Business group set to assess its future

The Grovetown Merchants Association is inviting members and potential members to a meeting to discuss the future of the association.

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The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday at Liberty Park Community Center on Newmantown Road in Grovetown.

The meeting will focus on the city's Urban Redevelopment Plan, which is still in the early stages.

"I just wanted everybody to understand what it is, what it could encompass and how it could affect them," said Sonny McDowell, association president and city councilman.

The meeting also will include discussions about the future of the association and a presentation by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

McDowell founded the association in 2007. After focusing on and getting the city to fund the 2010 Initiative to improve the city's commercial corridors, the association went dormant in 2008.

After he was elected to city office in November, McDowell said he didn't have time to lead the association. He recently tried to reactivate the association and find a new leader.

"Local businesses should have a collective voice in our community and in the growth of the city," McDowell wrote in an invitation letter sent to area businesses. "Organizations such as our own Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce are excellent ways to gain and exercise that voice."

Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Tristan Coleman at (706) 860-9699 or Tristan@graycodetention.com.