2021 First Quarter Newsletter

CHAMBER COLUMBIA COUNTY · GA

2021 Quarterly Newsletter First Quarter Edition

2021 Board of Directors | Columbia County Restaurant Week | Executive Luncheon

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

We also need to be innovative in how we connect to our members and how our members connect with one another.

Happy 2021 to you all! Like me, I suspect you are excited to close the book on 2020 and focus on a new year. As your 2021 Chamber Board Chair, I look forward to continuing to lead this organization and continue building on the momentum and initiatives that have led this great organization over the years. As we move through these uncharted waters to continue getting back to business there will be challenges that come upon us. I look forward to working with each one of you to continue moving our region forward and making a positive difference in our community.

As we continue getting back to business, the chamber plays a vital role in that. We are the community connector for businesses in the area. The Chamber’s best asset is connecting the dots for all its members. In the past year, connecting had to be done differently. New ways of connecting are being used to help continue the growth of connecting. We need to help continue to introduce other businesses to the Chamber.

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FIRST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

For an organization that will be 16 years old, it is not just the number of reaching 1,000 members that we strive for; it shows our strength in this region. Being able to say that we are voicing the needs and concerns on behalf of 1,000 businesses will speak volumes to our political leaders and constituents when we travel to Atlanta and Washington D.C. You all have a voice, and that voice can be heard through the chamber.

This year my goal is to work for continued prosperity for our region. In working with our state and local officials, our development authority, and each of you as members we can do this together knowing that we can achieve great things together.

Thank you for this opportunity to serve and the vote of confidence as Board Chair with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. I look forward to working with you all in making 2021 a great one!

Sincerely,

Adam Williams Adam Williams Chair, Board of Directors

2021

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Adam Williams

Chair-Elect Jordan Pierce

The Cleveland Group CPA's

First Community Bank

Executive At Large Robert Kelly

Executive At Large Kerry Bridges

Augusta Staffing

Helen Caldwell

Georgia Power

Janee Dock

Synovus Bank

University Health Care System

Adam Harris

Russell Keen Augusta University

Queensborough National Bank & Trust

Carey Miller

Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate

Beth McLeod

Fulcher Hagler, LLC

Past- Chair Reagan Williams

Secretary Wendy Perry

Treasurer Dorothy Brandon

Meybohm Real Estate

Catalyst Human Performance Experts

John Allen

Caroline Ashe

Bill Bates

Ivey Homes

SRNL-SRNS

Allen-Batchelor Construction

Scott Johnson

Norman Fountain

Dee Dee Kurilla

Elizabeth Lamb

David Przedecki

Stan Shepherd

Columbia County Board of Commissioners

KAMO Manufacturing & Supplies

Hampton Inn & Suites

by Hilton- Augusta Washington Road

The Fountain Experience

Doctors Hospital

AT&T

Regions Bank

Chad Harpley

Premier Networx

Don Lawerence

D.C. Lawerence Real Estate

Joe Tate

Singh Investment Group

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FIRST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

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 Advanced Technology Leaders, Inc. • Alfred Benesch & Company • Augusta Industrial Services• Bio-Life Plasma Services • Bojangles • Brandon Wilde Lifecare Community • Cadence Bank • 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 Company • Mulherin Lumber • Murphy Auto Group • Papa John’s • Peach State Federal Credit Union • Perspecta • PlanDwell, Inc./ Stone & Story, LLC • Reeves Construction Company • Security Onion Solutions, LLC • Sitel • Sonic Drive-In • Southeastern Development • Southern Beverage • Sparkle Express Car Wash • SunTrust Bank • The Cleveland Group CPAs • Total Comfort Solutions • US Battery • Yancey Rents • Zaxbys

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QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! (October 2020 through December 2020)

Big Wave Pool & Patio

Hefner Pools

Autoworx LLC

Web: bigwavepoolandpatio.com

Web: hefnerpools.com

Web: autoworx-llc.business.site

Lawn Ace

GOA-TECH Web: goa-tech.com

Web: thomasandhutton.com

Web: remaxreinvented.com

Re/Max Reinvented

House Plans, Inc. Web: craigpeel.com

Web: broomefamilyeyecare.com

Words of Life Ministries of the Apostolic Faith Web: wordsoflife20.com

Web: jimhudsonacura.com

Legacy Homes of Georgia, LLC Web: legacyhomesga.com

Web: yourstorageunits.com

Web: lawnace.com

Dutch Creek Animal Farm

Broome Family Eye Care

Jim Hudson Acura

Storage Units of Augusta Butler Automotive West

Web: dutchcreekanimalfarm.com

Web: butlerautomotive.com

Loretta’s Kidney Foundation

Tammy G. Shepherd

Martinez Urgent Care, Inc Web: martinezurgentcare.com

Web: sanderlinveterinaryhospital.com

Top’s Backyard Restaurant & Grill Web: topsbackyard.com

Web: facebook.com/BrushStrokesCSRA

Expense Reduction Analysts Web: us.expensereduction.com

Living Spotless Cleaning Services Web: livingspotlessclean.com

Platinum Designs & Beauty Bar Web: platinumdbp.com

The Keith Perret Agency- State Farm Web: kpinthehouse.com

R L Wiley Electrical Contractors, Inc. Web: rlwiley.com

Web: fandwtransportation.com

Web: lorettaskidneyfoundation.com

Thomas & Hutton

Sanderlin Veterinary Hospital

Brush Strokes Quality Painting

F&W Transportation, Inc.

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. Send your good news or upcoming events to olivia@columbiacountychamber.com

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QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

EXPERIENCE COLUMBIA COUNTY'S RESTAURANTS · WITH SPECIAL MENU ITEMS AND DISCOUNTS ·

COLUMBIACOUNTYEATS.COM

#ColumbiaCountyEats

NAMASTE INDIAN STEET FOOD / MARYLAND FRIED CHICKEN / THE ACORN RESTAURANT AT RED OAK MANOR / LAZIZA MEDITERRANEAN GRILL / IRONWOOD TAVERN / CORK AND FLAME / WIFE SAVER / GA BREAKFAST BBQ 2 GO & MORE / STAY. SOCIAL TAP & TABLE

VIRTUAL FINANCIAL SERIES PRESENTED BY:

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This program will offer our business members valuable information and resources to promote the growth and economic vitality of our business community.

The sessions will be held quarterly with a different speaker each time!

January 26 April 27 July 27 October 26

FIRST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

VIRTUAL PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S SERIES PRESENTED BY:

This program will offer professional women a unique opportunity to grow and network with other women in the Greater Augusta Region.

The sessions will be held quarterly with a different speaker each time!

March 30 June 29 September 28 December 14

SAVE THE DATE Thursday, May 6th, 2021 Presenting Sponsor

Register at columbiacountychamber.com

2021 Executive Luncheon Series March 17 June 9 August 18 November 17

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FIRST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

EVENT RECAPS Pre-Legislative Breakfast Sponsored by On Friday, November 6, the Chamber hosted it's annual Pre-Legislative Breakfast. Each of our local & federal delegation was present and Commissioner Greg Dozier, Technical College System of Georgia, gave the keynote address.

Executive Luncheon Series

On Wednesday, November 18, the Chamber hosted it's final Executive Luncheon Series of 2020. The guest speaker, Katrina Keefer, CEO of Augusta University Health gave her testimony of what led her to where she is today.

Chamber After Hours Sponsored by

On Tuesday, December 15, Holiday Chamber After Hours was hosted at a new, local spot in Downtown Evans, Stay.

Social Tap and Table.

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FIRST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

Applications will be available on March 1st

Leadership Columbia County is designed to expose business and area leaders to the opportunities and challenges facing our community as well as to promote and foster the development of leadership. The program educates and prepares community leaders who are committed to shaping Columbia County's future, and allows class members to experience a high level of community awareness. The 10-month program features day-long sessions that cover various topics such as law enforcement, healthcare, education and workforce, economic development and history of the county.

Applications will be available on February 1st

Youth Leadership Columbia County is a program designed to educate through experience and motivate young leaders and enable them to take an active role in their community. This will result in strong leaders who have hope for the future and the tools to influence a positive and progressive community.Participants must be sophomores or juniors in Columbia County high schools or residents of Columbia County. They are selected after consideration of their recognized and potential leadership and the merit of their application.

bracesbypowell.com | 706-860-6888

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FIRST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

Meet the Team

Russell Lahodny, IOM Tiffany Heitzman President & CEO

Vice President

Sarah Hare

Communications Manager

Workforce Development Manager

Leadership Program Manager

Bookkeeper

Events

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Membership 101 4:00-5:00 p.m. *Registration Required Chamber Office

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Executive Luncheon Series 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. *Registration Required Savannah Rapids Pavillion

MAR

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Member Services Manager

Beth Frits

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Director of Events & Programs

Ashley White

Networking for Leads 12:00-1:00 p.m. *Registration Required Chamber Office

MAR

Darrell Butler

Olivia Reich

Upcoming FEB

Sabrina Griffin

FIRST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

COLUMBIA COUNTY SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2021

POSTPONED LOOK FOR MORE

The Chamber Foundation is now taking student and business applications for our inaugural Summer Internship Program. The student and business applications are now available on our website. Students are required to be at least 16 years of age by May 1, 2021 and have completed their sophomore year of high school at a public or private school located in Columbia County. The 8-week program is expected to run from June 7, 2021 through July 30, 2021. Students will be required to go through an interview process before acceptance into the program followed by a soft-skills training session to better prepare for their internship.

INFORMATION COMING SOON ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITE! VIRTUAL TEACHERS IN BUSINESS A SUCCESS!

Businesses can apply to take one or more student interns during this time frame specified in summer 2021. Businesses must agree to pay each student intern minimum wage for a part-time or a full-time intern position during the 8-week program. Businesses will agree to submit an application fee to the Chamber Foundation.

The Summer Internship Program will provide necessary and beneficial experience for students, along with the opportunity to explore career options, develop soft skills, and initiate relationships in our community.

For participating businesses, these internship positions allow for the development of their future workforce, meets the organization’s needs, and provides more community awareness to their business.

The first ever virtual Teachers in Business event took place via Zoom on October 29th, 2020. Over 100 teachers, administrators, counselors, and other professional staff attended the event.

The day of the event, members of the Foundation Board and the Workforce and Education committee delivered pizzas sponsored by Jonathan English State Farm to all of the schools. Grovetown Middle School won a free breakfast for the entire school staff the week following the event , for having the most participation, sponsored by ChickFil-A Grovetown. Thank you to the Development Authority of Columbia County for sponsoring Teachers in Business 2020.

GivingTuesday 2020 raised $3,025 total funds for the Chamber Foundation.

Thank you to all donors that contributed on this international day of giving: Beth Pence, Tiffany Heitzman, Matt Forshee, Brand Storm Productions, Vance Henry, Beth McLeod, David Dekle, Phyllis Salazar, Sean Petro, Rob Clifton, Carrie Hodge, Georgia Power, Cindy White, Stephanie Sharpe, Norman Fountain, Yvonne Meeks, Russell Keen, Sol Himalayan Salt Cave & Spa, Dorothy Brandon, Ralph Alee, Tawanaca Williams, Brooks Smith, Renae Logsdail, The Prather Company, and Advanced Pain Management.

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Norman Fountain, Chair, The Fountain Experience

Stephan Swafford, Right At Home

Phyllis Salazar, Immediate Past Chair, First

Vance Henry, Total Comfort Solutions

Community Bank

Rob Clifton, Clifton Construction

Carrie Hodge, Vice Chair, South State Bank

Bonita Jenkins, Augusta Technical College

Matt Forshee, Treasurer, Georgia Power Company

Nathan Krupa, Golden Harvest Food Bank

Ralph Alee, Secretary, Augusta University

Linda Hughes, University Health Care System

Sean Petro, Columbia County School System

Russell Lahodny, Columbia County Chamber

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FIRST QUARTER NEWSLETTER