Community
Development
The Community Development Department works
to improve the business environment of the
Metro Augusta area by addressing regulatory,
infrastructure & quality of life issues, making
our community a more desirable place to do
business.
•
Created & supported a state legislative agenda
while lobbying the General Assembly in support
of area initiatives.
• Organized & promoted local participation
in statewide governmental relations events.
• Created & secured funding for the Fall
Line Air Quality Study for Augusta.
• Expanded legislative activities to include:
a leadership lunch, which featured House & Senate
Leadership, along with several department heads.
• Enhanced the agenda of the Legislative
BBQ to optimize interaction between community
members & legislators.
• Worked through the Transportation Committee
to prioritize road projects & support improved
lighting of our roadways.
• Spearheaded local efforts to deal with
new water regulations for the Savannah River.
• Initiated expansion of local toll-free
calling area.
• Published Government Reference Guide.
• Organized first newcomer event for soldiers
& family members at Fort Gordon.
• Worked to resolve issues regarding the
decommissioning of the New Savannah Bluff Lock
& Dam.
• Promoted business participation in the
2000 Census.
• Pursued additional funding for Augusta
Regional Airport.
• Investigating the feasibility of Internet
voting. If viable, will work to make Augusta
the first community in Georgia to cast votes
online.
• Worked through Military Affairs Committee
to improve transition of military personnel
into local workforce.
• Worked with the Department of Transportation
to procure new signage for Augusta Regional
Airport on major roadways.
• Continually working to improve the preparation
level of high school students.
Membership
Development
Membership, the funding arm of the Chamber,
strives to continually improve & expand
the value of Chamber membership by providing
quality services, networking opportunities
and programming for businesses of all sizes
and stages.
•
Reached
an unprecedented membership goal of $250,000.
•Revised the format of Business @ Breakfast
& Business After Hours
•
Presented 9 Business @ Breakfast events, 11
Women In Business luncheons, & 8 Business
After Hours in the year 2000.
• Expanded the membership database to include
"assigned" members
•
Introduced samll business start-ups to local
lenders & resources by hosting the 1st Annual
Small Business Street Fair.
• Revised membership rate card to base
investment levels on employee count.
• Reinstate the Small Business Council.
|
•
Recognized Lottie Ellison, President of Advanced
Computer Maintenance DBA; Computerland Advanced
Technology Group as the Small Business Person
of the Year.
• Presented the first Women in Business
Signature event as a joint effort with the
Aiken & North Augusta Chambers of Commerce.
Over 800 attended.
•
Reinstate the Small Business Council.
• Recognized Lottie Ellison, President
of Advanced Computer Maintenance DBA; Computerland
Advanced Technology Group as the Small Business
Person of the Year.
• Presented the first Women in Business
Signature event as a joint effort with the
Aiken & North Augusta Chambers of Commerce.
Over 800 attended.
Columbia
County Chamber of Commerce
•
Created a public/private partnership for the
development of the new Horizon North Industrial
Park.
• Supported the initiative to keep the
SPLOST.
• Provided site selection assistance
to new & expanding companies looking at land
and/or building options in Columbia County.
• Held informative Government Affairs
forums: Post Legislative, Primary Election,
General Election, & Pre-Legislative.
• Provided leadership for the Columbia
County Chairman/CEO Task Force.
• Held a planning retreat in conjunction
with the Development Authority to determine
the future direction of the Development Authority.
Public
Relations
Newly
established in 2000, the Public Relations
Department seeks to ensure a higher level
of communication between the Chamber, its
membership, and the community.
•
Mailed Augusta Metro Chamber Membership Survey
to every company or organization to determine
levels of satisfaction and provide opportunity
for member input.
• Established a committee to formulate
The Augusta Award, a leadership award to honor
a present or former citizen of Metro Augusta
who has had a significant impact on the community.
• Coordinated a letter writing campaign
of Augustaıs largest employers to aid Augusta
Regional Airportıs recruitment of additional
air carriers.
• Currently creating a comprehensive informational/marketing
piece to inform current and prospective members
on chamber programs, benefits and networking
opportunities.
• Published the Vision newsletter, a bi-monthly,
source of communication between the Chamber
and its membership.
• Hosted a media reception to meet members
of local media and orient them to the programs
and goals of the Augusta Metro Chamber.
• Distributed a 30-second public service
announcement to area radio stations to publicize
the 2000 membership campaign
• Co-sponsored a reception to promote Governor
Barnesıs Georgia Early Learning Initiative (GELI)
legislation to enhance school readiness, health
and childcare.
• Designed lapel pins for Chamber members
as a means of identifying the chamber and unifying
membership. |
