambliss to discuss options to the new proposal. The meeting is expected to take place the first week of December.
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Christmas Gift Ideas--"Emanuel Made-Emanuel Grown"
 Here is a reminder! The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce has an "Emanuel Made-Emanuel Grown" page on the Chamber's website. You'll find great Christmas ideas. To view the page, go to www.emanuelchamber.org. Look for "Emanuel Made-Emanuel Grown" on menu board.
The Chamber is promoting local artists, local wood crafters, quilt makers, etc. and items that are unique to the region.
"Since our website continues to draw great traffic numbers and is a mainstay in our efforts to promote Emanuel County, our idea is to connect buyers and sellers especially during Christmas. If we can promote "Emanuel Made-Emanuel Grown" products, everyone benefits," stated Bill Rogers Jr, chamber president.
If you have a locally made product and would like to have it featured on the Chamber's web page, please call the chamber at 478-237-6426. |
Have you taken our survey?
The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors would like to hear from you. Your thoughts and ideas on the Chamber and its mission will help us in planning for the future.
The Chamber is sending a survey to all members either by email or regular mail. The survey will take approximately five minutes to complete.
For those members without an email address, you should receive a survey via mail. Directions will accompany the survey.
Thanks for taking the time to assist us! |
Economic Outlook is planned for January
What's next for business? Is the economy poised for recovery or headed into a double-dipped recession? This year's Georgia Economic Outlook Series should be more interesting than ever. The annual event is planned for January 27, 2010, from 11:45 -1:30 p.m. at East Georgia College in the Richard L. Brown Room.
The series, directed by the Terry College of Business, annually draws thousands across the state with Atlanta, Dalton, Columbus, Jekyll Island, Macon, Savannah, Augusta, Albany and Athens serving as other host sites.
State, national and international forecasts will be presented by Dean Robert T. Sumichrast, University of Georgia's Terry College of Business.
The cost of the tickets, which includes lunch, is $25.00 per person, or $160 for a reserved table of eight. For more information or to order tickets, call East Georgia College at 478-289-2133. |
Here's help for small businesses!!!
The Small Business Administration reminds small business owners that recent legislation (H.R.5297) has created very attractive loan terms for small businesses. The legislation increases the government guarantee on the SBA's flagship 7(a) loans to 90 percent through Dec. 31st. The bill also temporarily waives fees on both 7(a) loans and 504 loans, which primarily finance real estate. The waiver of fees is offered through Dec. 31st also. Combined, these breaks will make SBA loans less risky for lenders and more affordable for borrowers.
For more information on the SBA, call the Chamber at 478-237-6426. |
Here's even more help for small businesses!
On January 12th, The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Assistance Corporation will be offering a special one-hour seminar to assist local businesses with SBA loan options.
The session, "How SBA Loans Can Help Your Business," will be presented by Wendy Jeffers, Senior Lending Officer: SBA Programs and Debra Simmons, Community Development Loan Officer. The session has tentatively been set at 9:30 a.m. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
The seminar is open to all existing and start-up businesses, but seating is limited. Please call the Chamber to reserve a seat, 478-237-6426. |
Regional Leadership Program is seeking applicants
The Georgia Academy of Economic Development will offer a spring 2011 Economic & Leadership Development Program.
Sponsored by the Department of Community Affairs, the Region 9 Academy will be held in Vidalia, Ga., at the Center for Economic Development.
The program calls for 4 one-day sessions over a 4-month period. Tuition is $195. Dates selected for the program are February 24, March 31, April 28,and May 26.
Interested candidates should contact the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce or Tina Hutcheson, Development Specialist, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, at 478-278-9434.
The program is ideal for chamber members, newly elected public officials, economic developers, or those interested in learning more about how local government works.
This marks the twelfth year for the Academy. Nearly 300 candidates have completed the Academy course work. |
Thanks, Seedling Garden Club!
 Have you noticed how nice the Chamber building looks for Christmas?
A special thank you goes to the Seedling Garden Club and its members for decorating the Chamber building for the holidays. Among members taking part in the Club's service project were Mrs. Judy McWhorter, Mrs. Lanelle Durden, Mrs. Emmalene Youmans, Mrs. Linda Lamb, Mrs. Paula Karrh, Mrs. Kay Peacock, Mrs. Wanda Scarboro, and Mrs. Kaye Stephens.
We've never looked better! |
Enhanced membership listing now available
Chamber members have responded "very favorably" to our recent survey question on "Enhanced Memberhip Listings."
Starting this month, the Chamber now gives each member the option to add a photo of your business, or a picture of owner(s), or logo to their membership directory listing. The enhanced version will be available on both the printed directory and on the Chamber's website, www.emanuelchamber.org. The cost for the enhanced listing is only $25.00.
The value of the new option is quite evident. With the Chamber's Membership Directory viewed as the page on the website with "most hits," an enhanced listing will appeal to all viewers.
Look for this option on your membership renewal notice or if you prefer to add your photo or logo immediately, call the chamber at 237-6426.
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Christmas event is set
The Swainsboro Downtown Development Authority and the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce will hold this year's "Christmas Parade and Carols on the Square" on Thursday afternoon, December 2nd, in downtown Swainsboro.
At press time over 70 entries were expected in the parade. The parade will feature dancers, bands, floats, beauty queens and a special visit by Santa.
Last year some 2,000 to 2,500 people attended the event. This year's crowd is expected to be even larger.
The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. near BB&T and proceed north on U.S 1, turning on to Pine Street. The parade route will then turn south on Green Street, ending at the Boneyard.
At 6:30 p.m., on Roger Shaw Street, singers will entertain with Christmas songs. Local vendors and artists will set up booths with Christmas goodies and art for sale. This year's Relay-For-Life Committee will also hold its 2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off. During the event, the Pilot Club will light their annual "Lite-A-Lite" tree. Over $600 in prize money will be given away to the best floats in the parade.
Another highlight will be a "Santa Drop." Small holiday plastic figures will be dropped from a lift. Some of figures will be specially marked and can be redeemed for holiday cash.
Sponsoring organizations include the Swainsboro Downtown Development Authority, Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce, Emanuel County Arts Council, and the Pilot Club. |
Aeroxs, Inc.
Bellamy Motorsports, Inc.
Crossroads Café
Curry Companies
Daniels Chevrolet
Days Inn & Suites
Deluxe Inn
Donaldson Surveys, Inc.
Franklin Memorial Library
Furnishings & Design, Inc.
Jones Central LLC
Louis, Shellie, DMD, P.C.
Mark Williams Studio
Mill Pond Kayak, LLC
Pittman & Avery, CPA
Tom's Pawn Central |
Tuesday, December 2nd, 5:30pm - Swainsboro Christmas parade and Carols on the Square, Downtown Swainsboro
Saturday, December 4th, 11:00am - Twin City Christmas parade and festivities
Sunday, December 5th, 3:00pm - Stillmore Christmas parade and festivities
Tuesday, December 7th, 9:30am - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Executive board meeting, Chamber building
Thursday, December 9th, 12:00noon - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Regular board meeting, Chamber building
Tuesday, December 14th, 12:00noon - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Joint Development Authorities board meeting, Chamber building
Monday, December 20th, 7:00pm - Emanuel County Commissioners Meeting, Commissioners Chambers
Thursday & Friday, December 23rd & 24th - Chamber closed in observance of Christmas
Thursday & Friday, December 30th & 31st - Chamber closed in observance of New Year's Day
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