CHAMBER COLUMBIA COUNTY · GA
2020 Quarterly Newsletter
Fourth Quarter Edition
Voter Guide | State of the Community | Golf Tournament| Upcoming Events
80%
of eligible voters in Columbia County voted in the 2016 Presidential Primaries
Early Voting Dates October 12-30, 2020 8:00am- 5:00pm Saturday Voting October 24, 2020 9:00am- 4:00pm Election Date November 3, 2020
Early Voting: Building G3 610 Ronald Reagan Drive Evans, GA Former Euchee Creek Library 5907 Euchee Creek Drive Grovetown, GA A voter is registered in the county election precinct that contains the voter's residence address.
To find your assigned voting precinct, visit the Secretary of State Polling Place Locator @ mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 2
Federal U.S. Senate R. David A. Purdue (Incumbent) D. Jon Ossoff L. Shane Hazel U.S. Senate- (To Fill Johnny Isakson) I. Al Bartell I. Allen Buckley R. Doug Collins G. John Fortuin R. Derrick E. Grayson I. Michael Todd Greene R. Annette Davis Jackson D. Deborah Jackson D. Jamesia James R. A. Wayne Johnson D. Tamara Johnson-Shealey D. Matt Lieberman R. Kelly Loeffler (Incumbent) D. Joy Felicia Slade L. Brian Slowinkski I. Valencia Stovall D. Ed Tarver R. Kandiss Taylor D. Raphael Warnock D. Richard Dien Winfield 10th Congressional District of Georgia R. Jody Hice (Incumbent) D. Tabitha Johnson-Green 12th Congressional District of Georgia R. Rick Allen (Incumbent) D. Liz Johnson
Statewide Public Service Commissioner R. Jason Shaw (Incombent) D. Robert G. Bryant L. Elizabeth Melton
Legend:
R. Republican D. Democrat
Public Service Commissioner R. Lauren Bubba McDonald Jr. (Incumbent) D. Daniel Blackman L. Nathan Wilson State Senator from 23rd District R. Max Burns D. Ceretta Smith State Senator from 24th District R. Lee Anderson State Representative in General Assembly from 122nd District R. Jodi Lott (Incumbent) D. Doris O. Crutchfield
Local District Attorney of Augusta Judicial Circuit R. Natalie Paine (Incumbent) D. Jared T. Williams Judge of the Probate Court R. Alice Wheatley Padgett Clerk of Superior Court R. Cindy Mason Sheriff R. Clay Whittle Tax Commissioner R. Wayne Bridges Coroner R. Vernon W Collins Chief Magistrate R. Jason R. Troiano County Commissioner District 3 R. Gary Richardson Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor Gene Hair L. Libertarian G. Green
I. Independent
Absentee Ballots "Absentee Ballots will be available begining 45 days before the election. A written request must be submitted to the Board of Election office to receive a ballot by mail. The last day a ballot may be issued is the Friday before the election at 5pm. Voted ballots must be received back in our office by Election Night, 7pm. Voted ballots may NOT be turned in at the precincts." Georgia Absentee application may be found here: sos.ga.gov/index.php/Elections/Absentee_voting_ in_georgia
Our goal at the chamber is to be a
catalyst for business growth, a convener of leaders and influencers, and champion for a thriving community. That is
Russell Lahodny President & CEO
why we have taken the opportunity to provide you with a list of resources for the
upcoming election on November 3. If there is one thing 2020 has proven to us, nothing can be taken
Completed absentee applications can be scanned and emailed to vote@columbiacounty.gov or faxed to 706-868-3358
for granted. As citizens of this country, it is our right
Columbia County Board of Elections Office 500 Faircloth Drive, Building E Evans, GA 30809 (706) 868- 3355 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 919 Evans, GA 30809 Email Address: vote@columbiacountyga.gov
count. It’s hard to escape the fact that it’s a
and duty to cast our votes and, yes, every vote does Presidential election year but we also have several other key races that are being contested in the Greater Augusta Region. So I urge everyone to utilize these resources and make sure you cast your vote.
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CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE DIAMOND LEVEL
PLATINUM LEVEL
GOLD LEVEL
the claiborne AT W E S T L A K E
A PREMIER RETIREMENT COMMUNIT Y
SILVER LEVEL
BRONZE LEVEL Adavanced Technology Leaders, Inc. • Alfred Benesch & Company • Augusta Industrial • Bio-Life Plasma Services • Bojangles • Brandon Wilde Lifecare Community • Carter Koenig Photography • Cintas • Classic Collision • Colony Bank • Convergent Outsourcing • Corsica Technologies • Cranston Enginering Group • Duckworth Development, LLC • F&M Bank • First Community Bank • FLSmidth-AFT Operations • Fulcher Hagler LLP • GEARING Civilworks • Greenpoint-The Prather Company • Harlem Family Dental • IntelliGenesis • JANUS Research Group, LLC • JH Cleveland Construction • Jim Hudson Acura and Jim Hudson Lexus • Maner Builders Supply Co. • Marshall Pines Alzheimers Care • McKnight Construction • Mulherin Lumber • Murphy Auto Group • Papa John’s • Peach State Federal Credit Union • Perspecta • PlanDwell, Inc./ Stone & Story, LLC • Premier Networx • Reeves Construction Company • Security Onion Solutions, LLC • Sitel • Sonic Drive-In • Southeastern Development • Southern Beverage • Sparkle Express Car Wash • SunTrust Bank • Total Comfort Solutions • US Battery • Yancey Rents • Zaxbys
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 4
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Augusta Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court Web: augustaga.gov/1859/Juvenile-Court Meybohm Real Estate- Ashley Sweet Web: meybohm.com Lake Thurmond RV Park Web: lakethurmondrvpark.com Augusta CNC Web: augustacnc.com McKnight Construction Company Web: mcknightconstructionco.com Advanced Technology Leaders Web: at-leaders.com Signature Grounds, LLC Web: signaturegrounds.com Greenpoint- The Prather Company Web: prathercompany.com Stay Social Tap & Table Web: staysocialevans.com
(August 2020 through September 2020) Blanchard & Calhoun Real EstateSydney Knoblauch Web: blanchardandcalhoun.com
Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate- Sherry Sanders Web: blanchardandcalhoun.com Josue Garcia CPA LLC Web: jgcpallc.com Pat Brown Tim McGill Kathy Tuckey Get HR Web: tripdeals.fun Harlem Pharmacy Web: get-hr.com Sitel Web: sitel.com
Hands of Grace Hospice, LLC Web: handsofgracehospice.com Ameris Bank Web: amerisbank.com Humana- Augusta Operations Web: humana.com Gary Holley The Angelo Group, Inc. Web: angelogroupinc.com Touch of Life Massage & Wellness Web: touchoflife.massagetherapy.com Expedia Cruises Augusta Web: expediacruises.com/Augusta Abram Roley Big Wave Pools Web: bigwavepoolandpatio.com Bill Rhodes- Augusta Partners Web: facebook.com/AugustaGARealEstate
Medallion Construction Co,. Inc Web: medallionconstructionga.com Masters Construction, LLC Web: trustthemasters.com K’s Koncepts Web: kskoncepts.com Tyler Tire, LLC Web: www.gate2tire.com Perspecta Web: perspecta.com
MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES ADVERTISE WITH US: The Chamber is currently looking for sponsors for its E-News and quarterly newsletter publications. If you’re interested in promoting your company or business, contact Olivia Reich, Communications Manager at 706-651-0018. Act Now! SHARING IS CARING: Got an important announcement, or an upcoming event? Maybe you just want to toot your own horn a little bit? Share Your Company News with us! Let us know what you’ve got going on and we’ll share it with our 1000+ business members. Learn more at columbiacountychamber.com/Share-your-Company-News QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 5
The Columbia County Chamber hosted its tenth annual State of the Community
discussing sustainable growth in a thriving City of Harlem. Traditional homes in Harlem
Address, presented by South State Bank, on
were valued at $75,000 and in the last
September 10 at the Columbia County
decade newly constructed homes have
Exhibition Center. This was the Chamber's
tripled that. While most of the growth has
first major event since all events were
been residential, Cook went on to say that
postponed due to COVID-19 in March.
the city has issued 129 building permits for
In years past, this event usually draws
new dwellings in the last 12 months.
almost 600 attendees, but this year less than 200 were allowed to attend due to the new social distance guidelines. The Chamber still wanted to give the community an opportunity to come together and hear firsthand how Columbia County has fared during the pandemic. This year’s panel of speakers included: Scott
Elaine Matthews with City of Grovetown
Johnson, County Manager, Columbia County
announced that over the last two years, they
Board of Commissioners; Dr. Sandra
have issued more than 1,000 building
Carraway, Superintendent, Columbia County
permits. When you multiply that by the
School District; Elaine Matthews, Interim
average family size of 2.5, you see just
City Administrator, City of Grovetown; Brett
exactly how fast Grovetown is growing.
Cook, City Manager, City of Harlem; and
Grovetown currently has 15 new projects on
Colonel Shaw Pick, Garrison Commander,
the drawing board and the wastewater
Fort Gordon.
treatment plant is expected to be completed
Brett Cook started off the program
and operational by the end of the year.
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 6
women- 9,000 more than just 8 years ago. Dr. Carraway discussed how the school district has navigated school in 2020 and the continued growth that hasn't stopped because of the virus. Columbia County remains the 15th largest school district in the state. She reported that 21,200 students have selected in person learning and 6,900 Fort Gordon is one of the only military
students are learning from home. The
bases within the Army that continues to see
district expects to break ground this fall on
an increase in both budget and force
a new career campus on Gibbs Road that
structure within the post. COL Pick, Fort
will serve students commuting from the
Gordon's newest Garrison Commander,
county’s five high schools.
announced that within the past 30 days, Fort Gordon welcomed a 3-star Army Cyber Center that is now fully operational. The Fort is currently home to 31,000 men and
Scott Johnson praised the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for taking a bold stance on not mandating masks or closure of businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, Columbia County has had 3,387 total cases and 53 deaths out of its population of 158,000 citizens. Sales tax for the first quarter was up 10.9%, highest in the entire state of Georgia. Even April, without The Masters, Columbia County had a record breaking month. Johnson concluded saying "The state of Columbia County is strong." Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors South State Bank and City of Grovetown; Premier Sponsors AT&T, City of Harlem, Columbia County BOC and Shane's Rib Shack; Executive Sponsors Petsch Respiratory Services, Berkshire Hathway HomeServices, Allegra Image 360 and MEGAH SoftWash; Media Sponsors The Augusta Chronicle/CCNT, Beasley Media Group and WRDW News Channel 12 26
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 7
Congratulations to the 2020 Business Woman of the Year JoAnn Herbert, Herbert Homes,Inc. JoAnn Herbert was named the 2020 Business Woman of the Year at the August 19 Executive Luncheon. Awarded for the tenth time, the Business Woman of the Year award is given annually to recognize a woman in the workplace for her hard work, dedication, and passion both professionally and personally. Each year nominations are opened to the membership. Nominators fill out a profile sheet and then those profiles are presented to the Columbia County Chamber Board of Directors and they select a winner. The award was sponsored by Hardwood Floors and More. JoAnn Herbert is a true leader who motivates and inspires anyone that she comes in contact with. She has a big heart and her passion for helping the community is evident by the work that she does. The work that she does is not done for show or popularity, but truly a passion that she has to spread love and to lift up others. She has volunteered for more than 21 years on the local, state and national levels and continues to serve on many non-profit boards.
Thank you to our 16th Annual Golf Tournament Sponsors!
Hole Sponsors: Cadence Bank, Augusta Industrial, Putting Green: Silver Palm Catering Company Duckworth Development, Sig Cox Air Conditioning Beverage Cart: Sherman and Hemstreet and Heating, Kamo Facility Solutions and Supplies, Real Estate South State Bank, Souther Beverage, Merit Golf Cart: Madison Heights Memory Care Flooring, Classic Collision, C&C Automotive, Driving Range: Petsch Respiratory Services Georgia Power, Enoch Tarver P.C., Alison South Hole In One Sponsor: Textron Specialized Vehicles Marketing, Myers Family Dental and Allgood Sign Sponsor: Allegra Image 360 Comprehensive Dentistry.
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 8
Applications for the Young Women on the Way & Young Men on the Move Classes for 2021 are available now!
Do you know a young woman or young man between the ages of 23-30 that would benefit from a ten month program geared towards mentoring young professionals? Five top executives will mentor 20 young professional women or young professional men during a monthly luncheon focused on key topics to develop them personally and professionally. Participants are selected through an application process.
Young Men on the Move sessions begin in February 2021 Application Deadline: January 18, 2021 Young Women on the Way sessions begin in January 2021 Application Deadline: December 14, 2021 Applications are available on our website under the programs tab!
www.columbiacountychamber.com
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Meet the Team
Russell Lahodny, IOM Tiffany Heitzman President & CEO
Vice President
Sabrina Griffin
Darrell Butler
Director of Events & Programs
Member Services Manager
Olivia Reich
Ashley White
Beth Frits
Sarah Hare
Communications Manager
Workforce Development Manager
Leadership Program Manager
Bookkeeper
Upcoming Events
NOV
6
NOV
18
Legislative Breakfast 7:30- 9:00 a.m. *Registration Required Savannah Rapids Pavilion Speaker: Commissioner Greg Dozier, Technical College System of Georgia Executive Luncheon Series 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. *Registration Required Savannah Rapids Pavilion Speaker: Katrina Keefer, CEO, Augusta University Health
7
Chamber After Hours- Holiday 5:00-7:00 p.m. *Registration Required Location TBD
4
Annual Banquet 4:00-9:00 p.m. *Registration Required Columbia County Exhibition Center
DEC
FEB
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 10
Rethinking Workforce Programs during a Pandemic Teachers in Business is a program that allows teachers the opportunity to “shadow” different businesses in our area. Traditionally each year around 50 teachers, administrators, counselors, and other school staff members are taken in groups to different CSRA businesses that align with the CTAE pathways Schools. P H Otaught T O B Y Min A RColumbia T I N R . S M County ITH This year, Teachers in Business is going virtual on October 29th through the Zoom platform. Any middle or high school teacher or staff member is able to participate in the virtual event from 3:005:00 p.m.. Attendees of this year’s Teachers in Business will hear from the program’s title sponsor, the Development Authority of Columbia County, and will then be placed in breakout rooms
for the viewing and discussion of five different business videos. These videos have been developed in partnership with A Tad Creative Productions and will be shown for the first time during this event. Classic Collision, Columbia County Fire Rescue, Nutritional Resources/ HealthWise Inc., Greenbrier Veterinary Services, and M3 Agency are all businesses that will be featured through this program. The content of the videos focuses on the in-demand jobs, the education or training needed to be successful, and how students can better prepare themselves for the work place in that particular field. The videos will then be housed on an open website accessible to teachers, students, parents, and any community members wanting to learn more about businesses in the CSRA. The Chamber Foundation hopes to continue to partner with the Development Authority of Columbia County to build a library of resources to provide awareness to the workforce needs and opportunities in the Greater Augusta area.
FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Phyllis Salazar, Chair, First Community Bank
Stephan Swafford, Right At Home
Beth Pence, Immediate Past Chair, AlphaGraphics
Carrie Hodge, South State Bank
Norman Fountain, Vice Chair, The Fountain Experience
Vance Henry, Total Comfort Solutions
Ralph Alee, Augusta University
Rob Clifton, Clifton Construction
Matt Forshee, Georgia Power Company
Russell Lahodny, Columbia County Chamber
Sean Petro, Columbia County School System
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