CAIRO, Ga. — July 9 marked one year since Trey Gainous took the reins as executive director of the Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce, and the Whigham resident said he’s learned quite a bit during his time at the helm.

During his year in charge, Gainous has gotten to know chamber directors from all around the region, and one of his biggest takeaways has been just how much business and industry there really is in southwest Georgia, not to mention how much everyone works together.

“It’s more involved and more intertwined than I thought, which makes me happy,” Gainous said.

Gainous was working as the maintenance director for Pinewood Nursing Center in Whigham a year ago, but he became interested in the position at the chamber because he wanted a job where he could support his family and help his community at the same time.

Assistant chamber director Courtney Salapa King, who arrived just six months before Gainous, held the reins until he settled in.

“She absolutely is the other half of the chamber,” he said.

Gainous also cited Joint Development Authority director Julian Brown.

“I’ve learned that we are a team and that us at the chamber and Julian Brown with the JDA must work together and function as a cohesive unit to progress and to help create economic prosperity,” he said, “and, in the long game, have a hand in creating a quality work force that will attract companies to our area.”

Now with a full year under his belt, Gainous said he’s beginning to see some of the fruits of his efforts, and he was most proud of the the change that he’s seen in the community.

“Finding out that people care just as much as Courtney and I do is exciting and keeps us pushing harder and for more,” Gainous said.

The chamber has added 29 new members since Gainous took over, and another four have returned after seeing what he and King have been doing.

Heading into his second year in charge, Gainous said he wants to continue growing membership and making clear what the chamber has to offer.

“I really want our members to see that their investment with us has a tangible effect on the community,” Gainous said. “It’s not just giving us money and we tell people this business is awesome; I want them to be able to see what the chamber does for them.”

Gainous’ other goal heading into his second year is to focus on how businesses interact with local students to help create a better quality workforce.

One of the biggest lessons Gainous has learned is just how much education and the private sector interact.

“I did not have a clue that it was this much, and I’m pumped about it for sure,” Gainous said.

If kids are educated on what the community has to offer, and vice versa, then they’ll be more likely to stay and help grow the local economy.

“It’s getting everybody on the same page and really showing everybody how awesome Grady County is and that you don’t have to leave,” Gainous said. “You can have a good quality of life and a great job here.”