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“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” —Larry Elder APRIL—JUNE 2018
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce. Here are some of our significant third quarter accomplishments: Program Development
Held a three part forum series called "What's Next, Calhoun County?" with conversations focusing on 1) Where are we now? 2) Where do we want to go? 3) How do we get there? There were 12 participants representing various community educational institutions, workforce development programs, aging populations, and local politicians. Participated in Jacksonville High School's senior mock interviews by interviewing 49 students over two and a half days. Also, participated in Jacksonville High School's Pinnacle Project Senior Showcase on April 26th. Seniors presented their career plan & shared what they had learned through job shadowing and research that have helped prepare them for the future. YLCC held their last program date before graduation at Gadsden State Community College Ayers Campus on April 10th. LCC held their Education Day on April 12th. Class members were treated to a Superintendent's Panel that morning with Calhoun County Schools, Oxford City Schools, and Anniston City Schools being represented. Class members then toured the Gross Anatomy Lab at GSCC McClellan and multiple departments at JSU, as well as various schools throughout all of Calhoun County. LCC's Quality of Life Day was Thursday, April 19th. Class members participated in a scavenger hunt around Calhoun County visiting many tourist attractions and historical markers. This month the LCC class completed their group project with Community Enabler Developer. The class spent over 300 hours sorting & prepping clothing items for the thrift store, pressure washing sidewalks, painting doors & hand rails, landscaping, and sprucing up the outside of the building. The CLIMB Executive Leadership class members completed their small business mentoring group project with Pieper Herren of Tans Down Under. YLCC graduated 32 students Tuesday, May 1st at the Oxford Civic Center. Parents were invited to a breakfast & certificate ceremony. Afterwards, students were taken to the Oxford Escape Room. LCC CDP/FEMA Day was Thursday, May 3rd. LCC class members and CLIMB members, Jimmy Ulrey and Greg Kernion, were treated to a behind the scenes tour of training facilities including COBRA and Noble Hospital. The 2017-2018 LCC and CLIMB class graduations were held at the Longleaf Botanical Gardens on Tuesday, May 8th. Two $2,000 YLCC Scholarship Certificates were presented to Oxford High School senior, Amaya Cook and Jacksonville High School senior, Mary Shelton. End of Year Partners in Education meeting was Wednesday, May 2nd. Board Chairman, Rod Nowlin, spoke to the school administrators, thanking them for their collaboration throughout the year. Chamber Awards of Excellence were presented to students at Sacred Heart Catholic School, Coldwater Elementary School, Saks Middle School, and White Plains Middle School. Leadership Calhoun County Advisory Committee met Monday, June 18th to prepare for the new class programs. Leadership Calhoun County held interviews on Tuesday, June 19th to select 24 new class members for the 2018-2019 LCC Class. Met with superintendents from each school district on June 26th at the Anniston Army Depot & toured the Pathways Program facilities as part of a new collaborative Workforce Readiness initiative that gives school administrators an in depth look into our local industries, in order to understand the current & future workforce needs.
Public Affairs
On April 19th, the Public Forum was held for Calhoun County Judges/Coroners with 70 in attendance. On April 23, the Public Forum for County Commissioners was held with 80 in attendance. On April 26, the Public Forum for County School Board was held with 60 in attendance. The facebook live feeds by the Anniston Star for the public forums: County Commission Forum - 1,800 views County School Board Forum - 5,600 views Mayors Roundtable was held on Monday, April 30th. Hosted State Representatives Public Forum at the Oxford Civic Center Hosted dinner at the Berman Museum for MG Le Masters, Commanding General of TACOM
Hosted lunch for Congressman Bradley Byrne and Mike Rogers Co-hosted the Army Community Partnership Program, partnering with community & AAD in areas of Emergency Services, Public Works, and Workforce Development and Education. We planned a trip from our Attorney General Steve Marshall or his Division chief which will be on Friday, July 6th, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. at the Chamber. Our State of the Cities event will be on Thursday, July 19th, at the Oxford Civic Center from 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. (continental breakfast will be served). Public Affairs Meeting committee met, and at this meeting we finalized details for the Doug Jones Event on Friday, June 29th.
Business Development
On April 12, kicked of the Ready Business Training with the last class for certification on Thursday, May 3rd. On April 17th, hosted our first Coffee & Chat, discussing Government Procurement with Lindsay Frey from the JSU Small Business Development Center. On May 3rd, The Ready Business Training graduated 7 businesses with an Emergency Preparedness plan for their business. On May 15, hosted Coffee & Chat, 4 Young Professionals spoke on "Why Young Professionals need the Chamber." This is part of our video series for the website. For the Business Basics Workshop, we had 5 in attendance for the City of Oxford at the Bynum Community Center. "Coffee & Chat" Series - Buying a Franchise or Starting a Business is now on the chamber video library, and the next will be Tuesday, July 17th on Exporting 101. Co - sponsored "Business Basics" Series in Piedmont on starting a business in Piedmont, with almost 30 in attendance including city officials. In response to what some of the exhibitors wanted for this year's Business EXPO in October we will make a slight change and will be open up to the public from 10 - 2, and at 2:00, we will close to the general public and reopen a VIP/ Members only Business After Hours will be from 4 - 6 pm with food and drink. Salute to Industry in September is going to be a month of appreciation to members and industries combined with the Chamber Challenge and Member Appreciation. Mark your calendars for the golf on Thursday, Sept 20th at the Anniston Country Club and Member Appreciation on Friday, September 7 at Oxford Lake.
Organizational Development
Chamber Ambassadors monthly meeting was held on April 10. Angela Kemp was recognized as Ambassador of the month in April. Chamber Ambassadors monthly meeting was held on May 8. Richard Phelps was recognized as Ambassador of the month in April. Chamber Ambassadors monthly meeting was held on June 12. Ambassadors discussed their roles in the annual membership cycle. Andy Green was recognized as Ambassador of the month. Business & Biscuits was sponsored and hosted by Insurance Planning Services in Anniston with over 65 in attendance. Business & Biscuits was sponsored and hosted by NHC Place in Anniston with over 60 in attendance. Business & Biscuits was held at the Chamber with over 60 in attendance. Members participated in a "Speed Networking" event. Lunch & Leads was sponsored by C.A.R.E.S. and hosted at Mata's Greek Pizza in Anniston with over 40 in attendance. Lunch & Leads was sponsored by Webb Concrete and Building Materials and hosted at Jefferson's of Oxford with over 50 in attendance. Lunch & Leads was sponsored by Telephone Communications Inc. and hosted at Classic Too! with over 40 in attendance. Business After Hours was sponsored by Fort McClellan Credit Union and held at their new location at 1010 Golden Springs Road in Anniston with over 100 in attendance. Business After Hours was sponsored by the JSU School of Business and Industry and held at Meehan Hall in Jacksonville with over 100 in attendance. Business After Hours was sponsored by the AFGE Local 1945 and General Dynamics Land Systems and was held at Desoto Pastime at Anniston Army Depot with 170 in attendance. Ribbon Cuttings were held for the new Calhoun Insurance office in Oxford, the new Oxford Y, and Wright, Associates Medical Logistics LLC in Weaver, Murphy USA, Scrappy to Happy Canine Training, Walmart's new Pickup Service Tower and Online Grocery Pickup in Oxford, Grimes Automotive in Talladega, Alabama Cancer Care of
Anniston at McClellan. . Groundbreakings were held for Designer Smiles by Benton in Oxford and an expansion at Cheaha Cheer and Tumble in Anniston. Hosted a Google Livestream - Build a Local Search Presence with 10 members in attendance, and facilitated a discussion of the benefits of Google products in attendees' marketing plans. Attended the Business Basics workshop at the Piedmont Civic Center to speak about the benefits of Chamber membership to new businesses. 2 new members joined that day - Pedal Forward Piedmont! and Shell's Downtown Bar & Grill. 11 Chamber Board members completed phone calls to 90 members during a 2 day phone campaign in June. 5 new members joined the Chamber in April. 7 new members joined the Chamber in May. 9 new members joined the Chamber in June. The Chamber has 1134 members.
Tourism
April 21, we accompanied the National Park Services Trails and Rails volunteers on Amtrak for their training ride from Anniston to Birmingham, sharing Civil Rights History and visitor information and resources. While in Birmingham, check out our billboards on 1st Ave and 16th street, between the Train/Bus Station & Innovation Depot, promoting Freedom Riders National Monument and the Anniston Museum of Natural History. The restaurant, hotel and attraction meetings to an Eat-Stay-Play meeting, with 22 in attendance on April 23. We assisted in the preparation of 1,000 packets for Cheaha Challenge and Ladiga Cruise participants. April 24, we hosted 10 JSU Graphic Design students and their professor for a culmination luncheon, celebrating their completion of proposals for the Chamber & Visitors Center's new brand and logo. Spoke to Kiwanis, Calhoun County Most Wanted & the Civitan Club about Tourism in Calhoun County and the upcoming Shakespeare Project performances of Julius Caesar. May 7 & 21, took the Anniston Museums & Gardens staff on a familiarization tour of Calhoun County. May 22, we were awarded the Harland Jones Grant from the Community Foundation for the "Shakespeare Project." We were also awarded the Alabama Humanities Foundation grant for the "Shakespeare Project." Participated in the Cleburne County State Welcome Center Tourism Day on May 23. May 30, interviewed and hired 5 high school apprentices for the Shakespeare Project's August 2018 production of Julius Caesar. 308 Welcome packets were distributed. Assisting the City of Jacksonville with the Celebrate Jacksonville Color Run fundraiser. If you are interested in sponsoring, please contact Emily. We have solidified the cast for this year's Shakespeare Project production of Julius Caesar. To stay up to date with casting announcements and information, follow TheShakespeareProjectAL on Facebook. We will be hosting a "State of the South" talk with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on Monday, July 16, from 12:30 to 2:00 P.M. at the Chamber & Visitors Center. June 4th, we kicked off our second annual scavenger hunt, this year focusing on history and the Bicentennial, and the week of July 16, we'll be giving away a cash prize of $500. We also provided Fam Tours for the Hampton Inn of Jacksonville's staff.
Public Relations
The Visit Calhoun County Facebook Page now has 1746 likes. VisitCalhounCounty.com had more than 2,900 visitors. The Visit Calhoun County blog has generated more than 1171 pageviews. @VisitCalhounCo has 591 followers on Twitter. @VisitCalhounCo has 508 followers on Instagram, with 1096 new likes and 38 comments from 64 pictures. The Chamber Facebook page has 4428 likes/Followers. CalhounChamber.com had more than 11,000 visitors, with 5360 directory searches of our online membership directory. With 5 active job postings garnered 190 views. Our Calhounchamber.com event calendar received more than 11554 searches. Our 6 Hot Deals received 128 hits. The Chamber's Twitter, @CalhounChamber, has 1375 followers The Chamber's Blog garnered 549 views. The Chamber's April E-Newsletter, distributed April 2, had 566 opens, of the 2135 sent. The Chamber's May E-Newsletter, distributed April 30, had 558 opens, of the 2118 sent. The Chamber's June E-Newsletter, distributed June 4, had 514 opens, of the 2135 sent.
April Events April 4, Calhoun Insurance celebrated their new location at the Oxford Exchange with a ribbon cutting.
April 12, the Chamber kicked off our Ready Business Workshop Series, in partnership with the Calhoun County EMA, as an eight hour course, divided into four sessions to become an official Ready Business Certification and business plan.
April 5, Insurance Planning Services hosted Business & Biscuits at their 103 E 13th Street location in Anniston.
April 12, Anniston Army Depot hosted a partnership meeting at Oxford Civic Center to enhance readiness through innovative community partnerships.
April 11, C.A.R.E.S. hosted the Chamber's Lunch & Leads at Mata's II, located at 1620 Quintard Avenue in Anniston.
April 10, Youth Leadership Calhoun County had their Gadsden State Community College Day.
April 12, Leadership Calhoun County held their Education Day, talking with school system superintendents, touring Gadsden State McClellan, Jacksonville State University & more.
April 17, Fort McClellan Credit Union hosted the Chamber's Business After Hours at their new 1010 Golden Springs Road location in Anniston.
April Events
April 19, the Chamber & Visitors Center hosted the Forums for Judges and Coroner Candidates. The goal of these forums is for the public to hear from candidates. Congratulations to the Oxford Y, who celebrated the grand opening of their new location at 250 Spring Branch Road in Oxford with a ribbon cutting on April 25!
April 19, Leadership Calhoun County Quality of Life Day puts community history and knowledge to the test as the class breaks into small groups on a mission to solve multiple scavenger hunt clues.
April 23, the Chamber’s Public Affairs Committee hosted a political forum for candidates to share with their public.
April 24, the Chamber & Visitors Center was very honored & excited to host this great group of JSU graphic design students, who helped us create a new logo.
April 26, the Chamber hosted the Board of Education Political Forum at the Anniston City Meeting Center.
Wright and Associates Medical Logistics LLC held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of their 200 Main Street location in Weaver.
Business Awards
2018 Winners The 2018 Young Entrepreneur of the Year is Karla Eden of Taste of Eden.
May 1, the Chamber & Visitors Center kicked off National Small Business Week with the Night of Laughter & Business Awards, recognizing businesses and organizations and their contribution to our local economy. 2018 Young Entrepreneur Honorees
Our 2018 Emerging Small Business of the Year is Rosa Lee Jewelry.
Our 2018 Sustaining Small Business of the Year is New Leaf Marketing.
Emerging Small Businesses of the Year
Sustaining Small Businesses of the Year
Our 2018 Non-Profit of the Year is the Interfaith Ministries.
Our 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award winner is Bennett Lumber Company.
Our Non-Profits of the Year
The 2018 Larry K. Sylvester Small Business Advocate Award winner is the Anniston SCORE Chapter.
May Events May 3, NHC Place hosted the Chamber's Business & Biscuits at their 1335 Greenbrier Dear Road location in Anniston.
May 3rd, Leadership Calhoun County took their tour of the Center for Domestic Preparedness. May 3, Cheaha Cheer & Tumble celebrated a ground breaking for their business expansion at their 1505 Sentinel Drive location in Anniston.
May 1, Youth Leadership Calhoun County held their graduation at Oxford Civic Center, followed by a fun day of competition events.
May 4, the Chamber & Visitors Center partnered with Main Street Oxford, the Oxford Business League and the JSU Small Business Development Center to present “Business Basics,� a workshop about the steps one takes to open a business in Oxford.
May 7, half the Anniston Museums and Gardens staff were able to join us for a Fam Tour of Calhoun County. As the Chamber & Visitors Center, we offer familiarization tours to educate front line staff of area sites and resources.
Congratulations to Designer Smiles by Benton, who celebrated the Groundbreaking for their new location on Golden Springs Road in Anniston.
May Events
May 8, the Chamber Ambassadors met for their monthly meeting. If you're interested in joining this great group of volunteers, contact Kim Boyd at kimb@calhounchamber.com for more information.
May 15th, Jacksonville State University's School of Business & Industry hosted Business After Hours at Meehan Hall, located on Mountain Street in Jacksonville.
May 8th, Leadership Calhoun County and our first Executive Climb class celebrated their graduation with dinner and plaque presentations at the Longleaf Botanical Gardens. May 18, the Oxford WalMart celebrated a ribbon cutting for their new E-Commerce Self Service Pick-up Tower.
May 9th, Webb Concrete & Building Materials hosted the Chamber's Lunch & Leads at Jefferson's in Oxford, located at 230 Spring Branch Road.
May 10th, Grimes Automotive celebrated the opening of their new business with a ribbon cutting for their 780 McMillan Street West location in Talladega.
Another group of staff members from the Anniston Museums & Gardens were able to join us for a Familiarization Tour of Calhoun County. As the Chamber & Visitors Center, we're able to offer this tour to our hospitality industry's front-line staff in order to aid in their services for visitors and residents.
May Events Longevity Members The Chamber & Visitors Center continues to recognize those who have been a Chamber Member for 30 years or more. Thank you for your contributions to the community and Chamber! #Longevity
It’s a beautiful day in Alabama when at the Cleburne County Welcome Center with tourism representatives from across the state!
Animal Medical Center
Ghee, Draper, Alexander & Downey
On May 23, a ribbon cutting was held for Murphy USA at 45 Plaza Lane in Oxford. This newly remodeled location features ethanol free gas and a walk-in convenience store.
Auto Custom Carpets
May 29, WalMart of Oxford celebrated a ribbon cutting to launch their Online Grocery Pickup!
Rice Pest Control & Co., Inc.
June Events
June 7, the Chamber & Visitors Center hosted Business & Biscuits to showcase our new brand, and attendees were invited to try speed networking around the room.
On June 19th, Business After Hours was hosted at the Anniston Army Depot and sponsored by AFGE Local 1945, General Dynamics Land Systems & the Anniston Army Depot.
As the Chamber & Visitors Center, we’re always excited to take our front line staff on familiarization tours of our county! Thank you to the staff of the Hampton Inn in Jacksonville for acing the tour and quiz.
June 21, the City of Piedmont hosted the Business Basics, presented by the JSU Small Business Development Center, the Anniston SCORE Chapter & the Chamber & Visitors Center.
June 29th, Chamber Members were invited to a meet & greet and Q&A with Senator Doug Jones at the Chamber & Visitors Center.
June 21, Alabama Cancer Care Center of Anniston held a ribbon cutting at 171 Town Center Drive, Anniston.
New Members April—June Alison Cleveland Cleburne County Nursing Home 122 Brockford Road Heflin, AL 36264 (256) 463-2121 Nursing Home
Mechelle Neighbors Reli Settlement Solutions LLC 3 23rd Street North Pell City, AL 35125 (205) 262-2479 Real Estate Title and Settlement
Erik Born Born Inspections & Consulting 5106 McClellan Blvd. Suite C Anniston, AL 36206 (256) 770-9257 Home Inspection
Phillip Dean PWD Consulting LLC 99 Windstone Drive Jacksonville, AL 36265 (256) 454-1993 Consultants
Kevin Moyers GY6 Custom Printing LLC 1320 Leighton Ave. Anniston, AL 36207 (256) 343-2907 Screen Printing
Nick Hulsey Wellington, AL 36279 Friends of the Chamber
Robby Dunlap Pedal Forward, Piedmont! 108 S. Center Ave. Piedmont, AL 36272 Specialty Retail Michelle Cook Shell's Downtown 105 N. Center Ave. Piedmont, AL 36272 (256) 792-9225 Restaurants Ted Chatman Farmers Home Furniture 1881 US Highway 78 West Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-4266 Retail Furniture Michael Worthy Worthy Painting Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 310-3698 Painter Renee Rice Silver Run Chapel 62 Bell Spring Road Munford, AL 36268 (256) 831-2323 Event Venue
Torris Babbs Babbs Engineering Consultants, LLC 1302 Noble St. Suite 1D Anniston, AL 36201 (256) 405-5001 Engineering Dr. Ashvini Sengar Alabama Cancer Care of Anniston 171 Town Center Drive Anniston, AL 36205 (256) 847-3369 Cancer Treatment Center Tammy Hall The Garden Girl, LLC Jacksonville, AL 36265 (256) 454-1707 Gardening/Landscaping Scott Ivey Infinity Roofing Solutions Anniston, AL 36206 (256) 238-3458 Contractors-Roofing Pamela Howard for Alabama House District 40 Jacksonville, AL 36265 (256) 310-9228 Friends of the Chamber Jeremy Grimes Grimes Automotive, LLC 780 McMillan St. West Talladega, AL 35160 (256) 589-6405 Auto Repair & Service
Michelle Sanders All Seasons Roofing Company Anniston, AL 36207 (256) 624-6501 Roofing Company Trinise Luster Trendy5Fashions (678) 588-7791 Independent Paparazzi Consultant Donald Smith Alexandria Auto Center, LLC 5012 US Hwy 431 Alexandria, AL 36250 (256) 820-1401 Auto Body Paint & Repair Shop