On Sunday morning, September 20th, the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce joined other local organizations as part of special 'departure ceremonies" for the 810th Engineer Company, Georgia Army National Guard.

Held at the Swainsboro National Guard Armory, several hundred family members, friends and citizens witnessed the impressive ceremonies which were held prior to the company's deployment to Afghanistan. The Guard unit has been mobilized as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Unit will travel first to Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin, before traveling overseas. The deployment is expected to last for 12 months.

The local unit has an impressive history of service to our country, having been mobilized in 1950-52 for the Korean Conflict, 2003 & 2005 for Operation Iraqi Freedom and now in 2009.

Our prayers and thoughts are with our local unit and their families.

Thursday, October 8th, has been proclaimed "A Day for East Georgia College," according to Elizabeth Gilmer, Director of Development & Alumni Relations.

"This one-day event has been set aside to help raise monies for East Georgia College Foundation for 2010. The foundation assists the college on many fronts including scholarships for students. We hope everyone will join in this special day as we work to enhance the college and the foundation. Every dollar is so important to us in these tough times," added Gilmer.

A great day was experienced by all during the 15th Annual Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce and Joint Development Authorities' Industry Appreciation Golf Tournament.

Held Thursday, September 24, 104 golfers and nine industries enjoyed the outing under hot sunshine and very humid weather.

This marked another year of tremendous support for the tournament since its inception in 1994.

Following registration and pizza lunch from Dominos, Milton Gray, chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors, and Golf Committee Chairman Heather Cook welcomed golfers and industry participants.

Atkinson Candies took top honors for the day when Lash Atkinson, Brad Williford, Kris Riner and Brandon Cobb combined to post a remarkable 17-under to take the Championship Flight. Handi-House and Blanchard Equipment posted 2nd and 3rd honors in the Championship Flight with scores of 16-under and 14-under.

The Nordson team of Scott Rosenau, A.J. Rufo, John Raterman, and Perry Patterson took 1st Flight honors with a 12-under round. Citizens Bank and Durden Bank took 2nd and 3rd place.

Kenny Griffin, Steve Cordelle, Tim Salter, and Randy Mayfield with Georgia Power took the 2nd Flight top spot with a 7-under score. Ag South and Twin City Metal took 2nd & 3rd place in the 2nd Flight

Raymond Scott won the "longest drive in the fairway," while John Ratterman took top honors for "closest to the pin."

Following the golf, door prizes were given away, along with prizes for the winning teams. The group then enjoyed barbecue and chicken wings cooked by Von Johnson and the staff of Papa Buck's BBQ.

The lunch and the barbecue dinner were sponsored by the Forest-Blade Publishing Company.

"We had great day today with exciting golf and beautiful weather. This tournament is one of our ways of thanking our local industries for their commitment to our county," stated Cook.

The Chamber golf committee also included Jill Collins, Peyton Frye, Doug Brown, Wade Johnson, Deanna Moore, Jim Harrell, Will Donaldson, Angel Morris, Donna Brinson, and Bill Rogers, Jr.

Some 160 students and 30 to 40 advisors are expected in Swainsboro for the State FFA Wildlife Competition. The event will be hosted on Thursday, November 5th, by the Fish and Game Management Program at Southeastern Technical College. Registration is expected to begin at 2 p.m. with competition set to begin with a written exam at 2:30.

The Chamber has been asked to notify all restaurants to expect an influx of out-of-town visitors on this day.

The Emanuel County Commissions and the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce will host a quarterly meeting of the Woodpecker Trail Association in Swainsboro on Thursday, October 1st.

Representatives from communities along GA. State Routes 25/121 will discuss issues pertaining to the scenic route which dates back to 1922. The group will also be updated on happenings in Emanuel County.

The original Woodpecker Trail stretches 620 miles from Charlotte, NC to St. Petersburg, FL and is one of the nation's oldest automobile routes. Over 204 miles of the Woodpecker Trail meander through Eastern Georgia beginning in Augusta and ending in Folkston. Route 25 traverses through the eastern portion of Emanuel County.

The route is known for its quaint southern towns, thriving farms, historic landmarks and natural scenic beauty.

The City of Swainsboro and the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce have been notified that the "initial concept plan" for signage on the bypass has been approved by Georgia Department of Transportation.

The project was awarded a $90,360 Transportation Enhancement grant (TEE) in June of 2008. The project calls for three signs to be constructed along the bypass at the intersections of U.S. 1 Business North and Bypass, U.S. 80 & Bypass, and U.S. 1 South Business and Bypass. The signs will be made of brick veneer, approximate 25-30 ft tall, well- constructed, and should last for 15-20 years. The primary purpose of the signage is to help travelers locate Swainsboro along the bypass route.

"We are delighted the concept plan has been approved by DOT," stated Bill Rogers, Jr., chamber president. "This is one step along the way. We hope that since the signs are on DOT right-of-way we can move quickly. We now have to complete an environmental document, draw up construction & cost plans and receive approval again from DOT, then we can actually begin construction."

Officials at the Small Business Administration have announced the availability of a "preparedness guide" designed to assist small business in planning for the possibility of an H1N1 flu outbreak this fall.

"Small Business owners should take the time to create a plan, talk with their employees and make sure they are prepared for the flu season," stated Karen Mills, SBA Administrator. "For countless small businesses, having even one or two employees out for a few days has the potential to negatively impact operations and their bottom line. A thoughtful plan will help keep employees and their families healthy, as well as protect small businesses and local economies."

Outbreaks of H1N1 flu are occurring now across the country and will likely coincide with the return of seasonal flu this fall and winter. The preparedness guide offers small business employers tools and information to help them plan for and respond flexibly to varying levels of severity of an H1N1 outbreak- which may lead to increased absenteeism, and if severe, may include restricted service capabilities and supply chain disruptions.

To download the booklet, please visit www.sba.gov/flu.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) has a new product available through the MemberCare Alliance program sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce that offers lower prices for qualifying business members!

The products, called Blue Essentials, offer options for employers struggling with health insurance affordability. These lower cost alternatives were specifically designed for employers who might cut back or eliminate health coverage altogether because of budgetary constraints.

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. They would also receive the protection and personal security of having Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia as their insurer.

The best news is that all of BCBSGa's plans are available at reduced premium rates to eligible business members of our Chamber of Commerce! Through the group "buying power" of the 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, such as: group term, voluntary and dependent life insurance, group dental insurance, group long term and short term disability, accidental death and dismemberment 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.