Local Group Forms Troup Economic Recovery Task Force

As a response to recent business concerns caused by the COVID – 19 health crisis, local business and economic development leaders have joined forces to form an Economic Recovery Task Force. Spearheaded by Connie Hensler, president of LaGrange Troup County Chamber of Commerce and Meghan Duke, economic development director for the City of West Point, the group began conducting weekly online meetings to proactively develop and implement a strategic approach to drive Troup County’s economic recovery.

The group originally began meeting online in March when the impending economic impact of COVID-19 first began to threaten Troup County businesses. Throughout the pandemic, the La-Grange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce has sought to provide the information and resources necessary to help businesses in the area weather the economic impact of the virus and governmentmandated lockdowns.

Now, the Economic Recovery Task Force is taking the next step of providing necessary information and resources to Troup County’s small businesses and non-profits— even if they aren’t Chamber members. To do so, last week, the Chamber began to utilize email blasts to reach and connect with small businesses and non-profits all across Troup County. The new initiative, dubbed Troup County Economic Resources, is the latest way the Chamber looks to provide the support small businesses need to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Troup Economic Recovery Resources was formed by the task force to become a local point of contact for area small business owners looking for trusted sources of information and services. Access to this network of information, comprised of Chamber member businesses, local municipalities, economic development agencies, community leaders, volunteers and professional service providers, is available to all small and nonprofit businesses in Troup County.

Troup Economic Recovery Resources will issue regular e- newsletters and offer access to informational webinars addressing current issues and business solutions. Information provided in the Chamber’s enewsletters and webinars focuses on specific resources and tools that small businesses can use to survive and recover from the pandemic. The most recent newsletter, for example, provided small business owners with links to the Paycheck Prevent Program Loan Forgiveness Application and applications for SBA Emergency Loans. Other resources included US Chamber resources for reopening, as well as registration forms to the University of Georgia’s upcoming webinar for small business owners.

For more information about Troup Economic Recovery Resources call 706-884-8671 or contact byemail- info@lagrangechamber. org Troup Economic Recovery Resource members include: Connie Hensler, La-Grange-Troup Chamber of Commerce, President Leslie Traylor, La-Grange-Troup Chamber of Commerce, Director of Member Engagement Sara Grace Todd, Troup Chamber of Commerce, Communications Manager Meghan Duke, City of West Point, Economic Development Director Bill Hunnicutt, Downtown LaGrange Development Authority, Executive Director Barbie Watts, Downtown LaGrange Development Authority, Promotions & Marketing Director Kathy Tilley, Visit La-Grange, President Patty Youngblood, United Way, Executive Director Bob Goehring, RLG International, Business consultant Trae Long, Gay & Joseph, CPA Brandon Eley, Eley Digital, E Commerce expert