| Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce |
"Business after Hours" a great success
The Chamber's recent "Business after Hours" was a great success. A good crowd braved the hot weather to see the new Sudie Fulford Leaning Center located on the campus of East Georgia College. The event was held on Thursday afternoon, July 8th.
Jean Schwabe, director of the center, welcomed chamber guests and gave short tours of the new facility. Elizabeth Gilmer, director of Alumni Relations, welcomed everyone to the campus and introduced East Georgia College staff in attendance. Door prize winners were selected. It was a great time to network and see other business friends outside of the daily business activity.
Swainsboro City Administrator Al Lawson won the Chamber's cash giveaway of $225. It marks the second time Lawson has taken the cash award. The cash giveaway starts over at $50 for the next BAH event.
If your business or organization would like to host a BAH event, please contact Donna Brinson at the Chamber, 237-6426. |
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August 12th will be an important day in the history of Emanuel County. At 10 a.m. official "ground breaking" activities will begin at East Georgia College for a 200-bed housing unit. The public is invited to attend.
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2011 Pine Tree Festival date is announced
Following the July meeting of the Pine Tree Festival and Southeast Timber EXPO board of directors, the date for 2011 event has been set. The two-week event will begin on Saturday, April 23rd, concluding on Saturday, May 7th with the annual parade.
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Pine Tree Coordinator is sought
The Pine Tree Festival and Southeast Timber EXPO committee is seeking a coordinator for the annual local event. The person applying for the part-time position must be well-organized, self-motivated and detail-oriented in every aspect. The coordinator's responsibilities require the selection and securing of events, formatting a schedule of activities, and working closely with various committees, groups and sponsors to assure a successful event. The candidate should possess the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. In addition, the coordinator will be required to solicit sponsorships. Estimated salary for the position is $5,000 plus commission.
Those interested in applying for the position should send a resume to "Pine Tree Coordinator" at 102 South Main Street, Swainsboro, Georgia 30401.
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$542,000 in OneGeorgia grants received
Two Emanuel County projects have earned grant money from OneGeorgia Authority. The announcement was made by Gov. Sonny Perdue and members of the OneGeorgia Authority Board in Greensboro, GA, on June 30th.
The grants are designed to assist economic development activities in rural Georgia aimed at creating jobs, stimulating new private investment, and supporting the retention of existing jobs.
Company officials and local community leaders associated with the various projects across the state were recognized. Over $12.2 million in state monies were leveraged against approximately $500 million in total costs. The various projects are expected to create over 2,200 jobs as well as the retention of an additional 314 jobs on the state level.
An EDGE grant of $42,000 was awarded to the Twin City Development Authority to assist Stitch n Print, a sewing manufacturing firm headquartered in Twin City. The grant will assist with building improvements to support an expansion. Twenty new jobs are expected to be added in 2 years. The total cost of the project is $307,000.
The company specializes in the production of uniform embellishments and has contracts with Aramark, Blue Force Gear, Jensen Apparel and Cintas Uniform. The company has facilities in Twin City, Millen and Bluefield, Virginia.
The Development Authority of Swainsboro and Emanuel County received a $500,000 grant to assist with the construction of an access road and production well to support the development of a 570-acre industrial park located 1.4 miles north of I-16 on the west side of SR4/US Hwy 1. The construction of a large capacity deep well suitable for serving the entire park and extension of the existing entrance into the park will assist with marketability of the park's industrial sites. The Swainsboro/Emanuel County I-16 Industrial Park is less than 90 miles from Georgia's Savannah Port. The total cost of the project is $1.9 million.
Attending the meeting were Stitch n Print owners Timmy Olivet and Brett Clifton; Chamber Board Members Athen Walden, Russ Yeomans, Kenny Griffin and Bill Rogers Jr.; Emanuel County Commissioners David Oglesby and Desse Davis; Joint Development Authority Board Member Will Donaldson and City of Swainsboro Mayor Charles Schwabe. Also in attendance were Representative Butch Parrish and State Senator Jack Hill.
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Shaw Air Force Base Initiative is back on the table
A proposal to allow military jets to fly training missions as low as 500 ft. above ground level near Swainsboro is still under consideration. The U.S. Air Force and FAA have concluded the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and submitted the report for public comments. The public had until July 25th to make comments on the proposed changes to the Military Operations Area (MOA) which covers East Central Georgia.
The Chamber held a meeting Wednesday, July 7th, to alert local leaders of the final report and the looming deadline to address comments on the environmental impact statement.
The MOA proposal calls for an increase in airspace so military jets can conduct training exercises. The current MOA covers airspace from Sandersville to below Wrightsville to a line west of Millen and Waynesboro. The new MOA increases the airspace to a point east of Waynesboro and Millen to a point south of Swainsboro. The proposal also takes the ceiling from 18,000 up to 27,000 and lowers the floor to 500 ft for the entire MOA.
In October, 2008, a public hearing was held in Augusta at the Augusta Regional Airport. Community leaders from the area addressed concerns to Air Force and FAA officials.
In early July of this year, the Air Force unveiled a new mediated proposal that would raise the ceiling to 1,500 MSL for 3 nautical miles around the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Airport. Elsewhere across the northern tier of Emanuel County, the ceiling floor would be lowered to 500 MSL.
Following a presentation by Airport Commission Chairman Ken Warnock on the impact of the plan, the group decided to contact Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, Representatives John Barrow and Jack Kingston to request immediate help in stopping the proposal.
The group determined a list of reason the proposal would negatively impact the community.
"It is our belief the proposed expanded airspace will pose a severe restriction on our airport that will place Swainsboro and Emanuel County at a competitive disadvantage with other communities in our area such as Vidalia, Statesboro and Dublin, Ga. The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Airport is seen as a linchpin in our efforts to attract industry to Emanuel County by virtue of the following:
(1) The airport has 250 acres of adjoining land that has been zoned for industrial development. Water and sewer and gas have been extended to serve the area at a cost to taxpayers.
(2) Industrial sites at the airport have direct access to a 4-lane highway (U.S. 1). This major corridor is connected to I-16 and offers easy access to the Port of Savannah or Jackson/Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta.
(3) The City of Swainsboro currently has a building available for industrial expansion. The 27,000 square ft. building has a fenced-in parking lot, additional storage areas and immediate access to the runway apron. The community is spending money on brochures, websites and personal contacts to promote the site.
(4) Currently, there is a foreign company interested in the "available building" that would initially employ 10 to15 people. Long range plans call for manufacturing to be added. This would create an additional 75 jobs. Emanuel County is a Tier-1 county offering maximum state tax credits for job creation. The county's high poverty rate places the community in this category.
(5) Over $18 million dollars of state and federal funds have been spent to upgrade the airport. This includes new t-hangers, new service hanger with offices and lengthening the runway to over 6,000 feet. Swainsboro has the 12th longest runaway in the state.
(6) In addition, an ILS system will be added for air traffic in November. This expenditure will cost nearly $3 million, bringing total expenditures at the airport to over $21 million.
(7) In earlier letters to the Air Force and FAA, we have clearly demonstrated that waiting for the Military Operations Airspace to clear will cause flights to be delayed or rerouted. Such delays are costly and negate the ease of air travel.
(8) UPS currently has a facility here in Swainsboro with two flights daily to and from Columbia, S.C. Any delay in these flights may cause the company to look negatively at its facility here. At risk are 60 jobs with salaries ranging upwards of $35,000 to $45,000.
(9) In addition, we are concerned that local businesses that currently have planes housed at the Swainsboro airport will chose to locate them elsewhere due to restrictions or delays in flights. The lost of tax revenues to our city and county would approach $250,000.
(10) Operations at our airport are managed by AirStar. The company has daily charters and employs some 20 employees. Delays will directly effect their operations. At risk are these 20 jobs.
(11) Since the Environmental Impact Study was conducted by the Air Force and not an "independent third party", we feel the report is biased and inconclusive.
(12) Finally, no public hearing was held in Swainsboro. With jet flights as low as 500 ft., the Air Force and FAA overlooked the largest municipality in the expanded MOA with the largest populated area. Why?
Comments and letters can still be sent to: Ms. Linda DeVine, Headquarters Air Combat Command/A7PS, 129 Andrews St. Room 337, Langley, AFB VA 23665-2769.
Attending the Chamber meeting were representatives from the City of Swainsboro, County, Chamber, Swainsboro-Emanuel County Airport Commission, Flat Creek Lodge, Ogeechee River Keepers, Buckley & Associates, AirStar, and several local citizens and pilots. |
Meeting set with Shaw officials
A local delegation of elected officials and interested citizens met with Senator Johnny Isakson on Monday, July 19th, in his Atlanta office. The group was there to voice concerns over the Air Force proposal to expand the Military Operations Airspace which includes Swainsboro and northern Emanuel County.
After a near hour-long meeting, Senator Isakson stated he understood the local concerns and would work to bring the local delegation and the Air Force together to determine if a solution could be reached.
Attending the meeting were State Senator Jack Hill, Representative Butch Parrish, Mayor Charles Schwabe, former U.S. Senator and local landowner David Gambrell, Swainsboro/Emanuel County Airport Commission Chairman Ken Warnock, local attorney and pilot Jerry Cadle, and Chamber president Bill Rogers Jr.
As of press time, a meeting with Shaw Air Force officials is expected to take place on Monday, August 16th, at 2 p.m.
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Additional Discounts for Additional Products!
A lot of people know they can receive discounts if they put their auto and homeowner's insurance with the same company. However, did you know that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) offers discounts if you purchase more than one type of insurance through them?
It's true! Through BCBSGa's affiliate company, Greater Georgia Life Insurance Company (GGL), qualifying Chamber member businesses with 2 to 50 employees who add Group Term Life benefits to their employee benefits package can receive 10% to 20% off their Group Term Life, Group Voluntary Term Life and Group Dependent Life Insurance coverage. In certain instances, adding the proper amount of Group Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance ($25,000 per employee or more) can provide your company with up to an additional 1% premium reduction on your Group Medical Insurance as well.
In addition, participating Chamber member businesses can experience up to 10% premium reductions on Group Dental and Group Voluntary Dental coverage.
By participating in the group "buying power" of the MemberCare Alliance of Emanuel CountySM, your chamber is part of a statewide network of over 130 Chambers of Commerce offering discounted insurance products to Chamber member businesses. The MemberCare Alliance of Emanuel Countyprogram includes a variety of insurance products, such as: group term, voluntary and dependent life insurance, group dental insurance, group long term and short term disability, accidental death and dismemberment and long term care insurance.
For more information on these insurance offerings, please call the Chamber, one of your participating Chamber-member insurance agents, or Purchasing Alliance Solutions, Inc., (the company that developed MemberCare Alliance of Emanuel Countyprogram) at 770-579-1214 or 1-800-782-8254 ext. 3515.
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Parrish & Hill make major announcement
The Chamber's Business After Hours was the scene of a major announcement. State Representative Butch Parrish and State Senator Jack Hill informed those in attendance that Gov. Sonny Perdue had recommended the selling of Georgia Higher Education Finance Authority Bonds. The monies will be used for a variety of projects within the University System of Georgia including housing at East Georgia College.
The local project calls for the college to start immediately on a 200-bed housing unit. The project is slated to open for the 2011 fall quarter.
Chamber president Bill Rogers Jr, thanked the two elected officials for their "diligent" work on behalf of the citizens of Emanuel County and this area of the state. |
| July 2010 Chamber Member Renewals |
Anderson Homes, Inc.
Emanuel County Clinic of Chiropractic
Growing Communications
Swainsboro Raceway |
Tuesday, August 10th, 9:30am - Chamber Executive Board Meeting, Chamber Building
Thursday, August 12th, 10:00am - East Georgia College Housing Groundbreaking, East Georgia College
Thursday, August 12th, 12:00 noon - Chamber Regular Board Meeting, Chamber Building
Monday, August 16th, 7:00pm - Emanuel County Commissioners Meeting, Commissioners Chambers
Tuesday, August 17th, 5:00pm - Joint Development Authorities Meeting, Chamber Building
Wednesday, August 18th - South Georgia Festival Workshop, Sylvester-Worth Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday, August 24th, 8:00am-9:30am - Johnny Isaakson Community Vistit, Crossroads Cafe
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