Photos courtesy of Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
Angie Cox is the first to admit that she wasn’t looking for a job with the Chamber of Commerce in Milledgeville when the opportunity arose. In fact, Cox says she wasn’t even exactly sure what a chamber of commerce did. “[At the time] I thought it was a part of government,” she says, remembering the move from Atlanta back to her hometown in middle Georgia.
Cox, who took over as president and CEO of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce (AMCC) in mid-August, was previously the president and CEO of the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce for six and a half years. It was in Milledgeville that Cox learned the function of a chamber and ultimately found her professional calling.
“In the chamber world, there is a saying: ‘Nobody grows up saying they want to be a chamber president, it just finds you — the profession finds you,’” Cox says. “And in my case, it certainly did.”
Among Cox’s accomplishments during her tenure there was the stringent process of having the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce achieve a Georgia Certified Chamber of Commerce status. “I’m glad I got my feet wet with a smaller chamber and with people I knew and trusted.” Cox states. “I’m very thankful for my time in Milledgeville.”
Since joining the staff of the Augusta Metro Chamber, Cox has experienced the functions of a chamber on a much larger scale. “I remember an adage in the chamber world that rings true, ‘If you see one chamber, then you’ve seen one chamber.’ It’s so true,” she says. “While the mission is somewhat the same — to be the voice of business — it’s on a much larger scale here in Augusta.” Along with being the voice of business in the Augusta area, the AMCC acts as an agent for economic and workforce development and offers programs and services to its members.
“The chamber is working for you behind the scenes in ways that you will experience but probably never know.”
-Angie Cox
Cox says her predecessor, Sue Parr, and her team established the chamber well at local, state and federal levels. They have great relationships with government officials and recently joined the Hub Chamber Council, developed by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The Hub Chamber Council advocates and develops policy to support increased investment and job creation in regional job hubs across the state and outside of metro Atlanta. It is a joint effort between the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the 11 Hub Chambers of Commerce. The Hub Chamber Council was instrumental in the passing of Georgia’s House Bill 880, which allows the portability of licensing for military spouses.
Among Augusta’s major partners in the community such as the Economic Development Authority, Downtown Development Authority, Destination Augusta, etc., Cox is eager to develop her collaborative plan, an implementable growth plan with one shared vision to move the area forward. She believes the manufacturer’s exchange is flourishing, but there remains a need for workers. The chamber will focus on fostering more collaboration and co-mingling among manufacturers and educators.
Another important focus revolves around the chamber’s programs and services. With 78% of its membership being small businesses, the chamber strives to provide more value for those with fewer than 25 employees. “These businesses really are the heart of our chamber and I want to make sure we are taking care of them.”
As Cox moves forward on familiar soil but in a new role, she is confident of what she hopes to accomplish. “It’s an exciting time for me personally, and for us as a chamber,” Cox says. “But there is always more work to be done.” With more than 1,100 members, Cox understands the challenges of producing meaningful and well-defined progress. She also recognizes the accountability that comes with the position.
“We truly are trying to be the catalyst, the convener and the champion for businesses, non-profit organizations, academic institutions … while also trying to make sure that we are encouraging an efficient and effective government that supports the business community and doesn’t hinder it,” Cox says. “I think that the chamber is really the number one resource for businesses in any community; not only does being a chamber member give you validity, but people will trust you and your business more. The chamber is working for you behind the scenes in ways that you will experience but probably never know.”
Seen in the November/December 2024 issue of Augusta magazine
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