Chick-fil-A

 

Coastal Oaks Home Inspections

National Park Service
St. Marys Kiwanis Club

Restoration Hands of Aloha

H&R Block

Crooked Rivers

LOWE'S Home Improvement

Lil Stitches

Cumberland Inn & Suites
Osprey Cove
Chick-fil-A
Marianne's Sterling's Southern Cafe

 

Georgia Power
Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford & Martin

Southeast Georgia Health System

 

Special Thanks to John Minor for all his help and support during the Leadership Camden Graduation.  Thanks John

Thank you to Satilla Community Bank & J.P.'s Spirits & Wines for sponsoring the April Business After Hours.  Also, thank you to Marianne's Sterling's Southern Cafe for hosting the event. If you missed the opportunity to taste some of the delicious gumbo form Marianne's or taste any of the wine that J.P.'s had to sample, please stop in and be sure to visit them!  Special congratulations to Sheila from Weigh Less who won the best dressed contest! We hope to see you the May Business After Hours sponsored and hosted by Bennett Suzuki in Kingsland.  It will be held on Thursday, May 21st from 5-7 pm.  Allen says, "I'm the best bar-b-quer in town!" Come on out and see for yourself.  Join us for great food, fun and networking.  Look forward to seeing you there. 

    

 Sheila with Weigh Less winner of Costume Contest

 

Their final class held this month, was Invest in Your Community Day which focused on the good works of the non-profits in Camden County.  Many in the class stated that they had no idea that some of the non-profits they learned about existed in Camden County.

 

Special thanks to Dave Reilly for setting up Military Day and to Jeff Barker for setting up and facilitating Invest in Your Community Day.

 

Thank you to Jennifer Lewis, the Leadership Camden Committee Chair, the facilitators, program organizers and the Alumni for all your help in ensuring Leadership Camden was the success it was. 

 

The graduates enjoyed a low country boil, prepared by John Minor a past Leadership Graduate at the Savannah Club in Winding River. Congratulations to all our graduates this year.  They were: Alison Crews, Charles A. Smith, Devon Loggins, Dianne Feine, Fran Baker, Jack Gross, Jr., Karla Rosengren, Linda Horn, Mallory Verret, Mary Louise Glass, Michael Wooden, Mike McKinnon, Rev. Randy Mosely, Rhonda Wellman, Robbie Cheek, Shirley Wise, Stephanie Bishop and Dr. Steven Kang.   

Twenty-seven community leaders flew to Washington, DC for a three day trip to lobby and discuss issues having an impact on Camden County and its business community.  Those in attendance included: representatives from each city and county, Chamber of Commerce, Joint Development Authority, Georgia Power, The Camden Partnership, Navy League, Camden County School System, Soncel, P&A Engineering, Cumberland Financial Group, Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford and Martin, Southeast Georgia Health System, College of Coastal Georgia, Altamaha Technical College, Satilla Community Bank and VT Services.

 

Issues were divided into three major areas: Military, Education and Quality of Life. To review the issues presented in DC please click here.  Discussions took place with Congressman Jack Kingston, Senators Chambliss and Isakson, United States Coast Guard, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, Special Systems Program, FAA, Navy League and Special Operations Command. 

 

This was again, another successful trip that afforded us the opportunity to meet face to face with key decision makers and lobby for what is best for Camden County.  The planning process that takes place months prior to our trip allows us (Camden County) to speak with one voice.  If there is not total agreement on any one issue, the issue is not addressed in Washington. 

 

Now that we are home, the work continues.  The Fly-in group will monitor and follow-up on all the issues addressed and report their findings during the Community Action Group (CAG) meetings every other month.  If you would like to stay informed, check the Chamber's Community Calendar for meeting dates and times and join us. 

 

 

Do you want to meet the new members of the Chamber one on one? If so, this is your opportunity to do just that.  All new members are invited to attend the June 10, 2009, New Member Welcome Open House sponsored by TDS Telecom.  The Open House will be held at  the Citizens State Bank Community Center from 8 am - 9:15 am.  Join us and share with us all we need to know about you and your business. 

 

Everyone in attendance will also have the opportunity to meet the staff, board, Chamber Ambassadors and other members present.  Everyone will learn how to get the most of their Chamber Membership.  Please be sure to RSVP by June 5th with the Chamber at 912-729-5840 or email info@camdenchamber.com.

 

Everyone is invited, even if you are not a new member and would like an overview of what you receive from your Chamber membership or hear what TDS has to offer, just RSVP.  We would love to have you join us.  Continental breakfast will be served.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 25th, to attend the Chamber's Annual Dinner.  The Chairman of the Board will recognize and thank our volunteers and give a summary of the Chamber's accomplishments over the past year and our incoming Board Chairman will give you an overview of our goals for the upcoming year.

 

We will also recognize our Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Spirit Award and Ambassador of the Year Award winners, Chamber Committee Chairs and Incoming and Outgoing Board Members. 

 

Last but not least we will feature world class entertainer, Dr. Holiday the "Hilarious Hypnotist". Please join us for an entertain evening. Tickets are $50 for Members and $75 for Non-Members.

 

Sponsorship opportunities for the Annual Dinner are available by clicking here.  To nominate the "Business of the Year" or the "Entrepreneurial Spirit Award" click here for the nomination form.  

 

Volunteers and Committee Members are needed, booth and sponsorship registrations are now being accepted. This is your opportunity to showcase your business or organzation to over 800 people in a four hour period.

 

Be ready and plan for a fantastic event on October 15th.  To register or sponsor event click here.  

Over the past year, the Committee for Leadership Camden Alumni has been meeting to talk about ways to enhance, energize and continue the Leadership Camden experience.  

 

For all Leadership Camden graduates, it is now time to renew and they would like to encourage all graduates to consider joining if you haven't yet, or renew if you are a Charter Member.  There is a "one time" offer for a five year membership for $100, or you can certainly join or renew for the annual fee of $25.
 
The Alumni is now in the process of launching the Leadership Camden Alumni "Success Series".  This event is Saturday, June 6, 2009, at 6:30 pm held at the Tribune & Georgian.  Founder Dink NeSmith will meet with a group of 50 alumni members to discuss his life, his dreams, his family and his future visions. 

 

This program platform will be the Alumni's fundraiser for future scholarships. There will be an admission charge of $25 per person and the program is only open to members of the Leadership Camden Alumni.  You won't want to miss this opportunity to hear Dink and network with fellow leaders.

 

All graduates can make checks payable to Leadership Camden Alumni and send check c/o Camden County Chamber of Commerce, 2603 Osborne Road, Suite R, St. Marys, GA 31558 or pay with VISA or MasterCard.  To reserve a seat for the "Success Series" please make check payable to Leadership Camden Alumni and send the check in c/o the Chamber. 

 

The Alumni is looking forward to the beginning of another outstanding Leadership Program.

The 2008 - 2009 Camden County High School (CCHS) commencement ceremony is currently scheduled to take place on Friday, May 22, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at Chris Gillman Stadium.

The weather forecast for Friday night includes partly cloudy skies with a twenty percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will range in the mid-sixties.
However, in the event of inclement weather, the following procedure will be observed: Students will be notified by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2009, if the graduation ceremony must be postponed due to inclement weather. The public is encouraged to check the Camden County High School website or listen to either of the local radio stations (FM 89.3 or FM 106) at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2009, to receive information regarding the postponement of the commencement ceremony.

If inclement weather forces the postponement of the ceremony, it will be rescheduled to take place at 10:00 a.m. the following day, Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Chris Gillman Stadium.

In the event severe weather persists on Saturday, the ceremony will be moved to the Camden County High School gymnasium and will begin at 10:00 a.m. that same day. Due to limited seating capacity in the high school gymnasium, high school seniors will be provided four tickets for admittance to the gymnasium and two tickets to the auditorium.
Guests with tickets to the auditorium will have an opportunity to view a live simulcast of the graduation ceremony. Only those individuals who possess tickets will be permitted to enter either the gymnasium or the auditorium during the ceremony.

Individuals requiring additional information may contact Ms. Florence Sparks, CCHS Student Activities Coordinator at (912)729-7318. 

 

Businesses are encouraged to join Bikes Belong in Camden in an effort for Camden County to become a Bike Friendly Community.  Participation available at many levels. Earn a designation as a Bike Friendly Business for FREE! For more information, visit www.camdenfamilies.org/healthpromotion.html. 

 

 

 

Family event featuring food, crafts, 5K run, the 11th Annual Rotary Club of Camden County Duck Race, and much more.  The United States Navy's "Windward Ensemble" will be performing a concert of patriotic music as the grand finale.  Duck race tickets can be purchased from any Rotarian.  The winning duck will win $1000, $500, $250 and $125.  

 

 

We now have one confirmed case in Georgia.  However it is not in Camden County.  Take regular precautions as you would for any illness handwashing, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and please stay home if you're sick. 

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) is requesting proposals from qualified organizations with demonstrated experience in program evaluation, energy efficiency, and public outreach, to provide monitoring services to the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP or Program).

 

The Program is ramping up activities associated with the increased funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Program follows requirements of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, Department of Energy policy and guidance. The requirements shall flow down to applicable sub-contractors at any tier to the extent necessary to ensure the sub-contractor's compliance with the requirements.

The "Contract Monitor" will work closely with GEFA, current state weatherization program fund recipients (Service Providers), sub-contractors, and the general public to provide compliance review, technical assistance, and information sharing to service providers to ensure that:

All funds awarded under this RFP must be expended through March 31, 2010. The geographic area to be served under this proposal covers all 159 counties in Georgia, with anticipated inspection of 1,400 projects.

Green Source USA, LLC, a Savannah based company, is launching 5 new websites dedicated to green living. The websites, which will launch in Savannah, GA - www.SavannahGreenSource.com,  Atlanta, GA, - www.AtlantaGreenSource.com, Charleston, S.C. - www.CharlestonGreenSource.com, Asheville, N.C. - www.AshevilleGreenSource.com, & Jacksonville, Fl, - www.JacksonvilleGreenSource.com, are primarily business directories of local green businesses but offer other resources as well, such as:

Additional sites in Nashville, TN, Charlotte, N.C., Columbia, S.C., the Hudson Valley, Coastal S.C. and GA are slated to be up by the end of 2009. Co-founder Libby Bacon states, "We hope to not only be a resource for the green consumer, but also become a resource for local businesses in these areas that want to implement more sustainable practices in the workplace." Libby feels extremely fortunate to have partnered with internet marketing company Radius Media Group, which specializes in niche marketing. Co-founder Larry Hodges brings his nine years of experience behind the Radius websites to make Green Source USA a reality.

 

Research shows that Green Consumers are hard to identify by demographics such as age, ethnicity, and gender, but instead are identified by the values that they bring to the marketplace. These consumers have a desire to purchase products, goods, and services from local businesses with similar values. According to Larry and Libby, "Our desire is to help bring the local green community together by providing a local resource for low impact living."

 

For more information about Green Source USA, LLC please visit www.SavannahGreenSource.com or contact Libby Bacon at (912) 272-3776 or Larry Hodges at (912) 713-3447. 

Camden County Health Department is in the process of organizing a Medical Reserve Corp to volunteer with public health in the event of an emergency or disaster.  Their next meeting will be May 21, 2009 at 6:30 pm at the Kingsland Clinic located at 600 N. Charles Gilman Avenue, Kingsland.  If you are interested or know anyone who is, please do not hesitate to call Janet Duffield at 576-3040.

On May 26th, there will be a road construction and improvement project to include relocation and/or removal of utilities at Laurel Island Parkway and Gross Road intersection.

The road users at these areas are urged to take extra precautions while work is in progress.  Any questions or comments in this matter are to be directed to the City of Kingsland, by calling Mercy Thompson, City Engineer at 729-5613.

 

WASHINGTON - Small businesses suffering financial hardship as a result of the slow economy may be eligible to receive temporary relief to keep their doors open and get their cash flow back on track through to a new loan program announced today by SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills.
 
Beginning on June 15, SBA will start guaranteeing America's Recovery Capital (ARC) loans.  ARC loans are deferred-payment loans of up to $35,000 available to established, viable, for-profit small businesses that need short-term help to make their principal and interest payments on existing qualifying debt.  ARC loans are interest-free to the borrower, 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA, and have no SBA fees associated with them.
 
"These ARC loans can provide the critical capital and support many small businesses need to make it through these tough economic times," said Administrator Mills.  "Together with other provisions of the Recovery Act, ARC loans will free up capital and put more money in the hands of small business owners when they need it the most. This will help viable small businesses continue to grow and thrive and create new jobs in communities across the country."
 
As part of the Recovery Act, the ARC program was created as a no-interest, deferred payment loan to help small businesses that have a history of good performance, but as a result of the tough economy, are struggling to make debt payments.
 
ARC loans will be disbursed within a period of up to six months and will provide funds to be used for payments of principal and interest for existing, qualifying small business debt including mortgages, term and revolving lines of credit, capital leases, credit card obligations and notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities.  Repayment will not begin until 12 months after the final disbursement.  Borrowers don't have to pay interest on ARC loans.  After the 12-month deferral period, borrowers will pay back the loan principal over a period of five years.
 
ARC loans will be made by commercial lenders, not SBA directly.  For more information on ARC loans, visit www.sba.gov