www.douglascountygeorgia.com

2019 ANNUAL R

EPORT

CHAMBER

CHAMBER

DOUGLAS C

OUNTY CHAM

BER

We partnered with the West Georgia Board of Realtors to host a Power of Inclusiveness and Diversity event in October. Attendees learned how to embrace the benefits of inclusiveness and diversity to make their business and community a

INVESTORSCornerstone Level

To support, promote, and attract business for the advancement of our community.

To be the undisputed voice of business and a respected leader in Douglasville and Douglas County’s drive to be a premier community.

Our Vision:

Our Mission:

A LOOK BACK AT 2019:DC Chamber and Georgia Hispanic Chamber Establish PartnershipThe Chamber announced the launch of their strategic partnership with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as their newest initiative to promote inclusive economic growth and development. The alliance between the organizations seeks to foster the relationships between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic businesses, elected officials, governmental agencies and industry leaders.

The Power of Inclusiveness & Diversity

A W O M E N ’ S E V E N T

YOU!Celebrate

We hosted the inaugural Celebrate YOU! Women’s Event in March with over 200 attendees. The event featured Jen Hatmaker and La Detra White. Celebrate YOU! also included a business showcase with a variety of Chamber member

Local businesses participated in the the Build It: Team-Building Workshop facilitated by Fire Power Seminars in October. This event allowed local businesses to come together to not only strengthen their team, but to help shape the community.

In January, we announced our partnership with the Georgia Chamber to provide the Georgia SMART Insurance program. This is a comprehensive health program offered to small businesses providing a cost-savings on health coverage options that can lead to more rate stability and offering potential savings for groups with fifty or fewer employees.

Georgia SMART: Insurance for Small

Businesses

Who We Ar e 2019

In August, the Chamber Foundation and United Way hosted a Nonprofit Organization Conference. The event focused on the importance of serving on a nonprofit board and understanding how to develop high performance leadership to enhance an

In October 2019, ten participants completed the second cohort of CO.STARTERS, a program for entrepreneurs and start-up companies. This program is in partnership with Douglas County Economic Development, Douglas UnitE3, BB&T now

BUSINESSBUSINESSA COMMUNITY BUILDER FOR

6377,883

A CHAMPIONCHAMPION FOR BUSINESS

Businesses

Check-ins at Chamber Events and programs

Strategic Leadership VisitIn April, 38 community leaders traveled to York County, South Carolina. The visit provided the opportunity to learn best practices in the areas of arts, entrepreneurialism, collaboration, economic and workforce development, transportation, and downtown

Washington D.C. Fly-InCornerstone investors met with US Senators and Congressional leaders in September to discuss topics important to our thriving community. The subject of infrastructure highlighted the list of issues carried by the group, as well as an update on federal assistance on major road projects such as the Hwy 92 relocation project and the I-20/I-285 Interchange.

Legislative Wrap-UpIn partnership with the Junior League of Douglas County, the Chamber hosted a post-legislative wrap-up event in May. The event featured a panel discussion with Douglas County Delegation facilitated by Georgia Chamber President and CEO, Chris Clark.

DC Day at the CapitolDuring the Douglas County Day at the Capitol in March, over 30 community leaders met with Douglas County representatives to discuss the legislative priorities for the community. The group attended meetings to discuss the bills that passed such as HB239, HB324, SB2, SB108, and SB110.

143New Membersand Supported

Ten Entrepreneurs Completed CO.STARTERS Program

2019 Participants:Greg Bliss, Bliss ProductsTisha Curry, OWN AtlantaMelissa Prosser, Melissa Prosser PhotographyMichael Rickman, Rickman Architecture + DesignJennifer Rogers, Extreme Images

Five Business Owners Completed Small Business Sustainability Program

We WelcomedIN 2019...

Truist, Mercer University, and Regions Bank. CO.STARTERS is a nine-week program that equips entrepreneurs of all kinds with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn business ideas into action.

The Chamber recognizes the value in helping businesses through all phases of growth and created the Small Business Sustainability Program. The program connected participants with a coach to help develop business goals. The participants were recognized in August.

204Last Year, we Hosted

Events

In May, the Douglas County Chamber graduated 24 members through the Leadership Douglas program. This ten month program allows participants to meet and interact with current community and business leaders throughout the program.

A DEVELOPER OF CATALYTIC

LEADERSHIPLEADERSHIPLeadership Douglas

Each year, the Chamber partners with the Douglas County School System and Brighten Academy to host Principal 4 a Day and Teacher 4 a Day. The programs allow members of the business community to experience a day in the role as principal or teacher.

Tom AlgerWater & Sewer AuthorityTeaa Allston-Bing

City of DouglasvilleOdessa Archibald

Georgia Power CompanyJulia Areh

Georgia Highlands CollegeKatie Arfanakis

Harvester Christian AcademyNell Boggs

Douglas County SchoolsRegina Brigman-Lake

Cancer Center Treatments of AmericaVanessa Brook

Community VolunteerCharles CampGreyStone Power

Corporation

Michelle CristDouglas County Economic

Development AuthoritySusan Culpepper

UGA Extension -Douglas CountyOrrick Curry

Villages of BrookmontTamika DayTCD Consulting

Sandy GambleDouglas County Chamber

Santana Kempson-Wright

Junior League of Douglas CountyTammy Kone

Good Samaratin of Douglas County

Travis McDonaldDouglas County GovernmentMichael Montgomery

Royal Cup Coffee and TeaTrent North

Douglas County SchoolsBrandon NutterDouglasville Police

DepartmentTaylor Pounds

HRC Engineers, Surveyors & Landscape Architects

Alisha ShawYouth Villages Inner Harbour

James StrongDouglas County SchoolsDeeDee ZachosThe Zachos Team, Inc.

Principal 4 a Day and Teacher 4 a Day

Youth Leadership DouglasLast year, 49 students completed the Youth Leadership Douglas Program (YLD). These students are juniors that participated from Douglas County high schools and private schools. YLD gives the students the opportunity to acquire and broaden their knowledge of not only social and business etiquette but also of local government, business and civic activities through the five month leadership program.

2019 Spring ClassKailey Belcher, Angela Benedict, Jazmine Bryan, James Dukes, Alex

Fleming, Jalen Ford, Eli Harrison, Andrew Hawkinson, Blake Hembree, Ricky Jones, Tianna Jordan, Natalie Leandre, Makeena Otten, Nyah Priester, Nicole Paul, Caleb Rice, Briana Salters, Gabrielle Sexton,

Aayush Shah, Ally Siekerman, Kingsley Smith, Diamond Solomon, and Gracie Wilson; Co-Chairs: Jennifer Moore and Brad Henderson

2019 Fall ClassMcKenzey Bailey, Adrian Bennett, Mark Brazzell, Rhyan Brown,

Aubrey Campbell-Bertocchi, Reese Chatman, Jaden Cobb, Amir Dayal, Sydney Furgess, Jordan Griffin, Jacquelyn Jones, Mattison Lake, Lily Martin, Zharia Minor, Joshua Murray, Madison Pinkney,

Dylan Prysock, Sarah Roberson, Michael Smith, Georgia Stinchcomb, Victoria Toups, Corben Wallace, Will Westbrook, Carmen Wilson, and Thomas Woodcum; Co-Chairs Julia Areh and Taylor Pounds.

60participants engaged with the local schools

Class of 2019

NextGen Mentoring Program Youth Leadership Douglas Mentoring ProgramThe NextGen Mentor Program is a cornerstone of the Chamber’s

program for young professionals, Advancing Modern Professionals in Douglas. Ambitious young professionals connected with seasoned, high-level, business leaders to support their professional and personal development.

12participants

completed the program in

June

The Youth Leadership Douglas Mentor Program allows participants to utilize their mentors for personal and professional growth. Seniors from any Douglas County high school who have completed the YLD Junior Program are eligible to participate.

28participants

completed the program in December

COMMUNITYCOMMUNITYCELEBRATING OUR GREAT

Businesses of Excellence

Ben Hill Renovations, Inc.Brookview Apartment Homes

Douglas Dental CareEnjoy Life Cleaning, LLC

The Farmer’s TableHRC Engineers, Surveyors & Landscape Architects

The Zachos Team, Inc.Wenck Travel

Wren’s Body Shop

Whitney ConstienMark DeNyseEmily LightnerNadia FaucetteLaura Mullins

Meitra PerryJordan PhillipsJennifer RogersAaron Szarowicz

Top Ten Young Professionals

Foundation Leadership Scholarship Winners

Grayson JonesAlexander

High School

Deena DayalAlexander

High School

Jayden BraxtonChapel Hill High School

AMP’D Continuing Education Scholarship Winners

Elena HudsonHudson’s

Hickory House

Kelsey JonesWest Georgia

Technical College

Annual Community Awards

Citizen of the Year

Gary Sparks

Sam P. Roberts Community

Service Award

Paul Zachos

Diplomat of the Year

Gail Moore

Chairman’s Award

Chris Pumphrey

Small Business of the YearBelletti Photography

Large Business of the YearDeNyse Companies

Chamber Spirit AwardElena Hudson | Hudson’s Hickory House

Young Professional of the Year Dalia Racine | Junior League of Douglas County

The Chamber Foundation Leadership Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who exemplify outstanding

leadership qualities.The Continuing Education Scholarships are awarded to

young professionals (ages 21-40) seeking to continue their education.

The Businesses of Excellence are recognized for successful operations, growth, and service in the community.

The Top Ten Young Professionals of the Year is an annual recognition of young professionals in Douglasville and Douglas County who embody the mission and vision of AMP’D. The mission of Advancing Modern Professionals in Douglas (AMP’D) is to attract emerging professionals to engage, develop, and serve in Douglas.

The annual community awards recognizes individuals and businesses for their accomplishments and contributions to Douglas.

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