Debbie Harper: The Business of Newton County—A 2026 Chamber Playbook –Episode 74 cover art

Debbie Harper: The Business of Newton County—A 2026 Chamber Playbook –Episode 74

Debbie Harper: The Business of Newton County—A 2026 Chamber Playbook –Episode 74

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 The Chamber Isn’t Government… and That MattersDebbie Harper comes back into the studio for her second appearance on The Town Square Podcast, and right out of the gate she re-anchors something people still confuse: the Chamber of Commerce is not government. The Chamber is a member-driven organization—which means it works “at the pleasure of the members,” advocating for the business community from the largest industries all the way down to the smallest mom-and-pop operation.That distinction matters because the Chamber’s job isn’t to pass ordinances or levy taxes. Its job is influence, connection, advocacy, programming, and building the kind of civic/business ecosystem where Newton County can thrive long-term.And in 2026, Debbie says the Chamber has momentum.75 Years Strong and Growing Past 700 MembersOne of the coolest headline moments in this conversation is the reminder that the Newton County Chamber is celebrating75 years—established in 1951, with roots tracing back to the Newton County Trade Association.And the modern Chamber isn’t some tiny networking club. Debbie shares that the Chamber topped 700 members last year—representing roughly 25,000 to 28,000 employees connected to those businesses. That’s a huge “voice” in a county our size, and Debbie makes the point clearly: this many members means the Chamber carries real influence—not by flexing authority, but by convening people and pushing coordinated priorities.Trey even laughs about it from the perspective of being a small LLC himself: The Town Square Podcast joined the Chamber at the end of last year and is now stepping into Chamber 101 (yes—Debbie had the date ready).Who the Chamber Serves (Hint: It’s Not Just Small Business)Debbie breaks down the range of membership in a way that makes the Chamber feel more “whole community” than many folks realize:Small businesses (the majority—often defined as 120 employees or fewer)Large industries and major employersNonprofitsFaith-based organizations/churchesAssociate members (individuals)And she notes a cultural trend that’s been growing: larger employers increasingly want to pour back into the communities where they operate—through grants, sponsorships, volunteer hours, nonprofit partnerships, and intentional local engagement. In the conversation, Meta gets mentioned as an example of major industry support showing up in tangible ways (like grants and community investments).The underlying theme: you don’t get a healthy small business ecosystem without stable large employers—and large employers need a healthy local community to attract and keep talent. It’s cyclical.Practical Benefits That Make Membership Worth ItDebbie highlights something a lot of business owners don’t know: Chamber membership isn’t just “events and networking.” There are practical programs that can have real financial impact.Two examples she mentions:Georgia Drug-Free Workplace Program (when certified, businesses may qualify for a state-mandated discount on workers’ comp—Debbie cites 7.5% off).Healthcare options for small businesses, including a partnership pathway connected with the Georgia Chamber and Blue Cross Blue Shield for certain business sizes.That’s the Chamber at its best: not just rah-rah speeches, but real support tools that help businesses survive and grow.How the Chamber is Led (and Why Board Restructuring Matters)Debbie explains the Chamber’s governance structure and mentions a board restructuring over the past year designed to make leadership more representative of Newton County’s diverse business landscape.Key highlights:A smaller executive committee structureA broader at-large board to ensure big industry + small business + multiple sectors are representedThat’s a subtle but important leadership move: if your membership base is diverse, your leadership should reflect that diversity—otherwise you’ll unintentionally prioritize the loudest voices rather than the most representative voices.Networking Isn’t “Extra”—It’s the WorkThe Chamber calendar is packed, and Debbie acknowledges the strain: a small staff producing a full menu of events. But the strategy is intentional—different events serve different business types, schedules, and stages.Lunch Links (monthly)A structured networking lunch with either:pure networking, ora speaker/program (February features a motivational speaker focused on decision-making in business).After Hours (quarterly, returning trend)Debbie notes Newton County used to be more of a “bedroom community,” but that’s shifting. More people are working and staying local, so after-hours events are making sense again.The first after-hours of 2026 is at Render: Turner Lake (Feb. 19).Signature Events (the big ones)Debbie frames several major “anchors” on the Chamber calendar:Pre-Legislative Breakfast (January)Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet (the one everyone talks about)Business Summit & Expo (March 26)Chamber Golf...
No reviews yet