Congressman Clay Fuller voted with a bipartisan majority this week to approve H.R. 6955, the Main Street Capital Access Act, legislation supporters say would make it easier for community banks to lend money to small businesses, farmers and families by reducing certain federal regulatory requirements. The bill passed the House by a 270-155 vote and now heads to the U.S. Senate.
Summerville Main Street is now accepting vendor applications for the 2026 Summerville Santa Special Mistletoe Market, a holiday shopping event that coincides with the popular Santa Special train excursions later this year.
The market will feature five train excursions on Saturdays and four excursions on Sundays, providing vendors with an opportunity to reach thousands of holiday shoppers visiting downtown Summerville. Indoor booth spaces are limited and will be filled through a juried application process.
Interested vendors must submit an application by September 25. There is no application fee to be considered. Indoor booth spaces are 10-by-8 feet for $85 per weekend, while outdoor spaces are 12-by-12 feet for $70 per weekend or $35 per day.
Indoor vendors are required to commit to the full two-day weekend. Outdoor vendors may apply for individual event days if space is available.
Applications and additional information are available by emailing slocklear@summervillega.org.
The Georgia Public Service Commission has voted to move forward with an investigation into whether Georgia Power’s largest electricity customers—including data centers—are paying their fair share of fuel costs or shifting those expenses onto residential and small business customers.
The Town of Lyerly is now accepting vendor applications for its annual Down Home Day celebration, scheduled for Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The City of Menlo is inviting residents and visitors to spend the Fourth of July celebrating with a full day of family fun, food, entertainment, and patriotic festivities at Menlo City Park.
Activities begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, with the annual Fourth of July Parade stepping off at 11 a.m. Following the parade, families can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the park, including vendors, food, a waterslide, and entertainment for all ages.
This year’s celebration will feature a variety of local vendors offering food, crafts, specialty products, and community information. Participating vendors include Anita’s Blissful Bites, Twinkle & Tatt glitter tattoos and hair color, Mercy Me Pork Skins, Daydreamer Farms, Smoke Signals, DOB Lemonade Co., K Sims T-Shirt Bar, Leroy’s Seasoning, Sweet Pastures Sweet Treats, the Menlo Masonic Lodge, the Trion Library, Menlo First Baptist Church, and several others.
The Trion Library will be providing free information for families, while Menlo First Baptist Church will be handing out free bottled water, courtesy of Lucky’s.
City officials encourage everyone to come out, support local businesses, enjoy the festivities, and celebrate Independence Day with friends, family, and neighbors in Menlo.
The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce is inviting business owners, professionals, and community members to its monthly 5:30 Club networking event on Thursday, July 9, from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson’s Restaurant in Summerville.
The informal gathering is designed to give Chamber members and guests an opportunity to network, share ideas, discuss local business, and build new relationships in a relaxed setting. Organizers say the event has been rebranded following a successful launch and will now be held on the second Thursday of each month.
Attendees can enjoy complimentary appetizers while connecting with fellow business leaders and community members. The event is open to anyone interested in networking and learning more about the local business community.
For more information about the 5:30 Club or membership opportunities, contact the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce.
Congressman Clay Fuller spent time back in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District last week, meeting with local business owners, workers, and community leaders across Northwest Georgia.
Fuller’s visits included stops with Kennesaw Mayor Derek Easterling, the Medical College of Georgia’s regional campus in Rome, Georgia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chris Clark, Covenant Logistics, Solmax Geosynthetics in Ringgold, Catoosa County leaders, and Rockmart Fuel Containment in Polk County.
In Chattooga County, Fuller toured Smith Ironworks, where he met with team members and learned more about the company’s work and role in the local economy.
Fuller said small businesses, manufacturers, transportation companies, and local employers remain a critical part of Northwest Georgia’s economy. He said hearing directly from workers and business leaders helps him better advocate for the district in Washington.
His office said Fuller remains committed to supporting small business owners, workers, and entrepreneurs across Georgia’s 14th District.
The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce is inviting members and prospective members to a special AfterWork Meet Up this Thursday evening at Dos Maguey’s Mexican Restaurant in Summerville.
The networking event will take place Thursday, June 11, from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and is designed to provide a relaxed setting for local business professionals to connect and build relationships.
According to the Chamber, the event is intended to be a social and networking opportunity where attendees can talk shop—or anything but work. Dos Maguey’s will offer drink specials, and the Chamber will provide appetizers for those attending.
The Chamber is not hosting its regular luncheons during June and July and is instead offering these lower-key summer networking gatherings.
While tickets are not required, organizers encourage attendees to RSVP. For more information, contact the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce at 706-857-4033.
The event is open to Chamber members and those interested in learning more about the local business community.
The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce is inviting local business leaders and community members to attend its upcoming Member AfterWork Meet Up on Thursday, June 11.
The networking event will be held from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Dos Magueys Mexican Restaurant in Summerville.
According to the Chamber, the gathering is designed as a casual social and networking opportunity for members to connect, share ideas, and build relationships in a relaxed setting. Dos Magueys will offer drink specials, and the Chamber will provide appetizers for attendees.
The Chamber noted that it will not hold a June luncheon this year and is instead offering this smaller summer networking event. While tickets are not required, organizers encourage attendees to RSVP in advance.
For additional information, contact the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce at 706-857-4033
Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available for eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Chattooga County affected by ongoing drought conditions.
