Published: October 02, 2008 07:21 pm      

New chamber president sees possibilities in downturn

The economic downturn has hurt many local businesses and taken a bite out of the local economy.

But Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce president Brian Anderson says there’s a bit of a silver lining in that dark cloud.

“We as a community and as a country have got to do some things to get us back on track,” he said. “The silver lining is that (in bad times) people are usually willing to think different and act different.”

Anderson, who started on the job this week, was welcomed at a reception at chamber offices Thursday night. Anderson replaces George Woodward, who resigned in March after nine years as chamber president.

Anderson said economic development will be one of his top priorities.

“For the first time probably in a long time, everybody is on board about diversifying the economy, diversifying the tax base and providing a much more varied composition of jobs,” he said.

Melanie Suggs, executive director of the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority, said having Anderson focused on development will aid that agency’s efforts.

“A lot of economic development calls come into the Chamber of Commerce, so it’s very good for him to be up and running and ready for that,” she said. “The Joint Development Authority continues to focus on economic development. But right now, there’s so much opportunity and so much work to do. We need as many people focusing on economic development as possible.”

Anderson has served for the past four years as chairman of the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners. He will step down at the end of the year, but some local leaders said his government experience will be a big help in his job at the chamber.

“Brian understands the political situation. He understands our agenda as far as the city is concerned. He knows everybody. That’s a real asset,” said Dalton City Council member George Sadosuk.

Anderson said he would also focus on how to improve chamber service to its members.

“I plan to be out in the streets calling on members, calling on non-members, finding out what it takes to be an advocate for business, what does it take from the chamber to give you more in value for what you pay,” he said. “We are a service organization. We’ve really got to go to them, meet them in their businesses, talk about what they need to succeed, and if it’s not something we have, how do we find that product to bring to them.”