Business View- Winter 2021

BUSINESS

A Behind the Scenes Look at the Chamber Rebrand

Lake Sinclair Porches of Putnam

QUARTERLY COMMERCE is now

BUSINESS

Chamber Staff Maggie Milner President president@eatonton.com

Michael A. Payne Investment Engagement Director membership@eatonton.com

Table of Contents

Chairman's Message..........................................................................................4 Board of Directors.............................................................................................5

Lacey Cummings Destination Development & Marketing Manager tourism@eatonton.com

Contributing Photographer: Brock Creative Company

President's Message...........................................................................................6 2022 Calendar of Events.................................................................................7 Investment Update............................................................................................8 Q3-Q4-2021 New Members/Renewals.....................................9 Q3 & Q4-2021 Ribbon Cuttings................................................10 Visit Eatonton Gift Shop...............................................................................11 Destination Update.........................................................................................12 Tourism by the Numbers.................................................................13 Porches of Putnam......................................................................14-15

Mission Telling the story of our community to promote and support economic prosperity and tourism

Meet the Visitor Center Receptionist........................................................16 Behind the Scenes: Updated Chamber Branding.............................17-19 2022 Sweet Tee Off.......................................................................................20 Leadership Putnam Class of 2022.............................................................21

Vision To be an organization that serves, encourages, and represents the Eatonton-Putnam community.

Upcoming Programming................................................................................22 Chamber Ornament: 2021 Edition............................................................23 Investor Events Q3-Q4 2021................................................................24-25 Checking in with Community Partners.............................................26-30 Putnam County Manager- Paul Van Haute.....................26 CTAE- Putnam County High School,,,,,,,,,,..........................27 Eatonton Mainstreet........................................................................28 CGTC: Putnam County Campus.............................................. 29

The Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 4088 108 W. Marion Street Eatonton, GA 31024 706.485.7701

Message from the Chairman Maddie Atkinson

As the Chamber Chairperson, I speak for the rest of the Board of Directors when I say thank you!! Thank you to our investors and supporters for the amazing year that we have had in 2021. I am very excited to see where we are at the end of 2022.

We know all too well the struggles that businesses had to face again in 2021. Our hope as a Chamber was to continue to provide services and opportunities for businesses to flourish during this hardship and I am proud that our staff was able to do just that.

While it is very easy to dwell on the challenges in the last year, as many people like to do, I want to focus on one positive: Our Staff – Maggie, Michael and Lacey.

From the very beginning of not knowing what to expect with COVID, they hit the ground running in 2021 to try to create fun programming and exciting events with the “new normal” of how we expected life to become. While I am the Chairperson, I am also a proud Chamber Member, Businesswoman in Putnam County and eager to see what the staff does in the coming years, even when I am off the Board.

Cheers to our staff and a very bright New Year.

Maddie Atkinson Board Chair 2021-2022 04

BUSINESS VIEW

Board of Directors

2021

Maddie Atkinson Chairman

Mckenzie Davenport Vice Chairman

Jason Green Treasurer

CUSCOWILLA

FOWLER FLEMISTER CONCRETE

TOWABLE TAILGATES

Jesse McMillen THE PEOPLES BANK

Cynthia Wallace

Keith Hill

WALLACE & KING ALGIN REALTY

GEORGIA POWER COMPANY

Dr. Haley Lance

Dr. Jameelah Gater

Tommy Jeffords

MAGNOLIA MEDICAL GROUP

LAKE OCONEE URGENT & PRIMARY CARE

BLASINGAME, BURCH, GARRARD, ASHLEY P.C.

Amy McElhenney FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK

Justin Strickland TRI-COUNTY EMC

Christina Hinz PUTNAM COUNTY CHARTER SCHOOL SYSTEM WINTER 2021 05

Message from the President Maggie Milner

As we are all wrapping up 2021, hoping to find some closure for the continued chaos that seemed to trail 2020, I find peace in knowing that in a mere few days it will be behind us. The past year certainly held its challenges for our office, our investors, and community alike, but I believe our transition into 2022 will be all the more solid because of it.

From an entire staff turnover, COVID raining on some of our events, canceling the Taste of Eatonton, to launching a rebrand and mapping out an entirely new slate of programming for 2022, our office has been busy working on moving forward and creating a future for our businesses and community that inspire transparency, inclusion and display a genuine representation of the diverse culture we live in.

Despite the hardships so many of our businesses have faced internally, the support and belief in our office to do our best to provide for them the resources they needed has not waivered. We feel gratitude every day for the investor base we have maintained and the many new investors that have joined this year. We are putting our best foot forward to share the lessons we've learned in educating ourselves on how to best serve this community and we hope that each of the businesses that have chosen to serve our community continues to be receptive to that.

In maintaining a spirit of gratitude, this first year of my time as President would not have been half of what it was if it weren't for the incredible support of our Board of Directors. I am profoundly grateful for their encouragement, leadership, and belief in the many new ideas thrown their way. I know change can be difficult, but this group of forward-thinking leaders has taken every challenge in stride. The staff and Board have built a fair and balanced relationship with both sides knowing when it's their turn to push and when it's time to listen. It's a privilege to be in this family.

I wish for each of you to experience the happiest of holidays and that you ring in the new year with hope and anticipation of only good things to come. Thank you!

All the best,

Maggie Milner President & CEO 06

BUSINESS VIEW

2022 Events calendar

Looking to get plugged in? We invite you to connect, engage, and grow with us in 2022. Be sure to check the Chamber's website regularly, sign up for the weekly E-Newsletter to get updates or follow the Chamber's Facebook or Instagram page for up to date information.

july

January 6 Business After Hours 11 Business Breakfast Series

25 chamber town hall meeting summer-no programming

State of the City & County

24 Chamber Town Hall Meeting tbd Ambassador meeting

february 10 Business After Hours 23 power lunch: women in business tbd Ambassador meeting

march TBD 8 11 TBD

Business After Hours Business Breakfast Series JOB FAIR Ambassador Meeting

april 7 Business After Hours TBD Sweet Tee Off 27 power lunch: Grant writing tbd Ambassador meeting

may 2 Business After Hours: Investor Appreciation 10 Business Breakfast Series: TBD Ambassador Meeting

june summer-no programming

august 4 Business After Hours 23 power lunch: social media marketing tbd Ambassador meeting

september 1 business after hours 6 business breakfast series: state of workforce development 16 non-profit expo tbd Ambassador meeting

october 3 6 23 tbd

taste of eatonton business after hours power lunch: financial literacy Ambassador meeting

november 3 business after hours 5 annual dinner & awards celebration 8 business breakfast series: state & federal legislative update tbd Ambassador meeting

december holidays-no programming

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INVESTMENT UPDATE

Michael A. Payne, Investment Engagement Director As I anniversary my first year here at the Chamber, I'm very proud of the work that our team has accomplished and I'm even more excited to share our commitment moving forward. This year has been filled with research, projects, and difficult decisions that in turn will aid us in delivering the best year of events and offerings to our Investors in 2022.

When Maggie and I sat down to discuss our goals for 2021 in December of 2020, re-branding the Chamber was not on our list. My top five included understanding and becoming acquainted with the basic duties of my position, updating our investment tiers and delivering new collateral for 2022, restructuring investor programming, overseeing the completion of the Chamber website overhaul, and continuing to deliver the services that this organization has offered for the past 42 years.

As I set out to work on these goals in collaboration with Maggie, it quickly came to light that rebranding the Chamber was necessary to move forward and that this is part of a much larger picture that includes a revamp of collateral (print and digital), programming, services, and the narrative of the Chamber. The brand needed to be modernized to better communicate our relevance in the current marketplace and attract new businesses to our community. As a Chamber, we have a big challenge trying to be all things to all businesses. That is most definitely our biggest challenge, however, our brand did not speak to the many different businesses, government entities, non-profits, etc., that are investors in the organization.

Current and future investors will see an all-new investment packet that details core benefits versus tiered investment benefits. It was very important to us that our benefit offerings be easy to understand and tangible. We are also introducing an expanded sponsorship offering that will allow investors to increase credibility, build prestige, and market their businesses. I'm also excited to share that we will offer new programming along with the 'tried and true' favorites. We are proud to introduce our new Business Breakfast Series and Power Lunch to our programming, as well as, a Job Fair and Non-Profit Expo.

One word that has guided all of our work for this year is, intentional, and that has fueled our passion for all of our accomplishments this year. The success of your business is something we take very seriously. Every single day we work to ensure a solid return on your investment. We are very intentional in making sure that our offerings are not about what you as a business can do for the Chamber but what the Chamber can do for you and your business.

As we head into 2022, we look forward to working for you and telling the story of our community to promote economic prosperity and tourism.

Michael A. Payne

Michael A. Payne Investment Engagement Director

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BUSINESS VIEW

NEW INVESTORS & RENEWALS 3rd & 4th Quarter, 2021 NEW

RENEWALS

Benton's Welding Supply Chick-Fil-A Lake Oconee Go Strong Performance Group, LLC. Harbor at Harmony Crossing Oconee Regional Humane Society Phillip Jones (Aflac Insurance) Rogers Entertainment LLC Two Rivers Nutrition

1 Accord Technologies Advanced Audiology Hearing Care All Angels Episcopal Church Briar Patch Farms Bug House Bug House Pest Control Cardiology Care Clinic Choice One Dental FerrellGas Fickling Lake Country Georgia Butts BBQ Georgia Power Hallman Recycling Harbor Club Hickory Hill Lake Oconee Eyecare Lakeview Senior Gardens McDonald's Oconee Electric, Inc. Paxis Group, LLC Pedego Bikes Lake Oconee Plantation Olive Oil Putnam General Hospital Responsive Technology Partners Sanchez & Craig Orthodontics St. Mary's Hospital Stair South, Inc. The Glen-Lake Oconee Wilson Bryant Air Conditioning Yellow Stone Landscape Your Town Magazine

e m o c l e W & ! u o Y k n a h T Please Join Us in Welcoming our 3rd & 4th Quarter New Investors and Thanking our 3rd & 4th Quarter Investor Renewals!

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RIBBON CUTTINGS 3rd & 4th Quarter, 2021

Two Rivers Nutrition Friday, September 3rd, 2021

Young Harris Water Sports at Lake Oconee

Monday, November 15th, 2021

Benton's Welding Supply Friday, October 15th, 2021

Putnam Erickson 2 Solar Energy Facility

Friday, December 3rd, 2021

Harbor at Harmony Crossing Tuesday, November 16th, 2021 10

BUSINESS VIEW

Visit

a o o t e t n n Gift Shop

From left to right: 31024 Bamboo Cutting Board- $30, Eatonton Lights Sweatshirt- $30, Original Eatonton T-Shirt- $20, Eatonton-Putnam Canvas Tote- $10, Christmas in the Briarpatch Mug$20, "EP" Candle-$20, All Blankets- $45 One of the newest projects we are working on is the lines of Eatonton- branded merchandise we have produced and sell in the Visit Eatonton Visitors Center. As a way to support community pride, as well as advertise ourselves in various styles, we created a line of items that represent our area while still being stylish and fun. The original line included the grey original “Eatonton” t-shirt, double-wall insulated tumblers in grey, black, and army green (all sold out), the “Eatonton” grey distressed hat (all sold out), and beach towels in green and lavender. After the success of those items, we decided to expand into Christmas merchandise with an Eatonton spin. It is nice to see so many community members supporting our town by wearing Eatonton shirts and using the variety of items.

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DESTINATION UPDATE

Lacey Cummings, Destination Development & Marketing Manager

Rebrand On Thursday, October 7th, 2021 the EatontonPutnam Chamber of Commerce officially unveiled updated branding carrying the Chamber into the future. From a tourism perspective, this helps the Visit Eatonton brand and the Chamber brand to further coincide. The new branding including the fonts and colors gives much more freedom for advertising and marketing both in the area and across the country. You can learn more about the new logo and a behind-the-scenes look at the process from the staff's point of view beginning on page 18.

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BUSINESS VIEW

New Title Along with the rebranding of the outward marketing of the Chamber, the title of my position has changed to Destination Development and Marketing Manager. With “destination” in the title, it is far more encompassing to advertise the area while also looking to encourage growth and partnerships within the county for both visitors and the community. Our job within our tourism arm is to market our area as a destination as a whole, as in somewhere that people can stay and visit various attractions within an area. For example, our short-term rentals are overwhelmingly on the lakes, but visitors also have the opportunity to shop historic downtown Eatonton, hike the trails in different corners of our county, or visit museums.

As for the marketing component, I continue to aid in the marketing for all aspects of the Chamber. This includes advertising for events, designing marketing materials for print and digital placements, and much much more that comes along day to day.

Chloe the Cow Update Chloe, our resident dairy cow, has not been on the sidewalk for a few months and many people have asked where she has gone. Chloe is getting some new paint work done and had a few bumps and bruises that need to be fixed before she can go back outside.

TOURISM By the Numbers Each year, Explore Georgia, a division of Georgia Department of Economic Development, releases the "Spending and Economic Impact Report" per county for the previous year. The following data is reflective of 2020. As many aspects of economic development and business struggled in 2020, tourism and visitor spending in our county grew overall. Looking forward to both the 2021 report and the 2022 year, we are excited to see even more visitors in our area supporting local businesses.

$57.0 Million Total Visitor Spending

1/1/21

Putnam County Residents

$376.00

Three Hundred and Seventy Six

Visitors generated 3.4 M to state and local taxes which is equivalent to $376 in tax SAVINGS for every household in Putnam County,

Visitor Spending in Putnam County (in Millions)

Visitor Spending by Category (in Millions)

$60

Recreation 6.8%

Beverage 21.2%

$40

Second Homes 38.6%

$20 Lodging 8.7%

$0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Retail 24.6%

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Porches of EATONTON COUPLE LIVING THE LAKE LIFE ON LAKE SINCLAIR

T

The Tubbs home, a picturesque lake house sitting in a quiet cove on Lake Sinclair, has been a passion project for the Tubbs since they first saw the property. Out of the 10 properties they looked at in the area, they chose this one for its potential.

Once a short-term rental, the home had fallen into disrepair, but the Tubbs decided it was the perfect project for them to take on together.

One of the biggest selling points for them was the covered porch on the back of the home that overlooks Lake Sinclair. They envisioned being able to start and finish their days on the porch, one of their favorite spaces of the home. The view was exquisite, but the home needed a lot of work to make it theirs. After the initial cleanup of the property, they continue to spend time maintaining the home and sharing their hard work with friends and family.

Of the many pros to the Tubbs’ lake home, the quiet, yet convenient cove they get to look out at every morning is one of their favorites. A main selling point is the expansive boat house that has both covered and exposed decks, perfect for relaxing in the evenings or soaking up the sun in the summer. A porch swing under the covered area of the dock offers another peaceful spot on their property with an amazing view. Koa enjoys the deck as well, as he carefully watches the water below before sunbathing on the corner of the dock.

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BUSINESS VIEW

Captain Steve A Tubbs, a longtime resident of Eatonton, enjoys the luxury of watching the peaceful sunsets over Lake Sinclair, while still being able to commute for his job as a Delta pilot.

Steve explained that when on reserve to fly for Delta, he has to live within a two-hour radius of Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

From his front door to the airport, it takes approximately an hour and forty minutes to get to work. He is willing to trade the commute for all the amenities Putnam County has to offer. “Many pilots ask about where we live-for us, less is more, it’s about mental health, quality of life, and peace,” said Steve when talking about his choice to commute from Eatonton.

EATONTON COUPLE LIVING THE LAKE LIFE ON LAKE SINCLAIR

Steve and Lisa’s first date was at the Plaza Arts Center’s production of Damn Yankees. This was the first time Lisa, formerly from Henry County, had experienced charming downtown Eatonton.

Both Steve and Lisa thoroughly enjoy attending events in Eatonton and creating memories with friends in the area. Lisa loved the Plaza so much that she began working as their Development Director in September of 2021. While they both love to attend events, they love hosting gettogethers for their friends at their home.

Whether a game night or celebratory party, the Tubbs house is bound to be filled with laughter and friends multiple evenings a month.

The true star of the Tubbs household is their rescue dog, Koa. Koa greets guests from the front step of the home, anxiously waiting for them to open the gate into the yard. His best friend is Steve, who he faithfully follows around the property including onto the dock and into the boat. Aside from exploring the property, Koa’s main job is to protect Lisa while Steve is away.

When Steve is away, Koa spends his hours waiting for him to come up the driveway. Each time he returns from flying, it is the best day of Koa’s life.

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Meet Our Visitor Center Receptionist Curry Hoats

Hi there! My name is Curry Hoats, and I am the current part-time receptionist for the EatontonPutnam County Chamber of Commerce. I am a senior at Georgia College & State University pursuing a degree in mass communication with a minor in theater. I plan on graduating in August of 2022. I grew up in the small town of West Point, GA alongside my identical twin sister who also attends Georgia College. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in strategic communications or public relations.

During my time at the Chamber, I have been provided many opportunities to put my mass communication skills to the test. One of my favorite tasks has involved assisting with event planning and coordination. The Chamber underwent a rebrand this year and I was able to witness first-hand all that goes into such a large project. I also helped pull much-needed chamber demographics and contact information of our many Chamber investors. I craft graphics on Canva and aid in the maintenance of our multiple social media pages. I write blog posts and help update the Chamber and Visit Eatonton websites. I also assisted in the creation and organization of this Business View magazine.

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BUSINESS VIEW

Each day I am afforded tasks to complete, but on an everyday basis, I answer phone calls, emails, and greet visitors. I assist those who are new to or visiting the Eatonton area. I answer any questions they may have and offer suggestions in hopes of meeting their needs. Every Friday in October I had the pleasure of handing out ice cream to those who stopped by to take a picture with our beloved cow, Chloe. In December I have helped man the hot chocolate and coffee bar. I can always look forward to something new and exciting happening at the Chamber, and I have truly enjoyed meeting many individuals throughout my time here.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with Lacey, Michael, and Maggie. They have allowed me to gain real-world experience while teaching me so much in the process. I look forward to the rest of my time at the Chamber of Commerce!

Ushering in a New Era An inside look at the updated branding of the Eatonton- Putnam Chamber of Commerce

For more than 20 years, the EatontonPutnam Chamber of Commerce has maintained the same branding and logo.

While that logo has stood the test of time and helped to build pivotal brand recognition, branding and design- like most things, must morph over time to reflect changes.

The process of the Chamber brand redesign began early in the summer of 2021. After consulting with varying design agencies, we were able to choose what ended up being a major catalyst in our rebrand. The brand strategist we worked with visited Eatonton and led a workshop involving both Chamber staff and the Board of Directors. Throughout the time, both during the branding workshop and the design sessions after, Chamber staff was able to better formulate not only the visual aspects of the brand, but how we want to communicate with our stakeholders and the community in the future.

secondary Logo:

Brand Colors:

Ultimately, the new branding encompasses a plethora of ideals and goals that the Chamber is putting forth as a path into not just the new year, but into a new era of the Chamber in the Eatonton- Putnam County community.

See pages 19 and 20 for a featured Q & A with EPCOC Staff.

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QA To better explain the rebrand and the process behind it, the staff of the Eatonton- Putnam Chamber of Commerce offer a behind the scenes look into what the process was like for each individual and their role at the Chamber and the organization as a whole.

M.M.- Maggie Milner, President M.P.- Investment Engagement Director L.C.-Destination Development and Marketing Manager

did you find to be the Q. What most challenging part of the rebranding process?

M.M.- Letting go. It’s fairly natural for people to believe they know what they want when starting a large project.

Some idea of the outcome is already in your mind and more likely than not, you’ve looked at other concepts trying to decide which direction you’re going to take. We did all of that, but after some trial and error, we realized we needed to hand the design reins over to who we hired and let them do what they do. We were getting hung up on what we didn’t like and what we thought we wanted that we weren’t being open to possibilities outside of those expectations.

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BUSINESS VIEW

M.P.- Although this process involved the entire team, I actually started working on the research for this project before anyone else, therefore I will echo Maggie’s sentiment and say, letting go. I researched over 250 rural chambers and collectively we had what we thought was a vision for the rebrand but after toiling for what seemed like an eternity we realized we had nothing.

We had to separate ourselves from this project in order to accomplish our goal and that’s when we started working with the designer that delivered the rebrand.

L.C.- The timeline of the process is challenging. One of the reasons we pursued the rebranding process was because it was getting increasingly difficult to use the previous logo from a design standpoint. From when we started evening thinking about a rebrand or refresh to when we had the assets in our hands for us, many months had passed. Those months in between silently working and looking at concepts then turning it over to our designer were definitely a lesson in trusting the process.

was one of the most Q. What rewarding aspects of the rebranding process?

M.P.- This entire process was difficult, but it was also very rewarding. In our office, we all have different roles and responsibilities but at the end of the day we all have the same goal for our organization and that is to make Eatonton and Putnam County the best place to live, work and play!

L.C.- One of the most rewarding aspects is the ability to use the branding across most everything we do as a Chamber. The rebrand is a catalyst for conversation regarding what we aim to be as a Chamber and how we look to serve our investors both in 2022 and through the future.

It is also promising to see our branding applied in both print and digitally in a clean and unified manner that creates brand recognition every time the community sees it.

EPCOC has had the same Q. The branding for over 20 years, why was this the time to change it?

M.M.- As the businesses and attractions have evolved in the Eatonton-Putnam community over the past twenty years, we needed to create a visual identity that reflected that evolution. We are a diverse community with growing business trends as well as multiple attractions that satisfy varying interests. One of our goals is to be inclusive of our entire community and that means expanding our brand kit to include more of our assets and neutralize ourselves to be more marketable to potential businesses.

M.P.- When Maggie and I first sat down in December 2020 as she assumed the role of President & CEO and I assumed the role of Investment Engagement Director, we both outlined our goals for 2021. Neither one of us had ‘rebranding the chamber’ in our top five.-

QA

cont.- The rebrand is part of a much larger picture that includes a revamp of collateral (print and digital), programming, services, and the narrative of the Chamber.

The brand needed to be modernized to better communicate our relevance in the current marketplace and attract new businesses to our community. As a Chamber, we have a big challenge trying to be all things to all businesses. That is most definitely our biggest challenge, however, our brand did not speak to the many different businesses, government entities, nonprofits, etc., that are investors in the organization.

L.C.- From the tourism, or destination point of view, our attractions have changed so much in the past 20 years. To highlight a few, the lakes have grown in popularity tremendously, new museums opened, entertainment venues expanded, and downtown Eatonton is expanding and becoming more well-rounded. Adding some of those key attractions to our branding continues to market the area as a destination for visitors of all backgrounds.

was a staff and Q. Rebranding board collaboration, what do

you think played to the strengths of the diverse group of people involved?

M.M.- Our staff and Board are representative of varying business industries, ages, gender, and a mix of those born and raised in the Eatonton-Putnam community and those who have chosen to make this area their home.

Some of us have been engaged with the Chamber for years, others are brand new. This gave the project both subjective and objective perspectives, allowing us to better understand possible viewpoints of the community.We are intentional in creating a space in our office that allows everyone to ask questions and share their thoughts, leading to great conversations through the process, keeping us accountable to the many aspects to consider.

Brand Reveal- Business After Hours at the EatontonPutnam Chamber of Commerce Thursday, October 7th, 2021 As part of the rebrand process, the Chamber hosted the October 2021 Business After Hours at the Chamber office.

Attendees were able to view a presentation given by President Maggie Milner explaining the rebrand and all of the exciting things coming in 2022.

Food for the event was provided by a variety of local restaurants: Georgia Butts BBQ, Iron Fork Cafe,Wing Maxx, Amici, Zaxbys, and Rock Eagle 4-H Center.

M.P.- From the very first conversation that was had regarding the rebrand we fully anticipated varying viewpoints and when the staff and board are representative of the community that they serve, you have to be intentional with collaboration because that is what is required to achieve the end goal.

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change of course

Planning for the 2022 Sweet Tee Off Golf Tournament is well underway. For the tournament's 8th edition, golfers will have the opportunity to play a new course. While we have enjoyed each and every tournament at Cuscowilla, we hope to replicate our success as well as the experience at a new course!

Details regarding the upcoming tournament will be released at the beginning of the year. Be sure to follow our weekly newsletter and the Eatonton- Putnam Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for updates.

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BUSINESS VIEW

LEADERSHIP PUTNAM

Class of 2022

Leadership Putnam's Class of 2022 kicked off the start of their course with the inaugural Leadership Putnam Fiesta hosted outside at the Plaza Arts Center. Past Leadership graduates, as well as the current class, were able to mingle and be introduced to the Leadership Putnam Board and the outline for the class.

This year, the first class of Leadership Putnam was Community Day where area non-profits were able to give students an overview of what they do for the Eatonton-Putnam community.

Pictured at right are students receiving a tour of the Veteran's Memorial Wall in downtown Eatonton.

The weekend retreat for the class this year was held at The Lodge on Lake Oconee. Students were able to learn more about what Putnam County has to offer and participate in team building exercises as well as beginning to plan their community project.

Leadership Putnam Class of 2022 participants are: Shannon Allen, Clint Brown, Dr. Andrew Cooper, Sydney Montgomery-Duvall, Lynda Farley, Laramie Fuller, Rachel Harvey, Rev.Sidney Jackson, Betty Liedtke, Joseph Rainey, Kiera Reese, Taylor Rich,Whitney Smith, and Charles Trumbo.

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UPCOMING EVENTS Business After Hours Business Breakfast Series Kick-Off Chamber Investor Town Hall Meeting

Looking to get plugged in? We invite you to connect, engage, and grow with us in 2022. Be sure to check the Chamber's website regularly, sign up for the weekly E-Newsletter to get updates or follow the Chamber's Facebook or Instagram page for up to date information.

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BUSINESS VIEW

EPCOC Christmas Ornament

2021 Edition

When deciding on a design, Milner knew she wanted something made from a lightweight, natural material with a design that wasn't specific to any one attraction or component of the community. That's what led to the idea of branding the coordinates onto wood and using leather ties. To accomplish this, Milner worked with Mac McIntire, of The Artisans Village Guild, who had previously crafted the 2021 Annual Dinner awards for recipients.

Mac is a skilled craftsman that the Chamber has enjoyed working with throughout the year. You can find his, and his wife Cathy's, work in The Artisan Village Gallery next to the Chamber office downtown.

For the past 34 years, the Chamber has released a new ornament each holiday season that displays a part of the community. They have ranged from creating each Uncle Remus character to showcasing the film industry. Some years, ornaments were ordered and many years, local artisans were commissioned to share their skills.

When President, Maggie Milner began in January, it was a goal to have as many creative projects fulfilled by local artisans and she has stayed true to that goal.

Artisan, Mac MacIntire

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Investor

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4th Quarter 2021

1. Georgia Butts BBQ Jeep Jamboree - Sunday, December 19th 2021 2. Eatonton Service League Terrapin Trot - Saturday, September 18th, 2021 3. Harbor at Harmony Crossing Christmas Party - Thursday, December 9th, 2021 4. Plaza Arts Center Host the TAKE3 Trio - Saturday, November 13th, 2021 5. The Artisans Village Art Gallery Watercolor Class - Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 6. Lockerly Arboretum's Family Fun Day - Saturday, October 30th, 2021 7. City of Eatonton's Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 11th, 2021 8. The Cottages at Woodland Terrace's "Christmas Carol & Mimosas Party" - Monday, December 14th, 2021 9. Lake Oconee ACE Hardware Pictures with Santa - Saturday, December 18th, 2021 10. Cuscowilla CLGA Halloween Scramble - Thursday, October 21st, 2021 11. Farmview Market's "Flavors of Fall" Market - Saturday, October 16th, 2021 12. Georgia College Early College Christmas Basketball Tournament Tuesday, December 14th, 2021 13. Outdoor Options Shed-or-Treat - Tuesday, October 26th, 2021 14. Madison Studio's Open House - Friday, August 6th, 2021 15. Steffen Thomas Museum of Art Reception for Large Art Dreaming Exhibit - Saturday, October 16th, 2021 WINTER 2021

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CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Putnam County Manager - Paul Van Haute As I wrap up my twelfth year as your County Manager, I am very excited to reflect on where we have been and where we are going. Putnam County has managed to survive the Great Recession and the closure of the Georgia Power Harlee Branch Plant during the last decade.

Thankfully, today’s economy is much stronger than it was in 2010. Putnam County is experiencing residential building and growth at an unprecedented rate. The word is spreading that Putnam County represents the best in “Lake Country Living.” Putnam County’s surge in construction is not limited to residential construction; commercial construction is increasing and demonstrates our commitment to business.

I am a very blessed person to work with such a talented group of public servants daily. I have served with nearly two dozen members on the Board of Commissioners, several elected and appointed officials, department heads, county staff, and countless volunteers. The one constant that transcends all these individuals is their love and commitment to serve the citizens of Putnam County. I am proud to be associated with them and their unwavering commitment to make this the best county in Georgia. There is a deep commitment to be good stewards of the taxpayer’s funds while providing the citizens with an exemplary quality of life.

In conclusion, I would like to thank Ms. Maggie Milner, President of the Eatonton Putnam Chamber of Commerce, and her wonderful staff for the opportunity to talk about Putnam County.

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BUSINESS VIEW

CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Career, Technical , & Agriculture Education at Putnam County High School

PCMS is pleased to announce that it has been selected as a Project STEM Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) school - a partnership between Amazon and Project STEM to improve access to computer science education in communities currently underrepresented in the technology field. Dr. Specht will complete 10 professional development hours learning the program to ensure a smooth implementation of this Project STEM program. All computer science students have been learning valuable computer science concepts through Project STEM AFE by using Scratch as a programming language/editor to reinforce these computer science concepts.

PCMS Technology Student Association (TSA) has started a new year with the following students as officers: President-Carolyn Thomas Vice President-Vidhi Raiyani (for 8th Grade) Vice President-Joelyn Madden (for 7th Grade) Vice President-Kayleigh Russell (for 6th Grade) Secretary-Emma Patrick Secretary-Deborah Lorenzo-Cinto Treasurer-Jamie Williams Sergeant of Arms-Nathan Griffin Sergeant of Arms-Skylar "Cade" Smallwood Reporter-Cayden Minter Reporter-Max Wilson PCMS TSA has 26 members and growing!

Putnam County Middle School (PCMS) Computer Science: • 6th Grade Foundations of Secure Systems • 7th Grade Foundations of Computer Programming • 8th Grade Foundations of Interactive Design Teacher: Dr. Diane Specht (PhD in Education with a specialization in Educational Technology)

Students in 7th and 8th grade has been working hard on designing, building, and coding their Vex IQ and V5 Robots. Additionally, several of the 7th and 8th grade students have been building the 2022 Vex Competition Fields.

Students are working hard on getting ready for TSA State Competition in March 2022 and several Vex Robotics competitions throughout the school year.

Also, students will be participating in Oconee RESA Technology Competition (Technology Fair). STAY TUNED for more exciting news from PCMS Computer Science/Robotics students.

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CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Eatonton Mainstreet Eatonton Main Street has been nominated to win $25,000 in the America’s Main Street Contest. How awesome is that!? The contest is open to Main Street programs across the country. Voting is taking place at www.MainStreetContest.com through November 7th. Once voting has concluded, the 25 Main Street programs with the most votes will go through another round of voting. You can vote 25 times per day per IP address. Please vote for Eatonton Main Street This year’s Scarecrow Contest is amazing! Last year, we had 16 entries in the contest. This year, we have 43 entries. It’s so great seeing all of the scarecrows around downtown.When you have a moment, take a walk around and vote for your favorite scarecrow.

The winners of the business category will win FREE advertising from Smith Communications. The winners of the non-business category will win a cash prize. If you didn’t enter the scarecrow contest this year, I encourage you to enter next year’s contest. It really is a lot of fun!

Registration is currently open for the annual Eatonton Christmas Parade.The Parade, which will take place on Saturday, December 11th, is always a fun holiday tradition. If you’re looking for a fun, creative way to market your business, please register ICYMI: Some new businesses have recently opened in to be part of the Christmas Parade! You can Downtown Eatonton. If you’re looking to get tan over download the registration form at the holidays, stop by Ashley’s Tanning and Boutique www.DowntownEatonton.com/events. located at 202 N. Jefferson Avenue, Suite B. Need some new hair extensions? AK Extensions by Alyson Kouture can help you out, and they are located at 106 N. Jefferson Avenue.

Unfortunately, a business did close in downtown.

After three years in business, Frilli Frocks Formals & Boutique closed in September. The owner’s heart just wasn’t in it anymore. But there will be a new business opening in its place very soon.

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BUSINESS VIEW

Remember to #ShopSmall and #DineSmall, and experience everything Downtown Eatonton has to offer!

CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Central Georgia Technical College- Putnam County Campus Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) specializes in workforce development through its academic programs. With over 200 programs of study, students can choose from three levels of stackable-credential credit programs. Starting with short-term technical certificates of credit (TCC), students can quickly gain specialized knowledge and training to enter the workforce. Diplomas, which can be completed in less than two years, expand on occupationally related topics for additional training and include general education components to help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Associate degree programs can be completed in two years and offer academic and professional knowledge and skills, while giving students an opportunity to enter the workforce directly, or continue their education after graduation, if desired. Most degree level courses at CGTC can transfer to University System of Georgia institutions and other private, independent institutions. If a four-year degree is a student’s goal, CGTC offers the popular Associate of Science in General Studies which is designed specifically for transfer in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. As a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges (SACSCOC), CGTC has developed partnerships with many four-year colleges and universities. These articulation agreements give students an easily attainable avenue to achieve their educational goals close to home.

High school dual enrollment offers another opportunity for savings. These classes allow students to earn college credit and high school credit simultaneously at no cost to the student’s family. Many credits earned through dual enrollment can be transferred to any post-secondary institution. CGTC is a proud partner with Putnam County High School, Gatewood Schools, and Jasper County High School as well as many other high schools throughout middle Georgia.

A technical college education is affordable and there are many financial opportunities for eligible students including grants, scholarships, and federal student loans. Through Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship and HOPE Grant programs, tuition costs for Georgia residents are lowered, covering a substantial portion of tuition costs.

The HOPE Scholarship is for degree students, whereas the HOPE Grant is for certificate and diploma seeking students. Georgia’s HOPE Career Grant is also available to HOPE Grant qualified students who in enroll in programs that train for high demand jobs in the state.

Federal programs such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) give assistance with college related expenses for economically disadvantaged and dislocated workers. There are also student loans such Academic classes are taught with flexible instructional delivery as the Student Access Loan and Federal Direct Loan but students are strongly encouraged to consider methods. Classes are offered in person in a traditional optimizing other financial aid opportunities before classroom setting and through several distance education incurring any debt. Students can also apply for delivery methods. Online courses allow students to complete most or all of their coursework off campus through the learning scholarships offered through the CGTC Foundation, a nonprofit, 501c3 organization, that provides financial management system, Blackboard. Hybrid or blended classes support to the College’s mission. Tuition and textbook offer a combination of on campus and online coursework. scholarships are available as well as scholarships from Telepresence courses are delivered through audio and video private donors. There are also many local scholarship conferencing technology with real-time instructor delivery to opportunities, including the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber multiple campuses and centers simultaneously from one of Commerce’s CGTC Student Scholarship. For more location. Teleflex courses add an online attendance option to information on how you can support the Foundation telepresence courses. The eCampus platform gives students the ability to enroll in online courses offered by other Technical and student success at CGTC, please visit www.centralgatech.edu/foundation.

College System of Georgia colleges, while earning credit through their home college, CGTC. CGTC offers many academic programs for most students’ needs at an affordable cost and through CGTC students come from diverse backgrounds with various convenient course delivery. If you are interested in education, career, and military experiences and CGTC values enrolling in one of CGTC’s academic programs, please the knowledge gained from those experiences. The prior visit www.centralgatech.edu and click on the “Apply to learning assessment (PLA) process gives students the chance CGTC Get Started Today” link. You may also call or visit to demonstrate knowledge and skills gained from these the Putnam County Center at 706-923-500 located at experiences and evaluate if that experience might translate to 580 James Marshall Bypass in Eatonton, GA. college credit. This saves students time and money.

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