Come into our office at 2001 E. Main Street and meet Jean Riggins and Mary Kay. They are the tourism coordinators for the Easley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. I am proud of the way these ladies present our city and our county to visitors. In 2011 we had 152 families that came into our office to learn where the attractions are in our area. Some came to determine if they would like to live here and some did as a result of our hospitality and information. We sometimes show the 4.5 minute video we made of “Tour Pickens County”. This highlights the things to do and places to go nearby. websites www.easleychamber.org and www.tourpickenscounty.com generate 350 unique visits per day online. In 2011, through some of these inquiries, we mailed 55 packets of local information to visitors and potential relocators.

The Chamber and Visitors Center is the only direct visitor contact that Easley has. We need to make certain that this is funded appropriately as we are value added for Easley.

C. Dan Joyner

We lost a fine gentleman and a friend of mine in January. C. Dan Joyner was a friend to business, schools, his church, hospital, and the chamber of commerce. He was the head cheerleader while at Furman University. He carried that role throughout his life as a cheerleader for the upstate of South Carolina. We will miss Dan Joyner’s enthusiasm and leadership in our area.

I am encouraged with the increase in business activity in our area. In the last six months, five (5) new manufacturing companies with the potential for 550 new jobs have announced expansion in Pickens County. This speaks well for Alliance Pickens County and our county council who are aggressive in bringing jobs to our area. I want commend our existing businesses for learning to operate lean and weathering the storm.

The Easley Town Center continues to expand the retail sector and new businesses will be announcing soon in that area.

Improves every year

The 64th annual Chamber awards banquet and gala will be held at the Tri County Technical College Easley Campus on February 18, 2012. The banquet committee is working hard to continuously improve an already special event that gets better each year. Michael Cogdill, anchor newscaster of WYFF will be the speaker at this event. We will present awards for business of the year, citizen of the year, ambassador of the year, and director of the year.

Sponsorships are now being taken. I invite your business to be a part of one of the best banquets for food, décor, entertainment and networking in the county. Call the chamber office 859-2693 to reserve your table and sponsorship.

 2011 has been a better year with a slow recovery. Unemployment in the county is still high but the forecast is good. Efforts from Alliance Pickens County have caused five (5) new companies to relocate or expand in our area. They recognize our county as business friendly, having a great workforce, superior education system, strong career centers and Tri County Technical College. Your Easley Chamber of Commerce has increased membership by 3% to 440 members in 2011.

Membership retention is improving and we have recently made changes to have more contact with membership through increased director and ambassador participation. We had eight (8) business seminars this year to help small businesses. We created a “How to do Business in Easley” brochure for new startup businesses in the city. We are working with others on a business incubator for startups that will come together in 2012. Our website www.easleychamber.org continues to be strong averaging 350 visits/day which is an increase from 336 visits/day in 2010. Easley Chamber Facebook continues to grow with new fans weekly. Financially, your chamber met its annual budget with a slight surplus due to your membership investments and good cost control.

We wish for you a Merry Christmas

As we are in the Christmas season, remember this is the birthday of Jesus Christ. That is the reason for this wonderful time of the year. As you greet people, consider “Merry Christmas” rather than “Happy Holidays”. Keep your family, friends, and church in your mind at this time of the year. Best wishes and Merry Christmas from Fran, Mary, Jean, and Kent.

New Members recruited

We had an internally directed membership drive lead by Tiffany Martin that ended early October. Our ambassadors, directors, and Powdersville Business Council members made many contacts and as a result of their efforts we added 18 new members. Thanks especially to Terrie Albright, Don Crews, Pam Bridges, Ryan Kouvolo, Janice Perry, and Pam Jeter for their recruitment of members. The week after the drive we had well attended new member orientation at DunBurks Premier Events.

New directors

I am pleased with the results of the membership vote for five new directors who will serve for the next three years on our 15 member board. They will be replacing Tripp Martin, Emily DeRoberts, Tiffany Martin, Scott Buckhiester, Janelle Beamer and Alex Dye who are rotating off the board at the end of December 2011. We will miss these directors’ service and leadership.

Thanksgiving

I look forward to this time of the year when it gets cooler, the leaves change, and I go out and hike. I especially look forward to Thanksgiving time with my family. Unfortunately Thanksgiving is becoming a neglected holiday as we prepare for Christmas.
We have so much to be thankful. We have our freedom, opportunity to succeed, friendships and family. We also live in one of the best locations in America — the upcountry of South Carolina. Let us be thankful for what God has given us.

Easley Fine Arts Center

In September we conducted the ribbon cutting to open the Fine Arts Center of Easley located in the ground floor of the West End Hall.   Amanda Gunter and her staff have converted the first floor to a real showcase to teach music – voice, piano, guitar, and other instrument.   They will also offer classes on art, dance, and theatre.   In my opinion, one of the most needed courses will be etiquette for youth.   Go online to www.fineartscenterofeasley.com or call Amanda at 422-6027 to see full schedule of their fine arts classes.

Both the Easley Recreation Department and the Red Owens Sports Complex offer outstanding programs and have contributed to make us family friendly.   The addition of the Fine Arts Center adds another dimension to Easley that will improve our image as being a family friendly community.

Chamber Members helping chamber members

Nicole Lewis Salon gave a “makeover” to eight (8) young girls ages 6 to 12 from Miracle Hill.   After the hair cut and finger nail makeover the girls were treated to pizza from Michael’s Pizzeria and cake from Publix.   Then they went to ABC123 for new apparel for each girl.   It was a special day for these girls thanks primarily to Ann, Gina, Sarah, Dianne, Barbara, Shawna of Nicole Lewis Salon on1951 E. Main St.

This demonstrates the best of chamber members who go out of their way to help the community and other chamber members.

The Chamber luncheons have started back for the fall season. Congressman Jeff Duncan kicked us off with a great attendance lunch at Tri County Tech – Easley on August 25. Clemson football star and Pittsburg Steelers/Super Bowl participant Benny Cunningham will speak to the Easley Chamber September 15 at DunBurks Premier Events. Chris Ferguson, principal of the new Powdersville High School will speak September 22 to the Powdersville Business Council.

If you are not attending our member luncheons in Easley and in Powdersville you are missing great speakers, great food by Catering etc., and great networking opportunities. As always, you need to RSVP to 859-2693 or ecc@easleychamber.org to let us know you will be at the luncheons.

Membership drive

September 27-29 will be three days of recruitment for new chamber of commerce members. Our Board of Directors, Ambassadors, and Powdersville Business Council will be contacting businesses to tell them the benefits of membership. If you know of a business that can use the networking and referral opportunities we provide, now is the time to join.

New directors

Some board members will be rotating off in January 2012 and five (5) will be elected for three year terms to replace them. Past Chairman Alex Dye lead the nominating committee to select eight (8) nominations to go on the ballot for the membership to elect new five (5) chamber directors. Be on the lookout for your ballot to arrive in the mail to make your election.

For the fifth year, the chamber has been responsible for coordinating the nine (9) evening meals for the players and coaches of the Big League Baseball World Series. This involves contacting churches and organizations to donate the food and preparation for their major meal of the day. Joceline Pittman has helped by taking over this responsibility. Over time, Joceline has established relationships that have made it a little easier – but it is still not easy. Thanks to Joceline for coordinating and also to the many churches, restaurants, and organizations that give meals to these 225 young men and coaches.

Jon Humphrey, tournament director, and the two hundred (200) local volunteers have done a great job coming together for the tournament which has the common purpose of promoting Easley and youth baseball.

If you cannot come out to the baseball field at the Red Owens Sports complex, then tune in to ESPN at 8:00 PM on Wednesday, August 3 to watch the final game of the big league baseball world series. Easley, South Carolina will be on the world stage again.

When we moved to Easley in 1975, we would often go to Greenville. I remember downtown Greenville as not a very nice place to go and definitely not at night. I never met Mayor Max Heller but always respected him as a visionary who worked tirelessly to improve Greenville. He was among those who revitalized downtown Greenville to where it is now a model for cities in the United States. He was also influential in bringing the Peace Center, the Bilo Center, and the Governor’s School for the Arts to Greenville. Greenville is listed in the top ten best placed to retire in the U.S.

When relocators come into the Easley Chamber they often speak of Greenville as what brought them to the area. When they branch out and learn about Easley they see a friendly community with good value housing, reasonable taxes, and close proximity to lakes and mountains, as well as just a few miles from the amenities of Greenville.

Easley should be thankful for the contributions of Max Heller to the upstate as it also improved our quality of life in Easley.

Big League Baseball World Series

Come out to the Red Owens Sports Complex to see world class baseball July 27-August 3. Easley will host ten (10) teams from outside our state and our country. ESPN will put us on the map August 3 when they broadcast in primetime the world championship game nationwide.

Thanks to the following chamber members and local churches who have volunteered to provide dinners for the 225 players and coaches during this 9 day period: Easley Rotary Club, Applebee’s, Glenwood Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Baptist Easley Hospital, Flat Rock Baptist Church.

When you see someone at a restaurant or shop that appears to be from out of town, go out of your way to greet them. We want them to recognize Easley, South Carolina as a Family Friendly Community. Hopefully they will come back to visit and tell their friends about our community.

Golf Tournament another success

• “We all agreed that was one of the best organized and run industry golf tournaments we have attended.” - Ethan Ware, McNair Law Firm
• “I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed participating in the Chamber golf outing again this year. It was a blast.” – Michael Kingsmore, Palmetto Finishing

Kent Dykes - Easley Chamber President

The April 13, 2011 opening of the Walmart Super Center in the new Easley Towne Center marks a new era in commerce in our area. With 184000’ sq. of retail area and over 400 associates (200 of which are new jobs), it will be the largest store in Pickens County. It is the first of the new retail stores in the shopping center. The Kohl’s store is under construction and is just a few months away from completion. We take it as just another day in Easley but in the future, it will be monumental in the economic development of this part of Pickens County.

Spring is seeing more activity in building and job placement in the area. Recently Fatz Café and Applebee’s Family Grill underwent renovations to improve appearance and service. Both are long time chamber members. El Jimador is the newest and largest Mexican restaurant in Easley. It is well decorated and has good food and service.

In Powdersville, the Job Connection of Goodwill industries placed 224 new jobs from their opening in January until mid April. A Walgreen Drug store and CVS Drug store are near completion at the main intersection of Powdersville.

I am seeing more new businesses joining the Easley Chamber of Commerce at this time. I am optimistic about the slowly recovering economy in our area. I encourage all to shop and eat out locally to keep our dollars within our area.