4A | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015
Horizons
A publication of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce
Light and Amos to speak at the annual state of the county address The month of May presents the business community with an important opportunity — the annual State of the County Address on May 7, 2015, at 11:30 a.m., located in the Forsyth Conference Center. This event is a great networking opportunity with the business and civic leadership of Forsyth County. The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and the Council for Quality Growth jointly host the luncheon, sponsored by Northside Hospital-Forsyth and other supporting sponsors. Featured speakers include Forsyth County School Board Chair Darla Light and Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Chairman R.J. (Pete) Amos. Given
Light
Amos
both the challenges and opportunities facing Forsyth County, this event is important for everyone in the community. “Forsyth County is a remarkable community and I am honored to serve as the District 1 Commissioner and as chairman of the Board of Commissioners,” R.J. (Pete) Amos said. “I am looking
forward to the State of the County event and to having the opportunity to provide an update on all of the great progress taking place throughout our county.” “[The year] 2014-15 has been an exceptional school year for Forsyth County Schools! We are excited to share our accomplishments and future plans at the State of the County luncheon,” said Light. Guests must register to attend. Tickets are $45 for Chamber and Council for Quality Growth Members and $65 for NonMembers. Please visit www.cummingforsythchamber.org early to reserve your seat for this historically sold out event!
Prestige Members Northside Hospital-Forsyth Premier Corporate Sponsor
Forsyth County Government
DeKalb Office
The City of Cumming
Digitel Corporation
Georgia Power
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Inspiring Smiles
Lou Sobh Honda
Taubman
Alpharetta Children’s Dentistry
Kaiser Permanente
Atlanta Landscape Group
Month in Review
Introducing the Business Advancement Resource When the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce says, “we mean business,” we mean your business. Jason Mock, director of Small Business Services for the Chamber, says “To make sure all of our members and (the Cumming-Forsyth community) knows about the services we offer to small business people, the Chamber has retooled the Small Business Services Center, or SBSC, to become the Business Advancement Resource, or BAR. The BAR will continue to offer the same classes and events, and hopefully make all these resources more visible to entrepreneurs in the area.” Small business is the lifeblood of any great community, and the Cumming and Forsyth County area is no different. With the
metro Atlanta area’s great resources of talent, infrastructure support, consumer demand, and the availability of growth capital, the BAR has the ability to provide a wide range of programs. The organization hosts a bimonthly “Lunch and Learn” series where small business owners can network and listen to speakers who share their knowledge of the tools necessary to support a small business, a Business Expo where businesses and consumers can connect, meetings with local entrepreneurs who are trying to get an idea going and an awards program that motivates and recognizes the Chamber’s most outstanding small businesses. The BAR also works with outside sources such as SCORE (a nonprofit association dedicated
to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals), volunteer mentors who provide face-to-face mentoring for small businesses around the Cumming-Forsyth County area and the Small Business Development Center of the University of Georgia, which provides consulting, continuing education and research for small businesses and entrepreneurs. For the latest Business Advancement Resource events and learning opportunities, watch the Chamber’s website and social media pages. For more information on the BAR, please contact Jason Mock, director of Small Business Services, at jmock@cummingforsythchamber.org or (770) 8876461.
Business After Hours
From left, Jim Kubicek, Gary Zuyus and Reva Jennings
Digging Deeper in Data For the second consecutive year, Forsyth County has been named the healthiest county in Georgia by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. While this is great news, it is also an opportunity to dig a little deeper in the data to identify the areas of opportunity. Out of the 35 different factors measured, Forsyth County outperformed the other “Top
Greg Pappas, left, and David Vargas
Office of University Relations 706.864.1950 • www.ung.edu/university-relations U.S. Performers” in only Citizens should pay areas where the county 14 factors. The county is particular attention to the significantly underperFile name: MCCoB_Cummingad-10x4o69 This adrankings has been approved in its current form. Should any outperforming other following factors: alcoformed national changes be Version Date: October 27, 2014 8:14 AM Georgia counties but still hol impaired driving and the average for required for production adjustments or any other reason, please notify me immediately. We reserve the right hasFinal some work to do to deaths, excessive drinkGeorgia counties. Ad Location: Server/Advertisements - misc to cancel payment on any ads in which the publisher makes be among the healthiest ing, mental health proTo dig deeper with theappearance of an ad without our consent. changes to the Designer: Lacey Pyle • lacey.pyle@ung.edu Hampton Inn owner, Nelish Patel, left, and communities in the vider ratios and physidata, visit www.countyRandy Gordy C R O P M A R K S I N C L U D E D : T H I S H E A D E R N O T T O B E P R I N T E D W I T H A D BELOW nation. cian ratios. These are healthrankings.org.
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forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 5A
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015
Horizons
Presented by
A publication of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce
Member Spotlight
Georgia Dermatology Center • Led by Dr. Alexander Gross, Georgia Dermatology Center provides top-level nonsurgical and minimally invasive surgical options for anyone. • This month the center is celebrating its 20-year anniversary of full-time practice in Cumming. • In its 20 years in Cumming, Georgia Dermatology Center’s staff has grown from 3 employees to more than 20! • Among other accolades, Dr. Alexander Gross was recently named the “2015 Advocate of the Year” by the American Academy of Dermatology for his work as the most active dermatologist advocating for patient care. • Georgia Dermatology Center sponsors a poster contest each May in Forsyth County elementary schools to bring skin cancer and sun protection awareness to students and their families.
Dr. Alexander Gross
Upcoming Events April 28
May 12
Member Power Networking Lunch 12:00 p.m. Fry Me 2 The Moon
Member Power Networking Lunch 12:00 p.m. Mellow Mushroom
April 30
May 13
Business Awards Breakfast 7:30 a.m. Forsyth Conference Center
HR Academy Seminar 9:00 a.m. Forsyth Conference Center
May 5
May 19
Member Power Networking Lunch 12:00 p.m. Texas Roadhouse
Member Power Networking Lunch 12:00 p.m. Marco’s Pizza
May 7
May 21
State of the County Address 11:30 a.m. Forsyth Conference Center
Business After Hours 5:00 p.m. Catalyst Physical Medicine
Key to the events Member Power Networking Lunch — Meets every Tuesday at noon at a different location and includes casual networking for 20-35 other business professionals. Business After Hours — Meets the second Tuesday of every month from 5-7 p.m. at a different host location every month. The purpose is networking and to experience new businesses in the community. Women Who Mean Business — Meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 a.m. This is a specialized networking group of over 50 female business professionals. Join them for breakfast. • Please visit our Event’s Calendar at www.cummingforsythchamber.org to see a full list of events, more information and registration.
We’re honored to serve you It’s an honor to be recognized as the nation’s leading hospital for maternity and newborn care. Look a little closer and you’ll discover that Northside performs more surgeries and diagnoses and treats more breast and gynecologic cancer than any other hospital in Georgia. While people chooseNorthside for our expertise, they also know us for our exceptional compassionate care. Visit us online at www.northside.com