# Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce

> Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce is a member-funded nonprofit business association and community welcome center in Blakely, Georgia. It connects local businesses, schools, governments, visitors, and residents through referrals, advocacy, training, events, tourism information, leadership programs, and member discounts. A 2024 application described a 144-member network, with entry-level business membership starting at $135 a year.

- **Headquarters:** Blakely, United States
- **Products:** Business membership, Member referral service, Workforce and youth programs, Community and business events, Visitor and relocation information
- **Notable:** BBB records list operations beginning in 1976 and accreditation since January 1994, with an A+ rating at the time of research., A 2024 membership application described a network of 144 members., In 1960, the chamber board publicly backed an industrial-development bond referendum.

## Products & services

- **Business membership** — Networking, referrals, directory placement, online and social promotion, advocacy, training, and access to selected member discounts; published entry price starts at $135 annually.
- **Member referral service** — The chamber says it gives members priority when the public asks for a local business or service.
- **Workforce and youth programs** — Leadership programs, mentorship, job shadowing, soft-skills training, and employer-student connections, including the historically documented BOSS program and a 2026 career fair.
- **Community and business events** — Networking mixers, annual meetings, ribbon cuttings, grand openings, and recurring community gatherings.
- **Visitor and relocation information** — A welcome center plus guides to dining, lodging, shopping, history, outdoor attractions, and relocation resources across Blakely and Early County.
- **Training and practical office services** — Workshops, seminars, small-business classes, forums, demographic information, notary and fax services, and meeting-room access.

## Achievements

- BBB records list operations beginning in 1976 and accreditation since January 1994, with an A+ rating at the time of research.
- A 2024 membership application described a network of 144 members.
- In 1960, the chamber board publicly backed an industrial-development bond referendum.
- In 1966, the chamber sponsored the public dedication recognizing Kolomoki Mounds as a National Historic Landmark.
- The chamber developed youth leadership, mentorship, job-shadowing, and soft-skills programs connecting schools with local employers.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — A local development column highlighted the chamber's first career fair under Executive Director Beth Chandler Noland and encouraged businesses, individuals, families, and nonprofits to join.
- **2026** — The chamber published a 2026 leadership roster led by Chair DeWana Fields, with dedicated vice chairs for outreach, workforce development, and event coordination.
- **2025-12** — Executive Director Beth Chandler met with University of Georgia Institute for Leadership Advancement students about a mentorship program linking Early County students with business and industry professionals.
- **2025-08** — After the Georgia-Pacific Cedar Springs mill closure, the wider Early County economic-development network publicly prioritized displaced-worker support, retraining, industrial diversification, and site redevelopment.

## Links

- Website: https://www.blakelyearlycountychamber.org/
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/blakely-early-county-chamber-of-commerce

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Last updated: 2026-09-20