The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce will host the nineth annual State of the Community Address on Thursday, September 12 at the Columbia County Exhibition Center in Grovetown.

The event begins at 4:00 p.m., with a Business Expo and a cash bar. The barbecue dinner provided by Shane’s Rib Shack begins at 5:45 p.m. The program will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m., and community leaders will give an update on the future growth and goals of Columbia County and our region. Vendors will be on site with free giveaways and other prizes. Tickets will be sold to raffle off a John Deere ZTrak Zero-Turn Lawn Mower.

This event is presented by South State Bank and the City of Grovetown. Premier sponsors include AT&T, Shane’s Rib Shack, Columbia County Commissioners and the City of Harlem. Executive Sponsors include Petsch Respiratory, Berkshire Hathway HomeServices Beazley, REALTORS and Allegra Marketing-Print-Mail/Image 360.

This year’s panel of speakers will include: Scott Johnson, County Administrator, Columbia County Board of Commissioners; Dr. Sandra Carraway, Superintendent, Columbia County School District; John Waller, City Administrator, City of Grovetown; Brett Cook, City Manager, City of Harlem; and Colonel James Clifford, Garrison Commander, Fort Gordon.

The event is open to the public. Registration, which is required in advance for this event, is $35 for Chamber members and $45 for non-members. For more information and reservations, contact the Columbia County Chamber at 706-651-0018 or columbiacountychamber.com.