Reedy: EIC to help keep local industries

By Greg Miller
STAR STAFF
gmiller@starhq.com

   Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce President Robert Reedy believes the newly-created Existing Industry Council (EIC) will help local industries remain in business and boost the economy.
   Consisting of the chamber president, chamber executive director, Elizabethton Electric System representative, county executive, city manager, Economic Development Commission director, higher education representative, and the state's Existing Industry Services representative.
   "I believe it is very important to service those industries that we have now," Reedy told the readers of "Chamber Notes," the chamber's monthly newsletter. "Even though we desire new industries and job opportunities, there is nothing more positive for our community than to support the employers that we have. This year, we are creating an Existing Industry Council for the purpose of visiting existing industry and asking them what they need to continue being a viable asset in our community.
   "I want what the chamber does to compliment what the Economic Development Commission is doing. They're trying to keep existing industry and get new industry here, too. Bringing people in is one stage. Retention is another step. We need to focus on retaining them and showing them that chamber membership is worth their time and money."
   Renovation of the chamber's office building is now under way. The old chamber board room will be transformed into a new tourism room, featuring displays and literature. The current offices and reception area will soon be home to the new board room. The renovation will allow the chamber to display artifacts and community history, Reedy said.
   According to Tourism Director Larry Gobble, the renovation project will hopefully be completed by the end of May or early June.
   Reedy, who believes one of his best gifts is in organization, is encouraging each council vice president to have the past vice president and a vice president-elect on their councils. This will create continuity in the councils' work program. He also wants the council vice-presidents to draw from the entire chamber membership, as well as the Chamber Board of Directors, "to be a part of what's happening in the community. The more people you get involved, the more success you're going to have in what you're trying to do."
   One of the most significant achievements of the chamber in recent years was the membership drive in 2000, according to Reedy. About 140 businesses became chamber members during the drive. "The drive had a positive impact on the growth of the chamber," he said. "I feel the chamber is making progress toward coming up with programs that will serve the membership." The chamber currently has approximately 400 members.
   Networking, Reedy says, is the greatest benefit of a business in being a chamber member. The greatest way a business can help the chamber be a success is "get involved in your chamber. The things you're involved in is what your put your effort into."
   Reedy says a new drive for members is likely later this year. Kelly Geagley is the new vice president of the Membership Services Council.
   Reedy, of Reedy and Sykes, opened his business in 1983. The business became a chamber member in 1984.
   In his eighth year as a member of the chamber board of directors, Reedy served as vice president of one of the councils during his first term on the board. He is in his first year as president.
   A member of the Elizabethton Rotary Club since 1986, Reedy served as president of that organization for two years in the early 1990s. He has served as the organization's treasurer since 1992.
   Reedy, a Kingsport resident, has served on the Kingsport Theatre Guild Board for six years. He previously served as the organization's president.
   Reedy's wife, Amy, is a teaching assistant for second grade at Jackson Elementary School in Kingsport.
   "I've always played an active part in my church," Reedy said. He is currently the music director at Mafair United Methodist Church, Kingsport.
   For more information, call 547-3850.