Categories: Business

COC Report (Part 2): Community and Economic Development

As we reported earlier this week, the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce presented its first quarter Report to the Board of Commissioners last Thursday. Today we highlight the second part of the report: Community & Economic Development.

So what’s going on in Gilmer County Community and Economic Development?

The Gilmer Chamber of Commerce is currently working towards a Georgia Work Ready certification for the county. Through a range of programs and partnerships, the Work Ready program assists Georgia’s communities in attracting new business. The program offers our county a means of demonstrating that its current labor force can fill existing jobs and meet the changing labor needs of the future. Receiving this certification will also bring the county a $10,000 workforce development grant.
The chamber is hopeful the county will meet its Georgia Work Ready certification requirements this week.

Click to learn more about the Georgia Work Ready program

The chamber is an active member of GEDA, the Georgia Economic Developers Association. GEDA is a non-profit association of professionals and volunteers who are involved with the economic development of the cities and counties of Georgia.
As Tourism Product Development Chair of the organization, Gilmer COC President Paige Green will be hosting a panel discussion at the GEDA Spring Workshop on non-traditional economic development (tourism, sports, and the film industry).

Click to visit the GEDA website

Gilmer County is currently being scouted as a filming location for a major motion picture. The Chamber is working with the state film office, which has made one visit and has two more planned for the next couple of weeks.

Click to visit the Georgia Film Office website

As Ms. Turner explained, having a film shot in our area would not only be a great economic boon while crews are in town, but could pay dividends later on as well in the form of “film tourism”, a tourism industry niche in which visitors tour filming locations. Film tourism is a growing industry. Examples include Savannah’s “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” tours and Manhattan’s “Sex and the City” tours.
On April 4th, 2011, the Gilmer COC, along with city and county partners, hosted a delegation of Chinese investors looking at commercial and industrial opportunities for investment.
New Business Inquiries and Prospects:
Ellijay Marketplace – The COC has worked with the owners through concept to opening.

Crave Homemade Ice Cream – Opening mid-May in Highland Crossing

East Ellijay Diner – Open in the East Towne Plaza

North Georgia Injection Molding – Owners of this parts manufacturer have signed a lease, acquired their business license, purchased equipment, and will begin hiring in mid-May. The company plans to hire 10 employees initially and eventually expand to 40 employees in 3-4 years.