The Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce

Ever wonder how the Dadeville Chamber and the Lake Martin recreational attractions affect the growth of our community? Well, I have and decided to do a little homework on that subject, and here’s what I learned! The number of retirees in this area is increasing geometrically and the Dadeville Chamber of Commerce is fully committed to growth.

According to the Year 2000 US Census, one-third of all the residents in Tallapoosa County will be 65 or older by the Year 2020. This is nearly 40% above the national average for a community ratio. Is this increase in the over-65 group good? Yes, when one considers that, nationally, the over-65 population has more disposable income and controls a much larger percentage of wealth than the rest of the population combined. Most own their own homes and have no mortgage. Why here? This over-65 group moves into an area because physical and fiscal health issues will begin to dominate its future. The draw is multi-faceted, to include such attractions as recreational activities for the still active age-55 retirees, full service and comprehensive medical care as those particular needs increase in the next decade, a relatively mild climate, an affordable cost-of-living and adequate housing, and a desire to be among others who share the same needs, desires and interests.

Is there a potential negative side to this growth? Of course, as these retirees move to Alabama and the Dadeville/Lake Martin area, there will be a lack of close family members and care-givers to attend to them in their declining years as revealed in a recent Leadership Lake Martin study the author helped develop. In our geographic area, the need for social, medical and support services will continue to increase at a much higher rate than in previous decades. The ability for the Lake Martin area communities to meet the increasing impact and demand for these types of services should be carefully studied and planned for by many well-equipped organizations.

How do the new residents find Dadeville and Lake Martin? Surprisingly, they come from all over the U. S., and abroad, primarily as a result of prior visits, sporting events throughout the year, school reunions, planned and working vacations, and growing numbers of high-tech business relationships within the State of Alabama. Many newcomers are military retirees who had been periodically assigned to Maxwell AFB in Montgomery on one to three occasions for their military education and training. They remembered the advantages of living in Alabama and returned to retire or set up businesses.

What can the Chamber do to facilitate this remarkable growth? The Chamber is addressing the full spectrum of community services and future needs through its established committees and projects. To aid our community’s transition to more rapid growth, the Chamber now advertises its commitment to drawing new industry, new residents and new ideas to the Dadeville/Lake Martin area. We residents, and the Chamber, have crossed a bridge and must now continually address the needs of an increasingly vocal and more powerful economic force in our lake community. Local businesses will need to share in providing newer and more comprehensive services, and local, county and state governments must learn that times are rapidly changing as the Baby Boomers retire at an ever-increasing rate over the next decade. Forces are at work to make this Dadeville-Lake Martin area a significantly attractive retirement option. We all must stand up and be counted as this transition continues.

The bad news is that this new force is increasing at an exponential rate. The good news is that it is predictable in terms of its sheer volume, abundance of new revenue streams and cash flow, and growing political and economic influence within our local, county and state infrastructure. What lessons should we be learning? We residents, and the Chamber, had better recognize the importance of channeling the growth to the benefit of ALL in our community residents and businesses, ensuring the viability of an increasing, and ongoing investment in this community by local and outside investors, and assisting in providing financial strength to member institutions and overall financial stability to our community.

We all need to step up to the plate and swing for the fence. Schools, city and county governments and a multitude of medical and social services will be stressed to new limits from today through the Year 2020 as the Baby Boomers continue to retire, relocate and reinvest. Finally, more good news exists for all of us in the community. As we examine the Dadeville Chamber’s commitment to orderly, planned economic development and general growth within this lake community, we are struck by the abundance of talent already available within this community and from its newcomers. There is more than enough work for everyone who volunteers. As a result of decades of newcomers moving to the Dadeville/Lake Martin area, we have accumulated unprecedented amounts of new investment capital. Further, we have been blessed with copious amounts of corporate experience, new residents who were key representatives in upper management of small and large businesses, and considerable numbers of retired senior educational administrators, among others. This talent pool makes running local and county governments relatively easy, so long as these voices of experience are heeded and tasked. Many are still actively pursuing their own business and investment ventures, and they are willing to share their expertise with this community and its leaders.

Let’s get on board and tap these valuable resources NOW! Chamber activities and goals have been specifically designed to reach out to new markets and gather support for new markets and initiatives. What’s the “bottom line”? Your Chamber is challenging traditional thought and continually considering options to generate revenue and attract industry and businesses to the Dadeville/Lake Martin area. We ask for your help. Get involved by joining the Chamber as an individual or business, volunteer your time, and voice your support. Follow the example… make a commitment now! Call 825-4019.

Calvin R. Johnson

Second Vice President