Over 100 Years a “Path of Progress”
Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce was organized on January 14, 1910 by visionary leaders, W. C. Vereen, W. H. Barber, John A. Carlton, W. E. Aycock, R. M. Morrison, and businessmen from the community. They met at the Hotel Colquitt. The members of the Chamber of Commerce became the pacesetters in economic development, civic organizations and agriculture. They changed the landscape of southwest Georgia and created a hub of development and diversified agricultural products.
The Moultrie Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce is a stand alone, not-for-profit organization supported by its members, which include local businesses and leaders who care about our community. It is an organization that unites business people and creates coalitions to expand the economy and improve quality of life. The Chamber helps promote business growth, serves its members with personal and professional development opportunities, and makes decisions that will benefit the Colquitt County business community.
The Chamber is the voice of the business community on local, state, and national levels. It is our commitment to help our area to grow and prosper. We believe in a strong, vibrant business community that contributes resources to ensure an exceptional quality of life.
With over 100 years of experience, we have worked with businesses, industry, professionals, and civic groups to provide educational, networking, and growth opportunities through membership.
Milestones:
- Developed first Board of Trade in Georgia
- First marketing/advertising plan aimed to attract people for development of agriculture and commerce. (Immigration Campaign)
- Instrumental in establishing the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in June 1910
- Developed the Colquitt County Plan of Diversified Farming which led to Colquitt County being the number one agricultural county in the state. (Published in the Saturday Evening Post)
- Balanced industry and agriculture to become one of the Georgia’s most progressive counties
- Created the Quality Steer Show in conjunction with farmers and meat packers to produce quality meat
- Instrumental in the creation of the State Farmer’s Market.
- Involved in the development and incorporation of the Moultrie YMCA in 1916
- Worked with the County Board of Education to establish a Vocational Technical School in Colquitt County
- Worked with city and county agencies to develop feeder-line air service for a commercial airport
- Chamber Committee was instrumental in the development of Spence Air Base
- Instrumental in obtaining needed highway improvements for the 319 By-pass
- Leader in Industry recruitment for packing plants and manufacturing
- Assisted with the Post office Expansion
- Leader in Bond Referendum for Colquitt County Regional Hospital
- Initiated the predecessor to the Extension Service; employed first county agent in1910
- Worked to create Reed Bingham State Park
- Developed industrial parks
- Instrumental in assisting with small business development
- Established Resource center for businesses
- First Archway Community in the State of Georgia supported by the chamber
- Led $6,000,000 SPLOST referendum to repair the old Court House and build the new Annex.
- Worked closely with Dr. Burnside and Ed White to start up Sunbelt Agricultural Expo
- Leader in securing a local State Detention center
- Assisted Turning Point in securing certificate of deed
- Raised $1,000,000 for renovation of the abandoned jail as a new home of the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation
- Secured funding and built the Welcome to Moultrie sign on 319 from Tifton in 2009