October 2009 ChamberLink (Page 1)

ChamberLink
We create the ‘link’ necessary to forge a model community.
Published for the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce by The Daily Citizen.
SEPTEMBER 2011
2. Chairman's Message
3-6. Feature Story
7. Golf Tournament
9. Leadership Dalton-Whitfield
10. Economic Development
12. Diplomat of the Month
13. Ribbon Cuttings
14. Prime Time
15. Chamber Connections
16. Member Mixer
17. Go Green
18. Spotlight on Business
19. New Members & Updates
Educational
Updates in
Greater Dalton
CALENDAR
Member Mixer
Thursday, September 15
Sophie’s Place
115 N. Hamilton Street
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Free to attend!
Prime Time
Time
Prime
Thursday, September 22
Thursday,
NorthWest Georgia
Georgia Trade Center
NorthWest
Center
5:00
p.m.
5:00 p.m. – 7:00
7:00 p.m.
Meet and Greet
Greet our
our newest
newest members
Free
to attend!
attend!
Free to
Good Morning Dalton
Focus on Education
Thursday, September 29
NorthWest Georgia Trade Center
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Tickets are $25.00 for members
$35.00 for non-members
Morning Member Mixer
Thursday, October 6
A Total Resource
511 Benjamin Way Suite 104
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Free to attend!
Chamber Connections
Friday, October 14
Outback Steakhouse
955 Market Street
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tickets $15.00 for members
$65.00 for non-members
For more information about the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce please visit our website at
www.daltonchamber.org
Thank you to our 2011 Chamber Program Year Sponsors who help make all of these events possible.
Chairman’s Message
Welcome to another edition of
ChamberLink. September officially wraps up our Chamber
year and marks my last
opportunity to address you
through ChamberLink. I’m
proud to have served such a
fine organization and look
forward to continued involvement in our great community.
Our membership continues to
be active through a variety of
events. Inside this issue you
will see many photos from the
recent Chamber Classic Golf Tournament. The tournament continued to be an excellent networking opportunity for our members and a lot of fun! We salute our sponsors who made this
tournament a huge success: Alliant Health Plans, IVC, Eagle
Rock Distributing Company and NovaCopy.
Please make sure to read our “Spotlight on Business.” Dalton
Falls Mini Golf and Laser Tag secured the Spotlight by attending
last month’s Dog-Gone Member Mixer at Four Paws Pet Resort.
So, remember to attend this month’s Member Mixer on
September 15th at Sophie’s Place. Your business could be featured next month in the Spotlight!
The Executive Board has just completed its annual retreat.
Congratulations to incoming Chairman Joe Yarbrough for a
well-planned and very productive event. We all look forward
to Joe’s leadership in the coming year in his role as Chairman
for the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce.
Thank you for permitting me the honor of serving you over the
past year.
Sincerely,
Lynn Laughter
Lynn Laughter, Chairman
Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce
890 College Drive, Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 278-7373
www.daltonchamber.org
Mission
To serve as the unified voice of business, to
promote the economic prosperity of the
region and to build partnerships and
leadership that improve the quality of life
while delivering superior member services.
Vision
The Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce
will provide the leadership necessary to
leverage community resources and build
partnerships that are focused on positive
community growth.
Organizational Priority
Strengthen our ability to marshal the
resources necessary to achieve positive
community growth by focusing on three core
areas: economic development, leadership
development and community development.
2
Chamber Link
Executive Board of Directors
Lynn Laughter, Chairman...................Laughter & Jones Financial Management
Joe Yarbrough, Chairman-Elect...........Mohawk Industries
Bryan McAllister, Treasurer-Chairman Elect Designate....Brown Industries
Brian Anderson, President & CEO.......Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce
Don Adcock.....................................Adcock Financial Group
Carl Bouckaert.................................Beaulieu Group
Penny Carpenter...............................Morehouse Group
John Davis.......................................Peacock Alley
Kelly Fletcher....................................North Georgia Business Machines
David Gregg, Past Chairman.............Alliance National Bank
David Jolly.......................................J&J Industries
Jim Kortum.......................................Windstream Communications
David Morgan.................................Shaw Industries, Inc.
Jeff Myers........................................Hamilton Healthcare System, Inc.
Pablo Perez, M.D.............................Saint Joseph Clinic, P.C.
Dan Rogers.....................................OMNOVA Solutions
Robert H. Smalley III..................................McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle & Fordham, L.L.P.
Andy Walker.........................................Alliance National Bank
Staff
Brian Anderson......................President & CEO
Michelle Bartenfeld.................Membership Account Executive
Andrew Carnes......................Economic Development Project Manager
Elyse Cochran………..............Senior Vice President of Economic Development
Beth Morrison……..................Vice President, Member Services
Maria Saldana.......................Administrative Assistant
Judy Sawyer….............……....Vice President, Finance & Administration
Alex Stall...............................Economic Development Senior Project Manager
Phyllis Stephens……................Senior Vice President
Barbara Ward…….................Director of Workforce Development
www.daltonchamber.org
September 2011
Feature Story
Relationships and Engagement Keys to Achievement
Fostering positive relationships
can lead to lifelong changes in
attitude, goals and achievements.
A focus on building these lifechanging connections creates and
extends benefits for everyone
who is part of the Dalton Public
Schools community, including students, their parents, and staff.
The DPS family is excited to continue building these relationships even as enrollment numbers increased by about 200
students this year. Through dedication to these students and a
whole-hearted commitment to the community, district teachers, staff, and administrators will continue to support designing lessons and experiences that engage students in learning.
District administration and the Board of Education are in the
midst of reviewing proposals to relieve overcrowding at
Dalton Middle School due to increased enrollment. A decision on a strategy to deal with facility needs is expected at
the September board meeting. That decision, as well as identifying other priorities for the Education Special Purpose Local
Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST), vote in November will be communicated with the community. As always, the focus remains
on making improvements to continue building a positive
learning environment that supports the district’s effort to educate students to become contributing citizens of the world.
This environment, based on strong relationships within the
schools and with the community, has helped many people
engage in beneficial programs and activities throughout the
summer months. The summer Big Red READS program was a
way for schools to reach out to the community even when
school was not in session. The program, which just completed its second year, was able to distribute more than 5,000
free books to local children and loan more than 800 packets
of books to Dalton students. The School Nutrition Program
Young students show off the books they received during
Big Red Reads.
served 160,712 breakfasts and lunches at no cost to Dalton
youth this summer as part of a federal nutrition program.
Nearly130 elementary children received additional instruction through summer school programs to be better prepared
for school this fall.
Dalton High School sent several students to leadership programs, such as the Governor’s Honors Program and the
North Georgia Summer Honors Program. The students
attending these programs have returned to their school with
skills they can use to make the Dalton Public Schools a better
place.
The school system is proud of these students and educators
and the countless others who work daily to bring their knowledge and experience to the community and to the schools,
always working to build a family of dedicated students and
educators.
Opportunity Thrives in Whitfield County Schools
The air is charged with excitement as Whitfield County Schools
builds on a solid tradition of
excellence to expand the opportunities available to everyone in
our community.
September 2011
Georgia Northwestern Technical College is working
alongside Dalton State College at the Whitfield Career
Academy campus this year. The new partnership brings
top-notch technical education to the region. Phoenix High
School also moved to the academy's campus this year.
These four organizations are finding new ways to work
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
3
Feature Story
together and offer more choices for students. This unified facility allows young adults to pursue several high
school pathways, delve into a baccalaureate degree
from the University System of Georgia, or seek a highquality technical education.
Coahulla Creek High School opened this year with
large flexible spaces where students learn while using
the latest technology. The Eastbrook community is excited construction is under way on its new middle school.
Student work has evolved as teachers design lessons
that exceed state and federal standards and incorporate 21st-century technology. While students work
together to produce work that affirms mastery of academics and skill, each student is encouraged to express
their profound learning in ways meaningful to them.
Our schoolhouses are transforming to reflect college
and professional experience.
New Hope Middle School student Kimberly Thomas holds a model
of a water well while her project partner Emily Duvall explains
Change 4 Change, a fundraising project students launched last
year to provide water in African villages. Students across the school
district take on projects that teach content and life lessons and
improve the quality of life in the community and around the world.
Proud to Be University System’s State College for
Northwest Georgia
Dalton State is proud to serve as
the University System of Georgia’s
state college for Northwest
Georgia. We educate our students
not just for their first jobs after college, but for productive lifetimes as
contributing citizens of the world.
Our students learn to think critically and to reason and to analyze; rather than teach them all the answers, we teach them
how to frame the proper questions. We do this by exposing
them to a wide variety of academic disciplines that are grounded in the liberal arts: humanities, math, science, and social science. We want them to explore creativity and learn all sides of
an issue before developing an opinion.
Dalton State is accessible and affordable and offers one of the
best values in college education anywhere in the country. The
College offers 14 bachelor degree programs (with two more
awaiting Board of Regents Approval) and a host of associate
degree and certificate programs. Along with our partners in the
Dalton and Whitfield County school systems and Georgia
Northwestern Technical College, Dalton State is working to
bring a comprehensive range of enriched educational opportunities to the students of our community.
4
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
September 2011
Feature Story
Georgia Northwestern Technical College Now Serving
Dalton/Whitfield
Georgia Northwestern Technical
College (GNTC) is proud to now
serve Whitfield County. GNTC
officially opened the new
Whitfield Murray Campus for fall
semester on August 22, 2011,
with an enrollment of 229 students. The new 33,523 square foot campus is housed in
the Whitfield Career Academy facility at 2300 Maddox
Chapel Rd. Program offerings at the Whitfield Murray
Campus include Business Management, Computer
Information Systems, Criminal Justice, Electronics, Industrial
Systems, and Technical Specialist.
Technical College campus or at their high school. Dual
enrolled students receive credits toward their high school
graduation and toward a college degree at the same time.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College also has a variety
of noncredit options available through the Office of
Economic Development including continuing education courses, business and industry training courses, Georgia Work
Ready Certification, and Georgia Quick Start.
The mission of Georgia Northwestern Technical College is to
provide accessible, high quality technical education and
workforce development opportunities. Approximately
23,383 people benefit from GNTC’s credit and noncredit
programs each year. With an annual credit enrollment of
9,795 students, GNTC is the largest college in Northwest
Georgia and the fifth largest technical college in the state of
Georgia. GNTC has an additional enrollment of 13,588
people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training, and Georgia Quick Start.
Among the programs available at GNTC is the opportunity
for high school students to participate in dual enrollment.
While still in high school, students can take college courses,
taught by a GNTC instructor, at any Georgia Northwestern
Industrial Systems is one of the offerings at
Georgia Northwestern.
For more on Local Education—Join us for our upcoming
Good Morning Dalton Breakfast Focus on Education
Thursday, September 29, 2011
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
NorthWest Georgia Trade Center
2211 Dug Gap Battle Road
*Buffet lines open at 7:15 a.m.
Join us as we welcome members of our Local School System
Danny Hayes - Whitfield County Schools
Dr. Jim Hawkins - Dalton Public Schools
Dr. John Schwenn - Dalton State College
Dr. Craig McDaniel - Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Tickets are $25.00 for Chamber Members, and $35.00 for Non-Members.
LAST DAY TO PURCHASE TICKETS IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011
THERE WILL BE NO TICKETS SOLD AT THE DOOR, SO RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY!
September 2011
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
5
Feature Story
The Dalton-Whitfield County Charter and Consolidation Commission:
It’s Smart to Study!
• Did you know . . . Our local government has asked a group of citizens to study the Dalton City
and Whitfield County government structure to ensure that we are operating as efficiently and effectively as possible?
• Did you know . . . The study commission will make no recommendations and will take no action
in regard to our local school systems?
• Did you know . . . The study commission will share its process and findings at forums open to the
general public?
• Did you know . . . After extensive study, this group of citizen volunteers can recommend (1) a full
consolidation of Dalton and Whitfield County’s governments, (2) a partial consolidation of certain
departments within those governments, or (3) no consolidation at all?
Did you know . . . Consolidation will not occur without the voters’ consent? In other words, the
choice is ultimately in your hands!
Whether our local governments consolidate or not, it’s smart to study! Please join the Archway
Partnership Executive Committee in supporting the efforts of the study commission.
This message is brought to you by the Executive Committee of the
Brian Anderson, Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce
Linda Blackman, Community Volunteer
William Bronson, The Daily Citizen
Elyse Cochran, Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority
Don Cope, Dalton Utilities
Mark Gibson, Whitfield County
David Gregg, Alliance National Bank
Dr. Jim Hawkins, Dalton Public Schools
Dr. Danny Hayes, Whitfield County Schools
Rick Hooper, Shaw Industries, Chair of the Archway Partnership
Dixie Kinard, Coldwell Banker Kinard Realty
Minnie Marsh, Willis Funeral Home
Dr. Ginger Mathis, Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Jeff Myers, Hamilton Health Care System
Ty Ross, City of Dalton
Dr. John Schwenn, Dalton State College, Co-Chair of the Archway Partnership
6
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
September 2011
Golf Tournament
2nd Annual Chamber Classic
2nd Annual Chamber
Classic Title Sponsor—
Alliant Health Plans
Hole Sponsors:
Adcock Financial Group
Alliance National Bank
Alliant Health Plans
Bnk Marketing
Carpet & Rug Institute
Dalton Plastic Surgery Center
Dalton Utilities/OptiLink
Eagle Rock Distributing Company
EMJ Construction
Daily Citizen
Georgia Power
Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce Diplomats
IVC
Leadership Dalton-Whitfield
Marketing Alliance Group
NovaCopy
Terracon
Waste Services
Windstream Communications
Wilmington Trust
2nd Annual Chamber Classic Golf Tournament Winners
Flight One
1st Place
Howell Kerr
Scott Lowrie
Don Adcock
Blake Adcock
2nd Place
Gary Crews
George Sadosuk
Lance Lewis
Steve Card
3rd Place
Bob Caperton
Dan Peeples
Steve McMullen
Roger Mitchell
2nd Place
Robert Fell
Russ Kiefer
John Cummings
Allen Bentley
Flight Two
1st Place
Al Ertel
Mark Mixer
Todd Harrison
Barry Murphy
3rd Place
Heath Jones
James Kelley
Benny Dunn
Kent Benson
Longest Drive: John Turner
Closest to the Pin: Blake Adcock
September 2011
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
7
Golf Tournament
To view more photos from
the Chamber Classic,
scan this code with your
smart phone and enjoy!
Harold Brooker (Whitfield County Commissioner) enjoys some fun
with the guys from EMJ Corporation; Wes Jones, Sam Wills and
Larry Armour.
8
Diplomats: Lacey Bennett (Servpro of N.Whitfield, E. Walker
and Catoosa County), Lacey Hammontree (Loganberry’s Fine
Gift Baskets), Jessica Mercer (Country Inns & Suites), Michelle
Fountain (Alliant Health Plans), Patty Hart (Georgia
Northwestern Technical College), Vanessa Cole (Coffee
News), David Cook (Starr-Mathews) and Brandy Whaley
(Walnut Square Mall) helped make this event wonderful.
Thank you!
Congressman Tom Graves speaks with Steve McMullen
(Leonard Insurance Agency).
Mark Wooten (Charter Media) and Andrew Carnes (Dalton-Whitfield
County Joint Development Authority) get ready to play The Farm.
Chamber President, Brian Anderson enjoys the day with Sean
Pye (Pye Family Dealerships) and Noel Black (Georgia Power).
IVC Team; Steven Harmon, Micah Riggle, Andrew Kearton,
Vincent Gesquiere are pictured here.
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
September 2011
Leadership Dalton-Whitfield
Leadership Dalton-Whitfield Kicks Off its 27th Program Year
The Leadership Dalton-Whitfield program Class of 2012
kicked off its 27th program year on August 18 with a
one day Retreat. This program is sponsored by the
Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, which began in
1986 and boasts over 905 alumni. Program President
David Wilkerson (Shaw Industries) is a graduate of the
class of 1992 and remarks, “I am excited to see new
leaders develop, become engaged and gain a better
understanding about our community.”
This year’s class of 38 community leaders headed out
for a day long retreat to Winn’s Lake Lodge in
Rockmart. These individuals discovered their leadership
styles and the day long activities included leadership
and visioning exercises facilitated by the Fanning
Leadership Institute.
“The Leadership Dalton-Whitfield program is designed to
prepare each participant for leadership roles within our
community,” stated Program Chairman Howard Elder (J
& J Industries) LDW Alumni Class of 1997.
Leadership Dalton-Whitfield Class of 2012
Front row holding the banner are: Steve Sieracki (Shaw Industries), LDW Program President David Wilkerson (Shaw Industries),
Roderick Cobb (Oliver Cobb & Associates), Kevin Thompson (Shaw Industries), Graham Fox (Hamilton Physician Group), Jeff
Ownby (Whitfield County 911), Theresa Link (Dalton Public Schools), Chris Crossen (Dalton Police Department), Scott McAllister
(Whitfield County Sheriff’s Department), Kerry Page (Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office), Andrew Parker (City of Dalton), John
Minor (Minor, Bell & Neal), Dionna Reynolds (The Emery Center), Kimberlie Mason (Quality Staffing Services), Ashley Brown
(Mohawk Industries), Erica Stewart (Mohawk Industries), Paul Murray (Shaw Industries), Sandra Stone (Dalton State College),
Effie Lyons (Georgia Power Company), Patty Hart (Georgia Northwestern Technical College), Elizabeth Hunter (Cross Plains
Community Partner), Chris Yarbrough (Shaw Industries) and Kenny Lowery (Hamilton Medical Center Laboratory).
Back row include: Randy Foster (J & J Industries), Rodney Rowe (Mohawk Industries), Randy Poplin (Dalton Utilities), LDW
Program Chairman Howard Elder (J & J Industries), Jeff Lea (Mohawk Industries), William Williams (Credit Services), Amy
Grammer (Wells Fargo Advisors), Brian Hankins (Shaw Industries), LDW Program President-Elect Pat Gordon (BB&T), James
Harris (Joseph Decosimo & Company), Joel Hudson (Financial Planner), Audrey Simmons (Mercy’s Door/The Carl Malone
Foundation), Bryan Morton (Shaw Industries), Suzie McCadams (Mohawk Industries), Jason Hall (City of Varnell), Erin Witt
(Cohutta Banking Company) and Hal Brooker (Whitfield County Schools).
September 2011
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
9
Economic Development
Using Tax Allocation Districts to
Redevelop Dalton
The Mission of the
Dalton - Whitfield County Joint
Development Authority is to facilitate the long-term, positive economic growth of the community
by attracting new, diversified
investments while supporting
existing businesses.
The Development Authority represents a public-private partnership
funded by Whitfield County,
City of Dalton and Grow
Greater Dalton.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair: Andy Walker - Alliance
National Bank
Vice Chair: Bill Davies – BB&T
Secretary-Treasurer:
Kevin Harris – Arrowstar, L.L.C.
Dan Combs - State Farm
Insurance-Dan Combs
Bob Kinard - Kinard Realty, Inc.
Frank Robertson – Robertson
and Company
Elyse Cochran, CCE
Chamber-Senior Vice President of
Economic Development
Alex Stall
Economic Development
Senior Project Manager
Barbara Ward
Director of Workforce
Development
Andrew Carnes
Economic Development
Project Manager
10
Chamber Link
Tax Allocation Districts, or TADs, are a redevelopment tool that supports
economic development without raising taxes, especially retail. TADs
offer a flexible alternative to financing economic development without
the need to use general funds, LOST or SPLOST revenues or to raise
taxes. TADs use the increase in property tax revenue in a specific area
(district) to pay the costs of redeveloping the area. The additional tax
revenue comes from the value of the area increasing and not in the
form of higher millage rates.
This redevelopment tool allows the city or county to charge the costs of
constructing public facilities and infrastructure directly to the businesses
that use them rather than the public at large. Property taxes are not
abated or increased just because of a TAD and TADs do not freeze
millage rates. In other states, TADs are called TIF districts. TADs are
mainly used to promote growth in areas slow to develop.
The local government issues revenue bonds (not general obligation
bonds) to pay for the improvements made to the particular district or
for a specific project. The redevelopment costs are paid out of a special fund created by the city or county. TADs enable the local government to obtain needed infrastructure faster and at reduced cost.
Bonds are first issued to a developer to make the improvements to the
district and the bond debt is paid by “new” revenues from within the
TAD. When bond debt is repaid in full, the entire “new” tax revenue
goes to the applicable jurisdiction.
For example, the current ad valorem tax value paid to the general fund
by Property ABC is $100 as of December 31, 2011. The referendum
passes in November 2011 and the TAD is enacted on January 1,
2012. Because Property ABC is within the Tax Allocation District and
improvements were made increasing the property value, the ad valorem tax value is now $125 on December 31, 2012. The original
$100 will still go to the general fund and the “new” $25 will go to
paying off the bonds used for improving the property.
Voters must first approve giving governments the power to create
TADs. Those in Whitfield County, Dalton, Tunnel Hill and Varnell will
see TADs on the ballot in November.
Currently, there are more than 30 TADs in Georgia. Examples of other
cities using TADs include Marietta, East Point, Gainesville, Smyrna,
Acworth and Rome. Atlantic Station in Atlanta is the preeminent example of a successful TAD in Georgia. Previously a brownfield site, the
project includes 12 million square-feet of retail, office, residential and
hotel space as well as 11 acres of public parks.
www.daltonchamber.org
September 2011
Economic Development
June Unemployment Rate
2010
11.9%
11.7%
10.3%
9.6%
Not seasonally adjusted
City of Dalton
Whitfield County
Georgia
United States
2011
12.2%
12.0%
10.5%
9.3%
July Building Permits
Residential
Number Issued
Permit Value
YTD Number Issued
YTD Permit Value
Commercial
Number Issued
Permit Value
YTD Number Issued
YTD Permit Value
2010
6
$1,176,900
37
$4,467,900
2010
2
$271,000
9
$5,831,713
2011
7
$456,688
20
$2,321,948
2011
3
$7,054,500
15
$33,420,791
Local Sales Tax Distribution
July 2010
City of Dalton (LOST)
Whitfield County (LOST)
$207,987
$1,159,656
Jan-July
2010
$1,478,362
$8,242,789
July 2011
$221,154
$1,229,228
Jan-July
2011
$1,510,784
$8,423,595
Retail Sales - National
Not seasonally adjusted;
estimates shown in millions of
dollars
June 2010
Total retail sales
325,401
Automobile dealers
52,967
Floor covering stores
1,431
General merchandise stores
48,796
Food services & drinking places 39,373
Jan-June
2010
June 2011
Jan-June
2011
1,867,393
302,358
7,466
286,528
230,121
354,895
58,347
1,310
51,316
41,682
2,025,927
344,414
6,876
295,546
241,771
*Unemployment rates and local sales tax are the latest state-provided figures. Numbers for
building permits are obtained from county records. National retail sales figures provided by
U.S. Census Bureau.
September 2011
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
11
Diplomat of the Month
Diplomat of the Month
Anne Felts
My name is Anne Felts and I am honored to be named
Diplomat of the Month. I had such a great time meeting
all the Chamber Members and citizens of Whitfield
County at the 2011 Business Expo.
I have been a resident of Northwest Georgia for the past
25 years. I earned a soccer scholarship to Berry College
in Rome, GA and never really left the area. I do miss
being able to be at the beach on a whim, but I love the
diversity of this area. I like being able to go mountain
biking, kayaking, swimming or golfing depending on the
season.
As owner of TOP PROformance Specialists & Sport my
work keeps me inside the various businesses and industries in Northwest Georgia. Our mission is to
save companies money by providing them with services that produce the TOP PROformers in the
Industrial worker or “Industrial Athlete”. We do that by offering injury reducing cost saving services: prescreening for potential employees; ergonomic
workstation analyses, and return to work or
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) for employers to ensure the injured worker is fully capable of
a safe return to work. We also provide customized
Wellness Programs that can be as basic or comprehensive as desired. These programs help companies to reduce Health insurance expenses.
Check out TOP PROformance on Facebook &
Twitter.
12
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
September 2011
Ribbon Cuttings
Ribbon Cuttings
Great Cutz & Tanning
Joanna Santiago
816 Walnut Square Blvd.
(706) 313-4932
Salem Baptist Church
Pastor Darey Kittle
1448 Pleasant Grove Drive NE
(706) 259-7045
2012 Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce
Membership Directory
Exclusive to Chamber members!
Be recognized as a leader
in our community by advertising
in the 2012 Chamber Directory.
As a Chamber member,
you gain networking capabilities, referrals,
exposure and many more benefits.
The Greater Dalton Chamber
is your key to increased
business contacts and
exclusive member benefits.
NEW THIS YEAR:
SwissTex America
Elichai Hoenig
463 Virgil Drive
(706) 529-2554
Increased
Distribution
Digital Presence
on daltonnow.com
CONTACT
Casey Brooks
706-272-7729
Gary Jones
706-272-7731
caseybrooks@daltoncitizen.com
Giant Scissors Looking for Work
If you are a new business, new to the Chamber or
have moved to a new location....call us!
The Chamber will provide the giant scissors
and ribbon and will take a picture for
The Daily Citizen and ChamberLink.
garyjones@daltoncitizen.com
David Joyner
706-272--7721
davidjoyner@daltoncitizen.com
Bill Seaton
706-272-7737
Reneé Wagner
706-272-7754
Jennifer Byrd
706-278-9268
Laura Martin
706-272-7707
Jennifer Hughes
706-272-7703
Dan Matheson
423-432-6106
billseaton@daltoncitizen.com
reneewagner@daltoncitizen.com
jenniferbyrd@daltoncitizen.com
Call
706-217-6397
lauramartin@daltoncitizen.com
jenniferhughes@daltoncitizen.com
danlmatheson@aol.com
September 2011
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
13
Prime Time
Presents:
PRIME TIME
The exclusive business building event we have all been waiting for!
Showcase your business, network and learn about the
Greater Dalton Chamber’s functions, events and opportunities.
Meet your business neighbors!
Beer and Wine tasting * Hors d’ oeuvres * DJ
NorthWest Georgia Trade and Convention Center
Thursday September 22, 2011 5 pm - 7 pm
14
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
September 2011
Chamber Connections
Chamber Connections at
Next Chamber Connections
Friday, October 14
Outback Steakhouse
955 Market Street 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
$15.00 members $65 non-members
Linden Stricker (NW Georgia Financial Solutions/Compound
Profit), Scott King (Sikes Paper Company) and Hugh Kemp (A
Tradition of Excellence) get to know each other at Chamber
Connections.
September 2011
Vanessa Cole (Coffee News), Lacey Bennett (Servpro of N.
Whitfield, Catoosa & E. Walker) and Andrea Gravitt (Select
Leasing and Management) enjoy the event.
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
15
Member Mixer
Dog-Gone Member Mixer
Jennifer Williams (Four Paws Pet Resort), Vanessa Cole
(Coffee News) and Renee Davis (Four Paws Pet Resort) hosted
the dog-gone Member Mixer, and did a great job!
Michelle Fountain (Alliant Health Plans) and Candace Kelley
holding her puppy Bentley (FSG/Dalton-Whitfield Bank).
Patty Mooney
brought her
Golden Retriever
Ollie to enjoy
the festivities.
Stan Capps (Dalton Falls Mini Golf & Laser Tag) gets to know
Hal Wiedeman (Wiedeman & Singleton).
Carlos Calderin
and Jessica
Oliva (Calderin
& Oliva) come
to the Mixer
with their dogs
Sun-Tzu and
Frida.
Elaine Cobb (HealthCom Federal Credit Union), Rick Cobb
(Hamilton EMS), Laurie Hollis (HealthCom Federal Credit
Union), Jim McElroy (The UPS Store) and Bob Sheth (Super 8)
get to know each other during the event.
16
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
September 2011
Go Green
2011 Chamber
“Green” Sponsor
Is your company Green? If so, share your story with us and the business community.
Email your story to Beth Morrison: morrison@daltonchamber.org and you may be featured in an upcoming issue of ChamberLink.
September 2011
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
17
Spotlight on Business
Dalton Falls Golf
Dalton Falls Golf & Laser Tag is a family oriented entertainment center. Our 27
holes of miniature golf are modern, fun, challenging and attractive to families.
The course is beautifully landscaped with ponds, a stream and a waterfall with
blue water. We also have an exciting 5,000 square foot outdoor laser tag field
and 16 Laser Guns. After having some family fun, come inside and enjoy our
delicious Blue Bell ice cream, hand-spun milkshakes, Hawaiian shaved ice,
gourmet coffee, fruit smoothies and frozen coffee drinks.
For the past 8 years, we have enjoyed providing fun for families, students, couples on dates, church and business
groups, but our best customer has been grandparents enjoying time with their grandkids. Bring your friends and
family to Dalton Falls and make some great memories.
Our birthday parties are the best in the Dalton area. We make it easy on mom, she brings the cake and we do the
rest. Our covered 9 hole black-light course and partially covered Laser Tag field allows you to have the party rain
or shine.
Our facility is perfect for your next office team building, church group outing or ball team party. We have great
options for your group. Play some leisurely miniature golf, some exciting Laser Tag or just relax on our deck with
pizza and ice cream. We have something for every age group.
Come out this fall to enjoy some cool fun at Dalton Falls Golf & Laser Tag. We are open year round with seasonal
hours. We will also open any time for groups of 10 or more. You can find us one block from the mall on 2817
Airport Road. Visit www.daltonfallsgolf.com or call 706-272-3574 for more information.
18
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
September 2011
New Members & Updates
NEW MEMBERS
Associates in Oral &
Maxillofacial Surgery
John Spann
78 Alamar St.
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
Phone: (706) 858-7054
Fax: (706) 858-7017
www.chattanoogaoms.com
Oral Surgery
Chelsea's on Thornton
Dottie Ray
501 S. Thornton Ave.
Dalton, GA 30720
Phone: (706) 277-2872
Gift & Specialty Shops
Restaurants
Retailers
Cherokee Pharmacy #2
David Bowling
1506 N. Thornton Ave., Suite A
Dalton, GA 30720
Phone: (706) 278-6600
Fax: (706) 226-5315
www.cherokeepharmacy.com
Health Care Consulting
Medical Supplies
Pharmacies
City Entertainment
P. J. Poston
100 Rock Hill Drive
Rocky Face, GA 30740
Phone: (706) 971-9084
www.cityentertainment.org
Disc Jockey Services
Entertainment
Weddings
The Magnolia Creative
Group, L.L.C.
John Holt
P. O. Box 894
Dalton, GA 30722-0894
Phone: (706) 934-5735
www.themagnoliacreativegroup.c
om
Advertising & Marketing Services
Graphic Designers
Public Relations
Paychex
Ann Mann
600 Town Park Lane, Suite 100
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Phone: (770) 687-1906
Fax: (866) 735-7095
www.paychex.com
Payroll Processing
MEMBER UPDATES
• Welcome to Rob Bowman, the
new manager at Outback
Steakhouse Dalton.
• Welcome to Leisha Wade with
Peachtree Estates Assisted
Living.
• Simple Management Services
has changed names to Eagle
Property Services Inc., and is
now located on 217 W.
Crawford Street. They can be
reached at (706) 508-4370.
• Correction Jones Funeral
Home phone number is (706)
673-5800. Fax is (706) 6957140.
Do you have changes at
your company?
E-mail Maria Saldana at
saldana@daltonchamber.org
to have them featured in the
next ChamberLink.
WE CAN
PRINT IT!
Magazines
Post Cards
Booklets
Brochures
Calendars
Flyers & More
Call Today for a Quote
706-272-7731
Short
Lead Time!
Graphic Design
Expertise
Available!
Affordable
Pricing!
THE DAILY CITIZEN
Quality Printing – Fast!
September 2011
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
19
PRST. STD.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Dalton, GA
Permit #502
Measure of Success:
Having a commercial banker who is a partner and a friend
Discover how successful your company can be when you have a personal
relationship with a commercial banker you can count on and trust, day in
and day out.
> Commercial Lending
> Business Internet Banking
> Business Online Library
> Commercial Deposit Products
and Services
Return Service Requested
Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce
890 College Drive
Dalton, GA 30720
Cohutta Banking Company commercial bankers work with you to help
achieve your company’s financial goals. We offer the sophisticated
products you need, including enhanced Business Internet Banking and
our Business Online Library, paired with commercial banking expertise
and local decision making to build powerful business banking solutions
that are ready to work for you.
> Treasury Services
> Payment Services
> 0.(2).*%&.*# "2)'$-2!
> 3/,#&422 +2.21(!
> Corporate Investments*
cohuttabank.com | 706-695-9431
?EFBK*@GKF@ <6)",=@* CF" *K6B4=K* C6K )+K6K" @76),%7 H&F)B,* HK=,649K*! EF=J! GKG>K6 0E5I#DHE1:J
Not FDIC insured. No bank guarantee. May lose value. H&F)B,* HK=,649K*! EF=J 4* C *,>*4"4C6& )/ H&F)B,*
04FCF=4C- :)6<J CF" CF C3-4C@K )/ H&F)B,* ;CF2J
:)7,LC ;CF24F% :)G<CF& 4* C "4B4*4)F )/ H&F)B,* ;CF2J H&F)B,* ;CF2! 8KG>K6 0$E:! 4* =7C6@K6K" 4F @7K
*@C@K )/ .K)6%4C CF" )<K6C@K* ,F"K6 G,-9<-K @6C"K FCGK* C=6)** @7K H),@7KC*@J $4B4*4)F* )/ H&F)B,*
;CF2 C6K F)@ *K<C6C@K-& 0$E:(4F*,6K" >CF2*J A7K 0$E: =)BK6C%K K'@KF"K" @) "K<)*4@ =,*@)GK6* 4* @7C@
)/ )FK 4F*,6K" >CF2J