Chamber News

B2B Stories

Examining the state of education in Georgia

Individuals at the forefront of post-secondary education participated in a State of Higher Education summit. It was organized by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. Featured speakers included Chancellor Sonny Perdue, University System of Georgia; Commissioner Greg Dozier, Technical College System of Georgia; and Jenna Colvin, President of the Georgia Independent College Association. (Photo Caption) From left to right: Daniela Perry, Executive Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation; Commissioner Greg Dozier, Technical College System of Georgia; Jenna Colvin, President of the

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B2B Stories

Chambers of Commerce are looking for a new wave of leaders

The two largest chambers of commerce in the CSRA are looking for individuals who want to learn the inner workings of their communities. The Augusta Metro and Columbia County Chambers are accepting applications for their 2027 leadership classes. Leadership Columbia County (LCC) is a ten‑month program with monthly full‑day sessions. “We are looking for folks that are interested in leadership roles in Columbia County,” Heath Taylor, President and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber, explained for ABD. “We will share education topics, political, government, arts, economic development, criminal justice, health

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B2B Stories

Your company is like your body. It needs regular check-ups.

Business owners learned the importance of performing a health check on their companies during a recent workshop sponsored by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. “The Health of Your Business: What’s Working. What’s Stuck, and Why?” was presented by Danielle Folsom, founder of The Productive.  That is a local consulting firm helping businesses be more efficient through clarity, alignment, and strong people systems. Folsom believes, like humans, businesses also have a DNA specific to its operation and business sector.  “My theory is that every business has a face, a heart and bones,

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Awards

500 + Chamber members get Presidential treatment at annual meeting

The incoming Columbia County Chamber President got to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to a retired Chamber President credited with being one of the key leaders behind Columbia County’s growth more than a decade ago. The new President and CEO, Heath Taylor (left), addressed the membership for the first time since starting on February 2nd.  He presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Tammy Gibbs Shepherd, who was President from 2010 to 2020. She helped strengthen local businesses, expand workforce programs, and was one of the leaders behind the push to

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B2B Stories

Meet the new Chamber President tomorrow night

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is stepping into its next decade with its annual banquet. The chamber celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. Preceding the evening banquet will be a special afternoon reception tomorrow, introducing Heath Taylor, the new Chamber President and CEO.  “To celebrate the chamber and what we’ve done and really highlight Heath and welcoming him on board and letting people have an opportunity to come shake his hand and welcome him back to the community,” incoming Chamber Board President Helen Caldwell told ABD. Heath Taylor stepped

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B2B Stories

Busy year on tap for a Chamber of Commerce in Metro Augusta

The Chamber of Commerce that works with businesses in all 13 CSRA counties in Georgia, stretching from Wilkes to Jenkins to Hancock, is preparing for a busy year. The Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce (GABCC) will tackle the year ahead with a kickoff event on Feb. 26. Ronic West, President and co-founder of GABCC, told ABD that their programs run from February through December. The kickoff event is the organization’s traditional opening each year. “We run a heavy program. Once we start running, we run at least three to

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B2B Stories

This Thursday public meeting to chart Columbia County’s future

The public will have a chance later this week to weigh in on Columbia County’s vision for the future. A public hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 29 for the draft proposal of the Foundations for the Future Comprehensive Plan.  Georgia requires local governments to update their comprehensive plan every five years. The Columbia County Chamber is working on its five-year plan as well. Scott Sterling is working on the five-year plan for the Columbia County government.  He is the Planning Services Division Director and explained the process for ABD.

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B2B Stories

Columbia County Chamber transitions into 2026

There is a new President and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber. He is a familiar face. Health Taylor will step into the role on February 1. Currently President and CEO of the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, Taylor is no stranger to the CSRA. He served as Vice President of the Columbia County Chamber and Vice President of Business and Community Development for the Aiken Chamber of Commerce. “Love the fact that he’s coming in here already knowing the community, has ties in the community, and already has relationships

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B2B Stories

Celebrating 75 years in North Augusta

What do the UN Headquarters opening in New York City, the premiere of I Love Lucy, ratification of the 22nd amendment limiting Presidential terms, and the beginning of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce have in common? All happened in 1951. “When I came here in 2012, a lot of folks that lived in North Augusta didn’t know we had a chamber,” President and CEO Terra Carroll told ABD. “I think because it was a bedroom community, and some of the activities that we did were really isolated to in-house

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B2B Stories

Chamber leaders reflect on past and plan for the future

ABD spoke with the leaders of the Richmond, Columbia, and Burke County Chambers of Commerce, as well as those in Aiken and North Augusta. They looked at accomplishments in 2025 and set their sights on 2026. At the region’s largest Chamber of Commerce, Angie Cox, President and CEO of the Augusta Metro Chamber, said 2025 kicked off with a fresh start after recovering from Hurricane Helene. “I think a reenergized approach to engage our members, and we tweaked some programming,” she said. “We were able to change some timing on

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