The Habersham County Chamber of Commerce has hired Clarkesville Economic Development Director Mary Beth Horton as its new president. Chamber chairman Philip Smith made the announcement in a press release Friday.
Horton has worked with the Clarkesville Downtown Development Authority since December of 2010. She was responsible for developing and coordinating activities in the areas of tourism and small business development. Both of those are focus areas for the Habersham Chamber of Commerce.
“Mary Beth Horton possesses the skill set and experience which make her a strong match for the role of Chamber President. We look forward to watching the Chamber continue to grow and thrive under her leadership,” Smith said.
A “natural next step”
“I’m very humbled and very honored to have been chosen for this role and I’m excited!,” Horton tells Now Habersham. “I look forward to working with the Chamber’s partners, as well as the Economic Development Council and business community to continue to grow Habersham County, promote it, and provide support for the business community.”
Horton says tourism is an area she’d like to emphasize as Chamber president. “I think an emphasis on tourism is, in my opinion, where we need to be heading; telling our story, selling our story about why Habersham County is a great place to have a business and to raise a family.”
That’s a story Horton herself is living. It was her desire to keep her family in Habersham that led her to the job at the Chamber. After nearly nine years working in economic development in Clarkesville she calls this a “natural next step.”
“The great part about it is I don’t have to leave our community,” she says. “I’m still here. I’m still here in Habersham County to promote our towns and our businesses and our area.”
Horton will stay on in her job in Clarkesville through September to help “get things ready for the next person” and make sure the city maintains its Main Street accreditation.
Looking back
It’s that kind of commitment that has helped Horton move Clarkesville forward through some difficult times. When asked to reflect on the biggest challenges she’s faced during her time with the city she quickly points to the fire that devastated the eastern side of the historic downtown square and the December 2015 death of long-time Mayor Terry Greene.
Still, even as she reflects on those truly heartbreaking times, she does so with the same spirit of hope and optimism that helped rally the community and kept ‘Clarkesville Strong.’
“Those things were hurdles that were hard to overcome, but the way our community rallied together is the biggest take away that I have. That and our support for each other,” says Horton. “The fire was the biggest challenge, but there was a silver lining to that cloud, and we’re living in that silver lining now.”
On April 6, 2017 – three years, one month (and one day) to the day of the downtown Clarkesville fire – the city held a ribbon cutting for the reconstructed buildings. On that day city officials also dedicated Greene Plaza, an inviting, new, outdoor gathering space dedicated in memory of their late colleague and friend.
The reconstruction has fueled a revitalization of the downtown district. New restaurants and businesses are moving into town and, while there are still quite a few empty storefronts, the progress is obvious. From the stylish business signs and facades, to the new downtown sidewalks, and the carefully tended blooms and greenery, Clarkesville is now more aesthetically pleasing and economically vibrant than it has been in years.
“We had so many decisions that we have made through the years,” Horton says. “Some that have been huge successes and some that have been huge failures.” Through it all, she says, “It has just been a joy to be in Clarkesville. I love it!”
Moving forward
As she prepares to move on to the Chamber and her soon-to-be new office in Cornelia, Horton feels good about what she’s leaving behind. “I feel very good about how vibrant the town is. I feel good about the businesses that are coming. If ever there was a time to feel good about moving on, this is that time.”
While Clarkesville is sure to miss her ever-present, effervescent smile, there’s comfort in knowing she won’t be far away.
“I’m going to be working in the community, just with a different job,” she offers assuringly.
Horton succeeds Judy Taylor who served as Chamber president for nine years. Taylor left there in June and has accepted a new job as coordinator of Piedmont College’s Neighborhood Grant Program.
Former Habersham County School Superintendent Judy Forbes is serving as the interim Chamber president. Horton will officially take over the job on October 15.
