'Engage locally,' says Clark in Georgia Chamber of Commerce regional meeting

Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce speaks to local business executives May 26. (photo by Rakiyah Lenon)

By Rakiyah Lenon | Co-editor in chief

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce held its regional meeting for the Augusta area as part of its New Georgia Economy Tour May 26 on Summerville Campus.

Representatives from local businesses in the community dined on a lunch and gathered in the Roscoe Williams Ballroom to hear the presentation sponsored by Wells Fargo. Kia, the official car of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Textron Specialized Vehicles, a regional sponsor, also sponsored the event. AT&T, Benesch and SouthState Bank are community sponsors.

Sue Parr, president and CEO of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce thanked sponsors and recognized Augusta University’s president Brooks Keel.

Speaking of the part AU plays economically in the state, Keel said, “It’s a role we take very seriously.”

Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, was the main speaker for the event and described AU as an economic engine for the surrounding area.

According to Clark, Georgia has seen an increased level of economic growth. Georgia has been named one of the best places to do business for the 8th year in a row.

“We have had rapid economic development in the state of Georgia over the last 36 months,” he said.

He said this growth has led to an increase in the need for workers and infrastructure on various levels.

Clark said that energy should be of focus as current trends point to increased awareness about sustainability.

“Georgia is going to need 40% more energy in the next 15 years than we produce today,” he said.

Along with physical aspects of infrastructure, Clark said that cybersecurity and healthcare should be included as such.

Clark said that new start-ups and small businesses are growing among minorities and women.

“We want everyone that’s in the system to have success, to be able to grow, flourish and we also want you to be able to thrive,” he said. “Economies can’t be one-sided.”

Clark said that in order to achieve projected growth by 2030, businesses will have to think of new ways to reach potential employees. He said the need for a growing workforce has been evident and statistics show that many jobs in the state will have openings that need to be filled.

According to Clark, businesses should be flexible when it comes to hiring people.

Among the younger population, flexibility has been seen as an important value, following the pandemic. 

 Clark said that students should be familiarized with learning entrepreneurship.

“We’ve also got to a do a better job of training the next generation of students on how to be their own entrepreneurs,” he said.

Clark said that information gathered from events such as these are added to data collected throughout the state and is used to lobby on behalf of business in the Georgia legislature.

He said that business executives in the area should continue to have a local presence within the community.

“Engage locally every single day,” said Clark.

Attendants took the time to speak with each other before and after the event. (photo by Rakiyah Lenon)

Contact Rakiyah Lenon at rlenon@augusta.edu.