Troup Trends | November 2024 by LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce

SecondAct

Personalized

November 2024

VOLUME XI, ISSUE IV

A publication of the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce

111 Bull St./P.O. Box 636 LaGrange, GA 30241 (706) 884-8671 www.lagrangechamber.com

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chair: John Westmoreland, CPA JK Boatwright & Co, PC

Past Chair: Brandon Eley CORE Marketing Group

Chair Elect: Summer Deal True North Investments

Secretary/Treasurer: Mike Gilmartin Community Volunteer

CHAMBER STAFF

President: Connie Hensler

Director of Member Experience: Leslie Traylor

Director of Communication & Events: Christan Spires

Accountant: Melanie Key, CPA

Design: Christan Spires

TO CONTRIBUTE

Troup Trends welcomes your ideas. Please send inquiries to info@lagrangechamber.com for consideration.

Civic Engagement: The LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce Hosts its First Civics Bee in Partnership with the U.S. Chamber

How Troup County’s E4E Initiative is Making

As we enter this season of gratitude, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared over the past year. From our engaging line up of Early Bird Breakfasts to lively Business After Hours gatherings, and from the State of Community program to our Small Business Book Club, we’ve had a remarkable lineup of programs and initiatives.

Over the last quarter, we’ve honored our first responders at the Valor Awards and shared the fun of the Peachy Greens Golf Tournament. Each of these events has reinforced the strength and camaraderie that make up such a vibrant community. We are also excited to celebrate the growth and accomplishments of our Youth Leadership and Leadership Troup classes. These programs continue to shape our future leaders, instilling in them the skills and passion to drive Troup County forward. I am confident these talented individuals will make meaningful contributions to our community with the knowledge they’ve gained.

Now, we look forward to closing out the year in grand style with two hallmark events: the LaGrange Christmas Parade and the Chairman’s Gala. The Christmas Parade will bring us all together to celebrate the season, while the Gala will give us a chance to recognize the accomplishments of our members, look back on what we’ve achieved, and set the tone for the future.

This Gala will also be a special moment for me personally, as I will pass on the gavel to our incoming Chairman. Serving as your Chairman has been a tremendous honor, and I’m deeply grateful for the trust and support you have shown me throughout the year. Together, we’ve made incredible strides for our Chamber, and I am proud of all we have accomplished.

Thank you for your dedication to our Chamber and for the warmth, encouragement, and partnership that make our organization so strong. I look forward to celebrating with you at the Gala and am excited to see all that the coming year will bring under new leadership.

Wishing you and your families a joyful and memorable holiday season.

With heartfelt appreciation,

JOHN WESTMORELAND Chairman, Board of Directors LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce

BRANDON ADAMS Dapper Den Haberdashery

WILL ELLISON Ellison Brothers BBQ

ANDREA LOVEJOY Community Member

CAROLINE JOHNSON Troup County Government

LEWIS POWELL Troup County Archives

SecondAct

Rob Dippel has been managing director of Hogansville’s historic Royal Theater for just six months, but already he’s met dozens of community members with memories to share. Everyone, it seems, has a Royal story to tell.

Oh, what stories!

Hogansville native Dennis Sims says his father, Jesse Sims, helped install seats when the theater was built in 1937. “He was 17 and really skinny, so he could squeeze between the seats to get the concrete dust out of the holes.”

Sims and his wife Brenda had their first date at the Royal Theater in 1966. Neither

remembers what the movie was, but they do remember something important.

‘We sat on the back row and got our first kiss,” Brenda Sims said. “I was 14, and he was 16.”

Now married for 54 years, the couple attended a recent “sneak peek” at the Royal, slipped into a` corner and kissed again.

Retired nurse Wanda Lowe, who grew up outside of Hogansville, remembers the “big treat” of going to town to see a Saturday double feature, often taking her younger siblings along.

‘You could buy a Charm sucker for a

nickel, and it would last all day,” Lowe said.

Moviegoers from the 60s and 70s remember being “scared to death” by a horror film.

Patricia Bryan Ellis recalls seeing Psycho and “jumping out of my seat” when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

‘The Blob got me,” said Marie Hines. “I could almost feel it oozing under the seats and down the aisles.”

Even Hogansville City Manager Lisa Kelly has a Royal story to tell.

“My great uncle once ran the projection room,” she said, “and my mother had her

Photo credit to Leslie Thorp-Purdy

first piano recital on that stage.”

Now, after a multi-year, $3.2 million restoration, the Royal Theater is ready to make new memories. After a soft opening in late October and a reopening gala on November 9, the landmark movie house at 400 E Main St, Hogansville will reopen for business on November 16. The first movie will be Jaws, believed to be the last movie shown before the Royal ceased operations as a theater in 1980.

“It fills me with so much pride, I can hardly think about it without tears,” Kelly said. “People who grew up here are so excited. I’m happy we could do this before that generation is fully gone.”

Just thinking about the reopening gives her goosebumps, Lowe said.

“I was driving by as they were putting the sign back up. I got so excited I stopped in the middle of the street to make a picture to send to my siblings.”

Nostalgic feelings are strong, but Hogansville leaders say the restoration of the Royal is about more than honoring the past. It’s about enhancing the city’s future, as well.

“I believe that the Royal Theater coming back to life is going to play a significant role in our community in the next season of life. The theater will be a multifaceted asset for our community,” said Hogansville Mayor Jake Ayers.

“It’s going to be an economic driver and our new claim to fame,” Kelly added.

The theater was built by O.C. Lam, a movie business pioneer whose brother C.O. Lam was superintendent of Troup County Schools. The Atlanta architectural firm of Tucker and Howell designed the theater in the sleekly elegant Art Deco style. With its clean lines and distinctive ziggurat, the Royal has been described as “an architectural treasure.” The building was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

In the early 1980s, the then-vacant and seriously deteriorating theater was donated to the City of Hogansville and remodeled as a city hall. The adapted building was not perfect, but it filled a need from 1984 until 2021, when city offices moved into the former PNC Bank building at 111 High Street.

The theater restoration officially began in 2022, but the hopes for it go back decades. At various times in its history, the Royal’s very survival was in doubt.

“It fills me with so much pride, I can hardly think about it without tears. People who grew up here are so excited. I’m happy we could do this before that generation is fully gone.”

“It’s a story told across the country,” Dippel said. “So many great old theaters were lost or almost lost. The people of Hogansville are extremely fortunate.”

Funded entirely by a series of gifts, grants and community fundraisers, the Royal’s revival has had more twists and turns than a Saturday matinee. Bringing the almost 90-year-old building up to current codes and into safe, modern condition was a slow, difficult and expensive task. Among the challenges: roof replacement, structural stabilization, accessibility, reconstruction of interior elements, integration of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, sound systems, security, sprinkler, and lighting systems.

Great care was taken to re-create the distinctive look of the interior. City Manager Kelly credits Lynne Miller, Hogansville’s community development director, with securing the bulk of the funding for the project, which will operate as a property of the City of Hogansville.

“Lynne is an amazing grant writer. She pursued all kinds of grants and got almost all of them,” Kelly said.

Miller is still pursuing grants for other finishing touches, including the dramatic, needle-like spire that topped the original building.

A total of $750,000 in designated funding from a previous SPLOST was used to leverage the array of grants, including from the USDA Rural Development, the Georgia DNR Historic Preservation Division, Georgia Council for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration.

Fox Gives, a philanthropic arm of Atlanta’s Fox Theater, gave three separate grants totaling more than $150,000. The Callaway Foundation made a generous gift, as did John and Glenda Jones.

“The only local tax money is from the previous SPLOST,” Kelly said.

The restored theater has the capability of hosting movies, live performances and “whatever other types of events we can come up with,”Dippel said. With a seating capacity of 511, including ground floor, loge and upper balcony, The Royal also will serve as a performing venue for schools in the Callaway zone.

As often happens with historic preservation projects like The Royal, discoveries made along the way highlighted the history that could very

well have been lost.

When a representative from the seating company met with city officials, for example, he was astonished that a large number of seats were still available from when the theater was open. He said the only other place he'd seen that particular style was in the company's museum.

“We learned that the sides and backs of our seats were manufactured from leftover metal from World War II,” Dippel said. “Like many factories across the country, the company had converted to making machine guns and tanks in support of the war effort. After the war ended, they went back to making seats and used the leftover metal.”

Soon visitors to the Royal will find 300 seats that have been refurbished, reupholstered, and reconditioned. The remaining seats are new, but made to match the historic seating.

“Guns into plowshares,” Dippel

observed. “It’s stories like these that could have been lost forever that makes this project so special.”

Getting the theater restored is one thing; keeping it will be another. The first step was hiring Dippel, a Wisconsin native with decades of experience managing historic theaters. A former board member of the League of Historic American Theaters, Dippel was lured out of retirement by the chance to help relaunch the Royal.

In addition to helping guide the restoration, Dippel has been developing programming. The plan is to show classic movies on most weekends and at least one live performance each month.

“This is going to be the community’s theater,” Dippel said. “My goal is to offer something that appeals to all people. We will have a wide variety of shows.”

Early offerings include a Dec. 7 showing of the legendary film “White Christmas,” along with an audience singalong. On

December 14, a live performance dubbed Home for the Holidays will feature Peabo Bryson, Ruben Studdard and Haley Reinhart.

The goal of being “the community’s theater,” even extends to the snack bar. The theater Facebook page conducted a poll to find what candy people wanted sold. Whoppers was the number one choice, followed by Raisinets and Reese’s Pieces.

Dippel and city leaders have also worked to mobilize community support, including a cadre of volunteers whose first assignment was to conduct “sneak peeks” during the recent Hummingbird Festival. A membership plan offers several tiers of support, including “gold level” members known as the 1937 Club.

“Our members will be the rock upon which the future of The Royal will stand,” Dippel said.

Whether all the effort and entertainment options will attract enough activity to sustain the theater remains to be seen, but organizers are optimistic.

“My hope is that the theater will play a major role in bringing a lot of new people to our community as we curate different

events and performances,” said Mayor Ayers. “But I also hope it becomes a great place for our local community as we bring back the joys of movies and possibly local theater to the stage. I hope when my kids are older they have vivid memories of seeing movies and watching plays in the Royal Theater as it becomes yet again a huge part of our history.”

Dippel sees the venture as “huge” for

the community.

“It’s too easy to gloss over what this {restoration} means. Look beyond that and see the service this building has been to the community. It’s more than preserving bricks, mortar and wood. It’s the collective experience. Now we’ve gone full circle, back to the beginning.”

Now, the curtain rises again.

Theatre and Theaters in Nineteenth Century LaGrange

When considering the rigors of life in frontier Troup County, entertainment is often forgotten. Certainly, life was difficult with seeking and maintaining housing, food, and clothing, but what did people do in their off hours? A host of cultural activities were available from reading, to music, to games, and storytelling, and to those who were less religiously minded, dancing, drinking, and horse-racing were common diversions. Interestingly, theatre was often an option as well.

Small troupes of itinerant actors frequently performed throughout the frontier. Columbus’s first theatrical performance was given just two months after its establishment in 1828, though the details are unknown. However, on 24 May 1832, a professional troupe, under the direction of Sol Smith, staged August Kotzebue’s tragedy, Pizarro, in a purpose-built theatre in the burgeoning town. Theatrical impresario Smith had performed up and down the Mississippi River before imagining a theatrical circuit throughout Georgia. For the performance of Pizarro, Smith required extras to play the doomed Incans; so he engaged twenty-four Muscogee warriors from across the Chattahoochee, paying them with a glass of whisky and fifty cents apiece (about $15 in today’s money). Possibly encouraged by the whisky taken prior to their appearance, the natives performed a war dance and kept it going for almost half an hour, much to the horror of the audience.

While we know of various performances here in Troup County, unfortunately the dearth of surviving newspapers prevents us from finding much detail on those earliest performances. The first notice that can be found is an advertisement for Keegan & Porter’s Troupe appearing at Sterling Hall in May of 1869. In a brief article appearing on the next page, the paper notes that the company “delighted our citizens” the previous week. Most importantly, the fact that this company is appearing at Sterling Hall, a theatrical performance space, indicates the existence of a tradition of theatrical

Buildings of this nature were common in most towns and cities, providing space for a myriad of community gatherings ranging from school commencements to church services to meetings, lectures, political gatherings, galas, and a variety

of theatrical performances. Theatrical troupes ranged throughout the country engaging local theatres, opera houses, or concert halls for a single night or perhaps a series of nights to perform. Members of the troupe were extremely versatile performers who could perform dozens of

Sterling Hall/Truitt’s Opera House around 1919. The performance space was located on the third floor.

The class of 1900 poses on the stage of the Southern Female College auditorium. performances for years in LaGrange.

Blind Tom Wiggins around the time he appeared in LaGrange.

The first notice that we have of a performance in Sterling Hall, 1869.

roles with acuity, as well as dance, sing, and play musical instruments. An evening at the theatre in the mid-19th century would sometimes last for hours and include musical performances, dancing, as well as a full length show or two. Popular shows of recent vintage were mixed with classic plays ranging from Shakespeare to Restoration comedies, operettas or operas. Though, as the century progressed, these performances shortened to just featuring a single show with a handful of variety performances. As far as we know, Sterling Hall was the first purposefully-built performance space in LaGrange. It was constructed sometime in the late 1850s to provide commercial and office space as well as a performance space on Courthouse Square. Situated on the south east corner of the intersection of Hines and Main Streets, its performance space, called an opera house, occupied the third floor,

Front page of the LaGrange Daily News 7 January 1989 with photos of Truitt’s Opera House both inside and out, just before the building was demolished.

raising it above the noise and dust of the street. In 1881, the hall was purchased and renovated by James Gates Truitt who reopened the building as Truitt’s Opera House.

Typical shows following the Civil War involved the performance of a single show While the myriad variety acts would often be clumped together into a single performance. Companies comprised totally of men frequently performed variety shows in blackface as minstrel shows, while companies of men and women might perform variety shows. In the early 1880s, around the time the opera house came under the ownership of James G. Truitt, these variety acts were reorganized into vaudeville shows. Vaudeville shows, which grew in popularity around this time consisted of a series of unrelated acts all on the same bill. A single vaudeville show might include dancers, musicians, animal acts, magicians, elocutionists, comedians, minstrels, one-act plays all in the same performance. Among the variety acts appearing on the opera house stage were magician Signor Bosco who appeared in 1883, the Mastodon Minstrels and McIntyre & Heath’s Minstrels (nationally known minstrel troupes), and mesmerist and clairvoyant Professor L’Goring.

Following the theatre’s reopening as Truitt’s Opera House it continued to host

a variety of programs, both for local organizations and traveling troupes. Throughout the latter half of the 19th century, the opera house was not the only place to find entertainment, more scholarly, high-brow fare was offered by Southern Female College. The school, founded in the 1850s, was the Baptist counterpart to the Methodist LaGrange Female College.

The school offered numerous lectures, recitals, and concerts. Notably, the famed pianist Blind Tom Wiggins appeared in 1879 and 1884. Born into slavery on General James Bethune’s plantation just outside of Columbus, Thomas Wiggins showed an aptitude for the piano at a young age. Realizing the child’s immense talent, Bethune quickly hired him out for concerts. Soon, he was touring the country netting his managers and promoters tremendous amounts of money. Though he was freed following the war, Wiggins continued a grueling touring schedule.

Not only was Wiggins a remarkably gifted pianist, he possessed astounding powers of mimicry. During concerts, a musician from the audience would be invited to play something, which he would immediately imitate, often with his own flourishes added. The LaGrange Reporter notes that he did this during his 1879 concert here: “Mr. Bethune, his exhibitor, invited any music teachers to come upon the stage and play some piece that Tom had never heard. In response to calls, Miss Alice Cox [a concert pianist and daughter of SFC president Ichabod Cox] went to the piano, and played a piece of her own composition, variations on ‘Old Folks at Home.’ Tom had been placed on the rear of the stage, with his back to the piano; but after Miss Cox was through, he played the tune through without a change so far as the audience could judge.”

In 1908, SFC’s grand auditorium burned to the ground. Around the same time, the third floor performance space of the opera house was closed. This loss of performance space was mourned throughout the following years as there were no spaces for large crowds to gather. In 1989, the old opera house building was torn down and replaced by a small park. In the early 20th century numerous small theatres operated throughout town, though not as grand as the opera house and auditorium of the days of old.

HOMETOWN FLAVOR

Rooted in family tradition and a deep appreciation for community, Ellison Brothers BBQ brings the rich flavors of Southern barbecue to LaGrange. Started by brothers Bennett and Will Ellison, the business traces its origins to weekend barbecues with their grandfather, sparking a passion that’s been handed down through generations. With the support of his wife, Christy, Will has transformed this family pastime into a thriving food truck and catering business, serving events and gatherings across the area. In this Q&A, Will reflects on the journey of building Ellison Brothers BBQ, the welcoming nature of LaGrange, and the unique challenges they’ve faced along the way.

What inspired you to start your business, and how has the journey been so far in establishing it in this community?

BBQ has been a part of our family since my great grandfather and great uncles would raise pigs and smoke them in a dig out pit in the early 1900s. My brother, Ben, and I grew up smoking BBQ with our grandfather, Pa, for church events. We loved the process - cooking while people are still sleeping, staying up overnight at a young age, being outside during the middle of the night by a fire, serving the hungry folks after church. I went to school for Nonprofit Leadership and was working in Atlanta for a nonprofit that my dad started, Restoration ATL (RATL). I left RATL in 2020 and was in the process of joining a nationwide nonprofit; this was 2 weeks before COVID hit, at which point all nonprofit organizations froze their hiring. I knew I had to do something to make a little money before I found another nonprofit job. My brother suggested that we use my grandfather’s smoker and cook some roadside BBQ. Fast forward to today - my wife, Christy, and I have the food truck and our commercial kitchen here in LaGrange! We love being in LaGrange whether it’s a community event, setting up at PaBellas Winery or WildLeap Brewery, LaGrange has been incredibly welcoming. Although I was born in LaGrange, my family moved when I was 6 months old to plant a new church in Fayette County. Even 30 years later, I see why my parents loved LaGrange and it still feels like home!

What has been your proudest moment since launching your business?

Our proudest moment was the first day we opened the food truck window with all of the papers signed from the City of LaGrange and the Health Department and started serving the folks of Troup County! When we started Ellison Brothers BBQ, we had my grandfather's pull-behind smoker, some wire chaffing racks, and a 10x10 pop-up tent. This was a humbling season to say the least! Today, it brings us great joy to cater big corporate events, weddings, and set-up the food truck at public events with “regulars” that come see us. We have the best customers and we are grateful they keep coming back to us for BBQ!

Brothers Bennett (left) and Will (right) Ellison.

Have you noticed any differences in starting a business here compared to other communities you’ve worked with?

Yes! There is no doubt that LaGrange is growing, but it still has the small town feeling that is the backbone of America. The most attractive thing about staring a business in LaGrange is the people. We’ve seen the people of LaGrange really care about you as an individual. Whether it’s a customer, a city official, or the Health Department, they want you to succeed and are always willing to lend a helping hand to support you.

You mentioned dealing with red tape in other areas—what specific challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

Our first commercial kitchen was in South Fulton County. After building out a commercial kitchen and being approved with the Health Department, the city would not give us the proper zoning for a food truck commissary kitchen in the city limits - and they did not have a commissary kitchen in their city ordinances. The state requires a commissary kitchen/base of operations for all food trucks. City officials advised us that it would take at least a year (if approved at 5 different levels of government) to get the correct rezoning and ordinances changed to successfully open our commissary kitchen. This timeline was unrealistic with our dreams and we had to come up with a new game plan to build out a commissary kitchen.

My parents have been family friends with Mike and Denise Wilson of New Ventures Inc. since the 80’s. When Mike heard we were in need of a commissary kitchen, he invited us to look at the commercial kitchen at the New Ventures campus. The space fit our needs and perfectly and we signed a lease with Mike the next day! We have had our commissary kitchen at the New Ventures campus since February of 2023!

If you could offer advice to someone starting a new business here, what would it be based on your own experiences?

My advice is to find someone who has walked the road before you. Most small business owners want to help new small business owners. Take their advice, learn from their mistakes, and make connections every opportunity you have. Don’t be afraid to be “old-school.” Hop on the phone, walk downtown, and shake somebody’s hand! Face to face conversations have help build the business more than any email we have sent.

What motivated you to join the Chamber, and how do you see your membership helping you stay connected and grow your business within the community?

We catered a nonprofit luncheon where Leslie Traylor, Director of Member Experience attended to represent the Chamber of Commerce. After connecting with her, we joined the Chamber and started attending the Chamber events - and I was hooked! The Chamber is a bunch of small business folks that want to support each other and their local businesses. It has opened doors for catering and has also brought us new friendships! The Chamber is the “who’s who” of movers and shakers in LaGrange. When you’re running with that crowd, opportunities will arise to grow your business in the community we all love!

Will & Christy Ellison.

Making Spirits Bright:

Tilley & Holle to Lead LaGrange’s Christmas Parade

Tourism has a multimilliondollar impact in LaGrange and the two women who help make it happen will be grand marshals of the Chamber’s 2024 Christmas parade.

Kathy Tilley, president and CEO of Visit LaGrange, and Lynne Holle, visitor center manager, will be honored Dec 5 as the parade rolls through downtown LaGrange. Theme for the event will be “Christmas Vacation.”

The dynamic duo was surprised by the announcement at a joint board meeting of the Chamber, the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority and Visit LaGrange, held to emphasize the cohesive relationship of the three organizations.

Chamber President Connie Hensler said the selection of Tilley and Holle was welldeserved.

“The team at Visit LaGrange has done outstanding work drawing visitors to our town and enriching our local economy. Kathy Tilley’s and Lynne Holle’s passion and dedication to showcasing the best of LaGrange make them truly deserving of this honor as Grand Marshals. We’re excited to celebrate them in this year’s Christmas Parade for all they do to make LaGrange a vibrant destination and a wonderful place to call home,” she said. The honor is greatly appreciated, Tilley said.

“We are grateful for the recognition of Visit LaGrange’s efforts to market LaGrange across the Southeast,” she said.

Visitors spent more than $280 million here in 2023, placing LaGrange in the state’s top 12 communities in tourism revenue, excluding Atlanta.

Tilley and Holle are enthusiastic, longtime LaGrange residents who welcome the opportunity to promote the city they have loved for decades.

Tilley is a UGA graduate with extensive marketing experience, including at Callaway Gardens. She guides Visit LaGrange’s work, partnering with the community to increase visitation. Creative and extensive online marketing has brought major results, and current projects include plans for a second downtown hotel and the restoration of the historic Mulberry Street Cemetery.

Holle, a Brenau graduate, is the everwelcoming face at the Visit LaGrange Visitor Center at 206 Ridley Ave. Her consistent hospitality and extra-mile effort have earned her the unofficial title of “LaGrange’s goodwill ambassador.” Holle also does a regular “City Scenes” program on local TV to keep area residents up to date on happenings in the community and coordinates a team of volunteers who assist at the Visitor Center.

Both honorees have connections to the

Christmas parade.

“The coldest I’ve ever been was as a LaGrange High majorette in the Christmas parade,” said Tilley, laughing at the memory. Years later, during a stint as interim president of the Chamber, she found herself responsible for the parade and gained appreciation for the months-long behind-the-scenes work that precedes each event.

Holle is a second generation grand marshal. Annette Boyd, Holle’s mother and founder of the Sweet Land of Liberty parade, was honored in 1989.

Being named grand marshal “takes me back to a lot of parades,” Holle said. “It will be fun to be in the Christmas parade after all these years.”

The parade is one of the Chamber’s longest-running events. Founded in 1977 as a project of the Chamber’s Women’s Division and the Civitan Club, the parade annually draws thousands of people to downtown LaGrange.

“Generations of LaGrange and Troup County families have made the parade part of their Christmas celebration,” said Hensler. “It draws together people from all walks of life and from our church, civic, business and school communities.”

Or, as Holle puts it: “It’s the whole Christmas thing. It’s part of the magic.”

Lynne Holle (left), Kathy Tilley (right) at the Visit LaGrange Visitor's Center.

The Heart of Our Communities: What is happening to small business?

In a world where convenience often trumps connection, the charm of small businesses can easily get lost in the shuffle. We live in an age dominated by giant retail chains and online giants that promise to deliver everything at our fingertips. But what about those quaint little shops down the street? The ones with unique items, friendly faces, and stories behind every product? Shopping local is more than just a trend; it’s a way of life that strengthens our communities.

Many local retailers are feeling the pressure to compete with their larger counterparts. With rising costs and shifting consumer habits, it's no wonder some are closing their doors for good. However, there’s still hope! By consciously choosing to support small businesses, we can create meaningful change right within our neighborhoods. Let’s explore why these establishments matter and how we can keep them thriving while enriching our community fabric along the way.

Local retailers face numerous challenges in today’s economic landscape. The rise of online shopping has shifted consumer

behavior dramatically. Convenience is king, and many people prefer the ease of browsing from their couches. Additionally, large retail chains benefit from economies of scale. They can offer lower prices that small businesses simply cannot match. This price disparity makes it tough for local shops to compete.

Rising rents also add pressure on small business owners. Many are forced to increase prices or cut back on inventory just to stay afloat. Moreover, marketing budgets for local shops often pale in comparison to those of big brands. Without strong visibility, they struggle to attract new customers. As a result, cherished neighborhood stores find themselves disappearing one by one, leaving behind empty storefronts and a sense of loss within the community.

Supporting small businesses requires intentional actions from the community. Start by prioritizing local shops when making purchases. Every dollar spent locally has a ripple effect, such as support for local school programs, sponsorships for local causes and groups, and many other direct impact requests small

businesses often receive from members and groups within the community. Participate in events that showcase local vendors. Farmers’ markets and craft fairs provide opportunities for small businesses to thrive while fostering connections within the neighborhood. Use social media platforms to promote your favorite shops. A simple share or positive review can drive new customers through their doors. Encourage friends and family to shop local, creating a network of support around these businesses. Word-of-mouth is powerful and can significantly impact sales.

Consider gift cards for local services instead of buying from large chains. The Chamber's Shop Troup gift card keeps all of the money within our community. It not only supports the economy but also introduces recipients to unique offerings they might not have discovered otherwise. Engagement with small business owners fosters relationships that benefit everyone involved, enhancing both customer loyalty and community spirit.

Life Simplified with Vernon Woods Retirement Community

As you embark on your next life chapter in retirement, finding the right place to call home is certainly one of your most important decisions. At Vernon Woods Retirement community, we understand that retirement isn’t just about slowing down — it’s about embracing new adventures, fostering friendships and enjoying a vibrant lifestyle tailored to your wants and needs.

From the moment you step into Vernon Woods, you’ll feel the warmth and camaraderie that defines our community. Our friendly staff and residents are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where you can thrive. With a variety of social events and activities, you’ll have countless opportunities to meet new friends and share experiences. You can leave the day-to-day tasks like cooking, housekeeping, maintenance and transportation to us while you enjoy what matters most. Whether that means spending quality time with family and friends, pursuing new interests or simply relaxing, the choice is yours.

Since opening in 2000 as LaGrange’s first planned retirement community offering both independent and assisted living, Vernon Woods has set the standard for retirement living in Troup

County. Residents are provided the unique opportunity to remain within the community even as their living situations or health needs change. For residents who are self-sufficient and seeking a more rewarding, simplified lifestyle, Vernon Woods offers active, maintenance-free independent living. Our assisted living neighborhood provides residents with personalized assistance for the activities of daily living and the extra support that allows for a more fulfilling life. Each level of living features several different oneand two-bedroom floor plan options to suit your individual needs.

Under the direction of Chef Jeffery Tucker, our dining program receives five-star reviews from residents, family members and guests. All meals are served restaurant-style with a variety of items on the menu that will please any palate. At Vernon Woods, our elevated dining experience is more than just three meals a day — it’s an opportunity for meaningful connections with friends and family.

You’ll quickly find that boredom is simply not an option at our community. Our calendar is filled with an abundance of engaging activities from fitness classes and parties with live entertainment, to movie nights and outdoor excursions. Whether you’re looking to stay active, learn a new skill or socialize with friends, there’s something for everyone.

You can also rest assured that your safety is our top concern. Our community is equipped with a number of security features, and our staff is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week to ensure your peace of mind. We also provide every resident with an emergency response system, allowing you to live independently while still feeling secure.

Locally owned and operated, Vernon Woods is developed by West Georgia Health System, now Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center, to provide residents access to medical services in addition to housing. As one of the first communities in Georgia founded by a hospital, Vernon Woods is known statewide as a leader in providing exemplary services and care to its residents. We welcome visitors and invite you to stop in and see what makes our community truly special.

Please call 706-803-7720 to schedule your tour today.

Driving Success: Minority Business Accelerator Tackles Key Topics

The Chamber’s Minority Business Accelerator Program continues to empower minority entrepreneurs and small business owners with essential tools and insights to build thriving businesses. Participants in the 2024 Cohort have recently engaged in a series of carefully crafted sessions, each designed to address critical areas of business.

Talent and networking sessions were led by Jamey Jackson of TalentKinect.

A session titled “Being a Leader,” facilitated by Zsa Zsa Heard of the LaGrange Housing Authority, provided an in-depth look at the qualities and skills needed for effective leadership. This workshop fostered open discussions, offering participants the opportunity to reflect on their own leadership styles and develop approaches for guiding their teams.

Participants also engaged in a session on strategic planning with Derek Woodham of the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership which focused on setting clear objectives and assessing business strengths.

Social media marketing expertise was the focus of a session hosted by Atomic Brand Energy, covering social media and advertising essentials. Participants learned how to build a cohesive digital presence, create engaging content, and leverage various platforms to cultivate meaningful customer relationships.

Synovus Bank led a highly practical session on securing SBA loans, and building strong business credit followed by a session on tax obligations from JK Boatwright & Co. The workshop provided participants with foundational knowledge for successful financial planning.

Together, these sessions form a holistic learning experience that addresses every aspect of running a business—from leadership to strategic growth, marketing, and finance. Through this curriculum, the Chamber’s program continues to serve as a vital resource, equipping minority entrepreneurs with the confidence and skills they need to make a lasting impact in the LaGrange community.

FIND THE RIGHT PHYSICIAN FOR YOU.

We have all the care you need.

Olumuyiwa Adeboye, MD, MBBCH

HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE MEDICINE 111 Medical Drive LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 845-3297

Olumide Ajayi, MD

FAMILY MEDICINE

1497 Lafayette Parkway LaGrange, GA 30241 (706) 803-8190

Michael Bakarich, DO

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

303 Medical Drive, Ste. 405 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-7690

Joy Baker, MD, FACOG, PMH-C, C-EFM, MT (ASCP)

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

1602 Vernon Road, Ste. 200 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 880-7252

Cameron Body, MD

GASTROENTEROLOGY 1551 Doctors Drive LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 880-7311

Brett Bowie, MD

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

303 Medical Drive, Ste. 405 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-7690

Srinivas R. Bramhadevi, MD, FAAFP, MBA

FAMILY MEDICINE

1497 Lafayette Parkway LaGrange, GA 30241 (706) 803-8190

Sonia Brown, MD OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE

100 Glenn Bass Rd. LaGrange, GA. 30240 (706) 845-3075

J. Robert Coggins, MD

GASTROENTEROLOGY

1551 Doctors Drive LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 880-7311

Facia B. Dew, DO FAMILY MEDICINE

301 Medical Drive, Ste. 505 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-7971

Nayab Dhanani, MD

FAMILY MEDICINE

2000 Billy Tucker Circle Hogansville, GA 30230 (706) 803-8040

Rod Duraski, MD

INTERNAL MEDICINE

211 East Broad Street Pine Mountain, GA 31822 (706) 803-7990

Salman Fidahussein, MD

PULMONARY MEDICINE

1551 Doctors Drive LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 880-7222

Justin Fincher, MD UROLOGY

1555 Doctors Drive, Ste. 101 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 242-5201

Alexander Gedevanishvili, MD

CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE

1602 Vernon Road, Ste. 300 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-7510

Tom Gore, MD

CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE

1602 Vernon Road, Ste. 300 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 242-5100

Richard Jadick, DO

UROLOGY

1555 Doctors Drive Suite 101 LaGrange, GA. 30240 (706) 242-5201

Samer Kabbani, MD CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE

1602 Vernon Road, Ste. 300 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 242-5100

Ravina Kadam, MD, FACP

INTERNAL MEDICINE

300 Medical Drive, Ste. 704 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-8220

Gail Knight, MD PALLIATIVE MEDICINE 1510 Vernon Road LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 845-3905

John Major, MD GENERAL SURGERY

1600 Vernon Road, Ste. A LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-7570

Sana Makhdoom, MD RHEUMATOLOGY

1555 Doctors Drive, Ste 102 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 880-7465

Shawn Mathews, MD EAR NOSE & THROAT

300 Medical Drive, Ste. 705 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 880-7144

Andre Filipe Miranda, MD UROLOGY

1555 Doctors Drive Suite 101 LaGrange, GA. 30240 (706) 242-5201

Madhavi Naik, MD, FACOG

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

106 Lukken Industrial Drive West LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 880-7207

Weredeselam Olango, MD

NEUROLOGY

303 Medical Drive, Ste. 401 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 242-5161

Ariyo Olobatoke, MD

PULMONARY MEDICINE

1551 Doctors Drive LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 880-7222

James Parker, MD FAMILY MEDICINE

599 3rd Avenue West Point, GA 31833 (706) 803-7770

Janese LatimerPierson, MD WOUND CARE

1600 Vernon Road, Ste. G LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-8010

Awan Rahman, DO

PULMONARY MEDICINE 1514 Vernon Road LaGrange, GA, 30240 (706) 880-7222

Kalyani Rajeev, MD, FAAP

PEDIATRICS

301 Medical Drive, Ste. 504 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-7600

Jeremy Reifsnyder, DO

ORTHOPEDICS

300 Medical Drive, Ste. 707 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-7920

Charles Roberson, MD

ORTHOPEDICS

300 Medical Drive, Ste. 707 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-7920

Vincent Scoglietti, MD

GENERAL SURGERY

1600 Vernon Road, Ste. A LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-7570

Jingzi Shang, MD

NEUROLOGY & SLEEP MEDICINE

303 Medical Drive, Ste. 401 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 242-5161

Mandy Snyder, NP FAMILY MEDICINE

454 LaGrange Street Greenville, GA 30222 (706) 845-3599

Ashley Stewart, MD, FACS

GENERAL SURGERY

1600 Vernon Road, Ste. A LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 803-7570

Robert Taylor, MD, PhD

RADIATION ONCOLOGY 111 Medical Drive LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 845-3544

Karin Whitlock Taylor, MD, FAAPMR

REHABILITATION MEDICINE

1555 Doctors Drive, Ste. 102 LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 298-5592

Venu Thirukonda, MD, FACP

HEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY

111 Medical Drive

LaGrange, GA 30240 (706)812-2426

MOVERS, SHAKERS, RISK-TAKERS

Flennoy to Head Healthy Start

Dr. Askins is originally from Tennessee but later relocated to nearby Harris County. He met his wife, Mary Katherine, who is originally from Troup County, during medical school. They are excited to join the LaGrange community and return closer to family with their daughter, Molly.

Dr. Askins completed internal medicine residency at the University of North Carolina. He obtained his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed his undergraduate training in Biochemistry at the University of Georgia. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He was inducted into two national honor societies during medical school - Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism Honor Society.

He is excited to build his practice at Lagrange Internal Medicine and begin forming long lasting relationships with his patients. He takes the time to understand each patient's goals and values in order to navigate and individualize their care. When practicing medicine, he focuses on empowering patients to take charge of their own health so that sustainable progress can be made.

He and his family are eager to become more involved with the local community. When not spending time with his family, Dr. Askins enjoys fishing, playing golf, and watching sports.

Hall and Lampros, LLP Honored for Commitment to Justice

The Troup County NAACP recently recognized Hall and Lampros, LLP with the prestigious Judge John “Jack” Ruffin Award, honoring their unwavering dedication to civil rights and social equity. Presented to Attorney Andrew Lampros at a ceremony held at Confidence Baptist Church, this award highlights the firm’s impactful work in Troup County and beyond, including significant court victories and pro bono efforts. Notable achievements include securing a $4.8 million settlement for the family of Julian E. Lewis and successfully reversing the expulsion of local student Coni’ya Williams. Hall and Lampros' collaboration with the NAACP has further strengthened their commitment to serving the community, providing vital legal assistance every Thursday at their shared office in LaGrange.

Khristen Flennoy has taken on the role of Director for Wellstar’s Healthy Start program, aiming to enhance women’s health services across Spalding, Butts, and Troup counties. Backed by a $5.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Healthy Start will support mothers and babies through comprehensive care before, during, and after childbirth.

This collaboration aims to create a more supportive network that addresses the unique needs of these communities.

Her leadership recently took center stage as she led a community consortium meeting on October 25, gathering community voices to help shape the program’s outreach and resources.

LIGHTS

NIGHTLY, NOVEMBER 15 TO JANUARY 4

Promoting Civic Engagement: The LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce Hosts its First Civics Bee in Partnership with the U.S. Chamber

The LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce our partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to host the first local round of the National Civics Bee®. This unique competition provides a fun and challenging opportunity for students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades to demonstrate their civics knowledge, earn recognition, and win cash prizes. Through this initiative, we aim to encourage civic engagement among young people in our area, and inspire a new generation of active citizens who will contribute to their communities with pride and purpose.

Why Civics?

Our Chamber is thrilled to bring the Civics Bee to Georgia as part of the U.S. Chamber’s initiative to empower young Americans with civic knowledge. At the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber, we believe that a strong community is built upon active, informed citizens who are knowledgeable about the principles and systems that support our nation. By participating in this event, our students will not only learn about civics but will also experience the excitement of seeing their ideas take shape as they identify ways to address local community issues.

For our Chamber, hosting the Civics Bee is about more than just a competition. It’s an opportunity to foster civic pride and

showcase the importance of civic literacy for a strong economy, a committed workforce, and a thriving community. We are eager to see these students, with their fresh ideas and perspectives, grow into the leaders who will help shape our future.

About the Bee

Participating students will submit a 500-word essay addressing a problem facing our community and proposing a solution from a civic perspective.

The challenge encourages students to incorporate primary sources as they craft their recommendations, demonstrating the relevance of these foundational documents in today’s world.

Finalists will then advance to the live competition, where they will showcase their civics knowledge and critical thinking skills in a series of questions. Winners at the local level will receive cash prizes: $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $125 for third place.

Our top three winners will also have the chance to advance to the state-level competition, where they can win even greater awards. The most promising state finalists will earn a spot in the National Civics Bee® Championship in Washington, D.C., scheduled for Fall 2025, where they’ll compete for national titles and prizes as high as $10,000.

Supporting Our Students

Hosting the Civics Bee in LaGrange underscores our Chamber’s commitment to civic education and our dedication to supporting our community’s youth. We encourage local businesses to join us by sponsoring this event, helping to further engage young people in the values of civic responsibility. Sponsors will receive recognition at the event and play a vital role in supporting a more informed and involved generation.

How to Get Involved

If you’re a student in grades 6-8 and want to join the Civics Bee, or if you’re a parent or teacher interested in learning more, we invite you to visit our website, www. lagrangechamber.com, for all the details. Teachers can access a guide to help prepare students, while students can learn more about what they’ll need to succeed in the competition.

If you’re a local business that would like to help build a brighter future by supporting this initiative, reach out to the Chamber to learn about sponsorship opportunities. We look forward to watching our students excel in this exciting competition and celebrate their civic pride. Through the National Civics Bee®, we’re building a foundation of engaged, knowledgeable young citizens ready to make a difference.

Ribbon Cuttings, Anniversary Celebrations and Grand Openings

Dominion Empowerment International School of Ministry 1848 Lukken Industrial Drive West, LaGrange

LaGrange Academy 1501 Vernon Road, LaGrange

Biker Gear of LaGrange 1689 Vernon Road, LaGrange

Maidee Smith Early Care & Learning Center 607 Union Street, LaGrange

The Crafty Jaybird 106 Bull Street, LaGrange

Gray & Grace Beauty and Extension Bar 422 New Franklin Road, Suite D, LaGrange

West Point Road, LaGrange

Casa Pirul 2169

Troup County Republican Party Headquarters 209 Church Street, LaGrange

Ellison Brothers BBQ Mobile Food Truck

Mane Studio Salon

2024 PEACHY GREENS GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Chamber’s 2024 Peachy Greens Golf Tournament presented by Marsh McLennan was a success! Golfers enjoyed a round of golf and several contests including the Around the World, Hole in One, Closest to the Pin, Longest/Straightest Drive, while making great business contacts.

Presented by

the winners

1ST PLACE INTERFACE

2ND PLACE

JERSEY MIKE'S

3RD PLACE

PRACTICE SWING INDOOR GOLF CENTER

EARLY BIRD BREAKFAST AUGUST

Dr. Dana Rickman, President, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education was our featured guest for our August EBB. Thanks to our Gold Sponsor, Get Troup Reading.

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

Ken D'Arcy, CEO, Remington Firearms was our featured guest. Thanks to our Gold Sponsor, Jane Foods, Inc.

Dr. Rachel Hazel, Superintendent for Troup County School System was our featured guest. Thanks to our Gold Sponsor Med2You.

STATE OF COMMUNITY

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Our third quarter lunch focused on Early Childhood Education in Troup County and Georgia. Our panel of experts included Kim Myers, Get Troup Reading; Dr. Donna Ryan, More Than Word Educational Services; and Lisa Liedke, Wellstar Health System. Thanks to our Gold Sponsor, Houze & Associates.

INDUSTRY

Our fourth quarter lunch focused on an Industry update for Troup County and our panel of experts included Stuart Countess, CEO at Kia Georgia, Tripp Skinner, Director of Manufacturing at Interface and Derek Woodham, West Region Manager of Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at Georgia Tech.

SAFETY COUNCIL

In the third quarter, our guest was Bridget Cosper, Occupational Medicine Coordinator at UrgenCare LLC. Bridget and her team discussed the new Occupational Med Center located inside UrgenCare at 2169 West Point Road. She spoke about services such as Post-Offer Employment Testing (POET), Pre-employment physicals, drug & alcohol testing, and injury treatment offered at UrgenCare.

Presented by

DC FLY-IN

During this year’s DC Fly-In, local leaders from the Chamber, City of LaGrange, and City of Hogansville successfully engaged with Senators Warnock and Ossoff, gaining valuable insights into pressing legislative matters. They also had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the US Chamber, where we discussed key issues impacting our local businesses. This visit provided an essential platform for advocating on behalf of our community and strengthening our connections at the national level.

INTERN FAIR

The Chamber proudly hosted its firstever Intern Fair, connecting local college students with leading businesses in the area to spark career inspiration and drive future workforce growth in our community.

CHAMBER DIPLOMATS

Diplomats are community leaders who volunteer their time and leverage their skills to work together to build relationships with other members, both new and established. They support the Chamber’s mission by helping to grow and maintain a strong membership base through activities that promote member recruitment, engagement and retention. Diplomats commit to attending monthly meetings and assisting at member events. Participation in the Diplomat program is application based and open to members who have been active for at least 90 days.

Gloria Bailey Glo's Rentals

Kim Banks Renasant Bank

Steve Boatner Edward Jones, Lafayette Parkway

Bret Bryant Bret Bryant - New York Life and NYLIFE Securities

Jennifer Emery JYEmeryArt, LLC

Mark Headrick Copia Investments

Michael Holle Motto Mortgage

Andie Kinsey Synovus

Otto Korth Sons of Lafayette Male Choir

Alisa Matheny Coldwell Banker Spinks Brown Durand Realtors

Cliff Meeks 100 Black Men of West Ga

Yvonne Pittman Community Volunteer

Mack Reynolds Mack Reynolds Realty, LLC

Ellen Smith Community Volunteer

Madeline H. Smith Copia Investments

Zachary Taylor Masston Profits LLC

Bobby Traylor Community Volunteer

To get involved as a Chamber Diplomat, reach out to us at info@lagrangechamber.com.

2024 VALOR AWARDS

Presented by Great Wolf Lodge, we honored and recognized those who serve and protect our community every day at our second annual Valor Awards banquet. The Valor Awards pay tribute to Troup County's public safety professionals, including firefighters, police, and emergency personnel. Presentations included the Medal of Valor, Lifesaving Award, Medal of Merit, Public Safety Person of the Year, Public Safety Unit of the Year, and Communications Officer of the Year.

Silver Medal of Valor Sponsored by Vernon Woods

Medal of Merit Kemp's West Dalton Flooring

Bronze Medal of Valor Sponsored by Diverse Power

Lifesaving Award Sponsored by FitCo Health Club

Gold Medal of Valor Sponsored by True North Investments

CHAMBER EVENTS

Public Safety Officer of the Year

2024 Valor Award Winners

Gold Medal of Valor

Deputy Carrla Querry

Silver Medal of Valor

Firefighter/EMT Keith Bonner

Firefighter/EMT Chris French

Firefighter/Paramedic Andreas Harrilson

Battalion Chief Scott Hester

Lieutenant Richard Kee

Firefighter Kenny Maddox

Bronze Medal of Valor

Sergeant Dylan Harmon

Sergeant Kristin King

Firefighter/EMT-A Matt Knight

Officer Jeremy Moncus

Lieutenant Brice O'Steen

Detective Brandon Poe

Firefighter/Paramedic Dillon Rogers

Firefighter/EMT Luke Shibley

Sergeant Zac Smith

Fire Chief Derick Staley

Detective Charles Brown

Detective Milton Ligon

Detective Justin Norris

Sergeant Darrell Prichard

Detective Bradley Shaw

Sergeant Stephen Spivey

Sergeant Hilton Swanson

Lifesaving Award

Firefighter Jordan Avera

Lieutenant Caleb Harrison

EMT-A Heather James

EMT-A Amanda Owens

Firefighter Bailey Purvis

Sergeant Jake Scott

Medal of Merit

Assistant Court Clerk Tamara Harden

Administrative Coordinator Michelle Hollis

Major Marcus Rakestraw, Sr.

Captain James Vincent

Sergeant Shane Williams

Public Safety Unit of the Year

Communications Officer II Kimberly Allen

Communications Officer II Bridgett Arrington

Communications Supervisor Elizabeth Brock

Communications Officer II Celena Dockery

Communications Supervisor Tonya Massie

Communications Officer II Rickeisha McCrory

Director Shannan McLaughlin

Deputy Director Melody Swanson

Public Safety Person of the Year

EMA Director Zac Steele

Communications Person of the Year

Communications Officer II Brooke Walker

With 18 locations across the state, the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center’s goal is to enhance the economic well-being of Georgians by providing a wide range of educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

For an SBDC consultation at the Chamber of Commerce contact Matthew Oleson at moleson@georgiasbdc.org

A Year of Appreciation: How Troup County’s E4E Initiative is Making a Difference for Employees

This holiday season marks the first anniversary of Troup County’s “Employees for Employees” initiative.

In December of 2023, a group of staff representatives from departments across the County formed “Employees for Employees” (E4E), a team whose goal is to prioritize employee appreciation, satisfaction, health, and wellness. Troup County Government employs more than 500 people across 28 departments, making it crucial to include a wide range of County delegates for this project; from Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office personnel to the Board of Commissioners’ administrative staff, this creative team is full of diverse perspectives and ideas.

Over the past year, E4E has consistently worked to boost employee engagement and improve workplace culture by planning activities and programming that celebrate our staff to truly cultivate a sense of community, despite often working different shifts or in separate offices.

With a large portion of our staff serving in public safety capacities and as first responders, many Troup County employees work nontraditional hours (nights, weekends, holidays, etc.), making it difficult for them to join events held during regular business hours. Many Troup County employees are also in uniform on a daily basis, and can’t participate in costume contests or traditional spirit week themes.

Differentiating and adjusting activities to meet the needs of these employees is a major E4E responsibility. Whether it’s offering multiple locations for an appreciation event, making group deliveries to nightshift workers, or sharing virtual alternatives to in-person activities, Troup County is working hard to ensure that our dedicated employees know just how much they are valued.

If your business is interested in hosting more employee engagement activities but aren’t sure where to begin, here is a list of some of ideas from the Troup County E4E Program:

• Candy-Gram Valentine’s Day Fundraiser

• Easter Egg Hunt: Search for Easter Eggs with prizes

• Earth Day DIY Plant Stations

• Co-Ed Softball League

• Olympic “Pass the Torch”: Snap a selfie of your department “passing the torch” to another office

• Public Service Recognition Week: A fun week filled with County themed Spirit Days

• Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Contest

• “Night Owls” Appreciation: Thank you to those who keep us safe on nights, holidays, and weekends

• Employee “Troup Trot” Saturday Morning Stroll: Spend a fall morning walking with coworkers

• Holiday Door Decorating Contest

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

Part of Leadership Troup, which is an affiliate organization of the Chamber, the Youth Leadership program, presented by Kia Georgia, gives future leaders insight into how they can positively contribute to their communities and schools, reaching far into their adult lives. Twenty-three local high school students are currently participating in the Chamber’s Youth Leadership program.

The Youth Leadership curriculum was revamped seven years ago by the J.W. Fanning Institute at the University of Georgia. Entitled “Youth Leadership in Action,” the goal of the curriculum is to embolden each of our youth participants to achieve more, to do more, to be more.

During this year’s program, the students, from both local public and private schools, participated in nine sessions that covered a range of leadership-related topics and activities, including:

• Building Teams

• Teambuilding Ropes Course

• Understanding Leadership

• Communicating Effectively

• Appreciating Differences

• Managing Conflict

• Etiquette Dinner, sponsored by True North Investments

• Setting Goals and Making Decisions

• Choices and Consequences, sponsored by Diverse Power

YOUTH LEADERSHIP CLASS OF 2024

Addison Adams

Bella Andriate

Griffin Beall

Noah Black

Trae Booker

Reese Bulloch

Haley Duran

Tiara Grant

Jazlynn Graves

Chance Grier

Michael Hardy

Makinley Hester

Sam Huberdeau

Cooper Key

De'Asia Ligon

Emma Maradik

Kendall Murray

Amos Nehring

Paul Park

Aniyah Smith

Houston Spears

Tamaya Spence

Katherine Stogner

Noah Thomas

Caroline Van Schoor

Samuel Vega