A HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PUBLICATION | YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS
HENRYCOUNTY.COM HAMPTON • LOCUST GROVE • MCDONOUGH • STOCKBRIDGE MAY 2020
Supporting you and your business through the COVID-19 crisis!
COVID-19 Business Preparedness HENRY HAPPENINGS
VISIT HENRY COUNTY GEORGIA HOSTS FOOD DRIVE FOR HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY PAGE 5
INDUSTRY PROFILE
TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS INDUSTRY: COVID-19 IMPACT – TOUCH DECISIONS, NEW OPPORTUNITIES PAGE 6
TIC-TOK | HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
COVID-19 BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS – SUPPORTING YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH COVID-19 PAGE 12
2 | HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
First, thank you to all who have continued to protect and serve the community during this strange time. Second, thank you to the Henry County Chamber team and volunteers who continue to provide services to our members and residents of the County. Since last month, much has changed, to say the least. One thing has not changed, however: We remain focused on supporting Henry County employers. You will notice some changes to this month’s HenryChamber.com newsletter. In light of the need for social distancing due to COVID19, we want to show you some of the highlights in response to the pandemic. Much more may be found on our website.
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Please let us know your thoughts. How can we continue to serve you during this time? We are all in this together: Together4Henry. Sincerely, Joseph B. Henning, IOM, CAE President & CEO
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IN THIS ISSUE 4
CHAIR MESSAGE
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
5
HENRY HAPPINGS
11
LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
6
INDUSTRY PROFILE
12
CHAMBER FEATURE
8
CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP
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RIBBON CUTTING
Chair Christy Chewning sees opportunity after COVID-19
Visit Henry County GA Hosts Operation Help for Hospitality
Transportation and Logististics – COVID-19 Impact – Tough Decisions, New Opportunities
Welcome to new and renewing members
Visit Henry County Georgia Unveils New Visitors Guide & New Brand
YLH Standing Up to be Counted
COVID-19 BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS
H.D White Logistics Grand Opening
The Henry County Chamber of Commerce Magazine is published by the Henry County Chamber in partnership with the Henry Herald. For editorial information contact Barbara Ingram, bingram@henrycounty.com. For advertising opportunities contact Mary Ann Holland, (770) 957-9161 x223, maryann.holland@henryherald.com. HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
CHRISTY CHEWNING Member Engagement Coordinator Central Georgia EMC 2020 Chair Henry County Board of Directors
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s we enter May, the coronavirus pandemic has made us change the way that we conduct business. Many began working from home for the first time. Service industries found ways to adapt to the new normal. Restaurant owners closed dining rooms and offered take-out or curbside service. The banking industry worked to make sure that businesses maintained cash flow through SBA COVID-19 disaster loans. The Chamber found new ways to support our community with timely information on COVID-19 with a new
4 | HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
DAILY LIFE HAS CHANGED IN MANY WAYS, ONE THING HAS NOT CHANGED website, together4henry.com and a series of webinars to guide our members during these changing times. Many organizations continued to provide excellent care for our community. Piedmont Henry, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Kaiser Permanente, thank you for taking care of our citizens and keeping us informed during this crisis. Also, thank you to the Henry County Board of Commissioners and the Henry County Board of Education for leading our community into the new normal. During this crisis, there has never been
a better time to BELONG to the Henry County Chamber of Commerce. We are helping our members ENGAGE in new ways of conducting business. Your business will LEAD by building resilience in preparation of the new normal and making business decisions with resiliency in mind. Our county and businesses will PROSPER by changing the way we do business and supporting one another. As we move forward in recovery, there has never been a more important time to shop and support the Henry Chamber of Commerce members.
HENRY HAPPENINGS VISIT HENRY COUNTY GEORGIA HOSTS FOOD DRIVE FOR HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY The coronavirus has impacted everyone in some way, but some of those suffering the most financially are members of the hospitality sector. The hospitality industry, which includes restaurants, attractions, hotels, convention centers, and more has seen a dramatic drop in sales. Within just days of the announcement that COVID-19 was classified as a pandemic and social distancing requirements instituted, hospitality businesses started seeing the impact. With these new recommendations, jobs and hours were cut. According to the National Restaurant Association, restaurants nationwide have reported a 47% drop in sales the first 22 days in March and the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s figures show U.S. hotels reporting the loss of millions of jobs.
Help for Hospitality Food Drive DROP-OFF LOCATIONS
In Henry County more than 2,600 jobs were supported by tourism and tourists generated $299 million in direct spend and $8.40 million in local taxes during 2018. The Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (CVB) role is to inspire travel to Henry County through advertising and other promotional efforts. “In the current crisis, our focus has shifted from bringing visitors into the county to keeping people safe and supporting the people who make our industry possible,” says Director of Tourism Laura Luker.
FOOD DEPOT
3 Locations in Stockbridge & McDonough
To support hospitality workers laid off, furloughed or whose hours have been cut, the Henry County CVB has launched “Operation Help for Hospitality,” a food drive. Donation drop zones are available at seven locations around the county and are accepting canned and dry goods. Locations include the three Henry County Food Depot locations in Stockbridge and McDonough, Lovin’ Oven Pizzeria in Locust Grove, Rutabaga’s Market & Cafe in Hampton and the CVB’s offices in McDonough. Donations will be accepted at these locations from April 8 - May 5. For those unable to physically donate food items, an online monetary donation can be used towards the purchase of canned and dry goods from local wholesale partner, Sutherland’s Foodservice. The CVB has a goal of 1,200 pounds of food and is working with local agency, Connecting Henry, to serve as the bridge between those in need and the collected resources.
Michelle Pyrtle & Tracy North, Owners
RUTABAGA’S MARKET & CAFÉ 1 Cherry St. Hampton, GA 30248
Cholista Owens, Server
LOVIN’ OVEN PIZZERIA 3844 GA-42 Locust Grove, GA 30248
"The safety and well-being of children and families in Henry County remain a focus for Connecting Henry,” said Barbara Coleman, Executive Director of Connecting Henry. “Any disruption of the workforce creates a new set of challenges for the family. Therefore, collaboration during these uncertain times is essential to ensure a stable and healthy community. We are happy to do our part because together we can make a difference." Members of the hospitality community in need of assistance should contact Connecting Henry at (770) 288-6230. For more information on how you can help with the food drive or how you can support other local hospitality businesses visit:
VisitHenryCountyGeorgia.com/Support HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
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INDUSTRY PROFILE TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS INDUSTRY COVID-19 Impact – Tough Decisions, New Opportunities
5916 East Lake Pkwy., Suite 170 McDonough, GA 770-580-5693
During COVID-19, those who are not in the transportation industry have learned more about supply chain and logistics than they probably cared to know. With wall-to-wall headlines about diverted shipments and shortages of all manner of requisite equipment and gear for front-line workers and health care professionals, the importance of the transportation industry to the equilibrium of our lives and lifestyles is now cast into stark focus. In the last decade, Henry County has become one of the key supply chain and logistics hubs in the Southeastern USA. The Chamber reached out to three members in the transportation and logistics industry all based in Henry County to ask how COVID-19 has impacted their business. Coincidentally, all three firms are woman owned.
Mitsubishi-Hitachi Power Systems, etc. We move anything that has to do with generating power.
What were your top three growth priorities prior to COVID-19? “Increase business with local parties, increase driver retention rates, educate locals on transportation, add other transportation entities and also create a transportation think tank in McDonough.” – Shatequa Hamilton, Translane
David Carpenter Vice President, Customer Solutions
“Aerospace - For example, we move a lot of components for the F-35 Fighter Jets and C-130 Cargo planes for Lockheed Martin. We also move rockets up to 200 feet long from coast to coast. These projects continue to roll on regardless of the shortterm market fluctuations.
Power Generation - We transport everything from 800,000 lbs. transformers to 180 foot wind turbine blades for General Electric, 6 | HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
Heavy and Specialized moves for Government related projects. Bennett was the first company in over 15 years to be given clearance to haul Arms, Ammunition and Explosives. So, we haul some pretty scary stuff sometimes. This requires a lot of expertise and focus to ensure these shipments are delivered on time and intact. Most of these moves require government cleared team drivers and most require escorts and protection.” – David Carpenter, Bennett International Group “At H. D. White, we have been focused on building stronger relationships with current customers, expanding our training services to those interested in learning more about logistics/transportation and understanding how we could secure investors and business capital as a minority woman owned logistics company.” – Hope White, H. D. Logistics
How has your business model changed, or priorities shifted in the midst of COVID-19? “When COVID-19 sheltering-in-place started, we decided to accelerate the addition of medical courier service to the Atlanta metropolitan area. We also refined the use of technology to verify business effectiveness.” – Shatequa Hamilton, Translane “Most companies on the production side are still running strong. It’s the hit and miss customers receiving the products who may or may not be open or have reduced hours. The
SHATEQUA HAMILTON Owner
Translane, LLC, is a Women Owned Small Business freight brokerage service specializing in Air Cargo and Logistics, also providing straight trucks, flatbeds, step deck, dry vans, refrigerated vans and heavy haul freight transport nationwide and internationally. Recent addition to the Translane Line incorporates an on demand medical courier service in support of the COVID 19 efforts.
2020 Avalon Pkwy., Suite 305 McDonough, GA 30253
HOPE WHITE
CEO & Operations Manager H.D. White Logistics, LLC, is a non-assetbased Certified Minority Woman Owned Small Business specializing in the facilitation of the movement of Interstate and Intrastate Freight throughout the 48 U.S. States. They currently operate with a growing network of 4300+ carriers.
1001 Industrial Parkway McDonough, GA 30253
MARCIA TAYLOR Chief Executive Officer
Under the leadership of CEO Marcia Taylor, Bennett International Group is a global industry powerhouse. The company offers transportation and logistics solutions across a broad spectrum of markets.
INDUSTRY PROFILE government facilities have been impacted the most. So, we have shifted some of those resources over to other industries who are still moving until the government locations start shipping and receiving again. In some cases, companies have moved up their “shut down” plans. These plants typically shut down for maintenance in July or August and the entire company takes a one- or two-week vacation during that time. So, while things almost came to a halt anyway, they moved their shutdowns to happen now and the employees are taking their vacation now. This is smart. So, we are focused on continuing to service our existing customers as well as exploring any and all new opportunities that come our way.” – David Carpenter, Bennett International Group “We were onboarding with three major companies for three large contracts and with COVID-19 everything came to a halt. So, we were forced to support the spot market within Transportation versus our dedicated customers. This resulted in a drop in business. We were able to create and launch the consulting side of my business hopewhiteconsulting.com. Also, we created and launched four online freight brokerage courses.” – Hope White, H. D. White Logistics
Describe any new business opportunities that have resulted or come into focus in response to COVID-19. “As stated above the medical transport business in support of COVID-19 has opened new opportunities for those willing to get involved in the support effort.” – Shatequa Hamilton, Translane “We have been approached by various grocery chains and on-line retailers to provide ‘power only’ resources to help move their equipment and shipments to market. The overwhelming demand to ship items directly to the consumer has left these companies without enough drivers to pull their equipment. So, they just want our drivers and tractors to pull their trailers. We will see what comes out of this for the long run, but right now we are making decisions on a daily basis. Our primary concern is to support our existing customers. We don’t want a short-term opportunity to cost us a long term customer.” – David Carpenter, Bennett International Group “We have solidified new supplier opportunities with a new customer base that we had not previously considered prior to COVID-19. Additionally, we have found and connected with a few procurement sources through webinars and zoom events on LinkedIn, a tool not previously utilized as much. We will launch our blog for HD White Logistics in mid-May.” – Hope White, H. D. White International
Translane owner, Shatequa Hamilton, posting sign about need for owneroperator truck drivers.
H. D. White, CEO & Operations Manager Hope White occasionally rides along with her husband Tyjah White, an owner-operator, to better understand the challenges owner-operators face in an ever changing freight world. HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
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CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP RENEWING MEMBERS
NEW MEMBERS
ACCOUNTING FIRM, LLC
DWIGHT LEWIS - STATE FARM
HENRY COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
ALPHA CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, LLC
DWSMITH DESIGN GROUP, INC. EAGLE’S LANDING COUNTRY CLUB
HENRY COUNTY LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMISSION
EAGLES LANDING PERIODONTICS
AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE - CRYSTAL SANCHEZ AGENCY
HOMEBRIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES
CRYSTAL SANCHEZ
EDWARD JONES - CAROLYN
LIFE ENRICHMENT REALTY
AMERIPRO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE ATLANTA SCALES, INC. ATLANTA STREET BRIDAL COMPANY, LLC
FRASER - FINANCIAL ADVISOR F & F FLOOR COVERING & CARPET, INC.
BARBARA H. BOONE BEST INSURANCE GROUP BETTER HOMES & GARDENS, REAL ESTATE & METRO BROKERS CENTER FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT & PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES CHAPMAN ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICES, LLC CHICKEN SALAD CHICK D & A TIRES
FIRST NATIONAL BANK - HAMPTON FULTON & KOZAK CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS GEORGIA FLOORING OUTLET
PARTY-BY-DESIGN PHOENIX LIVE ENTERTAINMENT RED OAK VILLAGE SOUTHERN CRESCENT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SPEER ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES
GEORGIA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB
SUTTON ORTHOPAEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE, P.C.
GREEN FOR LIFE ENVIRONMENTAL,
THE EYECARE PLACE
INC.
TRAVEL WITH SERENITY LLC
HARBIN’S MECHANICAL SERVICES, INC. HENRY COUNTY CANCER
DONALD DUNLAP
SERVICES, INC
WEBMOBILEFUSION, INC. WESTRIDGE DENTAL CARE XTREME FUN ON WHEELS, LLC
2722 HWY 155 LOCUST GROVE GA 30248 (678) 783-5255 CSANCHE3@AMFAM.COM
SHORTY'S BBQ & MORE SHARON DEWBERRY 3904 HWY 42 LOCUST GROVE GA 30248 (678) 272-6001 SHORTYSBBQ@CHARTER.NET
TRE DEUCE' TRAVEL ANGELIQUE CAREY 289 JONESBORO ROAD, STE 468 MCDONOUGH GA 30253 (844) 725-7222 ANGELIQUE@TREDEUCETRAVEL.COM
ELITE MEMBERS SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR ELITE MEMBERS CHAIRMAN’S CLUB
CHAMPIONS
8 | HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Proudly Serving Henry County
Publication of HenryCounty.com is made possible in part by the support of the Board Members of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce.
2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Christy Chewning, Chair, Central Georgia EMC Lincoln Parks, Chair-elect, Web Mobile Fusion Sharon Ponder, Immediate Past Chair, Bennett International Group Shaun Mock, Secretary/Treasurer, Snapping Shoals EMC Laura Turner, CVB Chair, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Dr. Elna Poulard, Vice Chair for Government and Education, Family Support Circle Morrelle McCrary, Vice Chair for Economic and Community Development, RAM-Tech PC Solutions Steve Nail, Vice Chair for Chamber Development, Nail Heating & Air Conditioning Joseph Henning, President & CEO
CLASS OF 2020 Scott Mahone, Mercer University Genie Moore, Mary Kay Consultant Kedon Williams, Southern States, LLC Kerry Arnold, Heritage Bank Sharon Ponder, Bennett International Group Steve Nail, Nail Heating & Air Conditioning CLASS OF 2021 Josh Duncan, F5 Financial Morrelle McCrary, RAM-Tech PC Solutions Christy Chewning, Central Georgia EMC Dr. Elna Poulard, Family Support Circle Kevin Demmitt, Clayton State University Thomas Williams, Kaiser Permanente CLASS OF 2022 Brent Huckaby, BB&T Lincoln Parks, Web Mobile Fusion David Campbell, Georgia Power
Kena Ceasar, Ameris Bank Maggy Martinez, Starbound PR Firm Lydia Pierre, Pierre Branding Group CHAIR APPOINTEES Laura Turner, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Dr. Murray Williams, Southern Crescent Technical College Shaun Mock, Snapping Shoals EMC EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis, Henry County Schools Superintendent Tony Carnell, Henry County Water Authority Cheri Matthews, Leadership Henry Chair Kay Embrey, Leadership Henry Representative Don Dunlap, Youth Leadership Henry Chair Mayor Robert Price, City of Locust Grove
Mayor Steve Hutchison, City of Hampton Mayor Billy Copeland, City of McDonough Mayor Anthony Ford, City of Stockbridge Chair June Wood, Henry County Board of Commissioners Josh Fenn, Henry County Development Authority CHAMBER STAFF Joseph Henning, President & CEO Barbara Ingram, Director of Communications Gary Sparrow, Director of Membership Phyllis Reeves, Office Manager CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU STAFF Laura Luker, Director of Tourism Aisha White, Digital Content Manager Janna Szeto, Partner Relations Manager
HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
VISIT HENRY COUNTY GEORGIA UNVEILS NEW VISITORS GUIDE & NEW BRAND
SCHOOL CLOSINGS CHALLENGE TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND STUDENTS IN NEW WAYS
HCS FINDS BEST WAY FORWARD DURING COVID-19
After weeks of social distancing, digital learning and self-quarantine, the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau is providing a break from the In her address at the Chamber’s monthly board meeting via monotony with their new brand launch, teleconference on March 25, Henry County Schools Superintendent The new Henry County Georgia brand and Better Explored tagline and campaign. Mary Elizabeth Davis acknowledged that measures were underway new tagline “Better Eplored” are a result to meet social distancing requirements in the schools. She expressed Visit Henry County, GA unveiled of more than a year of research that found that while visitors to Henry County have a their new visitors guide and brand in optimism that plans were in development to ensure that learning and favorable impression, they seldom venture a Facebook video on April 6. Those performance would stay on track during the term’s fourth quarter, as off the main roads to find the heart of interested in getting out and exploring well as end-of-term activities which were canceled, could still take Henry County. Henry County’s hidden gems (as soon place later in some meaningful way. Then, on April 1, as coronavirus as we are able) can order a copy of the new, reimagined visitors guide at cases continued to rise, Governor Kemp closed Georgia public schools BetterExplored.com. requiring sheltering-in-place for the remainder of the 2020 school term The brand and new tagline are a result of more than a year of research and all of the plans changed – again. that found that while visitors to Henry County have a favorable impression, The school closings, with six weeks remaining in the term, sent they seldom venture off the main roads to find the heart of Henry County. another jolt to a community, just beginning to adjust to social distancing and navigating business closings, except for those classified as essential. While Henry County is great to visit, it is better explored. It is when Henry County is explored, that its hidden gems are found. A little research Overnight, students, teachers and now parents, more so than ever, were tasked to adapt to students attending classes online at home – making reveals a hangar filled with Vietnam Huey helicopters or a restaurant “Remote Learning” a part of a family’s daily routine. Reality check tucked behind a gas station serving up flavorful breakfast delicacies cooked by a retired U.S. Army grenades instructor. – adapting meant that a lot was on the line. Teachers, students and “Our location on I-75 makes us an ideal stop for travelers, but we want parents would have to work in this new environment to complete the educational standards for students to be promoted to the next grade, or these visitors to expand their range beyond only the interstate corridor,” in the case of seniors, to graduate from high school on time. said Director of Tourism Laura Luker. “With this shift in direction we want to challenge what people think they know about Henry County and to encourage them to explore and discover.”
Although everyone is currently spending more time at home, Visit Henry County still wants to inspire travel and exploration. In addition to information about local eateries and attractions, the new visitors guide includes interviews with local chefs, information about free and affordable attractions and even a little history about Stockbridge’s role in the King legacy. Until April 29, anyone who orders a copy of the new visitors guide will also get one of Visit Henry County Georgia’s stickers featuring the new stamp version of the logo. Visit BetterExplored.com to request a copy of the 2020 Visitors Guide. The Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is a division of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce. The CVB’s mission is to inspire tourism by engaging partners and the community in order to build a sense of hospitality for Henry County visitors and stimulate economic development. 10 | HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
HCS reacted swiftly to the school closings in shifting to a total remote learning strategy posting a comprehensive instructional and operational continuity plan which detailed the many ways and means by which the HCS community would achieve its goals. The plan defined what success would look like at the end of the term and how HCS would achieve it. Recovery plans for all grade levels were spelled out to mitigate technology gaps or other reasons students are unable to meet end-ofterm standards for moving to the next grade level. HCS established a Never Stop Learning web site to house learning resources for students, teachers and families. Communication across all divisions and groups using Infinite Campus increased to an all-time high of 96% access rates in user accounts. Social Media and YouTube became important mediums for maintaining connectedness among the HCS community. Access to the Instructional and Operational Continuity Plan and more information about the HCS plans for completing the end-of-term requirements is available at https://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/henry.
LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP HENRY VIEWS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ONLINE CLASS OF 2021 OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
STANDING UP TO BE COUNTED By Don Dunlap, Instructor/CTAE Chair, Henry County Schools
While social distancing precluded us from having our County Tour Day as scheduled, several members of the Youth Leadership Henry Class of 2020 volunteered to take a leadership role in our community by encouraging Henry Countians to participate in the decennial census. With Henry participation at 84th in the state with 78.2% in 2010 (down from 83.4% in 2000), they knew that this message was important to get out. Emilia Keesey, Caleb Seehafer, Elisha Kelly, and Leila Braggs each selected a relevant quote that illustrated the impact of the census on a topic that they are passionate about, along with their photo, so members of our community could literally “see” them promoting participation, even during a time of social distancing. Using the “Every.One.Counts” format of Henry’s Complete Count 2020 committee, their message was posted on our social media sites, and subsequently re-shared by many individuals and organizations (including Henry County Government and the State census page). We are proud of these community leaders and ask you to help them by sharing their message from our Facebook page and/or on Twitter and Instagram @YLHenry, and of course be sure you go to 2020census.gov and be counted!
In April, while everyone adhered to the statewide shelter-in-place mandate, an online conference call allowed the Leadership Henry Class of 2020 to proceed with their education about economic development in Henry County.
The COVID-19 outbreak has forced many businesses and organizations to re-focus delivery and operations. Leadership Henry is no different. As the 2020 program nears completion, the March session was canceled, and the April session neared the same fate. With social distancing in place, the class of 2020 was able to hear about the economic development efforts in Henry County — with presentations from Henry County Development Authority, Chamber of Commerce, and Convention and Visitors Bureau — as well as public safety from the Henry County Fire Department. Since the Chamber has been using technology software since March for meetings and webinars, the solution for Leadership Henry was to use video technology for the last sessions. Leadership Henry is currently accepting applications for the Class of 2021. For more information about this amazing program visit the website at https://leadershiphenry.com. To complete and submit the Class of 2021 application, visit
WWW.SURVEYMONKEY.COM/R/29MCQ59 HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
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CHAMBER FEATURE
Henry County Chamber of Commerce
COVID-19 BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS SUPPORTING YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH COVID-19 In mid-March, Henry County government and many of the cities issued orders mandating its citizens and businesses to shelter-in-place. By mid-April, the COVID-19 coronavirus had claimed three lives in Henry County and Georgia was ranked as one of the highest in cases of coronavirus per state. Governor Kemp mandated a statewide shelter-in-place and soon ordered the closing of schools for the remainder of the year. Throughout the state, most employers and their employees, including government and commercial locations, except for essential businesses, complied with state orders by sheltering-in-place. The shuttering of businesses across the state fueled the greatest and mounting unemployment levels since The Great Depression. Classified as essential support for Henry County business, the Henry County Chamber of Commerce shifted its focus and daily operations to actively make a difference in supporting the specific needs of Henry County chamber members and the business community at large.
What does your business need to help in navigating through the COVID-19 & Coronavirus outbreak? 100% 80% 60% 40%
56.52% 26
52.17% 24
20%
23.91% 11
26.09% 12
0% Provide access to resources & information.
Promote your company on social media.
Encourage purchase of gift cards/gift certificates.
Encourage use of credit/ debit cards to avoid associates handling cash.
36.96% 17 21.74% 10 Provide ideas on how to more effectively work from home
Promote carry-out/delivery options available to our customers.
32.61% 15
Host conference calls/video meetings to encourage interaction.
The Chamber released a survey in March that helped prioritize its business supporting efforts during the COVID-19 economy shutdown.
Message from the President
The Survey
On March 17, Chamber President and CEO Joseph Henning released a Message from the President to assure members and local businesses that the Chamber would be closed to the public, however it would remain open for business. Henning defined the Chamber’s focus during COVID-19 on supporting local employers as its number one, mission-critical goal.
In mid-March, the Henry County business owners and employees were facing a new reality – the days ahead were going to be anything but business as usual. With the brakes slammed on the economy, businesses were forced to explore new revenue streams, and find them quickly, if they were going to weather COVID-19.
12 | HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
CHAMBER FEATURE As the losses due to COVID-19 mounted, the Chamber released a seven-question survey on March 20 to members by email and online asking for feedback on their greatest needs. Together4Henry.com The survey revealed by far that the greatest concern for businesses was the need for resources and information. Within a couple of days, the Chamber launched Together4Henry. com, a website dedicated to aggregating information helpful to combatting the ravages of COVID-19 on the economy and the processes businesses must navigate to maintain basic operations. COVID 19- Updates in Email & Social Media
how COVID-19 is impacting the efforts of the 2020 Census Complete Count. They heard for the first time from Dr. Lily Henson, CEO of Piedmont Henry, about how cases of coronavirus were expected to peak around the end of April. The entire library of Business Insight podcasts is archived at henrycounty.com/podcasts.
The weekly “News You Can Use” email newsletter was placed on hiatus to make room for COVID-19 UPDATES, released on March 20. In a concise, quick-read newsletter format, the CV-19 UPDATE, sent to Chamber members, provides links to the week’s Future-Focused Approach most important headlines and resources. The UPDATE’s open As the world, and in particular Henry County, recovers from rates have soared as members look inside weekly for information the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chamber remains committed researched and compiled with their specific needs in mind. to leading the business community. A task force working in The Chamber began posting to their multiple social media conjunction with partner organizations and agencies has begun platforms information to help businesses communicate their new drafting a business recovery plan. This plan will include such business models, operation hours, daily specials, as well as areas as rehiring and retraining the workforce, resiliency and community out-reach programs. This service was also expressed continuity, small business support, policy and regulatory, and as a high-ranking need in the Chamber survey. finally, sustainability. Webinars Throughout the pandemic, webinars proved to be one of the most effective tools in the Chamber’s arsenal delivering insight about various topics of interest to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Topics covered in the webinar series included an overview of SBA disaster loans, comparing options and detailing how to submit applications, stimulus funds and how they impact taxes, tips for how to effectively work from home, actions to promote mental wellness while sheltering-in-place, and the importance of IT security for businesses ramping up a remote workforce. The webinars are presented live and then archived for playback on demand at Together4Henry.com.
In a webinar produced by the Chamber in April, Nicole Chapman, owner of Chapman Accounting & Tax Services, detailed stimulus programs and the tax ramifications for individuals and business.
While much of the Chamber’s efforts this past two months has focused on many of these areas, the recovery of our County will require a future-focused approach that leads us all to greater success.
RIBBON CUTTING
H.D WHITE LOGISTICS
Contact: Hope White 2020 Avalon Pkwy. Suite 305, McDonough, GA 30253 (678) 833-1841
Podcasts – Business Insight The Chamber’s podcast, Business Insight, shared perspectives of several subject matter experts on current events and activities that emanate around COVID-19. In March and April, the growing market of Henry County podcast listeners learned
TO INTRODUCE AND CELEBRATE YOUR BUSINESS IN STYLE
PLEASE CONTACT GARY SPARROW, MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR AT 770-957-5786 OR VIA EMAIL GSPARROW@HENRYCOUNTY.COM HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
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YOUR AD COULD BE HERE.
14 | HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
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