Sister City-bound

Two high school girls have been chosen to represent the youth of Troup County this summer at the Sister Cities International Convention in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Haley Batchelor (in video) and Hannah Howard, both home-schooled, submitted the winning essays to the LaGrange International Friendship Exchange (L.I.F.E.) contest on “How I Can Initiate Peace in my Community.”

Both young ladies espoused love and understanding as steps toward peace between people and then peace among nations.

L.I.F.E. has a Sister-City relationship with Craigavon, Northern Ireland, where the delegation from LaGrange will stay during the convention.

New Leadership Program

Leadership Troup, a training program for adults, has announced a second class will be chosen in 2009. The current class is finishing their sessions on youth issues, economic development, and the environment. A second class will be chosen to begin training in September. Nomination forms will be sent out in May. See the outline of the program and more information at http://www.lagrangechamber.com/resources/pdf.

The current class recently visited New Ventures, where Rick Brock of D.B. Green was "blinded" and put to work capping batteries. He'll tell you it wasn't easy.

New Ventures is a local facility to train and place the handicapped in jobs.

American Red Cross ribbon cutting

The American Red Cross has moved from Main Street to 900 Dallis Street in LaGrange. Your chamber of commerce was on hand to help celebrate the event. Cutting the ribbon were Red Cross Board Chair Jolene Davidson (left) and Executive Director Connie Hensler.

You may call the Red Cross at (706) 884-5818, e-mail them at lagrangeredcross@mindspring.com, or visit their website at www.redcross.org.

The local Red Cross is a United Way Agency. Visit the U.W. site at www.unitedwaywga.org or call them at (706) 884-8292. They can also be reached by e-mail at patty.youngblood@unitedway.org.

Golf deadline

The deadline to register for the chamber's annual golf tournament is today (March 30). The event will be held on Thursday, April 2, at the Overlook. Call Page to register at 706-884-8671.

Golf Game is On

Rain has made the greens greener and play is set for next week for the annual chamber of commerce golf tournament. Teams will compete on April 2, at the Overlook Golf Links to compete for prizes.

Golf tournament committee members recently reviewed the goodies to be given away.

From left: Jay Butts, A-Com Security; Page Estes, LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce; and Matt Mallory & Libby Willingham, the Mallory Agency.

Networking Works

The two networking groups were hard at work in adjacent rooms at the chamber of commerce early this morning. The forum allows a person to educate others on their business, so the networking friends are familiar enough to recommend one another to prospective clients.

Today Robby Burch of Hutchinson-Traylor Insurance Agency (standing left) explained the myriad of business coverage available, while at right Jerry Johnson of ERA First Realty (in the blue shirt and red tie) highlighted how the housing market is doing right now.

LaGrange College Impact

The Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges reports that LaGrange College had an economic impact of more than $48-million on our community in 2007. The report also noted that the college generated 561 jobs in the region.

The figures are arrived at by measuring the ripple effect from spending by the institution itself, students, faculty, and staff. However, it doesn't reflect the construction that has been taking place ($1.4-million in '07 and $8.2-million in '08). Nor does it factor in additional monies poured into our economy by visitors attending athletic and cultural events at the college.

Thus, the economic impact of having LaGrange College here is even more significant than reported.

Golden Triangle

Regional cooperation is the key to success in West Georgia and East Alabama, according to West Point (GA) Mayor Drew Ferguson IV. Speaking to the Rotary Club in that city recently, Ferguson introduced the chief executives of three local chambers of commerce. Sitting together were Page Estes of the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber, Lynda Dawson of Harris County Chamber, and Elinor Crowder of Greater Valley Area (AL) Chamber. Ferguson said the economic development zone represented by their areas forms a "golden triangle."

1907-2009 Mallory Continues to Serve

The Mallory Agency has been providing insurance protection for individuals, families, and businesses since 1907. The agency was founded by A.E. Mallory, Jr. and William L. Mallory. Rick Mallory (right) purchased the business from his father, Richard Mallory, in 1991. Matt Mallory, fourth generation, joined Mallory Agency in 2007. The picture above is actually a video. Click on the arrow to have it play.

The chamber of commerce salutes The Mallory Agency as our Small Business of the Month.

Future Leaders Sought

The Youth Leadership Program is now taking nominations for the next class. Students from rising sophomore, junior, and senior classes are sought. These young people must demonstrate leadership qualities through their actions, service to school, church, civic, or youth activities. Nomination forms are available at the chamber of commerce. The deadline is April 3, 2009. For more information, call 706-884-8671.

We cut ribbons

It's a large pair of scissors, but they really do cut and it's fun to help new businesses open up in our community. At right, Tom Cipolla brought Paisano's Italian Restaurant to downtown LaGrange and it's been hopping since opening day. He's at 104 Bull Street. The phone number is (706) 407-6412. They are open Tuesday through Sunday.

ITP Global Services, Inc., 1508 Whitesville St. is owned by Eunsook Choi, who is joined by her husband Jy for the official opening. They are flanked by office manager Maria Gallardo on the left and sales manager Susan Newsome on the right. The staffing agency also does executive placements and they can be reached at (706) 443-5184 or visit them on the web at http://www.itpglobalinc.com/.

Chamber members and local elected officials always like to welcome new businesses to our community. The chamber website has an abundance of information for those interested in starting a new business. In fact, LaGrange has been named an "Entrepreneurial-Friendly City" by the State of Georgia. Learn more at http://www.lagrangechamber.com/

Biggest Fish!

A new West Point Lake record hybrid bass was caught by Dustin Pate. Dustin was on a guided trip with Highland Marina Resort guide Todd Pursley. The new record hybrid was verified by the Department of Natural Resources and was weighed on certified scales at 14 pounds, 12 and 3/4 ounces.

The Chamber of Commerce West Point Lake Committee, which continues to monitor activity on the reservoir, said water levels are at a good level right now.

Executive Board March Meeting

The Tourism Division of the chamber announced at today's Executive Board meeting that they have awarded nine grants, totaling $31,000.00, to support tourism efforts in Troup County. One of the grants went to Bellevue, an antebellum home, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Small Business Committee will be sending out nomination forms for the "Small Business of the Year" awards, which will be given in May. While the Large Business Committee will be honoring the nominees by West Georgia Technical College for the "Georgia Manufacturer of the Year" award in April.

St. Patrick's Day in Downtown

Sure and begorra, but 'tis a fine day in beautiful downtown LaGrange, Georgia. The City fathers must be of Irish descent because they magically turn the fountain on the square a gorgeous green for the day.

Business After Hours

Join us at Business After Hours on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Invision Event Consulting, 133 Main Street, LaGrange, GA. It's free - just bring your business cards to help in networking with other business people.

Save the Date

October 20, 2009 - 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Chamber Trade Show & "Taste of Troup" at the Callaway Center of West Georgia Technical College, 303 Fort Drive, LaGrange, GA

Benefits:
Meet new customers
Showcase your product & services
A great advertising opportunity for your business at a cost of less than $1.00 a day!

We Welcome Your Feedback -
Did you participate last year?
If not, why not?
What is your perception of the event?

e-mail comments to Chamber President Page Estes at pestes@lagrangechamber.com

SBA to Host Stimulus Webcast

Attention businesses:

SBA to host stimulus Web chat


The Small Business Administration will host a Web chat Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. on what the economic stimulus legislation means for small businesses.
SBA Associate Administrator Eric Zarnikow will host the chat, and will answer questions from small businesses. As a result of the legislation, the SBA has increased its government guarantee on its flagship 7(a) business loans and temporarily eliminated fees on these loans. Fees also have been eliminated on loans made through its 504 program, which primarily finances real estate.
The SBA also is in the process of creating new programs as a result of the bill, including bridge loans of up to $35,000 for small businesses having trouble making payments on existing loans.
To join the live Web chat, go to www.sba.gov and click the Online Business Chat icon.