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Busy chamber year ahead The Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce adopted a comprehensive Program of Work for 2007 at the Feb. 21 board meeting. Chamber president Kenneth Hall reported that every committee had met and developed their mission and goals. Chairman William Davis presided over the meeting and presented outgoing chairperson Janet Payton an appreciation plaque for her service to the chamber. Payton passed the gavel to Davis at the Jan. 25 annual meeting. Payton discussed the new floor plans presented last week by Polyengineering Inc. for the renovation of the Alexander Building. EC2055 manager Lisa Collins announced that the Rice Foundation had hired Howard Benson of National Community Development Services of Atlanta to direct fund raising for some projects, including the Alexander Building renovation. The Alexander Building renovation project was bouyed when it was bundled with the existing theater project and the Blakely City Council unanimously approved to redirect $262,000 in sales tax fundslate last year to help with renovation. Membership Drive A "One-on-One" membership drive was launched at the board meeting with a goal of signing on 30 new members which will boost membership over 200. A list of over 120 potential members was divided between four teams whose members were assigned a potential member. The potential members are being provided a letter of invitation, list of benefits, the 2007 program of work and a membership application. The membership drive will extend through March 21. Among the reports given, Mayor Ric Hall gave a report on the Georgia Quail Hunt in Albany. He stated he he had the opportunity to talk with several representatives about possible spin-off industries related to the LS Power plant. 2007 Program of Work The Agricultural and Rural Development committee plans to partner with Bainbridge College to develop programs and training for agriculture. The committee decided to urge the chamber to revisit the feasibility of rural garbage pick-up. The committee also plans to revive the "Farmer of the Year" recognition at the annual meeting. The Communication Committee's mission includes launching a new chamber website, producing a quarterly chamber newsletter, publicizing chamber activities in the Early County News and WGMK radio and sponsor breakfasts and after hours business meetings for members. The chamber has been a longtime sponsor of the STAR Student/Teacher program in Early County. Additional education initiatives recommended by the Education committee include a speakers bureau and job shadowing, a summer jobs program; recognizing the "Educator of Year Award" at the annual banquet; partnering with Rotary Club and Lions Club to sponsor high school and college clubs that teach leadership skills and encourage volunteerism; partnering with CLCP, Family Connections, and Adult Literacy to improve literacy; pursue becoming "Certified Work Ready Community;" and supporting local education SPLOST. The Existing Industry committee initiatives include partnering with Bainbridge College and Early County Schools to provide training for employees; partnering with Department of Labor to conduct Small Business workshops and promote continued education; recognizing the "Early County Small Industry of the Year," at the annual meeting; supporting growth of health related businesses - hospital, nursing home, assisted living facilities, visiting nurses, etc.; becoming a "Entrepreneur - Friendly Community;" and making health insurance available through the chamber. The Fund Raiser committee plans include a skeet shoot and gun raffle during the year. The Governmental Affairs committee proposed initiatives to help the chamber keep membership informed of governmental issues, and coordi- chamber keep membership informed of governmental issues and coordinate with public officials, including communicating with State Representative Gerald Greene, Senator John Bullock and Congressman Sanford Bishop on important issues, concerns and needs, coordinating, partnering with Blakely, Arlington, Damascus, Jakin and the Board of Commissioners to encourage industrial and business growth; working with Department of Labor to develop "One Stop Shop Services" in Blakely to prevent need to travel to Bainbridge, The Leadership Early County committee is planning a leadership development class; developing leadership skills in the local schools and college; and recognizing the "Outstanding Young leader" at the annual banquet. The New Industry committee seeks to define the role of the chamber in working with the development authority recruiting new industry. Iniatives include partnering with the development authority to locate the LS Power Plant in Early County, striving to become a Georgia "Certified Work Ready Community"; partner with the Georgia Chamber and Southwest Georgia chambers to conduct the Georgia Quail Hunt; and maintaining a list of properties and buildings available for new or expanding industries. The Retail Development and Promotion committee's initiatives to promote and enhance the retail climate includes partnering with merchants; including special promotions; extended hours and entertainment to increase retail spending; partnering with EC2055 to improve the Court Square; possible reorganization of the Merchants Association and recognition of the "Retail Business of the Year" at the annual meeting. The Tourism committee plans to develop brochures to distribute promoting the Coheelee Camp Ground and Covered Bridge, Early County Genealogy Sources, Early County Museum, Confederate Naval Yard at Saffold, Factory Creek, Early County Court House, Kolomoki Festival, "Holidays on Square," History of Early County, Blakely, Damascus, Jakin, Arlington and other communities. Other initiatives include supporting EC2055 efforts to locate a hotel in Blakely, designing signage to make motorists aware of local attractions; partnering with Historic Chattahoochee Commission to promote tourism along the Chattahoochee River; supporting the completion of Early County Museum; supporting beautification of the bypasses and entrances to Blakely; development of an RV Park and welcome center on U.S. 27 by-pass; and supporting completion of the renovation of the Blakely Theater.
The Transportation committee plans to help strenghten transportation infrastructure that will enhance economic growth to include supporting completion of U.S. 27 four-laning and four-laning of Hwy 62; working with DOT officials to identify transportation needs; supporting improvements at Early County Airport; and supporting efforts of Early Transit to provide ruraltransportation services.
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