September 29, 2021
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Tom Blanchard III, Chairman of the Board
Tom Blanchard III is the President of Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate Company and currently serves as Chairman of the Augusta Metro Chamber Board of Directors. As Chairman of the Board, Tom is responsible for governance of the organization and implementation of its strategic priorities. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2013 and has previously served as Treasurer, Vice Chairman and Chairman Elect in years 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively. Additionally, Tom has served on the Chamber’s Advocacy Committee as an important voice on local, state and federal policy issues impacting the region. Tom also serves as the Chairman of the Chamber’s Housing Task Force which engages with municipal governments to enhance growth and development through collaboration.
ADVOCATE champions for business
CHAMBER BOARD RECEIVES UPDATE ON AIRPORT
Augusta Regional Airport Executive Director Herbert Judon provided an update to the Chamber’s Board at their September meeting. Mr. Judon provided a review of the impact of the pandemic in 2020 on travel to and from the airport but indicated that for the summer months this year travel came very close to pre-pandemic levels in the leisure sector. He also reviewed capital projects under construction at the airport including runway improvements, hangar expansion and securing consultants to study a potential terminal expansion. He also shared photos of improvements being made to the baggage areas and ticketing areas of the terminal.
WORKGROUP MOVES TOWARDS MORE BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ORDINANCE
The Workgroup tasked with improving a proposed Non-discrimination Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County is moving forward with mirroring its ordinance after one currently in use in Savannah. That Chamber believes that this development will significantly improve key components of an ordinance considered for adoption because of three factors President Sue Parr voiced at earlier meetings. First, it will require a small filing fee on the part of complainants to discourage frivolous claims. Second, it will reduce both the time and personnel required to review and scrutinize claims and third, it will eliminate the need for adjudication through the magistrate court which was expected to be both costly and protracted for both claimants and respondents. The Chamber will continue to advocate for a business friendly ordinance that does not create undue burden or regulatory conditions, especially on small businesses that will largely be impacted.
RESILIENT AUGUSTA - FY22 BUDGET PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SURVEY
Augusta-Richmond County government encourages residents, business owners, and other key stakeholders to provide insights into how resources are allocated. Please complete this brief survey and share your opinion on how you would allocate resources to the services offered by the County.
We value your feedback and contribution to the budget formulation process, and thank you in advance for your time and participation.
ENGAGE participate and grow
PLANNING NOW FOR NEXT YEAR'S TAXES WITH CHERRY BEKAERT
Wrapping up 2021 means it’s the perfect time to start planning for next year. On Thursday, October 21, join the Augusta Metro Chamber, Beth Morrison, CPA, and Chris Lewis, CPA, Partners at Cherry Bekaert, for the do’s and don’ts of tax planning to ensure your business is positioned for maximum return in 2022.
SAVE THE DATE! WOMEN IN BUSINESS SIGNATURE EVENT
Mark your calendars to join us Tuesday, November 16 at Crown Plaza North Augusta for our 2021 Women In Business Signature Event, an evening with Teresa MacCartney, Acting Chancellor of the University of Georgia.
Teresa MacCartney became acting chancellor of the University System of Georgia on July 1, 2021. She oversees 26 public colleges and universities with a $9.8 billion annual budget, 48,000 faculty and staff and more than 341,000 students. The Georgia Public Library System and the Georgia Archives are also part of the University System, which has been recognized nationally for its efforts in cost savings and student attainment.
SUCCEED success is contagious
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RIBBON CUTTING CELEBRATIONS
Thursday, October 14 at 4pm
We love celebrating your success! Visit our website film studio to take a look back at all Ribbon Cut Video Productions
with our members.
AUGUSTA LAND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
The Augusta Land Development Conference was designed to bring together property owners, developers, and investors to share ideas and discuss ways to work together on projects that benefit the community. Created with an eye towards churches and other non-profits, the conference will feature presentations from: the Augusta, Georgia Land Bank Authority; the Augusta Economic Development Authority; the Augusta Housing and Community Development Department; Housing and Urban Development; and the Center for Community Progress. It will take place on October 6-7, 2021, from 7:30 AM to 5 PM at the Kroc Center. Register below or CLICK HERE view the official brochure.
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AUGUSTA METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | WEBSITE
Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce | One Tenth Street, Suite 120, Augusta, GA 30901
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