For locals looking to expand their leadership skills and network with other Richmond County professionals, today is the last day to register for Leadership Richmond 2009.

Sponsored by the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce, the six-month event will feature a variety of speakers and personal development workshops, as well as tours of local healthcare, industrial, educational, agricultural and government operations.

Orientation kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Cole Auditorium with a breakfast catered by Seaboard Station of Hamlet. The cost of registration is off-set by such cooperation from local businesses.

“It’s a really great way to learn about the county,” said Tim Hayden, President of Hayden Construction and a featured orientation speaker. “I’ve been here for over 20 years and I got to meet a lot of people that I’d never met before.”

A 2003 graduate of the program, Hayden will speak to the new participants about the fundraising work his class did to bring the Roberdel Children’s Center playground to completion. That project laid the foundation for Leadership Richmond’s tradition of community service, and the commitment of each year’s class to complete a team community service project.

“In these economic times, it’s good to know someone and good to stay connected,” said T.C. Hall, a director on the Chamber’s board and chairman of the Leadership Richmond Committee.

To register, stop by the Chamber office at 101 W. Broad Ave. in Rockingham today. The registration fee is $175.