Applications are now being accepted for this fall's "2009 Leadership Emanuel." The 10 week course will be limited to 22 to 24 candidates to allow for maximum participation and input. This is the second class offered by the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce, according to Bill Rogers, Jr., president.

"A $5,000 grant has been awarded to the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce by the University of Georgia's Fanning Institute. This grant will enable the Chamber to offer the Institute's renowned leadership program this fall.

The program, entitled "2009 Leadership Emanuel," will consist of ten topics offered on Tuesday nights from September 1 through November 3. The class times will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Fanning Institute instructors, along with local leaders, will facilitate the courses and program.

"The goal of the program is to create a new level of leadership in Emanuel County," stated Milton Gray, Board Chairman of the Chamber. "The program goals are focused on economic development with session topics on understanding community leadership; knowing your community, community leader's role in economic development and local governance."

Applications for the class are currently available at the Chamber. A deadline of Thursday, July 15, has been set for receiving applications. Applications will be reviewed and selections made by the board of directors of Leadership Emanuel. The cost for each applicant is $60 and covers the cost of printed materials. Scholarships are available if needed.

The classes will begin on Tuesday, September 1st, with a kickoff meal and overview of the program.

Topics are as follows:

Tuesday, September 8--"Understanding Leadership: How does it work?"
Tuesday, September 15-- "Emanuel County Socio- Demographics, a Quick Study of Emanuel's Statistical Data"
Tuesday, September 22-- "Communicating Effectively"
Tuesday, September 29--"Making Group Decisions"
Tuesday, October 6--"Building Communities through Collaboration"
Tuesday, October 13--"Leading Community Change"
Tuesday, October 20--"Understanding Local Governments"
Tuesday, October 27--"A Community Leader's Role in Economic Development"
Tuesday, November 3--"Wrap-Up and Graduation"

In addition to the Chamber, members of the collaborating organizations who are sponsoring the program are Emanuel County Board of Commissioners, City of Swainsboro, Emanuel County Board of Education, Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities, East Georgia College, Swainsboro Technical College and Emanuel County Extension Service.

Serving on the Board of Directors for "2009 Leadership Emanuel" are Elizabeth W. Gilmer, Desse Davis, Erma Jenkins, Kenny Griffin, Ken Warnock, Mark Crosby, Wade Johnson, Bobbie Collins, Andy Riley, and Bill Rogers Jr.

For more information or to receive an application, visit the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce at 102 South Main Street or call 237-6426.

Saturday, July 4th, should be a great day for family fun!

The Eastwood Church of God will present the 3rd annual "Open Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show." The event will be held downtown around the square from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with great music, food, and door prizes.

Later that night, the Swainsboro Jaycees will present their annual "July 4th Fire Works Display" held on McLeod Bridge Road near the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Recreation Complex.

For more information on how you can honor your loved ones at this years fireworks display, contact Trent Hall at 478-299-0100.

See you there!

You can be a part of history on July 7th, when Southeastern Technical College in Vidalia and Swainsboro Technical College become one.

The "kickoff celebration" is planned for 10 a.m. at the Swainsboro Campus Auditorium. The public is invited to attend the ceremonies.

Senator Jack Hill has been selected as one of the "2009 Legislators of the Year" by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The award is given annually to those top legislators who went "above and beyond on behalf of the state's business community during the previous legislative session," stated a press release issued by the statewide chamber.

Others selected for the award were Senator Ronnie Chance, Representative Ben Harbin, Representative (House Speaker) Glenn Richardson and Representative Calvin Smyre.

"Maintaining Georgia's economic attractiveness and competitiveness is critical to our future success. These individuals not only understand that, but demonstrated an unwavering commitment to maintaining an environment in Georgia where new and existing business can thrive," said George Israel, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Senator Hill represents all or portions of Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Tattnall & Treutlen Counties.

He holds the important position of Chairman of Appropriations and serves on the Ethics, Natural Resources & Environment, Regulated Industries & Utilities, Rules, Assignments, Finance (Ex-officio) and Joint Legislative Ethics committees.

Senator Hill has served in the Georgia Senate since 1990.

Congratulations, Jack!

On Thursday, June 18th, members of the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities co-sponsored an industry appreciation day at Stitch-N-Print in Twin City. The 75 employees were served hot dogs, chips and Cokes.

"We're very proud of Stitch-N-Print. The local industry continues to grow and is a major supporter of many community activities. This is a small way we can salute them and their employees," stated Bill Rogers, Jr, president of the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce.

Assisting with the function were Milton Gray, Wade Johnson, Kenny Griffin, Ken Warnock and Andy Riley.

The latest edition of the award-winning Georgia Travel Guide is now available at the Chamber.

Published by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, over 800,000 copies are expected to be distributed to anyone seeking travel information on the state of Georgia.

The magazine is conveniently divided into nine travel regions listing thousands of attractions, lodging, bed & breakfast operations, cabins and camp sites. In addition, the publication is filled with great ideas for daytrips or extended stays. The magazine makes planning a summer vacation easy.

Best of all, the 210-page magazine is free! So pick up your copy today from the chamber.

A recent meeting held in Swainsboro to discuss the Ohoopee Sand Dunes as a tourism destination has been featured in Georgia Wild, the statewide Department of Natural Resources newsletter.

The story, complete with picture, explains that the meeting was held to consider how the "Wildlife Resource Division of DNR, county and chamber can improve access and educational infrastructure at Ohoopee Dunes Natural Area."

Pictured with DNR representatives are State Representative Butch Parrish, Chamber President Bill Rogers, Jr. and Jeannie Bertrum, Classic South Tourism Representative, Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Fuego Mundo Restaurant, Sandy Springs, GA, has become the first small business in Georgia to receive an SBA guaranteed loan under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This word comes from the Georgia District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Small businesses suffering financial hardship as a result of the slow economy may be eligible to receive temporary relief.

SBA guaranteed the America's Recovery Capital (ARC) loans starting on June 15, 2009. ARC loans are deferred-payment loans up to $35,000 available to established, viable, for-profit small businesses that need short-term help to make their principal and interest payments on existing qualifying debt. ARC loans are interest-free to the borrower, 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA. The loans have no SBA fees associated with them.

"These ARC loans can provide the critical capital and support many small businesses need to make it through these tough economic times," stated SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "Together with other provisions of the Recovery Act, ARC loans will free up capital and put more money in the hands of small business owners when they need it most. This will help viable small businesses continue to grow and thrive and create more jobs in communities across the country."

ARC loans will be disbursed within a period of up to six months and will provide funds to be used for payments of principal and interest for existing, qualifying small business debt including mortgages, term and revolving lines of credit, capital leases, credit card obligations and notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities. Repayment will not begin until 12 months after the final disbursement. Borrowers don't have to pay interest on ARC loans. After the 12- month deferral period, borrower will pay back the loan principal over a period of five years.

ARC loans are made by commercial lenders, not SBA directly. For more information on ARC loans, visit www.sba.gov.