Chamber Monday Memo
February 15, 2021
Upcoming Chamber Events
Calendar
Monday, February 8: Happy Presidents Day! We are closed today.

Thursday, March 4: Shirazi Immigration Law Ribbon Cutting, noon at 402 N. Park Ave.

Monday, March 8: Dental Partners of Southwest Georgia Ribbon Cutting, 1:30 p.m.
News from the Chamber
Member News and Events
Friendly City Pharmacy Ribbon Cutting
We had a fantastic turnout at the ribbon cutting for new Chamber member Friendly City Pharmacy on Monday, February 8! Congrats and welcome to the Chamber family!
Southwell honors associates at virtual awards banquet
ABAC Celebrates 113th Birthday on February 20 in Midst of Pandemic

ABAC students have become accustomed to wearing masks, using hand sanitizer, social distancing, and taking some of their classes online during the 2021 spring semester because of the COVID-19 pandemic. ABAC students masked up for their classes include (l-r): Cade West, Dawson Schwartz, Sarah Peterson, and Taylor Hicks. 

TIFTON—As Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College prepares to celebrate its 113th birthday on Feb. 20 in the midst of a global pandemic, it pays to remember that it’s not the first time that students at ABAC faced a health crisis that affected the world’s population.
The deadliest pandemic of the 20th century took place in 1918-19 when a flu virus resulted in 50 million deaths worldwide and approximately 675,000 deaths in the United States. Ironically, the solutions to coping with the flu at that time included isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, use of disinfectants, and limited public gatherings. Pictures from the era show Americans wearing cloth masks over their faces. Such is the case again in 2021 on the ABAC campus.
Students are wearing masks, practicing social distancing, using hand sanitizer, and taking some of their classes online. During the pandemic of 1918-19, ABAC was an area high school called the Second District Agricultural and Mechanical School. Tift Hall was the main classroom building, and Lewis Hall and Herring Hall were used as dormitories.
Because of World War I, there were nursing shortages during the 1918-19 flu outbreak. Today, graduates of the stellar nursing program at ABAC find jobs almost immediately because of the shortage of nursing professionals across the country. In fact, ABAC enrolled more students in nursing classes during the 2020 fall term that at any other time in the history of the program, which began at ABAC in 1966.
ABAC celebrates its latest birthday with an enrollment that reached its second highest number ever during the fall term when 3,990 students from 155 of Georgia’s 159 counties, 19 states, and 24 countries took classes. ABAC also attracted students from 53 of Florida’s 67 counties.
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21 has caused other adjustments in the ABAC schedule, including a virtual remake of the annual An Evening for ABAC event which raises funds for student scholarships. Details are available at www.abac.edu/weekforabac.
“This year, since we cannot safely schedule an in-person event, we will be hosting a week-long electronic auction and donation appeal to support funding for ABAC student scholarships,” Arts Connection Director Wayne Jones, who coordinates the event for the ABAC Foundation, said.
“There will be a week’s worth of online activities and articles released during February 18-25 surrounding the auction and donation drive. Since COVID has had such a tremendous impact on parents’ ability to do normal business, scholarships are more important than ever to ensure students can pursue their academic dreams and prepare for their careers.”
ABAC Chief Development Officer Deidre Martin said one focal point of A Week for ABAC will be ABAC’s 113th birthday.
“Through this virtual event, we will celebrate ABAC’s birthday and the funds raised from sponsorships will go directly to support student scholarships,” Martin said. “Sponsors will be prominently featured through our website and social media efforts and will receive an ‘ABAC Birthday in a Box’ filled with treats and ABAC gifts delivered prior to the week for their own celebration at home.” 
History has proven that pandemics come and eventually go. Just as the students in 1918-19 were grateful when the flu epidemic finally ended, students in 2021 on ABAC’s 113th birthday can’t wait for some sense of normalcy as they pursue the education of a lifetime.

Job Postings
Coca-Cola UNITED is currently looking for CDL drivers and warehouse associates. As a special incentive Coca-Cola UNITED offers a CDL Training Program reimbursement for associates that want to obtain a CDL license and a Safety Bonus for CDL associates that qualify.
New hires will enjoy the current benefits that include two weeks paid vacation within the first year, exceptional medical and dental insurance, and 401k match. To learn more and apply for these positions, visit CocaColaUnited's Tifton Jobs Page
Ambassador Personnel has immediate openings for Order Processors, Assemblers, Warehouse Associates, Sanitors and Sewers. For more information, please call 229.387.8055 or visit www.teamambassador.com.
Labor Finders of Tifton is currently seeking Industrial Maintenance, CNAs, Clerical and Administrative Secretary, Welders (Mig, Tig, and Stick), Warehouse workers, Production workers, CDL drivers, Packers, assemblers, and formulators, Forklift drivers, and Operators.
For more information, contact Labor Finders at (229) 387-9962 or go to www.laborfinders.com.
Krystal is hiring 3 shift leader and 10 team members at the Tifton location. For more information or to apply visit careers.krystal.com or contact Kozeffy Conateh at 229-382-8009.
Fast Copy & Blueprint is looking for a graphic designer and a customer service/front counter person. Those interested should apply in person at Fast Copy & Blueprint, located at 135 Virginia Ave. S. in Tifton.
Surcheros is looking for full- and part-time team members in its Tifton location. Benefits include advancement opportunities, flexible hours, above average starting wages and a benefits package (free short-term disability, free dental and vision insurance, and free life term insurance) for all full- and part-time employees.
The Big Store is seeking a marketing/social media person. Experience is preferred. Apply in person between 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. or call (229) 382-6212. Resumes can be emailed to thebigstore@friendlycity.net. The Big Store is located at 346 Main Street, Tifton, GA, 31794.
Quality Employment Service is now hiring for stand-up forklift drivers (TSP), CDL drivers, delivery drivers, CPA, sales manager, certified auto tech, general laborers and much more. For more information, call (229) 386-8689 or go to www.qualityemploymentservice.com.
Capstone Premier Staffing is looking for a bobcat driver for a facility in Fitzgerald, as well as two landscape techs in Fitzgerald. For more information, contact Capstone at 229-396-4339.
New Hire Solutions is currently hiring for direct support professionals, maintenance technicians, lab technicians, machine operators, electricians, production supervisors, and warehouse workers in the Tifton area. NHS is currently scheduling interviews and immediately onboarding candidates every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at ADAMA in Tifton. For more information, call (229) 424-0000 or go to www.newhiresolutions.com.
The position of Executive Director is open at The Bridge of Tiftarea, Inc.
The Director will report to the Board of Directors and have overall strategic and operational responsibility for The Bridge of Tiftarea, Inc., a 501c3 and DBA’s operating under the umbrella of the corporation. They will initially develop deep knowledge of field, core programs, operations, business plans and mission of the organization.
Interested parties may email resumes to: thebridge602@gmail.com or mail to P.O. Box 7021 Tifton, Ga. 31793
For questions you may call Martine J. Hill at 229-382-9010.
If you have a job listing that you would like posted in the Monday Memo, send the announcement to ebrechbiel@tiftonchamber.org. The deadline for inclusion is Friday at noon.
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Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce
229-382-6200