Albany Area Chamber President & CEO Bárbara Rivera Holmes, left, and Albany Area Chamber Chairman Matt Reed, right, announced Thursday the 2021 Albany Under 40 category winners, pictured here, during an evening awards reception honoring emerging leaders and young professionals representing the area’s diversified talent pool and economy.

December 3, 2021

Albany Area Chamber announces ‘Albany Under 40’ category winners  

Albany – The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday recognized the finalists and announced the category winners of the 2021 Albany Under 40 Awards, a program that celebrates the Albany Area’s emerging leaders and professionals in a variety of business sectors, each representing a component of the area’s diversified talent pool and economy.

“The Albany Area is home to young leaders who are making their mark through excellence in their professions, through their innovation and through their commitment to building a stronger region,” said Barbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber. “We’re honored to recognize these diverse, outstanding professionals and proud they’ve chosen to live, work and invest in the Albany Area.”

Category finalists were announced in November and honored at Thursday’s evening awards reception at Pretoria Fields Brewery in downtown Albany. Category winners, selected from among the finalists, were announced at the event:

• Arts, Entertainment, Culinary Arts, Events, Tourism & Hospitality: Kirstin Collins, American Peanut Shellers Association
• Civics, Defense, Government & Public Affairs: Ronnie Alvin Pettiford Jr., city of Albany
• Financial & Insurance Services: Allison Daniels, Marcus, Inman & Daniels Wealth Advisors
• Innovation & Start-Ups: Maria Carr, Body Perfection Studio
• Journalism, Marketing & Public Relations: Kori Phillips Foy, WALB News Channel 10
• Manufacturing, Service Industries, Energy & Architecture: Brandon Senn, Mosquito Source
• Medicine & Health Care: Cindreka Marshall, The LEGACY Case Management
• Nonprofit Services: Don R. Johnson, The Challenger League
• Youth & Education: Dr. Koosh Desai, Medical College of Georgia — Southwest Georgia campus

The 2021 Albany Under 40 is sponsored by Albany Air Conditioning & Heating; Colony Bank; Southern AG Carriers; and Hughey & Neuman.

The 2021 Albany Under 40 Young Professional of the Year, selected from among the category winners, will be announced at the Albany Area Chamber 112^th annual meeting next spring.

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There is nothing more convenient than whipping out your phone, typing in a URL (or opening an app), perusing offerings, and hitting a few buttons to buy something…anything…everything. We even get our groceries that way these days. But as convenient as online shopping seems, there are many reasons to shop local.

In person is the way to go this Small Business Season. We’ll explain why.

Our Favorite Reasons to Shop Local During Small Business Season

Yes, online shopping is convenient. You don’t have to change out of your PJs and it’s always open. But in the t-chart of holiday shopping options, there are a lot of reasons to shop local.

Here are a few of our favorites:

You’re supporting your neighbors.

When you support Small Business Season and shop local, you are supporting your neighbors and they are more likely, in turn, to keep the money you spent with them local as well (for every $100 spent locally, $68 of it stays local).

You are able to get in-person advice.

Not sure of the right size, color, or other option? Maybe you want to buy something but don’t know what else you need to make that purchase complete (like buying a fishing rod without any hooks or lures). An in-person shopping experience can help you straighten out the choices. Small business owners offer complete information and suggestions and you can ask questions about those suggestions. Doing that via chat online can be cumbersome and delayed as they are answering questions from several other shoppers at the same time.

You know what you’re getting.

Have you ever ordered something online only to be disappointed when it arrives? Maybe it’s smaller than you thought or the color is just too much. Online images can be very hard to discern. (Remember that dress a few years back? What color was that any way?) If you don’t read the description carefully, your item may be smaller (or larger) than expected and may not include things you had assumed came with it. Even when you do read the description, some items are sized differently or have unexpected variations. Don’t even get us started on what happens then.

For every $100 spent locally, $68 of it stays local.

Local yields easier returns.

Even though you have a clear understanding of what you’re buying when you buy in person, sometimes you need to return your purchase. When you do, it’s easier to do it locally than to send something back to an online store. Between paying for shipping to going to the post office and insuring it, bringing it back to a local business is generally easier than online returns.

Satisfaction guaranteed.

If you’re not satisfied with what you purchased, but it’s not something you can bring back (like a service or a food item), you know how to get in touch with the local provider. Some online sellers make it impossible to speak to a human. Try arguing your point with AI that uses keywords and automated language responses. Talking to the local business owner is much easier and they may be able to suggest something that is more along the lines of what you’re looking for.

Local shopping becomes an experience.

Yes, online shopping is quick, but you also have no memory of doing it. This can lead to overbuying. How many times during the holiday do you come home to find a package on your door step and you can’t remember what you purchased? You’ll remember when you go out. Plus, when you shop in-person or local, you can invite friends, family, or just make a pleasurable outing for yourself. This creates appealing memories of a wonderful seasonal experience.

It brings on the holiday spirit.

When you are out among the sounds and smells of the holiday, it brightens your mood. Who doesn’t love sparkling lights, glitter, snow (real or fake), and all of the happy tunes of the season? It’s hard to get those same smiles shopping online.

You may miss the best things when you only go online.

When you shop online, you do a few searches for things you are looking for. You are less apt to stumble across the perfect gift or item because you are on a targeted mission and only see what the online store presents. When you’re shopping in person, there are a lot of serendipitous moments where something catches your eye and you walk out knowing you found a treasure.

You meet and interact with people.

When you shop in-person, you meet and interact with people. We have been sequestered long enough. There’s something to be said from those chance meetings that occur when walking around town. Who knows–you could meet your next business partner or a former friend. From the warm smile of the business owner to a suggestion, compliment, or affirmation you receive from a fellow shopper, there are many times when these sorts of introductions can be very helpful.

You’ll receive better reviews.

Sure, online reviews are helpful but so are reviews from people around you. Plus, people you meet in person who are commenting on what you’re buying have a personal connection. They are vouching for the item or dish face-to-face. If you have questions about what they’re saying, you can ask. Online reviews are one-sided with very little chance for follow-up from the original poster.

No worries about delivery this small business season when shopping local.

With ports backed up and short-staffing throughout the supply chain, there’s a lot of talk about potential delivery delays this holiday. If you shop in-person, you won’t need to worry about this.

In-person shopping is perfect for procrastinators.

Sure, there are some online mega retailers who can get an item to you same day depending on where you live, but most times–especially as we get closer to the actual holiday–your best bet for last-minute gifts is a local shop. If you’re a procrastinator, feel free to take this reason to shop local as permission. You’ll feel less stressed about waiting , plus you won’t be depending on someone else’s delivery schedule.

Displays help you visualize.

Store displays are better than “you might also like” options in online stores. After all, the online suggestions are based on the buying patterns of others or using products the online retailer links together. Store displays are created (and stores are arranged) to help you find what you need and want. Collections are curated with the shopper in mind. You may find a lot of treasurers browsing that way.

Window shopping can lead to ideas.

When you shop in-person around the holidays you’ll be treated to beautiful window and decoration displays. These could inspire your holiday home décor or help you figure out something for your hard-to-buy-for aunt. A display may also draw you into trying a new business that you hadn’t noticed before. There are so many serendipitous possibilities when shopping in-person this Small Business Season.

You could find your next job.

If you shop in-person, you’ll quickly realize how many businesses are hiring. Who knows. You might decide to work at your favorite shop over the holidays.

One’s couch has never been the setting for a Hallmark holiday movie but Main Street certainly has.

And we all love those movies, don’t we?

We aren’t telling you to never shop online again. Online shopping is simply too convenient and there are many times when you can get things delivered online faster than you are able to clear your schedule and shop in-person. There are also many local sellers that have an online presence so you can buy online and still “shop local.”

Still, there are several reasons to shop local, including the ability to spread some holiday cheer to your local businesses this Small Business Season.

Those business owners would just love to see your smiling face and the serious ones of Mr. Jackson, Hamilton, and Washington.

This Small Business Season, let’s give local and small businesses something to be thankful for.

Let’s give them the gift of our support. Need local ideas? Visit our online member directory at albanyga.com.

November 9, 2021

Albany Area Chamber announces 2021 ‘Albany Under 40’ category finalists

Albany, Ga.– The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce today announced the category finalists of the 2021 Albany Under 40 awards, a program that honors and celebrates the Albany Area’s emerging leaders and professionals in a variety of business sectors, each representing a component of the area’s diversified talent pool and economy.

“Talent is the most important factor for businesses, and the Albany Area is home to talented young professionals who are making their mark through excellence in their professions, through innovation and through their commitment to building a stronger Albany Area,” Bárbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber, the region’s leading business advocacy organization. “We’re honored to recognize these outstanding professionals who have chosen to live, work and invest in Albany and the Albany Area.”

Nominations for Albany Under 40 were sought from the public. Category finalists were considered from among the nominees who applied, and were selected, following selections criteria, by a panel of volunteer judges: Sheri Barlow, Englewood Health Care; Victoria Gatsby-Green Brackins, Turner Job Corps; Blake Cook, The Levee Studios and Do Process; Harry Day, Flint River Entertainment Complex; Pamela Green-Jackson, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany; Brad McEwen, AB&T; Shaunea Motley, United Way of Southwest Georgia; Daniel Stone, Synovus; Juwan Wilson, Mars Wrigley Confectionary.

Category finalists will be recognized at the Albany Under 40 awards reception on December 2. Category winners, selected from among the category finalists, will be announced at the event. The 2020 Albany Under 40 Young Professional of the Year, selected from among the category winners, will be announced at the Albany Area Chamber’s 112^th annual meeting, in 2022.

Registrations for the Albany Under 40 awards reception can be made at albanyga.com.

View the 2021 Albany Under 40 category finalists here.

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May 7, 2021

Albany Area Chamber

Recognizes 2021 STAR students and teachers

Albany – The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce this week recognized Dougherty County students and educators as part of the PAGE STAR program that recognizes academic achievement and performance on the SAT.

“Education transforms lives and communities, providing opportunities for personal success, economic empowerment and economic development. We have incredible talent in Albany and Dougherty County, and we’re honored to shine a light on our STAR students and teachers,” said Bárbara Rivera Holmes, president & CEO of Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, the local STAR program sponsor and a key player in strengthening the talent pipeline that creates opportunities for students, job seekers and employers. “I’m so proud of our STAR students and their STAR teachers.”

The PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program is sponsored, administered and promoted by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the PAGE Foundation. Since its inception in 1958, the STAR program has honored nearly 27,000 students and the teachers selected as the most influential to their academic achievement. High school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average to qualify for STAR nomination.

The recognitions include the school specific STAR students from throughout Dougherty County and the countywide STAR student, selected from among the school specific honorees.

The 2021 school specific STAR students and teachers are: Frank Faison Middleton of Deerfield-Windsor School, and teacher Alee Miller of Deerfield; Drew Anthony Reich of Deerfield-Windsor School, and teacher Janet Guiellebeau of Deerfield; Davon Davis of Dougherty Comprehensive High School, and teacher Jasamine Dixon of Dougherty; Li’Trell Dante’ Stamper of Monroe Comprehensive High School, and teacher Tracy Stolze of Monroe; Ashlynn Dapper of Sherwood Christian Academy, and teacher James Byrd of Sherwood;  Brystan Thomas Carthon of Westover Comprehensive High School, and teacher Cory Moore of Westover.

Middleton and Reich, who tied as Deerfield-Windsor School’s STAR students, are the overall countywide STAR students who will represent Dougherty County in the regional competition.

STAR begins each year in participating Georgia high schools when the STAR Student is named and chooses a STAR Teacher to share in this recognition. The students and their teachers are honored by their schools and receive special recognition in their communities from one of the more than 165 statewide civic organizations and businesses that serve as local sponsors of the STAR program. Students then compete for school system recognition as the top STAR Student, and those winners compete for region honors. Region winners contend for the honor of being named State PAGE STAR Student. STAR Teachers continue on with their STAR Students at every level of the program.

PAGE and the PAGE Foundation honor outstanding students and educators and encourage academic excellence through competitive academic programs such as PAGE STAR, the PAGE Academic Bowl for Middle Grades and the PAGE Georgia Academic Decathlon.

View STAR student and teacher photos here.

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Founded in 1910, the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce is leading a multi-year strategic effort to advance business success and economic opportunities in Albany and the Albany Area.

The Professional Association of Georgia Educators is a statewide professional association of more than 95,000 educators, administrators and support personnel. PAGE provides professional learning to enhance competence and confidence, build leadership and increase student achievement while providing the best in membership, legal services and legislative support.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 24, 2021

Albany, Ga. — The Albany Area Chamber Foundation, a 501©3 affiliate of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, today presented Albany Crime Stoppers with a nearly $13,000 contribution as part of the business advocacy organization’s ongoing public safety efforts.

“The Albany Area Chamber and its Foundation have engaged in discussions with businesses, local officials, law enforcement and judicial partners to explore how the business community can partner and make an impact in crime and public safety,” said Perry Revell, chairman if the Albany Area Chamber Foundation Board of Directors and immediate past president of the Albany Area Chamber. “Beyond our foundational work to support business growth and a healthy and prosperous community, we identified Albany Crime Stoppers as an opportunity.”

Albany Crime Stoppers is a local community action program that encourages citizens who see something to say something and provides cash rewards to anonymous callers for information leading to arrest and conviction.

In 2020, the Chamber engaged public officials in ongoing conversations about crime.

“The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, the region’s leading business advocate, represents the unified interests and concerns of Albany and Albany Area businesses of all sizes and sectors. Collectively, the business community is increasingly and urgently concerned about crime in our community, its impact to safety and its impact on the economy,” the organization stated in an October 14, 2020, letter to officials. “The business community believes in actionable solutions. We believe in partnership and in collaboration. As such, we seek to engage with you in a transparent discussion around crime in Albany, and together work to address this issue. We recognize that, as with many other complex issues, progress can be advanced through the commitment of stakeholders who share a common goal.”

The impact of crime, both real and perceived, is broad — from citizen pride, population growth and access to talent; to business investment and business success; to tourism and travel; and internal and external perception.

“We must create and sustain a community in which businesses want to invest and people want to live. A safe environment for families, for visitors and for businesses is crucial to that goal and central for Albany’s growth and prosperity,” said Bárbara Rivera Holmes, president & CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Albany Area Chamber Foundation. “Business involvement and collaborative partnerships are powerful tools. We’re grateful to our Albany Area Chamber businesses whose investment supports Albany Crime Stoppers and whose leadership enables so much of the work in which we’re collectively engaged.”

The $12,850 contribution from the Albany Area Chamber Foundation was complemented by a $5,000 contribution from Dougherty County District Attorney Greg Edwards, with whom the Chamber is working.

“Albany Crime Stoppers is a powerful community-based crime solving program that is committed to increasing the safety of our citizens and partners on this effort with media organizations, police departments and other law enforcement agencies,” said Judy Randle, chair of the Albany Crime Stoppers Board of Directors. “The contributions from the business community through the Albany Area Chamber Foundation and from District Attorney Greg Edwards are a much-needed boost and will extend our efforts to provide anonymous rewards for tips that lead to criminal arrests.”

The Albany Area Chamber Foundation’s donation was made possible through the support of Albany Area Chamber member businesses: Albany Sunbelt Ford-Lincoln of Albany; Brad Lanier Oil Co.; Colony Bank; Dougherty, Duggan, Hart & Tiernan Insurors; Fleming & Riles Insurance; Flint Community Bank; Gardner Willis Sweat Plaire & Wilson; Jim Boyd Construction; Maple Hill Landfill; Oxford Construction; Paragon Foods; Phoebe Putney Health System; Southern AG Carriers; Watson Spence; and Worldwide Equipment.

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“The Albany Area Chamber opposes raising the minimum population by which cities qualify as Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The proposed change would be of significant negative impact to Albany and the Albany Area, threatening economic development efforts, regional infrastructure improvements and needed federal aid,” said Barbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, the region’s largest business advocacy organization. “Albany has made incredible strides as a community, and through vision and action has positioned itself as a statewide leader in collaborative partnerships, resiliency and innovation.  As we collectively work on economic recovery, it is particularly important to nurture pro-growth policies for businesses, families and communities like Albany. “

Chamber and community leadership have jointly expressed their opposition to the change to the area’s Congressional delegation and OMB.

Ask your legislators to OPPOSE  the OMB recommendation. Click here to find your Congressman.