October 2011 HenryCounty.com Newsletter by Henry County Chamber of Commerce

a henr y c o u n t y chamber o f c o mmerce p u blica t i o n

OCTOBER 2011 H am p t o n in this issue Chairman’s Article

Calendar 4 Ribbon Cuttings

It’s Happening in Henry

New Members/Renewals

Chamber Briefs

Edward Jones

Business Boosters Lunch

Business After Hours

Henry County Chamber of Commerce 1709 Highway 20 West Westridge Business Center McDonough, GA 30253

L o c u s t

G r o v e

YOU R B U S I N E S S I S OU R B U S I N E S S

M c D o n o u gh

S t o c k bridge

Early Voting Is Not Only Encouraged – It’s The Only Way To Ensure One-Stop Voting Early voting accommodates both the countywide E-SPLOST referendum as well as city elections and begins October 17 8:00 am – 5:00 pm at 345 Phillips Drive in McDonough through October 28. To encourage early voting, hours will be extended at each municipality voting location from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm beginning October 31 and lasting until November 4 for the following four Henry County municipality voting locations: McDonough – 345 Phillips Drive (Note: Now includes McDonough City Precinct which used to vote at Henry County Middle School and Fire Station) • Locust Grove – Recreation Center • Hampton – Train Depot • Stockbridge – Ted Strickland Community Center While voting early enables voters to go to one location and cast votes on

both the countywide E-SPLOST as well as the city elections, technology issues prevent voters from casting both votes on Election Day, November 8. Instead, many voters who wait to vote on Election Day, November 8, will have to go to two different voting precincts. They may be required to go to a county precinct in order to cast their vote on the E-SPLOST and then go to a city precinct in order to vote on city elections. (Hampton is the only exception where both the county vote and city vote can be cast in one location.) To prevent confusion and minimize the need to vote in two places, Henry County residents are ENCOURAGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EARLY VOTING. October 11 is the last date to register in order to vote in the upcoming election.

During its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 24, 2011, the Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to support the Education SPLOST referendum placed on the November 2011 Election ballot by the Henry County Board of Education. The vote followed more than a month of research, study and deliberation by Board Members on the merits of the referendum. See E-Splost, page 3.

For more information, visit www.co.henry.ga.us/Registrars/

Our mission is to provide and maintain a business friendly environment in Henry County.

HenryCounty.com

Chairman’s Message By Taylor Rice

Critical November E-SPLOST Vote Everyone agrees that education is the cornerstone of a successful life. We all know the value that a quality educational system brings to a community. What we may not be aware of are the costs involved in building, running, and maintaining a quality educational system here in Henry County. School bond referendums are limited in their ability to fund the myriad expenses that a school system incurs. For that reason, alternate forms of funding are needed if a system is to survive during austere times. The upcoming Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST) vote is critical if Henry County is to maintain excellence in our school system. You may have seen the results of previously approved E-SPLOSTs. Facilities tend to be the most noticeable items an E-SPLOST benefits. However, this isn’t all that an E-SPLOST funds. The E-SPLOST on this year’s ballot will be used mostly to maintain existing facilities, expand upon current buildings in need of more space, and to upgrade technology. There is a new high school proposed in Hampton to help alleviate some of the overcrowding at Luella High School. With a student body of more than 40,000 and an employee base of over 6,000, facilities are being used to their maximum and must receive a high level of maintenance ensuring future generations have exceptional environments in which to learn. Students must also have the latest technology for their educational growth to guarantee they remain competitive with school peers across Georgia and the nation for college acceptance and landing jobs. Technology changes at a rapid

pace and what was good yesterday may be already outdated. What can you do to help? Talk to your friends and neighbors, talk to your business colleagues, and let everyone around you know how important our school system is to this vibrant community. Explain how a top tier education system attracts more business, or how a more educated population decreases crime and relieves our jail system. Explain how quality of life improves when parents and children live and work near their schools. Take this opportunity to remind those around you of the reasons they chose to live, work and play in Henry County. Explain how the passage of the E-SPLOST will not raise their taxes. They have actually been contributing to previous E-SPLOSTs since 1997. Plus, anyone who shops in our county, whether they are from Arizona or Australia, New York or Norway, contributes to the success of our students by funding school growth in physical structures and educational technology and materials.

Get involved in the process. The effort to pass the E-SPLOST is no small undertaking. One of the most important tasks is to educate the electorate as to exactly what is being brought up for a vote. Educational materials like fliers, signs, and mailings all cost money. By law the school system is unable to advocate for the passage of an E-SPLOST initiative, therefore it is up to those of us in the community that see the value in such initiatives to be the torch bearers for the cause. We can put signs in our yards and places of business, we can donate to the campaign, and we can volunteer of our time. To make sure that the Henry of tomorrow is as exceptional as the Henry of today, contact Mike Griffin. Mike is a local businessman and Chamber member who has graciously volunteered his time to spearhead the movement to ensure passage of the E-SPLOST in November. Mike may be reached via Griffin Insurance, at 770-507-3200. He is also accessible through email, at mike@griffininsure.com.

Taylor Rice is both a partner in Moye’s Pharmacy and Registered Pharmacist who oversees a Moye’s long-term care division.

HenryCounty.com

The Chamber Supports Education-SPLOST And Encourages Your “Yes” Vote

The voters of Henry County have the opportunity to continue the one-cent sales tax earmarked for education during a November 8th election referendum. Since 1997 the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) has received voter support, enabling the capital building projects of several schools. Now funds are needed via a fourth E-SPLOST in order to maintain school buildings, to update technology and to build new schools. The E-SPLOST referendum covers a five-year period when tax funds are generated specifically

for education via a one-cent sales tax on all retail purchases made in Henry County. Those tax monies can only be used for capital expenses such as facilities; they are not used for operating costs such as salaries and benefits. The community’s strong support for the previous ESPLOST referendums enabled the school system to keep pace with exceptional growth in student enrollment. This support facilitated the building of 18 new schools and the fulfillment of many other projects over the course of the three E-SPLOSTs,

Your E-SPLOST Dollars Worked to Accomplish:

*Figure is projected.

1997 to present. Although the current ESPLOST will not expire until 2012, the law permits earlier voting on the matter so that, if passed on November’s ballot, the one-cent sales tax will continue uninterrupted and will cover the period 2012-2017. There are still capacity building projects (such as a new high school in Hampton) to be accomplished; however, a number of technology upgrades and facility renovations and/or additions are also needed (70%) from E-SPLOST #4 funds. Schools, like homes and cars, show wear and tear and require upkeep due to constant use. Technology is ever-changing and tends to become obsolete in less

than five years. Continued growth demands the addition of new schools. The chart below depicts how the 2012-2017 funds could be utilized to meet those needs: The sales tax approach via E-SPLOST is beneficial to Henry County tax payers because, while money collected from residents is put to use within, and stays in, OUR county, taxes also come from tourist dollars and from other non-residents who shop, or buy gas or groceries in Henry County. With so many shopping sites and with attractions such as Atlanta Motor Speedway which brings in the state’s largest attended events, E-SPLOST dollars are raised locally from both outside, as well as inside, Henry County.

HenryCounty.com

OCTOBER 2011 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

“MAXIMUM MONEY” COURSE

LEADERSHIP HENRY BOD

CVB BOD

8 AM, Bd Rm

10 AM, Bd Rm

HCCC BOD PLANNING RETREAT

SMALL BUSINESS COUNCIL

11:30 AM, Bd Rm

EXISTING INDUSTRIES

BUSINESS BOOSTERS LUNCHEON

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEDIA RELATIONS

7:30 AM, Hudgns Rm Noon, Location TBA

3:30 PM, Toppan Rm

10 AM, Bd Rm

26 AMBASSADORS LUNCHEON Noon

11:30 AM, Hudgins Rm

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

11 AM - 1PM, Hudgins Rm

8 8 AM, Bd Rm

“MAXIMUM MONEY” COURSE

Saturday

YOUTH LEADERSHIP HENRY BOD

8 AM, Bd Rm

11 AM - 1PM, Hudgins Rm

Friday

thursday

11 AM, Hudgins Rm

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

5:30 PM, Mercer University

31 MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION LUNCH 11:00AM-1:00PM Chamber Grounds

Chamber Staff Kay Pippin, President Roger Nix, Membership Director Laura Luker, Director of Tourism Diane Ide, Director of Communications Phyllis Reeves, Information Specialist 2011 Board of Directors Executive Committee Taylor Rice, Chairman, Moye’s Pharmacy Danny Brown, Chair-Elect, SERVPRO of Henry & Spalding Counties Eddie Ausband, Secretary/Treasurer, The Ausband Agency, Inc. Andy Welch, Immediate Past Chair, Smith, Welch, Webb & White

Kevin Smith, Vice Chair/Chamber Development, Toppan Interamerica, Inc. June Wood, Vice Chair/Government & Education, Georgia Power Charles Scott, Vice Chair Economic & Cultural Development, Henry Medical Center Julie Hoover-Ernst, CVB Chair, Henry County Board of Commissioners Kay Pippin, HCCC President CLASS OF 2011 Michelle Deraney, SCB-TV Channel 15 Marlin Gilbert, Southern States, LLC James Chafin, Judge, H.C. State Court Kevin Smith, Toppan Interamerica, Inc. Lee Saphos, Heartland Payment-Systems Danny Stone, Snapping Shoals EMC

CLASS OF 2012 Herschel Arant, Central Georgia EMC Danny Brown, SERVPRO of Henry & Spalding Counties Steve Moore, Moore Bass Consulting, Inc. John Newman, Classic Landscapes, Inc. Laura Turner, Eleste Marketing, Inc. June Wood, Georgia Power CLASS OF 2013 Eddie Ausband, , The Ausband Agency Greg Cannon, Cannon-Cleveland Funeral Directors Steve Nail, Nail Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Shane Persaud, Building Design Partnership, LLC Rhonda Segers, United Community Bank Denise Sowell, Capitol Street Financial Services

Ex Officio Members Chairman Elizabeth ‘B.J.’ Mathis, HC Board of Commissioners Mayor R.W. Coley, City of Hampton Mayor Lorene Lindsey, City of Locust Grove Mayor Billy Copeland, City of McDonough Mayor Lee Stuart, City of Stockbridge Ethan Hildreth, Superintendent, Henry County Schools Charles Scott, CEO, Henry Medical Center Vickie Loper, Chairman, Henry County Development Authority Roderick Burch, Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority Holly Campbell, Leadership Henry Gerald Hudgins - Chair Appointee Lisa Kinchen, H Magazine, LLC - Chair Appointee

HenryCounty.com

August 17 Luella Academy

235 Walker Drive McDonough, GA 30253 Contact: Ms. Stephanie Ray 770-914-1933 www.bridgelearningcenter.com

August 20 St. Vincent de Paul of St. James the Apostle

August 26 15th Street Pizza

2130 Jodeco Road McDonough, GA 30253 Contact: Mr. Dennis McHugh 770-507-1478 www.15thstreetpizza.com

298 Simpson Street McDonough, GA 30252 Contact: Ms. Tammy Thomas 770-914-7600 www.svdpatl.org

September 9 EBO Educational Services 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue McDonough, GA 30253 Contact: Mr. Jamal L. Burt 770-288-8595 www.ebotutoring.com

September 10 Fidelity Bank

1375 Highway 20 West McDonough, GA 30253 Contact: Ms. Lisa Jackson 770-914-4300 www.lionbank.com

E2 Task Force Presents Recommendations

The E2: Economics & Education Task Force comprised of over 100 Henry County stakeholders and co-chaired by Brian Preston, Chairman of the Henry County Board of Education, and June Wood, Chairman of the HCCC Education Committee, presented their final report/recommendations in late August to participants of the 2011 Henry County Intergovernmental Retreat in Columbus. The report entitled, E2: Economics & Education, an Action Plan for Education & Workforce Development contains recommendations that if embraced by the entire Henry County community, would push what is already a “good” Henry County School system over the top to become a “great” school system. The Task Force spent eight months researching issues and identifying strategic focus areas that can help equip a greater number

of Henry County students advance their education and prepare for entry into the workforce. The Task Force identified specific strategies for each focus area to serve as a starting point and established quantifiable measures of success to assure progress is being made on each goal. Taking the next step of actually applying the recommended strategies is essential to achieving the goals set forth by the Task Force and it will truly “take a village” to succeed. To communicate that message and to request participation, a video has been released which gives task force members a platform to share the strategies and encourage grassroots involvement by individuals, churches, homeowners associations, civic and non-profit organizations, etc. “There is something for everyone to do to help our public schools

succeed,” said HCCC Chairman Taylor Rice. The video can be viewed on the Chamber’s website, www.henrycounty.com under the “Live, Work, Play – Education” tab, or on SCB-TV Channel 15, a local cable station. The final recommendations are now in print, but the work is only just beginning to achieve the results sought by this initiative. The implementation phase of the project will continue under the guidance of the HCCC Education Foundation, a non-profit with the mission of championing the enhancement of countywide education initiatives. For more information about the E2: Economics & Education Task Force recommendations or to become involved with this initiative, contact HCCC President Kay Pippin at kpippin@henrycounty.com .

HenryCounty.com

it’s happening in Henry Comfortably South of Atlanta Fear the Woods Weekends throughout October (Fri-Sun) 7:00 – midnight Yule Forest

This activity is not recommended for small children. Brave thrill-seekers, however, can enjoy the Haunted Hayride, Haunted Barn, Jumping Pillow, Reptile Exhibit, and Pumpkin Cannons. $12 per person. On the farm at Yule Forest, 3565 N Highway 155 in Stockbridge. For more information, visit www.fearthewoods.com.

1st Annual Bikers for Babies Charity Ride October 1 9:00 a.m. Registration McDonough Christian Church

This ride, sponsored by Paradise Empowers, will take you from McDonough to Warm Springs and the event will involve music, prizes and a raffle. Cost is $20 per bike $5 per passenger. Leave from McDonough Christian Church, 2000 Jonesboro Road in McDonough. For more information visit www.paradiseempowers.org.

Art in the Park October 1 noon - 5:00 p.m. • On the McDonough Square

This series provides a free venue for artists of all ages and various talents to demonstrate their craft. Interested artists may contact Jeff Hunter at 770.633.6738 for more information. The public is invited to try their hand at painting, browse, learn, and speak with the artists while enjoying a fun afternoon on McDonough’s historic Square. Bring the family! Attendance is free. For more information visit www.mcdonougharts.net.

Bridgefest in the Pines October 1 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Clark Community Park

This festival will be the must attend event of the fall and will host a variety of art & unique craft vendors, a business showcase, an entertainment stage, a children’s area and more! If you have any questions about the festival, please contact Miranda Roberts at mroberts@cityofstockbridge-ga.gov.

The Pumpkin Patch @ Yule Forest • Opens October 1 Mon – Fri 4:00 - 7:00 pm • Sat – Sun 10:00 am – 6:00 pm 3565 Hwy 155N in Stockbridge

Choose your own pumpkin right off the vine. They promote agriculture for all ages in the community in a fun and educational way. They also have train rides, pony rides, and hopa-long horse races available on the weekends! Enjoy the Pumpkin Jumping Pillow! Take a ride on our hayride and visit the petting zoo. Walk the Crazy Maze and see our science center, which includes bugs & butterflies, rocks & minerals, bones, fossils, and a large live reptile exhibit. School tours are offered on weekday mornings by reservation only. Visit www.AboutYule.com or email yuleforest155@aol.com or call 770-954-9356

Family Night...in the Grove • October 1 – 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Downtown Locust Grove

Make plans to attend the first ever “Family Night...in the Grove” and enjoy art exhibitors, music, karaoke, pumpkin painting, scavenger hunt, family photos, scarecrow village, story telling at our story-telling tree, and some very creative craft vendors. You will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for some great raffle items and businesses will be open until 10:00 p.m. for shopping.

Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure October 1 • Atlanta Motor Speedway

For more information visit www.racingadventure.com or call 1 (888) GO-RACE-1.

Scarecrow Village October 1-31 Downtown Locust Grove

Businesses are invited to display a scarecrow advertising their business in the downtown scarecrow village area during the month of October. Families as well as civic groups are also encouraged to participate. We invite citizens to visit the scarecrow village and enjoy the display of various kinds of scarecrows throughout the month. For more information, call 770-692-2320.

Haunting ...in The Grove • Various dates in October

During the month of October, the City of Locust Grove will host its annual Haunting . . . in The Grove. A haunted house will be on the grounds of city hall during the last three weekends of October. There will also be movies on the lawn during the month. Call 770-957-5043 for specific dates and times.

Access I October 1 9:00 am - 4:00 pm • UGA’s Griffin Campus Cost for class is $95; to register, call 770-229-3477

Open Auditions for The Nutcracker October 2 • Atlanta Festival Ballet

Visit www.atlantafestivalballet.com/openaudition.html

Sponsored by Canongate at Heron Bay Golf Club

This is a welcoming group of ladies who want to learn to play or improve their game, while making new friends and growing their professional network. Come and enjoy great company, drinks, appetizers and a clinic or abbreviated play. Open to all business women in and around Henry County. RSVP by emailing HeronBayBWGL@gmail.com.

Word 2 October 4 & October 6 - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm UGA’s Griffin Campus

Cost for class is $95; to register, call 770-229-3477

Sweet Repeats Consignment Sale October 6-8 • Atlanta Motor Speedway

Spirits of McDonough - City Cemetery Tour October 22 – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Don’t miss out on the City Cemetery Tour! For more details call Debbie at 678.522.4020

Breast Health Connection Program October 25 6:00 – 8:00 pm HMC Foundation Education Center

Since 1998, Sweet Repeats Consignment Sale has helped families in the community by giving them an outlet to sell outgrown items or no longer needed children items. The sale also helps shoppers buy new items at a reasonable price. For more information, visit www.sweetrepeats.org.

Participants will be matched with the screening source most appropriate for them. Women who already qualify for existing breast health programs will be given a referral for a clinical breast exam and mammogram through the Henry County Health Department. Others will receive a FREE Henry Medical Center mammogram screening certificate. Hands of Hope Clinic staff will be available to schedule breast-related appointments if needed. For more information, visit www.henrymedical.com.

For more information visit http://www.drivepetty.com or call 1 (800) BE-PETTY.

Cost for class is $95; to register, call 770-229-3477

Richard Petty Driving Experience October 7-9 & 20-23 • Atlanta Motor Speedway Fit for Families 5K Run/Walk October 8 – 8:00 a.m. • Tanger Outlet Center

Tanger is bringing the community together this fall to promote and encourage a healthy, happy lifestyle and fight breast cancer. Proceeds benefit American Cancer Society. This is a timed, 5K (3.1 mile) event that will begin at Tanger, travel offsite and then end at Tanger. All finishers will receive a race medal, and all pre-registered participants will receive a race pack which includes a commemorative race t-shirt, Tanger shopping discounts and other goodies. Prizes will be awarded to division winners as well as the top 3 male and top 3 female winners. Register online at www.tangeroutlet.com/race.

Annual Fall Bazaar October 8 – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. McDonough First United Methodist Church

Stop by the Annual Fall Bazaar and pick up some chicken BBQ or homemade baked goods or browse the vendor aisles. All proceeds benefit the McDonough First United Methodist Church mission ministry.

Better Living Home & Garden Show October 8 10:00 am – 7:00 pm • October 9 11:00 am – 7:00 pm Gateway Event Center

Excel II October 27 & Nov 3 9:00 am - 12:00 pm • UGA’s Griffin Campus Trick or Treat October 28 • Downtown Hampton

This event is hosted by the Hampton Business & Merchants Association. Children look forward to trick or treating in Downtown Hampton as well as commercial locations at Boothe’s Crossing and the State Farm Building!

Haunted Depot October 28-29 • Hampton Train Depot

See the scary transformation of a local building into the ghoulish labyrinth of Halloween! Join us for a hayride through the cemetery and wear a survivor t-shirt! All inclusive for $10.00!

Goblin Gallop • October 29 – 9:00 a.m. Heron Bay Golf & Country Club

Grab your favorite Halloween costume for an afternoon of fall family fun benefiting the Hands of Hope Clinic. The Goblin Gallop is an event for every age group with three different races: 6K Run, 1 Mile Run/Walk and the “Tot Trot,” for kids aged five and under. Prizes will be awarded to the most creative costumes. Pre-registration forms are available at ww.handsofhopeclinic.org. Click on the “Fundraising Events” tab to access the form.

Bring home fresh ideas from home improvement, design and landscape companies offering exclusive “home show only” special pricing, sales, deals and over 100 door prize giveaways! Plus, more drawings to be held by exhibitors. All who attend the show can also enter to win a brand new 2011 Toyota Corolla LI provided by Toyota of McDonough! For more information, visit www.betterlivinghomesandgardenshow.com.

Trick or Treat at Tanger October 29 - 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tanger Outlet Center

Cost for class is $95; to register, call 770-229-3477

For more information visit http://www.fasttrackracing.com or call (704) 455-1700. Volunteers Asked to Sign Up Now

Access II October 8 - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm • UGA’s Griffin Campus SpeedTech Racing School October 8-9 & 14 -16 • Atlanta Motor Speedway

For more information visit http://www.speedtech500.com or call 1 (877) 80-SPEED.

Excel I October 13 & October 20 - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm UGA’s Griffin Campus Cost for class is $95; to register, call 770-229-3477

14th Annual Big Green Egg “EGGtoberfest” October 14-15 • Atlanta Motor Speedway

EGGtoberfest is an annual event held on the third weekend in October in Atlanta. It originated in 1998 as a way for Big Green Egg to say thanks to loyal customers. Now crowds of over 1400 people gather to sample food, share recipes and learn firsthand about the EGG. For more information, visit www.biggreenegg.com.

Chili Cook-off October 15 – 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Hampton Depot Park

If you make some mean 5-Alarm chili or have perfected grandma’s secret chili recipe, show it off by entering the competition. First prize is $100. The entry fee is $25 (after October 1). Contact Candy Franklin at 770-946-4306 or cfranklin@cityofhampton-ga.gov to register. If you’d rather eat than cook then buy a spoon for $1 and taste up to 10 entries. There will also be music, a cake walk, face painting and more!

Six Sigma Green Belt Training Oct 3,4,5; Nov 10,11,29,30 and Dec 1,12,13 (10 days) UGA’s Griffin Campus

Stars Over Stockbridge: Moonlight Movie Series October 21 - 5:30 p.m. • Clark Community Park

Business Women’s Golf League (BWGL) Complimentary Fall Mixer • October 4 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

McDonough Lions Club BBQ Fundraiser October 22 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. • Alexander Park

Cost: $2,250. To register, call 770-229-3477

Pick up dinner for the family and help support local Lions Club charities. For just $7 a plate you get ½ barbecued chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, bread and tea! Contact the McDonough Lions Club or Pat Watson at 770-897-9580 for more information.

Come enjoy a Halloween showing of Monsters vs. Aliens! Before the movie, kids can enjoy trick-or-treating around the Clark Park and spooky train rides. This is a free event.

Children 12 and under are invited to trick or treat at participating stores at Tanger Outlet.

Fast Track High Performance Driving School October 29 • Atlanta Motor Speedway Connecting Henry’s Community Cares Toy Shop – Christmas for the Community, By the Community

This year’s Connecting Henry event will take place Dec 8-10 at a location to be named. Volunteer opportunities include: staffing the Toy Shop as a personal shopper, gift wrapping, baby-sitting, serving cocoa and cookies, security, decorating, stocking shelves, and cleaning up. To volunteer, call 770-288-6230.

Chamber Membership Appreciation Luncheon Monday, October 31 • 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Henry County Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber would like to express gratitude to its members by holding lunch on the grounds – generously catered by Shane’s Rib Shack. Since it’s Halloween, costumes are encouraged and will be judged at noon for a prize. To adequately plan, RSVPs are required – members only please. Call Phyllis at 770-957-5786 or email preeves@henrycounty.com.

Family Fall Festival Monday, October 31 • 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church

An alternative to Halloween – fun for the whole family – community-wide event! There will be rides, inflatables, preschool farm, games and LOTS OF CANDY! Bring a container to collect candy. All events are free; however there will be a small charge for food. Request participants wear only “Happy” costumes. No pets please. 2400 Hwy 42 N in McDonough.

HenryCounty.com

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP Welcome to our NEW Members Americas Corporation Mr. Jude O. Chisley, Sr. 2106 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, GA 30096 417-766-7628 Mr. Brian Andrews 510 Cypress Point, McDonough, GA 30253 770-315-8919 Chevron Food Mart Mr. Krnaul Patel 2778 Highway 81 E, McDonough, GA 30252 678-938-5173 Eagle Point Accounting & Tax, Inc. Mr. Gary A. Mosley, EA, ABA 155 Westridge Parkway, Suite 108, McDonough, GA 30253 678-583-9706 Gantt & Associates Ms. Lakeisha Gantt 157 Burke Street, Suite 106, Stockbridge, GA 30281 678-923-5523 Innovative Event Concepts, LLC Mr. Jerry Cummings 111 Cone Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 678-549-5541 South Atlanta Neurosurgery Mrs. Nazie Rezaiamiri 33 SW Riverdale Road, #25, Riverdale GA 30274 770-997-0600 South Ola BP Mr. Tushar Patel 3342 Highway 81 E, McDonough, GA 30252 678-938-5173 YellowBook Ms. Tyleshia Pope 105 Preston Court, Macon, GA 31210 478-477-4834

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP Thank You to our RENEWING Members

Bear Creek Association, Inc. Bethany Baptist Church Canongate Golf Clubs Clean Slate Services, LLC Corporate Office Furniture & Panels, Inc. CorrectMed Country Inn & Suites Courtesy Cleaners Delta Community Credit Union - Mt. Zion Parkway Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church Easler Construction Emily’s Attic Express Employment Professionals Georgia Utility Contractors Association, Inc. Grace Management Enterprises, Inc. Hampton Business & Merchants Association Henry Arts Alliance Henry County Counseling Center Home Helpers and Direct Link Introspective Solutions James T. Chafin III Jeffrey W. Woolums, CPA, P.C. Luxottica Retail McDonough Senior Women’s Club

Mercer University - Regional Academic Center Neel - Schaffer Norfolk Southern Corporation Oral Surgery Associates & Dental Implant Centers Piedmont Healthcare Publix Super Markets, Inc - # 1052 Publix Super Markets, Inc - # 547 Publix Super Markets, Inc - # 816 Publix Super Markets, Inc - # 92 Publix Super Markets, Inc. - # 1054 Publix Super Markets, Inc. - Main Pumpkin Patch at Yule Forest (The ) Hwy. 155 RAM-Tech PC Solutions Retail Therapy Boutique, LLC Scott Powerline and Utility Equipment, LLC Seiler & Associates, Inc. Sign-A-Rama Sirius Chemical Group Skyline Pest Solutions, Inc. Speedway Donuts Teen Expressions, Inc. Verizon Wireless W. D. Lemon & Sons Funeral Home Welcome Home Real Estate Group

Maximum Money HCCC/HCDA Offer “Maximum Money” Course

O n Monday, September 12, fourteen Chamber members interested in learning more about their financials and in growing their company’s revenue began a five-week class that meets each Monday for two hours over lunch. The course is led by Alisa Kirk, a consultant with the Clayton State University Small Business Development Center. “Maximum Money” is the second “Maximum” course to be offered for Henry County businesses and co-sponsored by the Henry County Chamber of Commerce and the Henry County Development Authority. “As a small business owner, it’s important that I not only know what a financial statement contains, but also what that financial statement says about the health and potential growth of my business. I was impressed with both the content and delivery of the information -- I feel confident that what I learn though this course will help improve my understanding of the financial workings of my business thus improving my chances of a more profitable future,” stated Lewis Brannen, Owner of Seniors Helping Seniors of McDonough, and a member of the class.

HenryCounty.com

Publication of Henrycounty.com is made possible in part by the support of the Board Members of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce. Thank You! Ethan Hildreth City of Henry County’s Locust Grove choice for

OF CLAYTON COUNTY OF DECATUR OF HENRY & SPALDING COUNTIES

Superintendent

Member FDIC

Charles B. Woodroof Sr. Vice President Henry County Executive 2750 Highway 42 North McDonough, GA 30253 Tel: 678.510.5283 Fax: 770.506.8867

Lorene Lindsey, Mayor

Cell: 678.414.4271 Nextel: 24*7766 www.fnbgriffin.com

woodroof@fnbbanking.com

City of Stockbridge Lee Stuart, Mayor 770-389-7910 If you’re looking for the perfect location, we can help. Along with SelectGeorgia, our powerful new state-of-the-art system for finding the best site or building for your company, our team of professionals provides world-class service to meet all your site location needs. We are here to be part of your team by providing our expertise, products, and services to you free of charge. From target industry knowledge to site analysis to visit coordination, we do it all. Contact us. We’re ON so you can be.®

770-775-7857

Henry County Chamber of Commerce

STOCKBRIDGE 850 Eagles Landing Pkwy | 770-507-5855 MCDONOUGH 865 Hwy 20/81 W | 770-898-1988

Convention & Visitors Bureau

770-957-5786

City of Hampton

LOCUST GROVE 4970 Bill Gardner Parkway | 770-288-3500 Retail Sales Manager 678-289-2503

Member FDIC | ucbi.com

SNAPPING SHOALS EMC

City Hall: 770.946.4306 Fax: 770.946. 4356

P. O. Box 509, Covington, GA 30015

770-786-3484

Leading Edge Technology. First Class Care. Close To Home.

Eddie Ausband, CFP

1133 Eagle’s Landing Parkway Stockbridge, Georgia 30281 Telephone: 678.604.1000

4920 N. Henry Blvd Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: 770-507-401K 770-389-9060 x 102 eausband@revanta.com

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 75 FIFTH STREET NW, SUITE 175 ATLANTA, GA 30308 ECONDEVGA@SOUTHERNCO.COM WWW.SELECTGEORGIA.NET

Billy Copeland, Mayor

770-957-3915

2200 KEYS FERRY COURT MCDONOUGH, GEORGIA 30253

770-957-3937

Greg Cannon

770-914-1414

www.cannonclevelandfunerals.com

Cremation Services

Attorney

WEBB & WHITE

Every LIFE has a story. Celebrate it!

Companion Care

ANDY WELCH SMITH, WELCH,

Nationally Known - Locally Owned

Manager of Economic Development

www.henrymedical.com

City of McDonough

(770) 997-5689 (404) 378-9998 (678) 432-3003 FAX: (770) 914-1078

Danny Stone

Mayor

P.O. Box 400 17 East Main Street South Hampton, Georgia 30228

Danny Brown 934 DAILEY MILL ROAD McDONOUGH, GA 30253 dbrown@servpro8537.com

22 N. Zack Hinton Parkway McDonough, Georgia 30253

R. W. Coley

Rhonda J. Segers

FIRE & WATER- CLEANUP & RESTORATION 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

General Manager

ethan.hildreth@henry.k12.ga.us

(770) 957-5043

www.cgemc.com

1709 Highway 20 West Westridge Business Center McDonough, GA 30253

770-957-6601 770-914-6178 FAX

Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Proudly Serving Henry County

910 Dailey Mill Road McDonough, GA 30253

770-692-3819 Greg Cannon owner

“Lillie”

www.companioncarega.com

HenryCounty.com

New Promotions Attracted Race Fans to Local Businesses book page, word of mouth or through the cards distributed through the hotels, fans learned about the CVB’s new promotions and embraced them with relish. “We were very pleased with the response our promotions received,” said Julie Hoover-Ernst, Chairman of the CVB Board of Directors. “We have laid the groundwork for a solid program and expect next year we will see exponential growth!” Teena Lawhon from Jackson, Georgia was the lucky winner of the two pit passes. Teena won her

NASCAR fans began to arrive as early as one week before the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway over Labor Day weekend and started spending money in Henry County. A couple from Orange Park, Florida, turned in more than $200 in receipts on Friday from local restaurants and grocery stores they had visited during week leading up to the race. They were just the first in a long line of race fans who showed up at the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) tent over race weekend to trade in their Henry County receipts for a “Race to Henry” t-shirt, a cooler tote and chances to win pit passes. Over the course of the weekend almost $17,000 in receipts were redeemed from just over 100 fans in exchange for prizes. The HCCC/CVB began promoting a new receipt redemption program on its website and Facebook page several weeks prior to the race. Atlanta Motor Speedway also mentioned the new CVB program in their marketing, spurring a flurry of comments and promises to wait and buy gas when race fans reached Henry County. Whether fans knew about the receipt redemption promotion prior to arriving in Henry County (like the couple from Tampa who stated that they waited to buy gas and groceries until they arrived here), or learned about it once at the Speedway, fans were scrambling for receipts to turn in, even if it required making a special purchase to do so. In one instance, a gentleman who stopped by the CVB tent on Friday night learned about the promotion, picked up a JailHouse Brewing Company coupon, and returned on Saturday afternoon to turn in his receipts from touring the brewery and buying two JailHouse t-shirts – a win-win for county revenue and a local business. Fans who arrived early could also explore the county through a QR Code Scavenger Hunt organized by the CVB which led them through six Henry County attractions and rewarded them with a chance at coveted pit passes. On Sunday, a lady who had scanned her final QR Code at Tanger then went on a shopping spree, returned to the CVB tent at the Speedway to redeem over $400 in receipts. “She was a complete customer,” said State Court Judge Jim Chafin, who volunteered at the CVB tent on Sunday redeeming her receipts.

“The best part about the weekend for me was that the information about local attractions disappeared from our table almost as fast as the free goodies and prizes,” stated Laura Luker, HCCC/CVB Director of Tourism. “That’s really why we set up a tent in the Fan Zone; we want people to know more about our county. Through these promotions we were able to accomplish that goal.” Another feature at the CVB tent was a basket filled with “Henry Made, Henry Grown” products including Shane’s Rib Shack BBQ Sauce, Curry & Echol’s Hot and Salty Pickles, an Incredible Southern Poundcake, an empty bottle of JailHouse Breakout Stout, a bottle of Ken’s Salad Dressing and of course a Nestle® Oh Henry®! candy bar -- which garnered much attention. Fans eagerly registered for a chance to win a Henry County gift bag that included many of these items. Hundreds of fans registered for the gift bag with parting words like “It’s the lucky one” or “Please pick that one.” In registering for the gift basket and other prizes, the CVB collected valuable information about race attendees that will be useful for advertising next year’s promotions. Using zip codes collected, the CVB can geo-target advertising to areas with especially high concentrations of race fans. This year the CVB tested the waters of this behavior and geo-targeted online marketing through a Henry Daily Herald product called BOLT. Banner ads advertising “Race to Henry & Win” were displayed on websites frequented by race fans, which generated more than 100 visits to the CVB website where fans could register for a race weekend package. Renee Fedele from Charlotte, North Carolina was the lucky winner of the “Race to Henry” online contest, winning a race package which included a 3-night stay, two tickets to the AdvoCare 500, two “Race to Henry” t-shirts and two JailHouse Brewing Company souvenir tasting glasses. Without winning this package Ms. Fedele would have been unable to attend the race. However, after a weekend in Henry County, the grateful Ms. Fedele left declaring, “I love the quaint little town where the Jailhouse Brewery is located and the people there showed true southern hospitality! I will see you next time...rain or shine!” Whether it was on the CVB’s website or Face-

pit passes by turning in more than $100 in receipts from purchases made at Henry County businesses! Laura Luker (left) poses with “Race to Henry” winner Rene Fedele. Noel and Chef Sam Pagan (right) with Masleon Cakes & Pastries, www.masleoncakes.com worked with guests at CVB tent during race weekend.

Jacoby Development Shares Plans for Southside Business leaders and residents alike across Atlanta’s Southern arc were thrilled last spring when Jacoby Development, Inc., announced a decision by Porsche North America to move their headquarters from Sandy Springs to the old Ford plant site near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This rare move from the northern suburbs to Atlanta’s Southside is unprecedented and will bring hundreds of new jobs and prestige to the Southside. According to Scott Condra, when the Porsche Headquarters and Experience Center is fully built out, travelers will be able to see the facility from the air as they travel in and out of the airport. Scott Condra, the Senior Vice President of Development at Jacoby Development, Inc., was speaking to Chamber members during the September Business Boosters Luncheon at the Chamber. Porsche plans to build offices where the Ford plant was demolished and a test track similar to its Porsche Silverstone facility in England. Condra stated “Porsche builds not just cars, but ‘performance machines’ that are put through demanding road tests to assure the product measures up; such driving demands a difficult and safe Tract.” The new Tract will also be available for limited use by the public including driver safety training for young drivers. Jacoby, the developer that also built Atlanta’s Atlantic Station, bought the Ford plant property because of its location and surrounding infrastructure. “The 17th Street Bridge had to be built to connect Atlantic Station to the rest of Atlanta, but our site along I-75 near the airport, has all the infrastructure in place…connecting bridges and intersections to major expressways, proximity to the airport, interstate frontage and more,” said Condra. He also noted that the City of Hapeville’s ability to offer Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) for part of the development was an incentive. Jacoby is in the process of creating an “Aerotropolis” on the site, which is a mixed-use development whose layout, infrastructure and economy are centered on an

airport, offering its businesses speedy connectivity to suppliers, customers, and enterprise partners worldwide. Condra noted that the Atlanta Airport is facing a shortage of land on which to expand noting that the new fifth runway had to be built southward and over I-285 making it very expensive to build. The Jacoby property is east of the airport and Condra predicts future airport related growth to travel in that direction. He reminded listeners that the airport is Atlanta’s number one economic engine and that a new $1.4 billion terminal dedicated to international travel is scheduled to open in 2012, making the airport even more valuable to all of Atlanta and Georgia. When asked what Henry County could do to maximize opportunities created by this development , Condra noted that when a highly skilled workforce like that required by Porsche is deciding where to live, they look at the quality of life offered by a community – schools, dining, shopping, entertainment, parks, etc., and right now the Southside is limited in its ability to produce such locations. He encouraged Henry County to think more strategically about economic development by adding businesses, shopping, entertainment and manufacturing to its already strong mix of logistics and some manufacturing. Scott Condra, third from left, responds to Chamber attendees.

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Chamber Briefs ... Stockbridge Company Wins Business Award

P.A.R.T.S., Inc. (Parts and Repair Technical Services), based in Stockbridge, received an Export Achievement Award from the International Trade Administration (ITA) on August 26, recognizing the company as a small-to-medium-sized business that has succeeded in entering the international marketplace. The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance, Michael C. Camunez, participated in the recognition, along with other dignitaries.

Diane Ide Recognized For Outstanding Service

During the annual conference of the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE), Diane Ide was awarded a 2012 GACCE Staff Clinic Scholarship in recognition of outstanding service and personal achievement to the Chamber of Commerce profession. Ms. Ide, HCCC’s Director of Communications, will attend the conference March 13-15, 2012 in Augusta.

Mayor Lorene Lindsey Appointed To Georgia Council on Aging

Locust Grove Mayor Lorene Lindsey was recently appointed to the Georgia Council on Aging for a two year term. Mayor Lindsey, an advocate for seniors on aging issues and related public policies, has worked on behalf of seniors more than two decades. She will retire as mayor in December 2011, a position she has held for the last 12 years.

Servpro of Henry & Spalding Counties Achieves Recognition

SERVPRO of Henry and Spalding Counties, owned by Danny and Patti Brown, received the Chairman’s Gold Award for outstanding revenue performance at the Company’s 42d annual national convention held recently in St. Louis, MO.

Georgia Power’s June Wood Receives Community Award

June Wood, Georgia Power’s Metro South External Affairs Manager for Butts, Clayton, Henry, South Fulton, Fayette and Coweta County, received the Ed Bridges Spirit of the Community Award at Leadership Henry’s kickoff dinner meeting for the Class of 2012. Mrs. Woods’ commitment, outstanding work and spirit of volunteerism on behalf of Henry County earned her the recognition. She has worked diligently during 2010-2011 on the E2: Economics & Education project spearheaded by the Chamber, leading over 100 likeminded citizens in identifying g oals to ensure that Henry County schools increase graduation rates, improve academic ranking, increase dual enrollment, achieve work-ready status, and improve school readiness for early education.

residents of the hospital’s Laurel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation facility. Residents and staff gathered August 31 at a reception celebrating the delivery of the van from Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Mercury.

HMC Names New Pharmacy Director

Henry Medical Center named Celeste Fowler as Director of Pharmacy. Ms. Fowler brings more than 10 years of experience to her new role, including work with VA hospitals as well as ambulatory care, long-term care and acute care facilities. Fowler is a Doctor of Pharmacy from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a business minor from Florida State University. She is a member of the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Georgia Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (GSHP).

Real Men Wear Pink in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness

Henry Medical Center kicks off October’s “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign by naming the 2011 “real men:” Andy Pippin, City of Hampton; Shane Thompson, Shane’s Rib Shack; Chuck Spahos, Henry County Solicitor; Monta Brown, McDonough City Council; Celebrities Visit In Support of Judge Jim Chafin, State Court; Jimmy Carter, SouthCure Childhood Cancer ern Belle Farm; Ken Wright, Publix at Eagle’s LandIncredible Southern ing; Paul White, Chick-fil-A at Eagles’ Landing; Kent Poundcakes sponBooth, Eagle’s Landing Middle School and Brian sored Cruisin’ for Strickland, Smith, Welch, Webb & White. HMC reCure on September quests community support in painting the county pink 3, a benefit to Cure by: encouraging your staff to wear pink shirts on seChildhood Cancer lect days; by designating a monthly meeting as “Wear that featured Atlanta Pink Day;” by wearing a pink shirt or tie to meetings Braves Hall of Famthroughout the month; or by promoting the campaign er, Tom Glavine, and Grant Provides Van for via your business or organization’s marquee or sign. reality TV star Dwight Eubanks, along with a variHenry Medical Center Foundation Make plans to wear Pink on Fridays in October (or ety of vintage and classic cars, games, raffles, music Henry Medical Center Foundation recently received a every day in October) in support. Please email your and many fun-filled activities. (L-R: Kristin Connor, $48,000 grant from the Chaparral Foundation that enPink photos to www.henrymedical.com for their Pink Tom & Chris Glavine, Kathy Shepherd) abled the purchase of a 10-passenger van to transport Website that will go live on October 1. Think Pink!

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2011 Intergovernmental Retreat Report Fifty-four Henry County government and business leaders participated in the fourth annual Henry County Intergovernmental Retreat held August 25-26. This informative and strategic planning summit, hosted by The Henry County Chamber of Commerce, was sponsored by the following Chamber community partners: Piedmont Healthcare, Miller & Martin, PLLC; Henry County Development Authority; Central Georgia EMC; Georgia Power; and Snapping Shoals EMC. The city of Columbus served as the beautiful setting for the event and city leaders were gracious hosts, providing tour buses and guides for participants to visit the amazing new National Infantry & Soldier Museum just outside Fort Benning and view many new city improvements. Columbus takes pride in its revitalization efforts and renewed quality of life invigorated by a consolidated government structure. Faced with duplicity of services and high taxes, the leaders of Columbus and Muscogee County led a successful effort in the early 1970s to consolidate the two governments citing “economic development” as a major goal of the unification. Since that time the city has attracted new businesses bringing thousands of jobs to area residents. Current city efforts include redevelopment of its expansive river front, historic preservation, concentration on the arts, education and healthcare as major contributors to economic development and transportation infrastructure improvements. Columbus already enjoys more than 20 miles of landscaped river walks, riverside parks and a large historic district with tree-lined streets; soon it will boast a world-class kayaking venue on the Chattahoochee River that flows through the town. The first order of business of the retreat was to hear the final report of E2 Task Force. Participants of the 2010 Retreat commissioned a task force to study and develop recommendations that, if embraced by the entire Henry County community, would push what is already a good public school system over the top to become a great school system. The work group, composed of over 100 Henry County community stakeholders, was called the E2: Economics and Education Task Force. The Task Force’s recommendations were presented via a

video challenging residents, civic groups and organizations, and businesses to get involved. At the conclusion of the E2 review, the Henry County Development Authority presented a check for $10,000 to Dr. Ethan Hildreth, Superintendent of Henry County Schools, underscoring the belief that education truly enhances economic development. The video and complete text of the Task Force report can be accessed on the Chamber’s website: www.henrycounty.com.

Vicky Loper, Chair of Henry County Development Authority presents Dr. Hildreth with check The attention of retreat participants then turned to this year’s focus – transportation. As a prelude to the topic, an anonymous straw poll vote was taken to gauge initial support for or against the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) referendum scheduled to be voted on in a 10-county Metro Atlanta area in July 2012. Local leaders heard from Wayne Mason, Director of Strategic Planning with Norfolk Southern, on the possibilities of a commuter rail service on NS tracks through Henry County and his company’s plans to possibly locate a large rail switchyard in Henry County in the future. During a panel discussion of “Best Transportation Practices in Other Communities,” participants heard from Faye DiMassimo, Director of Transportation for Cobb County, as well as from David Arrington, Deputy City Manager of Columbus, about how they utilize transportation to enhance economic development and job growth. Henry County Commission Chairman and member of the Executive Committee of the Atlanta Regional Commission Roundtable, Elizabeth (B.J.) Mathis explained the Transportation Investment Act of 2010 and the seven roadway projects that Henry County succeeded in getting on the $6.1 billion semi-con-

strained, draft list of projects being developed for the 2012 referendum. The final list will not be known until October 15, 2011. The group was given a unique opportunity to learn from a panel of presenters composed of Todd Long, Director of Planning for GDOT; Matt Markham, Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer for the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA); and Jane Hayse, ARC’s Transportation Planning Division Chief. This informative session afforded participants and county officials a chance to voice concerns regarding the lack of approved transit projects south of I-20, which would not only improve the daily commute of hundreds from Henry County. but would also eventually open up a corridor to Macon and then Savannah, thereby increasing economic development opportunities South of I-20 and linking these areas to the state’s number one economic engine, the City of Atlanta. Facilitated sessions enabled participants to work collectively in brainstorming ways to promote educating residents and fostering an understanding of transportation issues in preparation for the upcoming 2012 T-SPLOST referendum. As the transportation session came to a close, a second anonymous straw poll vote was taken and the results of the two votes were compared: 85% voted in favor of the proposed regional T-SPLOST referendum in the first

round of voting; 92% voted in favor of the T-SPLOST in the second vote. The vote results clearly indicate the importance Henry County’s business and government leaders place on transportation infrastructure improvements as related to Henry County’s economy and future growth. Impassioned by the issues and discussions, Henry County BOE Chairman Brian Preston stated “I grew up in Henry County and I am a young man working every day to build a business here. I want to see my children grow up in Henry County as well, but a quality of life that is enhanced by differing transportation options, along with a first class educational system, is vital to ensuring that I and my contemporaries continue to call Henry County home!” These strategic planning meetings afford our government and business leaders the unique opportunity to exchange opinions and insights in a setting that encourages open dialogue and promotes teamwork. Henry County serves as a model in the state for enlisting this type of forward thinking and open exchange among its civic, county and business leaders. The end result of this, and previous retreats, is the attitude that we can make a difference by working together as ONE HENRY! In a “One Henry” approach to supporting the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup race, theAdvocare 500 at AMS, government and business leaders donned race tee-shirts during the Intergovernmental Retreat.

HenryCounty.com

FINANCIAL FOCUS

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Reinvesting Dividends Can Pay Off When you invest in stocks, you want their price to go up. But of course, you can’t control the rise and fall of stock prices. However, there is a key element of investing that you can control — the number of shares you own. And in the long run, share ownership may be more important than rising stock prices in determining your long-term investment success. Of course, you might think that the advice of “buy more shares” is easier said than done. After all, not everyone can easily find a lot of extra money to invest. But you don’t need access to vast wealth to increase your share ownership — you just need to consistently reinvest your stock dividends. Just how important are reinvested dividends to wealth

accumulation, as compared to capital gains (the increase in stock prices)? Over the 135year period from 1871 through 2003, owning stocks and reinvesting the dividends produced 97% of all stock market returns, with only 3% coming from capital gains, according to a major study done by Dr. Jeremy Siegel, one of the world’s leading researchers on stock market performance. Other studies have also pointed to the importance of dividends as a component of total returns. What are the implications of this disparity between the effectiveness of dividend reinvestment versus that of capital gains? First of all, it suggests that you may not want to spend an undue amount of time and effort in chasing after “hot” stocks, hoping for big capital gains. For one thing, by the time you buy

these stocks, they may already be cooling off, but even more importantly, your focus on achieving large capital gains may not be the best use of your financial resources. Ultimately, the power of dividend reinvestment means, not surprisingly, that you may be able to help yourself if you look for quality dividend-paying stocks — and then reinvest the dividends, month after month and year after year. With just a little research, you can find stocks that have paid — and even increased — dividends for many years in a row. (Keep in mind, though, that not all stocks will pay dividends, and even those that do can reduce or discontinue them at any time. Dividend reinvestment does not ensure a profit or protect against loss.) So, to help boost your share ownership, consider reinvest-

Your Timing Won’t Be Off, If one of your worries is whether you’re investing at the right time, it shouldn’t be. By investing a set amount of money regularly, you establish a simple routine that makes it possible to use market fluctuations to your advantage. Investing a set amount of money on a regular basis does not

ing the dividends back into the stock, rather than taking them as cash payments. If you do choose to reinvest your dividends, though, you will need to look to other types of investments to provide you with income, assuming you need some income from your portfolio, which may become more necessary during your retirement years. Your financial advisor can help you determine the appropriate investments to help provide this income. But in any case, if you can do without the current income provided by dividends, give careful consideration to reinvesting them. Dividend reinvestment is not a glamorous investment strategy, and it won’t help you “get rich quick,” but it can help you make steady progress toward your long-term To help boost your share ownership, consider refinancial goals — and that’s a investing the dividends back into the stock, rather key dividend in itself. than taking them as cash payments.

When You Invest Regularly.

ensure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets. Such a plan involves continual investment in securities regardless of fluctuating price levels of such securities. You should consider your financial ability to continue the purchases through periods of low price levels.

To learn how investing on a regular basis can help you reach your financial goals, call today.

Financial Advisor

Daniel Cash

Lin Watts

220 Jonesboro Road

305 Olde Towne Way

McDonough, GA 30253

McDonough, GA 30252

(770) 898-1735

(678) 583-1325

Financial Advisor

David E. Shofman 5487 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281

(770) 506-1994

Financial Advisor

Jeremy Lange

Gerry Simon

John H. Dorminy

David R. Dodd Jr.

Vanessa Conwell

102A Woolsey Road Hampton, GA 30228 (770) 707-2390

130 Eagle Spring Court, Ste. B

Stockbridge, GA 30281

(770) 389-8912

190 Turner Street

Publix Shopping Center

McDonough, GA 30253

220 Jonesboro Road

(770) 957-0250

McDonough, GA 30253

www.edwardjones.com

(770) 898-1735

Member SIPC

Ingles Shopping Center 4998 Bill Gardner Pkwy

Locust Grove, GA 30248 (678) 583-5079

Financial Advisor

Logan Lowrey 2141 Hwy 155 N McDonough, GA 30252

(678) 583-5090

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business

Boosters luncheon

“Maintaining the Investment – Keep the Penny Working for Education”

business AFTER HOURS

OCTOBER Business After Hours Hosted by

Featuring

Mike Griffin, Chairman

Committee for Our Children’s Future 2011 Assisted by

Dr. Ethan Hildreth, Superintendent Henry County Schools October 20, 2011 HCCC Hudgins Room 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

As residents we believe that quality education promotes economic growth for our county.

As voters we seek to be informed prior to casting our ballot – and we have an important referendum on education on the November ballot. To that end, plan to participate in this informative luncheon as Mike Griffin and Dr. Hildreth talk about the accomplishments made

Thursday, October 27 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm 160 Henry Parkway • McDonough Mercer University is one of America’s oldest and most distinctive institutions of higher learning. With more than 8,200 students enrolled in 11 schools and colleges on campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah, and at four Regional Academic Centers around the state, Mercer is consistently ranked among the nation’s leading institutions by such publications as U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review. Our more than 65,000 alumni are making important contributions to their professions and communities throughout Georgia, the Southeast and the world. Mercer University’s Henry County Regional Academic Center has served the Henry community since 1995 offering graduate and undergraduate programs in Leadership, Public Safety, Education, Informatics and Liberal Arts. This coming January 2012, Mercer’s College of Continuing and Professional studies is proud to announce the new M.S. in Organizational Leadership program in Henry County for aspiring or existing leaders who want to better serve their organization or community. Join us for the upcoming Business After Hours to learn more about Mercer’s programs and see what Mercer has to offer.

possible by prior Education Special Purpose Local Option

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Sales Taxes (E-SPLOSTs) and why it is imperative that we keep the penny tax working for our schools. • Will my taxes go up if I vote “yes” to support E-SPLOST? • What are the plans for the E-SPLOST funds? • Are more new schools needed?

Get the answers to these and more questions at the

October Business Boosters Lunch. The cost is $12 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members. Reservations are required. Call (770)957-5786 or email preeves@ henrycounty.com for more information.

BELLAMY-STRICKLAND

Chevrolet • Oldsmobile • Pontiac • GMC Trucks BELLAMY STRICKLAND I-75 5 . 15 Hwy McDonough

I-75 • Exit 216 145 Industrial Blvd. McDonough, GA

770-954-3000

Dottie WISE

Associate Broker dottie.wise@metrobrokers.com metrobrokers.com/dottie.wise 404.843.2500 Office 678-443-8407 Direct 404.683.0912 Mobile METRO BROKERS 1401 Highway 20 West McDonough, GA 30253

Each Firm is independently Owned and Operated

August BAH at ABC Montessori

August 2011

Looking Back

August’s Chamber Business After Hours was hosted by ABC Montessori – the Academy for the Brilliant Child. Over 50 Chamber member businesses, guests and clients of ABC Montessori enjoyed networking and the opportunity to learn more about this unique educational facility. The school contributed two beautiful windows made by students as door prizes. Other member businesses contributed door prizes for golf, tickets for Six Flags, gift cards for Longhorn’s and Frontera, an oil change, a security system, a beautiful dish garden, a computer bag, etc. Thanks to all the member businesses who contributed great door prizes for this event! Members not present when their name was called for the $1,200 Chamber jackpot were: Matt Moncus, Tamara Smith and Dena Kelly. Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician, founded the Montessori Method of education in 1907. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children’s learning processes. Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Students in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori is a global, international method of learning that has maintained it’s integrity, validity, and reliability for over 104 years.

HenryCounty.com

Hospitality Employees Trained to Promote Henry County Here is one of the most important hospitality training tips: Train your employees to be multi-skilled.

We can accommodate all your corporate meeting needs.

What does multi-skilled mean? It means your employees can do a bit of everything including promote the community in which they work. In August, the HCCC/Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) hosted more than a dozen tourism industry and business “front line” employees during a one- day “Tourism Academy” giving participants a chance to brush up on their customer service skills and techniques. These are oftentimes the first and only faces of the Henry County community travelers see when they stop to have a meal, fill-up with gas, shop or visit. The CVB is working hard to assure these community representatives know how to sell Henry County and all it has to offer and to assure our visitors experience real Southern hospitality! The Tourism Academy was conducted by a professional hospitality industry trainer, Jeff Stephenson with Red Roof Inn. Participants spent half the day touring Henry County by bus as Peter Bonner, of Historical & Hysterical Tours, regaled the participants with facts and stories about Henry County and the surrounding area. These employees were better prepared to greet the public just in time for the over 100,000 fans visiting Henry County over Labor Day Weekend. Plan now to assure your “front line” employees participate in next year’s Tourism Academy Mimi Jackson, Courtyard by Marriott, got to feel the weight a fully outfitted solider would carry...and have a little fun at the Historic Veterans Museum at Heritage Park.

Our attentive staff has over 35 years of experience in meetings, events and service. We are dedicated to helping you have flawless events, individually designed to meet the needs of any occasion. Located in Henry County Georgia, we are one of metro Atlanta’s leading conference centers. With a 6,000 square foot ballroom and more than 5,000 square feet of additional meeting space, the MMCC was built for the purpose of hosting events such as corporate meetings, small conferences, seminars and fundraising events.

City of Stockbridge Henry County, Georgia

111 Davis Road, Stockbridge, GA 30281 770.389.5982 mmccevents.com

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