January 2015 Issue
Lower rates mean more fun time
A publication of the Douglas County Chamber
IT’S CHOW TIME!
Greystone
The DC Chamber is proud of our restaurant members and are excited about a new 2015 marketing promotion that is ALL ABOUT THEM. The Chamber runs the community BUY LOCAL. Shop Chamber Members. program, and in 2015, we are making a special marketing investment to promote each of our Chamber Member restaurants. As restaurateurs it is not always easy for them to attend the monthly networking events to promote and grow their businesses, so this is one way the Chamber would like to send business THEIR way! Each week in 2015, the Chamber will feature a single member restaurant as the Chamber CHOW of the Week. The goal is to encourage the community to buy local by dining in our member restaurants! Through a partnership with the Douglas County Sentinel, one restaurant each week will be highlighted as the “Chamber CHOW of the Week”. Readers will be able to find an ad in the Douglas County Sentinel on Wednesday featuring the CHOW of the Week’s special restaurant promotion. It could be a free item, buy one get one deal, or special discount. Each restaurant gets to decide how they want people to come and CHOW at their location! The Chamber CHOW of the Week will also be highlighted exclusively on Chamber social media outlets, website and emails.
Treat yourself. With GreyStone Power’s great rates, you have more money for the fun things in life. Our winter residential rates are about 7.3% less than Georgia Power’s rates* and among the lowest among electric cooperatives in the state.
The Buy Local initiative is a true community collaborative. The DC Chamber, Douglas County Sentinel, City, County and Main Street are all partners in Buy Local and will be involved in Chamber CHOW of the Week in their own unique ways. For more information on Chamber CHOW of the Week, visit the Chamber website at www.douglascountygeorgia.com or contact the Chamber at 770.942.5022.
So, go celebrate! We’ll keep working to provide reliable, affordable power while you create more fun in your life. *According to a 2014 rate survey by the Georgia Public Service Commission. Based on 1,000 kilowatt hours monthly residential use.
Find us on GreyStone Power is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
January Calendar of Events
GreyStone Power Luncheon
Welcome to New Members!
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Chamber Matters, January 2015
Chamber Matters, January 2015
Thank you to our 2015Chairmans Club
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Chamber Matters, January 2015
Chamber Matters, January 2015
Sponsored by
Thanks to Elected Officials Luncheon COFFEE CARD
EXCHANGE www.celebratedouglascounty.com 770.949.2000
BUSINESS After Hours
5840 Bankhead Highway Douglasville | (678) 838-4848 www.stoddardsguns.com
Chamber Matters, January 2015
JANUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
1-2 Chamber Closed for New Year’s Day 5
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Youth Leadership Douglas Retreat
8
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Leadership Douglas Health & Recreation Day 8 – 9 a.m. Georgia Power Coffee Card Exchange at WellStar Douglas Hospital
9
8 – 9:30 a.m. – Chamber Connections Leads Groups at ITT Technical College 9 a.m. Workforce Development Committee at College and Career Institute
13 2 – 6 p.m. Youth Leadership Douglas 14 9 a.m. Chamber Seminar Series : Affordable Healthcare Act 12 p.m. Diplomat Meeting 15 11:30 a.m. Ribbon Cutting for Douglasville Winnelson 12 – 1 p.m. YPC 3rd Thursday Networking Event (location TBA) 19 Chamber closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday 20 8 – 9 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting 11:30 a.m. Chairmans Club Reception 12– 1 p.m. GreyStone Power Luncheon Sponsored by T. Dennis Connally, CPA, P.C. 2015 Economic Outlook Catered by Gabe’s Downtown 23 8 – 9:30 a.m. Chamber Connections Leads Groups at ITT Technical College 11 a.m. Government Affairs Committee Meeting 27 9 a.m. Small Business Committee Meeting 29 4 – 6 p.m. Comcast Business After Hours at Douglasville Conference Center
Chamber Matters, January 2015
November Renewing Members
Allstate - Bill Upton Agency ALSCO Industrial Products, Inc. Angela’s Custom Concierge Service, LLC Arlington Christian School Assured & Associates Personal Care of GA Atlanta’s Real Builders Award Systems, Inc. Bank of the Ozarks Billy C. Upton Agency, Inc. Bliss Hair Salon & Day Spa Century 21 Bryant Realty Chanan Foundation, Inc. Curb Appeal Lawn Care, LLC Day Star Tabernacle Douglas County Disabilities Coalition Edward Jones - Rocky Clay Firehouse Subs-Thornton Rd. Georgia Department of Labor H & R Block (Hwy. 5) Hawkinson, Muchnick & Associates, P.C. La Quinta Inn & Suites Liberty Mutual Insurance Lucille’s Resting Nest, LLC Magnolia Golf Group McMaster-Carr Supply Co. Miller & Hightower, Attorneys at Law P&N Engraving & Designs, Inc. Pilot Club of Sweetwater Public Education Trust Fund, Inc. Ross Group Inc Scott K. Camp, Attorney at Law Social 92, LLC Steak ‘N Shake Sutton Hall The Woman’s Imaging Group United Community Bank Uptown Dental ValuTeachers
MEMBERS MATTER Welcome New Members! 90210 SOCIAL MOBILE, LLC Corinthias Burnett - Representative (866) 692-3550 CABIN FEVER ROASTERS Rick Aloisi - Owner 6716 Broad Street Douglasville, GA 30134 (404) 503-1311 DOUGLASVILLE WINNELSON COMPANY Jason Buckle - Manager 6480 Bankhead Hwy. Douglasville, GA 30134 (770) 949-1370 EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS - ROBINSON MERTILUS Robinson Mertilus - Financial Advisor 8687 Hospital Drive, Ste. 104 Douglasville, GA 30134 (770) 942-9442 KAKAAW Virginia Lewis - CEO & Co-founder (404) 786-9516 HIGH CALIBER REALTY Carol Lindstrom 3590 Cherokee Street, NW Suite 301 Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 405-0445
Chamber Matters, January 2015
Chamber Matters, January 2015
DOUGLAS COUNTY CHAMBER 2015 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: The Douglas County Chamber supports the adoption of tax policies and financial incentives, as well as the elimination of burdensome regulations in order to foster economic growth in Douglasville, Douglas County and all Georgia businesses. We support new initiatives, economic development tools and private sector investments that will enhance our competitiveness, encourage innovation, and create new jobs for our community and Georgia as a whole. Our Chamber envisions a community Economic Development solution involving private public partnerships and a common vision for the future that will also retain and expand business in our community. TRANSPORTATION: We strongly encourage the state to identify other sound financing mechanisms, including nontraditional transportation revenue sources and user fees, to address the needs of our community’s and the state’s transportation infrastructure. We appreciate the support of the HWY 92 Project as it moves forward through implementation and request continued diligence to making sure funding is secured for the length of the project. TAX FUNDING REFORM: Due to increased costs of juvenile justice reform, we urge the legislature to provide state funding to hire attorneys to prosecute, defend and represent all parties in delinquency, CHNS and dependency cases as well as increase funding to all counties for community-based services for juveniles. Over several years, the General Assembly has passed significant tax reform legislation impacting county property tax and sales tax. Cleaning up these new laws should take priority over crafting new legislative proposals, and Douglas County would like to partner to revise several new tax property tax reform laws. WATER: To amend the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act, so as to allow for the certification of certain local water and/or sewer authorities and storm water utilities as “local issuing authorities” by the Georgia EPD. Supports workable inter-basin water transfer regulation and the continued management of our region’s water resources to meet the needs of our growing population and industrial sectors, and when practical, to incent individuals and businesses to invest in water management technologies. EDUCATION: Continue restoration of full funding of the Quality Basic Education formula by eliminating austerity cuts or by decreasing austerity cuts again by at least 30%. Require proposed legislation, impacting education, to be accompanied with full funding for implementation, and include a one year implementation delay with a fiscal note detailing budgetary impact. Revise and finalize the flexibility options to include a school system’s ability to waive requirements, when choice options and other innovations are successfully implemented. Continue to support the practice of allowing local boards to approve class size waivers.
870 Thornton Road | Lithia Springs (770) 941-9000 www.johnbleakleyford.com
BUSINESS After Hours
For sponsorship Information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Chamber at 770.942.5022.
Chamber Matters, January 2015
COFFEE CARD
EXCHANGE
Chamber Matters, January 2015
8 - 9 a.m.
2014 Reflections from the Chair
Free for Members, $20 for Guests
January 8 WellStar Douglas Hospital February 5 West Georgia Technical College March 12 Jones-Wynn Funeral Home April 2 Central Baptist Church May 14 City of Douglasville June 11 AutoBuffs Express Car Wash July 9 AVAILABLE August 13 AVAILABLE September 10 Church at Chapelhill October 8 High Caliber Realty, Wells Fargo, Bethany Howard Agency, Morris Hardwick & Schneider November 5 Diamonds Forever December 3 Douglas County Government
POWER
LUNCHEON
What a Ride! Looking back at 2014, it has been another busy and successful year for the Douglas County Chamber. From the first luncheon in January to the final Business After Hours in December, we had our share of business and fun more than 30 times at various events that I had the pleasure of leading in 2014. My ride on the other side of the podium are some of the best memories of my career so far, because of the engaged board, Chamber Staff, diplomats and most of all our dedicated membership. It was truly a pleasure to see the friendly, smiling faces of our membership during my tenure as Chairman at all the events.
2015 Networking Calendar
Noon - 1 p.m.
DC Chamber members say networking is the best benefit of their Chamber membership...join us monthly at our events as we network our way through town!
$20 for Members with RSVP, $30 for Guests
RSVP - 770.942.5022 or info@douglascountygeorgia.com
January 20 February 17 March 17 April 21 May 19 June 16 July 14 August 18 September 15 October 20 November 10
2015 Economic Outlook Sponsored by T. Dennis Connally, CPA, P.C. Sponsor To Be Announced Sponsored by WellStar Douglas Hospital Legislative Update Sponsored by Georgia Power Company Leadership Douglas Graduation Sponsored by Google Industry Luncheon Sponsored by Douglas County Development Authority Small Businesses of Excellence Awards Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente Sponsored by Mercer University United Way Kick-Off Sponsored by United Way Heroes Luncheon Sponsor To Be Announced Thanks to Elected Officials Luncheon Sponsored by West Georgia Technical College
January 29 February 26 March 26 April 30 May 28 June 25 July 30 August 27 October 29 November 19 December 17
City of Douglasville at Douglasville Conference Center AVAILABLE AVAILABLE Assured Comfort Heating & Air Chamber Raffle at The Centre at Arbor Connection WellStar Douglas Hospital 3Links Technology Douglas County Sentinel Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club AVAILABLE Sponsor To Be Announced
BUSINESS After Hours
4 - 6 p.m.
Free for Members, $20 for Guests
Our main events were great successes as usual. The sold-out Annual Banquet was held at the Centre at Arbor Connection and continued to be one of our most successful fundraisers. In the spring, many of our members had the chance to highlight their businesses in a high profile venue at the Business to Community Expo at Arbor Place Mall. The Golf and Tennis Classic in September was a huge success, and this year the weather cooperated so the golfers and vendors remained dry and festive. On Halloween, the Chamber (OZ) hosted our annual Membership Appreciation Luncheon, and with the help of our board of directors grillers made sure that the well-attended luncheon proved that “there’s no place like home” when you’re a member of our Chamber. Over the past year we have: • conducted over 50 Ribbon Cuttings. • secured a Seminar Sponsor in BB&T. • sold out the networking events and had 46 sponsors.. • partnered with LD, YPC and City of Douglasville to collect 69 Pints of Blood during the blood drive benefitting the American Red Cross. • grew the Chairman’s Club to 25 members. • were recognized (through the Chamber Workforce Development) as the top example of a Successful Georgia’s Best Program within the Atlanta Regional Commission. • conducted the BIG Thank You by visiting our members with the help of the board, diplomats and staff. • increased member value through outstanding events and 25 professional development opportunities providing training with professional presenters on topics that were highest rated on the completed member surveys. As I end my year as Chairman, I am honored to have served the members of the Douglas County Chamber. We have an excellent leader in our President Kali Boatright and her exceptional team of Kimberly DeCenzo, Sara Ray, Janice Johnson, and Colleen Moffett. I am proud to say that I have been a volunteer at the Chamber in some capacity since 2003 and have seen the Chamber grow to become the voice of business in Douglas County under Kali’s leadership. The membership has great representation in its Board of Directors and Diplomats. These individuals volunteer their time for the betterment of the organization that includes almost 700 members. I want to thank my wife and family for putting up with my work and volunteer schedule over the past year and actually embracing it - You are my world. I also want to thank my employer, Regions Bank, for allowing me to allocate the time it took to serve as Chair. I want to thank the Chamber membership for their contributions to the success of our organization. Finally, I would like to thank our board for allowing me to serve as Chairman 2014. I am indebted to you all and grateful for all you do for our community. I started the year asking you to hold on and enjoy the ride, and I hope that over the past year you had fun, learned a little bit through the chamber programs, and genuinely benefitted from your association with the Douglas County Chamber, because I know that I did. And although my ride as Chair is over, I am looking forward to a continuing role as immediate-past chair and look forward to supporting our 2015 Chairman, Rosco Sayyar with Sam and Rosco’s and The Centre. Matt Barrington Regions Bank