Two Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies: T-SC Humane Shelter & Quincy's

Hello, this is Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President with your Weekly Chamber Update.  

You are all invited to learn more about the benefits of “being” a certified Drug Free Workplace. Please mark your calendars for Thursday April 10^th. The Chamber is hosting the annual Drugs Don’t Work conference from 11am to 1pm in the 1^st Franklin Financial Training Room.

Have you ever wondered how much money your business could save on workers compensation premiums if you became certified drug free? Now is the time to call your insurance provider and find out.

The fee for the workshop is $10 for chamber members and $20 from non members and includes lunch and the program materials.  

It’s time to do your part, and become a certified drug free workplace, and in turn save 7.5% on Workers Compensation premiums. Call us today to reserve your spot at 706-886-2132.  

I have a few announcements for you:

Today we have two special Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies.

The first one is at 10am for the Toccoa Stephens County Humane Shelter and Director Jeff Roberts. Visit http://cm.toccoagachamber.com/list/member/toccoa-stephens-county-hearts-for-homeless-pets-toccoa-740 Come celebrate with Jeff, his staff and volunteers and hear about all the great things they are doing for the humane care of abandoned and stray dogs and cats. That’s 10am on Scenic Dr.

The second Ribbon Cutting is at 2pm for Quincy’s Family Restaurant and owner Reg Gowen. Visit http://cm.toccoagachamber.com/list/member/quincy-s-family-steakhouse-toccoa-458.  Come celebrate with Reg, his family and staff, and hear all about the features of the restaurant, including the large buffet, salad and dessert bar!  That’s 2pm on Big A Rd.

The WNEG Radio’s Home Health & Life Show is this Saturday March 29. Would you like to share a booth with the Chamber? We have a few more spots for members to co-op with us, work the booth and split the time. Call 886-2132.

Finally, next Thursday – we have a ribbon cutting for Mamatokiabri’s Trinkets and More Thrift Store and a Business-After-Hours at the X-Factor for our four “Business Plan Competition” participants.

That’s your weekly update! I’m Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President with your Weekly Chamber Update!

Drugs Don't Work Conference is April 10th

Have you ever wondered how much money your business could save on workers compensation premiums if you became certified drug free? Now is the time to call your insurance provider and find out.

It’s also time to mark your calendars for Thursday April 10^th. The Chamber is hosting the annual Drugs Don’t Work conference from 11am to 1pm in the 1^st Franklin Financial Training Room.

You are all invited to learn more about the benefits of “being” and or becoming certified Drug Free. The fee is $10 for chamber members and $20 from non members and includes lunch and the program.

Major Andy Myers, the Chief Deputy of the Stephens County Sheriff’s office is our speaker. Participants will learn about 1) how to identify drug use in the workplace, 2) hear updates on drug use in our area and about the different agencies and operations working together to address the issues; 3) learn about the local drug testing facilities and local employee assistance programs. This conference will satisfy all the training requirements for Drugs Don’t Work re-certification.

It’s time to become a certified drug free workplace and get your 7.5% savings on Workers Compensation premiums today.  

 

I have a few announcements for you:

Our online Chamber business directory received 8,500 hits in February. We added a “mobile directory” to compliment the Chamber’s paper and online directories. The mobile directory seen on the iPhones or iPads is a great way for visitors to find local deals and information quickly and hassle-free. Try Googling your business today and see what information comes up. Then call the Chamber to assist you. 

Today at 10am, we have a special Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Innovative Thread Designs in their new location at the Rose Lane Business Park.  Join us as we celebrate with Jennifer and Kevin and learn about the services they bring including custom logos for your business, monograms on different materials, you can bring an item in to be embroidered or they will provide the items for you.

That’s 10am in the Rose Lane Business Park. Visit their directory page at: http://cm.toccoagachamber.com/list/member/innovative-thread-designs-2546. We hope to see you there!

Next Thursday – we will have 2 ribbon cuttings. The Humane Shelter is at 10am and Quincy’s is a 2pm. Visit our calendar at http://cm.toccoagachamber.com/events/calendar  

    

2014 Business Plan Competition

We’ve officially kicked off the 2014 Business Plan Competition. Please congratulate our four entrepreneurs for participating this year: including Toby Derth with Just Sew Pretty, Jeff Patalan with Franklin Currahee Sanitation, Dr. Paul Dabny who is a Naturopathic and Integrative Medicine Consultant and Tori Head with Victoria’s Sweet Treats.  We have 14 prize sponsors, totaling more than $8,000. We look forward to assisting with developing their business plans and connecting them with the resources they need.   

The Clean Up the Community Challenge 2014 has begun. Cash Prizes of $1,000 for 1^st place, $500 for 2nd place and $250 for 3^rd place. The challenge is open to all citizens of Toccoa–Stephens County. Volunteers are welcome on the Chamber Team. Call to organize days and times for picking up roadside litter OR coordinating property beautification projects.    

Chamber volunteers are now conducting “Mystery Shopping” in Toccoa-Stephens County. What makes a business better is the way it addresses the known areas-of- need. It’s an ongoing process and the Chamber is here to help. Call us today to learn more. 

Today at 10am, we have a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Evan Oglesby Foundation on Pond Street. Join us as we celebrate this nonprofit who is recognized for empowering our youth to achieve excellence in education and athletics. The Foundation was recently recognized by the District 2 Public Health Office as one of the honorees of the “Celebrate Healthy North Georgia” initiative.

Also Today is a Business-After-Hours with Cindy Mathews and the Mountain Ed Charter High school.  Come meet site coordinators Debbie Gurley and Carolyn Man - and make new business connections.  

So, what can the Chamber do for you today? Need help with business education? Networking? Marketing? Or something else? I look forward to hearing ALL about what “programs or services” we could offer to help you grow your business this year.   

2014 Business Plan Competition

Hello, this is Letha Stowe, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador with your Weekly Chamber Update.  

The joint Economic Development Committee kicked off the 2014 Business Plan Competition. We have four entrepreneurs participating in the challenge this year, including Toby Derth with Just Sew Pretty and Jeff Patalan with Franklin Currahee Sanitation. This year there are 14 prize package sponsors, totaling more than $8,000. We look forward to assisting with developing their business plans and connecting them with the resources they need to operate a successful business.

The Clean Up the Community Challenge 2014 Kick Off is March 1st. This year to be even better than last, and that’s a real challenge. Cash Prizes of $1,000 for 1^st place, $500 for 2nd place and $250 for 3^rd place. Last year was extremely competitive with 21 teams and the results were the best in 10 years. The challenge is open to all citizens of Toccoa – Stephens County. The Chamber will have a team. If you’d like to join our team please call the Chamber at 706-886-2132.

The Chamber is now conducting “Mystery Shopping” in Toccoa-Stephens County to help retailers and restaurants get an objective view of: staff customer service, facility appearances inside and out,  merchandising and the “overall” shopping experience.  What makes a business better is the way it addresses the known areas of need. It’s an ongoing process that makes a business better over time. The Chamber is here to help with this process. Call us today to learn more. 

Next Thursday, at 10am, we have a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Evan Oglesby Foundation on Pond Street. Join us as we celebrate this nonprofit who is recognized for empowering our youth to achieve excellence in education and athletics.  

Also next Thursday is a Business-After-Hours with Cindy Mathews and the Mountain Ed Charter High school.  Come meet new people and make new business connections.  

So, what can the Chamber do for you today? Need help with Facebook? Need help with promoting your “Hot” Deals? Need help posting calendar events? That’s what I’m asking when I’m out and about visiting with members and delivering delicious Heavenly Dessert cookies. I look forward to hearing all about what you need to grow your business this year.   

That’s your weekly update! I’m Letha Stowe, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador with your Weekly Chamber Update!

Mystery Shopping is Happening!

Hello, this is Wendi Bailey your T-SC CoC President with your Weekly Chamber Update.  

Sometimes business owners overlook the importance of hospitality and customer service. Sometimes business owners may have a hard time objectively critiquing their store and their employees.  Therefore, they have no data to use to improve.  

The Chamber is now conducting “Mystery Shopping” in Toccoa-Stephens County to help retailers and restaurants get an objective view of: 1) staff customer service, 2) facility appearances inside and out and 3) merchandising and the “overall” shopping experience. 

What makes a business better is the way it addresses the known areas of need. It’s an ongoing process that makes a business better over time. The Chamber is here to help with this process. Call us today to learn more.  

I have a few announcements for you:

• Today, at 11:30am, our joint Economic Development Committee is kicking off the 2014 Business Plan Competition. We have four entrepreneurs participating in the challenge and 14 prize package sponsors this year, totaling more than $5,000. We look forward to assisting with developing their business plans and connecting them with the resources they need to operate a successful business.

• Today, at 2pm, we have a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Stephens County Wound Care Clinic on Falls Rd. Come join Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrel and Bowen and Watson and celebrate the completion of the new $1 million facility.

• Also today at 5:30pm special Joint Business-After-Hours with Hart County and Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.  The event is hosted by Vickery Place, a personal care home on Vickery Street in Lavonia. Come meet new people, make new business connections, and bring a door prize to promote your business cross county lines.  

• Finally. last night we had at 5:30pm, at the X-Factor Grill, you are invited to a travel presentation, called Discover Tuscany.  Last November the Chamber partnered with the Ionosphere Travel Agency to coordinate a group travel experience to Ireland.  New this year, we are partnering for travel to Italy! Call or come by to get information on the trip highlights and the discounts if you reserve your spot in advance!    

So, what can the Chamber do for you today? Need help with Social Media? Need help with posting Hot Deals? That’s what I’m asking when I’m out and about visiting with members and delivering delicious Heavenly Dessert cookies. I look forward to hearing all about what you need to grow your business this year.   

That’s your weekly update! I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County CoC President with your Weekly Chamber Update.