Business View winter & spring 2023 | Part 2

BUSINESS

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What an exciting and busy year the first half of 2023 has been!

Our quaint town has been bustling with exciting projects and developments that will help transform Eatonton into a hub of cultural richness and unforgettable experiences.

The vibrant arts and cultural community of Eatonton has been nurtured and encouraged through various initiatives. We take immense pride in the artistic spirit that graces our streets, from colorful murals to lively events that showcase the talents of our local artists. Preserving our town's rich history has been a top priority, and this year, we made substantial progress in this endeavor.

In the pursuit of attracting a broader audience, we executed innovative marketing strategies, tapping into digital platforms and leveraging social media influencers. Our revamped website and engaging content highlighted the hidden gems and authentic experiences Eatonton has to offer.

We've been working tirelessly to make Eatonton a place that appeals to all interests, whether you're a history enthusiast, an outdoor adventurer, a food lover, or an art connoisseur. Looking forward, we remain committed to implementing further improvements and innovative projects that enhance the visitor experience and elevate our town's appeal.

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Originally, Visit Eatonton’s Self Guided Bike Tour allowed both visitors and members of the community to explore historic downtown Eatonton by bike. With stops like the Plaza Arts Center, Panola Hall, the Uncle Remus Museum, and the Bronson House, the tour covered 2.6 miles and fourteen locations.

The shed that housed the bikes for the Self Guided Bike Tour was plain, unrecognizable, and hidden. We knew we wanted to at least spruce up the appearance of the bike shed and with the knowledge of the existing bike community in Eatonton and the goal of making Eatonton a biking destination, there was a unique opportunity to make it into it’s own destination.

With this thought in mind, the Rest Stop was born. As a start to the project, we planned to cover the Rest Stop with murals so that the exterior of the building would captivate cyclists with its vibrant colors and artistic flair, and help set the tone for an extraordinary experience. We worked with artist, Kyle “Black Cat Tips” Brooks to cover the structure in whimsical works of art.

The next step was to purchase new bikes that would make biking all of Eatonton accessible.

The bikes previously used for the Self Guided Bike Tour were cruisers and it was difficult to navigate downtown Eatonton. Additionally, you were unable to use the rental bikes to ride at places like Rock Hawk Effigy and Trails. The Rest Stop now houses a fleet of well-maintained mountain and road bikes that can be used in a variety of locations.

Next, we will work to make The Rest Stop a more functional space. This will include outfitting the structure with a deck that will include sitting areas, a bike repair station with tools, and a work counter. These additions will make The Rest Stop a place where cyclists can take a break and connect with fellow riders.

When it’s completed, The Rest Stop won’t just be a building but an experience, enriching the 11% bike tour and leaving cyclists with cherished memories of their time in Eatonton.

7% 15% 9% 32%

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Kyle Brooks, better known by his artistic alias "Black Cat Tips," is a multi-talented artist, muralist, and storyteller.

Embracing the spirit of community engagement and public art, he set out to transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary, imaginative landscapes through his murals and public installations. Kyle's murals can be found adorning buildings, walls, and community spaces across various cities, breathing life into urban landscapes with vibrant colors and heartwarming narratives. Each mural possesses a unique story, woven together by his artistic vision and the shared experiences of the communities that embrace his work.

With each stroke of his brush and every character he brings to life, Kyle continues to leave a positive impact on the world. Through his art, he invites us to see the beauty in the ordinary, embrace the power of imagination, and find joy in the simplest moments of life.

As "Black Cat Tips," he reminds us that there is always a reason to smile, and art has the extraordinary ability to connect us all in a world that is constantly evolving.

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Where are out of state visitors from?

7%

11% 15%

9% 32%

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Food and Beverage 14.6M

Retail 15.6M

Recreation 6.8M

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Feel the Vibrations Designed to captivate the senses and evoke emotions, the 2023 Ad Campaign uses texture and lines that spread behind the image itself. These textures are meant to align to the emotion found within each photo and draw upon the audience.

With this ad campaign, we are focusing on promoting outdoor recreation and arts and entertainment opportunities. These advertisements have been placed on billboards, in publications, and in many places online.

The 2023 Ad Campaign aims to capture the heart and soul of Eatonton, drawing in visitors from near and far.

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CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Main Street Eatonton

Dust off your dancing shoes! Eatonton Main Street has a fun summer planned for Downtown Eatonton with the Downtown GetDown Concert Series sponsored by Visit Eatonton.

• August 12: Drakarr & Experience with special guest John Dunn & The Jazzman Band (R&B/Soul/Funk) • September 10: Dean Brown and DubShak (Reggae) During the concerts, we will have fun food trucks and great arts & crafts vendors. And the best part… The concerts are FREE! Lawn chairs and coolers are welcome. Make sure you have these concerts on your calendar.

Be sure to save the date for the Mistletoe Market on November 11th. More than 100 arts & crafts vendors will be on the lawn of the Putnam County Courthouse for a great day of Christmas shopping.

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CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS The Plaza Arts Center

Celebrating 15 years of The Plaza Arts Center 2008 may seem like FOREVER ago. There was no knowledge of COVID, of a government balloon or of $4 gallons of gas. Johnny Depp was known for being named Best Actor during the People’s Choice Awards, Eli Manning was the Giants’ starting Quarterback, Hulu becomes a thing, Usain Bolt broke the world record for the 100m sprint during the Summer Olympics, AirBnb is founded, Brittney Spears wins big at the MTV Music Awards, and we of course can’t forget, Lady Gaga’s debut album being released.

And as for Eatonton in 2008, a jewel was unveiled. It was 2008 when The Plaza Arts Center first opened its doors to the public. From the minds of Tom Rosseter and a group of Leadership Putnam participants, the doors of The Plaza were opened and we haven’t looked back since.

In celebrating the big 1-5, we have taken a look back at what all we have accomplished. The Plaza has a booming arts education program, one that is growing nearly every week with our After School Arts Program. The Old School History Museum is being visited by people states away. PAPA is performing at least twice a year. Our Summer camps have grown tremendously — our programming in general has grown tremendously.

The Plaza is truly coming into what the founders imagined we would be. This year, we have an entertainment lineup that features a show every single month. We have three FREE community events, several Master Classes, a few Whiskey Sessions — which was a new program started just last year —a growing Broadway Intensive Program, new Coffee Houses with The Arts Barn, Sunday at The Museum lectures that are exciting and not to even mention several surprises up our sleeves.

Whether you’re new to the area or have been here your whole life, becoming a member at The Plaza during our 15th year will put you with a group of like-minded people who share the same interests that you do. Whether it’s sitting at a VIP table together at one of our outdoor events, having a glass of wine at the lake, or seeing grandkids in a kids’ performance, our members end up becoming good friends who share lots of exciting memories together.

In a world that is much more complex than it was 15 years ago, it’s nice to remember the simple things - live music is magic, comedians are hilarious, kids say the darnedest things and sometimes dreams really do become a reality. Please take some time this year to come and tour The Plaza, to speak to Mr. Rosseter, to sit in the theater to see a show, come learn about the history of Eatonton at the museum — come spend some time at your local theater. I promise you will not regret it. Cheers to 15 years and here’s to many, many more!

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CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS The Plaza Arts Center

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CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS CGTC

For over 20 years, the Putnam County Center of Central Georgia Technical College has served the community through its workforce development mission offering credit instruction, adult education and customized business and industry training. The local satellite center provides student support services by assisting students with their enrollment which includes advisement and registration, connecting students to valuable resources for academic success, and offering credit and adult education instruction.

CGTC is committed to developing a strong workforce and works closely with the community to determine course offerings. For instance, the Putnam County Fire Department requested Emergency Medical Technician training for some of the local firefighters. This required schedule flexibility due to their work schedule so a hybrid model was implemented.

Coursework is completed online and then an in-person skills class is held once a week. The firefighters enrolled this Spring semester and will earn an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician certificate by the end of the year. They will be prepared to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam.

The center also had an increase in local home health care agencies inquiring about hiring Certified Nursing Assistants.

Due to this demand, the nurse aide essentials class will be offered this summer semester. This class teaches students the roles and responsibilities of a nurse aide and prepares them for the Georgia Nurse Aide Exam.

Recent interest in a beginner’s computer class among local residents, has prompted the College’s Economic Development division to offer a Basic Computer Functions continuing education course this summer. This course introduces participants to the personal computer and its operation functions, basic keyboard functions, basic computer hardware, utilizing basic computer peripherals, and rudimentary knowledge of essential terms and concepts.

The center also provides credit instruction in commercial truck driving, criminal justice, early childhood, welding, and general education core classes. Morning and evening adult education classes enable students to prepare for a high school equivalency credential. The center also connects local students to the CGTC Academy, which provides the opportunity for individuals to earn a high school and college credential in an effort to prepare them for in-demand careers.

The Putnam County Center of Central Georgia Technical College continues to be responsive in meeting the workforce development needs of our community. Please visit us at 580 James Marshall Bypass in Eatonton to learn more. You may also visit www.centralgatech.edu or call 706-923-5000.

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BUSINESS