Pickens Chamber Announcements

Pickens County Chamber

January Small Business of the Month
By: Lexi Hardman

L-R:  Elaine Kirk, Lorrie Shaw of Community Bank of Pickens County, Tiffany Haggard, Jim Haggard

L-R: Elaine Kirk, Lorrie Shaw of Community Bank of Pickens County, Tiffany Haggard, Jim Haggard

Please join the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce in congratulating the January Small Business of the Month, TR Payne Insurance Agency Inc, Country Financial. A framed certificate was awarded to TR Payne Insurance Agency Inc, Country Financial at the January Chamber of Commerce Breakfast by Lorrie Shaw of Community Bank of Pickens County, sponsor of the Business of the Month program.

Since opening in 2009, Tiffany and Elaine have worked hard to make sure their customers have the best experience possible. Together, they have over 50 years of insurance agency experience. Both born and raised in this community, they have seen the county grow over the years and believe that unique aspect allows them to better understand their customer’s needs. Their goal is to see Pickens County grow in the right direction, in hopes that it would benefit both newcomers and the current population.

Over the years, TR Payne Insurance Agency Inc, Country Financial has seen tremendous growth and plans to increase their employee count very soon. Despite the growth keeping them busy, they still find time to give back in countless ways. Both Tiffany and Elaine are very involved in the Chamber. Tiffany currently serves on the Board of Directors and is Co-Chair of the Business Advocacy Council. Elaine currently serves as a Chamber Ambassador. In addition, they sponsor Business After Hours, support the Georgia Marble Festival, attend Professional Women of Pickens County, attend Ribbon Cuttings, sponsor the Annual Winter Ball, attend Auto Give-Away, support Youth Leadership Pickens, support the Black Friday Basket, and have volunteered for multiple other Chamber functions. However, their community involvement does not stop with the Chamber. They sponsor local middle school and high school sports teams, donate monthly to the North Georgia Pregnancy Center, Tiffany served as Vice President of the PCMS Basketball Booster Club, support the Holiday Market & Expo, and Tiffany’s family sponsors a local family in need for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tiffany and Elaine truly love their community and it certainly shows through their long list of involvement.

Nominations for future Small Business or Large Business awards are now being accepted. Contact Denise Duncan for nomination forms at [email protected]

 

Pickens Chamber Breakfast Held

Donna McDonald, Amberle Godfrey

Donna McDonald, Amberle Godfrey

The Chamber Membership Breakfast was held January 12th with over 180 in attendance. Chick-fil-A of Ellijay catered a delicious breakfast and the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors was the breakfast sponsor. January’s program, “Creating a Compass That Guides the Way,” was presented by Amberle Godfrey, 2016 Board of Directors Chair, and Donna McDonald, Membership Manager. Amberle began by speaking on the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan. The three-year plan was formed from the 2015 Chamber Survey and focuses on four main goals: Economic Development, Government Relations, Business Prosperity and Quality of Life, and Communications. She concluded her portion of the program by presenting the 2016-2017 Plan of Action. This Plan of Action is comprised of eleven committees and five programs/events. If interested in participating in these committees and programs/events, the Chamber members were given the opportunity to fill out a Committee Interest Form. Donna McDonald then gave a short presentation on the Chamber’s 2016 Tier Membership Investment. The Chamber is “Breaking the Mold” in 2016 and Chamber members will have the chance to mold their membership investment to fit their specific business needs. For more information on the Strategic Plan, Plan of Action, or Tier Membership Investment, please call the Chamber at 706-692-5600.

In addition, Matt Youngblood, of WYYZ – 1490 AM and Chamber Ambassador, introduced our new Chamber members: Greg Moore, Hanging by a Thread, and Look at Me Now. The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast with the next scheduled breakfast on Tuesday, February 9th. This is a great opportunity for members to network and make great business connections. For more information about the breakfast or any other events hosted by the Chamber, please call 706-692-5600.

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