Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce
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GA ASSN OF CHIEFS CERTiFIED POLICE DEPT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU CNU CHARTER AWARD Whether you are looking to move your family or your WINNING DOWNTOWN MAIN STREET WOODSTOCK business or just looking for a place to get out and play, 105 East Main Street, Suite 142 ARC DEVELOPMENT OF Woodstock, GA 30188 we have something for everyone to enjoy in EXCELLENCE AWARD 770-592-6056 Woodstock, GA! downtownwoodstock.org WELCOME A Message from the Chamber Chairman... I moved to Cherokee County when I was six years-old. At that point in my life I had important things on my mind like making new friends. Well now over 35 years later I’m still meeting new people – many of which I’ve met this year while serving as Chairman of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber prides itself on being a member services driven organization whose mission it is to promote business and the community while expanding the economy and enhancing the quality of life. Through an increasing membership base, combined with countless volunteers and a supportive community, the Cherokee County Chamber will continue to achieve our mission. Jeff Rusbridge, 2015 Chamber Chairman Partner It has been said that organizations like Chambers of Dyer & Rusbridge, P.C. Commerce don’t lead themselves - they are directed by those who have the best interest of the community at heart. For as the county grows so does the Chamber. The array of opportunities offered to members, residents and potential newcomers are promoted online via CherokeeChamber.com which showcases how to become more readily connected with the Chamber and Cherokee County as a whole. In 2016 the Chamber will be led by Steve Garrison, owner of Canton Tire & Wheel. As a small business owner Steve understands the challenges businesses today face and can attest to the fact that active Chamber involvement is one of his keys to success. I know the organization will continue to excel with Steve at the helm of the dedicated Board of Directors who work collaboratively with the membership to move the Chamber forward. Turning back time isn’t something I’ve mastered, yet I can reflect on how much this community and my life have changed since I was six years-old. My family made the right choice for my future when we moved here all those years ago and as you and I now raise our families here and grow our businesses here Steve Garrison, 2016 Chamber Chairman it is our responsibility to prepare Cherokee County for future Owner Canton Tire & Wheel generations. My challenge to you and your business is to get involved. The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is the place to do just that! Jeff Rusbridge, 2015 Chamber Chairman Partner, Dyer & Rusbridge, PC www.CherokeeChamber.com 1 connecting cherokee 4 Cherokee Co. Chamber of Commerce 28 Top 10 in 10 Connecting. Creating. Cultivating. Young Professionals to Watch 34 10 Cherokee Co. School District Canton Among Leading Public School Systems A City of Uncommon Character 36 12 Holly Springs Forecasting Great Success A Growing Thriving Community Dr. Marshall Shepherd 38 Waleska 14 Kennesaw State University A Community of Great People Georgia’s Next World-Class Institution 40 Woodstock A Great Place to Live 16 Chattahoochee Technical College Ready for Students 42 Ball Ground Fascinating History in a Lovely Setting 18 Reinhardt University Building Lives and Shaping Futures 44 Real Estate Update 58 20 Reinhardt University Calendar of Events Dr. Kina S. Mallard 62 Newcomer Information 22 Northside Hospital-Cherokee 64 A New Cornerstone of Care Statistics 24 WellStar Health System Convenient Healthcare Close to Home Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA 30114 770.345.0400 www.CherokeeChamber.com Connecting Cherokee, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Quality of Life Publication is published and produced by Enjoy Magazine, Inc. Enjoy Magazine, Inc. reserves the right to edit all materials for clarity and space availability, and to determine the suitability of all materials submitted for publication. Reproduction, in whole or part, of this publication without the expressed or written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. © Copyright 2015 by Enjoy Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. 2 www.CherokeeChamber.com Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce connecting. creating. Cultivating. he Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, the county’s largest and strongest business-to-business network, focuses on connecting Tbusinesses and the community, creating business viability and value while cultivating member engagement. Founded in 1970, the Chamber is a highly proactive and visible influence in Cherokee County. While the majority of member businesses have ten or fewer employees, the Chamber provides a forum for businesses of all sizes and types. Serving 1,000 members through professional and personal development opportunities, while promoting a strong, vigorous economic climate in Cherokee County, the Chamber remains an active, viable organization after almost 46 years of service. Not only does the Chamber create an atmosphere for new business growth in the county, the Chamber also strives to ensure existing businesses thrive and newcomers and visitors recognize what Cherokee County has to offer. The Chamber staff brings over 75 years of combined organizational management experience to the table and provides many services and resources – some of these are available to the public, others specifically to Chamber members. Business and community leaders volunteer hundreds of hours each year as they review challenges, seek solutions and explore new ideas in order to make Cherokee County a progressive, prosperous and imminently livable community. Annually the organization’s membership elects a Board of Directors to oversee the Chamber and its initiatives. The Directors then elect a Board Chair who steers the organization along the pathway to success. Since the Chamber’s inception in 1970, the roster of former leaders continues to include the best of the best. The Chamber and its staff is actively involved with organizations such as the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE) as well as the Georgia and US Chambers of Commerce. The Cherokee County Chamber was designated by GACCE as a Georgia Certified Chamber, a program designed to promote public awareness of the intent of the chamber of commerce brand as a not-for-profit community development-based business membership organization by providing a peer Top: Like the marker says, gardening is food for the soul. Attendees at the 2015 Business Showcase left with ‘food for review process of generally accepted chamber of commerce organizational thought’ over the 40+ businesses that exhibited at the expo. benchmarks. Only one of 54 Chambers in Georgia to carry the Certified Lower: Vendors at the Business Showcase took the “Grow Chamber title, the Cherokee County Chamber was in the inaugural group Your Business Here” gardening theme to heart as they of 25 honorees announced in 2011. The Chamber will seek recertification encouraged potential customers to do just the same with in 2016. their businesses. (continued on page 6) 4 www.CherokeeChamber.com Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce connecting. creating. Cultivating. (Cherokee County Chamber continued from page 4) Recognizing business and community leaders for their and enhancing the quality of life. This litmus test is conducted commitment to Cherokee County is important to the Chamber. annually for each effort the organization under takes. The organization’s annual recognitions include the First Citizen of Cherokee County designation, Chairman’s Council From ongoing committees to short-term Think Tanks, there Volunteer of the Year - the organizations’ top ambassador are ample ways to become an engaged member of the Cherokee - along with Cherokee’s Top 10 in 10 which honors 10 up County Chamber. For those anxious to network, the Chamber and coming young professionals under the age of 40 who are provides these opportunities as well. In fact, the Cherokee expected to be among the county’s rising stars over the next County Chamber prides itself on being touted, by its members, ten years. The Chamber joins with initiative partner Enjoy! as a relationship building organization. Cherokee Magazine in honoring the 2015 honorees who are featured in this publication. A full listing of the Chamber’s initiatives, programs and activities is promoted online at CherokeeChamber.com. You Chamber initiatives focus on a variety of aspects yet follow a can become the Chamber’s friend on Facebook to learn more common thread of meeting the Chamber’s mission to promote first-hand. Consider the options outlined below a random business and the community while expanding the economy sampling of what is offered to our members. 6 www.CherokeeChamber.com The Governmental Affairs Council promotes the Chamber’s Above/Top: Business After Hours are held at member businesses