Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce

With excitement and anticipation, everyone held their breath as the chopper’s blades sliced through the air at such a rapid pace to drown out Mayor McIntosh just briefly during his supportive speech at this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo. The Governor’s Luncheon is always a special event, but even more so this year as our farming community, dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in mid-October, took a brief break from their assessing and cleaning efforts at their farms to listen to Vice President Mike Pence as he surprised attendees by flying in with a speech of encouragement. The Sunbelt Ag Expo was held at the perfect time to unite the farming community and the businesses that support our farmers following a huge blow to the industry.

So many of our Chamber members have rallied behind the agricultural sector of our area to show their organizations will assist in any way they can. Many of them joined us the last week of November for our Inaugural Harvest Celebration in which we honored farmers for all the hard work they give and to show our gratitude for the value they add to our region. Thanks to all the donations, volunteers, sponsors, and servers through our community partners, the event was a great success.

October and November have also been extremely busy for us as we have been right in the middle of our highly-anticipated fall fundraiser. The “30 Guns in 30 Days” raffle kicked off on Black Friday following Thanksgiving with the very first drawing and runs right up until almost Christmas on December 22nd. Thanks to all who supported us by buying all 1,000 raffle tickets!

Even with everything happening this fall, we have still gained several new members and celebrated long-term, faithful members as our Businesses of the Month. Those who joined in October were Real Life K-9 LLC – a certified dog training organization for behavior, protection, service, etc. (229-589-0358), Wayne Frier Homes of Moultrie – selling new and used manufactured homes (229-985-0016), Brookwood School – a JK-12 independent school (229-226-8070), Edward Jones – Griffin Dunn – investments, securities, and financial services (229-890-0946), Brady Electrical Contractors LLC – an electrical contractor (229-456-2805), Cherokee Garden Club – a garden club for ladies (229-319-3255), Hughston Clinic – an orthopaedic clinic (706-324-6661), Eyes on You Boutique – a downtown shop that offers clothing for women, men, children, plus size, shoes, etc. (229-429-3008), and Hero House – the Children’s Advocacy Center of Colquitt County (229-890-5549). In November, we added Market Produce – a produce market & gift shop (229-668-0209) and Aline’s – a new, family-operated, soulfood restaurant (229-890-7685) to our membership. Our October Business of the Month was JCI Contractors, a locally, family-owned business providing comprehensive commercial construction management, design-build, and general contracting services for a diverse and prestigious clientele in both the private and public sector. JCI takes pride in being customer oriented and always delivering more than the customer expects. They are located at 2535 Georgia Highway 37W and can be reached by calling (229) 985-4444. Our November Business of the Month was Legacy Village at Park Regency, a licensed assisted living and secured memory care community located at 3000 Veterans Parkway South. They provide a secure, attentive, home-like atmosphere while offering a full range of helpful services to those looking for a senior living community in Colquitt County. You can obtain more information about their facility and schedule a tour by calling (229) 890-3342.  

The Colquitt County Arts Center was planning to host our Business After Hours event in October, but a pesky hurricane postponed their event until 2019. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for details about their new date and time. In November, we were able to enjoy ourselves at the Friends of Reed Bingham State Park Business After Hours. We still had no winners for our Colquitt Cash drawing, though lots of fun door prizes were given away.

Our members brought in plenty of ribbon cuttings over the past two months. We celebrated with Plymel Agency, Family Recovery of Southwest Georgia, Je T’aime – A Bridal Boutique, Secure Records Solutions, Eyes on You Boutique, Monkey Britches, and Crooked River Enterprises. We have plenty more scheduled already in December and even spilling into January.

‘Tis the season for plenty of events around town, including the Colquitt County School System choir concerts, the Colquitt County Men’s Choir Concert that was on the 6th, Ameris Bank’s farewell to Ronnie Marchant on the 11th, the Packers State Championship Game on the 12th, the Downtown Moultrie Christmas Parade on the 13th, the Character Lunch and the Santa Stroll & Roll on the downtown square on the 15th, the Colquitt County Arts Center Holiday Skits & Songs show on the 17th, and the remaining giveaways for our daily gun raffle through Dec 22nd.   

The Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce staff would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a Happy, Blessed New Year! We wish you safe travels, merriment, cheer, and all the blessings both big and small that you can contain. Thank you to our board chair, board members, committee chairs, committee members, volunteers, and community partners for making this transitional 2018 year here at the Chamber one of great success and blessing. You are all very much appreciated!

This year may have brought turmoil, trials, and transition, but a treasure has emerged through it all. We have been privileged to watch our community come together, unite as one, and serve one another and those beyond our borders through the generosity of the human spirit and heart in 2018. I don’t think our Chairman, Pastor Wayne Woods of First Baptist Moultrie, realized just how relevant his theme for the Chamber would be going into this year when he chose “Come Together” at our annual banquet back in February. Never has it been more true than as we wrap up this year moving forward together into 2019. We are all proud to call Colquitt County and this community of wonderful people our home.