MAY-JUNE 2024
Celebrating Success
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As we close out the 116th year of business, the Greater Hall Chamber continues its mission to support an aggressive business environment and make a positive contribution to the community. Serving as a valuable resource for information, the Chamber is THE voice for business and an important link to community development. We will celebrate a year of success at the Annual Meeting & Gala on May 16 and reflect on our many accomplishments.
Chairman’s Column page 2 Economic Development page 4 New Youth Leadership Class page 5
Small Business page 11 Healthy Hall Awards page 16 New Members & Ribbon Cuttings, pages 20-22
upcoming events Thursday, May 16 Annual Meeting & Gala
Chattahoochee Country Club
Tuesday, June 4 South Hall Business Coalition King's Hawaiian Bakery
Thursday, June 6 Business After Hours Summit ACE Hardware
Gainesville-Hall County continues to rank as the top Turner Wood & Smith Insurance job producing metropolitan area in Georgia. In 2023, 2023-2024 Chairman, Greater Area Development magazine and Site Selection named Hall Chamber of Commerce Gainesville-Hall County one of the “Top Small Metros in the Nation for Job Creation and Investment.” The Economic Development Council reports 2023 year-end results of nine new and expanding developments which will add 500 new jobs and $323 million in new capital investment to Gainesville-Hall County. Since January 1, 2022, a total of 24 new capital investments have been announced with more than 1,700 new jobs and nearly $1.1 billion in new capital investment. The 15th Annual Industry of the Year Awards were presented to pdblowers inc., Corporate Storage and Mar-Jac Poultry. Other industries recognized included Carroll Daniel Construction, Marel, ZF Gainesville, The Harris Products Group and Performance Foodservice. Connecting the business community, the Chamber continues to provide resourceful programs. Over 400 people gathered for Eggs & Issues with our legislators; 200 attended the Chamber’s Small Business Economic & Political Forecast; and 275 joined in on discussion at the recent Transportation Forum. Over 1,500 job seekers attended the Chamber’s Job Fairs, held biannually in the fall and spring. The events host 70+ companies with hiring managers on hand looking for employees. Continued on page 2.
Youth
Leadership
Meet the new Youth Leadership Hall Class on page 5. Founded in 2005, Youth Leadership now has some 1,280 student graduates and is grooming our next generation of community leaders.
featured member
Meetings & Events page 10
Brett Fowler
HALL
Member News pages 8-9
116th Annual Meeting & Gala
Thursday, May 16 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Chattahoochee Country Club An Elegant Evening Celebrating a Year of Success and Recognizing Annual Business Award Recipients Featuring Annual Business Awards
Small Business of the Year Family Business of the Year Community Service Award Silver Shovel Award Winners W.G. Mealor Chairman's Award Distinguished Citizen Award