Open Letter to Membership from your President:
Dear Chamber Members:
Can you believe it's the start of another year? 2010 went by incredibly fast. In retrospect, the past twelve months have to be seen as another tough year for our local economy and the nation's as a whole. While unemployment hovered slightly above the 10% mark, we have been very fortunate and blessed as a community not to see numerous plant failures or businesses closing their doors. While it has been a difficult business environment, we have seen some very important accomplishments made that should yield dividends in the future.
So as not to break with tradition, you'll find this "open letter" to the membership listing some of the noteworthy achievements and activities of 2010.
While we are pleased with these accomplishments, we are hopeful that 2011 will be brighter and better for all. Chairman Kenny Griffin and the Chamber's Board of Directors are to be commended for their vision and hard work. They have provided guidance and leadership during these tough times.
Due to the mid-year resignation of Andy Riley, President of the Joint Development Authorities, we have assumed some of the county's economic development duties. We continue to assist the JDA until such time as they fill this position. We have been most fortunate to have Jack Bareford step in to assist us in these efforts. While these additional activities have presented many challenges, we hope we haven't "dropped the ball" on any significant chamber activities.
I would like to thank the Chamber staff for their help and dedication during the year. Without Donna Brinson and Shanna Taylor, our efforts might have fallen short of the mark. We are very fortunate to have a dedicated staff that works diligently to promote and enhance our county every day. Please thank them whenever you have an opportunity.
As we said in last year's January newsletter, we know there are still difficult economic times ahead for our county, state and nation. In the past, these downturns have been cyclical in nature and given time, the economy will improve. Our pledge is that we will continue to work hard to merit our members' financial commitment to the chamber.
We hope this report meets with your approval and again in 2011, we can count on you for your renewed interest and membership.
Sincerely
Bill Rogers Jr.,
President
Here is a partial list of the Chamber's 2010 activities:
1) Sent out 12 monthly newsletters to membership.
2) Reviewed monthly chamber budget.
3) Held weekly meetings with the chamber staff to coordinated activities; held monthly meetings with board of directors.
4) Hosted the State's Regional Tourism Representatives at Flat Creek Lodge and Geo. L. Smith State Park for a two-day strategic planning session.
5) Attended Georgia "Tourism Day" activities at the State Capitol with representatives from Classic South Region.
6) Co-sponsored several Small Business classes during the year.
7) Membership banquet was held in February at East Georgia College. The event drew over 200 people. Desse Davis was selected as "Person of the Year." Swainsboro Supply and Stitch n Print were chosen as small and large "Businesses of the Year." Also named were STAR students and teachers for county.
8) Hosted a joint meeting with Hospital, County and Chamber officials to discuss hospital bond issue.
9) Continued to work closely with the Swainsboro Festival Foundation Committee on the 2010 Pine Tree Festival & Southeast Timber EXPO. The event was held in May. Over 10,000 people were in attendance for the three-day event.
10) Attended Heart of Georgia Regional Council monthly meetings.
11) Worked with the Georgia Department of Transportation to erect temporary signage on the Swainsboro Bypass.
12) Held ribbon cuttings for J&M Bistro, Nails R Us, Front Porch Restaurant, New Great Wall Restaurant, Chapman Funeral Home, and Dr. Bill DeVault.
13) Partnered with Farm Bureau to host Eggs & Issues Breakfast with local legislative delegation.
14) Published Chamber Directory and Manufacturing Directory for membership.
15) Attended monthly meetings of the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities.
16) Attended monthly meetings of the Swainsboro Downtown Development Authority.
17) Conducted several community tours for prospective doctors.
18) Attended Classic South Regional Tourism meetings during year. Advertising purchased in Georgia Travel Guide and other publications to enhance local tourism efforts.
19) Met with DNR officials to discuss plans to open an "interpretive trail" at Ohoopee Sand Dunes and small boat ramp on Little Ohoopee River.
20) Attended Georgia Association of Chamber Executives Board meeting and Staff Clinic in Douglasville.
21) Worked with Channel 6 News in Augusta for "live" Pine Tree Festival broadcast.
22) Continued to enhance and upgrade the Chamber's website.
23) Continued working with DOT officials on Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant for permanent signage on Swainsboro Bypass.
24) Submitted monthly articles on happenings in Emanuel County for inclusion in the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives' monthly newsletter.
25) Co-hosted several meeting with prospective industries.
26) Set up Pine Tree Festival exhibit at Augusta Welcome Center.
27) Led a City-County-Chamber-JDA delegation to the Georgia Resource Center in Atlanta. The day-long economic development seminar was sponsored by Georgia Power Company.
28) Hosted an "Industry Appreciation Day" for Vista Windows.
29) Business-After-Hours held at United Hospice.
30) Attended Georgia Association of Chamber Executives Board of Directors strategic planning session in Athens, GA.
31) Solicited sponsorships for 2010 Pine Tree Festival.
32) Attended I-16 Corridor Alliance meetings.
33) Initiated "Back-to-School Shop at Home" and "Christmas Shop at Home" campaigns on WXRS, WJAT, WELT, and WRJS radio stations.
34) Continued to promote "Emanuel Made-Emanuel Grown" products on website.
35) Photographs taken of Emanuel County for Georgia "Camera-Ready" designation.
36) Held annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic; 110 golfers & 9 local industries participated.
37) Assisted with ground breaking ceremonies at East Georgia College for 200- room housing complex.
38) Assisted several business & commercial developers with potential projects.
39) Hosted a luncheon for local realtors and developers for housing needs at East Georgia College. The event was co-sponsored by East Georgia College Foundation.
40) Attended several Georgia Economic Development Association statewide meetings.
41) Attended OneGeorgia Authority meeting in Greensboro. Emanuel County awarded $500,000 in grant money for I-16 Industrial Park.
42) Held numerous meetings with local leadership to oppose changes in the Military Operations Airspace (MOA) over Swainsboro. Traveled to Federal Aviation Administration offices in Hampton, Ga. to voice opposition.
43) Attended Georgia Association of Chamber Executives Annual Conference at Jekyll Island.
44) Coordinated Senator Johnny Isakson's town visit.
45) Assisted Downtown Development Authority with Christmas parade and "Carols on the Square."
46) Attended GACCE Staff Training Conference for Chamber Executives with Kenny Griffin and Athen Walden.
47) Attended Georgia's Camera-Ready Designation proceedings in Atlanta. Emanuel County designated as "Camera-Ready," one of sixteen counties in state.
48) Held series of Chamber membership meetings during October and November. Conducted Chamber membership survey
49) Submitted numerous radio and newspaper stories on chamber activities.
50) From January 1 thru November 30, 2010: (approximate figures)
Over 13,336 first time unique visitors visit chamber's website
Answered 4,369 telephone calls
Referred over 1,302 calls to local businesses
Hosted 820 visitors in Chamber office
Mailed 102 packages of requested information
Distributed 555 Emanuel County brochures
Distributed 531 Emanuel County maps/telephone books
Handed out 44 "How to Start a Business in Emanuel County" packets
