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where change necessitates a renewed perspective—a new visual identity that embodies the future of the Effingham Health System. Quality Healthcare Close to Home.
THE CHAIRMAN Gone are the days of a one-size-fits-all membership package. For the upcoming year, we are looking forward to getting back to a bit more like business as usual and restarting our in-person events. I am sure I feel the same as most of you and have been really looking forward being able to do so. With that said, we recognize that we are not out of the woods yet with COVID-19 and we must keep our members’ health and safety as our top priority. We ask for your patience and support on these decisions. Please be on the lookout for communications from the Chamber as there will be times where we will have to react quickly to changing conditions and may need to reschedule or restructure events as the situation calls for. T hose that read last year’s community guide may be asking, “Didn’t Ryan write this letter last year?” If you are wondering that, no worries, you will not be alone. Yes, in fact due to the strangeness that was 2020, our Chamber Board of Directors has elected me to serve a second term as chairman for 2021-22. It is an honor to serve again as chairman of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce for 2021-22. On behalf of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, I would like to say just how grateful we are to the Effingham business community for sustaining us and supporting each other during the past year. Together, we have come through a difficult time even stronger than before. We look forward to our continued local growth and building stronger connections in the coming year. Since we haven’t had a chance to be together in person, I would like to take this as an opportunity to point out some of our accomplishments achieved during 2020-21. • Our board and staff made the safety and prosperity of our members their top priority during the COVID pandemic. Unfortunately, this meant cancelling all public events, but it also gave us an opportunity to be a trusted source of information through the launching a Coronavirus Resource Page at www.effinghamcounty.com. We shared important business recovery resources and rapidly changing safety guidelines on social media and in the weekly Business News Briefing newsletter. • We are also very proud to have played a role in the passage of the TSPLOST last year. Our Chamber coordinated regularly scheduled meetings between the leaders of Guyton, Rincon, Springfield, and the county to facilitate discussions and clarify scheduling needs to get the TSPLOST vote on the ballot last November. Then, you and the other citizens of Effingham saw us to the finish line and passed the effort. We are already seeing long-delayed road projects underway, some already nearing completion. • We implemented a new tiered membership structure which provides many more options and much control to our members. The Chamber this fall will inform Effingham County voters about the “E-Commerce” Freeport Exemption referendum on the November 2 election ballot. The exemption will remove an onerous inventory tax on goods held in a fulfillment center to be sold online. The exemption will also remove a competitive disadvantage for Effingham County in attracting e-commerce employers. The Chamber has also moved temporarily for this year, and we look forward to an exciting transition as we plan to relocate our offices to the planned Co-Op Business Center in downtown Springfield in the spring of 2022. The board of directors reviewed multiple proposals and approved the plan, pending final lease terms, at its strategic planning retreat on June 24. When complete, the Co-Op Business Center will house store front businesses, rental offices with private entrances, and additional business offices to serve small business startups. In closing, I would like to say a few words of thanks. Andy and Chelsie have done a wonderful job this year and have achieved wonderful growth in our membership. We have three board members who finished their terms in this past year: Freddy Long, Ed Vance and Carrie Thompson. Thank you all for your dedication and the insight you brought to this Chamber. To our three new board members, Tina Browning, Tamela Mydell and Darold Ford, thank you for being willing to dedicate your time and committing to serving our Chamber members. Joe Marchese for agreeing to stay on the board for an additional year (seven total, wow!) as our immediate past chairman and to continue to provide such valuable input to the executive committee. And finally, to Dr. Fran Witt, vice chairman of the Chamber and President and Chief Executive Officer of Effingham Health System, for her wisdom, insight, and leadership she has brought to our board. While this has been a challenging time to be chairman, they have been made so much easier with her guidance. Our board, members and county are very lucky to have her and her team at Effingham Health Systems in our community. We hope you enjoy this community guide. Ryan Thompson Chairman of the Board Effingham County Chamber of Commerce 2021-2022 Community Guide and Business Directory 3
34 MEMBER DIRECTORY BY CATEGORY 54 MEMBER DIRECTORY BY ALPHABETICAL LISTING 3 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN 6 CHAMBER STAFF & HISTORY 7 MISSION STATEMENT 7 2 021-22 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 8 CITY OF RINCON 9 CITY OF SPRINGFIELD 10 CITY OF GUYTON 11 COUNTY ADMINISTRATION 11 COUNTY BY THE NUMBERS 12 BOARD OF EDUCATION 16 EFFINGHAM HEALTH SYSTEM: emoH ot esolC erachtlaeH ytilauQ 22 TOURISM + LOCAL ATTRACTIONS: ytnuoC mahgniffE revocsiD ot emiT s’tI 24 RECREATION FACILITIES GROW WITH THE COUNTY 26 EDUCATION: 13 ELECTED OFFICIALS 14 MEMBERS OF DISTINCTION 15 GET CONNECTED 20 JOHN ADAM TREUTLEN AWARDS 21 ANNUAL CHAMBER EVENTS/PROGRAMS 69 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION sseccuS erutuF rof noitadnuoF a gniyaL
of the Effingham County Community Since 1986 Savannah River Mill Serving as Effingham County’s largest private employer Managing our use of natural resources to preserve and protect our environment Committed to making a difference in our community Making quality products with tomorrow in mind Savannah River Mill | 437 Old Augusta Road South | Rincon, Georgia 31326 | 912-826-5216 | www.gp.com
Chief Executive Officer acripps@effinghamcountychamber.org Andy Cripps, IOM “History, Community, Commerce – Effingham Chamber Cultivating Success.” Chamber History Founded in 1986, the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce made a commitment to support its existing businesses and attract new enterprises to its thriving business climate. What began as a need to address individual concerns evolved into a well-rounded program touching several segments of the community. As a team of business and community leaders, we have an ability to accomplish together what non one business owner could alone. Today’s Chamber consists of more than 300 members from a wide variety of business types and sizes. Its 14-member Board of Directors represents small and big businesses alike – all with an eye on collective achievements that benefit Effingham businesses, local citizens and our quality of life. We are a consensus building organization reaching out throughout the community to build a better future for us all. Past Presidents Ryan Thompson (Chairman) | 2020 – 2021 Joe Marchese (Chairman) | 2019 – 2020 Brian Dickey | 2018 – 2019 Ed Vance | 2017 - 2018 Barbara Prosser | 2016 - 2017 Yvette Carr | 2015 - 2016 Scott Hinson | 2014 - 2015 Dinah King | 2013 - 2014 Talbert Edenfield | 2012 - 2013 Brooke B. Graham | 2011 - 2012 Randy Shearouse | 2010 - 2011 Alice DeForest | 2009 - 2010 6 Effingham County Chamber of Commerce Michael T. Lee | 2008 - 2009 W. Frederick (Freddy) Long | 2007 - 2008 Janis Bevill | 2006 - 2007 Brent Howell | 2005 - 2006 Chap Bennett | 2004 - 2005 M. Douglas Morgan | 2003 - 2004 Jon G. Burns | 2002 Carolyn B. Williamson-Sanders | 2001 F. Lamar Allen | 2000 Phillip M. Heidt | 1998 - 1999 Kenneth R. Lee | 1997 Dennis A. Webb | 1996 Harry H. Shearouse | 1995 Norma J. Morgan | 1994 Caroline D. Zeigler | 1993 David M. Atkins | 1992 Herbert Jones Jr. | 1991 E. Al DeWitt Jr. | 1990 Wendel H. Wilson | 1989 Dennis A. Webb | 1988 Charles E. Hartzog | 1987 Warren E. Ratchford (Founding President) | 1986
Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary/Treasurer Immediate Past Chairman TNEMETATS NOISSIM The Effingham County Chamber of Ryan Thompson | Thomas & Hutton Fran Baker-Witt | Effingham Health System Brett Bennett | Greenland Developers LLC. Joe Marchese | Joe Marchese Construction Troy Allen | Southern Oak Advisory Tina Browning | Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co. James Carlson | Carlson & Co. Darold Ford | Georgia-Pacific Toni Hardigree | Platinum Properties Brandt Herndon | Effingham County IDA Kimberly Iler | Coldwell Banker Commercial Platinum Partners - Kimberly Iler Tamela Mydell | Southern Kafe on 17 Swann Seiler | Georgia Power Company Abby Smith | Effingham County Extension Service Commerce is a member-driven organization focused on business advocacy and sustainable economic growth in our region. GUIDING PRINCIPLES • • • • Support business development Support and encourage buying of local goods and services Operate a fiscally sound organization Be a visible advocate for business Visit us on the web at www.effinghamcounty.com for more information. 2021-2022 Community Guide and Business Directory 7
Mayor Council Members City Manager Ken Lee Reese Brower Michelle Taylor Jesse 'Ben' Blackwell, Jr. W. Frederick Long Levi Scott Patrick Kirkland John Klimm Goshen Industrial Park As the largest municipality in Effingham County, Rincon is a vital part of the county’s economic growth and development. According to the city’s website, the town boasts a high level of resident services with no current city property taxes, provides continuous training for city staff that ensures efficient city government, maintains the lowest city service fees in the county, has a police response time of less than three minutes, has the best equipped fire department in the county, and a rapidly growing recreation department. Rincon began as a Salzburger New Ebenezer settlement along the Savannah River, but once the railroad came to town, the sleepy town was awakened. The town’s line and grid street system, like that in use in Savannah, helped the town to settle in an organized manner. Sawmills, cotton gins and turpentine stills popped up, bringing with them a booming economy. Rincon was incorporated in August 1927. The town is now home to more than 4,000 people who enjoy a wide variety of businesses, retail outlets, restaurants and grocery stores. The public services and town infrastructure provide the potential for growth and business development, making Rincon a great place to live and work. Michelle Taylor Ben Blackwell 8 Effingham County Chamber of Commerce Patrick Kirkland Spring Fair 302 S. Columbia Ave., Rincon, GA 31326 Phone: (912) 826-5745 | Fax: (912) 826-2083 Police Department Building 107 West 17th Street | Rincon, GA 31326 Council Meetings: Second and fourth Mondays of every month at 7 p.m. Ken Lee Reese Browher W. Frederick Long Levi Scott
Mayor Mayor Pro-tem Council Members City Manager Barton A. Alderman Justin Cribbs Kenny Usher Jerry Maennche Steve Shealy Jamey Stancell Gary Weitman Matt Morris ities Family Activ Known as the heart Fall Festival of Effingham County, Springfield has a population closing in on 3,000. The idyllic little town boasts some big names: Paul Carrington, Artie Ulmer and Dusty Zeigler, all professional football players; as well as Josh Reddick, professional baseball player, and Charlton W. Tebeau, historian. The city is the county seat for Effingham County, and flourished in the wake of the railroad and sawmill industries. The town follows the conventional “square town plan,” with its reach spreading from the town hall square to houses, network foundations and other open structures. The appearance of the railroad in the mid-1900s carried along with it a flourishing business, which brought a 500 percent population growth. The town hall and the old jail are still considered historic gems, preserved lovingly through the years. Businesses began booming in 1900 in Springfield, with B.E. Mingledorff’s one retail location. Other businesses followed suit, including a medication store, staple goods, meat store, banks and apparel stores. Family businesses are a longstanding tradition in Springfield, including Snooks IGA, in business since 1948. Springfield is also home to the Mars Theatre, which draws tourists from all over the Southeast, along with the Effingham Living History Museum. The downtown area is booming, with lots of new businesses open and more on the way. Springfield City Hall: (912) 754-7617 130 S. Laurel Street, Springfield, GA 31329 Council meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. 2021-2022 Community Guide and Business Directory 9
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