The Brundidge Business Association has broken new ground by welcoming Kathy Sauer as its president for 2018.

For the first time, the BBA president is also at the helm of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

“I’m the Pike County Chamber president but that is not going to be the focal point,” Sauer said. “What I want to do as president of the BBA is to make sure things are in place to be successful and for Brundidge to move forward as a community.”
When Sauer was first approached about being president of the BBA, her first reaction was “I can’t do that.”
“Then, I thought, ‘yes I can,’” she said, and added with laugh, “how could anyone turn Delatha Mobley down?”

Mobley has dedicated years of tireless service to her community and much of her work has been behind the scenes.

“Delatha knows that the downtown area is the heart of any community,” Sauer said. “And there is a downtown in every town that needs to be strengthened. Every town needs a viable downtown area. And, I believe, just as Delatha does, that the people of Brundidge can and will work together to strengthen their downtown area.”

Sauer grew up is Estes Park, Colorado, a town not unlike Brundidge in many ways.

Even though downtown business has declined in recent years, the town’s heartbeat is still strong because of the people, she said.
“People know each other and they know they can depend on each other,” she said. “That is the strength of any community and Brundidge is very strong in that area. That is a strong foundation for any town to build on.”

Sauer said there are citizens of Brundidge who are capable of lifting the town up and giving it new life.

“We have to recruit these people into action and then we will be able to recruit businesses and establish a successful business community,” she said. “Brundidge has many strengths – a dedicated business association, industries, outstanding schools and civic organizations, a folklife theater that is unique to any town and a downtown area with great potential.”
Sauer said the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the BBA have been strong partners for many years.

“The two business organizations have the same goals as they work in their areas of interest,” she said. “I am looking forward to working with the BBA, also, as they build on the successes that the city has in place and take advantage of future opportunities.”

Sauer served as the president of the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce and with the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s task force to Strengthen Families before accepting the position of the president of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

The presidency of the BBA is a volunteer position.