The Habersham Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Partnership Habersham, has launched an economic recovery task force in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The objective of the Habersham Economic Recovery Effort (HERE) task force is to set a community-wide strategy to prepare for the post-pandemic economic recovery in Habersham County that meets the needs of small businesses, employers, job seekers, and those in financial need.
“The time for a community-wide strategy to prepare for the post-pandemic economic recovery is now,” says Chamber president Mary Beth Horton. “The plans we develop now will guide our short-term and long-term efforts so that our return to work and life happens safely, successfully, and sustainably.”
The Chamber is working to match local leaders representing local government, businesses, education institutions, and community partners to form committees focused on driving community growth and economic recovery through business, workforce, and community assistance. Each subcommittee is tasked with identifying strategies and action steps to minimize the economic effects of COVID-19 and strengthen Habersham County’s long-term vitality.
HERE Subcommittees:
Business Assistance
- Support Habersham County Government policies/local municipality policy
- Distribute real-time economic assistance program information
- Provide consistent communications on compliance with local, state, and federal mandates and guidelines
- Be a resource for fact-based data, information and education on COVID-19 and business sustainability through this pandemic
- Host/Co-Host Webinars
- Highlight and assist retail and restaurant groups impacted by pandemic disruption
Workforce Assistance
- Connect business leaders and employees to resources at all levels of government
- Coordinate with municipalities on policies to protect residents from evictions, manage utility bills, and access vital food and supplies
- Maintain an inventory of all hotel, restaurant and industry-based closures with calculations on total employees affected
- Communicate and coordinate real-time job losses with local Department of Labor
- Provide real-time employment opportunities to job seekers through various outlets
- Serve as a conduit between Piedmont College and North Georgia Technical College to enhance career opportunities to those seeking higher education and new skills development
Community Assistance
- Coordinate shop local campaigns
- Develop and promote tourism initiatives
- Establish a Community Fund
- Place ribbons and Keep Habersham Happening signs around the county
- Host a post-Covid-19 Recovery event
- Hold a community ribbon-cutting/celebration
“Partnership Habersham exists to strengthen and promote smart economic development in our community,” says Partnership Habersham executive director Charlie Fiveash. “So it made perfect sense that we would join forces with the Chamber during these uncertain times to work toward a collective goal of keeping Habersham happening.”
Anyone interested in serving on the economic recovery taskforce should contact Horton or Fiveash. Their offices are located in the Chamber of Commerce building at 668 US-441 Business in Cornelia. The phone number for the Chamber is (706) 968-4190. The number for Partnership Habersham is (706)-776-6805.
