Back to BUSINESS ADVOCACY Local & Regional Interactions
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Join the U.S. Small Business Administration November 2-6, 2020 in celebrating National Veterans Small Business Week. SBA will be showcasing our nation’s military and veteran-owned businesses all week long. This year’s theme is #VetBiz Resources in Your Local Community which highlights the breadth of free to low-cost entrepreneurial resources that veteran and military entrepreneurs can access right in their neighborhood - from seeking business counseling services from a local SCORE chapter, to visiting the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) in their area for help formulating a business plan. Each day, SBA will highlight different topics related to the veteran entrepreneurship journey, and host various national-level events to align with each topic area.
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Results Are In! Chamber 2021 Member Survey |
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Thank you Augusta Metro Chamber members for taking the time to complete our recent Chamber 2021 survey. The results of your responses were very helpful in framing the discussion for the Chamber’s Board of Directors Strategic Planning Session this past week. Here are some key takeaways from information gathered:
- The top 3 issues of concern for the business community over the next 12 months are 1) Increased Costs 2) Sustainability & Consumer Demand 3) Worker Productivity. Increased costs were defined as the cost of doing business receiving a score of 3.4 on a sliding scale with 5 being very concerned. Business sustainability and uncertain consumer demand ranked second with an overall score of 3.1. Worker productivity defined as the safety, health and engagement of a business’ existing workforce ranked third with a score of 3.0.
- To lesser extents, the issues of workforce recruitment, increased competition, access to capital, supply chain and facility adaptation all did measure additional degrees of concern. With workforce recruitment and retention coming in at overall #4, with more concern at the top tiers of employers, the issue of a plentiful labor pool for existing jobs and the attraction of talent from out-of-market will continue to be an on-going opportunity for the region.
- The top 3 strategic priorities desired by members for 2021 continue to align with the Chamber’s current strategic plan including collaborative strategies to support economic development, pro-business public policy development and the connectivity the Chamber provides for exposure and business development. Additionally, the Chamber will continue to invest significantly in our K-12 workforce programs and well as workforce attraction.
- The Chamber’s highest performance rating was in the area of advocating for pro-business public policy with both economic development strategies and connectivity for members rounding out the top three.
- In nearly all categories of events, members desire and are comfortable with new models that will maintain safety yet offer the ability for members to gather together.
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Chamber Hosts UK Consul General Andrew Staunton |
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Last week, the Augusta Metro Chamber, Augusta Economic Development Authority and CSRA Alliance for Ft. Gordon were pleased to host UK Consul General Andrew Staunton for a virtual tour of Augusta. The day kicked off with a community leader briefing by Mr. Staunton with more meetings throughout the day including representatives from the military, public health, manufacturing and nuclear sectors. |
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Corporate Collaboration for the Benefit of Richmond County Students |
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The Chamber's Business Education Advisory Council facilitated a virtual learning session between ADP and Richmond County School System Teaching & Learning Department.
An amazing example of public/private partnership with representatives from ADP sharing tips on Touching Each Student in a Virtual Environment. ADP is a global leader in instruction and training in a virtual world and this is how we collaborate for the benefit of students.
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Back to BUSINESS MEMBER NEWS Celebrating our Members
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Ribbon Cutting Celebrations |
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Wednesday, November 4 at 10:30am
Friday, November 6 at 10am
Thursday, November 12 at 4pm
Friday, November 13 at 3pm
Tuesday, November 17 at 4pm
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MedNow Urgent Care - Peach Orchard Rd Ribbon Cutting |
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Visit LIVE Ribbon Cuttings on our website to take a look back at all of our ribbon cutting celebrations with our members!
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We're Back with Another Pivot + Pitch Video Series, S3 Episodes 3&4 |
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Tues. Nov 3, 4:15 PM
Thurs. Nov 5, 4:15 PM
Streaming across the Chamber's YouTube and Facebook channels. To view past episodes of Pivot + Pitch Video series, click here.
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Back to BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAMS Chamber Events & Programs
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Wednesday, November 18 | 5:30 PM | Miller Theater |
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We are honored to have Rebecca Darwin, CEO and co-founder of Garden & Gun magazine as the keynote speaker for our 2020 Women In Business Signature Event on Wednesday, November 18 at the Miller Theater. Rebecca will take guests off Zoom and into a room full of successful, southern professionals to share her words of wisdom as a woman leader in the South.
Rebecca Wesson Darwin is cofounder & CEO of the Allée Group LLC, formed with partners Pierre Manigault and J. Edward Bell III. The group owns Garden & Gun magazine, which launched in spring 2007. Their goal was to craft a magazine that would appeal to both men and women interested in the sporting life, adventurous travel, and good food and drink.
Hors d'oeuvres and two drink tickets will be provided prior to event official start. All attendees will receive a hot off the press edition of an upcoming issue of Garden & Gun magazine.
$35 Chamber members, $45 prospective members
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Thursday, November 19 at 12:00 pm |
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The Chamber's November Third Thursday Business Builder webinar will offer guidance on the benefits and eligibility of the Georgia Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE).
Kimberly A. King, Equal Employment Opportunity Director for the Georgia Department of Transportation, will present an overview of the DBE program, inform you of the benefits, and share guidance concerning eligibility. Ms. King will also propose resources available through the State Supported Funding Program (SSFP) Business Help Center and how you can take advantage of these opportunities to provide your business visibility.
Complimentary for Chamber members, $15 prospective members
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Friday, November 20 | 8 - 9:30 am |
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The Augusta Metro Chamber presents an Executive Welcome Morning Mixer for new executives in the community. Following introductions, attendees will have the opportunity to network with our new executives and welcome them to the Greater Augusta region!
Featured Executives include:
Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President, Augusta Technical College
Colonel Shaw S. Pick, Garrison Commander, Fort Gordon Garrison Public Affairs Office
Odie Donald II, Administrator, City of Augusta
Petula Burks, Chief of Staff, Mayor's Office
Naeem Jenkins-Nixon, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mayor's Office
Event is Complimentary to Attend
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Thursday, December 10 | 4:00 PM | Miller Theater |
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Augusta Metro Chamber is pleased to announce a celebratory collaboration honoring the 2020 Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch and the 2020 Best in Business Awards.
In recognizing the individuals of the 2020 Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch, the Chamber not only honors the achievements in their respective industries, but also the sense of community and passion to move things forward demonstrated by each of these future leaders. The annual Augusta's Entrepreneur, presented by South State Bank, and Corporation of the Year, presented by Georgia Power, honor the individuals and companies who have distinguished themselves in business and commitment to the Great Augusta region.
Join us as we recognize these honorees during our December Augusta Metro Chamber Member Economic Series program. Hors d'oeuvres and two drink tickets will be provided prior to event official start. Advanced registration is required. Seating is limited. Seats will be socially distanced and CDC compliance will be followed.
$25 Chamber members, $35 prospective members
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Back to BUSINESS CHAMBER NEWS Updates, Initiatives & More
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Join us and Shop Small All Season Long with 25 Days of Chamber Christmas! Beginning on Small Business Saturday, November 28th, the Augusta Metro Chamber will promote participating small businesses through a social media campaign encouraging Augusta to shop small all season long. During the 25 Days of Chamber Christmas, which will conclude on Tuesday, December 22nd, any patron who spends $25.00 or more at any participating location will be entered to win a Grand Prize!
If you are a small business member of the Augusta Metro Chamber and wish to participate in our 25 Days of Chamber Christmas, please follow the link below to download the 2020 Shop Small application. Deadline to apply is Friday, November 20, 2020.
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The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the award-winning Augusta Magazine is producing its 2021 Lifestyle Guide and Membership Directory.
This four-color publication highlighting the attractions and assets of the Augusta area is published annually and will be distributed by the Augusta Metro Chamber to newcomers, residents, visitors and many others.
AS AN ADDED BONUS the 2021 Lifestyle Guide will be sent to subscribers of the Augusta Magazine. TOTAL DISTRIBUTION: 15,000
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To advertise, call the Augusta Magazine at 706.823.3702
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Are You One of Augusta’s Best In Business? |
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Applications Now Being Accepted for Augusta’s Entrepreneur, presented by South State Bank, and Corporation of the Year, presented by Georgia Power
Applications are open for the Augusta Metro Chamber's 2020 Best In Business awards. Each year in the CSRA, small business owners and corporate companies are excelling in business while giving back to the community they call home.
Honorees will be recognized at the Augusta Metro Chamber Member Economic Series, December 10, at the Miller Theater.
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CORNERSTONE MEMBERS Presidents Level Cornerstone Members
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JOIN US TODAY Join the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
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