THOMASVILLE — The City of Thomasville recently hosted the City of Valdosta and the Southern Georgia Black Chambers, Inc. for collaboration, discussion, and tours. The focus of the visit was building a stronger community through plans, partnerships, and projects, providing examples that have been created in Thomasville that could provide a visual to be implemented in Valdosta, which ultimately strengthens the southwest Georgia region.
The Southern Georgia Black Chambers (SGBC) is a non-profit organization that comprises individuals who engage in business, community, and government activities. Their mission is to promote business and community growth and development by educating the black business community in the Southern Region of the Georgia Coalition of Black Chambers.
Chris White, City of Thomasville’s interim city manager, said, “We were happy to host Valdosta and showcase some of the initiatives we have found successful in our own community. Our success in creating inclusive communities, revitalizing neighborhoods through community home investment programs, participating in community workforce plans, and connecting households and businesses with available resources aligns well with SGBC’s mission and can be duplicated in other communities like Valdosta.”
In partnership with the City of Valdosta, SGBC places a significant emphasis on creating opportunities for its members in the fields of business, community, and government. The primary objective is to generate prospects for members, guarantee that businesses and organizations bring value to the market, remain relevant and competitive, and create a sustainable future for generations to come in the region.
“During their visit, we were able to connect, network and share ideas, since we all deal with similar challenges in our own communities,” said Assistant City Manager Sheryl Sealy. “Our staff was also able to provide our visitors with successful place-making strategies that have helped create a vibrant, livable community. It is very rewarding to share the success stories of Thomasville and highlight the work of Team Thomasville.”
Also participating in the visit were Managing Director of Marketing & Communications April Norton and City Planner Kenny Thompson, who provided the SGBC with hands-on tours of local small businesses, allowing them to share their stories of why they choose to locate their business in Thomasville.
“Our afternoon included tours of Climmie’s H&M Bar-B-Que, a local favorite for ribs and fried chicken. We also visited Top Notch Training Institute, a local beauty school that offers programs in cosmetology, barbering, and other courses,” shared Norton. Thompson added, “Collaborating and sharing ideas across communities can lead to innovative solutions and positive impact. We were also able to share information about Thomasville’s Comprehensive Plan, inclusiveness initiatives, and incentive programs, all of which have really helped drive these community and place-making initiatives.”
For more information about the City of Thomasville’s Comprehensive Plan or other planning initiatives, please visit https://thomasville.org/planning.
