Chilton County Chamber of Commerce newsletter--August 2011

Clanton • Jemison • Thorsby • Maplesville

August 2011

EDC has a new name (see full story inside)

Chamber Upcoming Events Aug. 17 Aug. 25 Aug. 30 Sept. 6

Ribbon cutting

This is Bliss, 11 a.m.

(Theraputic Massage and Spa) YMCA Founders’ Day Open House, YMCA, 4:30-6 P.m.

United Way Kick-off Luncheon Alabama Power Conference Center, Noon Chamber luncheon FUMC Activity Center, Noon

Chilton County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 66, Clanton, AL 35046 Email: info@chiltonchamberonline.com

Phone: (205) 755-2400 Fax: (205) 755-8444

LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Do you ever stop to think how our lives might change if there were no businesses in Chilton County? For instance, if there were no grocery stores, sign shops, insurance agents, bankers or accountants, etc. If that were true, we would constantly travel north or south to buy goods and services. Of course, that would mean additional travel costs as well as time invested as we make those trips.

How fortunate we are that local business people have invested in our community so that we can shop right here. Additionally, these

local merchants bring in tax revenues that build our parks, streets, fire stations and provide our police protection. And, they are the sponsors of our little league teams, the United Way, the Chamber and many other worthwhile causes and organizations. We just simply could not do without them.

When you next shop with a local business, tell the owner how much you appreciate his/ her investment in Chilton County. And, above Mike Robertson all, please remember to SHOP CHILTON Executive Director COUNTY FIRST!

CHAMBER BOARD of DIRECTORS Britt Culpepper President Peoples Southern Bank Russ Hamlin Vice President Edward Jones Investments Mollie Smelley Secretary/Treasurer Carl Mims Chairman of the Board Central Al Electric Co-op

C&C TROPHY

Carl “Jr� Baker Clanton Furniture Co.

Maurice Lyn 20/20 Eye Care

Peggy Hall Realty South

Andy Millard Entrepreneur

Carol Harrison U.S. Postal Service

Ron Porter Alabama Power

Janice Hull Hull & Russell, P.C.

Rick Shrader Practical Healthcare Consultants

Joy Littleton Industrial Development Board

Susie Williams Tom Murphy Realty

MARTIN FUNERAL HOME

CHAMBER MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Verizon Wireless, Cellular Center in Clanton, AL provides a full range of wireless services on the Verizon Wireless network.

Location Manager Ray West and his team of Trusted Advisors supply cell phone, broadband internet and now Home Connect service throughout the central Alabama area. The Verizon Wireless nationwide network provides dependable, fast service to many areas that have been lacking service in the past.

Devices range from simple phones that talk and text, to all

encompassing smartphones capable of not only email and internet but thousands of applications that can simplify your daily tasks. We also offer broadband wireless internet access, which has become a staple in our market, and our newest innovation, The Home Phone Connect, a device that enables wireless service for your home phone at a fraction of the cost of land line service.

A long time resident of Clanton, Ray has involved his store in many local activities including the Chilton

County Chamber of Commerce, The Peach Festival, the Chilton County Fair and the Special Olympics. Being a part of our community is part of who we are.

If you are an individual needing a single phone or a business looking to solve your communications need for fifty phones, we can provide the equipment and the service plan to help you out. We are located at 1441 7th St. S., Clanton, just south of WalMart.

Please call us at 205-280-3691 or call Ray personally at 205-4479813.

This Chamber Member Spotlight will be a regular feature in our newsletter. If you would like for your business to be featured here, please provide a picture and text and we will include it in an upcoming edition.

CORPORATE SPONSORS PLATINUM $2,000 and up

GOLD $1,500 - $1,999

BRONZE $500 - $999

COPPER $100 - $499

Alabama Power Company

Baptist Health Systems

Alagasco

Chilton Medical Center

Hull & Russell, P.C.

Heaton Pecan Farm

Clanton Furniture

Martin Funeral Home

Guesthouse Inn

SILVER $1,000 - 1,499

McKinnon Toyota-Nissan

Giles Cooling & Heating

CRH North America

Peachtree Bank Regions Bank

Mutual Savings Credit Union

AT&T Central Alabama Electric Co-Op The Clanton Advertiser Dr. Jim Driggars Peoples Southern Bank

Durbin Farms Market Lemak Sports Medicine

Southfirst Bank

Personal Appearance Catering Wadsworth Oil

Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors for their extraordinary support. Your financial gifts ensure that your chamber can sponsor initiatives like ... the Peach Jam Jubilee, Chilton Leadership, Farm-City, Shop Chilton County First, Youth Citizen of the Year, Community Spirit Award and Business Member of the Year Award.

AARON’S C&C TROPHY

CRYSTAL KEYS

2011 PEACH JAM SPONSORS

PEACH JAM STAGE SPONSOR MCKINNON TOYOTA-NISSAN Platinum Level 97.7 The Peach ~ Aaron’s Sales & Lease ~ Central Alabama Electric Cooperative ~ Chilton County United Way ~ City of Clanton ~ Clanton Tractor ~ CRH North America ~ Hull & Russell, P.C. ~ Peoples Southern Bank ~ Stokes Automotive (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep) ~ The Clanton Advertiser Gold Level Baugh Ford ~ C&C Trophy ~ Chilton County Commission ~ Dr. Jim Driggars ~ Durbin Farms Market ~ Georgia Pacific ~ Independent Fence & Storage ~ Lemak Sports Medicine ~ Martin Funeral Home ~ Mor Lyn’s ~ Mutual Savings Credit Union ~ Peggy Hall with Realty South ~ Regions Bank ~ The Mule Trader ~ Susie Williams with Tom Murphy Realty

Silver Level 20/20 Eye Care ~ ALLSTATE ~ A&R Super Markets ~ Bowden Oil Company ~ Chilton Dance & Twirl ~ Chilton County Republicans ~ Chilton Family Medicine ~ Chilton Medical Center ~ Comfort Care Home Health & Hospice ~ Cook’s Pest Control ~ Dr. Ritky C. Dy ~ Jack’s ~ Jemison Eye Care ~ Kountry Kitchen ~ Lee Helms Associates, LLC. ~ MiBella Gynecology ~ Pattillo Balance and Hearing Center ~ Probate Judge Bobby Martin ~ Professional Technical Services ~ Shelby Baptist Medical Center ~ Shop ‘N’ Fill Food Marts ~ Southeastern Anodizing ~ State Representative Kurt Wallace ~ State Senator Cam Ward ~ Suncrest Home Health ~ Tommie Corporation ~ Verizon Wireless-Cellular Center ~ Viva Medicare Plus ~ Wright Drug and Gift

Bronze Level Arthritis Foundation ~ Cattleman’s Steak House ~ Chilton County Democratic Club ~ Chilton Propane ~ Chilton Rail Box ~ Clanton Laundry & Cleaners ~ Dandy R.V. Park, KOA ~ Davis-Likis Financial, LLC. ~ Edward Jones, Jim Edwards ~ Ellison-Mims Funeral Home ~ Garrison Farm & Home Center ~ Home Printing ~ Jackson & Jackson, LLP ~ Judge Rhonda Hardesty ~ Peachtree Bank ~ Practical Healthcare Consulting ~ Tax Assessor Rex Cleckler ~ Senior Connection ~ Shelby Dermatology ~ Suds-R-Us ~ Wadsworth Oil Company

Thanks to all of these sponsors who made the Peach Jam possible!

To advertise in the Chamber Update, contact Alan Brown at (205) 755-5747 or alan.brown@clantonadvertiser.com.

CHAMBER BITS AND PIECES NEW MEMBERS •Chilton Organic Buying Club P.O. Box 848 Thorsby, AL 35171 (205) 258-0020

•This is Bliss, LLC 501 1st Ave. North Clanton, AL 35045 (205) 312-9411

MARK YOUR CALENDAR •Aug. 25, 2011 YMCA Founder’s Day and Open House, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

•Aug. 30, 2011 United Way Kick Off Luncheon, Alabama Power Conference Center, noon

PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE CLANTON LIONS CLUB •Boy Scouts •Girl Scouts •Red Cross •American Cancer Society •Humane Society •Chamber of Commerce •Chilton County Human Resources •Chilton County Program on Aging •Chilton County Junior Miss •YMCA •Chilton County Peach Festival •Various youth projects •Arthritis Foundation •Habitat for Humanity •Clanton Dixie Youth •Camp Seal Harris/

Diabetes •4-H Club •Alabama Eye Bank •Chilton County Emergency Center •Special Olympics •Eyecare/Dr. Driggars •Eyecare/Dr. Beth Lyn, Dr. Lisa Green •Alabama Sight •Vision Help for Students •Through Board of Education •Chilton County United Way •Chilton County Education Foundation •Underprivileged Children School Supplies The Clanton Lions Club takes pride in supporting all these worthwhile projects and pledges to continue this proud tradition.

•Comfort Keepers 13521 Old Hwy. 280 Suite 153 Birmingham, AL 35242 1-877-621-9311

CHAMBER HAPPENINGS

CHAMBER AMBASSADOR LUNCHEON Above, attendees at the Chamber Ambassador Luncheon at Shoney’s on July 26.

Left, Chamber President Britt Culpepper presents candy from Heaton Pecan Farm to Chamber Luncheon guest speaker Seth Hammett.

8

CHILTON COUNTY BUSINESS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER GETS NEW NAME The Jefferson State/ Clanton Economic Development Center has a new name: Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center.

An advisory committee consisting of Clanton industry leaders felt the former name did not really tell people what the facility is all about.

“They were all in agreement on renaming the EDC to the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center,” said Event Coordinator Sandy Stevens. “It says where we are and what we do.”

In addition to the conferences and performing arts events, the facility is well suited for trade shows, trainings, receptions, ceremonies and even movies.

The new name comes with a new logo, replacing the “O” in Clanton with a peach. “It describes Clanton perfectly,” said Mayor Billy Joe Driver.

The Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center is a partnership between the City of Clanton and Jefferson State Community College and is located next to the college’s academic building.

For information on rental rates, meeting space and policies, visit www. jeffstate online.com/ CCPAC