Robins Regional Chamber Marks Its 75th Anniversary
The Robins Regional Chamber, founded in 1949, celebrates its 75th Anniversary in 2024. A group of determined business leaders formed the chamber to support the young community when Robins Air Force Base and the City of Warner Robins were still in their early years.
“Robins AFB was initially intended to only be a temporary military base, but here we both are still going strong decades later in 2024,” says April Bragg, president and CEO of Robins Regional Chamber. “Today, the base is the economic driver in our region, employing more than 22,000 people, including civilians, contractors, military members, and non-appropriated fund employees – most of who are local civilians.”
The Robins Regional Chamber now boasts over 800 members, which are a part of a network of businesses that has only grown since a small group of community members led the charge to promote the local economy and establish the chamber. A handful of members are companies like Perdue Farms and Frito-Lay, but Bragg says over 80% are businesses with less than 10 employees.
“That 80% is made up of small businesses like your neighborhood dry cleaners, boutiques, salons, restaurants, professional offices, nonprofits and more,” Bragg says. “Whether big or small, our goal is to help all members by remaining a catalyst for business growth.”
Bragg points out how, over the years, the chamber has evolved to better serve the business community.
“Up until around 2000, people joined the chamber because it was simply the right thing to do. It was a place to get a phone book or directions or a map,” Bragg says. “But with the arrival of Google and the internet, it changed the way we interact and engage with our members as well as the whole community and visitors.”
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Longtime Members
Bragg adds that several businesses have been with the chamber for a long time, including The Houston Home Journal newspaper that itself was founded in 1870. Other longtime chamber members include Fickling & Co. Realtors, Flint Energies, McCullough Funeral Home, Robins Financial Credit Union, Warner Robins Supply and Wilson’s Bakery.
Another long-standing chamber member is West Plumbing, which was established more than 50 years ago by George West, known in the industry as the “Patriarch of Plumbing” because so many plumbers from the Robins Region have worked for him at some point in time. Today, his daughter and son-in-law, Merri and Ronnie Babbitt, run the business.
“Whether big or small, our goal is to help all members by remaining a catalyst for business growth.”
April Bragg, Robins Regional Chamber
“Actually, it’s my wife, Merri, who is the master plumber for our business nowadays,” Ronnie Babbitt says. “Also, our daughter, Brittani, is currently in training to become a plumber herself.”
Babbitt says West Plumbing has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the chamber, and he even recently became a chamber board member.
“We’ve even hosted chamber events at our business,” he says. “And our other daughter, Brandi, owns Life Pointe Chiropractic in Warner Robins and is also a chamber member.”
Welcome Wagon
Deborah Davis has worked with the chamber for nearly 30 years, previously serving on the board in a variety of capacities. Today, she works as a principal with Credence Management Solutions, located in Warner Robins.
Davis points out that Credence Management Solutions was presented with the 2023 Business of the Year award from the chamber. “My personal relationship with the chamber has been a long one business-wise, and I have served on several committees because I believe in the chamber’s causes,” Davis says.
The chamber provides an informative leadership program to teach participants how this community runs.
“I appreciate that this chamber is all about hosting great networking events and providing overall community education for small businesses,” she says. “April Bragg and her staff do a great job in promoting the region.”
Robins Leads
The Chamber’s Robins Leads program offers experiential learning opportunities for adults and youth. These annual cohorts are designed to push participants out of their comfort zones and see the community and themselves with fresh eyes. Participants learn about community through immersive, strengths-based experiences. The program challenges participants not only to be effective and influential leaders in their own organization but to lead within the community.
The 10-month program features daylong sessions each month that cover topics such as health care, workforce, government, Robins AFB, economic development, business, and placemaking.
The Charm of Perry Lies in Its History
Named for War of 1812 hero Oliver Hazard Perry, this city was founded in 1824, becoming the first municipality in Houston County. Now, in 2024, the community is observing its 200th anniversary with a yearlong celebration of events, historical tours, community pop-up parties and more.
“Perry has enjoyed tremendous growth over the last 200 years, from just 20 families in 1824 to now more than 24,000 people,” says Tabitha Clark, City of Perry senior communications manager. “We are a thriving and vibrant community.”
The city first began with an economy based on antebellum industry, including gristmills, sawmills and cotton gins. Today, it has an attractive location along Interstate 75 and is home to general aviation Perry-Houston County Airport as well as the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, which hosts the annual 11-day Georgia National Fair in October. Every year, Perry also hosts a two-day Dogwood Festival, a New Year’s Eve Buzzard Drop and a Downtown Wine Tasting.
The downtown is a jewel of the region, and visitors can experience Perry’s history while enjoying the restaurants and shops located in revitalized buildings. One such restaurant is The Swanson, which serves Southern cooking in a home that is older than the city itself. A couple blocks from Main Street, the Perry Area Historical Museum offers memories from the city’s earliest days.
“Perry has also been able to capitalize on our proximity to Robins Air Force Base,” Clark says. “We have excellent schools, a unique downtown, a high quality of life, special events and a growing community.”