< 2015 by the Numbers: Annual Report Highlights

Economic Growth in Forsyth

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Every day, we can see the signs of economic growth in Forsyth County. Here, our unemployment rate has decreased to 4.9 percent.  We saw 12 new and existing companies create 541 new jobs and invest $40 million dollars in new capital investment. <o:p></o:p>

With the economy in a steady upward turn, now is the time to seize the opportunities that recovery will bring.  With your support, we will expand the reach of our economic development efforts.  We will provide additional support to the largest industry sector in our community (manufacturing) and to the fastest-growing sector in our community (healthcare).  Now is also the time to make additional investments in resources to encourage more visitors to our community by targeting the lucrative amateur sports market and the exciting film industry.  We have made important strides in these areas, but there is more work to do. Expanding those efforts will yield real economic opportunity for our retail and hospitality industries.   <o:p></o:p>

Economies are built on relationships and leadership.  We are blessed to have both of these in Cumming and Forsyth County.  The Chamber is an integral part of facilitating those relationships and fostering strong leaders.  Your Chamber is the sole economic development entity in our community. This streamlined approach to serving the needs of business clients gives us a competitive advantage.  The partnership with the City of Cumming and the Forsyth County government and school system make us a strong player on a global stage.  The Chamber will continue to work with leaders in Cumming and Forsyth County to concenter the process of business interaction with our local government to ensure it is clear to the region and the nation that we have the most business-friendly community in the country.  Cumming and Forsyth County have already taken strong steps in that direction and I thank them for their continued support.<o:p></o:p>

We have real opportunities for growth in 2016. The Chamber is on sound financial footing, but expanding the Chamber’s services to take advantage of the new opportunities will require greater resources.  Our membership numbers have recovered from the impact of the recession, but we still have opportunities for growth and increasing our market share, especially in healthcare, international business and small business. Your help in promoting membership in the Chamber is greatly appreciated!<o:p></o:p>

The Chamber is our community’s venue to channel the incredible collective resources of great business people and to create economic opportunity. As incoming Chairman, I look forward to working with each of you to expand that opportunity for everyone in our community to reach their potential and achieve more than we could imagine.<o:p></o:p>

 

Bruce Hagenau

Chairman of Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

 

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