The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850,
71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@windstream.net
more vital part of Marion County
By RICHARD HARRIS
(From the March 28, 2007 issue)
Buena Vista-Marion County Chamber of Commerce Vice President Frank Russo walked away from the podium and sat down in one of the comfortable rocking chairs inside the Senior Center while conducting Monday night’s meeting of the Chamber. However, that didn’t mean that he felt the meeting wasn’t important. To the contrary, he noted the growth that is expected to come to the county and, more importantly for the Chamber,
“This county is fixing to bust wide open in the next five years,” said Russo. “Do we want to help shape that?”
The small number of members in attendance agreed that it would be best for not only local businesses, but for the county as a whole if the Chamber of Commerce made a serious effort to become a more vital part of the community. With that in mind, a plan for returning the local Chamber to prominence began to take shape.
The first obvious challenge facing the Chamber is for the existing members to show more motivation and become more involved in the organization. There are currently around 40 businesses that belong to the Chamber, but attendance in meetings and planning sessions has been much lower.
The next challenge is to get additional businesses to join the Chamber. It was also widely agreed that because so many of the potential new members are small business owners who already have their plates full, it is very important to give them good reasons for paying their dues and becoming active members. In addition to promoting the theory that an active Chamber is good for the local business world in
The local newspaper, The Tri-County Journal & Chattahoochee Chronicle, agreed to come up with a plan whereby every business that joins the Chamber can have a free “Business Spotlight” published in the paper. The details have not been finalized, but the Chamber will soon begin offering this as a membership benefit.
It was also agreed to revamp the Chamber’s “Welcome Wagon,” which promotes the community – and members of the Chamber of Commerce – to newcomers to the county. Each member will be allowed to supply the Chamber with items to go into “welcome bags” that new residents will receive. These may be business cards, brochures, coupons, or any other type of promotional item. The welcome bags will then be made available at locations new residents are likely to visit (City Hall, the Courthouse, the Chamber Office, etc.).
Many other ideas were discussed during the meeting. Local Chamber member Ron Hinze, who is also a senior vice president of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, expressed his belief that there is a lot of potential.
“I think this Chamber has the greatest opportunity in its history right now,” said Hinze.
He noted that in addition to the coming massive expansion of nearby Fort Benning, there are other areas of growth in the region that are expected to impact Buena Vista/Marion County (a new Kia plant around 50 miles away, the opening of the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, etc.). He offered to share ideas of promotions and strategies the Columbus Chamber has used during his time working on its staff.
The potential for drastically increasing tourism by using the small town’s charm, Pasaquan, hunting, camping, and art and antique shopping was also discussed as a positive. Dr. John and Penny Rogers, who are very active in the Pasaquan Preservation Society, noted that group’s big plans for a museum and an eagerness to work with the Chamber. (Pasaquan is a unique art site that is the former home of the late Eddie Owens Martin. It has been hailed as one of the most important folk art sites in the country and been the subject of international articles/broadcasts, but funding to preserve it and establish a museum has been a struggle.)
Walker Williams, the acting chairman of the Buena Vista-Marion County Industrial Development Authority, also attended the meeting and expressed his desire to work closely with the Chamber and its members.
For more information about joining the local Chamber of Commerce dial 229-649-2842.
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MCHS TRACK HIGHLIGHT
• Lady Eagles shooting for 3rd region title in a row
• Eagles have stronger team for 2007
LOCAL NEWS
• Coalition appeals ruling on recall effort
• Schley’s Bass earns national certification
• ‘Gospel Explosion’ coming to Buena Vista
• MCHS’ McKinstry is regional champion soloist
• Chattahoochee Service Center offering free tax help
• SCHS baseball team improves to 9-1, still ranked No. 2
• Chattahoochee celebrates honor students with Pep Rally
• Marion High baseball team hits 3-game winning streak
• Coordinator Brown gives overview of Family Connection
• Blast from the Past: Few Ellaville businesses cling to early closing
• Annual Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday in Buena Vista
• ‘ChattCo’ High baseball team wins 3-of-4 (matches ’06 win total)
• Schley Concerned Citizens hope to buy old school
• BVA Tennis Association awarded $5,000 grant
• Marion High tennis teams continue to roll
• McKenzie deploys to Iraq
• MCHS competes in Academic Bowl
• Drug Awareness Rally in Buena Vista this Saturday
• Barrow wins first place in Tae Kwon Do
• Schley Chamber of Commerce preparing Business Directory
• Marion BOE reviews reports from principals
• Reporter wins prize from new Ellaville business
• Plants for sale at Marion County High School
• Speegle nominated for SGTC Student of the Month
• Webster Summer School Drive
• Locals complete nursing program at SGTC
• Doyle VFD Yard Sale is Saturday
• Library Board Meeting
• Luminaries on sale for Marion Relay for Life
• Jones is LK Moss Student of the Week
• Info on local cancer survivors sought
• Local fashion show set for March 31st
• MMS baseball team falls to Schley
• Relay for Life Quilt tickets now on sale
• Webster County School News
• Bows on sale to show support for the Relay for Life
• Tornado Safety: Increase changes for survival
• Farm Credit members to receive checks totaling more than $3.8 million
• National Library Week events in Buena Vista
• Marion Middle School News
• Terry is MMS Student of the Week
• Schley Elementary Perfect Attendance
* PLUS church news, advertisements, and a sale flyer
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