Rabun BoC and CoC announce alliance with economic development and tourism entities

The Rabun County Chamber of Commerce and the Rabun County Board of Commissioners are pleased to announce the formation of a collaborative partnership between the chamber and county-funded economic development and tourism entities.

Last Wednesday night, the chamber board voted unanimously to partner with Rabun County’s Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and the Development Authority of Rabun County (DARCGA) in an effort to strengthen Rabun’s growing tourism and business industry.

The move comes at a most opportune time as Rabun is seeing rapid growth and increased activity in tourism, economic development and business development all across the community.

“I am extremely excited about the formation of this partnership,” said Chamber Board Chair Juanita Shope. “This will enable the chamber of commerce to share resources and collaborate with comparable organizations in our community, and will thus allow us to form a working alliance.”

The Chamber of Commerce will also partner with other county-funded economic development organizations in relocating to a newly renovated welcome center later this year. The new center will be strategically located just south of Clayton and will offer easy access and ample parking to accommodate visitors coming into town. The new facility will house the offices of the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Development Authority and the Development Authority of Rabun County.

While each organization will continue to maintain its individual mission, objectives, Boards of Directors and committees, the new partnership will facilitate a working alliance enabling the organizations to accomplish shared objectives and will utilize a more efficient use of taxpayer resources and a united management effort under a joint Director.

“This partnership is fantastic, and it creates a situation where all three organizations are certainly poised to move forward in tandem,” said Rabun County Development Director Rick Story. “This type of collaborative effort will allow us to pool our resources, and it will also allow us to better solicit community input as we develop a strategic plan that focuses on Rabun County’s overall economy.”

Story went on to comment that he has seen similar collaborative efforts work very well in other communities across Georgia.

Commission Chairman Greg James agrees. “This type of organizational partnership will enhance financial efficiencies within each organization, as well as create a stronger economic environment through cost-saving benefits. This partnership is a win-win for Rabun.”

Renovations on the new building are expected to begin soon and the organizations plan to be relocated in the new facility by mid-summer.