| Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce |
"Business after Hours" is set, cash prize is $200
Be sure to mark your calendar! The Chamber's next "Business after Hours" is set for Thursday afternoon, June 3rd. The event will be hosted by United Hospice from 5 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at their location, 667 South Main Street, Swainsboro. Door prizes will be given away and refreshments served. It will be a great time to network and see other business friends outside of the daily business activity.
Since there was no winner at the last BAH event, the Chamber's cash giveaway has now grown to $200. A drawing will be held during the BAH event.
(Here are the rules for the special drawing: Each chamber member-business or individual, has his/her name placed in a box. A drawing is held during the BAH event. If the member whose name has been drawn is in attendance, the cash prize is awarded. If the chamber member selected is not present, twenty-five dollars is added to the cash prize for the next drawing. The money is added until such time as a winner is declared. For a chamber business or organization, the first name on the membership application is placed in the box for the drawing. A business or organization may call to substitute a name listed, but the change must be prior to the event. Each business and organization is allowed only one name per drawing.)
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Community leaders tour Economic Development Center
A group of community leaders from Swainsboro and Emanuel County spent Thursday, May 20th, in Atlanta at Georgia Power Company's Georgia Resource Center. The center is a state-of-the-art meeting facility where economic development partners and state agencies converge to assist industry or manufacturing executives looking to expand or grow their business in Georgia.
The trip was made to keep Emanuel County at the forefront of the minds of statewide economic developers and to learn of Georgia Power's economic development activities.
The group saw a presentation on Emanuel County which included the county's industrial parks, airport industrial sites and the I-16 industrial park.
The Center offers cutting edge interactive technologies that show available sites and buildings in Georgia. Video presentation can be made in German, Korean, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and English. There are in-depth community demographics with detail facts and figures, aerial photography, building images, and interactive maps. The company also offers site visit coordination to communities in Georgia.
Those in attendance were Will Donaldson, Desse Davis, James Canady, David Oglesby, Bobbie Collins, Al Lawson, Lynn Brinson, Dal Durden, Clay Hall, Russ Yeomans, Athen Walden, and Bill Rogers.
Ryan Waldtrep, region project manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, also accompanied the group to Atlanta.
Host for the meeting was Kenny Griffin, local Georgia Power manager. |
Canoochee Daylily Festival set for June 5th!
 Canoochee Daylily Festival has been set for Saturday, June 5th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year's event will include a fishing rodeo and varied entertainment. The Canoochee Volunteer Fire Department will serve chicken barbecue, hamburgers, hotdogs and fries from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A daylily auction will follow at 2:30 p.m. Tours of the daylily gardens will be available during the day.
Don't miss out on seeing the spectacular daylilies on this great day of fun. For more information call Michelle Turner at 237-5219.
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It's a fact!!!
The Wall Street Journal, in a special section devoted to small business, has reported the benefits of joining local chambers of commerce. Many different reasons were listed.
"A 2007 study, "The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce," compiled by the Schapiro Group, a research firm in Atlanta, Ga., revealed a recent survey of 2,000 randomly chosen consumers said that knowing that a small business belonged to its local chamber of commerce increased by 63% the likelihood the consumer would return to do more business. When the survey group was asked if they were more likely to eat at a restaurant franchise if the owner is a chamber member, half of them said they would eat there more often."- from The Wall Street Journal, Monday, May 17, 2010
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Temporary signage to be placed on Swainsboro bypass
The wheels are turning ever so slowly, but the Chamber continues to make progress on permanent signage for the Swainsboro Bypass.
Until such time as construction is completed on the permanent signs, the Georgia Department of Transportation has recently permitted "temporary signage" that will be placed on the southern end of the Swainsboro Bypass, near the intersection of Business Hwy 1. Cars and trucks moving north on the bypass will view the Swainsboro sign some 150 yards before the turn onto the "Hwy 1 Business."
The directional sign will be 5 x 10 ft and will be made of wooden material.
"These types of grants take an inordinate amount of time," stated Bill Rogers, president of the Chamber. "All the various agencies must sign off on the project before the next step is taken. We probably have another 12 to 18 months before the permanent project is completed, so I'm glad we can move ahead with temporary signage."
A grant for $90,360 was awarded for permanent signage through a Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant in early 2008. Since then, with the assistance from the Heart of Georgia Regional Commission, the TE grant process has gone through concept stage, environmental clearances, historical preservation determinations, site and archaeological assessments, ecology, air and noise assessments.
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Pine Tree a huge Success!!!
 The 2010 Pine Tree Festival and Southeast Timber EXPO concluded Wednesday afternoon, May 5th, with another outstanding event. Over 200 students, representing 17 school systems from around the state, competed in the State FFA Forestry Career Development Day at the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Recreation Department Complex.
The competition ended with Jefferson County nudging Treutlen County by a mere .5 percentage point to take the state's top FFA honors. Nearly two thousand dollars in scholarship money was awarded to the students by Swainsboro Festival Foundation, Inc., the sponsoring body of the Pine Tree Festival.
This year's Pine Tree Festival & Southeast Timber Expo will go down as a very successful event. Attendance was up over last year, evidenced by early numbers that indicate over 10,000 folks attended this year's events. Early numbers also indicate the festival was a huge economic boost for our city and county with filled hotel rooms, restaurants, and increased expenditures by visitors.
An event like the Pine Tree Festival doesn't just happen. It takes months of coordination and planning.
First and foremost, credit needs to go to this year's PTF/STE Foundation Committee members. Someone once said, "Nothing is stronger than the heart of a volunteer." This is so true of this year's committee. They gave much time and energy and deserve high accolades. Their vision over the last two years has been to enhance the festival year after year. Success was achieved by having events ranging from the FMX Motorcycle Stunt Show to the Prentice Logger Competition. Events were chosen and planned for every age grou, which ultimately led to a successful festival.
In an effort to keep the celebration of the pine tree industry at the forefront, the group held the first Pine Tree Festival Forestry Field Day for area foresters, landowners and wildlife enthusiasts. Over 125 folks attended this year's Georgia Forestry Association dinner held on Thursday night. At that occasion, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced the Department had received a $150,000 grant to create a tourism/educational site for Ohoopee Sand Dunes here in Emanuel County.
This year's committee members are Athen Walden, Russ Yeomans, Milton Gray, Al Lawson, John Allen Bailey, John Black, Jolly Martin, Calvin Close, Bob Losser, Kay Peacock, Phillip Myhand, Larry Calhoun, Carol Yeomans, James Canady, Doug Chassereau, Heather Cook, Mark Crosby, Jen Meadows, Anthony Faris, Richard Claxton, Lynn Brinson, Tammy Wilkes, Erma Jenkins, Tim Goodman, Mack Griffin, Rodney Kellum, Johnny Payne, Daisy Reeves, Charles Schwabe, Mary Smith, Robert Barker, Richard Thornton, Ken Warnock and Ronnie Womack.
While the planning was most important, sponsorship for such an endeavor can never be overlooked. Special recognition needs to go to this year's corporate sponsors. Some sixty-eight businesses, industries, and individuals stepped forward to assure the success of the festival. Without them, an event of this magnitude does not happen. A complete list of sponsors can be found on the festival's new website, pinetreefestival.org. Also attached is a copy of this year's brochure and the newspaper insert, which lists all sponsors.
Special recognition goes to go to Ronnie Womack, Randall Ray and the Parks & Recreation crew who were tremendous in their assistance to us. In addition, we need to thank Brad Kirby and the CH2M Hill-OMI crew.
On the state level, we would be amiss if we didn't pay tribute to the help received from the Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Department of Natural Resouces and the Warnell School of Forestry at the University of Georgia.
Finally, we need to thank our vendors, local exhibitors, and the many people who attended this year's festival. Your interest in seeing this festival grow is most important to our efforts.
The pine tree is a very valuable resource with unlimited potential for our county, state and nation. We here in Emanuel County are fortunate to sit at the heart of the "wood-basket" of the Southeastern United States. We should give thanks every day that we live in an area of the country that is blessed with wonderful natural resources and a very favorable climate.
We look forward to the 2011 Pine Tree Festival & Southeast Timber Expo as we recognize this valuable commodity.-Bill Rogers, 2010 Pine Tree Festival and Southeast Timber EXPO Board Chairman |
Chamber Offers Health Insurance Product
That Saves Member Businesses Even More Money!
A product is now available that allows member businesses to save even more money on their health insurance. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) is now offering a product called Blue Essentials. Blue Essentials is designed for businesses that either have never offered their employees group health insurance or no longer can afford their premiums.
Blue Essentials plans offer deductibles of $1,000 or higher and reductions in certain benefits. However, employees would still receive $20 office visit copays and 80% coinsurance reimbursement for in-network covered items. Furthermore, your employees will have the peace of mind that they have coverage through Georgia's largest and most recognized health insurance company, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia.
Best of all, BCBSGa's plans are available at reduced premium rates to eligible business members of our Chamber of Commerce! Through the group "buying power" of MemberCare Alliance of Emanuel CountySM, we are part of a statewide network of over 130 Chambers of Commerce offering these insurance products to Chamber member businesses. The MemberCare Alliance of Emanuel County program includes a variety of discounted insurance products, including: group term, voluntary and dependent life insurance, group dental insurance, group long term and short term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, group vision and long term care insurance. All these products are, or course, available through participating Chamber-member insurance agents.
For more information on any of these insurance offerings, please call the Chamber, one of your participating Chamber-member insurance agents, or Purchasing Alliance Solutions, Inc., (the company that developed MemberCare Alliance of Emanuel County program) at 770-579-1214 or 1-800-782-8254 ext. 3515. |
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JDA to fill position
The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities met Monday afternoon, May 24th, to discuss options following an earlier announcement by Andy Riley that he would vacate his economic development position. Riley has accepted a position with a company in Chattanooga, TN, to be closer to his family. Riley informed the board of the decision on April 15th. His last day was May 15th.
Board Chairman Loy D. Cowart stated he appreciated the work accomplished by Mr. Riley during his tenure as president. He added the Development Authorities had accomplished a great deal and did not want to lose momentum.
After discussion, the board decided to name an "interim director" to fill the position. This will allow the Authorities the time to interview and select a permanent replacement.
The Board requested Chamber President Bill Rogers Jr. assist the group with economic development activities during the transition period. |
| May 2010 Chamber New Members |
AllGreen Services, LLC
Will Sullivan
P.O. Box 1099
Twin City, GA 30471
478-763-4178
will@allgreenservices.net
City of Twin City
Sylvia Sconyers
P.O. Box 980
Twin City, GA 30471
478-763-2695
tcctyclk@yahoo.com
New Great Wall
537 South Main Street
Swainsboro, GA 30401
478-237-8888 |
| April 2010 Chamber Member Renewals |
AT&T
Carmichael Family Farms
Kiddie Kampus Learning Center
McKinney's Pond
Merle Norman
Poole, Harry G. IV
Poole, Mabel Y.
Southern Bandsaw
Southern Traditions
Sturgis Studio |
Monday, May 31st - Chamber Closed in observance of Memorial Day
Monday, May 31st, 6:00 pm - Memorial Program presented by the American Legion, Patriots Square
Thursday, June 3rd, 11:30 am - Georgia Chamber Power Lunch, Saannah, Georgia
Thursday, June 3rd, 5:00 pm - Business After Hours hosted by United Hospice, 667 South Main Street
Saturday, June 5th - Canoochee Daylily Festival, Canoochee, Georgia
Tuesday, June 8th, 9:30 am - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Meeting, Chamber Building
Tuesday, June 8th, 5:00 pm - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities Meeting, Chamber Building
Wednesday, June 9th, 12:00 pm - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Regular Board Meeting, Chamber Building
Saturday, June 12th, 7:00 am-12:00 pm - Ultimate Yard Sale, Boneyard, Patriots Square, Roger Shaw Street
Tuesday, June 15th, 5:00 pm - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities Meeting, Chamber Building
Monday, June 21st, 11:00 am - Georgia Economic Development Association Meeting, Macon, Georgia
Monday, June 21st, 7:00 pm - Emanuel County Commissioners Meeting, Commissioners Chambers
Tuesday, June 22nd - "Disney Institute to Business Excellence," Ogeechee Technical College
Tuesday, Junes 22nd, 5:00 pm - 2009 Leadership Emanuel Class Meeting, Chamber Building |
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