YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
SHAPING THE FUTURE.
This past week, the PCHS Student Advisory Council (SAC) had the opportunity to participate in a youth development program 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.
Jenny Robbins, the event facilitator, serves the southern part of the state of Georgia as a Community Development Consultant with Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (Georgia EMC). Georgia EMC is the external affairs arm for 41 electric membership cooperatives (EMC) throughout the state. The Community Development Team at Georgia EMC offers four primary services for non-profit organizations related to community economic development: strategic planning facilitation, leadership development, community development orientation program (CEDOP), Georgia Academy of Economic Development Co-facilitation.
Jenny is an experienced facilitator who specializes in strategic planning retreats. She has led both large and small groups through visioning sessions, development of mission and vision statements, identifying critical issues, goal setting, and the development of action plans. She has additional expertise in adult and youth leadership development programs, team building, and collaborative leadership development. Thank you, Jenny and Georgia EMC, for a wonderful retreat!
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LEADERSHIP PIERCE
Class of 2015/2016 Announced
Help us welcome the 2015/2016 Leadership Pierce Class! You will have the opportunity to meet and congratulate the new class during our kick-off breakfast from 8-9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 26 at Okefenokee Country Club.
Leadership Pierce provides a group of community-minded individuals the opportunity to help the citizens of Pierce County achieve shared goals through community development. The participants, having demonstrated the potential to make a sustainable contribution to the welfare of the area, were selected by the Leadership Pierce Advisory Committee made up of chamber board members and ambassadors.
During the next 8 months, the class will receive training in leadership, team building, economic development, quality of life, education, local government, state government, and healthcare. In addition, the participants will shape the future development of Pierce County through a culminating service project.
We are extremely proud to announce our new Leadership Pierce Class:
Kas Asbury, Stephanie Bell, Rene Bolden, Renee Choate,
Ray Cunningham, Brett DeLoach, Adam Garland,
Dutch McNeal, Yvette Newton, Colleen Noble, Rachel Spivey,
Sam Sports, Dan Tanner, Billy Thompson, Trey Thompson,
Walker Todd, Dee Treadwell, Malayna Wetherington
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UGA SBDC
New Regional Consultant
We are excited to introduce our new Small Business Development Center consultant, Jordan Tippett. Jordan will be meeting with our small business owners on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. He is a native of Decatur, GA who recently joined the Small Business Development Center as a business consultant in the Brunswick office.
Over the past eight years, he has worked for both Whirlpool Corporation and The Husqvarna Group, managing sales territories and helping launch new products under the Craftsman brand. Jordan's areas of expertise include marketing, retail strategy, financial analysis, competitive research, and strategic planning. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the University of Georgia and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Wake Forest University.
The Georgia SBDC Network provides low cost training and free consulting services including assistance with business plan development, market analysis and marketing strategies, financial analysis, compliance and legal issues, and preparation of loan submissions for individuals who want to start their own businesses or expand an existing one. Consultations are free and confidential. Call the Chamber to make an appointment.
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OPPORTUNITY TOUR
September 15
Coastal Pines Technical College will host the Chamber's next Opportunity Tour on Tuesday, September 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited for these popular, behind-the-scene tours.
In order to gain first-hand knowledge of the types of career development opportunities available in our community, we encourage all elected officials, business leaders, and economic development professionals to attend. Participants will learn about future job trends and training and get to participant in simulations and hands-on learning models.
Opportunity Tours give community leaders a chance to better represent and promote local business and industry partners. These in-depth tours provide participants the opportunity to learn more about the incredible products, services, and workforce development efforts available right in our own back yard.
Register now.
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Blackshear/Waycross Bypass
Public Information Open House
The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) wants to hear from you about the proposed Blackshear/Waycross bypass. A public information open house on the proposal will take place Tuesday, August 18 from 4-7 p.m. at the Trembling Earth Recreation Complex, just off Corridor Z, in Waycross.
The $68 million project will include construction of an approximately 5.2 mile long roadway on the east side of Waycross. The new road will include a bridge over the Satilla River and over CSX railroad tracks on U.S. Highways 84 and 82. The bypass will begin in Pierce County near Farr's Furniture and will come out in Ware County on U.S. Highway 1 near the Walker-Jones Chevrolet Dealership.
Chamber members are encouraged to stop by the Chamber to view the plans and give feedback on the proposed bypass.
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COMMUNITY LIVING EXPO
October 15
Are you trying to get the word out about your club, civic organization, or public service? If so, you need to participant in our Community Living Expo being held at Eagle Station on Thursday, October 15 from 3 to 7 p.m.
This quality of life expo is designed to educate the citizens of Pierce County about the abundant social and civic opportunities available in our community. The event is a component of the Leadership Pierce Class but will be open to the public from 5-7 p.m.
Your organization will have extended, one-on-one time with the community leaders taking part in the Leadership Pierce Class. Class members will become experts on your organization, assisting you with set up and distribution of information to the public.
A $15 registration fee is required for all exhibitors. Click here for more information!
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ADULT EDUCATION HAS NEW HOME
Thank you, Eagle Station
Coastal Pines Technical College plans to move its Pierce County Adult Education Center from the old health department in Blackshear to Patterson's Eagle Station. The adult education program gives participants without a high school diploma an opportunity to earn a General Educational Development (GED) diploma - usually a key to enhancing job prospects and a catalyst for seeking higher education.
"Adult Education classes are designed to direct adult learners so they can compete successfully in today's workplace," says Dr. Pete Snell, CPTC vice president for economic development. The Pierce County center allows CPTC to serve residents without requiring transportation to the main campus in Waycross. The Blackshear location served an average of 105 students a year over the last four years, Snell says. Snell says having a qualified and attractive workforce is the top concern for employers establishing a new location or expanding.
He credited several Pierce County groups for helping find a suitable home, including Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Matt Carter, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Angela Manders and the Chamber's Workforce Development Committee, Eagle Station Director Ray Cunningham, Assistant School Superintendent LeVance Gay and the county Board of Commissioners.
Those needing to reach the Coastal Pines Technical College adult education program can call the Waycross campus at 912-287-6580. Kelly Peacock is the program's executive director. (Article courtesy of The Blackshear Times.)
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