Keeping Stephens Strong Together

In these uncertain and unprecedented economic times, it is more important than ever that we dedicate ourselves to a unified approach to strengthening our local economy. The Chamber - the body of business owners that make us who we are - have the opportunity now to show true leadership by coming together and providing much needed support to the small businesses in our community. Though many communities may suffer, ours needn’t be one of them. We can work intelligently to drive information, resources, and other support to all in need. We can thrive, not merely survive.

Fear looms large in a global pandemic. Gloom and doom coverage permeate the airwaves. This virus has forced us to face uncertainty at every turn. We all know and love people who are vulnerable to the coronavirus, which is scary. If you are an elderly person or you have an underlying health condition, this illness can certainly induce anxiety and even panic. Yet this crisis isn’t just attacking our health. It is attacking our livelihood.

The stock market has been in a free fall. Portfolios have crashed. Large corporations are restructuring to weather the storm while small businesses fight to stay afloat. Hundreds of thousands of workers with stable jobs just a week ago are on furlough for the foreseeable future. Hospitals and health care professionals are bracing for what could be a tsunami of need. Life as we know it, is not our life right now.

Scripture tells us to “count it all joy” when we face various trials and tribulations in life. Joy seems like an odd response to challenging times, hardship and suffering. And yet my faith promises God is committed to doing good when the enemy intends harm. All this uncertainty is designed by the enemy to induce one thing—fear. However, Scripture says fear is not from God. So we have a choice to make in every crisis. We can choose fear, or we can choose faith…I choose FAITH.

To be successful as we navigate through these unchartered waters, we must work as a team and Keeping Stephens Strong Together is our moto. So here is an important note to our local business community. Your Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce is different. We do not merely serve our members - we ARE our members. We are not simply a small office of dedicated personnel located downtown, but an association of community minded business owners banded together to support one another and to grow our local economy through focused investments of time, money, and heart.

What makes your Toccoa Stephens County Chamber different is our appreciation of the fact that individual success starts with a strong, vibrant economy. Chamber members appreciate the relationship between the general welfare of their neighbors and their own. Chamber members understand that small businesses form the backbone of our economy and are made up of hard working, dedicated owners and employees with families who depend on their success. In short, we really do care.

For the last few months, your Toccoa Stephens County Chamber has been working to offer more meaningful value for our members. We are now introducing our Chamber Member Marketplace, a platform providing our members with more flexible investment options, business services and resource tools,  health/wellness services, and a one of a kind… Member e-Commerce Platform where members can actively list and sell products and services.

Your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber has decided, in the present economic and social upheaval, all our members deserve access to these resources immediately. Furthermore, we believe the best way our Chamber can assist our local economy is to temporarily provide every small business in Stephens County with limited access to our new collection of Chamber resources. We believe that all our members and potential members can agree this decision is in keeping with our collective commitment to bettering the local economy. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats. Stay tuned for more details to follow in the next few days.

The Chamber is here to help our business community during these unprecedented times in the effort to emerge on the other side stronger than ever before. In the meantime, let’s be certain to be grateful for all we have been given, be thankful for the many in our community working tirelessly to serve and meet the needs of others, and intentional to do your part to support our local economy. Keeping Stephens Stronger Together.