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Columbia Gas Dept. GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL Contact Numbers 24 hrs/ 365 days 270-384-2006 or 9-1-1 Call before you dig 
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Chamber of Commerce Overview of Year 2004 The Columbia Adair County Chamber of Commerce had a busy year working on issues to make Columbia and Adair County a better place to live. Following are some of the highlights of our accomplishments during this year. Included are notes of Governmental Relations, Economic Development, Ambassadors Program, Program & Educational Services, Leadership Development, Community Pride and more. Governmental Relations Legislative Day at Frankfort was planned and organized by the Board of Directors, giving the Chamber members the opportunity to go to our State Capitol and meet with state legislators to discuss key issues and needs of Adair County. A special meeting was arranged to meet with Maxwell C. Bailey, Secretary of the Transportation Cabinet, to discuss the Columbia Bypass as the number one concern in Adair County, then followed by the completion of Hwy. 61 South. Conferences with legislators included President of the Senate David Williams, Speaker of the House Jody Richards, Senator Vernie McGaha, and Rep. Russ Mobley. Members also had the opportunity to tour the Governors Mansion. Chamber Members also attended Chamber Day at Marriotts Griffin Gate Resort in Lexington sponsored by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. This was a time to meet with the Governor and other legislators on issues facing Adair County. Economic Development The Chamber celebrated continued growth and expansion in our Community coordinating 16 ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses in Adair County. Business After Hours were held at Majestic Yachts and IMO Industries as a partnership working together for the continued success and appreciation of these industries and their economic impact on Adair County. The Chamber supported The Homeplace on Green River. Members served on committees, working on publicity and promotion as well as visiting and participating in the activities and events. Chamber representatives attended and participated in the two day conference on Strategic Planning and Needs Assessment of Columbia and Adair County, conducted by the Cabinet for Economic Development. The Chamber was also represented at various Community Development and Economic Development workshops held throughout the Area and State. Ambassadors Program Welcome bags are prepared and presented to new residents who make Adair County their home. The majority is people who come from out-of-state and many are those who have retired. 47 newcomers received welcome bags filled with all kinds of information about the County and various items provided by businesses. Program & Educational Services Educational classes sponsored by the Chamber included: Computer classes on MS Word and Excel, CPR and First Aid, and Hospitality Training for front-line workers. Many other organizations used the Chamber building for classes, workshops, and training. At each monthly meeting of the Chamber, guest speakers provided educational information on various topics as listed: January: Darrell Treece, Supt. of Adair County Schools. Topic: Communications & Adair County School February: Norm Townsel, Jr., Supt. Adair Maximum Security Juvenile Facility March: Jane Higgins, Program Associate, Brushy Fork Leadership Institute, Berea College April: Chamber Banquet May: David B. Rowland, Lake Cumberland Area Dev. District Highway Safety Coordinator June: Picnic at the Roadside Park, Hwy. 55 South July: Jeff Crowe, Scenic Byway Director Southern & Eastern Ky. Tourism Development Association August: Stacey Bailey, Director of Economic Development and Lloyd French, American Cancer Society Volunteer September: Crit Luallen, Auditor of Commonwealth of Kentucky October: Reva Poynter Carnes, John Arnold & Drug Team November: Governors Scholars, Rogers Scholars, and Arts Scholars, Adair County High School Students December: Christmas Gala The Chamber applied for a grant and was awarded $1,000 by the Archdiocese of Louisville, Office of Catholic Charities. The grant will b used to provide teachers for computer classes designed for those with limited resources in order for them to obtain necessary skills for employment. Leadership Development Adair County was the only county in Kentucky to be selected to participate in the Brushy Fork Leadership & Development Institute of Berea College. The Chamber took the leadership in sponsoring and promoting the project. As a result 15 persons were chosen by Brushy Fork as participants. Funding for all expenses was provided by Brushy Fork. The participants named their team L.E.A.D. Adair County. This stands for Leaders Enthusiastic About Developing Adair County. Community Pride The Chamber maintains the Roadside Park on Hwy. 55 South providing a nice area for our citizens to use for special events or just to sit, relax, and have lunch. In the PRIDE spring clean-up, Chamber members cleaned up the roadside of Creek Bend Road and State Park Road. The Chamber worked with the Tourism Commission in getting Hwy. 80 East and West, Hwy. 55 North and South, along with the Cumberland Parkway being designated as Kentucky Scenic Byways. Adair County is now part of the Cumberland Cultural Heritage Highway State Scenic Byway and the Chamber is represented at the monthly meetings. The redbud driving trails is another project which the Chamber has taken the leadership. Commitments have been received by the Rotary Club, Chamber Board of Directors, Pinewood Country Club, and a youth group from the Columbia United Methodist Church to plant redbuds in designated areas during the month of April. A public hearing was held for the purpose of submitting a grant for improvements on the roadside park on Hwy. 55 South. Hopefully, funding will be received this spring. Partnership Recruitment and Retention The Chamber conducted a year-round recruitment and retention campaign in addition to the month of March as being designated as Membership Month. Due to the generosity of WAIN and the WAVE radio stations, board members could share information on the importance of being a chamber member. As a result, our year ended with 44 new members and 149 renewals for a total membership of 193. Activities and Events The second annual golf tournament was held which raised approximately $4,000 for the chamber treasury. The Chamber conducted the Folklore of the Old West Festival, Buy, Swap, Trade, and Sell Day, and the annual Christmas in Columbia with the Parade under the lights. Many chamber members participated in the Downtown Days Festival under the direction of Renaissance Columbia. An information booth, manned by the chamber members was set up at the Folklore of the Old West Festival, and ice cream was sold as a fund raiser. Special Events We are honored to have Dr. Lee T. Todd, President of the University of Kentucky, as guest speaker for the annual Chamber banquet. History was made in Adair County with Dr. Todd being the first University of Kentucky president to speak at the Chamber banquet. Awards were presented to the following: Outstanding Business/ Professional Man of the Year Charles Giles, Owner and Operator of G & G Motors Outstanding Business/ Professional Woman of the Year - Dr. Janella Brown,Local Dentist Educator of the Year Sheila Willis, Biology teacher at Adair County High School Outstanding Employee Bonnie Rodgers, Office Manager for Quality Personnel Volunteer of the Year Linda Taylor Outstanding Agriculturist Greg Burton Other special events included the Chamber Christmas Party and the annual Picnic in the Park. President and Mrs. Richard Phelps hosted an Open House for Chamber Board members and their guests at their beautiful home. Partnership with Lindsey Wilson College A partnership with Lindsey Wilson College included Board members serving on committees and the promotion of May Day as a part of the 100th anniversary of the College, working with Student Government Association, Homecoming parade and decorating windows of downtown businesses. It was the first time in many years that Downtown Columbia was decorated for Lindseys Homecoming. Megan Heritsch, a senior at Lindsey did an internship at the Chamber Office under the leadership of Executive Director Sue Stivers. She had the opportunity to develop leadership skills, see volunteer leaders in action, assist with chamber projects, and increase knowledge on the role and importance of the Chamber of Commerce to a Community, developed new skills and techniques in working with businesses, professionals and people from all walks of life. The Chamber and Lindsey Wilson College have a great working relationship. The economic benefit of Lindsay Wilson College to Columbia and Adair County is 30 million dollars a year and that does not include the amount of money spent by students. Additional Chamber Services The Training & Development Center (Chamber building) is truly an asset to Adair County. Major improvements were made to the lower level of the building as walls were painted, carpet professionally cleaned, floors polished and buffed, etc. due to the building being used so much. During the past year, 221 groups used the facilities for community meetings, workshops, training and various other events. The Chamber is happy to see the community use the building. A web site was developed which included the chamber directory and can be found at www.columbia-adaricounty.com A toll free phone number is shared with the Tourism commission. The brochure Discover Columbia-Adair County was designed and developed for the purpose of providing information to people who want to relocate and make Adair County their home. The chamber newsletter Chamber Insights was renewed this year, after not having a newsletter for the past 3 years. Through special arrangements with a map company, an up to date map of Adair County is now available at the Chamber Office and at various businesses that purchased advertising to make the map a reality. Questions for the Chamber, or to join, 270-384-6020. This story was posted on 2005-02-03 21:45:51
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. More articles from topic Chamber Insights:
Lewis Garrison honored by Chamber of Commerce Mayor, County Judge to speak at January 18 Chamber meeting Chamber offers First Aid and CPR classes Bank of Columbia's Marsha Godsey is Chamber Treasurer and Board Member CHAMBER WHO'S WHO: Monica Rodgers Meet Darrell Overstreet, Chamber VP Who's Who in leadership: Chamber President Richard Phelps Whos Who in Chamber leadership Chamber Offers Best Ever Annual Christmas Event Chamber Celebrates 40 Years View even more articles in topic Chamber Insights |
 
115 Jamestown St. Columbia, KY. 270-384-2496 
  
   
 Provided by the Adair Co Fiscal Court and the Adair Co. Emergency Mgt. Agency 
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