This year marks 21 years Georgia Trend has honored the states best and brightest under the age of forty in business, government, politics, nonprofits, science, health care and education. Over the last two decades, many of these honorees have gone on to great success, having a tremendous impact on the lives of Georgians.

The 2017 40 Under 40 were chosen from nominations made by readers throughout the state. Final selections were made by the Georgia Trend editorial staff. Congratulations to the two Cherokee County residents who made the list: Kristi Estes, 39, co-owner and occupational therapist at In Harmony Pediatric Therapy in Canton and Jennifer Reynolds, 36, special education teacher, department chair and professional learning teacher leader for the Cherokee County School District.

The work that has begun on the restoration of Cantons historic Jones Building is a big step toward better days in the citys center. Cherokee County sold the Jones Building to Atlanta-based developer Westbridge Partners for $1.8 million. Westbridge plans to turn it into a mixed-use facility with retail and office space and a restaurant on the ground floor.

Canton Downtown Development Authority Chairperson Wanda Roach said, I think this is just going to enhance the beauty of downtown in traditional, historic downtown Canton, I think this is going to add to the ambience.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that John Aden with Aden Insurance Consultants has been named the Chairmans Council Volunteer of the Quarter for second quarter 2017 and Janet Ponichtera with Family Life Publications has been named the Chairmans Council Volunteer of the Quarter for third quarter 2017.

Members of the Chairmans Council are accepted by invitation only from the Chambers Chairman of the Board. The Chairmans Council members are invited to attend ribbon cuttings and ground breakings, Coffee & Connections for new members and special invitation Chamber meetings that arent open to the general membership.

In determining the Volunteer of the Quarter, attendance at Chamber events is evaluated for all members of the Chairmans Council. John and Janet are dedicated Chamber volunteers, and we appreciate the countless hours of service they have provided this year, said Bryan Reynolds, Chamber chairman and director of Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency.

Leadership Cherokee, a program of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, graduated its 29th Anniversary Class during a recent ceremony. With the completion of this years class, the alumni count now totals over 600 graduates.

Members of the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2017 selected two of their peers to receive special annual recognitions. The Cristal Stancil Leadership Award honoree was Cherokee County Sheriffs Offices Buster Cushing. The Bob Frongillo Magic Spark Plug Award was presented to Cherokee County Chamber of Commerces Brandy DeBord. Outgoing 2017 Leadership Cherokee Chair, Heath Tippens with the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, was recognized by incoming Chair, Jennifer Stanley with Northside Hospital-Cherokee.

The mission of the Cherokee County Chamber, a Georgia Certified Chamber of Commerce, is to promote business and the community while expanding the economy and enhancing quality of life.

The Childrens Haven, a Canton-based agency that provides services to children who have experienced abuse or neglect, has teamed up with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia to help prevent child abuse in Cherokee County. The not-for-profit evolved from the organization originally known as CASA for Children, Inc. but changed their name in 2015 to The Childrens Haven to better encompass the many services they provide to children. Their programs work to give foster kids the opportunity to succeed by bringing a variety of support programs under one roof.

Of course, the most important work in these efforts is to ensure that children who have already experienced abuse are safe from secondary abuse. This partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia will allow our agency to provide innovative prevention programs using research-based models that prevent primary abuse. We are thrilled to be positioned to get in front of the problem and emphasize prevention right from the start to make sure child abuse and neglect never occur, stated The Childrens Haven Executive Director, Deidre Hollands.

Hollands states that their first Prevent Child Abuse initiative will be the promotion of 1-800-CHILDREN, a helpline for anyone who is concerned about a child. The helpline provides support for parents, caregivers and professionals alike. It is professionally staffed by operators from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies and operates Monday-Friday, from 8:00am-6:00pm.

Callers can get the following information and referrals from the helpline:

-Parenting support
-Counseling and support groups
-Referrals for legal needs
-Grandparent issues
-Child abuse and prevention information
-Concern about the well-being of a child or family member
-Family violence concerns
-Community resources for emergency assistance
-Resources for special needs children