L-R - Julia Jorns, Jeff Downing, Sandy Downing, Mary Gravitt, Steve Treadaway, Terri Reece, Sue Wilkerson 

Pickens County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Foothills IGA Market was the first Large Business of the Month. Mr. Jeff Downing was awarded a framed certificate at the May Membership Breakfast by Julia Jorns with Julia Jorns, CPA, LLC and sponsor of the Business of the Month program.

In January, 2002 this business opened the development and has become a community hub in its area in our county. Growth occurred to the point that in 2008 it was renovated, enlarged and added some auxiliary services including a pharmacy. In a small community and a small space it offers a similar selection of products and services that might be ascribed to a "Super Store". Variety and responsiveness to the needs and desires of the customer base account for this business success story.

This business employs between 40 and 45 of our county workforce depending on the season. The owner is an expert in his field having managed and owned this genre' of business his entire career. He was looking for a business to purchase when the developers of this property approached him about opening a store as the anchor in the development. He agreed and a new enterprise began right near home.

This businessman invests tremendous time and effort into our community. He served on the Chamber Board for 5 years: as president and as Marble Festival chair, and on the Government Relations and Small Business Committees.

He is a past president of Rotary serving the 2008-2009 year championing the Ferst Foundation. He serves on a number of boards including CARES, Family Connection, Hope House, and on the Georgia Food Industry Board for the past 9 years.

His business advice to new entrepreneurs is to know your business. You must complete due diligence to know what it takes to survive individually and as a business. Make a business plan and follow it. Be prepared times three over. And deliver a consistent product or service.

He is most proud of what the people in the store have accomplished. Every year they have earned the 5 STAR IGA designation. Less than 10% of the IGA stores achieve this. Out of the 75 stores in Georgia, only four received the award. It involves five in store inspections, four of which are unannounced.

Please join the Chamber in congratulating May's Large Business of the Month, Foothills IGA Market.

Nominations for future Small Business, Large Business or Non-Profit Organization awards are now being accepted. You can find a nomination form online at www.pickenschamber.com under the Economic Development / E-Friendly page or you can pick one up at the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce.

The Board of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development announces Pickens County graduates from the 2011 Region 1 Multi-Day Training Program. Class participants represented a number of professional and non-professional economic development fields, including elected officials, public servants, business leaders, educators, and social service providers from thirteen counties in Northwest Georgia. The Academy provided each of the graduates an opportunity to gain a unique understanding of the complexities of economic and community development on the local, regional, and state levels.

Pickens County graduates at the May 3rd ceremony included Ernie McArthur, Pickens County Chamber of Commerce Board and Jonathan Warner, Chattahoochee Technical College.

Created in 1993 by then-Governor Zell Miller's Development Council, the Academy assembles a cross section of economic development professionals and resources to provide this training in all twelve service delivery regions in Georgia. The Board of Directors of the Academy consists of 22 members representing public and private economic development organizations and agencies from across Georgia. Since its organization, the Academy has provided training for thousands of professional and non-professional economic developers around the state, and since 1998 the Academy has been offered annually.

"One of the goals for the multi-day regional Academies is to encourage multi-county cooperation," says Corinne Thornton, Executive Director of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. "Many times the participants discover the issues facing their community are the same as those facing other communities in their region, and can then combine limited resources to address the issue."

Georgia EMC and Georgia Power provide facilitators for the program, and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs provides staff support to this important program

The Academy's multi-day program, taught one day a month over a four-month period, includes training in the basics of economic and community development, plus specialized segments on business recruitment and retention, tourism product development, downtown development, quality planning, redevelopment and other essentials for community success. In addition, the curriculum features specific leadership skills such as consensus building, ethics in public service, collaborative leadership and other segments needed for effective community leadership in economic development. Local elected officials receive certification training credits through the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association for completion of this program, and the program is certified for CEUs through the UGA Georgia Center for Continuing Education.

The next Region One Georgia Academy for Economic Development will begin in February 2012. For more information on this, please contact Leamon Scott at 706-234-4571 or by email at leamon.scott@dca.ga.gov.  
 

 Renewal Spotlights

Microtel Inn & Suites of Jasper specializes in providing clean, hospitable accommodations for out of town guests, tourists, and business travelers. They have been in business 4 years and a member of the Chamber of Commerce 2 years.

W.S. Pharr & Co specializes in Insurance, Risk Management, Employee Benefits and Bonds. They have been in business since 1989 and a member of the Chamber of Commerce for 10 years.

Jasper United Methodist Church's mission is to faithfully worship the Lord our God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit to proclaim by word and deed the good news of Jesus Christ and to equip God's people to do the work of the ministry. They were established in 1853 and a member of the Chamber of Commerce since 2001.

Lakota Cove specializes in Rustic Elegant Furniture and an art gallery with over 400 American Artists with hand crafted art, lighting, outdoor furniture, lodge furniture, and traditional as well. They have barbeques, hay rides and support the Pickens County Community. They are Pickens Family Partners and involved in Animal Rescue. They have been in business 14 years and a member of the Chamber of Commerce 5 years.

Boys and Girls Clubs of North Georgia is a non-profit organization that has 5 clubs in Pickens and Gilmer Counties. It provides children with Academic Success, Career preparation, healthy lifestyles, good character and leadership skills. They have plans to build a new club and are currently raising $2.5 million dollars. They have been in business 5 years and have been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for 4 years.

Promosandlogos.com Inc. specializes in imprinted promotional items, screen printed t-shirts, commercial embroidery, signage and printing services. All chamber members are welcome to call on them for a quote on all services they offer, shop chamber members first. They have been in business since 2001 and member of the chamber of commerce for 5 years.

Serenity Mountain Manor specializes in Assisted Living as an alternative to Nursing Home Care. They have been a member and been in business for over a year. They have a new website www.serenitymountainmanor.com

Renner Companies specializes in all construction and real estate services. They are featured in the April/May edition of Appalachian Country Magazine.

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