1997-1998

AGRI-BUSINESS:

• Continued supporting existing agriculture related industries in county.
• Actively recruited poultry processors to Washington County.
• Co-sponsored annual events with Extension Service and Farm Bureau.
• Supported Forest Heritage Center's Tree Bear effort.
• Hired a consultant to serve as liaison for the poultry industry.

ANNUAL MEETING:

• Planned and executed 1998 Annual Meeting.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

• Encouraged and supported owners/operators to return to historic facades.
• Supported Downtown Design Team's visit to Tennille.
• Sponsored county-wide Anti-Litter campaign and encouraged Adopters to clean 4 times or more year.
• Supported Washington County's Recreation Department activities.

CHARLES E. CHOATE EXHIBIT:

• Publicize CEC room and encourage tourism both locally and state-wide.
• Continue working on brochure advertising Charles E. Choate Memorial Room.
• Contact Southern Living with information for article on CEC Room.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

• Aggressively recruited tenants for available sites/ buildings.
• Secured additional industrial park for county.
• Promoted diversification of industrial base in Washington County.
• Sponsored US Chamber of Commerce's legislative action.
• Extensively visited and continued to support poultry processing plant for Washington County.
• Updated promotional marketing material of county.
• Executed Washington County Statewide Developers Day.
• Visited Atlanta at least by-monthly calling on state-wide developers.
• Coordinated ground breakings and ribbon cuttings for new industries and businesses.
• Promoted region with CSRA, Ga Chamber, utility companies, and state department.

EDUCATION:

• Co-sponsored second annual Youth Leadership program for High School Students.
• Executed 1997 Leadership Washington County Program.
• Continued sponsorship of annual STAR Program.
• Co-sponsored Sandersville Tech's GOAL Program.
• Supported WaCo Hawks in State Championship with second annual Community Parade.
• Maintained and expanded business ADOPT-A-SCHOOL program.
• Supported Head Start's grant for extended hours before and after school.
• Continued to sponsor TEACHER OF MONTH for each school in WACO.
• Supported the opening and dedication of Elder Middle School.
• Continued promoting extention programs in WACO.
• Sponsored annual new teacher luncheon for public schools.
• Implemented new mentoring program at T.J. Elder Middle School.
• Continued supporting LIFE Center and Certified Adult Literacy Program.

EXECUTIVE:

• Attended the Georgia Chamber's Annual Meeting and Congressional Luncheon.
• Studied and secured move to Sandersville Library Building when vacated.
• Co-sponsored political forum prior to elections.
• Supported Local Option Sales Tax referendum.
• Co-sponsored merger study between Sandersville and Tennille.
• Redesigned Chamber of Commerce Logo.
• Upgraded Chamber's computers and software programs.
• Revised Chamber Board's organizational structure.

KAOLIN FESTIVAL:

• Organized 1997 Kaolin Festival using theme "Kaolin-Marching Toward the 21st Century".

MEMBERSHIP:

• Continued working to retain current membership & enlarge membership.
• Supplied monthly newsletter to membership.
• Studied and realigned the twelve year old dues structure.
• Secured database for chamber membership.
• Held annual meeting in April.
• Maintained quarterly business after hours.
• Published brochure on Chamber's mission.
• Increased membership

EXISTING INDUSTRY/ SMALL BUSINESS

• Sponsored Labor Relations and Marketing related topics Seminar .
• Conducted Business Retention and Expansion Process (BREP) with 25 local businesses.
• Supported UGA's Small Business Development Center's presence in county.
• Proactively studied and took action to address EPA's Clean Air legislation.
• Supported China Clay Producer's efforts.
• Assisted industries to recruit prospective employees and suppliers to Washington County.
• Sponsored and attended Georgia Mining Association's Annual Meeting and Legislative Agenda.
• Fought to defeat the severance tax.
• Supported Ga Tech's Existing Industry Program's presence in county.
• Supported GDITT's Existing Industry's Regional Office.
• Sponsored quarterly Business After Hours.
• Recognized Manufacturing Week in Georgia.

TOURISM:

• Distributed Old City Cemetery in Sandersville brochure.
• Investigated video production of Washington County for Econ. Dev. and Tourism purposes.
• Publicized and showed Charles E. Choate Memorial Room as Tourism Opportunity.
• Secured support materials for Charles E. Choate Memorial Room.
• Published 1997 Holidays in Washington County.
• Supported Classic South Region's Tourism efforts through state department.
• Promoted efforts of all communities in WACO regarding tourism activities.
• Co-sponsored winning nomination of Choate Room for Ga Historic Preservation Award.
• Investigated walking tour for downtown Sandersville.

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION:

• Supported progression of the Fall Line Freeway in Washington County and the state.
• Supported sales tax referendum.
• Continued to develop a close relationship with Department of Transportation board members.
• Supported and assisted city, county, and state efforts in local road improvements.
• Supported the City of Sandersville's fiber optic system endeavor.
• Implemented a web-site for the Washington County Chamber.
• Explored and implemented voice mail options for the Chamber's telephone lines.
• Supported Washington County's effort in applying for 1997 Challenge Grant.
• Secured Internet access and e-mail capabilities for the Chamber.

WASHINGTON COUNTY LEADERSHIP ALUMNI:

• Executed 1997 LEADERSHIP WASHINGTON COUNTY .
• Supported first annual Youth Leadership Program for High School students in WACO.