PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 11, 2019
Media Contact:
Bárbara Rivera Holmes
229.434.8700
Albany Area Chamber to host Gov. Kemp, Small Business Forum
Albany, Ga. – The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce will host Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp as part of its 2ndannual Governor’s Dinner December 17 in Albany at the Hilton Garden Inn.
The event, which is sold out, is the governor’s first major event in Albany since taking office in January 2019.
“Supporting small businesses and supporting rural Georgia are two of Gov. Kemp’s primary initiatives, and both are critical for Georgia’s continue economic expansion and for maintaining Georgia’s standing as the best state in the country for business,” said Bárbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. “Albany and the Albany Area are assets to the state – economically, culturally and environmentally. We are encouraged by Gov. Kemp’s recognition of this and by his efforts to lend attention and provide resources to the challenges and opportunities faced by small businsses and by rural communities.”
The Governor’s Dinner, which starts with a 6 p.m. reception, is presented by Colony Bank, Georgia’s 8th largest publicly traded bank and the largest community bank outside of Atlanta. The event is further sponsored by the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, the Albany State University Foundation and Flint Equipment Co.
Also on December 17, the Albany Area Chamber and the Georgians First Commission will host a regional small business forum aimed at creating a direct line of communication between small businesses and the Governor’s Office. The Georgians First Commission is Kemp’s initiative to secure Georgia’s designation as the best sate in the nation for small business.
“The Georgians First Commission is excited to visit Albany and the community of Southwest Georgia for our upcoming business meeting” said Scott Hilton, executive director of the Governor’s Office. “Governor Brian Kemp is focused on helping small businesses by reducing burdensome regulations that hinder innovation and growth in our state. We look forward to hearing directly from business owners on how we can cut, streamline and improve government for all citizens.”
Small businesses are encouraged to attend the 9 a.m. forum, held at the Albany Welcome Center, 112 N. Front St. in downtown Albany. The event is free but pre-registration is required. Registration is available bit.ly/2P549T0 or by calling the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce at 229.434.8700.