Apple isn't the only company introducing a new product to the market. The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce officially launched its new website on Wednesday, June 27. The new website can be accessed at www.emanuelchamber.org

"After several months of hard work, our new website is now up and running," proclaimed Bill Rogers Jr., Executive Director.

The new site is filled with information, graphs, maps and photographs in three general areas: chamber, community, and retail/commercial/industrial recruitment.

For local chamber members the benefits of the new website are substantial. There is a complete listing of benefits such as health insurance information, membership listings both alphabetically and by categories, recent ribbon- cuttings of new businesses, event information, current chamber publications, "job opportunities" listings for members, and links to members' websites.

"One new feature for our members is a mapping component which allows a visitor to the website to view and download a map for directions to a member's business. This feature alone is a real added benefit to any business," stated Rogers.

Under the community heading icon, the website features general information on Emanuel County, a short history of the area, and municipal information on Swainsboro, Twin City, Garfield, Adrian, Oak Park, Summertown, Nunez and Stillmore. Other areas highlighted are airport, hospital, education, recreational sites, hunting & fishing information and a list of "points of interest." The website also has a complete listing of all area churches in Emanuel County with names of pastors, telephone numbers and addresses.

A click on the Joint Development Authorities icon takes a visitor to detailed information on Emanuel County's population, workforce data, available industrial sites and other pertinent information.

"Another new feature of the website is a community calendar which can be updated at a moment's notice by the Chamber staff. Organizations and local event planners are invited to post their event or special happening at no charge. Hopefully, this will cut down on conflicts," added Rogers.

Much of the information on the website was generated by the Chamber staff with assistance from Dwight Watt. Photos used throughout the website were supplied by Jerry N. Cadle, The Forest-Blade and from the chamber's archives.

"We appreciate the help and assistance we have received from the many people and organizations who responded when we called for information and details. We hope everyone will view the Chamber's new website to help us correct our inaccuracies and to add those areas we may have overlooked. All comments are welcomed."

A portion of the project was paid for by the city's hotel/motel tax under the Chamber's ongoing effort to generate tourism dollars.

Emanuel County's newest industry is now open. On Tuesday, June 11th, PharmaCentra opened its doors for business with 45 employees. Located on "The Square" in downtown Swainsboro, the firm is a marketing and services firm that caters to the pharmaceutical industry with a suite of customizable healthcare programs. Employment is expected to grow to 60 shortly.

Some 300 Georgia Young Farmers and their families gathered in Swainsboro this past Friday and Saturday, June 29 and 30, for their annual summer tour. Festivities began with a dinner at Swainsboro Middle School. On Saturday the group toured Rayonier, Herrington Homestead, Evans Hooks Cattle Co., Whitfield Farm & Nursery, Geo. L. Smith State Park, Atkinson Candy Co., Canoochee Daylily Garden and Flat Creek Lodge. According to local Young Farmer members, the event was a huge success.

On Thursday, June 28, local and state officials were on hand to officially open the new cottages at George L. Smith State Park. The four new cabins have been under construction for fourteen months. The new addition gives the park a total of eight cottages that can be rented.

"This is a fantastic day for our park and a much needed addition," stated Rep. Butch Parrish.

Each cabin has two large bedrooms, two baths, large kitchen and den area with fireplace and other amenities. The cabins also feature large porches for outdoor enjoyment.

In addition to these new cabins, the park offers 25 tent/trailer/RV sites, 60 picnic sites, 4 picnic shelters and one group shelter.

The cabins were constructed by the state's prison system construction team. For more information on the cottages visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

The Second Saturday Art Stroll, taking place on July 14th, will include six art exhibitions in downtown Swainsboro. The stroll will take place from 5pm-8pm with music at the Downtown Pavilion at 8pm. The exhibition at the Emanuel Arts Council will feature motorcycle artwork and include two vintage motorcycles. An exhibition at Gallery RFD will feature work from over twenty artists from all over the United States exploring how different art movements affect their art work. Other venues participating in the Art Stroll include Jack's Java Cove, Rainbow Antique Mall, Folds Photography, Brantley's Billiards, and 114 West Main.

On July 14th, in conjunction with the Art Stroll, the Downtown Commission for Arts and Commerce (DCAC) will feature two bands at the Downtown Pavilion. At 8pm, folk singer/songwriter Sara Gordon from Augusta, GA will perform a set of original acoustic songs. Ms. Gordon has performed throughout the Southeast and this will be her first performance in Swainsboro. At 8:30, Swainsboro's own Rich Clark and his band "The Industry" will be performing on the Boneyard. "The Industry" conjures up an array of sweeping original melodies backed with thumping drums in whirlwind heightened choruses. This concert is FREE and brought to you by the DCAC, a group of businesses working to revitalize downtown Swainsboro through the arts that include Daniel's Chevrolet, the GREDC at EGC, Mill Creek Foundation, The Emanuel Arts Council, Radio Jones, the Swainsboro/Emanuel Chamber of Commerce, and Gallery RFD.

The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce is making plans to attend the I- 20 "Georgia On My Mind Day" to be held Friday, July 6, at the state's Welcome Center in Augusta.

"This is part of our ongoing effort to attract visitors and tourists to Emanuel County," stated Bill Rogers, Executive Director. "Anytime we can tell visitors to our state about local sites and attraction in Emanuel County, it's worth the effort."

According to officials at East Georgia College, construction on the new entrance road to the college has begun. Completion of the project is set for October, weather permitting.

Construction plans call for the new entrance to begin just inside Pathway Technology Park, off Lambs Bridge Road. The new road will meander along a line following the college property boundary, eventually tying into College Circle. The existing main entrance, now off Anderson Drive, will be closed. A stone marker will be erected to denote the entrance way.

The Foundation of Emanuel Medical Center has a deal for you! Their "Sizzling Summer Sweepstakes" drawing will be held on July 18th for a prize package worth over $3,000.

Among the 36 items included in the package are a custom bird house, quail hunt, golf package, foot spa, UGA rocking chair, handmade baby blanket and a Sunday buffet for two. All proceeds go to help complete the new mammography suite, ultrasound room & radiology waiting room at Emanuel Medical Center. See any Foundation member for tickets.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced June 12, that federal disaster loans are available to small businesses located in all Georgia counties except Clay County as a result of damages and losses to crops caused by record setting cold temperatures and freezing conditions that occurred April 6-9, 2007.

"SBA's disaster declaration was issued as a result of a similar action taken by the Secretary of Agriculture to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops," said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

Under this declaration, SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to farm-related and nonfarm-related small business concerns and small agricultural cooperatives that suffered economic injury as a direct result of this disaster. Farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA.

Eligible small businesses may qualify for loans up to $1.5 million. These loans are available at a 4 percent interest rate with loan terms up to 30 years. SBA determines eligibility for the program based on the size and type of the business and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based upon each applicant's financial condition. Under this disaster declaration, SBA cannot provide loans to agricultural producers.

Interested business owners should contact SBA's Customer Service Center by calling 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for hearing-impaired), Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA's website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center - 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than January 18, 2008.

Growing Communication, Inc.
K. Jill Collins & Julia Rountree
420 West Main Street
Swainsboro, GA 30401
478-237-6363
Fax 478-237-6464