Young professionals in Cullman have a new way to meet and network. 

EPIC, or Emerging Professionals Impacting Cullman, is a group intended for young people ages 22-39 who want to become more involved in the Chamber of Commerce and in their community.

Wesley Smith, director of entrepreneurship & education at the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, said EPIC is a good way for young people in Cullman to get together and network, and maybe learn a few things along the way. 

Hearing about young professionals group can scare some people away, but membership is not limited to just young people in office jobs, Smith said.

“We’re looking for young talent,” he said. “You don’t have to wear a suit to be a part of EPIC.” 

In less than a year, EPIC already has 40 members, and the chamber is looking to get to 75 before the end of the year. 

Smith, a Cullman native who recently moved back after spending the last 15 years in Birmingham, said he has seen first-hand the strides that Cullman has made in bringing in new businesses and young talent. 

“Cullman’s going somewhere,” he said. “It’s not the same old Cullman.” 

New businesses like Goat Island are an example of the growth that Cullman has seen in recent years, and that growth will attract more people to the area, Smith said. 

“If you had told me 15 years ago that I would be standing in a brewery in Cullman, I would have laughed,” he said during an EPIC College Football Tailgate event Thursday night at Goat Island Brewery. 

Kyle Willoughby is a member of EPIC’s advisory council, and is also a Cullman native who returned after moving away for several years. 

He said he moved away after college to get experience with other companies and learn his trade, and returned to Cullman to join his family business. 

“I wanted to branch out and see other things,” he said. 

He said after the chamber contacted him about the group, he thought EPIC was a great idea because Cullman needs a spot for young professionals to meet and network. 

Willoughby said Cullman has an aging workforce, and his company, Willoughby Roofing and Sheet Metal, is aging too, so bringing in or retaining young talent is going to be important. 

“We’ve got to be able to attract young people,” he said. 

Christa McCrorie moved to Cullman after graduating from college a few months ago to work for the Department of Human Resources. Thursday was her first time attending an EPIC event. 

“It think it’s really great that they’re trying to offer things for people to do,” she said. 

When she moved to Cullman after college, she didn’t know anyone, and appreciates a group like EPIC for letting her get to know more people in the community, she said. 

“That’s why it’s so awesome to have things like this,” she said. “To meet people.” 

More information about EPIC, including the membership guidelines and application, can be found at cullmanchamber.org/EPIC.