From Staff Reports

AMERICUS — The Sumter County Chamber of Commerce announced the November “Business of the Month:” Wolf Creek Plantation.
The Business of the Month program is designed to spotlight a member business each month that does an exceptional job of serving its customers and the community. John Stovall, chair of the Business Development Division, said, “Businesses are a vital part of our community and we want to be able to recognize them for their contributions. This Chamber program helps highlight successful businesses serving our community with quality service and opportunities for our citizens to be employed.”
Matthew Johnson and Jerry English, owners of Wolf Creek Plantation, opened their business in 2013, on property that was once owned by Johnson’s grandfather. Johnson and English hunted, fished, and learned the value of hard work on the Wolf Creek Plantation. In the early 1990s his uncle George Johnson built Wolf Creek Golf Course. Johnson and English purchased Wolf Creek Plantation as a retirement investment and family memories on land they loved. After much research and planning, Johnson and English decided to grow muscadines, native southern grapes and produce wine.
For Johnson and English, Wolf Creek Plantation is home. After living out of town for years, both are now moving back to Sumter County, on their land they call home. Both are moving their land surveying businesses back to Sumter County. “We love the fact that our community is supportive, loyal, and helping our business grow,” said Johnson.
“Starting your own business is not easy, but it is not impossible,” said English. “Find something that you enjoy and that there is a market to sell your product. Let your lessons be learned from the success and failures of others.”
Recently Wolf Creek Plantation received two Georgia Trustees Wine Challenge Awards for the Number 9 Red Wine and 2017 Georgia Summer White Wine.
The purpose of the Business Development Division is to establish a platform for innovative thinking and policy education to support entrepreneurial and business growth; and to provide increased exposure and opportunity through training, mentoring and networking. To learn more about the Business Development division and its program of work, as well as the Chamber’s Leadership Division, Governmental Affairs Division or Education Division, contact the Chamber at chamber@sumtercountychamber.com to get involved.