2010 Community Branding Survey

January 27, 2010

The Georgia tourism industry gathered for the 2010 Tourism Day at the Capitol this week to celebrate the significant role tourism plays in Georgia’s economy - as the 2nd largest industry behind agriculture.

The tourism industry presented a BIG check to the state, representing the $850 million generated in state tax revenue, from tourism-related expenditures.

Your Chamber was recognized as one of 41 agencies who received grant funding from the state to promote tourism. Our Tourism Promotion Committee is using that funding to renew the Toccoa-Stephens County brand - for a new County advertising campaign - as well for a new County brochure and postcards.

So have we heard from you yet? Have you filled out the 2010 Community Branding Survey? We hope all Toccoa-Stephens County citizens will join us in our effort - and share what makes Toccoa-Stephens County special and unique to them.

Please visit www.toccoagachamber.com and click on the survey link on the bottom left of the Chamber’s home page.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Toccoa-Stephens County Leadership Team Attends Georgia Chamber Events

The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber organized a leadership team to attend the January 11-12, 2010 Georgia Chamber Annual Meeting Dinner and Eggs & Issues Breakfast, along with Senator Butterworth and Representative Harden.

At the dinner we heard from keynote speaker, Governor Mike Huchabee who shared his thoughts on national issues including healthcare, education and the federal deficit.

At the breakfast we heard from the Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, the newly elected Speaker of the House David Ralston and Governor SOnny Perdue. They reviewed many of the key challenges the legislators are facing as the 2010 General Assembly gets underway, such as the economy, water, transportation and education.

The leadership group from Toccoa-Stephens County networked with legislators, state agency representatives, and fellow Chamber and Development Authority colleagues to build and sustain relationships and goodwill as well as advance our agenda priorities including Hwy 17 expansion and keeping Traveler's Rest open for visitation.

It was a great opportunity for the leadership team to bond and share our community spirit and pride with key officials.

Chamber Membership is a Key Component of any Businss Plan

It's a brand new year and a great time to remind our readers that membership in the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber is a key component of any business plan. Networking and promotion are just a few of the benefits that Chamber membership can bring. We provide an opportunity for businesses to do together - what no business can do by itself. We are affordable and tax deductible. What business wouldn't want to be a member of the Chamber? Please call the TSC Chamber at 706-886-2132 for a consultaiton on all the benefits of membership.

Quick Links

COUNTY / CITY:

Stephens County

706-886-9491

Commissioners meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month in the newly renovated courthouse. On every 2nd Tuesday meeting times are 5:oo p.m. (work session) and 5:3o p.m. (regular meeting). On every 4th Tuesday meeting times are 8:30 a.m. (work session) and 9:00 a.m. (regular meeting).

City of Toccoa

706-886-8451.

http://www.cityoftoccoa.com/

Commissioners meet every 2nd and 4th Monday at 5:00pm in City Hall.

Stephens County Development

Authority

706-886-4242

http://www.scda.biz/

Meets the 2nd Thursday of every month at 8:15am in the Grand Jury Room.

The Main Street Program

706-282-3269

http://www.mainstreettoccoa.com/

Meets the 1st Wednesday of every month at 8:00am in City Hall, mainstreet conference room.

Stephens County Tax Commissioner

706-886-4753

Census Data

http://quickfacts.census.gov/

Georgia Statistics

http://www%2Cgeorgiafacts.net/

MEDICAL:

Stephens County Hospital

706-282-4200

http://www.stephenscountyhospital.com/

Wilkinson Center

706-886-2977

http://www.stephenscountyhospital.com/

Clary Care Center

706-282-1197

http://www.stephenscountyhospital.com/

Toccoa Clinic

706-282-4088

http://www.toccoaclinic.com/

Toccoa Cancer Center

706-297-7023

http://www.nghs.com/

EDUCATION:

Stephens County School Board of Education

706-886-9415

http://www.stephenscountyschools.com/
Meets the 4th Tuesday 5:30 to 6pm to address the board, 6pm Stephens County School System Administrative Office, 706-886-9415.

North Georgia Technical College

Clarksville: 706-754-7700

Currahee: 706-779-8100

http://www.northgatech.edu/

Toccoa Falls College

706-886-6831

http://www.tfc.edu/

TOURISM:

The Stephens County Historical Society

706-282-5055

http://www.toccoahistory.com/

Visit http://www.georgia.org/

Travelers Rest Historic Site

706-886-2256

http://gastateparks.org/info/travelers/

CONVENTION CENTERS:

Georgia Baptist Conference Center

706-886-3133

http://cmp.gabaptist.org/common/content.asp?PAGE=386

Camp Mikell Conference Center

706-886-7515

http://www.campmikell.com/

Camp Toccoa

706-886-2457

http://www.campfireusaga.org/toccoanews.htm

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES:

North Georgia Community Concert Association

706-297-7121

http://www.negaconcerts.com/

The Toccoa Stephens County Community Theater

706-282-9799

http://www.tscct.org/

Toccoa Symphony Orchestra

706-886-7959

LOCAL NEWS:

Toccoa Record

706-886-9476

http://www.thetoccoarecord.com/

WNEG Radio AM 630

706-886-2191

http://www.wnegradio.com/programming.htm

WNEG Television News Channel 32

706-886-0032

http://www.wneg32.com/

REAL ESTATE:

Currahee Club

(706) 827-1000

Talan Properties
(706) 297-7480

James O'Hayes Realty, Inc.
(706) 491-6003

Ingrid Lee Realtors

706-886-7856

http://www.ingridleerealtors.com/

Hammock Realty

706-886-7451

http://www.ga-mountain-realestate.com/

Northview

706-282-0303

770-497-4427

706-491-0867

http://www.northviewproperties.com/

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS:

Lion’s Club of Toccoa

706-886-5787

http://www.toccoalions.org/

Rotary Club of Toccoa

706-886-3101

President of Rotary Club of Toccoa -Alan Coker, Vice President for Operations; Interim Vice President for Student Development.

http://www.clubrunner.ca/CPrg/Home/homeC.asp?cid=3127

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.