LEADERSHIP PIERCE
KICKOFF EVENT.
We appreciate the community for supporting our Leadership Pierce Kickoff Event last Wednesday! Many elected officials and civic leaders came out to meet and congratulate the new Leadership Class during the community breakfast held at Okefenokee Country Club. We owe a special "thank you" to our sponsor, J Green & Co Jeweler; guest speaker, Rep. Chad Nimmer; Superintendent of Schools, Terri DeLoach; community advocate, Dr. Tom Davis; and Chamber President, Jon Tindall for a wonderful program. Setting the tone for the special occasion, Ellen Knowlton and the Pierce County High School Varsity Football Cheerleaders greeted guests with a spirited welcome.
Following the breakfast, class members participated in a
leadership development program
uniquely designed for Pierce County by Jenny Robbins, a Community Development Consultant with Georgia EMC
. In July, Jenny facilitated a team building and leadership class for our Student Advisory Council from the high school. This past week, she spent the day with our new, adult Leadership Pierce Class. Jenny's professionalism and enthusiasm kept the participants engaged and interested. Her content knowledge, ability to build group-trust, and time-management skills make her an excellent trainer. We appreciate Satilla REMC for making this quality training available in Pierce County.
The next Leadership Pierce class will be September 24 and will focus on the economic development process, industry recruitment and expansion, tourism, downtown development, and agriculture.
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GED Tax Credit Act
Increases tax credit
The Georgia Employer GED Tax Credit Act of 2015 revises the amount and training requirements of the adult basic skills education program tax credit for employers who help employees get their GED. It increases the current tax credit of $150 per employee to a possible $1,200 for each employee that completes the required training classes and successfully passes the skills education test.
To participate in the tax credit program, an employer must submit an application to the Technical College System of Georgia-Office of Adult Education. The Office of Adult Education pre-approves participation and ensures that the training is legitimate.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that individuals with a high school diploma earn $180 more per week than those individuals without. Unemployment drops from 9% to 6% when this same level of educational attainment is achieved. Under these averages, an individual could earn over $9,000 more per year in salary, which would result in a net tax revenue increase to the state. If properly administered, this program should pay for itself on an annual basis.
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OPPORTUNITY TOUR
September 15
Coastal Pines Technical College will host the Chamber's next Opportunity Tour on Tuesday, September 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited for these popular, behind-the-scene tours.
In order to gain first-hand knowledge of the types of career development opportunities available in our community, we encourage all elected officials, business leaders, and economic development professionals to attend. Participants will learn about future job trends and training and get to participant in simulations and hands-on learning models.
Opportunity Tours give community leaders a chance to better represent and promote local business and industry partners. These in-depth tours provide participants the opportunity to learn more about the incredible products, services, and workforce development efforts available right in our own back yard.
Register now.
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HELP FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Free & Confidential Consultations
The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC), in collaboration with the Pierce County Chamber, provides free and confidential training and consulting services to our local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Do you seek help with business plan development, market analysis and marketing strategies, financial analysis, compliance and legal issues, or preparation of loan submissions? If so, call the Chamber at 912-449-7044 to schedule an appointment.
Our area consultant, Jordan Tippett, meets with current and prospective business owners in the Pierce County area on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
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COMMUNITY LIVING EXPO
October 15
Are you trying to get the word out about your club, civic organization, or public service? If so, we invite you to participant in our Community Living Expo being held at Eagle Station on Thursday, October 15 from 3 to 7 p.m.
This quality of life expo is designed to educate the citizens of Pierce County about the abundant social and civic opportunities available in our community. The event is a component of the Leadership Pierce Class but will be open to the public from 5-7 p.m.
Your organization will have extended, one-on-one time with the community leaders taking part in the Leadership Pierce Class. Class members will become experts on your organization, assisting you with set up and distribution of information to the public.
A $15 registration fee is required for all exhibitors. Click here for more information!
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NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY
Bean Bag Baseball a Hit
National Senior Citizens Day was observed on August 21 at the Pierce County Senior Center. Seniors enjoyed a bean bag baseball tournament. Playing against a team made up of local officials and business leaders, the seniors were skilled opponents."The competition was intense," stated Chamber Executive Director, Angela Manders. "We'll be ready for them next year!" A bingo competition and a fish fry were also featured at the event.
This is the second annual National Senior Citizens Day observed at the center. The National Senior Citizens Day was first celebrated in 1988 and was created by legislation signed by then-President Ronald Reagan. The day is designed to recognize and celebrate the contributions senior citizens have made to the nation.
We salute our seniors and all the Senior Center staff and volunteers who made this event possible. Thanks for inviting us. We had a blast!
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