Letter from Executive Director

It may not be spring, but both the weather and the activity in the Chamber office and the community makes it feel like spring!

We just announced the 4th Annual State of Oconee to be held Friday, March 16, at Northside Elementary School, Seneca. And we are planning a first time event—Spring Outdoor Living Expo (SOLE) scheduled for May 5 & 6 on the Oconee Medical Center campus.

This is a showcase of businesses and organizations that celebrate healthy lifestyles and outdoor living in this Mountain Lakes Region of South Carolina. We are really excited about this new event and the business-building potential it will offer exhibitors. Based on past experience with the Fall BOO Expo, we anticipate a great turnout!

I am also pleased to announce a new networking group – Oconee Young Professionals. Through the efforts of a core group, supported by the Chamber, the young professionals in our area will have a forum to share, learn and grow socially and professionally. Thanks to Billy Boylston for taking the lead and making this happen for the Chamber and Oconee Young Professionals!

All these events and new beginnings and it’s only February! This will be a great year for Oconee County business community and your Chamber! I invite you to be engaged and part of all the excitement. I am always open to hear your feedback and ideas and I would love to meet every member this year. So, call or drop into the office at 105A Ram Cat Alley. You can call and talk with any of the staff for details on the upcoming events.

Sandra Jones, Executive Director

February Business After Hours
Isaqueena Pediatric Dentistry and
Isaqueena Prosthodontics
Tuesday, February 7, 5:30-7:30pm
2324 Union Station Dr., Seneca
864.482.7900

Dr. Camille Horton and her highly trained TEAM specialize in dentistry for infants, children, adolescents and patients with special health care needs. And Dr. Craig Horton is a surgically trained prosthodontist with the ability to perform the necessary intraoral surgeries for dental implants.

Join other Chamber members and learn more about these amazing businesses serving our area. Reservations are not required, stop by whenever you can from 5:30-7:30pm. Refreshments will be served.

Upcoming Chamber Events and News

Oconee Chamber Calendar for 2012
A pdf listing the major events and Business After Hours scheduled for 2012.

4th Annual State of Oconee Luncheon
Friday March 16, 11:30-1pm
Northside Elementary School
710 N. Townville St., Seneca

The 4th Annual State of Oconee will feature the mayors or representatives from all the communities in Oconee County: Fair Play, Mountain Rest, Salem, Seneca, Walhalla, Westminster and West Union presenting accomplishments of 2011 and their vision for the coming year.

Scott Moulder, county administrator will present his vision for Oconee County and the Keynote speaker will be Hal Donlap who has 18 years experience as a presenter to audiences and corporations throughout the US. He is currently the athletic director and basketball coach for Walhalla High School.

This Annual event is open to the public and presented by the Chambers of Commerce of Oconee, Walhalla and Westminster.

To reserve your tickets, contact the Chamber office. Tickets are $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members.

To sponsor this event, please fill out this form and contact Mark Akridge, event chair at 864.886.9086 or Sandra Jones at the Chamber Office: 864.882.2097.

Your Business Information
Please help the Chamber office keep accurate records on members by letting the office know of changes such as location, mailing address, telephone number, email and/or web address. Please call 882-2097 or email sandra@oconeechambersc.com with update information.

And let us know if there are others in your organization who could benefit from receiving the Chamber monthly newsletter and weekly eblasts.

Chamber Announces Oconee Young Professionals

Are you a working person—or looking for a job—between the ages of 22-39? Are you looking for an organization that focuses on bringing young professionals together? The Oconee County Chamber is proud to announce the Oconee Young Professionals (OYP).

The OYP vision brings young professionals together through networking and educational events with the objectives being: to attract and retain new young professionals to the Oconee County area; provide a voice in the community for the young professionals and foster a collaborative relationship between the Oconee County Chamber and area businesses.

The first OYP meeting will be Thursday, February 16, 6pm – 8pm at Sole’ restaurant located in Seneca. The event is FREE to attend and Sole’ will provide affordable drink and food deals to those attending. Mark the date on your calendar and please RSVP to oconeeyp@gmial.com to aid with planning the refreshments. If you have questions, contact Billy Boylston at 864-247-0863. Bring lots of business cards – Oconee County means business!

News Briefs on Business

Mountainview Medical Imaging has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the american college of Radiology (ACR). The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety.

Congratulations and thank you for providing quality health care to Oconee County!

Sears of Seneca Supports Our Daily Rest
Jason Graham, owner of Sears of Seneca, donated 6 twin mattresses and 1 box spring to Our Daily Rest.

Steve Smith, executive director at Our Daily Rest and Julian Davis, Oconee County Chamber board chair and Our Daily Rest board member were excited to receive the generous donation. Steve Smith said, "These mattresses will go a long way toward helping families get back on their feet when leaving Our Daily rest and moving into their own apartments or homes."

Happy Birthday Lake Hartwell!!
Yes, Lake Hartwell is 50 this year. In 1962, the Hartwell Power Plant generated the first electricity from the new hydroelectric facility built by the Army Corp of Engineers. Each year, millions of people utilize the many public parks, marinas, and campgrounds conveniently located around the lake to pursue a variety of outdoor recreational experiences, making Lake Hartwell one of the most visited lakes in the nation.

The Army Corp of Engineers and several community groups representing the six counties surrounding the lake are preparing a year-long celebration. The Oconee Chamber is working with the Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance to support activities in Oconee County. You will be getting more details in the near future!

Upcoming Community Events
14th Annual Bi-Lo Invention Convention
February 28-29
Bi-Lo Center, Greenville
Thousands of area students are expected to take part in this event open to fourth though eight grades from public, private and home schools.

Registration deadline is February 20. For more information visit their website.

 

The 2012 Foothills Gala Charity Event: Diamonds & Denim

Saturday, Feb.. 25,
6:30-11:30pm
T. Ed Garrison Arena on Clemson University Campus.

The charity recipient for this year's event will be Our Daily Rest, Oconee County's only homeless shelter. For more information, visit the website or call 864.633.1322 or 864.505.6698.

Upper Cervical Health Center of Seneca's Annual Ladies Night of Indulgence
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 4-8pm at the Ballenger House.
If you love to have fun, mingle and feel indulged, this event is for you. A fun evening with food, demonstrations on the latest updo's, massage, facials, manicures, nutrition, fitness and more.

This event is free but registration is required. Visit this special website to RSVP or call 888.4399.

For a more complete listing of events, go to the Events page of the Oconee County Chamber website.

Upstate South Carolina Small Business-Lender
Match Maker Event
Tuesday, March 13, 8am - 3:30pm
TD Convention Center
1 Exposition Dr., Greenville

Are you looking for capital to start or expand your business? Then plan to attend this lender-borrower workshop. There is a $30 registration fee and you may register on line.

South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Biz Newsletter for Jan. 31, 2012

Manufacturers Journal Newsletter for Jan. 26, 2012

SC State Revenues Continue to Grow, Jan. 26 article

Recent Chamber Events

Jan. 31 - Ribbon Cutting for Bojangles - see video interview on Oconee Chamber website

Jan. 28 - Ribbon Cutting for D'Lishness Cupcakes

Jan. 19 - Business After Hours at Blue Ridge Arts Center

Jan. 12 - Open House for Edwards Group - see video interview on Oconee Chamber website

Jan. 6 - Ribbon Cutting for Gray Wealth Management - see video interview on Oconee Chamber website