The annual Swainsboro Jaycee July 4th Fireworks Display will be held this year on Friday night, July 4th, at the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Recreational Complex on McLeod Bridge Road. The event is sponsored by the Jaycees along with WXRS Radio and a number of local merchants.

A watermelon eating contest and a Burger King Whopper eating contest are planned for 6:30 p.m. Free hotdogs, three-legged races and plenty of giveaways are also planned. Fireworks are scheduled at dark.

The Emanuel County Historical Preservation Society is sponsoring a Sam's Drive-In reunion benefit to "save the rocket ship sign."

For those too young to remember, the lighted, rocket-ship shaped sign towered over U.S. 1 signaling Sam's Drive-In, a place for good food and great times, was just ahead. The sign was a landmark for many years in Swainsboro and was located on U.S. 1 South near Maryland Fried Chicken. The Society has undertaken the job of refurbishing the sign which will be housed at the Emanuel County Historical Preservation Museum.

On Saturday, July 12th at 8 p.m., Sam's Drive-In Band will be in concert at the Jaycee Fairgrounds. All profits will go toward the restoration of the sign. Advanced tickets are $10 for adults/$12 at the door with children tickets, 12 & under, at $5. Tickets are available at many local merchants.

In addition, antique cars and trucks from the 50s, 60s and 70s will be on display.

Local radio personality Jimmy Page will serve as MC for the event. Make your plans now to attend.

Due to numerous conflicts, "Business after Hours" has been rescheduled. Swainsboro Raceway will host the Chamber's Business after Hours on Thursday, August 7th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Raceway, located just off Hwy 56 North.

According to Paul Purvis and Steve Howell, many changes and improvements have been made to the facility, so you'll not want to miss this event. Refreshments will be served.

In addition, "Business after Hours Cash Drawing" continues to grow. There was no winner at the last event, so the amount increases to $325. You must be present to win!

Steve and Caroline Harless, owners of Flat Creek Lodge, have renewed their special yearly membership rate for chamber members. The normal $2,500 dining membership fee has been reduced to $1,000 for any member of the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce. For more information contact the Chamber at 478-237-6426.

Perry's Auto Auction is pleased to announce it is celebrating its first year anniversary under the new ownership of Kelvin Thompson. Perry's will conduct an "Anniversary Sales Event" on Thursday August 7, 2008. Perry's will feature food, music, classic cars, and special guests along with the 300+ vehicles that will be offered.

Perry's has experienced a successful first year under its new ownership with several new partnerships and investments. The partnerships include national account agreements with Enterprise Rent-A-Car and BB&T Bank. Perry's has also renewed it relationships with regional and franchise dealers including Daniels Chevrolet Buick Pontiac GMC Inc., Rozier Ford, Threlkeld Ford, Woody Folsom Ford, Daniels-Bishop Chevrolet, Dublin Chrysler, Morgan Pontiac Buick GMC, and Pitt's Toyota to name a few.

"Perry's will continue to expand and grow its business through national account partners as well as investments, technology, and people," stated Mr. Thompson.

"We wish to thank the Swainsboro community for its support during this past year and look forward to working with the Chamber for future success."

Emanuel County's Ohoopee Sand Dunes has been featured again in one of Georgia's leading publications. In the June edition of GEMC Georgia Magazine, Ohoopee Sand Dunes was listed among Georgia's "50 must-see places."

The magazine describes the area as a "desert-like oasis estimated at over 20,000 years old. The Nature Conservancy has set aside 267 acres with the dunes for conservation and study."

The SBA has created an online resource center to help small businesses understand how they can benefit from the 2008 economic stimulus package signed into law by President Bush earlier in the year.

The package includes the following tax incentives for businesses: a 50% bonus depreciation allowance on equipment and placed in service in calendar 2008 and an almost 100% increase in the amount (from $128,000 to $250,000) that a business can expense for equipment purchased and placed in business tax year beginning in 2008.

"The stimulus package is designed to spur the economy by putting money back into the pockets of American workers and encouraging small business to invest and expand," said SBA acting Administrator Jovita Carranza. "However, many small business owners are unaware of how it could boost their bottom line."

SBA's new tax savings resource center demonstrates the benefits entrepreneurs can gain from the 2008 economic stimulus package. The center, located on www.sbagov/stimulus, contains three resources on the package: a fact sheet, depreciation calculator and online seminar. Small businesses are encouraged to contact their tax advisors to determine exactly how the provisions and implementing tax code of 2008 economic stimulus package apply to their business.- Quoted from SBA News Release, June 10, 2008

Shanna Taylor has been employed as assistant for the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce effective June 9th, 2008. Among her many duties will be to serve as receptionist and activities coordinator for the 286-member organization. Shanna will replace Crystal Glisson, who is pursuing a degree in nursing.

"We want to welcome Shanna to our Chamber staff and wish Crystal the very best in her career pursuit," added Bill Rogers, Jr, Chamber president.

The 2008-2009 Chamber of Commerce "Membership Directory" will be available in August. The organization's staff has been updating membership information and other important data that will appear in this year's booklet.

The directory is made available to every chamber member as a member benefit. Included is information on each member, both alphabetically and by categories. The listing also includes addresses, telephone numbers, cell phone numbers, FAX numbers, e-mail addresses and web page information.

"The directory is a great tool for our local members and we include this piece whenever a request for information is received. The directory is mailed along with other pertinent information," stated Bill Rogers, Jr., Chamber president.

To be included in the directory, membership fee must be paid!

The Chamber has joined forces with the Atlanta Braves to offer special discounted tickets throughout the Braves 2008 season. The special offer is for Sunday-Thursday games. For more information please contact the Chamber at 478-237-6426.

The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the fall leadership program. With a grant awarded from The University of Georgia's Fanning Institute, the Chamber will offer the Institute's renowned leadership program beginning on September 2nd.

The program, entitled "2008 Leadership Emanuel," will consist of ten topics offered on Tuesday nights from September through November 4th. The class times will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Fanning Institute instructors, along with local leaders, will facilitate the courses and program.

The goal of the program is to create a new level of leadership in Emanuel County. The program goals are focused on economic development with session topics on understanding community leadership, knowing your community, community leader's role in economic development and local governance. The class will be limited to 20-22 applicants for maximum discussion and input.

Applications are currently available at the Chamber. A deadline of Thursday, July 24, has been set for receiving all applications. The cost for the program is $60 and covers the cost of printed materials. An orientation session will be held Thursday, August 21 at 6:15 p.m.

The classes will begin on Tuesday, September 2nd with a kickoff meal and overview of the program.

Topics are as follows: Tuesday, September 9--"Understanding Leadership: How does it work?" Tuesday, September 16-- "Emanuel County Socio- Demographics, a Quick Study of Emanuel's Statistical Data" Tuesday, September 23-- "Communicating Effectively" Tuesday, September 30--"Making Group Decisions" Tuesday, October 7--"Building Communities through Collaboration" Tuesday, October 14--"Leading Community Change" Tuesday, October 21--"Understanding Local Governments" Tuesday, October 28--"A Community Leader's Role in Economic Development" Tuesday, November 4--"Wrap-Up and Graduation"

For more information or to receive an application, visit the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce at 102 South Main Street or call 478-237- 6426.

Emanuel Janitorial Services & Supplies
Harrison Pitts
1000 West Moring Street
Swainsboro, GA 30401
478-237-2767
FAX 478-237-2756

The 2009 Pine Tree Festival and Southeast Timber EXPO dates have been set. The 63rd annual event will be held beginning April 25 through May 9, 2009. Some 7,000 people attended this year's event and plans are already underway to make the 2009 Festival and EXPO "bigger and better."

Already, the State FFA Forestry Field Day Competition has named Swainsboro and Emanuel County as site for the 2009 competition. The event will be held during the Pine Tree on Wednesday, May 6th. This marks the second year in a row State FFA officials have selected Swainsboro!