In Tune with Calhoun

Communications Director Ashlee Jones sat down with Chamber Board Member Kevin Gibson to discuss the Chamber's upcoming PITCH Competition!Are you a small business making at or below $250,000 a year? Is there a project you've been wanting to grow into with your business? You're in luck!PITCH is an innovative and unique way for the Chamber to further serve our community, where one small business will win a cash prize to build their business and further their growth. All received applications will be narrowed down, and those selected will compete LIVE by making a presentation (or pitch) to the judging panel and the crowd at our PITCH Competition on Thursday, April 21st, 2022 from 12 PM -1 PM at the Oxford Civic Center. The judging panel will consist of 4 business leaders within the community and the audience will act as the 5th judge.The winning small business will be awarded a prize in capital; however, each business invited to present will receive substantial visibility through its ability to tell its story to the panel and crowd attending. Be sure to apply before March 31st!For more information, please contact Public Affairs Director Kate Jaudon at katej@calhounchamber.com!

Dale Smith saw a need in Alabama when it came to aiding individuals that were post-incarceration. These were people who had been in prison for several years and were being released to an entirely different world that didn't offer them many prospects to be successful. By establishing and educating inmates before they are released, Dale and his team have begun to change lives across several states with their program, one small business at a time!For more information, contact Dale Smith directly at dale@daleosmith.com or by visiting their website at feloneducationproject.com.

Communications Director Ashlee Jones sat down with Shannon Romano and Michele Williams of Project SEARCH of Calhoun County to go over their mission and services provided to the local business community. If you would like to purchase a $5 lanyard handmade by the interns of Project SEARCH, please contact Michele at: michele@opportunity-center.com

Communications Director Ashlee Jones sat down with Misty Gardner, Program Manager of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama, to discuss the mission and services provided by BBBS. Interested in volunteering or have questions for Misty? Contact her today at 256-241-3525 or by email at misty@bbbsneal.org!

Join us for a special webinar highlighting the features and details of our 20% corporate tuition scholarship with JSU, presented by JSU Admissions.Speakers:Kelly Martin - Director of Enrollment InitiativesLauren Findley - Director of Undergraduate AdmissionsAshlee Hanvey - Assistant Director of Graduate Studies

Communications Director Ashlee Jones spoke with Tom Todt, District Director for the Small Business Association's Alabama District Office located in Birmingham about the current economic climate of our small business community, as well as its recovery post-2020. Director Todt began his duties as District Director in June 2008. In his role as District Director, Mr. Todt oversees a professional staff of 10 in the delivery of SBA’s Financial Assistance, Entrepreneurial Development, Business Training, Government Contracting and other marketing and outreach programs throughout Alabama’s 67 counties. This delivery network includes 10 Small Business Development Centers, six SCORE chapters, three Women’s Business Centers, four Certified Development Companies and dozens of lending institutions. (Source: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-team/sba-leadership/tom-todt)Towards the end of our interview, Director Todt mentions a networking event commonly held by the SBA. The name of said event is Matchmaker, should you wish you look it up and participate in the future.For more questions regarding the SBA and its services, please visit sba.gov or contact Director Todt directly at thomas.todt@sba.gov.