2021-2022 Chamber Annual Report

2021-2022

ANNUAL REPORT

Presenting Sponsor

Commercial & Industrial Roofing

2021-2022 CHAMBER REVIEW A note from the Chamber President As we take a look at this past year, it's been challenging and unpredictable for both businesses and members of our community. But what has been made clear is how hard work, tenacity and dedication has turned these circumstances into something inspiring. Our community has come together in numerous ways to support and encourage one another, for which we should all be proud. As we move forward, let us not forget our arduous past, but use it to remember why we should continue to push forward and evolve as a community.

Let us shift our thinking towards how we want AthensLimestone County to prosper as a community and continue to be the fastest growing county in the great state of Alabama.

We’ve come face to face with many changes this past year. For me, taking on the role as President has been such a fulfilling adventure. Each day has presented the opportunity for me to connect with our wonderful members, brainstorm new ideas and continue to push this organization to become an invaluable resource for the community. I can't thank you all enough for your generosity and warm welcome during this transitional time. We're so grateful for all the work that is being done by various institutions throughout our area, and we look forward to working together towards a common goal!

Sincerely,

Pammie Jimmar Pammie Jimmar

2021

PHOTO REVIEW

2021-2022 Athens-Limestone County Board of Directors 2021-2022 Executive Committee

William Ming Ming Commercial Real Estate Chairman-Elect

Ray Neese First State Bank Chairman

Chris Becker AL Cooperative Ext Office Past Chairman

2021-2022 Vice Chairs

Amanda Smith Tony McCormack Endless Catering Progressive Realty Business Development Civic & Governmental Council Council

Teresa Todd Stephanie Gerstman Randy Moore Athens Limestone Tourism Redstone Federal Credit Union Steelcase Leadership & Networking Workforce & Education Community Development Council Council Council

2021-2022 Ex-Officio Directors

Ronnie Marks Mayor of Athens

Collin Daly Chairman Limestone County Commission

Bethany Shockney President Limestone Co. Economic Development

Beth Patton Superintendent Athens City Schools

Not pictured: Billy Shannon Mayor of Ardmore Tracy Compton Mayor of Elkmont Dr. Randy Shearouse Superintendent Limestone County Schools

Andrew Dollar Athens State University

Nikki Sprader Mayor of Mooresville

Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce

2021-2022 Board of Directors

Barrett Gilbert Limestone Farmers Federation

Lauren Marsh Ridgeline Construction

Randy Thomason Mauldin & Jenkins CPA's & Advisors

Candace Vinson Boys & Girls Club

Felicia Lambert Athens Limestone Hospital

Jessica Catchings SAIA

Cady Stewart Morell Engineering

Jason Thomas Alabama Farm Credit

Jerome Malone Splash of Ink Screenprinting

Bunni Wheeler Mazda Toyota

Darren McNutt 20/20 Accounting Solutions

Wes Coleman T&C Stamping

Zach Conlon Zach Conlon Insurance

Lynn Persell Persell Lumber & Mill Shop

Brandon Wallace Athens Limestone County 911

MEET THE STAFF

Pammie Jimmar Chamber President

Debra Porter Membership & Operations Director

Brooke Pettus Programs & Events Manager

Devon Elston Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Chairman:

Stephanie Gerstman Redstone Federal Credit Union

Co-Chair

Mitzi McCormack Progressive Realty

Secretary

Willa Dean Morgan RSVP

2021-2022 CHAMBER AMBASSADORS 26 Chamber Ambassadors

50 Surprise Squad Visits

Over 1,000 Volunteer Hours

Brooke Burns, First National Bank Delois Bailey, Limestone Manor Caroline Canestrari, Athens Limestone Hospital Foundation Gwen Carney, Trustmark Bank Toyna Carter, First National Bank Betty Christopher, Trustmark Bank Nancy Groce, Redstone Federal Credit Union Chawnta Hogan, Redstone Federal Credit Union Greg Kiyak, LegalShield/ID Shield Pamela Kiyak, LegalShield/ID Shield Rylee Lefevre, Morell Engineering Meghan McLaughlin, Capstone Realty Lacy Beth McMunn, Hospice of Limestone County Marybeth Pate, HLC Realty Zach Powell, Bryant Bank Howard Rew, Athens Lions Club Micheal Radden, Athens State University Sabrina Rouse, Bank Independent Shannon Oakley, Traditions of Athens Glenn Stokes, J.T. Ray Company Blake Williams, Blake Williams Communications Jennifer White, Retired Donna Wright, Trustmark Bank

Civic & Governmental The Chamber represents the interest of businesses in Athens and Limestone County and is the unified voice of the business community. We provide education and awareness on issues affecting local businesses and advocate for our members on a local, regional, state, and federal level. We strive to create a positive business climate by focusing on local issues as they impact the business community.

Tony McCormack

Vice Chair, Civic & Governmental

Events Legislative Wrap-Up State of the City State of the County

l Attend

ees

Tota

Political Forum

310

Amanda Smith

Vice Chair, Business Development

Over

520

endee

s

tt

A

12 Chamber Coffees

Chamber After Hours

1/1/2021 12/31/2021

te l At n

es de

The Chamber provides programs that promote growth in existing and new businesses in Athens and Limestone County. We support and encourage expanding existing businesses and we support the recruitment of new retail, commercial, industrial, and technology based businesses.

The Chamber supports initiatives that encourage and promote a balanced and quality commercial environment for business and industry.

1/1/2020 12/31/2020

Tota

Business Development & Networking

Limestone County Specific Data

105

Professional Development Courses

Small Business Week In conjunction with the national Small Business Week, the Chamber hosts events to support celebrating small businesses in Athens and Limestone County including 3 Shop Small Press Conferences, Surprise Squad pop-in's, and a game of "Live Local" Bingo.

Sporting Clay Tournament

17 Teams 120 Attendees

Workforce & Education The Athens-Limestone Chamber is dedicated to developing a qualified workforce for Limestone Couty and this begins with education. The Chamber aims to encourage workforce preparedness through collaboration with strategic education partnerships and advocating students workforce awareness at every level of education

Randy Moore

Vice Chair, Workforce & Education

Career & Workforce Expo 1028 students 52 companies

State of Education 155 Attendees

2021-2022 Partners in Education Athens City Schools iAcademy@Athens Elementary / Listerhill Credit Union Athens High School / First Metro Bank Athens Intermediate School / LawLers Barbecue Athens Middle School / Henry G. Griggs Jr. D.M.D.,M.S., LLC FAME Academy@Brookhill / First National Bank/Athens Spark Academy@Cowart / Friendship United Methodist Church Heart Academy@Julian Newman / Athens-Limestone Hospital Athens Renaissance School / First United Methodist Church Limestone County Schools Ardmore High School / First National Bank/Ardmore Blue Springs Elementary School / Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. Career Technical Center / Mazda Toyota Cedar Hill Elementary / First National Bank/Ardmore Clements High School / Bank Independent Creekside Primary / Chick-Fil-A Creekside Elementary / Trustmark Bank East Limestone High Schoo / Hobbs Jewelers Elkmont Elementary / Lindsay Lane Baptist Church North Elkmont High School / United Way of Athens and Limestone County Johnson Elementary / Lowe’s Sugar Creek / Family Resource Center Piney Chapel Elementary / Emmanuel Baptist Church Tanner Elementary / Rogers Group Tanner High School / Rogers Group West Limestone High School / BBVA Compass Private Schools Athens Bible School / First National Bank Lindsey Lane Christian Academy / Steelcase

Partners in Education 90 Attendees

Leadership

Stephanie Gerstman

Vice Chair, Leadership & Networking

2021-2022 Limestone LEAD Athens Bible School Athens High School Taylor Fisher Jordyn Bailey Brooke Piscitelli Hannah Brinkley Peyton Rogers Cooper Kiel

Ardmore High School Grace Betterton Lily Christian Emma Lozada

Lindsey Lane Christian Academy Marissa Causey Lindsey Murr Kandyce Rogers Abigail Todd

West Limestone High School Blakely English Bevin Gant Tessa Hardaway Aiden Mackenzie Robert Smith Carlie Winter

2021-2022 Leadership Limestone

April Forde Big Brothers Big Sisters of the TN Valley

Felicia Lambert Athens-Limestone Hospital

Andrew Dollar ASU Center for Lifelong Learning

Jennifer Baxter Athens-Limestone Public Library

Beth Medley Keller Williams Realty

Kelly Davis Synovus Mortgage

Deborah Lamb RE/MAX Valley

Pammie Jimmar Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce

Elizabeth Ming Hampton Ming Commercial Real Estate

Tiffany Hagood Limestone County Economic Development

Community Development Through the Community Development Council, the Chamber focuses on quality of life issues and opportunities to promote our community to our citizens and visitors alike. The Chamber plans and supports community events that promote a positive quality of life for Athens and Limestone County, making it a great place to live, work, and play.

Teresa Todd

Vice Chair, Community Development

Christmas Open House In addition to shopping with merchants all around Athens and Limestone County, enjoy lots of fun Christmas festivities in downtown Athens including Skating on the Square, visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus, food trucks, live concerts, Christmas costumed characters, refreshments and treats at participating businesses & more!

Athens-Limestone Christmas Parade A Community favorite! The Chamber is honored to partner with many community organizations to host the annual Christmas Parade

Fiddlers Convention Partner The Chamber is proud to be a partner with the Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Athens! The Chamber is delighted to provide the official Fiddlers t-shirts every year!

Members

55

New Members

Our members benefit from opportunities through networking events to build strong business relationships, earn referrals from Chamber members, and improve their visibility in the business community.

Chamber members have many opportunities to make an impact and lead the change for the future of the community. Together we create actions and initiatives that are aimed at promoting business and economic development for the benefit of our community. Chamber membership allows businesses to have a common voice on issues affecting business in Athens-Limestone County and foster a business-friendly community.

Top 5 Membership Categories

18 Ribbon Cuttings

1. Non-Profits 2. Contractors 3. Professional Services 4. Retail 5. Real Estate

486 Attendees

Annual Sponsorship Campaign

$143,102.40

100+ Employees 3%

ze Si

50-100 Employees 3%

mber Compan Me ies b y

Membership

501

Total Membership:

2018 - 513 Members 2019 - 507 Members 2020 - 512 Members 2021 - 491 Members 2022 - 501 Members

11-50 Employees 10%

4-10 Employees 21%

1-3 Employees 63%