Some 90 local business people filled the Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce last week to network, meet new people, and find new ways to do business in Wilkes County. More than 90 local business people packed the Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center on The Square Thursday night for the year's first Chamber After Hours event, staying well into the evening talking about life and business in Wilkes County.

"On behalf of the Chamber board, I wanted to thank you all for a successful After Hours Thursday night," said Chamber of Commerce Director Ashley Barnett. "The Chamber was packed with local people who are active in business, and looking to network with other people who are making money in Wilkes County. I know of at least two business deals that were hatched at our After Hours."

The member companies that helped with the event included D & D Cleaning Service, Hendricks Florist, Miss Fancy Plants, Sophie's, Talk of the Town2, The Sandwich Shop, and Wilkes County 4-H.

Barnett also noted that local leaders supported the event, including Wilkes County Commission Chairman Sam Moore, County Administrator David Tyler, Washington City Councilmen Ames M. Barnett and Edward B. Pope, along with Nancy Bobbitt, representative for U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, and Jim Hussey, representing U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss. "Thank you to all our officials and representatives for your support."

Barnett said that the Chamber will be holding the events every quarter at different businesses. "With the turnout we had Thursday night, we are even more excited that we're going to have our After Hours every quarter, with different Chamber member businesses hosting the event."

The event not only brought existing members together, it brought in new members. "We had several people interested in being a part of the business community in Wilkes County, and they knew they needed to join the Chamber of Commerce," she said. "I'm really looking forward to our fall After Hours meeting."