Horizons September 2012
A publication of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce
Prestige Members Northside Hospital-Forsyth Premier Corporate Sponsor
Forsyth County Government
jTech Networks
The City of Cumming
Georgia Power
DeKalb Office
Taubman
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
St. Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta
Anchor Home Mortgage
Heartbeat of the business sector I t is a quiet, rainy afternoon. However, the Chamber of Commerce’s parking lot is filled to capacity with vehicles. Within the Chamber’s board room, a group of business executives from a Korean technology company listen attentively as the Chamber of Commerce’s economic development staff discusses the advantages of establishing the company’s U.S. headquarters and manufacturing plant in Cumming. “Many regard our Chamber of Commerce as being the heartbeat of the business sector in one of the most affluent and fast-growing communities in America,” said Randall Toussaint, the Chamber’s Vice President for Economic Development, as he addresses the group. “However, we ask that you simply view us as a one-stop resource to support the growth of your company.” The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce’s economic development program was established in 2005 through a partnership with both the City of Cumming and Forsyth
Business executives meet for a recent Quarterly International Business Roundtable.
County. Through this partnership the Chamber serves as the economic development agency for both jurisdictions. “Our economic development program strategically seeks to create new jobs and capital investment within the industries of health care, technology, green/ light manufacturing, data centers, and international businesses,” stated Tim Perry, Chair of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee. “In doing so,” he said,
“the Chamber’s staff works with a vast network of economic development partners to assist companies with identifying locations for their new facilities, recruiting and screening new employees, training employees on new procedures and equipment, developing local supply chain networks, identifying strategies for reducing energy costs, exporting and importing goods and materials, and navigating our local permitting process.” See HEARTBEAT, page 2