The Gwinnett Chamber has earned its Five-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the highest designation achievable in the chamber industry, nationwide. This designation, which makes history as a “first” for the Gwinnett Chamber, was awarded for the organization’s sound policies, effective procedures, and positive impact on the community.
The Gwinnett Chamber worked through a six-month process to complete a 200-plus page application measuring the organization’s activity from 2019-2021 across 9 different areas including Communications, Finance, Governance, Facilities, Human Resources, Program Development, Technology, Benchmarking, and Government Affairs. Of the 7,000-plus chambers of commerce across the nation, only 201 are accredited with any designation, and even fewer have received Five-Star status. The Gwinnett Chamber is now among the top one percent that has achieved Five-Star Accreditation.
“This designation affirms the highest level of industry integrity, financial responsibility, and trust that our organization has worked diligently over the last few years to achieve,” said Nick Masino, President and CEO, Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett. “Our members, investors, leaders, and staff are all deserving of this recognition, and we are honored to be ranked among the nation’s best when it comes to our mission of championing business.”
Credit union plans to award $225,000 in scholarships and grants
The Peach State Federal Credit Union C.A.R.E.S. Foundation has announced it is now accepting applications for its 2023 scholarship program. This year, the foundation will be awarding over $225,000 in scholarships and educational grants to emerging professionals and graduating high school seniors attending post-secondary studies.
Demitra Houlis, Peach State’s chief administrative officer and Foundation president, says: “We’re committed to helping our neighbors improve their financial well-being. This includes being able to afford attending or sending a child to college in pursuit of building a better future.”
Among the students getting the awards included those at Georgia Gwinnett College, Gwinnett County Public Schools and Gwinnett Technical College.To view the complete list of available scholarships, eligibility criteria and to apply, visit www.peachstatefcu.org/scholarships. Recipients of the annual program will be announced spring of 2023.
Norcross offers grants to firms hit hard by pandemic
The City of Norcross, in partnership with Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), has launched the Small Business Grant Program. The program will provide $600,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to qualified small businesses to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.
The ARPA Small Business Grant Program will provide financial assistance for businesses that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, stabilize and sustain Norcross businesses and ensure they can retain employees. The program will offer grants of $10,000 or $15,000 to qualified small businesses within the city limits of Norcross. The funds may be used for operating expenses, including rent, utility bills, payroll and other qualifying expenses.
To qualify, businesses must meet certain criteria, including having an active City of Norcross Business License for years 2019–2021, the ability to demonstrate an annual revenue decline of 25 percent or more for tax years 2019 and 2020, being recognized as a domestic corporation in good standing in the State of Georgia and more.
Applicants must demonstrate both need, and appropriate use of funds, by submitting appropriate financial documentation and receipts. If the city receives more applications than funds are available, it will select awardees via a lottery system.The grant application process launches on December 1, 2022, and ends at noon on January 3, 2023. For more information or to apply, visit norcrossga.net/2214/ARPA-Small-Business-Grant-Program.
Jackson EMC margin refunds total $15 million
Approximately 221,000 current and former members of Jackson EMC will receive their share of a total of $15 million in margin refund checks in December. Checks are being mailed this month.
Jackson EMC Board Chairman Otis P. Jones of Buford says: “One of the key benefits of being a member of an electric cooperative is margin refunds. Our members are owners of a not-for-profit cooperative. At the end of the year, they are eligible to receive a portion of the funds left over after all of the co-op’s expenses are paid. That money is called margin refunds, and your board is proud to be able to return it to our members.”
Margins are refunded for a combination of years, so former, long-term and newer members benefit from belonging to an electric cooperative. This year, margin refunds will go to those who received electric service from Jackson EMC in 1994, 1995, 1996 and/or 2021. The amount of each member’s refund check is based on the amount each member paid for electric service during those years.
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