Thursday 6-7-12

Hello this is Johnny Gailor – the Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce intern with your Weekly Chamber Update. 

TSPLOST stands for Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Stephens, along with 12 other counties, will vote on July 31 to determine if an additional one-cent sales tax will be levied to support road infrastructure and improvements.  Approval isn't by county. If Stephens County citizens vote against the idea, but a majority in the region are in favor, then the tax will be implemented. Similarly, if Stephens votes in favor of the road improvement tax, but it is not passed in the region, it will not be implemented.

Stephens has 2 projects. The first project is the State Route 17 Widening from 2 to 4 lanes from Scott Road north to the Veteran’s Parkway (or Toccoa By-Pass). The second project is the 365 extension from Wal-Mart to the South Carolina US123 bridge.

If voted in, Stephens will be a “recipient” county, meaning that the projects on the list will cost more than the anticipated revenue raised in Stephens from the additional one-cent tax. The tax will be in effect for ten years.           

The GA Chamber is spearheading the promotion and passage of TSPLOST for more jobs, safer roads and more control of the projects.  The campaign is called Connect Georgia and the web site is www.connectgeorgiamountains.com.

Your Chamber’s role is to be the Community’s source for information. We will share all the facts and figures we have so you are the most educated voters in the region. We will not take a "for" or "against" position. We want the citizens to make an informed vote.

The Chamber held the first T-SPLOST Forum this week and there will be another one next Thursday. The public is invited.  Come hear from the DOT, the state Regional Director for Connect Georgia, from our elected officials and from our local leadership. We will have handouts, project maps, project posters and other materials to distribute.  These forums will present facts and, hopefully, clear up these misconceptions.

The next Forum is on Thursday June 14^th at 12pm at the North Georgia Technical College, Currahee Campus. Arrive early as the Culinary School serves lunch for $7 starting at 11:30am.  

Please call the Chamber with your TSPLOST questions at 706-886-2132. We will post all the questions and answers on our Blog and Facebook page.   

I have two announcements for you today:

First - The Concerned Citizens of Toccoa-Stephens County are selling $3 raffle tickets for a chance to win a 55” flat screen Sony TV. All proceeds go to fight for clean air for our children and citizens and to stop the horrible smells coming from the Wilbros Plant. Tickets are available at the Chamber and Welcome Center.

Second – TODAY there is a Business After Hours at the First Citizens Bank downtown location at 5pm. Come see their new office renovations. The Jack Pot drawing is at 5:30pm and its up to $700. You must be present to win.

The chamber is the leading, private business association in our community. Members get visibility, referrals and assistance with business challenges. Membership is affordable and tax deductible. We are working together for a better Toccoa-Stephens County.       

That’s your weekly Update. I’m Johnny Gailor – your Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Intern. 

The first TSPLOST Forum is Tuesday June 5^th at 5:30pm at the Historic Stephens County Courthouse downtown Toccoa.  Hear from the Development Authority Director Tim Martin on the County’s transportations projects.  Hear from Connect Georgia’s Regional Director Tim Davis. Ask our elected officials and local leadership the following questions: How were the projects chosen?  If Stephens County votes TSPLOST down but other counties in our region vote yes, will we have to pay the sales tax? If we vote NO but the region votes YES, will our projects still be completed and will we get the money for local use? Will the TSPLOST sales tax be paid on food? How can we be sure that all the road projects that were chosen will actually be funded? Why doesn’t the Legislature just raise the gasoline tax instead of adding a penny sales tax? Will the TSPLOST become a permanent tax? Get the answers at the Forum!  

Q: Will TSPLOST help reduce property taxes?

A: No one can guarantee a property tax decrease because of this new TSPLOST. However, since it will supplement the Road Department budget, it could take some pressure off property taxes if it were to pass region wide and certainly could have a positive impact.

Q: Why doesn’t the Legislature just raise the gasoline tax instead of adding a penny sales tax?

A: It has been said that it would take about 25 cents per gallon of gasoline tax to equal 1% sales tax. Furthermore, with the increase in efficiency of automobiles and with less vehicle miles being driven because of the economy, the 25 cent tax would not keep up with the transportation needs of the future.

Q: Will the TSPLOST become a permanent tax?

A:  No. Although this tax is designed to expire after 10 years, it could be extended only if:
1. A minimum of 7 out of 13 counties request an extension of another 10 years.
2. That request must be approved by the State Legislature.
3. If requested and approved it must then go before the voters of our region again and be approved by 50% plus 1 vote region wide.
It cannot be extended beyond 10 years in any manner other than this procedure, so any extension would be the will of the majority of voters.

Q: Will the TSPLOST sales tax be paid on food?

A: YES. It will be paid on the same items that our local SPLOST and Education SPLOST are paid on, which includes food. However no SPLOST is charged on purchases made with food stamps.

Q: How can we be sure that all the road projects that were chosen will actually be funded?

A: GDOT provided the funding estimates for the projects based on their recent experience of road cost. They have assured the County that these numbers will be as accurate as possible. All projects are projected to be completed on three scheduled dates. Should there not be enough money to complete a project in a particular County, they will only receive the amount of money on the list. Any cost overrun or revenue shortage would have to come from that County and not from another County.

Q: Will TSPLOST help reduce property taxes?

A: No one can guarantee a property tax decrease because of this new TSPLOST. However, since it will supplement the Road Department budget, it could take some pressure off property taxes if it were to pass region wide and certainly could have a positive impact.

Q: Why doesn’t the Legislature just raise the gasoline tax instead of adding a penny sales tax?

A: It has been said that it would take about 25 cents per gallon of gasoline tax to equal 1% sales tax. Furthermore, with the increase in efficiency of automobiles and with less vehicle miles being driven because of the economy, the 25 cent tax would not keep up with the transportation needs of the future.

Q: Will the TSPLOST become a permanent tax?

A:  No. Although this tax is designed to expire after 10 years, it could be extended only if:
1. A minimum of 7 out of 13 counties request an extension of another 10 years.
2. That request must be approved by the State Legislature.
3. If requested and approved it must then go before the voters of our region again and be approved by 50% plus 1 vote region wide.
It cannot be extended beyond 10 years in any manner other than this procedure, so any extension would be the will of the majority of voters.

Weekly Chamber Update as heard on WNEG AM 630 every Thursday at 6:45am, 12:45pm and 5:45pm.

Thursday 5-23-12

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

TSPLOST stands for Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and this referendum will be on the ballot in July.

If it is passed by the public, it will add one penny to the sales tax for 10 years and the funds will be used only for transportation projects.

The GA Chamber is spearheading the promotion and passage of TSPLOST for more jobs, safer roads and more control of the projects.  The campaign is called Connect Georgia and the web site is www.connectgeorgiamountains.com.

Your Chamber’s role is to be the Community’s source for information. We will share all the facts and figures we have so you are the most educated voters in the region.  

We will have two T-SPLOST Public Forums so you can hear from the state Regional Director for Connect Georgia, from our elected officials and from our local leadership. We will have handouts, project maps, project posters and other materials to distribute.  

The first forum is Tuesday June 5^th at 5:30pm at the Historic Stephens County Courthouse on Tugalo Street. The second is on Thursday June 14^th at 12pm at the North Georgia Technical College, Currahee Campus. Arrive early as the Culinary School serves lunch for $7 starting at 11:30am.  

Please call the Chamber with your TSPLOST questions at 706-886-2132. We will post all the questions and answers on our Blog and Facebook page.   

I have two announcements for you today.

First - The Concerned Citizens of Toccoa-Stephens County are selling $3 raffle tickets for a chance to win a 55” flat screen Sony TV. All proceeds go to fight for clean air for our children and citizens and to stop the horrible smells coming from the Wilbros Plant. Tickets are available at the Chamber and Welcome Center.

Second – We have a Business After Hours on Thursday May 31st to celebrate the YMCA’s opening of the Doyle Street pool and their new Director Robin Dake. Come celebrate with us at 5pm with the Jack Pot drawing at 5:30pm. It’s up to $700 and you must be present to win.

The chamber is the leading, private business association in our community.  The Welcome Center distributes maps and information to over 15,000 visitors each year.  This is the last week to buy an ad in the new Community map. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to promote your business and to promote Buying Local!

That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President. 

This Weekly Chamber Update can also be heard on WNEG AM 630 every Thursday at 6:45am, 12:45pm and 5:45pm.

Thursday 5-16-12

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

You are invited to participate in a “Spring Training for Life” workshop with Tommy Newberry on Friday May 18^th, from 9am to 12pm at the 1^st Franklin Training Center on Doyle Street. The workshop is hosted by 1^st Franklin Financial Corporation in partnership with the Chamber.

 

Tommy is the head coach of The 1% Club, Inc., a firm he launched in 1991 to help successful entrepreneurs grow their businesses - without sacrificing their faith, family or health.

He’s equipped business leaders in more than thirty industries to work less, earn more, and enjoy greater satisfaction with the right accomplishments.

He has also created a Couples Planning Retreat which took planning tools into the family realm including workshops for teens, parenting and designing a more enriching family life together.  

He wrote and self-published, Success Is Not an Accident, and has sold more than 100,000 copies. The book reflects his personal conviction that success is both a very good thing for society and also the result of intentional thinking and acting. His books will be available for purchase during the workshop. 

Everyone is invited to participate! Registrations for the event can be made by calling the Chamber at 706-886-2132, 1^st Franklin Financial - Phyllis Morris at 706-886-7571 or The Learning Tree Academy - Logan Harris at 706-886-9900. 

The fee is $10 if you are a Chamber member and $12 for non-members.  The fee includes workshop materials and a sandwich lunch.  Call today for a workshop that could change your life!

Visit www.TommyNewberry.com 

I have one announcement for you today: 

The Concerned Citizens of Toccoa-Stephens County are selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a 55” flat screen Sony TV. All proceeds go to the fight for clean air for our children and citizens. Help the Concerned Citizens stop the horrible smells coming from the Wilbros Plant. Tickets are $3 and are available at the Chamber and Welcome Center.

Your Chamber is the leading, private business association in our community.  The Welcome Center distributes maps and information to over 15,000 visitors each year.  Don’t miss the opportunity to advertise in the latest edition of county the map – 5,000 maps will be ordered this spring.  It is an excellent way to promote your business and to promote Buying Local!

That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President. 

Weekly Chamber Update as heard on WNEG AM 630 every Thursday at 6:45am, 12:45pm and 5:45pm. 

Thursday 4-26-12

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

Today is the Annual Drugs Don’t Work conference with speaker Adam Raulerson, of Laurelwood at the NEGA Health System.  This conference satisfies the training requirement for businesses to maintain their drug free certification.  It also serves to recruit more businesses - to become certified drug free - and realize the 7.5% savings on the Worker’s Compensation premiums.  If you would like to learn more on how your business can become a certified drug free workplace please call the Chamber today!

I have a few announcements for you:

NEXT WEDNESDAY is the North Georgia Credit Union, Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament! There's probably no better place in the world to conduct business than on the golf course.  The tournament is all filled up but there is still time to promote your business with a hole sign on the tee box. It’s a great way to market your business to both Franklin and Stephens Counties! Don’t miss it! Call 706-886-2132 today!

NEXT THURSDAY May 3^rd is a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Reynold’s Pool & Spa at 10am at their new location on Big A Road next to Mike’s Pizza. Come meet Rich, Aida and Heather Reynolds and hear all about their new business operation.     

Finally, the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony with Key Note Speaker, the State Attorney General, Sam Olens is Tuesday May 8^th.  This is an opportunity to celebrate the Chamber’s successes, recognize our outstanding board members, Ambassadors and businesses, and install our new slate of officers including our new Chairman Lee Ellen Fields of Johnson and Fields, CPA’s.   

The chamber is the leading, private business association in our community.  The Welcome Center distributes maps and information to over 15,000 visitors each year.  Don’t miss the opportunity to advertise in the latest edition of county the map – 5,000 maps will be ordered this spring.  It is an excellent way to promote your business and to promote Buying Local!

That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President. 

GOLDEN DAMIVERSITY CELEBRATION

LAKE HARTWELL MARKETING ALLIANCE

CONTACT:  Larry Torrence, 706-436-0166

                  

Lake Hartwell’s 50^th Anniversary Traveling History Exhibit to Open April 27

Hartwell, Ga. - Stunning images, historical photos and a remarkable look at Lake Hartwell’s last 50 years will be on display at the history exhibit – “Once Upon A Dam: A Golden Retrospective.”  The one-of-a-kind exhibit will open April 27 and run through May 28 at the Hart County Arts Center.

The traveling exhibit will visit all six counties that border Lake Hartwell (Anderson, Oconee, Pickens Counties in South Carolina and Franklin, Hart, Stephens Counties in Georgia).  Each county will stage and the historical exhibit for four to five weeks.

The organizing group known as the Hartwell 50^th Anniversary Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance Traveling Exhibit Committee has been working for months with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local area residents to select images of high quality that tell a complete story of Lake Hartwell’s dynamic growth, impact and emotion.  Committee organizer James Payne, the supervisory power project manager for the corps at the Hartwell Project power plant said, “There were so many we like; we had to stop somewhere. The traveling tour will be a remarkable history lesson for many and an emotional memory experience for others.  There’s never been anything quite like this in the six county Lake Hartwell area.”

All exhibits will be at sites that are open to the public and each county will also add local images to the already large display.  All exhibits are free admission.

Larry Torrence, executive director of the Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance, said that this series of exhibits is an outstanding example of a multi-county community outreach program.  “This event is a product of hard work by so many helpful volunteers.  It represents a powerful visual of Lake Hartwell’s impact on all of us.”

Hart Electric Membership Cooperative donated $8,600 to develop the exhibit and other private supporters include Hartwell-based Docks South.

“Once Upon A Dam: A Golden Retrospective” is a part of a series of special Lake Hartwell 50^th Anniversary celebration events called “The Golden Damiversity” and is presented in association with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance.

“Once Upon A Dam: A Golden Retrospective” traveling history tour will include the following dates and locations:

            April 27 – May 28       Hart County Arts Center        Hartwell, GA.

            June 7 – July 4            Anderson County Museum     Anderson, SC

            July 5 – August 6        Pickens Courthouse                Pickens, SC

August 10 – September 8       Bowers House             Cannon, GA

October 1 – November 5        The Cornerstone Restaurant Toccoa, GA      

November 6 – December 7     Oconee County (Location TBD)

NOTE:  Lake Hartwell outdoor adventure visitor destination is marketed by the non-profit Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance (LHMA).  LHMA consists of 200 board members that represent all surrounding counties, an executive committee and an executive director sharing a common mission:  Create economic development by uniting, marketing and promoting Lake Hartwell as a premier tourism destination.  LHMA will generate responsible marketing communications through the assistance of public and private funding.

WNEG AM 630 Weekly Chamber Update

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

You are invited to visit with Senator John Wilkinson and Representative Michael Harden this Friday April 20^th at 8am in the Mitchell Allen meeting room, at the train depot, downtown Toccoa.

The Senator and Representative will provide updates on the top issues, challenges, concerns and successes during the session and they will take questions and comments from the audience.

The event will be moderated by the Chamber Government Affairs Committee and is sponsored in part by AT&T. The Government Affairs Committee includes Lee Hicks, MC Stowe, Jack Webb, Brain Akin and Michelle Grafton. Coffee by Perk Up and pastries by Heavenly Desserts will be served. Please RSVP by calling the Chamber at 706-886-2132.

I have a few announcements for you:

FIRST – the Annual Drugs Don’t Work conference is Thursday April 26^th with speaker Adam Raulerson, of Laurelwood. This conference satisfies the training requirement for businesses to maintain their drug free certification. It also serves to recruit more businesses - to become certified drug free - and realize the 7.5% savings on the Worker’s Compensation premiums. Call the Chamber today to learn more.

SECOND - There's probably no better place in the world to conduct business - than on the golf course. And if you’re not a golfer you can still promote your business with a hole sign on the tee box. The NGCU Chamber Challenge is Wednesday May 2^nd at the Currahee Club. Don’t miss it!

THIRD - The Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony with Attorney General, Sam Olens is Tuesday May 8^th. The deadline for award nominations is this Friday. Call or come by to submit your nomination today.

Finally – There is a Business After Hours, for Currahee Vineyards, at 5pm at the Cornerstone Restaurant. Come meet Ashley and Marvin Dunson and hear all about their operation. Their Ribbon Cutting will be this Friday at 3pm at their location on Cawthon Rd.

The chamber is the leading, private business association. The Welcome Center distributes maps and information to over 15,000 visitors each year. Don’t miss the opportunity to advertise in the latest edition of county the map - an excellent way to promote Buying Local!

That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President.