Chairman
Christina Hinz
PUTNAM COUNTY CHARTER
SCHOOL SYSTEM
Justin Strickland
tRI-County EMC
vice-Chair
holly hackinson
lake oconee life lake sinclair Life
treasurer
lisa jackson
Amy McElhenney Farmers & Merchants bank
PUTNAM COUNTY planning & development
Dr.jameelah gater lake oconee urgent care & welnness
DearInvestorsandCommunityPartners, Asweapproachtheendofanotherproductivequarter,I wanttotakeamomenttoreflectonour accomplishmentsandexpressmygratitudeforyour continuedsupportandengagement.
Together,wehavenavigatedchallenges,celebrated successes,andstrengthenedourlocaleconomy.Your dedicationtocollaborationhasbeeninstrumentalin fosteringavibrantbusinessenvironmentthatbenefits usall.
Lookingahead,wehaveexciting willenhanceourcommunityand businesses.Iencourageeachofy shareyourideas,andtakeadvan availablethroughtheChamber.
Thankyouforbeingavitalparto mission.Let’scontinuetoworkto todrivegrowthandprosperityin community.
Warmregards,
Theseasonofsummerendingandschoolreturningisquite possiblythebusiesttimeofyearformany.And,it’snodifferent fortheChamber.Weseeourbusinessesfullofactivityas everyoneisadjustingtheirschedulesbacktotheflowofschool, [andthelackofflowintraffic].
Thethirdquarterof2024broughtaboutnewexperiences,events, andprograms.Itwasatimeofsteppingoutsidetheboxtostretch ourcapabilitiesandwelearnedsomegreatlessonsfromit.We’ve beenabletomeetseveralnewfaceslatelyandinteractwith dedicatedcommunitymembers.But,whatI’mmostproudtosee begintocometofruitionistheEatontonSculptureTrail. Thisisa truecommunitydevelopmentinitiativethatwasfoundedonthe strongpartnershipbetweentheChamberandTheArtisans Village.Seeingthebeautifulsculpturesplacedaroundtown, knowingtheyaretherenotjustfortheartenthusiasts butforeveryone,everyday,isafull-circlefeeling formyselfandthosewhowerekeytobringingthe programtolife.Ican’twaitfortheTrailtobe completeandseeitgrow!
I’mexcitedabouttheopportunitiesthisfinal chapteroftheyearwillbring.Let’skeepworking
Summer truly flew by, and the past quarter has been a whirlwind of new experiences! One of the highlights was my opportunity to spearhead our newest event, Chamber Games. This event was designed to bring the community together for a day filled with friendly competition, and it exceeded all expectations. The atmosphere was vibrant and energetic, fosteringasenseofteamworkandcamaraderieamongparticipants.
We couldn't have executed this event without the incredible support from our Ambassadors, who played a crucial role in bringing everything tolife.
A special thank you goes out to Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church for graciously hosting the games and providing a welcoming space for everyone involved.Additionally,BruzzeBrewingwas the perfect venue for our after-party, allowing us to celebrate our collective efforts in style. The collaboration with Gatewood Schools and the Putnam County Recreation Department was invaluable, as they helped us gather essentialitemsforthegames. This event truly showcased the power of community spirit, with everyone coming together to make it a success. It was a wonderful reminder of how much we can accomplish when we unite our efforts. I amexcitedtoseewhatotherinitiativeswe cancreatetogetherinthefuture!
RachaelBradley PRDIRECTOR
“Everysuccessfulindividualknowsthathisorher achievementdependsonacommunityofpersonsworking together."—PaulRyan
As we transition from summer to the bustling fall season, I'm delighted to report that our team's camaraderie and shared commitment to our goals continue to propel the EatontonPutnam Chamber of Commerce forward. Working alongside a team and extended team that not only enjoys collaboration but is also unified by a clear, focused objective has made my roleprofoundlyenjoyableandproductive.
This quarter, as our business community continues to expand, our team's exceptional efforts in providing resources and networking opportunities have been key to our success. Thank you for your active participation and support as we gear upforadynamicfallandwinter.
This quarter, we launched our first-ever Chamber Games a lively, field daystyle event where teams of four faced off in five exciting challenges. Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church hosted the games, while Bruzze Brewing kept the fun going with an after-party celebration It was a fantastic day packed withteamwork,friendlycompetition,andplentyoffunforall!
l u n c h & l e a r n
The third installment of our Women in Business Lunch and Learn series featured an empowering session led by Dr. Jameelah Gater, who shared her expertiseon"BuildingYourIdeasintoaBrand."
Dr. Gater, an accomplished entrepreneur with a proven track record of successfully establishing and managing multiple businesses, was the perfect speaker to inspire and educate attendees. Her insights resonated deeply with participants, offering practical guidance and motivating them to transform their ideas into thriving businesses This event was an invaluable opportunity for women to gain firsthand knowledge on entrepreneurship and learn how to build a successful brand from the groundup.
sponsored by
The August Business After Hours, hosted by Liz Coffey with VanDyk Mortgage and Kiersten Tuel with Oconee Wild and Giant Subs@OconeeWild,wasafantasticevening by the lake that brought together local professionals for a night of networking and relaxation. Held at Oconee Wild, the event featured delicious sub sandwiches from Giant Subs, live music that set the perfect mood, and the beautiful lakeside atmosphere made for a truly memorable experience. With great company all around, the evening fostered new connections and celebrated the community spirit that makes thesegatheringssoenjoyable.
Farmers & Merchants Bank hosted theSeptemberBusinessAfterHours event at their downtown location. It was an evening filled with great food, generous giveaways, and lively conversations. This annual event has become a cherished tradition, as FMB consistently goes above and beyond to create an inviting and memorable experience for everyone. Guests mingled and connected, strengthening relationships within the community, while enjoying the top-notch hospitality that FMB is known for. Each year, FMB’s dedication to hosting this event truly shines, making it a highlight on the local businesscalendar.
Floral Arangementsby MyrnaTaylor atTaylorFlowers andGifts
The Leadership Class of 2025 has officially kicked off their journey, and enthusiasm is in the air! Already demonstrating strong camaraderie, this dynamic group is brimming with innovative ideas for community projects. As they embark on their exploration of Eatonton and Putnam County, we look forward to seeing how their collaboration and creativity will contribute to the community. Stay tuned for the exciting initiativesthispromisingclasswillbringtolife!
The Eatonton Sculpture Trail has a mission to bring a curated display of public art to the community as a way to enhance the visitor experience, showcase the Arts & Entertainment district, support the growing economic climate, and share the artistic passion of Eatonton-Putnam County.
Over the past few months, sculptures have been going up around Downtown Eatonton and the Trail is finally complete for the 2024-2025 year. Countless hours were committed by dedicated volunteers to bring this Trail to life. From the building of the bases, to the placement of the sculptures, coordinating a reception and sharing the exciting news, it has been a true community effort and we couldn’t be more grateful for the collaboration.
