CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Jeremy Spradlin says his goal as the 2026 chairman of the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is to ensure the organization is “not just active but effective, strategic and impactful.”
Spradlin, who serves full time as Northeast area manager for Georgia Power, said his priorities center on strengthening the Chamber’s role as “a spark for economic vitality” in Habersham County.
“For 2026, that means accelerating business growth and retention, particularly for small businesses,” Spradlin said. “Expanding workforce development initiatives to align with Partnership Habersham, Raider Up and North Georgia Technical College. Increasing member value through stronger meaningful programming, data-driven insights, and more opportunities for networking.”
He said success should be measurable.
“Businesses choose to expand rather than relocate. New startups launching and sustaining operations beyond the first few years. A steady pipeline of qualified workers. Increased Chamber membership engagement and satisfaction,” Spradlin said. “Ultimately, success means the business community feels supported, connected and optimistic about the future.”
Focus on key sectors
Spradlin said small businesses and startups remain a top focus because they are “the greatest source of job creation.”
He also pointed to tourism and hospitality as critical to local tax revenue and community identity, and healthcare as essential to workforce recruitment and retention.
“We are so proud of our partnership with Northeast Georgia Medical Center,” he said.
He described those sectors as offering “a strong return on investment” and directly influencing local economic resilience.
Membership and measurable impact
Spradlin acknowledged the Chamber’s two-person staff and said the organization is working to ensure programming focuses on quality over quantity.
“We have had feedback that we need to refocus events and programming based more on quality than quantity,” he said.
He said the Chamber measures its effectiveness through attendance and engagement metrics, member satisfaction surveys, business success stories, workforce program outcomes and economic indicators tied to Chamber initiatives.
“The goal is to make decisions based on data — not assumptions,” Spradlin said.
To recruit and retain members, especially small or new businesses, the Chamber is offering tiered membership options, hands-on support such as ribbon cuttings and marketing spotlights, strengthened peer networking groups and increased one-on-one engagement.
“Retention improves when members clearly see the value the Chamber delivers,” he said.
Partnerships and infrastructure
Spradlin said collaboration will be central to the Chamber’s strategy in 2026.
“Strong partnerships make economic development possible,” he said, citing local governments, schools, technical colleges, private education institutions and workforce agencies. “Our community succeeds when we work as one team.”
He also sees alignment between his role at Georgia Power and the Chamber’s economic development goals.
“Infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth,” Spradlin said. “When utility planning and economic development work hand-in-hand, we strengthen our ability to attract jobs and investment, which in turn makes our communities resilient.”
Advocacy and stability
Spradlin said the Chamber should serve as a “convener and a voice of reason” on local policy issues affecting business.
“We need to advocate for a business-friendly environment without diving into partisan politics,” he said. “The goal is to help shape smart policies that support economic growth.”
Reflecting on recent leadership transitions within the Chamber, Spradlin said the organization has learned the importance of “clear communication, well-defined roles and patience and grace during a time of change.”
“We’re committed to stability, transparency and consistency moving forward,” he said. “It’s helped us come out stronger.”
Addressing business challenges
Spradlin said workforce shortages, rising labor and material costs, increasing insurance expenses and difficulty staying visible remain major challenges for local businesses.
The Chamber, he said, can respond by offering workforce programs, advocating for streamlined processes and providing marketing and visibility support.
He also highlighted new initiatives, including workforce collaboratives linking employers with schools, modernized digital tools for member engagement, small business accelerator programs and the Leadership Habersham program aimed at cultivating youth and adult leaders.
“These initiatives position the Chamber as an innovator, not just a facilitator,” Spradlin said.
‘Meaningful work’
Balancing his Georgia Power responsibilities with his Chamber leadership role requires careful time management, Spradlin said, but he views the position as more than an obligation.
“The Chamber role isn’t extra work, it’s meaningful work,” he said. “I care deeply about the communities I serve. I believe businesses are the fuel for our local economy. Many small business owners bet everything on their business being successful — they deserve a fighting chance.”
He added, “We want to provide our members with a voice.”
