T-SC TOMORROW Workforce Development & Summer Manufacturing Camp

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

The Toccoa-Stephens County Tomorrow visioning program includes a “Champion of Workforce Development” and he is Dr. Mark Ivester, NGTC VP of Economic Development. His mission is to cultivate a workforce that provides a competitive edge for existing businesses and attracts new companies to Toccoa-Stephens County.

NGTC enrolled in the “Dream IT Do IT” campaign which is a national program sponsored by the Manufacturing Institute and promotes manufacturing careers in the US. Organizations from 32 different states enrolled in the program and our NGTC was the first in Georgia.

In an effort to create awareness of manufacturing careers, the college is currently offering a Summer Manufacturing Camp for kids grades 6-9 from June 2-5 from 8am to 4pm at the Clarkesville Campus.   

There will be tours at Caterpillar in Athens and Eastanollee, as well as TI Automotive in Lavonia. A student will work in their engineering lab to design a part then move on to the machine tool lab to build the part.

Presentations will be made showing the history of manufacturing, as well as, manufacturing today.  For more information about the Summer Manufacturing Camp please visit their website at www.northgatech.edu  or call the Chamber at 706-886-2132.

Also, there are additional opportunities for financial aid at the college, i.e. the expanded Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, new low interest loans and the Hope Grant are all available for qualifying students. Contact College Admissions to learn more.

I have a few announcements for you:

The Stephens County Historical Society is celebrating the 70^th anniversary of D-Day this Saturday. The run up Currahee Mountain is at 8am, the walk is at 9am, the kids obstacle course is at 10am and the memorial service is at 12pm with the very Reverend Mary Demmler. All events are at the Camp Toccoa at Currahee on Ayersville Rd.

TODAY at 10am is the “Departure Ceremony” for the Toccoa Soldiers at the GBCC. The local National Guard unit is preparing to deploy on a potentially yearlong mission. Soldiers from the 876th Engineering unit will train their Afghan counterparts and either construct or dismantle buildings and the like depending on the need of U.S. troops. The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony at the GBCC.

For more information on these and other events please visit the community calendar at www.toccoagachamber.com.  That’s your weekly update! I’m Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

The Chamber’s 17^th Annual Golf Tournament, presented by North Georgia Credit Union, was at the award winning Currahee Club last Friday! 23 teams, one coming as far away as Carol County, got to experience the 7,200 yard, highly decorated, Jim Fazio designed, championship course.

Congratulations goes to the winning Teams: 1^st place was State Farm - Mike Van Minos, 2^nd place was 1^st Franklin Financial and 3rd place was Stephens Federal Bank. Steve Alligood won the 2014 Currahee Club membership.   

We have a complete list of all our sponsors and prize winners on our Chamber web site at www.toccoagachamber.com. On behalf of the Chamber Board we thank you for your support of this important event. Thank for supporting your Chamber and Welcome Center.  

I have a few announcements for you:

Your Chamber and “Deal Armstrong” are creating an exclusive Chamber Member coupon flyer that will help your business reach close to 8,000 North Georgians, in 8 counties who have opted in to see regional deals. Call us today for a consultation or for more information and to reserve your spot. 

The 7^th Annual Tugaloo Corridor Canoe/Kayak River History Tour is scheduled for this Saturday, May 24, 2014, (Memorial Day Weekend). The plan is to depart from Walker Creek Access on Yonah Dam Road by 8:30am, lunch at Longnose Creek Falls (water level permitting) and takeout adjacent to the Mound around  2:30pm or so with transportation provided for principle drivers back to Walker Creek.  If you think you will be able to make it this year please call Kelly at 706-886-0022. Be ready for a good paddle!

For more information on these and other events please visit the community calendar at www.toccoagachamber.com. Happy Memorial Day!  

Welcome New Welcome Center Director Sharon Crenshaw

Your Chamber of Commerce announced at the Annual Meeting last week we’ve hired Sharon Crenshaw as the new Welcome Center Director for Toccoa-Stephens County. 

As the Champion of Tourism, the new marketing effort will rely on staff energy and enthusiasm, using social media and the internet, rather than depending on a big budget for purchasing advertising. We plan to create unique and engaging social media campaigns to generate “buzz” about our tourism attractions and assets. 

Our new Welcome Center Director was born and raised in Orlando, FL. Sharon and her family moved to Toccoa in 1989 when her husband Jim Crenshaw accepted a job at the City of Toccoa. They fell in love with the town and the surrounding areas. Sharon’s father was a prop specialist in WWII and was sent to England where he met and married her mom.  Sharon enjoyed having Tea with her parents growing up and last year she gave Teas through her “Lily Brown’s Tea Room” at the former Victoria’s Sweet Treats location. Sharon is also an amateur photographer who enjoys catching the beauty of nature, unusual shots and glimpses of people who are not expecting their picture to be taken.

 

It’s a new day and a new direction at your Welcome Center. The Welcome Center is staffed with Saturday Specialist Joan Ritcey and Welcome Center Director Sharon Crenshaw. Also, Mr. Joe Ferguson, Chairman of the Stephens County Foundation and the Tugaloo Bend Heritage Site, has agreed to be the new Chairman of the Tourism Promotion Committee.  

Sharon will spend the summer familiarizing herself with all the tourism “points of interest” in Toccoa-Stephens County. She is looking forward to meeting the tourism partners and learning more about this beautiful community. Please help us welcome her to this new position and follow her journey on Facebook at the “Welcome Center for Toccoa-Stephens County”. 

I have a few announcements for you:

The Chamber’s 68^th Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony celebration was last week at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center.  Major accomplishments and outstanding achievements were recognized. Be sure to congratulate this year’s award winners! For a complete list please visit our Chamber web site, www.toccoagachamber.com

 

The Chamber’s 17^th Annual Golf Tournament, presented by North Georgia Credit Union, is at the award winning Currahee Club this Friday!  At 23 teams, the tournament is full and we have a “wait list” to play at this time.

We have a NEW marketing opportunity for you!  Your Chamber and “Deal Armstrong” are partnering to create an exclusive Chamber Member coupon flyer. There are online - marketing opportunities galore here, reaching close to 8,000 North Georgians, in 8 counties who have opted in to see regional deals. Call us today for more information and to reserve your spot. 

Finally, TODAY at 10am we have special Ribbon Cutting for Toccoa Insurance Agency at their new location on Rosedale behind Next To Me Medical Supplies. Come visit with Margaret Nix and learn more about how they provide insurance for business and individuals, with the personal service and attention you deserve. That’s 10am at the new location on Rosedale. 

There are so many great events happening this weekend. On Saturday is the Tugaloo Bend Snakes of NEGA program, and the Fast Track Touring Race at the Toccoa Speedway. Also, this weekend is the ACS Relay for Life. For more information see the community calendar at www.toccoagachamber.com   That’s your weekly update! I’m Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President!