About Us
Welcome to the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce! As a voice for business with over thirty years of experience, we are passionate about Putnam County and bettering our business community.
The Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce is the front door to the community. By phone calls, visits, letters and emails we work daily with visitors, newcomers, citizens, prospective entrepreneurs and business owners. From maps, to visitor information to a resource library on how to start a business, the Chamber is your one-stop-shop for information on Eatonton-Putnam County. Under one roof, you will find the Chamber office, Welcome Center and Putnam Development Authority. Our strong alliance creates a better community for everyone as we all are working towards the same goals.
As a business, we invite you to take your seat at the business roundtable by joining the Chamber and once you're a member, take advantage of our many programs to serve your business needs. Investing in the Chamber is the best investment you will make for your business. Explore this site to learn what's happening at the Chamber, how you can join and to see a list of all the programs available for members.
As a visitor or citizen, please visit www.visiteatonton.com to learn all that Eatonton-Putnam County has to offer and how the Chamber's tourism department can assist you in your visit.
As a developer or future entrepreneur, please visit www.putnamdevelopmentauthority.com to learn why Putnam is perfect for your business and to see how the development authority can assist in your opening or relocation.
Mission Statement
The Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce pledges to promote, enhance and support the success of the business community through networking existing Chamber members, sharing business ideas, recruiting new members and promoting tourism.
History
On August 1, 1979 the Chamber was born with the kick off of a membership campaign. Jessie Copelan filed the incorporation papers and the first interim board of directors included Mrs. Jack Mosley, Fannie Pearl Farley, Dr. T. H. Connally, Betty Harper (McElhenney), Joe Hudson, Bill Moore, Lynda Pickering, Bennie Holloway, Berle Hurt and Dr. Andy Ray. At the end of the first membership campaign they had 70 individual members, 58 businesses, three industries and five clubs as members raising $3,572.
Judy Lawrence (Thompson) was hired as the first executive director and her office was set up in the old Carnegie Library which was no longer being used. The Chamber printed their first 10,000 brochures in November.
In December, Mona Betzel assumed the role of executive director and a new board assumed their duties in June 1980. The following officers were elected. President-Sammy Blackwell, Vice President-Jimmy Marshall, Treasurer-Betty Harper. Membership continued to grow.
The Chamber took its first stand in contacting Sen. Culver Kidd to voice its opposition in closing our state prison facility. The new business organization also sponsored a shoplifting prevention campaign, a float in the Dairy Festival parade, a shop at home campaign and began a county map project.
In October of 1980, Roddie Anne Beall (Blackwell) was hired as president of the Chamber and continues to serve the role to this day.
Over the years, the Chamber's membership has grown with the business community, finding innovative ways to serve the changing needs of our businesses. In December 2007, the Chamber moved into our new home in the Plaza Arts Center where we house the Welcome Center and the Putnam Development Authority.
Welcome New Members!
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