Troup Trends | August 2021 Issue

August 2021

e m o c l e W ome H The Housing Market is Sizzling in Troup County!

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August 2021

August 2021 VOLUME VIII, ISSUE III A publication of the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce 111 Bull St./P.O. Box 636 LaGrange, GA 30241 (706) 884-8671 www.lagrangechamber.com EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair: Dale Jackson, Jackson Services Past Chair: George Bailey, Salvation Army Chair Elect: Jamey Jackson TalentKinect Secretary/Treasurer: John Westmoreland, CPA Boatwright

CHAMBER STAFF President: Connie Hensler Director of Member Engagement: Leslie Traylor Communications Manager: Sara Grace Todd

CONTENTS 4 | A Letter from the Chairman

19 | Education

Exciting Times Ahead!

Troup County School System Strategic Planning

6 | Cover Story 13 | Member Spotlight

20 | Movers, Shakers, Risk-Takers 26 | Annual Meeting

Vernon Woods Retirement Community

Come Sail Away

27 | Healthcare

14 | Member Spotlight

Prevent Summer Spike

Brainjogging

28 | History

16 | Spotlight on Sweetland

The Story of the Yellow-Brick Hotel

Housing in Troup County

Sweetland Amphitheatre Opens

18 | Community LaGrange Scores an Independent Bookstore

Accountant:

Interior Designers Develop Creative Solutions

TO CONTRIBUTE

41 | Marketing

Troup Trends welcomes your ideas. Please send inquiries to info@lagrangechamber.com for consideration.

DESIGN

This publication is produced by the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce. Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written permission is prohibited.

All claims, materials and photos furnished or used are, to the publisher's knowledge, true and correct. Publication of any article or advertisement is not an endorsement by the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce.

Troup Trends is published quarterly by the LaGrangeTroup County Chamber of Commerce. Please send news items, suggestions, advertising requests and comments to:

P.O. Box 636 • LaGrange, GA 30241 lagrangechamber.com

Expanding Your Business to a New Location

38 | Business

Melanie Key, CPA

Jayme Ogles

30 | Chamber Events 37 | Small Business

5 Tools for Tracking Your Online Marketing & Growth

August 2021

e m o c l e W ome H

42 | Young Professionals HYPE – Keeping Troup Connected

ON THE COVER The Housing Market Heats Up

The Housing Market is Sizzling in Troup County!

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FROM

THE

CHAIRMAN

Contributors Exciting times ahead!

T

he dog days of summer and the heat they bring are definitely upon us now, making us long for cooler temperatures and fall days ahead. While I do look forward to the changing seasons, I will say that I’m not ready for summer to end.

annual expenses associated with their home.

This summer in particular has certainly brought excitement to Troup County! You could feel it in the air as everyone was able to get out again. Some were able to take family vacations out of town while others enjoyed all the amenities that Troup County has to offer. It has been great to see so many local families, as well as visitors, wearing their wolf ears all around town.

Finally, this grant hopes to address many of the issues that we face along the Whitesville Road and Hamilton Road corridors. In addition to renovating the school building, this grant provides funds to purchase homes in the area which the students can then renovate using skills learned at the training center. Along with the real world application of skills, this will also bring some new affordable housing to the area. To make things even more exciting, the City of LaGrange has recently learned about the possibility of applying for more funds that would allow this group to purchase and renovate even more homes in the area.

While many of us enjoyed vacation time, local community members and organizations were hard at work discussing possible solutions to the current housing situation. As I mentioned in the last edition of Troup Trends, I’m proud of the fact that we live in a community with people who see a problem and then work hard to solve it. Housing is definitely one of those issues that so many in our community are working hard to solve.

The possible expansion of this project is just one example of what Troup County could expect for the future. As more and more families consider relocating to our community, I am thankful that our local elected officials have been working on this issue for quite some time. I am grateful that it appears we have a plan and a community willing to work together to make it happen for the betterment of everyone in Troup County.

One of the many potential solutions is a grant that I’m extremely excited about. This is an “innovative grant” that the City of Lagrange has been awarded through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. This is a very special grant that I think will address a multitude of issues in our community. This grant combines opportunities for affordable housing along with needs for workforce development. This grant allows the City of LaGrange to spend up to $2M dollars to renovate the Cannon Street Elementary School building to develop a Workforce Development Training Center. This center will focus on the high demand skill careers like plumbing, welding, HVAC, electrical and sheet metal. The most exciting part about this particular training center is that it can be utilized by the entire community including local high schools and other regional education partners. This training center could dramatically affect local skills gaps and ultimately save the local consumers on

TODD CARLISLE UGA Small Business Development Center BRANDON ELEY EleyDigital RYLEE GOVOREAU City of Hogansville K. MICHELLE GRIFFIN UGA Small Business Development Center LAURA JENNINGS LaGrange Art Museum ANDREA LOVEJOY Community Member LEWIS O. POWELL, IV Troup County Archives YOLANDA STEPHEN Troup County School System SHELLEY STRICKLAND Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center KATIE VAN SCHOOR City of LaGrange

Dale Jackson Chairman, Executive Committee LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce

Special Thanks to Our 1911 Society Presenting Sponsors!

KIA MOTORS MANUFACTURING GEORGIA

KIA OF LAGRANGE

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C O V E R

S T O R Y

HOUSING MARKET HEATS UP

I

t’s August, but when Troup County realtors say “It’s hot,” they aren’t talking about the weather. The local housing market has been sizzling for several months, and the present demand for housing far exceeds supply.

Home prices have surged. Rentals are super tight. New residential construction often sells before the slab is poured.

Existing homes can attract multiple offers, some higher than the listing price.

Observers can’t help wondering if Troup County and its cities of Hogansville, LaGrange and West Point are on the cusp of a long-anticipated growth boom.

Nobody’s counting chickens, but leaders believe current conditions point toward accelerated development.

“A lot of things are in the hopper. The demand is there and may have put us on the verge of strong growth,” said Troup

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County Commission Chairman Patrick Crews.

“Now more than ever, the opportunities are definitely there,” Hogansville City Manager Jonathan Lynn agreed.

But whether it’s a boom, a mini boom or, as leaders would prefer, a healthy rate of sustainable growth, a combination of factors is driving the current demand for housing.

LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton suggests several, including low interest rates, an abundance of jobs, millennials deciding to become homeowners, expanded community amenities and even the Covid pandemic.

“Covid caused a lot of people to reevaluate what they want out of life. Things that had been out of fashion are back in fashion. Opportunities to telecommute or work remotely are creating a boom for communities like LaGrange that have a lot

of desirable qualities.”

The challenge, Mayor Thornton said, is that building costs have surged here, as they have across the nation.

“We need more housing. The demand is definitely there. The problem is that construction costs have never been higher.

It’s hard for builders to know what to do.”

Just how tight the market is can readily be seen with a look at the Georgia Multiple Listing Service (MLS) numbers, said Ashley Langford of GO Realty, current president of the Troup County Board of Realtors.

On July 1, a shockingly low total of 62 homes were listed for sale in Troup County.

In previous years, she said, that number typically would be several hundred.

Even more telling, in the $150,000 to $299,999 range, where demand is highest, just 18 homes were listed.

“It’s definitely a seller’s market,” Langford

C O V E R said. “There were 867 single family homes sold through MLS in 2019 and 991 in 2020, despite the pandemic.”

So far this year, 509 homes have changed hands and another 144 were under contract.

The numbers could be much higher, Langford believes. “There are tons of people who would like to sell to take advantage of the hot market, but they won’t sell because there’s nowhere to go.”

Ben Yates of Coldwell Banker Spinks Brown Durand Realty agrees.

“We’ve got the demand. This area is poised to do really well. It’s happening. We need developers.”

HOGANSVILLE Hogansville Mayor Bill Stankiewicz smiles when he notes that trash pickups have increased around Lake Jimmy Jackson Park, a community recreation area.

“It’s a sign of growth,” he said. “More people are using it.”

Growth is a familiar word in Hogansville these days. With Coweta County “filling up,” and growing more expensive, developers have begun looking south.

Hogansville has attracted tons of attention, averaging two or three developers calling every day. At least six developments totaling about 900 homes – a mix of single family, townhomes, apartments and senior

The housing shortfall has intensified recently, but the issue is not new. A 2019 housing study commissioned by the Troup County Center for Strategic Planning found the lack of appropriate and varied new housing options was one of several reasons thousands of out-of-town workers choose to commute to work here rather than move to Troup County.

With about 10,000 jobs created since Kia opened in 2009, Troup County has gained double its “fair share” of employment opportunities, but housing construction during that time has been roughly half of what might be expected. This created what the researchers described as a supply/ demand mismatch.

“Expanding the range of housing options in the county will ‘grow the pie’ of the local housing market, capturing unmet demand and allowing for accelerated population and household growth,” the study concluded.

Area government leaders say they have done their part and are ready to ‘grow the pie.’ Realtors see signs that development is coming.

“We have a plan in place. Growth is coming, and we are ready for it,” said Hogansville’s Lynn.

“The future is bright,” said Yates.

“Infrastructure is in place. Appraisals are up. We are going to need housing with the jobs that are coming over the next five years. If we ever have an opportunity, it is now.”

The following pages spotlight the housing scene, community by community.

S T O R Y

little over a year. Now an expansion of 83 more homes is planned.

“This is not pie in the sky,” Stankiewicz said. “We border on doubling our housing stock. Our main thing is to be smart with it. Ten years ago, we had to take what we could get. Now we can be more selective.”

Leaders of the community of 3,100 say the pandemic put them on the radar of people looking to escape large or midsize cities. One selling point has been their more vibrant downtown where independent businesses, new and old, include antique shops, a coffee shop, bar and restaurants, not to mention a new city hall and library, an historic amphitheater, walking trails and the newly reopened Grand Hotel.

Leaders see the soon-to-be renovated Royal Theater, formerly city hall, as a “centerpiece” and the exclamation point of their downtown plan.

It also doesn’t hurt that they are 30 miles from the Amazon warehouse facility and 20 miles from Kia – all on I-85.

The city’s new logo – a hummingbird taking flight – is emblematic of the hopes leaders have for Hogansville.

“We have a plan in place. Growth is coming, and we are ready for it.”

Hogansville City Manager Jonathan Lynn

“The pandemic taught us that you can survive locally,” said assistant city manager Lisa Kelly. “You can live where you want to live, and living here is a bargain. We are building a middle class.

We are reshaping who we are. I see little changes every day. Sometimes it brings tears to my eyes.”

LAGRANGE A tasteful new sign on LaFayette Square reminds passersby that LaGrange was founded in 1828. The sign speaks to a lot of history, but it’s also visible evidence of the city’s very modern housing

living - have been approved.

A recently completed water line extension “opened up” a sizable Bass Cross Roads area, where 169 townhomes and a 90unit apartment complex are about to take shape.

Additionally, existing subdivisions that had languished for years have revived and are now building out, the mayor said. The previously dormant Villages at Huntcliffe, for example, grew from 20 homes to 80 in a

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S T O R Y

strategy: to be welcoming, a place where comfortable and affordable come home.

“We spend a lot of time and effort improving the attractiveness of the community,” said Mayor Jim Thornton.

The approach is working, said Nicole Smith, owner/broker at RE/MAX Results.

She and other real estate professionals are fielding inquiries from “all over,” including from people with no ties to LaGrange who have realized they can work from home and no longer want to live in a large city.

“They don’t want to raise their families in a big city. They are looking for a different pace of life,” Smith said.

LaGrange has done an excellent job, she feels, of marketing itself as a livable, progressive city with impressive amenities and quality of life.

That approach, coupled with abundant jobs and an improving school system, has created a housing market unlike any she has seen, with low inventory and high demand. The average time to sell a home has dropped from 47 days last year to 27 so far this year. Some have sold in days or even hours.

A recent lakeside listing, for example, went on the market on a Friday at $349,000.

“We showed it and took offers all weekend. By Monday, we had five offers, and the property sold for $30,000 over list,” Smith said.

When it comes to housing, the mayor

emphasizes, the city’s role is not to build but to foster a desirable environment, particularly through its zoning code and infrastructure.

“More and more, quality of life amenities matter,” the mayor said. “After jobs and schools, amenities influence where people choose to live.”

LaGrange recently completed a two-year overhaul of its 1972 zoning code.

Projects like Southbend Park, the Thread and Sweetland Amphitheater come together, the mayor believes, “to create a place where people want to live.”

“We did a wholesale rewrite,” the mayor said, with the goal of being more user friendly and encouraging flexibility to reflect increased interest in cluster homes, townhomes and, to a degree, mixed use developments with neighborhood commercial and both single and multi family homes.

The city also undertook a $27 million bond for water and sewer projects to maintain and grow existing resources.

“They don’t want to raise their families in a big city. They are looking for a different pace of life.”

Nicole Smith, Owner/Broker at RE/MAX Results.

“We should be encouraging housing development where there is infrastructure,” the mayor said .”We can expand infrastructure where needed but also encourage infill development and redevelopment.”

As examples he cites new loft apartments in the former Dixie Mill, proposed redevelopment of the Dawson Street school property, potential opportunities downtown and near Southbend park and numerous projects of the LaGrange Housing Authority and DASH. One area where LaGrange has made significant progress is in multi-family construction. The 2019 housing study identified a shortage of high end rentals to meet needs of a growing number of “renters by choice,” households with incomes adequate to buy a home who, for a variety of reasons, prefer to rent.

Complexes like the Yard on Mill in Mill Creek Station and the Exchange on S. Davis Road, along with LaGrange Heritage Senior Living on Hills and Dales Farm Road, have added several hundred new rentals, many with upscale options.

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Jobs and livability, plus the availability of attractive land, should boost the pace of residential development in LaGrange, realtor Ben Yates predicted.

Property along Hills and Dales Farm Road is well located and the recent sale of a large tract known as “the Newnan property” will be a “game changer,” he believes.

“The next three years will see a lot of development. Right now is exciting, and there is a lot coming down the pike,” Yates said.

WEST POINT Few communities understand better than West Point that the three most important things in real estate are “location, location, location.” It was the community’s location – on I-85 midway between Atlanta and Birmingham — that first attracted Kia to build its massive auto manufacturing plant there. Multiple suppliers and thousands of jobs later, West Point’s location is now touted to attract new housing development and households.

Sitting nearby to Kia, Abbey Glen Apartments notes its “positioned a short driving distance from all that West Point, LaGrange and Valley have to offer.”

Liberty Corporation uses similar language in marketing its Villages of Harris Creek subdivision, with four bedroom, single family homes starting at $251,000.

These two large developments are helping create what Community Development Director Dennis Dutton describes as a positive trend toward more diverse and affordable housing.

“The 2019 housing study found this area way behind in the number of houses,” Dutton said. “A project like Villages is a big deal for West Point.”

Like other Troup County communities, West Point is experiencing an uptick in contacts from developers during the current housing boom. Existing homes sell rapidly in established neighborhoods, like Booker Hills, and another noteworthy

C O V E R

S T O R Y

trend sees two non-profits rehabbing older homes for rental or sale.

A well known group, Penrose Development, is partnering with West Point Housing Authority to build a transitional housing, mixed income development. A 79-unit apartment complex is going near the Coca-Cola plant.

It’s also possible that condos are on the way, Dutton said.

Location also plays a part in West Point’s growth strategy. With the Chattahoochee River flowing through town, leaders have focused on developing a river park and walking paths and restoring the historic depot which is near the river. It doesn’t hurt that West Point Lake is a stone’s throw from town.

“We are heading to a good future in West Point,” said Mayor Steve Tramell in an interview with LaGrange Daily News.

“We’re getting new jobs and housing growth.”

UNINCORPORATED TROUP COUNTY Troup County Commission Chairman Patrick Crews is not surprised that a current housing trend is for families to move outside of cities. The county has has been experiencing that type housing growth for years.

Even before the pandemic made working remotely a thing, Troup County issued at least 100 single family building permits every year since 2016. Last year, in the midst of the pandemic, the number rose to 124.

“And we have had 76 new permits from January through June of 2021,” Crews said. If that pace continues, Troup could see more than 150 new starts this year.

“There’s strong interest in the unincorporated area. We have seen some really good growth,” Crews said.

One big limitation, he points out, is that the county lacks the water and sewer infrastructure to attract developers.

“We work with the cities to get water lines,” he said.

One recent example was a cooperative effort of the county, Troup County Schools and the City of LaGrange. The school system wanted water lines for Rosemont

Elementary School, Crews explained. The county wanted to expand the Whitesville Road soccer complex, and the three entities reached an intergovernmental deal where the city agreed to run the water lines and the school system donated the old Whitesville Road Elementary School property for the soccer project.

“Now fire protection will be better in the Rosemont area, and development options will open up in that part of unincorporated Troup County,” Crews said. The city will sell more water and youngsters all over Troup County will have a first class soccer facility, a big plus for residential growth.

possibly out Mooty Bridge or Cameron Mill roads.”

Building near the lake fills a need identified in the housing study without impinging on the county’s cherished open spaces.

“There’s a lot of stuff on the drawing board. The demand is there, but we want to avoid sprawl. We want to keep our rural character as we go down the road, to have development but do it right and in a way we can all be proud of,” Crews said.

Another area ripe for development, Crews believes, is north of Hogansville, as booming Coweta spills over.

The commission chairman would also like to see more options for senior citizens and some sort of condominium development on West Point Lake.

“That’s something we are missing, something multi family on the lake,

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S T O R Y

CHANGING THE TRAJECTORY OF HOUSING primarily for residents 55 and up, helping to meet a need for senior housing identified in a 2019 study commissioned by the Troup County Center for Strategic Planning.

“We use the housing study to meet community needs,” Heard said. “It holds us accountable.”

The ultimate goal, she explained, is for Phoenix Landing and the other improvements to be catalysts for redevelopment of surrounding areas and for affordable housing to be a central element of the transformation of a blighted area.

T

he LaGrange Housing Authority has both a new look and a new outlook.

Both are reflected in the organization’s motto: New voices, new vision, new opportunities, and in a new logo, a rising phoenix.

“We love the phoenix,” said Zsa Zsa Heard, CEO of LaGrange Housing Authority. “It means rebirth. That is what a phoenix does. It is rebirth, which was needed here at the housing authority. We needed to be reborn.”

The housing authority’s mission – to provide safe, affordable housing for the people who need it most – has not changed, but the way it approaches the challenge is changing big-time. The agency has set its sights on combatting blight, not just on its campuses but across the community.

“This is not your grandfather’s housing authority. Times have changed and so has LHA,” said Chad Cooper, director of development and marketing.

saw the construction of Phoenix Landing, a 70-unit complex which marked its first anniversary last month. Located just past the LHA complex on Whitesville Road, the Landing’s colorful exterior and amenities like a community room and craft room, exemplify the new vision LHA hopes to bring to the long-blighted area.

“We’ve got to change the mindset of our residents and of our community,” Heard said. “We want to change the way people

“We love the phoenix. It means rebirth...which was needed here at the housing authority.

We needed to be reborn.”

Zsa Zsa Heard, CEO of LaGrange Housing Authority

As another way of targeting blight, LHA has also moved out into the community, acquiring dilapidated homes on Butler, Motley, Glenn Robertson and Ragland streets for rehabbing. They also plan to rehab the Jordan Crossing apartments, to be known as Phoenix Crossing and located near Tucker Cottages, a project of DASH, another non-profit deeply involved in community revitalization.

When completed, LHA will have increased its inventory from 420 to about 600 units. The current high demand for rental housing is reflected in their numbers.

“We have 290 on our waiting list. The list is currently closed,” said Rena Boykin, housing director.

She and others on the LHA team say their work is about more than safe, secure housing. It’s about removing obstacles and barriers to success.

“We have our success stories, but we want more. We push toward self sufficiency,” Boykin said.

It sometimes surprises people, Heard adds, to learn able-bodied LHA residents are required to work. Most also pay rent, on a sliding scale, depending on income.

The LHA has a Leadership Academy that helps prepare residents for work. They also help with childcare and transportation.

And the local Boys & Girls Club is now on the LHA Whitesville Road campus. Director Sabrina Allen describes it as a “building full of potential.”

It’s easy to see the fresh look. Just drive by any LHA community. Aging 1950s-era buildings have come down at the former Benjamin Harvey Hill Homes on Whitesville Road, and Lucy Morgan Homes on Borton Street. The modernized, ecofriendly apartments are now known as The Phoenix and Phoenix Way, respectively.

feel about public housing and encourage people to take more control of their Iives and have pride in their community.

“We really want to change the stigma of public housing and make it look more like a neighborhood. People who drive by will see something that looks like any other housing complex.”

“Everything we do is intentional,” Heard said. “We want to make working, productive citizens, promote student achievement and healthy lifestyles…I know it can be done. You don’t fix the system for one group. It benefits everybody.”

Another phase of the years-long process

The new Phoenix Landing is targeted

Evidence of the “whole community”

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C O V E R

Phoenix Landing

approach will soon be evident along Whitesville Road, a busy entry way into LaGrange, long described as an eyesore.

The City of LaGrange and Callaway Foundation are partnering with LHA to build a linear park, with green space and benches, as an attractive buffer between the street and the Phoenix apartments.

The park will be for public use, not just the LHA community.

“It will provide a prettier ride into town,” Heard said. “We want the area to be welcoming. It won’t look blighted. We want to send a message that we are changing the trajectory of the community.”

Tripp Penn, president of the Callaway Foundation, said the linear park aligns with adoption of a new strategic plan for the foundation. After two decades of focusing on downtown LaGrange improvements, the trustees have established two new primary goals: to ensure that every child in Troup County has a chance for a good education and to ensure that every child has the opportunity to live in a safe, affordable housing setting.

S T O R Y

Phoenix Way

of rehabilitating homes in the Hillside community.

“Our mission has not changed from when we were founded, but the way we go about it has changed,” Crawford said. The current focus is on economic development as the engine driving revitalization of neighborhoods where DASH is working.

DASH rentals, including rehabbed homes, the Wilburn Apartments in Hillside, the Richard Wolfe Apartments in the former Dunson School and the Stony Ridge Apartments in Hogansville stay full and their waiting list has reached 300 . They will begin a new 44-unit senior housing complex in Hogansville this month.

The current tight housing market is also evident at DASH. A rehabbed home on Lincoln Street had 12 offers and recently sold for $12,000 over asking price. They’ve also had prospective buyers from out of town.

“They come to LaGrange because of affordability," Crawford said.

The Callaway Foundation’s plans to focus on community housing needs offers an outstanding opportunity to continue a great relationship, Crawford said.

“We hope to be a huge partner for them, using our institutional experience, in meeting mutual goals," he said.

Though in the very early planning stages, Penn said, expect to see the foundation doing projects that address the state of housing.

“It’s just now coming together, but we anticipate significant investments in housing and neighborhood development.”

Penn expects the foundation to continue working with DASH, Dependable Affordable Sustainable Housing, the nonprofit founded by former Troup County Commission Chairman Ricky Wolfe and now marking its 20th anniversary.

Current DASH executive director Nate Crawford said with a smile that he was 10 years old when DASH began its work

LHA Property

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MEMBER

SPOTLIGHT

Vernon Woods Retirement Community Celebrates 20 Years

L

ife Simplified. That’s what we mean when we say, “Come to Life at Vernon Woods.”

Leave the day-to-day activities like cooking, housekeeping, maintenance and driving to us, while you enjoy what matters most. Whether that’s spending time with family and friends, pursuing new interests or simply relaxing. After all, that’s what your retirement years are for.

And since our opening in 2000, as LaGrange’s first planned community offering independent and assisted living, Vernon Woods has set the standard for retirement living. Our dining program under the direction of Chef Jeffery Tucker receives 5-star reviews from residents, family members and guests.

All meals are served restaurant-style, so there are

always plenty of choices available on the menu to select from.

Vernon Woods is locally owned and operated, developed by West Georgia Health System, now Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center, to provide residents access to medical services in addition to housing. The Callaway Foundation provided generous support by donating the land and funds for site work to begin the development.

As one of the first communities in Georgia started by a hospital, Vernon Woods is known statewide as a leader in providing support services and care to its residents. We welcome visitors and invite you to stop in and see what “Come to Life at Vernon Woods” is all about.

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MEMBER

SPOTLIGHT

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August 2021

West Point Graduate

Whispering Hills Memorial Nature Preserve is nestled upon the gently rolling hills of West Georgia.

The preserve contains a natural cemetery and provides sites for interment of cremated remains, scattering of cremated remains, and “green” burials.

Memorial Nature Preserve 3550 Mooty Bridge Road LaGrange, GA 30240 www.whisperinghillspreserve.com info@whisperinghillspreserve.com 706-884-7435 SAT 10AM-5PM SUN 1PM-5PM MON-FRI Call for Appointment

Elizabeth Fournier, author of The Green Burial Guidebook, descries green burials as, “a way of caring for our dead with the least possible environmental impact.”

In a green burial, embalming is not permitted. Only biodegradable shrouds or containers are allowed, and there are no vaults or grave liners.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SWEETLAND

Sweetland Amphitheatre Opens

S

weetland Amphitheatre opened its 2021 season with country superstar Travis Tritt performing July 16th to a sold out crowd. Sweetland also hosted 14-time Grammy winner Emmylou Harris July 24th, Bethel Music July 31st and STYK on August 8th. .

Here is the rest of the 2021 concert schedule: SATURDAY, AUGUST 28TH

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14TH

Steve Earle & the Dukes and Los Lobos

Amy Grant FRIDAY, AUGUST 20TH

Black Jacket Symphony (Eagles’ Hotel California)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH

Boyz II Men FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8TH

Kip Moore

Remember to buy your tickets on sweetlandamp.com.

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August 2021

to advertise in

contact

706.884.8671

AWA R D S

info@lagrangechamber.com

September 9th, 2021 presented by Great Wolf Lodge

David K. Christie

208 Church Street LaGrange, GA 30240

706-882-1883 Proudly serving the community since 1975!

Auto - Home - Life www.lagrangechamber.com

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LAGRANGE SCORES AN INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE

ndependent bookstores are a rare blessing to any community and are often tourism attractions.

Think Square Bookstore in Oxford, Mississippi; Sun Dog Books in Seaside, Florida; and E. Shaver Booksellers in Savannah. LaGrange’s downtown just got a lot “smarter” with the addition of Pretty Good Books at 118 Church Street.

While independent bookstores often battle for survival, they can be a success when the owner has passion, courage and a willingness to sacrifice. Here’s an interview with just such an owner - Joshua Rigsby.

How did your bookstore get its start?

We originally began as a single consignment shelf in a Valley, AL thrift store in 2018 and then opened a storefront on Vernon Road a year later in 2019.

Who runs Pretty Good Books?

It's a family affair, everyone takes part—my parents, my wife, my kids.

Do you and your wife have other jobs or is the bookstore your sole business?

I teach at Columbus State University.

My wife works for the state of Georgia assessing preschools and helping provide quality education to kids across the state.

How did you end up in LaGrange?

I grew up mostly in New Mexico then went to California for school. My wife and I lived just outside of Los Angeles for about 12 years before moving to Georgia.

We came here because this is where my grandparents live. My parents moved here to help take care of them, and we came to be closer to everyone.

What types of books do you stock and specialize in?

We pride ourselves in offering "a little bit of everything." We have both old and new books in a variety of genres: kids, sci-fi, horror, manga, western, romance, Christian, local interest, mystery, and a ton of others. We also carry vintage titles from the 18th and 19th centuries, and have a service in which we assess the value of private collections.

What characteristics do you think a person needs to be a successful

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independent bookstore owner? What has been the key to your success?

Listening to customers is arguably the most important thing we've learned to do. If several people are interested in a title, author, or genre, we move heaven and earth to try to either get it into the store, or track down a hard-to-find copy for someone. People really appreciate when you take care of them and are attentive to their needs.

After that, I have learned to read a bit more widely than I was accustomed to before. Folks want to have a conversation with you about a variety of authors and genres, and that means I can't just specialize in the niche that I'm naturally drawn to. It's a rewarding experience, branching out in this way, and I'd like to think it's making me a better person. Ha. What do you enjoy most about being a bookseller?

There is nothing better than seeing a kid get interested in a book. Sometimes it's a bit of work, and you have to dial up the theatricality of your presentation, but when you see that excitement ignite behind their eyes, and they thrust that trembling dollar bill over the counter, then go skipping out the front door with the book hugged close to their chest? It's hard to beat that feeling.

What do you least enjoy about being a bookseller?

Shipping delays and Amazon.

What does the future look like for independent booksellers? What do you think you and your fellow independent booksellers need to do to survive?

Indie booksellers are seeing a rebound

across the country. Some of that has been the pandemic. Turns out, when people were stuck at home with nothing to do, they rediscovered how fantastic reading is. Some of it is the emergence of the “shop local” movement. Folks have come to realize that money spent at local independent stores stays in the community, rather than financing a gazillionaire's aspirations to give insanely wealthy people pleasure trips to outer space.

How are bookstores relevant in the internet age?

Admittedly, there are some things that books used to do which are now better done online. Dictionaries, for example, are mostly irrelevant because you have instant definitions at your fingertips all the time. There is plenty of research however, which indicates that for longerform content—say, a book of nonfiction, or a tightly-plotted spy thriller—people tend to understand the content better and (Continued on page 39)

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Troup County School System Strategic Planning Two Day Session

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n mid-June, over 90 community members and school system employees gathered at the Callaway Conference Center for two full days to talk about continuous improvement for Troup County School System (TCSS). In partnership with the Schlechty Center, the discovery sessions included exercises on defining moments of the past that impact or impede progress, using mental models, and organizational capacity.

One activity, a Thought Exchange where guests added five words or less about what matters, was a highlight of the session. Attendees participated by scanning a QR code on their personal devices to add word choices that mattered to them. Dr. Brian Shumate, TCSS Superintendent, said, “The Thought Exchange activity was to help spur ideas about specific words that matter most to our community members. This will help us create a word bank where we can in turn create value statements that represent who we are as a school system.”

Shumate also noted that the next step in the strategic planning process is to review the feedback from the two day event and then host focus groups in July with school system employees from different grade levels and schools. “Strategic planning usually runs for three-to-five years. We plan to see the finished product toward the end of the year, in December. This is a multi-layered process as we continue assessing the capacity of the school district to create future orientations and maintain direction through strategic planning.”

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MOVERS, SHAKERS, RISK-TAKERS

MOVERS, SHAKERS, RISK-TAKERS Circles of Troup County for being Congratulations to

recognized with two national awards during the national Circles USA conference.

Troy Anderson James Anderson Deb Brown, a bus driver for

Troup County Schools, received the “Most Powerful Circle Leader Success Story” award. Brown has been with Circles for almost two years and has met many of her goals, including raising her credit score, reducing debt and saving to purchase a house. She bought a home during 2020, while also reducing her housing costs from 70% of her income to just 14% of her income.

The Troup County Board of Commissioners is proud to announce James Anderson has been named Troup County Special Projects Manager.

Anderson has served as the department head of Troup County’s Community Development Department, formerly known as building, planning & zoning, since 2013. As Director of Community Development, Anderson was responsible for leading his department in reviewing plans and conducting inspections to ensure the proper construction and maintenance of new buildings in Troup County.

As Special Projects Manager, he will be responsible for managing assigned capital improvement projects; coordinating project documentation, budgets, and bid specifications; monitoring expenditures; and assisting the Board of Commissioners in the development and implementation of operating policies and procedures for Troup County.

Calvin Neely received the

“Outstanding Ally” award. Neely, owner of Kona Ice of LaGrange, has volunteered with Circles for seven years. He has volunteered in multiple positions and in 2019 initiated a process that resulted in a collaboration between Circles of Troup and Center State Bank to provide lowinterest loans to Circles participants. The loans allowed Circle Leaders to pay off high interest loans (about 400%) with a loan at just 3%.

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“I am very excited about this new opportunity and challenge. I will work hard every day to improve the quality of life for all citizens in Troup County,” said Anderson. “I have lived in Troup County for 31 years, raised a family here, and have a vested interest in the success of Troup County.”

Anderson is looking forward to managing the responsibilities of his new role, and he would like to thank County Manager Eric Mosley and the Board of Commissioners for their vote of confidence and support.

The Troup County Board of Commissioners is proud to announce Troy Anderson has been named Director of Community Development.

Anderson’s proven success and skills in leadership, management, policy development, and technical analysis have been established through nearly 28 years of service with the U.S. Navy. Before accepting the Director of Community Development position, Anderson most recently acted as the Chief of Military Human Capital and Integration for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in McLean, Virginia.

There, he directed the agency’s efforts in the management and execution of all military plans, programs, manpower, and discipline.

As Director of Community Development, Anderson will be responsible for leading his department in the enforcement of building codes, the administration of the county zoning ordinance, and the general oversight of County Planning. He will oversee the operations of the Troup County Marshal’s Office and Economic Development, and will also act as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Troup County Development Authority and the Public Facility Authority.

“I left LaGrange in 1993 and joined the Navy to serve our great country. Over the course of 28 years, I have learned the value of teamwork in finding solutions and shaping cultures and communities within the military services,” said Anderson. “I am absolutely honored to be given the opportunity to return to my hometown as Community Development Director. As my wife, Tina, and I settle back into the community that we left many years ago, I look forward to challenges that lie ahead, the relationships with those who have vision, and the invaluable opportunities required to shape the future of Troup County.”

MOVERS, SHAKERS, RISK-TAKERS

LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton will be inducted as

the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) president in August 2021. Thornton was elected to the LaGrange City Council in 2009, and after serving one full term on the council, was elected mayor in 2013. Within GMA, he has served on the board of directors and as a trustee for the Georgia Municipal Employee Benefits System. He’s also been chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee and a member of the Legislative and Federal Policy Committees. Thornton was appointed as a co-chair of the recently established GMA Equity and Inclusion Commission. GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and technical assistance services to its 537 member cities.

Kelly Hester

Sabrina Allen is the

To honor the late Michael Graznak, a former CCA member and contributing communicator for agricultural cooperatives, the organization established the award following his untimely death.

Since 1977, individuals under the age of 36 with an evident dedication to cooperative communications have been nominated to continue his legacy. As the 43rd recipient of the award, Hester embodies all that is valued in a communications professional.

She enjoys working with a diverse community to help people to grow in each phase of their lives. Sabrina is a graduate of LaGrange High School. She attended West Georgia Technical College, where she received her Information and Office Technology degree. Sabrina also gained her CBA, Credit Business Associate from the Atlanta Business Institute.

Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative’s Communications and Corporate Events Coordinator, Kelly Hester, was named this year’s recipient of the Michael Graznak Award from the Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA). The prestigious award is given annually to a young professional who demonstrates both expertise and promise in cooperative communications.

“It’s been exciting to watch Kelly grow professionally for the last decade,” said Jay Gill, Vice President of Communications and Economic Development for Carroll EMC. “Her passion for the cooperative and our business model is reflected in her work. This recognition is well-deserved.”

Brittney Henderson

was appointed as Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at West Georgia Technical College in April 2021.

Henderson also serves as Executive Director of the WGTC Foundation, working with a Board of Trustees to support West Georgia Technical College.

The purpose of the WGTC Foundation is to encourage, solicit, receive and administer gifts and bequests of property and funds for the benefit of the college and its students.

executive director for the Boys & Girls Club of West Georgia and the resident services director for the LaGrange Housing Authority (LHA). She leads a team in West Georgia Star. Under the leadership of Sabrina, WGS now has the title of an EnVision Center from the federal department of Housing and Urban Development, which handles all services for each property that LHA manages.

Before joining LHA, she worked at Interface Americas for over 20 years which gave her extensive experience in corporate credit management, office administration, social services, and event logistics. Mastering the science of preparation, directing the transfer of materials and intangible services make her the perfect fit for our community.

“I'm very excited to be a part of the West Georgia Technical College family,” Henderson said. “There are wonderful partnership opportunities within our communities, and I look forward to facilitating their growth."

Henderson, who received her Bachelors of Science in Organizational Leadership from the University of West Georgia in 2019, previously worked for the Coweta County Board of Education at The Nixon Centre for the Arts in Newnan, Georgia.

(Movers & Shakers continued on page 25) www.lagrangechamber.com

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WellStar Medical Group Pulmonary Medicine 1551 Doctors Drive LaGrange, GA 30240 Phone: (706) 880-7222

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Wellstar Medical Group Family Medicine 1009 Ave.E (U.S. 29) West Point, GA 31833 706.242.5081

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MOVERS, SHAKERS, RISK-TAKERS

Rylee Govoreau

After graduating with her Master's of Public Administration from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC this May, Govoreau moved to Georgia to begin her career as the Local Government Management Fellow for the City of Hogansville. This fellowship is out of the ICMA (International City and County Manager's Association) and allows her to do a bit of everything relating to daily city operations. She believes that having the exposure to develop in various areas of local government will allow her to be a better leader as a potential city manager in the future. Govoreau discovered her passion for local government after she joined Appalachian State University's Department of Government and Justice Studies on a trip to Raleigh, NC to meet with people working in various positions in state and local government. A panelist who had spent many years working in local government said that "the best way to make a positive difference is to work in a local government and directly impact communities." She always knew that she wanted to make a positive difference, and that trip inspired her to choose Town, City, and County Management as the concentration of her MPA degree and pursue a career in public service. When she is not at work, you can find her walking her dog, Kelso, at the pool, or exploring nearby hikes.

Caroline Johnson

The Troup County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce Caroline Johnson has been named communications manager.

Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Writing from Oglethorpe University and has served as interim communications manager since February 2021. Before accepting the communications manager position, Johnson worked as the administrative assistant to the Board of Commissioners, where she provided support for multiple departments within Troup County Government.

“I am excited to continue engaging with the citizens of Troup County and eager to begin cultivating new relationships within the community,” said Johnson when asked what she is most looking forward to.

As the communications manager, she will be responsible for managing public information and media relation efforts on behalf of the Troup County Board of Commissioners and its administrative departments. She will relay public information to the citizens of Troup County regarding the government’s goals, service, programs, events, and initiatives through Troup County’s website, press releases, and social media.

Jake Jones

Synovus recently announced the appointment of Jake Jones as market executive for LaGrange. “Jake is a lifelong resident of LaGrange with a deep commitment to his hometown.

This community and our bank will be well served by his extensive banking experience and knowledge of industries and economic development opportunities in Troup County,” said Mark Lane, Synovus division CEO. A Troup County native, Jones joined Synovus in 2004 and is a graduate of LaGrange Academy and The University of Georgia. He serves on the boards of Heart of West Georgia Inc., LaGrange Gridiron Club, LaGrange College Leadership Council, and is a member of the LaGrange Rotary Club, which he served as president in 2016-2017. Jones is on the executive committee of Troup County Historical Society, and serves as treasurer of Troup County Special Olympics and Chairman of the West Georgia Health Hospital Foundation.

He is also on the board of the LaGrangeTroup Chamber of Commerce.

Holly Williams

has been promoted to senior vice president at Synovus. A native of LaGrange, Holly began working behind the scenes as a Synovus credit analyst and became a commercial banker in 2012. She serves our LaGrange community through her involvement with HYPE (Member and past Secretary), First Presbyterian Church Child Care (Board Member), and Shoal Creek Baptist Church member. She’s also a graduate of Leadership Troup.

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A N N U A L

M E E T I N G

WINNERS

Jane Fryer Award: CLIFF MEEKS

Otto Korth Diplomat of the Year: MIKE SPEIGHT

(photography by Jenna Calleen Photography)

2021 Annual Meeting was held at Highland Country Club, presented by Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center.

Ida Tarver Jones Volunteer of the Year: BRANDON ELEY

Tom Hall Innovation Award: BOB GOEHRING

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PREVENT SUMMER SPIKE: Five Facts About the Delta Variant

By Dr. Danny Branstetter, Medical Director of Infection Prevention, Wellstar Health System

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he highly transmissible and contagious Delta variant is now the dominant strain in the U.S. and accounts for more than 51% of new COVID-19 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The Delta variant is extremely contagious and responsible for the recent summer spike in COVID cases seen all over the world, including here in Georgia," said Dr. Danny Branstetter, medical director of Infection Prevention for Wellstar Health System. "The best protection against COVID is prevention, and now is the time to prioritize getting vaccinated, practicing safety measures, and getting tested if you are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed."

While the Delta variant has contributed to a sharp increase in new COVID cases, there are still steps that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people can take to protect themselves and others. Wellstar is sharing five facts about the Delta variant to help stop the community spread of COVID-19:

1. It's in the U.S. and the most dominant strain. The first cases of the Delta variant were identified in December 2020. It has since been found in more than 80 countries, including here in Georgia, rapidly becoming the dominant strain. Per the CDC, the Delta variant had already made up more than 20% of cases by the end of June in the U.S.

2. It's more contagious and spreading fast. Early indications are that it is more infectious than the earlier variants. It is spreading faster than earlier variants, with one person infecting more people upon exposure than the earlier variants. Travel and gatherings – especially without herd immunity from vaccination and without safety measures in place – give the virus free rein to mutate. Viruses love people who travel and gather because it helps the virus to spread to new hosts.

3. People who are not vaccinated are at greater risk. Vaccination is the best protection we have against any strain of COVID-19 – especially the two-dose

vaccines. We are in a race against virus mutations. The more we allow it to spread, the more we are allowing it to mutate. Younger, unvaccinated people are experiencing more symptomatic disease than they were with earlier variants, so don't assume that you are safe because you are young and healthy. Countries with more than 70% vaccine coverage that are seeing a rise in infections from the Delta variant are not seeing a rise in deaths, offering clear evidence of the protective benefit from being fully vaccinated.

4. It could halt the progress we’ve made, changing what the fall and winter look like, including back to school. We are not out of the woods yet, even though it may feel like it as people are out and about. A new surge with a more infectious variant, like the Delta variant, could potentially cause a serious uptick in cases, long-term illness, and even deaths. We must be vigilant.

5. We are still learning. As the virus continues to spread and mutate, we rely on data to learn more. While there have been some reports about the increased severity of disease, different symptoms and effects, and infections in fully vaccinated people from the Delta variant, there is much we do not know.

What can we do?

Here are things to do now to take action: • Get vaccinated. Vaccination is our best

protection. We need more people to get vaccinated to prevent the virus from mutating beyond the protection of the vaccines. Less than 40% of Georgians are vaccinated – that's not enough. We need to reach 70-80%+ in order to stop the virus from spreading and mutating here. Data shows that the two-dose mRNA (Pfizer and Moderna) vaccines are more than 88% effective against the Delta variant, while the singledose versions of the vaccine are not as effective in protecting against the Delta variant.

• Practice safety measures. It can protect you from contracting or spreading the virus. While people who are vaccinated now have a layer of protection, don't let down your guard. People who are immunocompromised and or who have comorbidities that contribute to worse outcomes from COVID-19 infection are advised at this time to continue to practice social distancing, avoid crowds indoors, and wear a mask even if fully vaccinated.

• Get tested. If you have any symptoms or a known or suspected exposure, get tested for COVID-19.

For more information about COVID, the vaccine, or where to get vaccinated, visit Wellstar’s COVID-19 resource page at www.wellstar.org/community/covid-19 or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

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The Story of the Yellow-Brick Hotel By: Lewis O. Powell, IV Research Archivist, Troup County Historical Society

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o begin to understand the history behind the Hotel Colonial, step around to the Haralson Street side and look at the roofline. Jutting from the back of the main hotel building is a smaller roofline and this is where the hotel’s history begins, literally behind the hotel.

This roof covers a home that dates to the Antebellum era. While the exact date is unknown, it is found on the 1860 map of the city and identified as the home of Mrs. E. E. Law. During the dark days of the Civil War as Sherman was waging his campaign to seize Atlanta in 1864, the area south of Atlanta was deemed a hospital zone by the Confederacy. As the region was nearly untouched by war and had an operational railroad, the Confederacy commandeered buildings, both public and private, throughout LaGrange for use as hospitals. One of those hospitals, referred to as the Law Hospital, may have occupied this house. It is also important to note that another hospital utilized the 1844 First Presbyterian Church building only yards away (this is the building that is currently occupied by Pretty Good Books).

Following the war, the house remained a private residence for many more years. It is unknown when the Young sisters took up residence, but the house may have served as a boarding house for a time before 1921. Three of the sisters, Anna, Ethel, and Lois, operated a millinery shop that opened around 1920. In December of 1921 an announcement was made on the opening of the Hotel Colonial, which was to be managed by Anna Young. Presumably, this operated out of the Young sister’s home.

Surviving pages of the 1922 guest book attest to the fact that the hotel had only a handful of rooms, though they had many guests to occupy them.

Business was booming, and the trio of young ladies decided a further investment was required. In 1925, the sisters contracted with the Atlanta architectural firm of Ivey & Crook to design a large, new hotel addition to their modest home.

The firm consisted of principal designer Lewis “Buck” Crook and architectural engineer Ernest Daniel “Ed” Ivey, both of whom received their training at Georgia Tech. Both men interned with Neel Reid

The Hotel Colonial shortly after its construction in 1925 by Snelson Davis. Troup County Archives.

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and are now considered among the pantheon of Atlanta classicist architects at that time. The façade of the large, three-story yellow-brick Neoclassical hotel prominently features arches, an element found in a multitude of the firm’s designs including the Municipal Pool Pavilion (now Sweetland Amphitheatre), and the original Memorial Library building (behind the hotel on Church Street). On a piece of millinery stationary, the sisters added up the costs of the project and came to the sum of $96,400, a considerable amount of money at that time.

Daniel Lumber Company was named the general contractor with two other local companies, Gilliam Electric and Black Plumbing slated as well. Construction began in the fall of 1925 and the new hotel opened on February 22, 1926. Just a week before the opening, bandleader John Philip Sousa and his band became the first guests of the hotel when they played here as part of their tour.

The hotel opened with some fifty rooms, most with a private bath or connecting

Portrait of Anna Young, manager of the hotel. Photo circa 1910, from the Young Sisters Collection, Troup County Archives.

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Far left: A war bond dinner held in the dining room of the Hotel Colonial with actress Jane Withers (second from the right) and musician Graham Jackson (far left) in 1944. Photo from the Pittman Cleveland Collection, Troup County Archives.

Left: A bed room at the Hotel Colonial probably in the 1930s from the Young Sisters Collection, Troup County Archives.

bath. The first floor featured a lobby, writing room, ladies and gentlemen’s parlors, a main dining room, and a well-stocked kitchen.

These rooms, both public and private, would serve LaGrange for many years to come. Among some of the luminaries to stay here are Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who visited the city in 1930, while serving as governor of New York State.

During World War II, actress Jane Withers visited the hotel as part of a war bond drive. As she dined in the hotel’s dining room, guests were serenaded by musician Graham Jackson, a personal friend of FDR’s.

Anna Young managed the hotel from its opening in 1921, through the construction of the main hotel building and the Depression until 1941 when she began to lease it to Hal N. Brady, Jr. After twenty years of leasing the hotel Brady purchased the building from the Youngs and ran it until 1967, when he announced that the hotel would close and be renovated into apartments. It reopened in February of 1968 with efficiency apartments, as well as one-andtwo-bedroom apartments.

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In the early 1980s, several investors attempted to reopen the building as a hotel, though the business deal failed. The building has served many different occupants over the past forty years and reopened last year after major renovations.

The story of the yellow-brick hotel started with the dreams of three young ladies and has continued with a local landmark.

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C H A M B E R

E V E N T S

Join us in celebrating our members!

Ribbon Cuttings, Anniversary Celebrations and Grand Openings

Groundswell’s Solar Installation at Ark Refuge Ministries 504 E. Depot St., LaGrange

Lafayette Christian School, 2nd Campus Grand Opening 1921 Hamilton Road, LaGrange

Timberwolf Axe Throwing 1300 Lafayette Parkway (Suite F1), LaGrange

The Exceptional Way 3816 Hamilton Road, LaGrange

Lavish Luxe Bridal Boutique 187 A. South Davis Road, LaGrange

Hogansville City Hall 111 High Street, Hogansville

Beautiful Beginnings 1605 Vernon Road, Suite 1400, LaGrange

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K&K Klassic Klothing 308 W. 8th Street, Suite 101, West Point

C H A M B E R

E V E N T S

Elite Marketing Co. 209 Church Street, LaGrange

D’Luxury Events 819 New Franklin Road, LaGrange

Abbottsford Farms 410 Abbottsford Road, LaGrange

Grooming By Sav 2842 West Point Road, LaGrange

Pretty Good Books 118 Church Street, LaGrange

The Exchange at 1105 1105 S. David Road, LaGrange

www.lagrangechamber.com

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C H A M B E R

E V E N T S

CHAMBER BUSINESS COUNCILS Hogansville On June 29, Mayor Bill Stankiewicz gave us a city update and we toured the newly renovated City Hall. Special guests including a baby wallaby from Iron P Homestead Zoo!

SAFETY COUNCIL Presented by HyundaiTransys, the Troup County Safety Council met at the Chamber on June 16.

Our guest speaker and quarter sponsor Mitchell Smith, President of Pike Consulting Group and Authorized OSHA Trainer, CHST presented on understanding OSHA for manufacturers.

LEADERSHIP TROUP ALUMNI Sponsored by True North Investments, Leadership Troup alumni joined for a Business After Hours celebration and reception in June.

West Point Troup County Center for Strategic Planning Executive Director, Maryanne Lovejoy was our featured guest at West Point Business Council on July 1 at American Smokehouse.

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NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION It was a full house for our Q2 New Member Orientation on June 16 at the Chamber.

In addition to Chamber board members and diplomats, we had 13 new members in attendance. Todd Carlisle with the Small Businesses Development Center was our featured speaker.

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EARLY BIRD BREAKFASTS May Judge R. Michael Key was our featured speaker and spoke on "The State of Kiddie Court in Troup County". Special thanks for our Gold sponsor, CleanSmart Industrial Supplies Inc. and registration table sponsor, Malone Workforce Solutions.

June Our featured guests included Stephanie Davis, Miracle League VP of National Programs and Jill Moore, Inclusive Play Specialist. Special thanks for our Gold sponsor, Rhodes Sports Bar and registration table sponsor, Lafayette Christian School.

STATE OF INTERNET MARKETING presented by Jackson Services

Presented by Jackson Services, our lunch focused on the "State of Internet Marketing" in our community. Our featured guests were: Brandon Eley, Owner and CEO, EleyDigital & 2BigFeet Dr. Todd Weaver, Dean of the College of Business & Leadership, Department Chair Marketing, Point University Jake Elson, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Interface L-R: Dale Jackson, Presenting Sponsor, Brandon Eley, Dr. Todd Weaver, Jake Elson, Mike Gilmartin, Facilitator

Save the Date HIGHLAND COUNTRY CLUB • OCTOBER 7, 2021 Presented by J. Smith Lanier

Interested in Sponsorship? Call 706-884-8671 for info!

www.lagrangechamber.com

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Leadership Troup Kicks Off New Year

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he 2021-2022 Leadership Troup year is off to a great start with new Board Chairman Joseph Miller. The class sessions will be getting into full swing in August. With 35 participants, this year’s Leadership Troup class is one of the largest.

Leadership Troup, presented by Malone Workforce Solutions, has educated local professionals about the issues and concerns of the community since 1991. The program spans nine months and includes

leadership modules created and taught by the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development – a public service and outreach unit of the University of Georgia.

This will be the seventh year of an enhanced program developed in conjunction with the Georgia LEADS program of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the University of Georgia’s Fanning Institute, whose mission is to grow quality leaders across the state.

The Leadership Troup program begins with an overnight retreat and will convene for seven more sessions which will run through May 2022. Topics covered during the sessions include: Social Issues (with a poverty simulation), Civic Engagement, Education, Healthcare, Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts – along with learning new perspectives on leadership from Fanning faculty.

LEADERSHIP TROUP 2021-2022 CLASS: Freshana Allen Three Rivers Regional Commission

Holly Fevos Malone Solutions

April Bartley KIA Georgia, Inc.

Christy Gresley Fuller E. Callaway Foundation

Veleka Battle Troup County School System

Erin Hackley Troup County Coroner’s Office

Melita Bouchet MGroup

Brittney Henderson West Georgia Technical College

Rena Boykin LaGrange Housing Authority Marco Brown KIA Georgia, Inc. Kaylynn Cook Sheridan Construction Nate Crawford DASH for LaGrange, Inc. Hill Daniel Troup County Government Selina Dominguez Thrive MBS Enterprises, LLC KeJuana Drake Gay and Joseph, CPA, PC Corey Dunn Troup County Parks & Rec. 34

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Kirt Mathes Fokker Services Americas Starlet Mays Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Home Kim Myers Troup County Family Connections Authority Karen Pruett LaGrange College

Mark Huffman Mark Huffman Consulting, LLC

Amy Rhodes Kimble’s Events by Design

Grayson Jones Milliken & Co. - Live Oak

Jeff Sheppard City of Hogansville

Lisa Kelly City of Hogansville

Bryce Sillyman Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center

Joseph Kirkland Duracell Will Locke LaGrange First United Methodist Chusrch Kristin Mallory Emory Healthcare Jordan Martinec UrgenCare Christian Massey Great Wolf Lodge

Brandon Solomon Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center Tammy Strickland ActiKare/Sister Solutions 23, LLC Michael Strickland Troup County Fire Dept.

LaConnie Woodyard Mobis Ga.

Joseph Miller

2021-2022 BOARD MEMBERS: Chairman: Joseph Miller ‘17 Chair Elect: Shannon Lawson ‘19 Retreat Chair: George Bailey ‘20 Youth Chair and Co-Chair: Molly Fulghum ’19 and Tessia Wilder ‘20 Secretary: Molly Fulghum ‘19 Alumni Chair: Aaron Mabon ‘18 Immediate Past Chair: Ley Wynne ‘16 At Large: John Beyers ‘20 Marshall McCoy ‘21 Katie Brown ‘21 Daniela Bailey ‘21 April Welch ‘21 Gerald Wyatt ‘21

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LEADERSHIP TROUP 2020-2021 CLASS

Brandon Adams Airforce Heating & Air

Barbara Harris United Way of West Georgia

Patrick Sands Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Daniela Bailey LaGrange Housing Authority

Alicia Hill Groundswell

Nathan Taylor Troup County Sheriff’s Office

Katie Brown Long Cane Elementary

Cherie Hull Emory at LaGrange

Dedra Thornton Long Cane Middle School

Kelly Camp Calumet Center for Healing & Attachment

Jared Jones, Jr. JT Jones & Associates

Sara Grace Todd LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce

Alex Casto Great Wolf Lodge Jenna Eady Elite Marketing Co. Rachael English Colony Bank Hannah Frady Troup County High School Ryan Gatens UrgenCare, LLC Sharon Geter Matt Orr State Farm

Jason Lawson Jackson Services Kim McBride Hyundai Mobis Marshall McCoy LaGrange Police Department Katherine Morefield Great Wolf Lodge Matthew Partin MGroup Jenni Sampson Duracell

Kerri Vice Lafayette Society for Performing Arts Ernest Ward LaGrange Housing Authority April Welch West Georgia Technical College Alan Whitehouse Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center Jacob Wise LaGrange College Gerald Wyatt ThINC College and Career Academy

www.lagrangechamber.com

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Youth Leadership 2021 2020 Graduates

LEADERSHIP SUMMER SERIES Through this Summer Series, members will gain knowledge from peers and industry professionals through the Chamber's continuing education programs to be held monthly in May, June, July and August.

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he Leadership Troup program works to educate and inspire young leaders in our community.

Presented by the Chamber, the Youth Leadership program gives future leaders insight into how they can positively contribute to their communities and schools, reaching far into their adult lives.

Springwood School, and Troup County Home School Association.

The four-month program begins in August, with sessions focused on team building, understanding leadership, communicating effectively, etiquette, appreciating differences and managing conflict, setting goals, and decisionmaking.

The new 2021 Youth Leadership class, presented by Point University, has been selected and includes 39 students from local high schools: Callaway High School, LaGrange High School, Troup High School, Lafayette Christian School, LaGrange Academy,

Similar to Leadership Troup, Youth Leadership also includes an enhanced program developed in conjunction with the Georgia LEADS program of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the University of Georgia’s Fanning Institute.

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Jarrett Hyde Will Keeter Blake Kendrick Caroline Kersey Charlie Key Davis Knight Alisa Lee Kadyn Lewis Kamiya Lockhart Ryleigh McClanahan Landen Mims Christopher Moore Maddie Morman

Part II Presented by HYPE Young Professionals focused on Equity & Inclusion in the workplace.

National School Public Relations Association Vice President and Director of Public Relations for the Troup County Board of Education, Yolanda Stephen, APR presented on inclusion and provided tips and tricks to bolster a culturally adaptive environment.

2021 CLASS Bo Beall Maya Billingslea Alexis Burke Karsten Butler Joel Davidson Cadence Davis Morgan Doughman Catherine Claire French Faith Gipson Demetri Hatten Madison Hester Emmi Horlander Avery Hudson

Part I of our Leadership Summer Series focused on Conflict in the Workplace and Overcoming Obstacles. We heard from Eddie Mabe, Manager of HR and Administration at Hyundai-Transys to present on this topic.

Special thanks to our lunch sponsor, Kimble’s Food by Design.

Holly Nelms Alyssa Parker Addison Paul Emma Paul Madison Petite Zoe Pike Emma Prestridge Charlsie Reed Candace Shoger Inness Silcox Lizabeth Simmons Leila Thomas Serenity Woodyard

Part III of our Leadership Summer Series featured Mac Cantrell with 2Impact, a coaching and consulting firm dedicated to equipping individuals and businesses to reach their maximum growth potential.

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Expanding Your Business to a New Location

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hen a business is doing well, market saturation is sometimes the inevitable. As a result, owners often find themselves entering new territories to grow their business. While there are many factors to consider when entering and growing into a new territory, remember to spend time focusing on relationships to include employees, vendors, contracts, and customers.

EMPLOYEES: When entering into new territory, your current team will be important. Obviously, you will have to add additional staff but be prepared to temporarily, or in some cases, permanently take existing staff to help jumpstart the new location.

This can be a challenge because you will need to determine who will go versus who will stay to ensure that the new and existing locations are both successful. Be prepared to offer incentives to those moving temporarily or permanently because some employees will be reluctant to move.

VENDORS: Talk to your vendors to determine who has the capability to continue to service you in the new location. More than likely,

they will be happy to learn that they will be obtaining more business as this could grow their business too. This will save you time from having to build new relationships allowing you to focus on other factors. However, if your vendors are not in the new location, you will need to identify new vendors and identify the vendors with the best reputation to help you move your new location forward.

CONTRACTS: Another factor to consider is existing contracts that you have? This is your opportunity to learn how well you are meeting their needs and to ask for additional business in the new area. Be prepared to learn that most likely they already have someone in place. However, if the current service provider is not doing a good job, this could be your opportunity to move in and acquire the business. On the other hand, if the current service provider is doing a good job, you will at least want to find out about the next open bid period. Also, remember to ask if you can serve as a backup until a primary opportunity becomes available.

CUSTOMERS: Last but certainly not least, market research on prospective customers in the new location will be a key factor to

consider. You will want to determine if there are enough prospects to make it worth your time, money, and resources.

Also, be sure that you have something unique to offer that sets you apart from the competition. This could ensure longevity in the new market.

Obviously, there are many more factors to consider when expanding your business. However, your relationships could be one of the keys to your success.

The bottom line is that the people who are already around you can play a major part in making your business successful. So, cultivate the existing relationships that you have and be prepared to reap the benefits of the seeds that you have sown.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? Contact Todd Carlisle with the UGA Small Business Development Center at (706) 569-2651 to schedule a complimentary consultation in our LaGrange office.

www.lagrangechamber.com

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Interior Designers Develop Creative Solutions in Response to a Pandemic Eco Choice Interiors

boundaries and privacy.

She emphasizes the importance of creating a home office space with an appropriate backdrop. “With the more frequent use of online group meetings and video chatting, the interior backdrop you curate speaks to your professionalism and personal identity,” the designer pointed out.

Eco Choice Interiors

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hile global pandemic tremors still rumble, area interior designers have continued to persevere, adapt, innovate and provide solutions for their clients.

Cathy Winslow, principal designer of Splash!, says it best. “Pandemics historically have inspired change in design. Extended work from home provided the time for many homeowners to realize the need and desire to update and reconfigure existing living spaces.

The pandemic also accelerated home projects and products made for the home.

‘Zoom ready space’ became a trending conversation at Splash!”

A mother of three school age children, Ashlan McHugh, senior designer with the Smith Design Group, noted that working from home began as a necessary adaptation to the pandemic. However, with many people making a permanent transition to working remotely and their children to cyber learning, they now need a dedicated space in their home with

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Home office space is not the only change clients are making. Before Covid-19, Splash! typically had 50 percent of its business in bathroom renovations and 50 percent in kitchen renovations. As pandemic restrictions loosened, Splash! saw an overwhelming demand for bathroom renovations. They became 90 percent of their business.

“Clients’ desire for calm and spa like environments to escape the everyday pandemic anxieties may have been a factor for bathrooms trending up,” Winslow noted.

Another trend, according to McHugh, is homeowners rethinking the extra square footage in their homes, seeking Splash Kitchens & Bath

conversions of bonus rooms and garages.

The owner and principal designer of EcoCHOICE Interiors, Jennifer Spears, said her favorite “pandemic project” is the home bar. Home bars are great places to take risks with finishes. “Don’t be scared, go bold! Bright and fun backsplash tiles, a large statement light fixture, or unique hardware can dress up an old cabinet to make it the perfect statement piece,” advises Spears. A new home bar sets the tone as a place to gather and interact with family and friends.

With new spaces comes the need for new furnishings. McHugh said the aesthetic trend is natural materials like wood slats, woven grasses and rattan. Consumers are also becoming even more environmentally conscious, showing a higher interest in refurbished antiques and reclaimed materials. Calming colors are also key in today’s design.

Ever expanding technology needs demand design improvements. USB ports are the new add-on norm for outlets both on the wall and in islands and in pullout drawers. “We even include them in bathrooms,” said Winslow. Charging stations concealed in drawers and apps that control the lights, oven and home temperatures are all part of Splash!’s design discussion. Wireless technology allows for flexibility and the obliteration of unsightly wires.

Reimagined outdoor spaces are also tops on homeowners’ wish lists. Plans for new and expanded decks, porches, summer kitchens, outdoor fireplaces, pools and

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spas are keeping interior designers busy.

Working remotely allows employees to use these spaces every day, not just on weekends.

When homeowners cannot be outside, like the humid days of summer, they want to bring nature inside. This is accomplished by maximizing natural light, bringing in fresh air, allowing views of nature and designing with natural materials, colors and patterns, suggests McHugh.

Commercial interior design now places top priority on healthy interior environments.

“It is no longer only for hospitals and medical offices to maintain infection control so we are seeing smoother, easyto-clean surfaces, more square footage allowances in waiting areas, more frequent hand washing and sanitizing stations and a renewed interest in outdoor areas for staging, waiting and dining,” said McHugh.

Smith Design Group believes the

pandemic heightened the importance of community and the need for more outdoor spaces for citizens to gather and social distance. A few such projects they are working on include renovations and upgrades to the William J. Griggs Recreation Center and the multi-use Oakfuskee Conservation Center at Pyne Road Park.

It is no surprise that the pandemic’s impact on the design and construction profession has been tremendous.

While Splash! had an increase in business, they do not have sufficient labor to address business needs. “Moreover, the product and cycle time disruptions have created multiple layers of timing and scheduling issues,” said Winslow.

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and is confident about 2022.

McHugh said that Smith Design Group has experienced a moderate increase in projects and architectural fee billings but increased construction costs are still hurdles difficult to overcome.

“Cost increases are mainly in air conditioning, all wood products and there are delays due to workforce shortages because of the difficulty in finding and keeping good labor,” she said.

The senior designer is optimistic. “The stimulus funds received and promised will shore up our local design and construction fields for the next 18 to 24 months.”

Splash Kitchens & Bath

Spears said she signed the papers on her new showroom at 100 Mooty Bridge Road on the day LaGrange was shut down due to the pandemic. “I literally stood in the parking lot crying, wondering, questioning everything that day,” she said.

“EcoCHOICE came out of the pandemic better than ever as a company, but personally I learned that flexibility and patience are the most important tools we need these days in the construction field,” the designer said. Her company is fully booked with projects through this year

(Continued from page 18) remember it for longer when they read it off of paper the old fashioned way. There are other benefits of a bookstore, too. The internet cannot offer the serendipity of discovery you experience just wandering the aisles of a bookstore and stumbling onto something you never knew existed.

Bookstores also offer a meeting place for like-minded bookish people to find each other in order to discuss, argue about, and celebrate the writers they love. While there is plenty of arguing to be done online, there is very little of the bookstore's natural esprit de corps.

What are your hours?

10am - 6pm Monday - Saturday We are still figuring out our Sunday hours.

What is your vision for the bookstore?

I want Pretty Good Books to be a local hub for cultural expression and a hot spot for intellectual discourse. We are already scheduled for the next several months with authors coming to speak

and hold book signings. We had our first author event in the new space this Saturday, and it was wonderful, with folks coming from as far away as Atlanta and Montgomery. We've got a kid's story time on the first Saturday of every month. We'd love to have an open mic poetry night, as well as afternoon performances by local musicians while folks are shopping.

More than anything, though, we hope to create an atmosphere that is accessible and welcoming to people of all backgrounds where we celebrate the written word.

If you could invite any author for a book signing at your store, who would you choose?

New York Times bestselling author Mike Duncan has recently written a new biography of the Marquis de Lafayette. I'm working with his publicist to try to bring him to LaGrange. I have heard a lot of interest in bringing Karin Slaughter, Stuart

Woods, or Sarah J. Maas among others.

Someday we'll make it happen!

What little known book would you like to see make it big?

There are so many to choose from. If You Have To Go by Katie Ford has been one of my favorite recent poetry collections.

What is your favorite book? Why? This is tough. The cliché is that asking someone to choose their favorite book is like asking them to choose their favorite child, you love them each in their own uniqueness. Here are a few of my favorites (in no particular order): Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien Slaughterhouse V by Kurt Vonnegut Beloved by Toni Morrison

www.lagrangechamber.com

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Printing Design Display Graphics Mailing & Fulfillment

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5 Tools for Tracking Your Online Marketing & Growth

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uilding a successful small business requires actionable data to make informed decisions. The rise of the Internet has given big companies an incredible amount of data on their customers, but there are a lot of resources available to small businesses, too. Below are 5 tools for tracking your website and marketing’s effectiveness.

WEBSITE ANALYTICS Google Analytics is the most used website analytics software. Once installed, you can see your website traffic and visitor data. You can see where your visitors are geographically, what kind of device (mobile phone, tablet, PC) they are using, and filter by demographics and behavior. You can set up goals, events and even track conversion flow. Best of all, it’s completely free.

AD CONVERSION TRACKING Whether you are using Facebook Ads, Google Ads, or something else, it’s important to be able to track whether your ads are effective. Instead of sending visitors to your home page, create a custom landing page for each ad campaign, and be sure to include the tracking code provided to register each visit in your website’s analytics software. This will allow you to see whether visitors from your paid advertising are actually converting (filling out contact forms, buying products, etc.) or just bouncing off your site.

PHONE & URL TRACKING Traditional advertising is often accused of being ineffective compared to digital advertising, but in reality, it’s just more challenging to get good data on which ads perform best to be able to test and improve over time. There are tools that can help track the performance of your traditional ad campaigns, like phone and URL (website link) tracking. These tools allow you to see how many phone calls or clicks are coming from a particular ad campaign, which will help you determine its effectiveness.

CRM TRACKING A CRM (customer relationship management) system is just a database of

all your customers and all your interactions with them. A good CRM will track a customer’s orders, returns, emails, phone calls, and even live chats and social messages. Analyzing trends in customer support inquiries, for instance, can lead to automations and response templates that cut down on time to respond and improve the customer relationship. Popular CRMs include Salesforce, Hubspot, and Zoho CRM, but there are often industry-specific platforms.

LIFETIME VALUE Acquiring a new customer can cost five times more than retaining an existing customer, but few small businesses focus on data-driven customer retention campaigns. Knowing your customer LTV, or lifetime value, is critical to creating an effective customer loyalty or win-back campaign. Tools like Lifetimely can show

you the lifetime value of customers, and let you export specific segments of customers (like customers who purchased 5 times previously, but haven’t purchased in six months) to let you create targeted campaigns to win back customers.

START USING DATA IN YOUR DECISION-MAKING TODAY Start tracking and using data to help inform your business and marketing decisions. It will lead to lower customer acquisition and retention costs and higher revenues and give you a definitive edge over your competition.

Brandon Eley EleyDigital brandon@eleydigital.com https://www.eleydigital.com Phone: 706-407-1047

www.lagrangechamber.com

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YOUNG

PROFESSIONALS

HYPE is a high impact group of diverse young professionals working together to showcase Troup County as a unique and fun place to work and live. HYPE provides its members with opportunities for building relationships with community and business leaders and cultivates an atmosphere for building personal relationships and a sense of purpose within the community.

HYPE BOARD MEMBER PROFILE

Jennifer Whitlow at Georgia College, I was selected to participate in the Georgia Legislative Internship Program at the State Capitol in the House Education Committee office. Witnessing our legislators work on top issues in Georgia and having a hand in the law-making process was an invaluable experience that fueled my passion for state-level government relations.

What are your future plans: I want to continue to grow in relationships both here and outside of Troup County while being open to the plans the Lord has set out for me.

Current Employer: Association Services Group (ASG) Current Title: Program Coordinator II How long have you worked in Troup County: I came back to work in LaGrange at ASG after graduating in the spring of 2019 and before that worked as an intern with the company during the summers.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do: I enjoy walking my dog at Callaway Gardens, binge watching Friends, and hanging out with LaGrange friends!

What is your best personal achievement: As a junior 42

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Favorite Ice Cream: Vanilla Ice Cream (not vanilla bean ice cream!)

All-Time Favorite Movie and Why: Sweet Home Alabama because of the great oneliners, beautiful antebellum homes, and southern charm throughout the movie.

If you won $1 million, what would you do with the money: I would give back to Georgia College and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on campus, take a vacation on a Mediterranean cruise, and call my investor.

Favorite “after work” spot in Troup County: Anywhere on our family farm but Nutwood Winery is a close second!

Happy Hour @ Rhodes Casual Dining Margs at the Museum

Save the Date!

October 23, 2021

A Place for Every Kid

www.lagrangechamber.com

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Megan L.getting Jimenez, d.o. you back in the game.

Your bones, joints, and spine are at the core of every movement.

Any injury to these areas can aaect your routine and active lifestyle. We are here to help you develop strategies for getting back on your feet and moving.

the care you expect. the professionals you know. a name you trust.

1805 vernon road, lagrange ga 706.884.2691 www.southernorthopedics.org facebook.com/emoryatlagrange

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