By: Victoria Clevenger, Executive Director

 

On Thursday, November 14th the Lake Lanier Association gathered members, donors and volunteers to celebrate one year in the new office space! A ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Hall County Chamber of Commerce was the highlight of the occasion. 

In early 2023, the LLA set out to establish the organization’s first physical footprint in the community – a new headquarters for daily operations, executing programs, and a dedicated place to meet with our members, donors and community. 

Previously, the LLA’s office resided in a small suite in the North Georgia Community Foundation building on Oak St. in Gainesville. This was LLA’s home for many years and in those final few years, it was evident that the LLA’s team and mission was outgrowing the space. A scary – but exciting – realization for a small 501c3 non-profit organization like LLA. 

From there, the LLA team put our efforts together to embark on the journey of establishing a new home and office space. After much research and consideration, the LLA set sights on an empty suite in the Village Shoppes of Gainesville. The space had been empty for some time and while it was in need of much renovation and care, the space allowed for LLA’s mark to be made. 

Throughout 2023, the LLA planned and executed a detailed renovation of the office space. The plan allowed for a large meeting room to host Lunch and Learns, board meetings, volunteer opportunities and event staging space. Additionally, work space for the LLA team, a podcast room, kitchenette and storage were thoughtfully considered in the renovation. 

If you’d like to look back at some of the renovation process, please review to these previous articles: 

The LLA officially began operating out of the new office space in September of 2023. Since then, the space has been the setting to many important gatherings…

  • Monthly board meetings
  • Two Open House events
  • Lunch and Learn focused on home and dock maintenance
  • Studio for monthly Live on Lanier episodes
  • Shore Sweep Captain’s Dinner 
  • Meeting space for LLA to host the USACE, local legislators and community groups
  • Office space for the LLA team to conduct daily operations

LLA’s new office boasts the organization’s mission proudly on the walls of the lobby, brand colors are around every corner and it’s as vibrant as the organization that calls it home. There’s a nod to LLA’s year of inception – 1966 – with mid-century modern finishes and furniture too. 

Special thank you to our community partners who helped make LLA’s new office space possible: 

Laurel Alexander Interiors, Carroll Daniel Construction and DockBloxx

In closing, the LLA would like to thank everyone who celebrated this milestone at the Anniversary Ribbon Cutting! The following was shared on LLA’s social media after the event:

 

The office is the Lake Lanier Association’s first physical footprint in the community! It has served as a place for our team to work and execute our on-lake programs, to host member events – such as Lunch and Learns, and given us a dedicated space for meetings with the Corps of Engineers and other local authorities. As we celebrate the one year anniversary of the LLA office space, we want to thank everyone who has helped make our workplace a possibility.

Keep an eye out for future LLA events starting in 2025 – we will have plenty of opportunities for you to stop by the office, meet the team, and learn more about the LLA mission to keep Lake Lanier Clean, Full and Safe!