Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Don't Wait Innovate!

Don’t Wait Innovate is our theme for this upcoming Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber year. Success is when preparation and opportunity meet. The Chamber has laid a foundation for success by completing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Accreditation process to ensure high standards of practice, accountability to members and commitment to the community. Also, your Chamber President is a Senior in her four-year training to receive her Institute of Organization Management recognition and earn points towards her Certified Chamber Executive certification.

These accomplishments have not only prepared us but renewed and reinvigorated us for the new-year. While we have a strong foundation to build on, your Chamber Board is happy, but never satisfied. This year we are committed to focusing on providing our members with the business assistance they need to successfully innovate - not only to survive, but to grow and prosper.

We are in challenging and uncertain times. 2009-2010 will be another difficult year. Your Chamber will strive to live up to being a 4-Star Chamber and be Toccoa-Stephens County’s leading business organization. We are thankful for the experience and wisdom of our new Board and Committee Chairs as we begin our good work!

More About the Chamber

Thank you for your interest in the Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce!

The Chamber and Welcome Center are located in downtown Toccoa in the renovated train depot on Alexander Street. Our location is very unique in that we share the depot with the Historical Society and the County and Military Museum.

We are most often the first stop in the community for visitors as well as potential investors and businesses.

We provide all types of information on our rich history, manufacturing, retail and service industries, award winning public schools, state of the art medical facilities, superior public utilities, outstanding community amenities, tourist attractions, unsurpassed natural beauty and outdoor recreation including Lake Hartwell…the Great Lake of the South.

The Chamber is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the interests of our 400+ valued Members who represent our community including business, educational, professional, civic, recreational, industrial and political arenas.

Members identify opportunities to solve challenges and shape the future of our business environment and community. The Chamber staff provides leadership, coordinates interested parties and initiates action.

The Chamber mission is to play a leadership role of business advocate, community partner and economic development stimulator through marketing, networking and education events, programs and services.

David Cronic, Administrator at Toccoa Clinic is the Chairman, Tim Ash, President and COO of Stephens Federal Bank is Vice Chair, Lee Hicks of McClure, Ramsay, Dickerson and Escoe is the Treasurer and Mariesa Pavliscsak, owner of Advertising Unlimited, Inc. serves as Past Chair,.

For more information please come by to see us, visit our web site at www.toccoagachamber.com or call 706-886-2132.

Welcome!

Toccoa, GA - Welcome to Toccoa-Stephens County (TSC) named for the Cherokee word “Toccoah” meaning “beautiful.” Our quaint, historic town, nestled in the foothills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, is a perfect destination for relaxation, exploration and adventure.

Start your day at the Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center located in the renovated train depot along with the County and Currahee Military Museums. This is a great place for watching the Norfolk Southern, Hartwell and Amtrak railroads.

Stroll down historic Doyle Street to browse galleries, boutiques and antique shops, including the Whistle Stop Antique Market featuring over 50 dealers of treasures from the early 1800s. After working up an appetite, eat at the Bus Stop Restaurant in a former Greyhound Bus station. Or if regional flavors are your style, stop by Shirley’s Sole Food Cafe, which was featured on the Food Network.

For more information on our member businesses, community assets and attractions, and a calendar of events please call the Chamber at 707-88... or visit www.toccoagachamber.com.