Well, as with anything worthwhile our downtown Christmas lighting project came with many challenges to overcome and required a TEAM effort to accomplish. Many times we asked ourselves the question "Is this really worth all the headaches involved?" Looking back of course the answer was YES! We pulled together a group of enthusiastic county residents intent on making Gainesboro a town to be proud of this Christmas Season. By the time we had finished there were nearly 75,000 lights in the form of almost a mile and a quarter of outdoor rope lighting adorning the downtown district! I hope you all had the opportunity to drive through town between the hours of 4:30 and 10:00 P.M. It really was quiet beautiful. The lights we used will give many years of service making it very possible to expand the area we decorate at a very modest additional investment. As I said this could only be accomplished through a TEAM effort. This team was heroically led by Sam Petty with Jim Whitaker close at his side. Many thanks to not only these two brave souls but also all the others who contributed including; Jamie Whitaker, Central Fire Department, Flynn's Lick Fire Department and a host of local supporters who donated monetarily to the effort. I'm sure I'm leaving someone out and do apologize because we could never have done this without each and everyone who participated. With our community working together like this I believe we can accomplish almost anything.

Gainesboro-Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Sets a Record!!!!!! Hats off to our Membership Director Darlene Robbins. Since Darlene has been in this position our membership roles have skyrocketed. On the very last day of 2011 Mrs Robbins informed me that we had surpassed what any of us can remember as an all-time high for members when we reached 126. I would tell you what the official number is as of today 1/2/2012 but with Darlene working like a madwoman I'm sure it would be incorrect by the time I publish this. The team we have at the chamber has worked so hard in the last year to set and reach goals that it seems like we can do most anything we set our heads to. When a few months ago Frank Hardegree was so bold as to suggest we should try to have 100 members by the end of the year we thought "Weeeeelll that would be nice bbuuuuutttt...." Then Darlene went to work and the rest is history! Full membership starts at $50.00 per calendar year and includes your listings on the community calendar and places your business in front of potential customers and clients. We also offer affiliate memberships for individuals and seniors. As members of the G-JCCOC businesses are eligible to place a banner ad on our Welcome Center page including a link to their own website for a very nominal fee. The Welcome Center is the most visited page on this site so this would probably be the most cost effective advertising dollars you will spend all year. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHAMBER DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY PARTICULAR CANDIDATE, POLICY OR POLITICAL PARTY. WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Tuesday October 25th was a truly a historic day in historic Jackson County. The Gainesboro-Jackson County Chamber of Commerce hosted dignitaries representing local state and even federal agencies and legislators as well as TTU. The occasion was the official announcement of Jackson County becoming the four county to a part of The Highlands Initiative. The Highlands Initiative began in 2005 when Putnam, Overton and White counties realized the power of regional thinking in economic development. Since pooling their resources and heightening their level of cooperation through this organization the member counties have reaped many benefits from their efforts. The induction of Jackson County represents the first expansion of HI since its inception. Membership in The Highlands will open many doors for Jackson County and represents our greatest step forward in economic development in recent history. [more]