New Murray County Chamber of Commerce board Chair Drew Hayes says 2024 is Murray County’s year, an Olympics year, to “go for the gold.”
“I’m glad to be here and glad to support the Murray County chamber,” Hayes said during the chamber’s annual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 25. “I’m glad to support growth within this county (while) looking to the future, and I’m excited to serve as the board chair for 2024.”
As a manager for the Georgia Ports Authority, Hayes oversees the Appalachian Regional Port inland rail terminal located on 42 acres in Murray County off of Highway 411 North.
Hayes detailed what to expect in Murray County during the meeting at Rock Bridge Community Church’s Chatsworth campus.
“In 2024, we promise to keep telling Murray’s story,” Hayes said.
That includes continuing to “invite officials to Murray and keep our members informed of what opportunities are available (in order to) keep Murray strong for years to come,” he said. “We will continue to be the best chamber that Murray has ever seen with our members being highlighted on billboards, magazines, television, radio, newspapers, social media and more. Everyone benefits from the work the chamber does, but it is the members themselves that make it happen.”
Hayes, a graduate of Murray County High School, said becoming the chamber’s new board chair meant “coming home.”
“I was born and raised here in this area,” Hayes said. “I’ve lived a little bit of everywhere, but I’m glad to make it back home to Murray County.”
Hayes said the chamber has already had a busy first month of the year, with even more events planned for members to stay involved in the county.
“Last month, we had an onboarding workshop for all chair members and all returning chair members,” he said. “We learned a lot during that meeting; we realized that our chamber is a very busy one, with over 20 total programs and committees. We know that there is a place for everyone to plug into to help with (our) businesses’ future success.”
Hayes said what the chamber and its President and CEO Barry Gentry do best is “connecting people.” That includes presenting the county’s “Dancing with the Stars.” The event, which last took place in September, has local leaders and community members battling it out on the dance floor, much like the popular television show competition.
“Thanks to all of the supporters and all of the people who participated in it, Dancing with the Murray Stars has raised over a quarter of a million dollars for local charities and local nonprofits within this community in only two years,” Hayes said. “I think that itself deserves a round of applause.”
In the first full week of March, the chamber will host its second Washington, D.C., “fly in,” a trip to the nation’s capital to speak with Georgia senators and representatives and “inform them of the needs of Murray County.”
During last year’s visit, Murray County chamber representatives spoke with lawmakers such as U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Rome, and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia.
“I was not able to participate in the first one, but I will be there for this one,” Hayes said. “Nearly 20 local business leaders and legislative enthusiasts (will) participate in this year’s trip. The trip is March 5th through the 7th.”
Hayes said this year’s trip will come at an interesting time.
“It just so happens that the State of the Union address (President Joe Biden’s final one before the 2024 presidential election) is on the 7th in D.C. as well, so it should be a wild timeframe to be there,” he said.
Another event lined up for early in the year is the chamber’s annual “Night on the Hill,” which will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Atlanta.
“That’s where (Gov. Brian Kemp) and (state) legislators are invited to come and we tell them what great things are happening in Murray,” Gentry said after the meeting.
That means “keeping Murray County on everyone’s mind in our capital city as we look to continue to grow,” said Hayes.
“We will also continue a keen focus on workforce development with our Murray Works program, which will include a workforce dinner (later this year),” Hayes said.
Hayes said the chamber will invite all high school seniors, their parents and local business leaders, and will give students the opportunity “for that valuable one-on-one conversation with those business leaders to learn all things available in the Murray County area.”
“And most importantly, educating them that they can have a great career, a great life and a great home here in Murray County,” Hayes said. “I’m a testament to that.”
For those looking to become a part of what Murray can offer during the year, Hayes said he only has one ask.
“We will give you fair warning,” he said. “You may be asked to be a presenter at one of our events or you may be asked to take a road trip on our behalf. Who knows? But all we ask is that you get engaged.”
Hayes said during the last 24 months nearly a dozen businesses have opened in Murray County.
“And more on the horizon,” he said. “I think that speaks for the local entrepreneurship mindsets of our local people here in Murray County. We love seeing what’s happening in Murray.”
Hayes said with any success, challenges are not too far behind.
“But we will persevere,” he said. “The chair does not do their job alone. It takes a team. And with our chamber team and our 2024 board of directors, I feel we will make great things happen locally and throughout the state of Georgia.”