At the Chamber of Commerce board of directors meeting on Wednesday, Glennie Bench announced that Bainbridge will host South Georgia Business for Economic Development’s (SGBED) board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

“This organization is made up of communities and businesses anywhere south of Macon,” said Bench.

Michelle Theus, the representative for South Georgia, has convinced the council to host this meeting, as well as a gubernatorial candidate reception. She is currently in the process of inviting candidates and, according to Bench, they will send out definite invitations as soon as the majority of the candidates have given firm confirmation.

“The officers agreed it would be a good thing for everyone in our county,” said Bench, “as well as throw some credibility to the SGBED organization.”

Every year, the chamber participates in the Washington Fly-in, a conference made up of Chambers of Commerce executives and board members from all over the state outside the Metro Atlanta area. There are five slots available for representatives from Bainbridge to attend the conference scheduled for Sept. 14-16.

“It’s very informative from the stand point of the meetings as a group and as individual interest of chamber members,” said Bench. “In the past years, we have met primarily with Sanford Bishop; this has led to accomplishments in appropriations for the city and county.”

On Aug. 18, the council will travel to Perry, Ga., to participate in the annual congressional luncheon.

“It’s always an interesting luncheon,” said Bench.

During his Development Authority report, Rick McCaskill brought up Propex’s decision to downsize.

“It’s a little disappointing,” he said. “We are trying to work through some issues with that and see what exactly is going on and what, if anything, we can do to make that situation better.”