Georgia Chamber gets a state of the ports update

ATLANTA - Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Doug J. Marchand and Chief Operating Officer Curtis J. Foltz addressed business leaders at the Georgia Chamber's Cornerstone Luncheon on Wednesday to announce the importance of Georgia's deepwater ports to the metro Atlanta area.

Should you add ‘munis’ to investment portfolio?

It's election season. Although you won't be selecting either a new president or a new Congress, you may well have the opportunity to vote on something that can affect your city or state: municipal bonds. However, just because you vote to give your state or local government permission to issue municipal bonds doesn't mean you have to invest in them. But should you?

Cotton commission nomination meetings to be held next month

MACON - Georgia cotton producers have the opportunity to nominate fellow producers to fill two positions that will soon expire on the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Cotton. The Georgia Cotton Commission is producer funded, organized for the purpose of coordinating research, promotion and educational programs to benefit the cotton industry.

Stimulus funds to help reforest Georgia land

The Georgia Forestry Commission has embarked on a reforestation project made possible by funding from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The first of five grants totaling $9.7 million will provide for the planting of seedlings in a suburban Atlanta forest.

Small businesses big in Georgia

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Small businesses will play an important role in the economic future of Georgia.

Welcoming Odyssey Health Care

The Effingham Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday for Odyssey Health Care. Odyssey is the largest hospice provider in the U.S. There are 13 employees at the Rincon branch.

Effingham Women in Business

Georgia Southern University to host Fair Labor Standards Act seminar

Should hourly-pay employees be paid for time spent traveling, attending training, taking a break at work or putting on protective clothing? Which types of travel and training are considered work?

Keep inflation in mind when investing

As an investor, you're always aware of the potential effects of market volatility on your portfolio. But you also need to pay attention to another factor that could impact your investments' return - inflation.

Verizon-Alltel merger seen as benefit for both

Alltel customers will be able to hear Verizon now in the wake of Verizon's acquisition of its former cell carrier competitor.

Search soon to start for new Chamber director

The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce will begin a search for a new director soon. The position has been vacant for nearly two months since Ken Stoner resigned in July. Stoner spent nearly two and a half years as director. "We hope to start advertising and interviewing for the director position shortly," Chamber President Alice Deforest said. The Chamber's industrial relations group is continuing to make visits to local industries, DeForest said. "We're starting to ...

Lessons from a bear market

If you invest for many years, you'll eventually encounter both bull and bear markets. Although you obviously prefer seeing the bull, you may actually learn more from the bear - and when it's "hibernating," you can put these lessons to good use in making investment moves for the future.

Georgia-Pacific earns SFI’s President’s Award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Georgia-Pacific LLC has been recognized for its outstanding efforts in increasing understanding of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative fiber sourcing program and how it supports family forest owners across North America.

Metro jobless rate plummets

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Labor reported that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the metro Savannah area declined to 8.5 percent in August, down 1.4 percentage point from a revised 9.9 percent in July. The reduction in the rate is primarily due to work force shrinkage.

A new turn for megasite

POOLER - The long-awaited and much-anticipated announcement Monday at the sprawling megasite off I-16 and I-95 is expected to have far-reaching effects, state and local officials said.

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 ...