Effingham Chamber of Commerce

10/16/2026

What exactly is SPLOST, and how does it support Effingham County?

SPLOST stands for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. It's a voter-approved 1% sales tax dedicated to capital improvements, including transportation, public safety, parks, facilities, and other long-term community investments.

On November 3, Effingham County voters will consider whether to renew the existing SPLOST for another six-year term.

𝗔 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘆—𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝘅.

Learn more about the proposed renewal and what's on the ballot at effinghamcounty.com/voteyes

10/16/2026

It’s Effingham Fair Parade day! 🎡

Join the community in downtown Springfield this afternoon for one of Effingham County’s favorite fall traditions.

📅 Monday, October 19
🕔 5–6 p.m.
📍 Laurel Street in Springfield

This year’s Effingham Fair theme is “Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom and Farming,” so expect plenty of hometown pride along the parade route!

If you’ll be traveling through downtown around parade time, plan ahead and allow a little extra time. After the parade, keep the fun going at the Effingham Fair, happening through Saturday, October 24.

Parade details: https://springfieldga.org/event/fair-parade/

10/16/2026

Understanding who lives, works and shops in Effingham County can help local businesses make more informed decisions.

Chamber member Lang is launching a new series exploring the county’s demographic trends, workforce characteristics and Esri Tapestry Profiles—and what those insights may mean for our local market and future opportunities.

Take a look at the first post below, and follow LANG as they dig into the data behind Effingham County’s growth.

📊 Getting to Know Effingham County

We’re kicking off a new series exploring the people and workforce shaping our community.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll highlight:
• Key demographic trends
• Workforce characteristics
• Three distinct Esri Tapestry Profiles

Together, these insights provide a closer look at the market and the opportunities ahead for local businesses. Knowing who your customers are is essential to your bottom line.

Follow along as we dig into the data behind Effingham County’s growth.

10/15/2026

𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁?

Join us 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟮, at the Historic MARS Theatre in downtown Springfield for a full day of fresh perspectives, practical ideas, and meaningful connections.

Here's what's waiting for you:
⚡ Fast-paced Future Shock Think Talks exploring the forces reshaping how we work, lead, and grow
💻 Hands-on ChatGPT training led by OpenAI trainers
🤝 A Business Bites networking lunch sponsored by Hospice Savannah
🎤 The Evolution of Leadership with John Brantley, author of The Auxin Leader

And here's the BIG news: 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀! 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 $𝟭𝟬𝟵 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱.

Chamber members can claim one complimentary registration per organization using promo code ASKCHATGPT when logged into their member account.

Don't wait! Claim your complimentary seat by Friday, October 16, at 5 p.m. Availability is limited.

📅 October 22 | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
📍 Historic MARS Theatre | Springfield

Register today: effinghamcounty.com/events

10/15/2026

Strong projects depend on strong partnerships. In this post, EMC shares how consistency, transparency and accountability guide its approach, from keeping commitments and communicating proactively to developing practical solutions for real-world challenges.

We’re proud to have EMC Engineering Services as part of the Effingham County Chamber business community. Read their post below to learn more about the values behind their work.

Who We Are at EMC

What makes a great engineering partner?

According to our COO, Chris Brazell, the answer is surprisingly simple:

"When you ask peers what they value most, the answers are simple: consistency, transparency, and accountability."

Chris notes that the firms people most enjoy working with are often described the same way: reliable, honest, and easy to work with. They help move projects forward and create a better experience for everyone involved.

At EMC, those values guide how we approach every project. We strive to keep our promises, deliver quality services on time and on budget, communicate proactively, and be transparent, especially when challenges arise.

"We've learned that consistency builds trust, transparency reduces friction, and accountability keeps teams moving forward."

Engineering projects come with real-world constraints, including schedules, budgets, and evolving needs. That's why we focus on practical solutions and strong partnerships that help projects succeed from start to finish.

At the end of the day, our goal isn't just to complete projects. It's to be the kind of partner clients, communities, and project teams trust and want to work with again.

That's who we are at EMC.

10/15/2026

What can SPLOST help make possible in Effingham County?

SPLOST is a 1% sales tax dedicated to approved capital projects—the facilities, equipment and long-term improvements that serve our growing community.

Across Effingham County, SPLOST funding has supported projects such as:
🌳 Park and recreation improvements, including the new playground, renovated baseball field, basketball court and paved parking at Clyo Community Park
🚑 Ambulances, emergency-management facilities and other public-safety equipment
🏛️ Public facilities supporting services such as the animal shelter, UGA Extension and 4-H, elections and social services

County plans also identify park improvements at Clarence Morgan Complex, Pineora Park, Meldrim Park, South Effingham Park and Baker Pond Community Park.

These investments may look different in each part of the county, but they help build and maintain the spaces, services and infrastructure our community uses every day.

On November 3, Effingham County voters will decide whether to continue SPLOST. We encourage residents to learn more about the proposal before casting their ballots.

Learn more and find voting information 👉www.effinghamcounty.org/248/Elections-Registration

10/14/2026

Member news? Keep us in the loop.

Your business has news and we want to hear it!

Have you opened a new location, introduced a service, received an award, welcomed a new team member, posted a job opening or planned a community event?

Keeping the Chamber updated helps us better understand what is happening across Effingham County’s business community and look for appropriate opportunities to share and celebrate member news.

Tag the Effingham County Chamber in your public posts or send us a message with the details. We’d love to know what’s new with your business!

10/13/2026

Two ribbon cuttings are coming up in Effingham County, and you’re invited to help us celebrate! ✂️

First, we’ll join the Effingham County Board of Commissioners and the Clyo community for the grand opening of Clyo Community Park and a special plaque unveiling.

📅 Saturday, October 31 | 10 a.m.–noon
📍 545 Fair Street, Clyo

Then, we’ll welcome Rincon Roots Pediatric Therapy, a new local practice providing individualized pediatric speech therapy for children of all ages.

📅 Tuesday, November 17 | Noon–1 p.m.
📍 409 S. Laurel Street, Springfield

Both events are free to attend. Save the dates and join us as we recognize these new spaces and resources serving our community! Register at effingham county.com/events.

10/13/2026

Literacy is more than an education issue—it is a workforce and economic growth issue.

One week from today, business, education and community leaders will gather in Statesboro for the Georgia Chamber’s GEORGIA | 2050 Regional Roundtable. The conversation will explore how literacy connects to education, workforce development and the long-term strength of our region.

Attendees will hear perspectives from across Georgia, participate in tabletop discussions and consider practical ways to strengthen literacy and our future workforce.

📅 Tuesday, October 20
⏰ 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
📍 Georgia Southern University | Statesboro

If your work touches education, hiring, workforce development or community growth, we invite you to be part of the conversation.

Register 👉 https://www.gachamber.com/event/regional-roundtable-statesboro/

10/12/2026

There is no single “right” way to be a Chamber member.

For one business, the value may be professional development or greater visibility. For another, it may mean staying informed about issues affecting employers, sharing a job opening, participating in community leadership or finding a helpful resource.

Every organization has different goals, which is why Chamber membership offers different ways to get involved. The best place to begin isn’t with a packed calendar, it’s with a clear idea of what your business needs.

Already a member? Let us help you take a fresh look at the opportunities available to you. Considering membership? We’d be glad to learn more about your organization and help you decide whether the Chamber is the right fit.