GWBA sees growth, interest during 2013

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The Greater Williamston Business Association (GWBA) ended an impressive year with their first ever Christmas Soirée held recently at Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill. Ninety-Six people attended.

Among accomplishments for the organization during 2013 were the following: During the first quarter of the year, a successful membership drive was held. The association started the year with 22 members and through their member efforts, ended the year with a total of 64 business memberships.

Throughout the year the GWBA participated in town events including the GWBA Easter Egg Hunt in the Park, 4th of July Celebration, and Boo in the Park. The GWBA donated $600 for candy for the Boo event. In addition to these, they created a new event called Party in the Park which provides live entertainment, food vendors which are current association members and a free-of-charge kid area. The first GWBA Party in the Park event featured the “Eric Scott Band” and the second featured the band “Outshyne”. Both events left the community wanting more.

The 2013 year was a growing year for the association. They were able to create and launch their very first website (www.GWBA.info) as well as advance to a computerized accounting system.

They also started “Business of the Week” that is published in The Journal weekly. This publication is a featured article about business association members. This is one of several benefits of being a member of the GWBA.

In addition, through the assistance of an attorney, the GWBA was approved by the IRS as a 501-C3, a tax-exempt charitable organization. This will allow the association to avoid paying taxes on any financial surplus as well as allow donors to deduct their contributions from their income for tax purposes.

This was a huge milestone for the GWBA as this will open the door for larger corporations to make donations to the association.

The GWBA is excited and ready to make the new year a great one. The association has voted and named 2014 officers. They are: President – Chris Trotter (Central Vac); First Vice-President – Robin Tucker (First Citizens); Second Vice-President – Mike Simpson (Ace Hardware); Third Vice-President – Rockey Burgess (Autech); Treasurer – Tammy Pitt (Community First Bank); and Secretary – Faye Meares (Community First Bank). They have also named two At-Large: Tony Wright (C&T Donuts) and David Meares (Meares Auctions). Jim Simpson (Ace Hardware) was named legislative/government liaison.

The GWBA plans to continue with two Party in the Park events and plan on participate in projects with the Main Street Program. They also hope to continue to grow the association with another membership drive.

For more information about the GWBA, go to their website at www.gwba.info or plan to attend a meeting held on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are posted on the website.