| By
Kay Harris
kay.harris@gaflnews.com
Chambers of Commerce provide networking opportunities and small
business development for their members as well as the encouragement
of economic growth for their communities.
Through
their membership with a Chamber, businesses receive valuable assistance
through a number of programs, workshops, business recognition awards
and services.
Some of the programs include Drugs Don’t Work, Make Education
Work, Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance program, Professional Consultants
Program and the South Georgia Business Expo.With more than 80 percent
of all businesses
classified as small businesses, the Chambers are a valuable resource
for services and economic development tools to make their businesses
successful.
| Adel-Cook
County Chamber of Commerce |
Address:
100 S. Hutchinson Ave., Adel
President:
Rhonda Geiger
Membership: 250
Located in Adel, the county seat of Cook County, the Chamber
serves a population of 16,000 resident and has grown by 50
members in the last year. |
| Valdosta-Lowndes
County Chamber of Commerce |
Address:
416 N. Ashley ST., Valdosta
President:
Myrna Ballard
Membership: 1,347
Located in the historic Barber House, the Chamber serves a
population of 93,000 in Georgia's 10th largest city. |
|
| Lakeland-Lanier
County Chamber of Commerce |
Address:
P.O. Box 215, Lakeland
Executive Director:
Ruth May
Membership: 170
Located in Lakeland, the county seat of Lanier County, the
Chamber provides services to a population of 7,200 in the
community. Now its second year as a Chamber, the organization
has founded a Leadership Lanier program for rising stars in
the community. |
| Nashville-Berrien
County Chamber of Commerce |
Address:
210 N. Jefferson St., Nashville
President:
Mary Alice McGee
Membership: 250
The Nashville-Berrien County Chamber serves a community of
17,000 through a variety of programs. |
Quitman-Brooks
County
Chamber of Commerce |
Address:
900 E. Screven St., Quitman
Executive Director:
Fred Lamb
Membership: 170
Located in historic Quitman in Brooks County on the Florida-Georgia
border, the area's Chamber serves a community of 17,000 residents |
Lake
Park Area
Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center |
Address:
5208 Jewel Futch Drive, Lake Park
Executive Director:
Rhonda Barnes
Membership: 130
Located in the southern part of Lowndes County, the Lake Park
Chamber of Commerce partners with Valdosta-Lowndes County
Chamber to provide business development resources to its members. |
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