Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center

If you weren't able to join us for our "What is Accessibility Bias?" seminar with Daniel Spencer and Athena Camp from the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, here is a short video outlining the seminar and what you missed! Studies show that businesses that employ people with disabilities often see increased productivity, lower turnover rates, and improved company morale. Plus, there are potential tax credits and incentives available to businesses that hire qualified individuals with disabilities. If you're interested in hosting a FREE seminar at your organization similar to this one, please contact Daniel Spencer at Daniel.Spencer@rehab.alabama.gov

Sign up to PITCH your business idea! Applications are due by 5 pm Central Time on Friday, September 6, 2024.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, BUSINESS! Get ready for your close-up! Join us for an unforgettable Business EXPO on Tuesday, October 22nd from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Anniston City Meeting Center. This isn't just another business event; it's a star-studded extravaganza where you'll network, learn, and shine! Roll out the red carpet for new business opportunities, dazzling displays of innovation, and unforgettable connections. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your career, there's a spotlight waiting for you. Don't miss your chance to be in the limelight! Reserve your booth now and let's make this business expo a blockbuster hit! Don't forget to decorate and dress up as your favorite movie! Booths go fast, so be sure to register today attps://https://lnkd.in/evpZ6FGZ For more information, contact Savannah Dempsey at savannahd@calhounchamber.com

Join us for this seminar on Accessibility Bias in the workplace and how it can affect your staff and customers/clients. Accessibility ensures that all employees, regardless of their disabilities, have equal opportunities to excel in their roles. ADRS’s largest division, Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), provides individualized employment- and education-related services and training to assist youth and adults with disabilities achieve their employment goal. The goal of VRS is to enable individuals with disabilities to increase self-sufficiency through employment. For Alabamians with disabilities, VRS strives to enhance employment opportunities and empowers individuals with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential.

Congratulations to Ava Pope, Claudia Dempsey, and Tanner Curvin from Piedmont High School, three of the Matthew Michael Clonts Youth Leadership Calhoun County Scholarship recipients for 2024! All three of them have received a scholarship towards their university of choice, and are 2023 graduates of our Youth Leadership Calhoun County program. Help us wish them all the best as a college student starting in the Fall 🎉 We appreciate the Clonts family joining us this season to present the scholarships to the recipients and we're so grateful for your support of these young leaders 🎓

Applications for the Youth Entrepreneur EXPO are now open! Do you know a young small business owner between the ages of 8 and 18 that would like to learn more about growing their business? This is a great opportunity to help them network with our Chamber members and educate our business community on what they have to offer! For more information, contact Savannah Dempsey at savannahd@calhounchamber.com. REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/eJGRbnSB

📢 ANNOUNCING OUR 2024 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS! 📢 Emerging Category (In business less than 5 years): Rons Goode BBQ The Scoop Event Studio Full Bellie Deli Heifer Please Home Decor Big Time Entertainment Royal Slush Sustaining Category (In business more than 5 years): Classic On Noble Ldc_tech Cofield Asphalt Refinishing Crawford Office Supply The Vine Chiropractic LLC Heavenly Host of Angels, LLC. Mizzell Marketing Nonprofits: Junior League of Anniston-Calhoun Choccolocco Creek Watershed RMC Foundation Help us give these fine folks a round of applause on this wonderful achievement!

What a great turn out this morning! Today the JSU Center for Manufacturing Support hosted our manufacturers of Calhoun County as a way to explore opportunities and partnerships. The Industry Needs Roundtable was created with a give-and-take mindset, so that the CMS and the JSU Department of Applied Engineering could hear directly from companies about their current/ future needs. New connections were established and old friendships strengthened with more knowledge of local support systems. If you missed out on the event and would like more information, please visit: https://lnkd.in/erbbeSKp Big thanks to the CMS, Dr. Dana Ingalsbe, and Matthew Rosser for hosting as well as the Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center for their continued support.

Now is a good a time as any to remind our Chamber members that the Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center is a Google Partner! With this designation, we have been awarded several scholarships to the Grow with Google on Coursera Learning Programs. The certifications currently offered are Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & E-Commerce, IT Support, Project Management, UX Design, and a new AI Essentials course! This is a great initiative to grow workforce development in Calhoun County, primarily from our residents from marginalized communities. If you're a Chamber member interested in applying for one of our scholarships, feel free to send our Communications Director Ashlee Jones an email at ashleej@calhounchamber.com and we can get you started on the road to your #GrowWithGoogle Certification!