from the chairman Celebrating a year of success BUSINESS LINK

VOLUME 28 ISS UE 11-12

McKemie West, Editor • Email: kwest@ghcc.com

230 E.E. Butler Pkwy Gainesville GA 30501 770-532-6206 GreaterHallChamber.com

Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce 2023-2024 Executive Committee and Hall County. Since 2015, 149 new and expanding businesses have announced 8,400 jobs and $2.4 billion in new capital investment.

Chairman William Bagwell

Homestead Investments

Chairman-Elect

Brett Fowler Turner, Wood & Smith Insurance

William Bagwell

Homestead Investments

2022-23 Chairman, Greater Hall Chamber

As I wind up my term as chairman of the Greater Hall Chamber, I reflect upon my mission statement for the year – The life we live today is the legacy of tomorrow. It's been important to me that, as a community and as individuals, we build upon the successes of others. All the while, not forgetting who we are or where we come from. I believe this year has been a success on many fronts. We've built on our legacy of success and forged some new paths as well.

The Greater Hall Workforce Development Task Force is providing skill ready employees for area businesses. Youth Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning opportunities for students are at an all-time high. Over 2,700 7th graders from area schools recently participated in Career Path Fairs, and the recent Spring Job Fair saw over 500 job seekers in attendance.

For 2022, 15 new and expanding firms added 1,400 new jobs and $700 million in capital investment to Gainesville

We continue to reign as Northeast Georgia’s primary trade and healthcare area serving over 500,000 residents with significant retail growth in all parts of Gainesville -Hall County. Downtown Gainesville is experiencing tremendous revitalization with the addition of high-end residential, retail and commercial developments. Other communities are booming as well – Braselton, Flowery Branch, Lula and Oakwood. Gainesville-Hall County is home to some 500 healthcare service providers employing 16,000 people, or approximately 15% of the Hall County workforce.

Participation in the Chamber’s Small Business programs continues to grow with 900+ total seminar participants and 30 small businesses earning “Certified Small Business Partner” designation in 2022.

As we continue on our legacy journey, I would like to thank Kit Dunlap and the Chamber staff for their hard work and dedication and Chamber Officers for volunteering their time and talents to make our Chamber and community the most outstanding in the state.