Towns County Robotics Team improves beach trail, adds QR code to site

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Towns County Robotics Team

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Middle School Robotics Team recently volunteered their time and skills to improve the public area surrounding the Towns County Beach on Lake Chatuge while assisting the future of tourism. Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw invited the students to the December courthouse meeting to share the details of the group’s appreciated accomplishment.

Bentley Floyd, Laura Mauldin, and Erin Page combined their efforts, building a bridge over a potentially hazardous culvert, erecting an erosion wall, and installing a handrail on the trail that runs near the county beach area. Furthermore, the students added a QR code to a sign at the recreation site, allowing residents and visitors to easily access useful information on area attractions and public safety matters.

QR codes work in a similar way as a barcode at the supermarket. They are a scannable image that can instantly be read using a smartphone camera. QR codes consist of a number of black squares and dots which represent certain pieces of information, bypassing the hassle of manually inputting electronic addresses that direct to websites.

“They presented an idea to me at the beach out here, some of the upgrades that needed to be done, and boy, were they right,” Commissioner Bradshaw said. “I do go by the beach, and we do check it, but they found some stuff that I didn’t really realize. They brought it to my attention and they wanted permission to go up there, and a lot of the parents are here that helped them with that, and they did a fantastic job and we are very thankful.”

Towns County Chamber of Commerce President Candace Lee, who attended the meeting, agreed that the QR code was an especially bright idea on the robotic team’s part that will assist with future tourism, Bradshaw said that Towns County is “very proud” of the students’ contribution, describing the young trio as “intelligent and engaging” assets to the community.

Featured Image (L-R) Bentley Floyd, Laura Mauldin, and Erin Page of the Towns County Middle Schools Robotics Team. 

Towns County Chamber rebrands as Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce

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Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The Towns County & Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce has officially rebranded as the Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce. The news broke during a surprise celebration held at the chamber’s office on Jack Dayton Circle in Young Harris, Oct. 24.

Lake Chatuge Chamber

Crystal Wagner (left) and Candace Lee of the Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce.

“About five years ago we did some rebranding,” Lee said of the Lake Chatuge logo which was designed by community members who sought to understand what drew visitors to the area. “Top answer was the lake, second type answer was the mountains. So our board got together, the committee on the board got together, and said, ‘we’re going to go with the lake.’ The lake is what brings the people here, brings the groups here, it’s what attracts more of the visitors here to the county. Since we’ve done the rebranding, you have seen the results. We’ve had Bassmasters here. We’ve had people calling for tournaments. We’ve had five tournaments this year. I’ve got one already scheduled for next year. It has exploded just because we use the words Lake Chatuge.”

A ribbon-cutting took place at the event, cake and champagne were served to celebrate the occasion, and door prizes were raffled to announcement attendees.

“You are getting a trickle-down effect in all your businesses,” Lee told the guests, many of whom were chamber members. “No matter what you do, you are getting a trickle-down somehow in your business from tourism. Towns County, last year, got a report for 2017 tourism that saif we are 8th in the region as far as the dollars we bring in tourism. That’s huge for a 16 county region, we are 8th in our region. We are #1 in the dollars saved per person in taxes per year because of tourism.”

Lee said that the tax savings annually amount to roughly $800 per resident.

Click here to visit the Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce website

“Reelin’ it in for Vets” fishing tournament to launch on Lake Chatuge

News
Lake Chatuge

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County’s Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for”Reelin’ it in for Vets,” Saturday, Nov. 2. Anglers, who are encouraged to team with a veteran, will compete for a portion of $7,500 in prize money for the top-5 heftiest catches of the day.

“The Towns County Chamber of Commerce is encouraging anglers to take a veteran fishing to thank them for their years of service protecting our country and allowing us all the freedoms we have,” Lake Chatuge Chamber President Candace Lee explained. “The event will kick-off on Friday evening, Nov. 1, with a pre-fish feast sponsored by local VFW Post 7807. On Saturday, the tournament blast-off will take place from Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds boat ramp at ‘safe light’ and weigh-in will be conducted at 2 pm from this same boat ramp.”Lake Chatuge - fishing tournament

The entry fee is $150 for a two-man team if a veteran is onboard. A fee of $200 is required to participate if the team does not include a veteran. Veterans without a boat or teammate who wish to participate will be matched with an angler. “Do not let this stop you from fishing in this tournament,” Lee urged. “All veterans participating will be honored at the weigh-in and receive a special gift from the Towns County Chamber of Commerce.”

Pre-registration is available with on-site registration accepted on Nov. 2 until 6:30 a.m.

“When we started our Fishing Tournaments Committee about 18 months ago, we were just getting ready for the big Bassmasters Tournament,” Lee told FYN. “After that big tournament, a lot of smaller tournaments followed.  Groups started contacting us for help – both money and manual labor – to bring in large groups of anglers.  As we continued to discuss helping these other groups, a couple of the committee members suggested that we start hosting our own tournaments – not only to bring attention to Towns County and Lake Chatuge but to raise money for the Chamber and for a local charity.”

Lee explained that the chamber learned of different tournaments that honored veterans, adding that there were several non-profits whose goals were to work solely with veterans in the outdoors. “Modeling our tournament after some of the others was easy – just on a much smaller scale,” Lee said. “We knew that our local VFW was busy raising money for a new building and that this tournament could possibly help.

“Many area businesses are sponsors of this event including the main sponsor, Nelson Tractor Company, Inc. from Blairsville, GA. Other sponsors are Lake Chatuge Lodge, Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors, Mountain Realty, Towns County CVB, Hiawassee Hardware, Blue Ridge Moutain EMC, and VFW-American Legion of Towns County.”

A portion of the proceeds will be returned to VFW Post 7807.

For additional information, contact Towns County’s Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce at 706-896-4966.

 

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Commissioner Bradshaw talks economy, jobs, and “small town feeling”

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Towns County SPLOST

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw opened his monthly meeting, Tuesday, June 18, with  an update on the county’s financial health. “Right now, the sales tax collections are up around $28,000 from what they were this time last year, so we’re very thankful for that. We give that to a good economy. We give it to many people trying to do many things to promote our county, have events, and bring  people here, and they spend money, and have a great time. They leave and then it’s longing to come back here again, and they do, and a lot of them come back and build a house or buy a house, and that’s what it’s all about, so were very thankful.”

Towns County Commissioner

Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw

Commissioner Bradshaw noted the proven economic contributions of Candace Lee of the Towns County Chamber of Commerce, who was in attendance, and officially introduced Denise McKay, who serves as the economic developer for Hiawassee, Young Harris, and Towns County as a whole, praising McKay’s initial efforts.

“Jobs are very important and this is the whole plan…,” Commissioner Bradshaw went on to say, emphasizing the appeal of a “small town” essence, including a desire to deter younger generations from relocating from the area due a lack of employment options. “But I do feel like it is our job as county government to try to promote businesses, and try to promote some growth so that we can provide job opportunities, and that’s what Denise is here for. However, and she understands, and she likes it here, that’s why she moved here, but we don’t want to lose the small town feeling.” The commissioner concluded that his pressing goal is to fill vacant buildings and empty lots within the county with economic opportunities, beneficial to all.

 

Towns County Chamber of Commerce: “This county is booming”

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Towns County tourism

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – The 2017 tourism figures have been calculated, and Towns County’s direct tourism spending increased by nearly $3 million dollars in a single year. Data revealed that $51.71 million dollars were the result of local tourism in 2017, relieving individual taxpayers of an annual $840 average.

Towns County Chamber of Commerce President Candace Lee stated that although Towns is one of the smallest counties in Georgia, the chamber has reached an impressive 417 members. Lee shared data, confirming the high level of interest in the area through the chamber’s website.

Candace Lee - Chamber of Commerce
Towns County Chamber of Commerce President Candace Lee

“Last year we had 320,000 member views,” Lee said. “That means 320,000 people went to members’ websites. Out of that, we also had 1,869 people that clicked on the job tab on our website, 60,000 people looked the calendar, and then from our social media, which is probably Facebook because Crystal (Fairless Wagner) does a fantastic job with our Facebook page, we had 157,000 people who went from our Facebook page directly to our website. We are proud about that. We are a small chamber. We compete with a lot of the bigger guys.”

Lee informed that out of 17 counties in northeast Georgia, Towns County ranked the eighth highest in tourism. “We’re busy,” Lee said, “This county is booming

Last year, Towns County Chamber of Commerce fulfilled leads by delivering 1,549 informational packets, 187 packets on area relocation, and 667 visitor packets during the month of December alone.

Lee listed exciting, upcoming events, including a Bass Nation tour which will lure 120 boats to Lake Chatuge in late September, following an invitational fishing tournament that will coincide with the final days of Georgia Mountain Fair in July – both positive effects of the wildly popular Bassmaster Tournament hosted last fall – as well as the second annual Made in Georgia expo, scheduled for the weekend before the Fourth of July, and a new event, Rust and Roses, which will feature an array of antique and vintage clothing vendors in early September.

Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw praised the dedication of Chamber President Lee, General Manager Hilda Thomason of the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, and Chair of Hamilton Gardens, Grace Howard, for their hard work in increasing the county’s economy through tourism.

“The more people we bring here, the easier. It lightens the load on us who live here every day. They spend their money. The more people who come here, my belief is, the more people who’s going to come back, buy a lot, build a house, hopefully maybe buy a commercial lot and build a business or start a business,” Commissioner Bradshaw explained. “I have many goals, but this is one of the bigger ones.”

Made in Georgia Festival set to shine spotlight on Peach State

Community, News
Made in Georgia

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – “Made in Georgia” kicks off this weekend at the Towns County County Recreation and Conference Center, featuring a wide variety of products from the Peach State.

Vendors offering items that were made, grown, harvested, crafted, brewed, grown, stitched, or inspired in Georgia will be on site at the unique event. Towns County Chamber of Commerce President Candace Lee says 65 vendors will participate in the expo, offering samples, demonstrations, and products for purchase.

Chick-fil-A, an Atlanta-based corporation, has signed on to attend, in addition to vendors offering festival fare such as barbeque, hot dogs, pitas, lemonade, and Italian ice.

North Georgia Technical College Culinary Arts Department will host three separate cooking classes on Sunday, demonstrating the preparation of native cuisine.

“I’m very excited about the upcoming Made in Georgia festival,” Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw tells FetchYourNews, “We sold 2,850 tickets at the recent Get Outdoors expo, and we hope to draw a large crowd to this first-year event as well. I’m happy that the Chamber is putting on the event, and doing such a great job in general.”

The festival runs from Saturday, June 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday, July 1, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Admission is $5 per person. Parking is free.

Towns County Recreation and Conference Center is located at 150 Foster Park Rd. in Young Harris.

The event will take place, rain or shine.

Towns County tourism steadily soars

Community, News
Lake Chatuge

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Tourism is on the rise throughout the Georgia mountains, and Towns County has seen a steady increase in the past several years.

Out of 17 counties reviewed, Towns County placed second in terms of growth in 2016, when the study was last conducted. Research reveals an 8.9 percent increase in domestic tourism expenditures in Towns County since 2007. Only Dawson County exceeded Towns, at an increase of 12.7 percent. Overall, the northeast Georgia mountains experienced 5 percent total growth in tourism in the past decade.

“I am very excited to see the numbers continue to climb, and I am looking forward to seeing last year’s,” Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw told FetchYourNews. “Tourism is our bread and butter as a community. Studies show that households taxes would need to increase $798 per year in order to replace the taxes generated by tourism alone. It’s a win-win situation for both the visitors, who are able to enjoy the beauty of our lake and mountains, and it benefits the residents who live here as well.”

In 2016, tourism supported 4,533 jobs in Towns County, generating $11.37 million dollars in payroll. Local tax revenues amounted to $1.33 million dollars.

Commissioner Bradshaw works in unison with Towns County Chamber of Commerce President Candace Lee, and Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Manager Hilda Thomson, to bring revenue-generating events to Towns County.

The recent “Get Outdoors!” expo drew over 2,800 attendees, many of whom traveled to Towns County from surrounding areas.

“Made in Georgia” will make its debut on June 30 through July 1, offering products made, grown, brewed, crafted, stitched, and harvested throughout the state. The event will feature an array of vendors, demos, and samples of local products. The event will be held at the Towns County Recreation Center in Young Harris.

The 2018 Bass Elite tournament series, scheduled for Sept. 20 through 23, is sure to draw a crowd as well.

“We are excited to be hosting a tournament of this caliber, and we look forward to showcasing the beauty of our small mountain community to people from all over the world,” said Candace Lee, president of the Towns County Chamber of Commerce. “We want to put Lake Chatuge on the map as one of the best fishing lakes in the southeast, as well as the most beautiful.”

Information on upcoming events in Towns County can be found at GoLakeChatuge.com

Bassmaster AOY yields high economic return for Towns County

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AOY Lake chatuge

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Lake Chatuge was the site of the 2018 Bassmaster Angler of the Year (AOY) point series tournament, and Towns County’s decision to host the sporting event yielded a high economic return.

Towns County Chamber of Commerce

Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw and Chamber President Candace Lee

According to Towns County Chamber of Commerce President Candace Lee, over 10,800 visitors traveled to the area for the September event, generating approximately $2.1 million dollars in revenue. The expected return, cited by Bassmaster, was slightly underestimated at $1.5 to $2 million dollars.

Towns County extended a host fee of $60,000 to secure the Bassmaster series finale, a commitment both Lee and Towns County Commisioner Cliff Bradshaw said did not come without much consideration and contemplation. In addition to the revenue obtained from the event, a total of 5,434 local jobs were supported by the wise investment.

Lee and Bradshaw explained that the tournament will reap long-lasting results as familiarity with the Towns County area is better known due to exposure from the popular bass fishing event.  During the week of the tournament, coverage of the AOY drove over 798,000 visitors to the bassmaster website, with more than 336,000 unique visitors, and 6.8 million page views. Video coverage delivered more than 269,000 views.

 

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Sneak Peek at Get Outdoors! Expo

Community, News

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Only a week remains until the highly anticipated Get Outdoors! Expo premiers at the Towns County Recreation and Conference Center, offering a vast array of vendors and programs for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

Towns County Chamber of Commerce

Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw and Chamber President Candace Lee

FetchYourNews sat down with Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw and Towns County Chamber of Commerce President Candace Lee on Thursday, March 29, to learn what’s in store. Bradshaw and Lee are excited to welcome the fun-filled event and expect it to become an annual tradition in Towns County.

If hiking is in your future, you won’t want to miss the line up of experts on the subject. Saturday begins with Backpacking 101 with Diane Duffard, an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. Duffard will share tips on preparing for both overnight and long-journey hikes, displaying her own gear as an example.

Later in the day, Joseph and Abigail Pate will host a workshop on multi-seasonal day hikes, focused on packing for a trip, choosing a trail, safety plans, and environmental considerations. Bob Gabrielsen, from Top of Georgia Hostel, will list the “Ten Golden Rules of Hiking the Appalachian Trail.”

On Sunday afternoon, Mary Maddox will share the journey of hiking the Camino de Santiago, a “prayerful path” that winds through the stunning terrain of northwestern Spain. Chef Joey Becnel will offer scrumptious recipes for easy-to-make meal and snack ideas for back-county cooking. The class will offer alternatives for those with allergies or special diet requirements. A primer on navigation and a basic first aid course will be available as well.

Fishing enthusiasts will enjoy hands-on Fly Rod Casting and Fly Tying workshops. Young Harris College Biologist Professor Jonathan Davis will present his research findings on the bass population of Lake Chatuge and other nearby fishing holes. The Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition will provide microscopes to view plankton in pond water, the basis of the aquatic food chain.

Chatuge Gun Club will offer the opportunity to test marksmanship skills at an air rifle range.

Sure to be a hit is Falconer Buster Brown and his birds of prey. Brown will share information on acquiring a raptor, training techniques, housing options for the bird, and species used in the sport. The presentation will conclude with a fascinating seven-minute video of falcons pursuing their quarry.

Buster Brown

Buster Brown shares his expertise on falconry.

A falconry demonstration is scheduled for 2 p.m. on both days of the expo.

Children will delight in learning how to make and use turkey calls with avid turkey hunters Keith McKinney and Sam Stowe.

On Saturday afternoon, a class on the creative art of nature writing is planned, followed by a course entitled “String, Beans, and Fairy Godmothers,” which will spark imaginative icebreaker ideas for group leaders.

A worship service will be held on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. led by Pastor Jeff Deaver, of The Cross Church, host of X-treme Christian Outdoors.

Numerous exhibitors with a wide selection of information, displays, and wares related to everything outdoors will be set up both inside and outside of the venue.

Food vendors will be onsite with festival fare such as barbecue, hot dogs, jerky, boiled peanuts, kettle corn, and Italian ice.

The Get Outdoors! Expo takes place next weekend, April 7 and 8, 2018. The expo runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Admission is $5.00 for adults and children over 14 years of age. Children under 14 are admitted without charge. Parking is free.

Admission includes workshops.  Program guides will be offered upon entry.

The Towns County Recreation and Conference Center is located at 150 Foster Park in Young Harris, Georgia.

For more information, visit Get Outdoors.

 

 

 

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