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Carter Countians
among winners at NEKSBA
 The
Northeast Kentucky Small Business Awards had quite the impact
on the community as over 300 attended the breakfast meeting in
celebration of small business week. Several local businesses
and individuals were nominated for the honors and we proudly
salute their contributions to our cities and county. Congratulations
to our Carter County winners! Adkins-Slone Automotive, Kentucky
Underground, Jack Strother Jr., and Bob Caummisar. Each nominee
had tough competition from three counties to contend with and
was judged on a variety of criteria.
Largest crowds
ever for Memory Days 2003
 From
the parade to the car show, from the quilt show to Art in the
Park -- each event had record turn-outs as the community celebrated
the Memorial Holiday. Many thanks to the Memory Days Committee
and the City of Grayson for staging a wonderful week of nostalgia
and fun for old friends and visitors new to our area. If you
weren't able to take in all the events but would like to see
a photo essay of all the fun you missed ... click
here to jump to Graysonkentucky.com . They caught most of the action on
film!
Chamber office
moves to Main Street
 It's
no secret that things are happening all over Grayson's Main Street.
The Justice Center construction crane, with its American flag
on top, looms over the the scene. Buildings are being renovated
and put to use as a variety of businesses and organizations flock
to the downtown area. As more empty buildings are utilized and
new neighbors join the other great mechants of Main Street, the
area becomes even more attractive to shoppers. The GACC has opened
the doors to an office housed in the former Smith Jewelry building.
This presence will allow the chamber to better serve its membership
as a base of operations for the Renaissance Project, retail promotions,
business spotlights and visitor information.
Grayson becomes
a Renaissance city
 The
news is good! In the words of Chairperson Orathy Gibson, "Now
it's time for the real work to begin!"The Renaissance Committee
was successful in their aim that Grayson's downtown area be named
on of the Commonwealth's Renaissance Cities. This designation
will enable the committee to seek matching funds and other assistance
from a clearinghouse of organizations to improve the heart of
the city. The Renaissance Kentucky Alliance is composed of Kentucky
Housing Corporation as lead agency with other alliance members
the Kentucky Department for Local Government, the Kentucky Heritage
Council, Kentucky League of Cities, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet,
Fannie Mae, and Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati.
Leadership
Con highlights opportunities
 The first Grayson Leadership
Conference gathered over 90 participants for a day long encounter
with two exemplary speakers skilled in creating communities of
distinction. The morning session featured a presentation by Mr.
Ewell Baltrip, Director of the Kentucky Appalachian Commission,
who described the history of Eastern Kentucky in general and
zeroed in on Carter County specifically. His comments explained
how the reality and the myths of our area were created. Baltrip
then targeted the data that represents our county and compared
it to others along the I-64 corridor. Within the afternoon session,
Dr, Vaugh Grisham, Director of University of Mississippi's McLean
Institute detailed the path of Tupelo, Miss. as it transformed
itself from a poor community to one with world-class opportunities
for its citizens. To read more about the conference discussions,
click
here.
Chamber fact-finding
trip to Georgetown
 Seven
chamber members spent the day in Georgetown with Kelley Klepper,
Director of Development Services for Scott County. Klepper arranged
for the group to meet with the mayor & county judge-executive,
tour renovated downtown historic buildings, ask questions of
the economic development director and spend some time at the
Toyota Motor Manufacturing facility. The officials stressed the
importance of cooperation between city, county and chamber to
lead and inact positive changes as needed. Georgetown and Scott
County have proven to be highly successful in recruiting and
retaining business and industry. Their planning and zoning guidelines
keep the beauty of the bluegrass intact while their communities
prosper and grow.
Chamber aids
in Nat'l Guard Send off event
 The
Carter County Citizens for Veterans Association coordinated a
spirited send-off for the National Guard who have been called
to duty in the service of Homeland Security. The Grayson and
Olive Hill Chambers of Commerce have proudly supported the efforts
to treat the troops and their immediate families to a dinner
on August 3, 2002 at WCHS athletic field. Several restaurants
generously sent food and supplies for the dinner and others contributed
nearly 500 dollars toward the event. Many thanks to the businesses
assisted!
New businesses
join Chamber of Commerce
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Welcome
to the Chamber's most recent additions!
Carter County Chiropractic
Carter Christian Academy
Charles Wallace
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Daily Independent notes Renaissance survey
 It
took just a few minutes to fill out, but the "Share Your
Vision" surveys distributed by the Chamber as part of the
Renaissance application process have revealed many interesting
trends and ideas for Grayson's downtown. Allen Blair of the Daily
Independent has cited the survey in an article that distills
the range of percentages into easily understandable wants and
needs as detailed by Grayson citizens. Read
Blair's article here on the Daily Independent's website.
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