Dignitaries Visit Rome: Strengthening Global Relationships

G R E AT E R R O M E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E | R O M E , G E O R G I AThe consulates with Darlington international StudentsDignitaries Visit Rome: Strengthening Global Relationships>> The Chamber welcomed nine members The visit concluded the next morningof the Consulate Corps to Rome and Floyd with a tour of the Pirelli Tire North America’sCounty. These representatives work as headquarters. Pirelli’s Vice President ofliaisons between the southeastern United Manufacturing, Andrew Kearton explainedStates and their respective countries handling to the group that the facility in Rome featuresmatters of economic development and trade. the most advanced tire manufacturingRelationships with these representatives technology in the world. He also explained theare essential in Greater Rome’s ability to value and benefits of operating in Rome.conduct business on a global level.The visit allowed the dignitaries toDuring the visit, the group had lunch experience the assets of Rome and Floydat Shorter College and heard from the County. The Chamber is working to maintainChamber’s Chairman, David Newby, close relationships with the representativesProfile Extrusion Company, Shorter College and plans to pursue close partnerships.President, Dr. Harold Newman and Roger The Consul Generals in attendance were:Smith, River City Bank. Many community Dr. Bruce Allen, Honorary Consulate of themembers joined the group at Shorter and Principality of Liechtenstein; Ms. Djazia Filoso,all listened to an outstanding performance Wallonia Export and Investment; Mr. Lutzby Shorter’s Chorale. From lunch, the Gorgens, Consulate General of the Federalgroup traveled to Darlington School to Republic of Germany; Mr. Takuji Hanatani,met members of Darlington’s Board of Consulate General of Japan; Mr. RedaTrustees. They toured the new middle school Mansour, Consulate General of the State ofand attended a special presentation by Isreal; Mr Christopher Smith, Royal DanishDarlington’s 80 international students. Many Consulate; Mr. Yan Hsing Yin, Commercialof the group members were able to meet Division Director of Taipei Economic andstudents from his/her respective country. Cultural Office, Taiwan Consulate and Mr.From Darlington, the group toured Oak Hill Benoit Standaert, Consulate of the Kingdomand the Martha Berry Museum and the of Belgium.Berry College campus. This was followed The Chamber thanks the Major Investorsby a reception at Berry College President, of the Partners in Prosperity Campaign:Stephen Briggs’ home. Many community City of Rome, Floyd County, Coosa Valleyleaders attended the reception along with a Credit Union, Pirelli Tire North America,dinner held at the museum. Following dinner, Southeastern Mills, State Mutual Insurancethe group experienced the liveliness of Broad Company, Temple-INLAND, Georgia Power,Street.Harbin Clinic, SunTrust Bank and Wachovia.W W W. R O M E G A . C O MNovember 2009Vol. 33 | 10 4InsideNew Members/RenewalsRibbon CuttingsInterCity Leadership VisitSmall Business Spotlight-Coffey Productions, LLCWhat’s That Project?-Model High SchoolAmbassador of the QuarterFastTrac Growth VenturePirelli Tire North AmericaMr. Frank D. Stegall Sr., Chairman ofDarlington’s Board of Trustees and Mr. TakujiHanatani, Consulate General of Japan.Mr. Reda Mansour, Consulate General ofthe State of Isreal and Pete McDonald,Georgia Northwestern Technical College.Dr. Harold Newman, Shorter CollegePresident and Dr. Bruce Allen, HonoraryConsulate of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

New MembersSEPTEMBER 1-30, 2009ACS Security- Rome, Inc.Ms. Tammy Holsonback(706) 291-373024 Bale Street, PO BOX 1127Rome, GA 30162ALARM SYSTEMS - BURGLAR/FIREAmanada Corbin AgencyAllstate InsuranceMs. Amanda Corbin(706) 844-78883132 Maple Road, Suite BLindale, GA 30147INSURANCEEtowah LandingCare & RehabMs. Candi Grimes(706) 235-1337809 South Broad StreetRome, GA 30161NURSING HOMESForestar Group, Inc.Mr. Christopher Smith(770) 272-77603330 Cumberland Blvd., Suite 275Atlanta, GA 30339www.forestargroup.comREAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENTKurt Trammell EnterprisesMr. Kurt Trammell(706) 295-9446Rome, GAPLUMBERMr. Jason Winters(706) 857-070010102 Commerce StreetPO BOX 211Summerville, GA 30747INDIVIDUALMulch and MoreMs. Kelli McCollum(706) 232-6640167 Old Summerville RoadRome, GA 30165www.mulchandmore.usLANDSCAPE SUPPLYPrimeCare NursingServices, Inc.Ms. Beth Robbins(706) 291-91511611 Martha Berry Blvd.PO BOX 175Rome, GA 30162www.primecarenursing.comHOME HEALTH/SENIOR CARERenewalsAdams Management Services CorporationADF Welding & Medical, Inc.AFLACAfter Hours EmergencyPet Clinic of Coosa ValleyAllied Waste/BFI Waste Services, LLCAmeriGas PropaneBlue Fin Sushi and Grill RestaurantCertified Collision SpecialistsCommercial Fluid PowerCommunity Criminal Justice Foundation, Inc.Consumer Credit Counseling ServiceCoosa Medical GroupCountry Hearth Inn & SuitesEast Rome Animal ClinicEdward Jones InvestmentsEverett ConstructionF & P GeorgiaFuller & McKay, Attorneys at LawGarner Brothers CompanyHampton InnHanson Pipe and Precast Southeast, Inc.Hines Delivery ServiceCheryl Riner Hodge, ArtistHoneymoon BakeryJohn’s Mountain Builders, LLCJowers-Sklar InsuranceMohawk IndustriesMontessori School of RomeOwens Hardware & Sporting Goods Co., Inc.Printworks a Bulk Mail Plus CompanyPullen’s Ordinary BicyclesQuota International of Rome Inc.ReBath of Northwest GeorgiaRinger’s Limousine of Rome GARiverside ContractorsRolan Business Machine Co., Inc.Rome Braves Fan ClubRome City Schools Board of EducationRome Symphony Orchestra, Inc.Kevin Snodgrass, M.D.South Rome Redevelopment CorporationSouthern Engineering & Surveying, Inc.Tanner Electrical Contractors, Inc.The Three Rivers Singers, Inc.Trinity United Methodist ChurchTrout Unlimited, Coosa Valley ChapterUnited WayUnity Christian SchoolWhitehall Medical Center, LLCWOW Cafe & WingeryPinnacle (USPS 395-030)Published monthly, except January, by the GreaterRome Chamber of Commerce, 1 Riverside Parkway,Rome, GA 30161.Periodical Postage Paid - Rome, Ga30161. Subscription rate $20.00 per year in U.S.A.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PINNACLE,1 Riverside Parkway, Rome, Georgia, 30161.W W W. R O M E G A . C O M

Impact Furniture and Design Inc.Ribbon CuttingsTransitions Hospice Care of GeorgiaGreen Pasture Monument CompanyImpact Furniture and Design Inc. held aribbon cutting for its grand opening. Thestore is located at 2507 Redmond Circle.Transitions Hospice Care of Georgiacelebrated a new location with a ribboncutting. It is now located at 610 ShorterAvenue.Petre Green, owner of Green PastureMonument Company held a ribbon cuttingin honor of the business’ grand opening. It islocated at 96 E. Callahan Street.Intercity Leadership Visit>> A group of Rome and Floyd County business and community leadersspent two days in Decatur, Georgia and the East Lake Community for theChamber’s fourth annual InterCity Leadership Visit. These visits are designedto learn best practices from another community. The information gainedassists business and community leaders in planning for Rome and FloydCounty’s future.The trip to Decatur focused on public-private partnerships, economicdevelopment, revitalization, preservation, education, and the arts.The group learned about the City of Decatur’s downtown development,transportation master plan including the Complete Streets concept, andcommunity arts master plan. Agnes Scott College, Drew Charter School, theVillages of East Lake, and Sheltering Arms Early Learning Center were alsotoured.Peggy Merriss, Decatur City Manager, and Dekalb County Chamber ofCommerce President, Leonardo McClarty, welcomed the group to Decatur.Valuable messages were shared by speakers including Decatur CityMayor Bill Floyd; Lyn Menne, Assistant City Manager Community &Economic Development; Amanda Thompson, Planning Director; CatherineNeiner, Director, Career Planning, Agnes Scott College; Bridget Roosa,Assistant Professor and Director of the Dance Program Liaison betweenASC and Decatur on the Arts Alliance Building Initiative; Leis VanBekkum,Sustainability Fellow ASC and City of Decatur; Demetrice Williams, DirectorSpecial Events and Conferences for ASC; Dr. Cynthia Kuhlmann, Drew CharterSchool, Kathleen Brownlee and Carol Naughton with New CommunityVentures.“We are grateful to the city of Decatur and the Eastlake Communityfor hosting us this year. Learning from other communities is an ideal wayto broaden the scope for what is possible for our community even if ona smaller, but similar, scale,” states past Chamber Chair, Evie McNiece,Accounting Solutions Plus. “The relevance of what we learned in Decatur hasmany parallels with current growth initiatives in Rome and Floyd County.”This valuable learning experience was made possible the major investorsin the Partners In Prosperity initiative: City of Rome, Floyd County, CoosaValley Credit Union, Pirelli Tire North America, Southeastern Mills, StateMutual Insurance Company, Temple-INLAND, Georgia Power, Harbin Clinic,SunTrust Bank and Wachovia.W W W. R O M E G A . C O M

smallBusinessSpotlightCoffey Productions, LLC>> Looking to expand his careeropportunities, Brian Coffey collaboratedwith his father in 2004 to create CoffeyProductions, LLC. The business specializesin video and audio production. “I worked asa Technology Specialist for nine years andwith my background in computer/networkingtechnology and my father’s video experience,we started the company,” he explains. Thebusiness was a part-time venture for Coffeyuntil it became a full-time operation in 2008.Coffey Productions, LLC is a “one-stop”business for video/post production needs.“We specialize in videoing special eventsincluding weddings, concerts, musicalsand more,” says Coffey. Audio production,video transfer and duplication, slide showsand graphic design are also services thatare offered. With each individual project,building a personal relationship with clientsis an important part of the process. “We takethe time to get to know our clients well inorder to personalize each video or projectaccording to their style and preferences.”Along with strong customer relationships,the editing step of production is a processthat is not taken lightly. “There is only oneopportunity to capture a live video/audioproject,” states Coffey. “I am very proudof the steps we take to get it just right.”Whether it’s taking the time to touch up anold photograph for a sideshow, taking theAmbassador of the Quarter (2009 3rd Quarter)W W W. R O M E G A . C O Mtime to achieve the best possible audio, ormaking sure that the best possible cameraangle on a multi-camera shoot is used,Coffey Productions, LLC strives to provide theabsolute best product and service possible.As president of the business, Brian isthe only full-time employee. His familyassists with individual projects when neededand he also works with several contractedspecialists. The bulk of Coffey’s businesscomes from Rome and Floyd County whilethe remainder reaches throughout theNorthwest Georgia region. Coffey remarks,“Rome has been very good to us. I am veryfortunate and appreciative of being able toown and operate my own business.”The community’s support has helpedCoffey Productions, LLC achieve steadygrowth each year. “Our product and serviceis our best advertisement. Due to referrals, Ihave very little advertising expense.” Coffeybelieves an important aspect of his successis the desire to go “above and beyond” forhis clients. “We always put our client’s needsfirst, no matter if it takes a few minutes,hours, days or even weeks.”Coffey believes in supporting localbusinesses and joined the Chamber when hisbusiness became a full-time endeavor. “Beinga member of the Greater Rome Chamber ofCommerce is an excellent way to supportthe business community in Rome. It hastruly benefited Coffey Productions, LLC aswell.”To learn more about Coffey Productions,LLC, visit the Chamber’s Business Directory atwww.romega.com.>> The Chamber announces Kristie Gentry, Heritage First Bank as the Ambassador ofthe Quarter for the 2009 third quarter.Kristie and many other ambassadors serve as liaisons between Chamber membersand the Chamber. They are active in various Chamber events including ribbon cuttings,ground breakings and recruiting new members.As the Loan Administrative Assistant at Heritage First Bank, Kristie has beenprocessing loans in the Commercial department for almost two-and-a-half years. Sheloves working with her co-workers and customers each day. “I truly feel like I am amember of the Heritage First Bank team, not just an employee,” she says.Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, Kristie has lived in Rome since 1988. Whenasked what she enjoys most about serving as a Chamber Ambassador, Kristie replied,“I enjoy being involved in the community and it provides a great way to meet otherbusiness people in Rome. Our Chamber truly has the community’s interests at heartand I love being able to be a part of the work they are doing.”Kristie Gentry, Heritage First Bankreceives the Ambassador of the QuarterKristie is actively involved in various areas of the Chamber and she was recognized ataward from Chamber Chairman, David the October Board of Directors’ meeting.Newby, Profile Extrusion Company at Congratulations Kristie and thank you for your support of the Chamber and thethe October Board of Directors meeting. community!

What’s Thatproject?MODEL HIGH SCHOOLQ: When was the current facility built?A: It was completed in 1974, making it 35 years old.Q: How much will the new school cost and how will it be funded?A: The school, which will cost approximately $28 million, is being funded by the specialpurpose, local option (SPLOST) sales tax that local voters passed last September.Q: Will the new building be in a different location?A: No, it will be built at the same site as the current school on Calhoun Road.Q: When will the project be complete?A: It is expected to be complete by August 1, 2010. Current 10th-graders will be the firstto graduate from the finished facilities.Q: How big will it be?A: The new school will house 1,025 students with 56 instructional classrooms. Thisincludes 14 current classrooms that will be renovated.Q: What will the new building feature?A: There will be a new kitchen and cafeteria and the old cafeteria will be converted intothree business labs. Choral, band and PE facilities will be built as independent buildings,so that the main school building will not have to remain open after-school hours.Q: How will the new school affect the Rome community?A: “It’s an investment for our children and for our children’s education, and it’s going tobe a wonderful thing for the community,” said Model High School Principal Glenn White.“I cannot tell you how much it means as a superintendent to have the continued supportof Rome and Floyd County,” said Floyd County Superintendent Lynn Plunkett. “By passingthe SPLOST they have entrusted us to be diligent, prudent and trustworthy with thefunds, and we will continue to work at making the school system better than it was.”High School Leadership RomeFastTrac GrowthVentureSeminar Series>> In an effort to provide quality serviceand resources for small business members,the Chamber is working with the SmallBusiness Development Center to provide theFastTrac GrowthVenture seminar series. Thisis a comprehensive, unique and effectiveprogram to help a business plan for thefuture with a vision and strategies, masterkey business concepts and create a networkof entrepreneurial peers.The series involves 40+ hours coveringall areas of business management and astep-by-step evaluation of each participant’sbusiness and key markets. The class time ishands-on, interactive and promotes sharingof best practices. One-on-one consultingwith SBDC professionals is also included.Participants will be able to effectively applylearned principles to their business and gainideas for how to grow and improve it.The topics covered throughout the5 one-day sessions include: Size Up YourBusiness, Explore Growth Opportunities,Make Strategic Decisions, Use Financial Tools,Strengthen Your Product or Service, Seizethe Market, Lead the Organization, ManageOperations and Growth, Chart FinancialPerformance and Make it Happen.Nationally acclaimed and award winning,the FastTrac program offers participantsaccess to practical tools for gatheringbusiness intelligence and directing growthincluding access to the J.J. Hill ResearchLibrary and online toolkits for planninganalysis.For more information about theFastTrac GrowthVenture program. Pleasecontact Lowell Pratt at lpratt@romega.comor 706-291-7663.Leadership RomeHigh School Leadership Rome students visit the Rome News-Tribuneduring the Business and Industry Session. The group also touredSoutheastern Mills and Marglen Industries, Inc.Members of Leadership Rome XXVII learn about electric cars duringthe transportation session. The group also visited Richard B. RussellRegional Airport and Norfolk Southern.W W W. R O M E G A . C O M

1 Riverside ParkwayRome, Georgia 30161706.291.7663PERIODICALSPOSTAGEP A I DROME, GA30161W W W. R O M E G A . C O MOctober Business After HoursNovember 12 | 9:00am - 11:30am | Berry College Science BuildingThe conference will take a deep look into the topics of alternative energy andangel investing networks. Jill Stuckey, Director of Alternative Fuels with theGeorgia Environmental Facilities Authority will give the keynote address.$35 FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS - REGISTER AT WWW.ROMEGA.COMJeremy Schwanbeck, Ranstad Work Solutions,Heather Henderson, Starr-Mathews InsurancyAgency and Steven McDowell, Old Havana CigarCompany network at October’s Business After Hourshosted by Riddle/Page Office Products.Wednesday, November 4•Transportation CommitteeFriday, November 6•Business After Hoursat Business EXPO - $55:30pm - 7:30pmThe ForumSaturday, November 7•Business EXPOTuesday, November 10•Small Business Action CouncilThursday, November 12•Innovation Conference•Leadership RomeFriday, November 13•Education CommitteeWednesday, November 18•Governmental AffairsFriday, November 20•Economic Development CommitteeNovember 26 - 27•Thanksgiving Holiday - Chamber ClosedRegister for Chamber events at www.romega.com!