Lots going on the

village



The annual Americus Downtown Holiday Open House drew a healthy crowd to the retail trade zone Thursday evening as local merchants decorated their businesses in holiday fashion and kept their doors open late; some offered refreshments to visitors and/or shoppers.

This event has endured since the mid-1980s, and is well worth the time. Because it brings people out, it lends a sense of community. Keith Petersen, CEO of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, has said more than once, that he is impressed that the people of Americus and Sumter County are community-oriented and involved in the community and supportive of community events and causes.

Of course, the little ones who came to see Santa weren’t much concerned with RTZs or special deals; they only had eyes for St. Nick and wished only to get close to the jolly ol’ elf and tell him what they want on Christmas morning.

The City of Americus Community and Economic Development Department came up with a great campaign that has worked successfully in other communities: asking all citizens of Americus and Sumter County to spend $20 on Friday, Nov. 20 at any business in Americus. The purpose of the event is to stimulate the local economy. I did my part and then some; hope all of you did, too.

Everyone understands the mantra “shop locally,” but during the current economic downturn, it has become even more important to support our local businesses. Shop locally; support local economy and save money on gas! Keeping the doors of local businesses open not only impacts our economy — the people we do business with are friends, people we know well.

And speaking of local businesses, we’re proud to see that Pat Miller and her husband have opened Grace Unlimited Love Gifts located on East Oglethorpe Street in Ellaville. The charming shop offers a wide variety of gifts such as homemade candles and soaps, decorated plates and Christian themed gifts, perfect for gift-giving.

It appears that Sumter County is almost there. As of last week, only 60 more certificates were needed to be certified as a Work Ready Community. The Georgia Work Ready Program is being administered locally as a joint project of South Georgia Technical College and the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce. Chamber officials stress that without the certification, the community is in jeopardy of losing future state funding. Can’t risk that. Call SGTC for more information.

Other news tidbits:

George Torbert of America's First Mortgage Lending Co. is now in his new office, located inside of The Baldwin Agency at 1617 E. Lamar St.

A ribbon cutting was held last week for Source Care Management, located behind the Clarence Jordan Center across from Global Village and Discovery Center.

Cafe Campesino has opened another coffee house, this one in the Atlanta area.

All good news.

We in this area of Georgia have much to be thankful for every day. Let’s remember that.

If you know of something going on in the local business world, please contact me at beth.alston@gaflnews.com or 924-2751, ext. 1529, so I can include it in this column which will publish every Sunday. It could be a new business, an employee promotion or recognition, a relocation or addition, a special marketing promotion, most anything related to enterprise.



Beth Alston, an award-winning journalist, is executive editor of the Americus Times-Recorder.