Chamber Expo drives business! - Carroll County Chamber of

Chamber News
The Award Winning Monthly Newsletter
of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce
October 2010
Chamber Expo drives business!
www.carroll-ga.org
Carroll Chamber Board member Mark Foster and Todd Rupp of Walker Cadillac-Buick-GMC showcase their
autos at the 2010 Small Business Expo.
See Expo highlights on page 16 ...
CARROLL COUNTY CHAMBER
2010 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman—Dr. Faye McIntyre
Richards College of Business—UWG
Chairman-Elect—Robie York
Prater & York LLC
Vice-Chairman—Leonard Woolsey
Times-Georgian
Treasurer—Gary Leftwich
Southwire
Past Chairman—Joe Stone
Systems and Methods Inc.
2010 Board of Directors
Terry Birdsong
Sue Bloodworth
Amy Brown
Ben Butler
George Chambers
Mark Camp
Casey Coleman
Kent Edwards
Rick Ford
Mark Foster
Lucy Gamble
Byron Hunt
Chip Jakins
Anita Jones
Terry Langley
Rocky Lipham
Heidi McGuire
Jimmy Meigs
Alicia Michael
Steve Minor
Ann Newman
Jason Newman
Derick Newton
Trent North
G. W. Rogers
Tim Warren
Mike Washington
Larry Wood
Kathy Yates
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Decostar Industries
City of Mt. Zion
State Farm Insurance
Tanner Health System
Carroll Co. Farm Bureau
Advantage Office Solutions
City of Carrollton
Carrollton City Schools
City of Temple
Walker Cadillac
City of Whitesburg
Sand-Stone, Inc.
Carroll EMC
West GA Technical College
Carroll County Sheriff Office
Community & Southern Bank
The Town Planner
City of Bowdon
Carrollton Collision Center
Tisinger Vance PC
Bank of North Georgia
Die Tech
Edward Jones Investments
Carroll County Commission
West GA Technical College
United Community Bank
The UPS Store
City of Villa Rica
Georgia Power
www.carroll-ga.org
The Carroll County
Chamber of Commerce—
fostering a dynamic business
and community environment .
Carroll Chamber News
Next Ad Deadline
October 22nd !!
Promote your business with a full color
advertisement in the Chamber News:
Business card 2x3” - $20.00
1/4 page 4x5” - $30.00
1/2 page 5x8” - $40.00
Full-page portrait 8x10” - $50.00
Submit your camera-ready ads
(300 dpi+) electronically to
communications@carroll-ga.org
For more information, please call
(678)890-2332.
The Carroll Chamber of Commerce Chamber News is
distributed online on the first business day of each month to
over 700 Chamber members and community leaders.
CARROLL COUNTY
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
200 Northside Drive, Carrollton, Georgia 30117
Phone: 770-832-2446 Fax: (770) 832-1300
carrollchamber@carroll-ga.org
www.carroll-ga.org
US Chamber ‘Get Out the
Vote’ campaign begins
Area entrepreneurs gather
for unveiling of RISE
Bill Miller, Senior Vice President & National Political Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, believes the business community will play a critical
role in engaging citizens from across the country in
the legislative and political process in preparation of
Election Day on November 2, 2010.
The University of West Georgia, along with Carroll
Tomorrow, The Burson Center and the UWG Small
Business Development Center, recently hosted a celebration announcing the virtual Resource for Innovation, Small business and Entrepreneurship (RISE) program.
Eight years ago, the U.S. Chamber launched VoteForBusiness (VFB) – the Chamber’s advocacy program aimed at equipping the business community
with the tools necessary to inform voters during the
election season. Since then, the U.S. Chamber’s
grassroots network has grown into a formidable
force said to “rival those of the major political parties” and “to be a major force on the issues and elections it focuses on each year.”
The announcement was made at the inaugural Entrepreneur Excellence Banquet held for over 60 entrepreneurs from the six-county area of Carroll, Coweta,
Douglas, Haralson, Heard and Polk. The event featured a panel discussion with successful entrepreneurs
Allen Nance, founder and president of the Mansell
Group, W. Cliff Oxford, founder and CEO of Entrepreneur Advisors, Christa Pitts, COO of Creatively
Classic Activities and Books, and Bob Stone, founder
and chairman of Systems & Methods, Inc.
“Following one of the toughest legislative landscapes in recent history – and one of the harshest
economic environments to date, the 2010 midterm
elections are our chance to weigh in and support
American jobs and recovery. If legislation will hurt
jobs, we’ll find officials who will protect them,”
states Miller.
For more information, www.voteforbusiness.com.
The RISE program will create an online “incubator
village” to assist entrepreneurs offering counseling,
resource information exchange, distance learning opportunities, 3-D tradeshows and other helpful information for business owners on the program’s website. “It
is our hope to reach those business owners who may
not be able to leave their workplaces for our seminars,
training and counseling,” stated Donna Lackey, director of The Burson Center.
RISE will host three small business forums throughout
the year, as well as provide online training. An estimated 2,500 small businesses in the West Georgia region will benefit from the RISE program’s virtual village.
Staff Directory
Daniel Jackson ♦ President/CEO
Donna Armstrong Lackey ♦ Vice President, Business Development/Comm. Relations
Suzy Montalto ♦ Director, Accounting & Administrative Services
daniel@carroll-ga.org
donna@carroll-ga.org
suzy@carroll-ga.org
Suzy McCorkel ♦ Director, Programs & Events
suzymc@carroll-ga.org
Josh Rhine ♦ Manager, Economic Development
josh@carroll-ga.org
Cara Welch ♦ Membership Sales Associate
membership@carroll-ga.org
Joan Finch ♦ Administrative Assistant/Drugs Don’t Work Coordinator
joan@carroll-ga.org
Kathy Walker Rupp ♦ Administrative Assistant, The Burson Center
burson@carroll-ga.org
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Thank you
2010 Forward Carroll Sponsors
Gold
Advantage Office Solutions
Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
Decostar Industries, Inc.
University of West Georgia
West Georgia Technical College
Platinum
Silver
Ag-South Mortgages
Michael L. Stone
FOGO Data Networks
Dan P. McBrayer, CLU
River City Bank
Bronze
American Sign Depot, Inc.
Edward Jones Investments—Fred O'Neal
Fairfield Plantation Property Owners Assoc.
First Baptist Church, Carrollton
Garrett, Stephens, Thomas & Fazio & Co. PC
Hannah Electric Co., Inc.
Janus International
Charter Bank
Prater & York LLC
Tisinger Vance P.C.
Chamber Spirit Visit
CHAMBER PERKS
Are you making use of the Chamber
Community Calendar?
Not only is it a good source for planning
your weekend but it also is a great
resource for planning your events, so that
your event is not in conflict with
another event. Annual events stay on the
calendar with the new date replaced as
soon as it is available.
Check it out at www.carroll-ga.org,
and click on “Community Calendar”.
Jill Duncan and staff of State Farm-Jill Duncan, 1654
Maple St., Carrollton, were honored with a Spirit Visit
from Chamber Ambassadors and staff on September 24th.
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www.carroll-ga.org
Please email your public events to
joan@carroll-ga.org.
Don’t Miss the
Salad Luncheon!
Sponsored by
The Carrollton Civic Woman’s Club
Tickets $10.00
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Luncheon 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Carrollton First United Methodist Church
Purchase your ticket from a
club member or at the door.
Carry-outs available
Also enjoy our Silent Auction– 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Proceeds to benefit CCWC Community Projects
Bake Sale to benefit “Carroll County Soup Kitchen”
10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Carrollton First United Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall
206 Newnan Street
Carrollton, GA 30117
For more information contact Laura Miller – 678-890-2357
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. . . and exhibit sponsors who will be displaying their products & services during the evening: Indulge Salon and Day Spa Harvest Your Dreams Travel Advanced Massage Therapies 6
October
2010
www.carroll-ga.org
Chamber News
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Making Chamber News
… featuring our members
United Community Bank
Junior Board named
Bremen Quality Inn
recognized
United Community Bank in Carrollton is pleased
to announce the members of this year’s Junior Board
of Directors. The Junior Board – which is the
bank’s fourth consecutive board – is composed of 12
outstanding high school students from Central and
Carrollton High School. Students applied and were
selected through their school advisors.
Choice Hotels recently awarded the Quality Inn
Bremen “Exceptional” status. The hotel was graded in
three areas: brand standards section, cleanliness section and condition section. To receive “exceptional
status”, a property must score equal to or greater than
93% and have no missed brand identity items.
The United Community Bank-West Georgia 2010/
2011 Junior Board of Directors are, from Central
High School: Matthew Balte, Holden Blunschi,
Brenda Campos, Raven Jackson, Austin Lackey and
Daniel Sammon. From Carrollton High School:
The Bremen Quality Inn received the Choice Hotels
International “Gold Award” with a 98.1%, and the
“Highest Overall Room Condition Award”. This
honor recognizes Bremen Quality Inn as the #1 Quality Inn in the southern region, which includes Georgia,
Alabama, and Mississippi.
Special Thanks!
Georgia Cottrell, Nick Fazio, Sylvia Hjertstrom,
Taylar Martin, Diamada Riofrio, and Jessica
Stephens. These young board members will be introduced to the local business community and will
get behind-the-scenes exposure to banking, leadership skills and community service.
The Junior Board will develop leadership skills by
conducting and participating in various team building and fundraising projects, including the 4th annual
Prance Your Paws for a Cause Dog Show & Expo
on Saturday, March 19th as well as working with The
Community Foundation of West Georgia with their
Wrap Up Hunger program by making boxes and
signs to place all over the local area for drop offs.
The Board will also visit the State Capitol and Federal Reserve in Atlanta later this school year.
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The Chamber is appreciative to Chamber board member
Mark Camp, with Advantage Office Solutions, who recently donated and installed new blinds for the Chamber
conference room. Mark’s expertise and generosity have
been invaluable here at the Chamber as we have had several unexpected renovations the last couple of years.
Thank you Mark!
Also Shawn Phillips with Classic Gardens recently donated some fresh flowers for our courtyard containers.
Thank you Shawn and Classic Gardens!
Donations to the Chamber thus far have helped to renovate
the employee offices and the large conference room. We
will continue to use your generous donations to replace
conference room tables and chairs for a more modern professional facility representing the business community of
Carroll County. Improvements so far have been funded by
the optional investment fee members can pay upon membership renewal each year. Many other members are stepping up to provide in-kind donations as noted by the two
most recent donations mentioned above.
Contact Suzy Montalto at (770) 832-2446 for all donations
and inquiries. In kind and cash donations are warmly
accepted and appreciated to assist with our renovations.
ng
i
om s
c
Up vent
E
October 26—7:30am
Economic Forecast Breakfast
University of West Georgia
Campus Center Ballroom
October 27—8:30am
Small Business/Entrepreneur Committee
Chamber
October 28—9:00am-Noon
Education-Industry Tour
October 1 & 2
Hands on Carroll County
November 1
Chamber Board Retreat
October 6—8:30am
Chamber Ambassadors
Chamber
November 3—8:30am
Ambassador Committee
Chamber
October 7—8:30am
Workforce/Education Committee
Chamber
November 4—8:30am
Workforce/Education Committee
Chamber
October 7—5:30-7:00pm
Women’s Business Alliance
Inner Body & Soul
Sunset Hills Country Club
November 11—5:00-7:00pm
Networking After Hours
October 14—5:00-7:00pm
Networking After Hours
Charter Bank
October 18—11:30am-1:00pm
Chamber Board Meeting
Bowdon
October 20—11:30am-1:00pm
Business Success Luncheon
Generational Impacts on Business
Burson Center
November 17—11:30am-1:00pm
Business Success Luncheon
Drugs Don’t Work in the Workplace
Burson Center
November 24—8:30am
Small Business/Entrepreneur Committee
Chamber
November 25-26
Chamber Offices Closed
October 22
Spirit Visit
Chamber News
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Ribbon Cutting
Carroll County School System
board members and administration celebrate the expansion of
Villa Rica High School’s new
entrance and two-story instructional wing, and improvements to
the media center and cafeteria.
Turning Trash into Cash Seminar
The Chamber Environmental Projects and Existing Industry
Committees sponsored a well attended seminar, ‘Turning
Trash into Cash—Sustainable Solutions for Business’ on
September 23rd. Presenters Brad Smith from Green Sense;
Denise Quarles with Southwire; John Christmas with Biofuels
Racing Alliance; and, Tom Sammon of Georgia Tech Manufacturing Extension Program, shared insightful information
concerning best practices for environmental stewardship in
the workplace.
The Chamber wishes to thank our sponsors, Decostar, Green
Sense, Prater & York and Walmart.com, for co-hosting this
event.
Anyone interested in receiving copies of the presentations
from this seminar, please email communications@carrollga.org.
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Small Business Expo Highlights
Approximately 300 attendees enjoyed 33 exhibits at the 2010 Small Business Expo hosted by the Chamber Small Business/Entrepreneur Committee on September 9th. Visitors spent time talking with business representatives and enjoying
the food served up by Plates, Samba Loca and Sunnyside Café during the networking. Everyone had a chance to win a 3
day/2 night vacation courtesy of Harvest Your Dreams Travel—congratulations to Thomas Lewis! Thank you to all our
event sponsors—Advantage Office Solutions, American Sign Depot, Community & Southern Bank, Gradick Communications, Dr. Stephen Kahler-West Georgia Center for Plastic Surgery, Oak Mountain Academy, Omni Communications,
Robinson, Rowland & Co., PC, and Times-Georgian.
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2010
www.carroll-ga.org
Keep Carroll Beautiful is on
the move
Beginning in October, Keep Carroll Beautiful
(KCB) will relocate its offices to 105 Folds Drive,
Suite 3 after enjoying over 5 years of generosity
from the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.
Many of you may remember that the idea to bring a
Keep America Beautiful affiliate to Carroll County
was born from a quality of life study that was commissioned for Carroll County. In that study, litter
was identified as an important issue in our community. Since Keep America Beautiful is the foremost
litter prevention organization in the USA, the environmental projects committee of the Chamber of
Commerce decided that forming an affiliate in Carroll County would bring great benefits to this area.
In the past five years, Keep Carroll Beautiful has
successfully brought an awareness not only to the
blight of litter in our community, but spearheaded
major beautification activities like Hands on Carroll
County, garden tours including the 2008 Georgia
Historic House & Garden Pilgrimage and initiated bi
-annual electronics recycling collections that have to
date diverted over 500,000 pounds of e-waste from
the landfill.
Until recently, KCB was the education arm and a
driving force behind the City of Carrollton’s curbside recycling program and is now working with the
City of Villa Rica to bring curbside recycling to its
City residents. Thanks to grant money from local
foundations, Keep Carroll Beautiful can offer recycling of less mainstream commodities like florescent
light tubes, ballasts and batteries.
the Ambassador and Environmental Projects committees. In addition, KCB will continue to oversee
the in-house recycling program and is the “Grants to
Green” Green Champion for the Chamber of Commerce.
On behalf of the entire Board of Directors of Keep
Carroll Beautiful, we wish to thank the Carroll
County Chamber of Commerce and its members for
a great (more than) five years and look forward to a
new partnership for a long time to come.
Duane Sohl, Board President
Keep Carroll Beautiful/
Gradick Communications
Volunteer TODAY!
678-890-2361
www.keepcarrollbeautiful.org
None of this would be possible without the support
and generosity of the Carroll County Chamber of
Commerce, its Board of Directors and staff. Over
the past 5 years, the Chamber of Commerce has provided office and storage space to KCB, they have
also provided in-house marketing and tech support
as well as a phone line, copies, postage and internet
connection to KCB and its interns and volunteers.
The partnership (and membership) between KCB &
the Chamber of Commerce will continue even after
the move. Our executive director, Jacqueline Dost is
a very active volunteer with the Chamber on both
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Welcome New Members!
Best Western Inn & Suites
Vincent Patel
1111 Bankhead Ave.
Carrollton, Georgia 30117
Phone:
(770) 830-1000
Fax: (770 830-1110
Email:
vpatel56@gmail.com
Category: Hotel, motel, lodge and resort
Scott Evans Chrysler- Dodge-Jeep
Scott Evans
2280 Bankhead Avenue
Carrollton, Georgia 30117
Phone: (770) 834-5050
Fax: (770) 834-3364
Email: sevans2280@yahoo.com
Website: www.scottevansusa.com
Category: Auto Sales & Dealership
Rainbow International (Custom Cleaning
ENT LLC)
Chris Martin
1109 South Park Street
Carrollton, Georgia 30117
Phone:
(678) 378-7357
Fax: (770) 854-8817
Email:
chris.martin@rainbowintel.com
Website: www.rainbowintl.com
Category: Fire & Water Restoration
Scott Evans Nissan
Scott Evans
725 Bankhead Avenue
Carrollton, Georgia 30117
Phone: (770) 832-8222
Fax: (770) 832-9102
Email: sevans2280@yahoo.com
Website: www.scottevansusa.com
Category: Auto Sales & Dealership
Peoples Community National Bank
Tracy Perry
400 US Highway 27 Bypass
Bremen, Georgia 30110
Phone: (770) 537-2265
Fax: (678) 821-0355
Email: t.perry@pcnb.com
Category: Banks
Stepping Out for Christ Ministries, Inc.
Joe Louis
460 Mandeville Road
Carrollton, Georgia 30117
Phone: (404) 342-6474
Fax: (404) 342-6487
Email: steppingout101@bellsouth.net
Website: www.steppingoutforchrist.org
Category: Non-Profit
John Robertson
University of West Georgia
359 Parker Hall
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton, Georgia 30118
Phone: (678) 839-6431
Fax: (678) 839-6432
Email: johnroberts@westga.edu
Website: www.careerweb.westga.edu
Category: Education- Associate member for
The University of West Georgia
The Bridge Learning Center
Christie Hembree
259 Tom Reeve Drive
Carrollton, Georgia 30117
Phone: (770) 832-1930
Fax: (770) 832-2789
Email: christie.hembree@thebridgeatcarrollton.com
Website: www.bridgelearningcenter.com
Category: Childcare
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2010
www.carroll-ga.org
Thank You to our Renewing Members!
Archstone, Inc.
BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia
Bluewater Ropes, Inc.
Charter Bank
Cottage Landing
Decostar Industries, Inc.
Douglasville Conference Center
First Georgia Banking Company
Grant $$$$$ for You
Vicki Hardin
Harrison-Muller Enterprises
Joanna Laconto
Karen Lingrell
Magnolia Lake Apartment Homes
McGukin Construction Co. Inc.
Millstone Townhomes
Mount Prospect Church
Multi-Pest Services
North Point Baptist Church
Trinity Services Group Inc.
Wal-mart.com Fulfillment Center
West Central GA Workforce Dev.
Corp.
9th Annual
Grand Night for CASA
Saturday, October 16th
6:30 p.m.
Carrollton Cultural Arts Center
Sponsorship opportunities available.
Tickets are $60 each and can be
purchased at the CASA office.
Call 770-838-1964
for more information.
Literacy is for Today and Tomorrow
In support of a
brighter future for the
residents of
Carroll County!
Volunteer with LIFT Today
Call Laura Miller (678)890-2357
lift@carroll-ga.org
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