Chamber’s holiday shopping tour winding up today

Join the Effingham Chamber of Commerce for the finale of the 5th Annual Holiday Shopping Tour in Rincon from 3-9 p.m. Friday.

A grand opening

As shoppers grabbed carts and eagerly waited to start combing through the aisles, Sean Dubois couldn't wait to get going either.

2 Fiddlers Crafts cuts the ribbon

The Effingham Chamber of Commerce was out in force with its Ambassadors to cut the ribbon officially welcoming the 2 Fiddlers Crafts store to Effingham County.

Here’s your year-end investment checklist

We've pretty much seen it all this past year- a bear market, a long rally and even a period of neither-up-nor-down. But even though we've only got a few weeks left of 2009, you still have time to make some moves that can pay off for you in 2010 - and beyond.

A day for heavy lifting at the port

The Georgia Ports Authority's Ocean Terminal received a 269-ton piece of heavy-lift cargo this month bound for the SCANA electric plant in Jasper County, S.C.

Metro jobless rate holds steady

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Labor reported that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the metro Savannah area was unchanged at 8.3 percent from September to October.

Chamber sets Eggs and Issues breakfast

The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Eggs and Issues Breakfast, on Dec 3. The event will be held in the Social Hall of Springfield United Methodist Church, 210 Cleveland St., Springfield at 7:30 a.m.

Southeastern Bank taps Murphy for executive position

DARIEN - The board of directors of Southeastern Bank is pleased to announce the election of Marie Wright Murphy to the position of vice president and market manager of the Richmond Hill office.

Condé Nast lists Mansion on Forsyth Park in top 100

SAVANNAH - "Condé Nast Traveler" recently featured Savannah's Mansion on Forsyth Park on the magazine's annual list of the "Top 100 Hotels in the United States." This marks the third consecutive year that the Mansion on Forsyth Park has been named to the elite list of top U.S. properties, which appears in Condé Nast Traveler's November issue.

Three new stores ready to open in Rincon

In a possible sign of hope in an otherwise tough economy, three businesses are set to open in Rincon. A children's bookstore, a handcrafted gift store and a restaurant are in various stages of opening their doors.

Lots of offerings at Holiday Classic

If you thought the Chamber's annual Holiday Classic was just a business expo, you may want to think again - and make plans to go to Effingham County High School on Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m. to see the different booths that will be open there.

Skadeland honored

GRI designation awarded to Skadeland

David Skadeland of RE/MAX Crossroads was recently awarded the Graduate, Realtors Institute (GRI) designation by the Georgia and National Associations of Realtors.

Review your financial strategies after life events

If nothing ever changed in your life, you could probably chart your financial and investment strategies and then forget about them. But your life is full of changes - and many of them will require you to take a new look at how you save, invest and protect your family.

Newsome to lead Vision Effingham committee

The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce will hold its Vision Effingham breakfast Nov. 12 at 7:30 a.m.

Mims named chief operating officer at Effingham Hospital

Effingham Hospital Chief Executive Officer Norma Jean Morgan announced that the board has approved a staff reorganization plan and several promotions that are aligned with the growth and expansion of services under way.

Irrigation workshop to be held in Statesboro

The Ogeechee River Soil and Water Conservation District will host an irrigation workshop entitled "Looking to the Future: Advances in Irrigation," on Sept. 8 from 9 a.m.-noon at the Bulloch County Center for Agriculture in Statesboro.

EDA grant to bolster Gulfstream expansion

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration announced Monday a $955,472 grant to the Savannah Economic Development Authority to make critical infrastructure improvements needed to facilitate Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation's expansion plans in the Crossroads Business Park.

Kemp warns Georgians of investment schemes

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced that the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) has released its annual list of financial products and practices that threaten to trap investors, many by taking advantage of investors troubled by lingering economic uncertainty and volatile stock markets.

Metro jobless rate drops

ATLANTA-State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in metro Savannah decreased to 9.4 percent in July, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 9.5 percent in June. The jobless rate in metro Savannah in July a year ago was 10.1 percent.

A hard push on soft skills

Prospective employers want jobseekers to show more than their acumen for a particular profession - and the state is trying to show employers that workers know skills that are a part of any job.

U.S. trade official makes call on port

The Georgia Ports Authority hosted the U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis on Monday to discuss pending free trade agreements that will increase exports through the Port of Savannah. He was briefed on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project and toured the Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal.

Chamber, Rincon welcomes Elements Salon and Color Studio

The Effingham Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Thursday morning for one of its newest members, Elements Salon & Color Studio, at 420 N. Columbia Ave. in Rincon. The salon is located inside HJ Healing Hands.

The Pit opens for business in Rincon

Cindy and Rob VanNorman and the staff of The Pit American Bar and Grill cut the ribbon along with Effingham Chamber of Commerce representatives Aug. 20 at the restaurant's grand opening.

State jobless rate jumps to 10.1 percent in July

ATLANTA-State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 10.1 percent in July, up two-tenths of a percentage point from 9.9 percent in June. The state's jobless rate was also 10.1 percent in July a year ago.

Barrow to host job fair at Savannah Civic Center

U.S. Rep. John Barrow (D-Savannah) is hosting a local job fair Aug. 24 in Savannah to pair 12th District job seekers with local employers looking to hire.

Olliff promoted to small biz relationship manager

SAVANNAH-The Coastal Bank recently promoted Wesley Olliff to small business relationship manager. In his new position, Olliff will work closely with local small businesses, providing comprehensive financial solutions tailored to meet their banking needs. He will be based at the bank's Stephenson Avenue office.

Georgia Power names energy education coordinator

ATLANTA-Continuing its implementation of the statewide education initiative to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of using energy wisely and efficiently, Georgia Power announced the selection of Wayne Grimes as the energy education coordinator in Georgia Power-served schools in Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty and other coastal Georgia counties.

Hospital to present Helmey Award

People who offer extraordinary service in their everyday job can find satisfaction in their work by hearing a word of thanks or receiving a simple smile. Effingham Hospital and Care Center believes its top employees deserve more than these simple gestures, and instead feels strongly about offering special recognition opportunities to those who go above and beyond.

GPA deal could benefit biofuels, Brunswick port

SAVANNAH-The Georgia Ports Authority and Logistec USA, Inc. signed a partnership Thursday that will modernize the East River Terminal at the Port of Brunswick to facilitate the growing international market for wood pellets. Logistec, a leading marine and environmental services provider, will invest $5 million to expand the biofuel export market in Georgia and increase capacity for handling a broad range of general and bulk cargo. "We welcome this renewed partnership with Logistec ...