The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted a momentous ribbon cutting ceremony today for DouglasNow, a vital community news outlet that celebrated multiple significant milestones. The joyous event marked DouglasNow’s 10-year anniversary, the unveiling of their new studio, their strategic merger with Coffee County Broadcasters, and the launch of their revamped website.
Chelsea Graham, Member Relations Director at the Chamber, warmly welcomed attendees and provided an engaging history of DouglasNow, highlighting the outlet’s dedication to local news and community engagement. Matthew Baker, Owner of the local Chick-fil-A, offered a heartfelt prayer and blessing for the establishment, its studio, the dedicated team, and their impactful work within the local and surrounding communities.
Mayor Tony Paulk shared a personal testimony about his positive relationship with Robert Preston, the founder and reporter of DouglasNow, praising the outlet’s consistent support and comprehensive coverage of local events and news. Matt Seale, CEO of the Chamber and EDA, emphasized the uniqueness of the celebration, noting it as a renewal and revamp rather than the inception of something new. He expressed gratitude for DouglasNow’s commitment to local journalism, contrasting it with the impersonal nature of larger corporate media.
Robert Preston took the stage to recount DouglasNow’s journey, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs they have faced. He elaborated on their new partnership with Coffee County Broadcasters and the substantial growth both entities have achieved together. Preston proudly introduced the newly launched website, a project spearheaded by Chan Newell, which now hosts every story and photo from the past decade. The updated platform features exciting new sections such as “At Home with Pam” and a revived “Bridal” page, reintroducing beloved engagement announcements.
The ceremony concluded with Robert Preston cutting the ribbon amidst applause from family, friends, and community leaders in front of the Coffee County Broadcasters studio at 1310 W. Walker Street.
Guests then enjoyed a delightful array of refreshments prepared by Pam Gillis, featuring several dishes from her new online feature “At Home with Pam.”
DouglasNow invites everyone to explore their new website at www.douglasnow.com where the community can stay informed and connected.