Congratulations are in order for local citizen Lauren Wilkes, daughter of Don and Tammy Wilkes. Lauren recently joined the staff of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta. Wilkes is a veteran of numerous political campaigns at the federal, state and local level. She worked as a legislative aide for Georgia House of Representatives and for former U.S. Rep. Max Burns. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Lauren will be part of the governmental affairs division at the Georgia Chamber.

East Georgia College and the University of Georgia Terry College of Business will combine efforts again to present the ninth economic outlook for Georgia and the nation. The 2007 lunch will be held at the college gymnasium on January 17th from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.

The price of the tickets, which includes lunch, is $25.00 per person or $160 for table for eight. Make your reservations no later than close of business on Jan. 12, 2007. Call 478-289-2122 for more information.

Karen Kennedy, feature writer with Georgia Trends, was in our community December 13th for a story to be included in the March 2007 edition of the magazine. Each month, Georgia Trend highlights a community in their "Our State" segment. Kennedy visited several organizations and businesses while here.

From festivals to recreation, hunting to genealogy, there is a lot to do in Emanuel County. Currently the Chamber has a committee compiling a list for a new brochure being planned for this year. Once completed, this list will be emailed to chamber members for comments. Please help us make sure we don't overlook any important item of interest. This brochure will be given to all newcomers and visitors to our county.

Gallery RFD is slated to open January 13th in the building formerly known as Mary's Ladies Shop on North Green Street. Gallery RFD is a non-profit organization whose goal is to develop economic opportunities in Emanuel County through the arts. The gallery's first exhibition will take place on January 13th and will be held in conjunction with four other art exhibitions in Swainsboro.

Plans are underway for a new event in Swainsboro called Second Saturday. Each month, Gallery RFD, The Emanuel Arts Council, Jack's Java Cove, and Brantley's Billiards will be open from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The event will include art, children's events, and music. Gallery RFD is inviting other businesses to participate. For more information contact Anthony Faris or Bryan Ghiloni at 912-224-8296.

103 Veal Street
478/237-2220
Owner: Donna Gaddy
We welcome The Hair Shack as a new business in Emanuel County and wish them well. A ribbon cutting was held Friday, December 15th.

Dear Members:
Since we are now in a new year, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your help and assistance during my first six months as the Chamber's new executive director. This short time has been a tremendous opportunity for me not only to study the chamber's inner workings but has also been a significant time to gain insight on happenings in our county and activities at other chambers across our state.

I would like to thank Wendy and Crystal for their assistance during this transition period. As a chamber, we are fortunate to have a chamber staff that works passionately and diligently on behalf of our county and its citizenry. We are approaching every opportunity and task here at the Chamber with a team approach and we believe it is paying huge dividends for our members.

In an effort to keep you abreast of our activities, we decided to compile a partial list of accomplishments since September 1st. Many of the items listed are projects which will continue into this year. Should you have any questions or comments, please call us or e-mail us.

We hope 2007 is a wonderful year for you, your business and our city and county. We look forward to working with each chamber member to make Emanuel County even better.
Bill Rogers Jr.
Executive Director

Here is a list of our undertakings:
1) Visited Broken Bow, Okla., site of J.M. Huber OSB Plant
2) Established tourism account and set program in motion for expenditures
3) Reviewed, audited and revised chamber budget
4) Established new accounts to more accurately reflect budget
5) "Welcome book" for visitors reinstated
6) Weekly meetings of Chamber staff initiated
7) Held meetings with local media on Huber project
8) Held meetings with local bankers on Huber project
9) Held three consecutive meetings with community retailers, accommodation providers and service providers for the Huber project; over 150 people attended
10)Spoke to several civic clubs on Huber project- Kiwanis, Agri-Business Council, Beta Sigma Phi
11)Met with Geo. L. Smith State Park rangers about the four new cabins under construction
12)Helped with Patriots' Day activities held on the Square
13)Hosted Barbara Stafford, Georgia Chamber of Commerce & visited Crider Poultry
14)Established a "newcomers package" with letter and community brochures, map, and other materials
15)Created a "Things-to-do in Emanuel County" committee to determine those items, events, places and sites to be included in brochure.
16)Held successful chamber golf tournament- record number of players and income.
17)Attended all Development Authority meetings- four held
18)Continued to work on signage for bypass. Committee met several times with DOT, also traveled to Savannah to work with Doug Bean Sign Company for signage.
19) Improved and updated "Chamber Newsletter" with new company, Constant Contact. Program provides easy use and analytical results for readership. Readership of newsletter email in October was 20.5%, November results were 32.3%, December newsletter 44.7%
20)Initiated morning chamber membership meetings - four held to date.
21)Participated in Farm/City Banquet- arranged speaker & accommodations, etc.
22)Chamber Strategic planning session held at Flat Creek Lodge
23)Attended GACCE Leadership Conference in Cartersville
24)Assisted EGC in hosting Regents Ben Tarbutton and Felton Jenkins
25)Held first annual "Carols on the Square"
26)Visited Vidalia and Waynesboro Chambers of Commerce
27)Concluded negotiations with ChamberExpress to provide services for creation of new website for chamber
28)Continued to meet with Emanuel County Planning Coordination Committee- 5 meetings
29)Met with Lori Durden, Small Business Development Center at Statesboro, to establish program here at the Chamber for small businesses in 2007.
30)Met with Adella Kelly, Governor's Entrepreneur Program 31) Received bids on Kiosk message board
32) Assisted JDA with Vista Windows announcement
33)Spoke to Citizens Bank's Youth Advisory Committee
34)Conducted community tour for prospective pediatrician at EMC
35)Hosted Karen Kennedy, Ga. Trends Magazine for article in March
36)Visited Flatcreek Lodge to assist Marvin Kersey in setting up accommodations for Young Farmers State Tour in June 2007
37)Assisted with eight ribbon cuttings- Ciao Bella, Second Hand Styles, Southern Bandsaw, Jack's Java Cove, East GA College Disc Golf Course, H&R Block, Touch of Class, and Hair Shack
38)Assisted with Business After Hours
39)Met with Kiwanis Club President John Black and other community leaders to discuss improving the Pine Tree Festival

All types of racing equipment and other racing related items will be displayed at the "Swainsboro Raceway Trade Show" to be held on January 20th, 2007 in Swainsboro.

The event is expected to draw some 750 to 1000 people according to Swainsboro Raceway Public Relation Director, Willis Wombles.

The one-day event is slated to be held at the Swainsboro Jaycee Fairgrounds from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information call 478-252-1300.