VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Lane Keen, Keen Signs & Graphics
Lane Keen, President of Keen Signs & Graphics, has been a valuable member of the Chamber's Red Carpet Showcase Committee for 22 years, and can usually be found inside the hospitality tent each year serving up refreshing drinks and yummy snacks to patrons of the Masters Tournament. He currently serves on the Augusta Metro Chamber Board of Directors and is the Chamber’s Board appointment to the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO), mitigating the impact of downsizing of the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site through support of regional adjustment planning and promotion of area economic diversification.
ADVOCATE champions for business
CHAMBER PROVIDES COMMENTS TO FOOD DESERT STUDY COMMITTEE
A Georgia Senate Study Committee chaired by Augusta Senator Harold Jones hosted its first meeting charged with developing potential policy that would improve access to healthy foods and ending food deserts. Representing the business community, Chamber President Sue Parr provided information on 3 key policy initiatives of the Chamber that can play a role in providing greater access to healthy foods and healthier lifestyles. Among the policies noted were recent advancements in offering expedited permitting for commercial development. Parr noted that urban redevelopment is costly and complicated and that offering a fast tracked permitting process is an important tool in the toolbox to help incentivize developers for retail and mixed use in urban areas. She also noted the Chamber’s role in advocating for the 2020 T-SPLOST which includes $23MM for public transportation as a very important step in providing greater mobility for citizens. Additionally, she explained the work of the Chamber in studying areas of the county that have low home internet adoption explaining that the availability and delivery of food will continue to trend upwards via online ordering and that internet accessibility is important for education, job seeking, telehealth and essentials such as food.
WORKGROUP STUDYING AUGUSTA NON-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE
As Augusta government continues to refine a potential ordinance, the Chamber participated last week in a workgroup setting to share various aspects of the proposed ordinance that are troublesome for the business community. President Sue Parr explained that a concern for the business community is the potential for frivolous claims and asked the workgroup to consider a filing fee for all claims submitted under the ordinance. She additionally indicated that the time and expense necessary to adjudicate claims through the magistrate court will be too protracted for both the claimant and the respondent to reach resolution in a timely fashion. She also noted that the initial review of claims should be handled by an attorney qualified in the area of discrimination and human resources. The workgroup will meet again to review how key topics of the discussion will amend the current ordinance.
ENGAGE participate and grow
COMMUNICATION TUNE-UP WITH DR. MELISSA FURMAN
Join the Augusta Metro Chamber and Dr. Melissa Furman, Founder and Consultant at Career Potential, LLC to learn about how business environments continue to change and become more diverse, all professionals can benefit from a “communication tune-up”. This session will provide practical recommendations to enhance your communication skills, especially when interacting with people who may communicate differently than you.
THIRD THURSDAY BUSINESS BUILDER WITH WORKFUL
Join the Augusta Metro Chamber and Dennis O'Keefe of Workful for a presentation on the value of using software to integrate business processes. Dennis will instruct participants on where to start, and identify what is specifically available for small businesses. The goal of this seminar is to help simplify and automate business necessities such as payroll, accounting, cash management and HR management.
Complimentary for Members, lunch provided.
FROM PANDEMIC TO SANSDEMIC AT MEMBER ECONOMIC LUNCHEON
On Wednesday, September 29, join us for a moderated panel discussion with Cal Wray, Augusta Economic Development Authority, Dr. Jermaine Whirl of Augusta Technical College, Brittany Burnett with United Way of the CSRA, and Mary Hayes, WorkBay.
The Augusta Region faces a shortage of workers as does the nation. Some of this disruption in the labor pool continues to be fueled by the pandemic, however many believe that the current worker shortage is decades in the making. This program will focus on opportunities to expand the labor market with more ready-to-work entry level engagement, upskilling the underemployed and earlier intervention at the K-12 level. It will also provide insight on the economic costs to our region of underemployment and unemployment.
SUCCEED success is contagious
RIBBON CUTTING CELEBRATIONS
Thursday, September 9 at 11am
Friday, September 10 at 10am
Thursday, September 16 at 4pm
Friday, September 17 at 2pm
We love celebrating your success! Visit our website film studio to take a look back at all Ribbon Cut Video Productions
with our members.
7TH ANNUAL "PACK A BACKPACK" SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
Join Mayor Hardie Davis and the O'Neal Insurance Agency to support our Elementary School Students through the 7th Annual Pack A Backpack School Supply Drive.
Donations are being accepted now - September 25. Items needed include backpacks, crayons, erasers, markers, facial tissues, pencils, pens, highlighters, glue sticks, notebooks, folders, pencil cases and face masks.
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