Imagine Thomasville 2022 Annual Report

YEAR IN REVIEW

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

About Imagine Thomasville

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Governing Boards

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Imagine Thomasville Team

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2022 Initiatives

06-09

2022 Impact

10-12

Ribbon Cuttings + Ground Breakings

12-15

Legacy Partners

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Pictures Worth 1,000 Words

28-29

Tribute to Lloyd Eckberg

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TOGETHER, WE ARE

The convener of opportunity.

Mission Together, the PDA and Chamber are dedicated to providing opportunities for connecting business and building community through perspectives of the past, value of today, and imagination for tomorrow.

Vision To serve as the trusted catalyst for business in Thomasville and Thomas County.

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GOVERNING BOARDS PAYROLL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

E X E C U T I V E

C O M M I T T E E

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR Chansidy Daniels Flowers Foods

CHAIR Jay Flowers Mayor, City of Thomasville

CHAIR ELECT Jeremy Emmett Southern Lodging

VICE CHAIR Mark NeSmith Chair, Thomas County Commissioners

TREASURER Scott Chastain Everfan

TREASURER/SECRETARY Stephen Cheney Thomasville National Bank Appointed Seat

SECRETARY Julie Bryan KeySouth Real Estate Group

Ty Turner Synovus Bank Appointed Seat

PAST CHAIR Josh Cone Thomasville National Bank

Chansidy Daniels Flowers Foods Chamber Chair

Heather Abbott South Life Supply Co. Adrian Burns The Gathering Place Joe Cargile Whitehurst, Blackburn, & Warren Ashley Griffin Archbold Medical Center Jackie Santoro Check-Mate Industries Kevin Vick TC Federal

"I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together."

-Queen Elizabeth II

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THE TEAM "You don't get harmony when everyone sings the same note."

-Doug Floyd

SHELLEY ZORN PDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ANDREA COLLINS CHAMBER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ANSLEY LACEY CHAMBER MARKETING + MEMBERSHIP

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES chamber CONNECTS

CHAMBER CONNECTS Hosted by a member business, Chamber Connects provides a networking opportunity to connect business interests in an after hours setting.

MEMBERSHIP REFERRAL PROGRAM As the most trusted source for local business information, visitors, citizens, and business utilize the Chamber as a resource for information finding. Members and partners receive direct referrals from inquiries.

ribbon cutting C E R E M O N Y

RIBBON CUTTINGS + GROUND BREAKINGS Spotlighting new business and business expansion through official ribbon cutting and ground breaking ceremonies.

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS Annual black-tie event celebrating business members and partners recognized for their impact within the community.

RESOURCE CENTER FOR BUSINESS Imagine Thomasville team provides credible resources for business through strong relationships developed across the U.S. that include but are not limited to: US Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE), Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA), Georgia Department of Economic Development (GED), Locate South Georgia, South Georgia Leads, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and Small Business Administration (SBA).

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WORKFORCE INITIATIVES PROJECT PURPOSE Interactive career exploration day and hiring event focused on connecting business to job seekers and students.

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school business SUMMIT

industry ROUNDTABLE

THE

WORKFORCE PLAN

SCHOOL 2 BUSINESS SUMMIT A collaborative event where school and business professionals connect to focus on preparing students K-12 for the workforce.

INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE A quarterly meeting exclusive to manufacturing with a mission to better understand needs and discuss barriers to successful operations.

THE WORKFORCE PLAN ASSESSMENT A collaborative of Thomasville Community Resource Center and Imagine Thomasville to assess the birth to work pipeline in Thomasville and Thomas County.

JOB POSTINGS + PROMOTIONS Provide a local platform for member business to post job listings and promote local career opportunities through social media, website, and E-News.

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LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES LEADERSHIP THOMAS A 12-month program cultivating a diverse network of emerging and experienced leaders committed to improving our community through economic vitality.

ILEAD YOUTH LEADERSHIP A summer intensive program connecting students and businesses to cultivate and steward the next generation of leaders in our community.

SPECIAL PROJECTS The Centennial Time Capsule marks 100 years of the ThomasvilleThomas County Chamber of Commerce. Local citizens and business buried artifacts and letters, leaving a legacy of the year 2021. The capsule will be opened 100 years from the burial date.

IMAGINE THOMASVILLE MAGAZINE - CENTENNIAL EDITION Celebrating 100 years in business, the Chamber and PDA published a commemorative magazine highlighting perspectives from the past, value of today and imagination for tomorrow.

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COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES LET'S TALK THOMASVILLE PODCAST A platform to share stories and learn more about the people and businesses in our community.

THE BUSINESS CONNECTION E-NEWS Weekly electronic newsletter includes curated content for member business and partners specific to the local business community.

TEXT

TTCCOC TO 71441

TEXT REMIND Imagine Thomasville team understands that when it comes to taking care of business, reminders are necessary. Text Remind is a new program allowing members and partners to receive event and program reminders via text.

to sign up for Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce mobile alerts

NEWS FROM THE FOUNTAIN A quarterly video providing members and partners with content relative to current business services from Imagine Thomasville.

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IMPACT

Total Jobs 684 Total Investment $88,050,000.00

2022 NEW INDUSTRIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Ashley's Distribution Center - 105 jobs

2022 EXISTING INDUSTRY EXPANSIONS

Troy Acoustics - 105 jobs

Ag Pro

Ecrimesa - 30 jobs

Centek

JOBS - 240

Woodhaven

INVESTMENTS - $65,000,00.00

FPL Foods Whitcraft Canfour

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Carroll's Cabinets Tvello Brewery

Oil Dri

JOBS - 234 INVESTMENTS - $15,200,00.00

Gate Trucking Xpress Ace Hardware American Turmeric Company 1861 Distillery Brandt Information Services Process Suppliers Battery Source Potty Man Southwestern Campus

JOBS - 210 INVESTMENTS - $7,850,00.00

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IMPACT PODCAST DOWNLOADS

FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS

E-NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS

MEMBER REFERRALS

MEMBER LISTINGS IN SEARCH RESULTS

CLICKS ON MEMBER DIRECTORY

INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS

MEMBERS | PARTNERS

MEMBER JOB POSTING VIEWS

CLICKS TO MEMBERS WEBSITES

BUSINESS INQUIRIES

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IMPACT

Beyond the Numbers

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iLead Youth Leadership Grads UNLOCKING NEXT GENERATION LEADERS TO CREATE ECONOMIC VITALITY IN THOMASVILLE-THOMAS COUNTY

250+

Project Purpose Participants INTERACTIVE CAREER EXPLORATION DAY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & MASS HIRING EVENT FOR JOB SEEKERS

14

Leadership Thomas Class 38 Grads LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR LOCAL PROFESSINALS, INCLUDING WEEKEND RETREATS, 9 SESSIONS, AND 1 CLASS PROJECT OF SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

100+

Centennial Time Capsule Artifacts & Letters IN CELEBRATION OF 100 YEARS, HOPES OF TIME CAPSULE DISCOVERY WILL PROVIDE FUTURE GENERATIONS A GLIMPSE OF THEIR PAST

12

GROUND BREAKINGS + RIBBON CUTTINGS

Ace Hardware

Top Notch Training Institute

Goodwill Career Center

Ankle & Foot Associates

TOC Thomasville

Full Circle Lawn Care

13

GROUND BREAKINGS + RIBBON CUTTINGS

Abundance Living Homecare

The Mash Manor

Ashley Distribution Center

Carroll's Cabinets

Patient 1st Health & Wellness Associates

Bridget Smallridge State Farm

14

GROUND BREAKINGS + RIBBON CUTTINGS

Coyoacan

Smart Spot Learning & Play Center

VyStar Credit Union

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TO OUR MEMBERS & PARTNERS,

We thank you for supporting our efforts to connecting business and building community.

Your continued business investments in Thomasville and Thomas County serve as the lifeline to our local economy.

GROWTH IS NEVER BY MERE CHANCE; IT IS THE RESULT OF FORCES WORKING TOGETHER. -James Cash Penney 16

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your home. your style.

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POWERFUL MARKETING FROM NY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHORS TO NATIONAL COMPANIES AND LOCAL BUSINESSES, WE MAKE OUR CLIENTS STAND OUT. WE CAN DO THE SAME FOR YOU.

BRANDING · DESIGN · WEBSITES · SOCIAL MEDIA · MARKETING STRATEGY

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PICTURES WORTH 1,000 WORDS

LEADERSHIP THOMAS - CLASS 38

Project Purpose

iLEAD Youth Leadership 2022

Industry Roundtable

School to Business Summit

Community Impact Awards

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PICTURES WORTH 1,000 WORDS

Lloyd Eckberg Bench Dedication

Centennial Time Capsule Burial

Woman of the Year Rose Parade Grand Marshal

Innovation Day

First Building in Red Hills Business Park Potty Man Portables

Ecrimesa Visits Thomasville

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IN LOVING MEMORY

LLOYD ECKBERG 1929-2022

Lloyd Eckberg served 42 years in the chamber of commerce industry. The Imagine Thomasville team will be forever grateful for his wisdom, time and most importantly support.

A true chamber champion, Lloyd believed in the organization and paved the way to where Imagine Thomasville is today.

Underneath the majestic oaks on the front lawn of the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce, rests a bench dedicated in his honor.

In the words of Lloyd Eckberg, "I do not feel that I am in the sunset of my life but rather at the sunrise of a new image for the ThomasvilleThomas County community."

"Aspire to be the best, the very best..."

- Lloyd Eckberg

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THE WELCOME CENTER FOR BUSINESS

401 South Broad Street | Thomasville Georgia 31