The Pierce County Chamber of Commerce is committed to education and workforce development in our region. The correlations between education levels and employment rates can be seen and felt in local communities. Communities that increase the education levels of their residents and have a supply of qualified workers become more attractive to businesses searching for an area in which to locate.

According to the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education's publication The Economics of Education Fourth Edition, when compared to high school dropouts, individuals who earn a high school diploma increase their income potential by more than 30 percent and contribute 43 percent more in tax payments. The benefits are substantially greater with the completion of a bachelor's degree. Georgia is predicted to add 1.5 million new jobs by 2020. Of those new jobs, nearly 60 percent will require some sort of education beyond high school. Currently, about 42 percent of Georgia's adult population has education beyond the high school level. The skill level of Georgia's workforce does not meet the growing needs of a successful economic development plan.

Join us for Wake Up, Pierce! to learn how our region is preparing to bridge that gap.

Join us for Wake Up, Pierce! on June 9 to find out how our local school system, community colleges, and technical schools are partnering with local and state leaders to make sure our workforce is ready. In order to keep our members better informed concerning local and state issues, the Chamber Board has established this forum. Wake Up, Pierce! is a breakfast event held from 7:45 to 9:00 a.m. at Reeal BBQ, 3005 Hwy. 84, Blackshear. The Wake Up, Pierce! event scheduled for Tuesday, June 9 will have an education focus. The breakfast buffet opens at 7:45 if folks wish to purchase breakfast. The community updates will begin promptly at 8:00, and the meeting will conclude by 9:00.

Each representative asked to sit on the panel will have 5 minutes to update our membership on immediate and pressing issues affecting education as they relate to quality of life and economic development in Pierce County. This is a fast-paced, heads-up, here's some stuff you need to be involved with - look out for - speak up about or celebrate kind of event! Following the updates, participants will have approximately 20 minutes to meet one-on-one or in small groups to further discuss issues of particular interest.

On July 30, the PCHS Student Advisory Council will have the opportunity to participate in a youth development program being held at the Thompson Lodge. The Pierce County Youth Development program is a collaboration between the local school system and the Pierce County Chamber of Commerce. 

This kick-off event will be an interactive opportunity for young adults to learn about themselves, each other, and the secrets of success. The day will be filled with hands-on activities, self-reflective assessments, and even includes marshmallows. The event will be facilitated by Jenny Robbins, Community Development Consultant for Georgia EMC on behalf of Satilla Electric Membership Cooperative.

Executive Director, Angela Manders has spent the last four months learning with other community leaders from Region 11 during this year's Georgia Academy for Economic Development. The Academy's multi-day regional program provides participants with an understanding of the complexities of economic and community development and tools to assist in the development of their region. The program, through a variety of defined activities, takes an in-depth review of possible economic development opportunities and strategies. 

The multi-day program takes place over a four-month period, including four days of instruction combining lecture, exercises, guest expert presentations, and other forms to keep the program interesting and interactive. The Academy's program provides crucial leadership training as well, in such areas as consensus building, team development, and other critical leadership skills. Are you eager to make a difference in the economic future of your community, your region, and the state of Georgia? If so, contact our office for more information about the Academy.