SBDC to host business startup workshop

A workshop entitled "Starting a Business" will be held Dec. 16. It is a three hour class that begins at 6 p.m. If you are thinking of starting a small business, then taking this workshop is a crucial first step. The workshop will cover the basics of what you need to know and do before starting a business. The session will also cover the traits of successful entrepreneurs, market research, legal structures for business, estimating ...

Coastal Bank to hold Operation Phone Home community appreciation event

The Coastal Bank's Johnson Square office will host a community appreciation event for USO Operation Phone Home today from 11 a.m.-1 pm. The Coastal Bank is currently conducting a campaign to raise money for USO Operation Phone Home, which provides pre-paid phone cards to deployed military personnel to call loved ones while away from their families this holiday season. Make a donation and receive free Chick-Fil-A sandwich or a Chick-Fil-A coupon. Anyone who donates $50 or ...

Food drive highlights 55th Farm-City Week

In celebration of Farm-City week Nov. 19-25, the Effingham County Farm Bureau held a food drive for local food banks. During the month of November, Farm Bureau collected non-perishable food items from the community to donate to FORCE, Food Out Reach Cooperative of Effingham County.

Effingham’s jobless rate slips to 7.7 percent

ATLANTA-The Georgia Department of Labor reported that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the metro Savannah area decreased to 8.3 percent in October, down two-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 8.5 percent in September. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed workers in the area decreased to 14,540, down 329 from 14,869.

Picking downtown back up

A return to Springfield for an Effingham County business family may help herald the return of Springfield's downtown business district. Cecile Baker, along with her daughter Vicki Burns and son-in-law Rickie Burns, have relocated their shop, One of a Kind, to Springfield's Laurel Street. With encouragment from Jamey Stancell, whose store is right across the street, Baker made the decision to go from Rincon to Springfield. "We had thought about relocation," she said. For the complete story, see ...

Few changes for Flint River after sale

The name and just about everything else concerning Flint River Services is remaining the same, even if its ownership is changing hands. Lem Griffin, president and CEO of Flint River Services, has sold the firm to BG Cold LLC, a West Coast firm that also operates cold storage facilities. The new owners purchased all three Flint River Services, including its operations in Albany and Unadilla. "With a presence on the East Coast, we think it's going to ...

New home for Yates Astro

With help from the Effingham Chamber of Commerce, Yates Astro Termite and Pest Control cuts the ribbon Monday morning on its new Rincon home, at 270 S. Columbia Ave.

Harbor deepening project gets closer

SAVANNAH-The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) reached a major milestone today when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to the public and agencies for review and comment. "The study's release is a significant step forward for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project and addresses a critical need of our country's transportation infrastructure," said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz. "We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the ...

Georgia-Pacific puts new forest policy in place

ATLANTA-Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific (GP) has announced that it will not purchase trees from Endangered Forests and Special Areas, or from new pine plantations established at the expense of natural hardwood forests. The policy statement was developed in consultation with environmental groups Dogwood Alliance, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Rainforest Action Network. While GP's new forest policy applies to all of its operations, as a first step in implementing its commitment on Endangered Forests and Special Areas, ...

Earnings jump for AgSouth

STATESBORO-AgSouth Farm Credit CEO Bill Spigener recently announced that the customer-owned cooperative had net earnings of $10.5 million during the third quarter of 2010. Year-to-date earnings total $29.4 million and exceed the association's earnings of Sept. 30, 2009, by more than $8.4 million. "While the association's loan portfolio has experienced some problems due to the economy, on the whole it is performing well," Spigener said. "Our ability to refinance other lender loans in our territory has ...

A grand opening for Ken’s IGA

Ken Nesmith and the employees of Ken's IGA celebrated thier grandopening. Nesmith has been in the grocery business for more than 35 years, opening his first IGA in Brooklet in 1978 and his second in Blitchton in 1980.Photos provided by David Skadeland

A big day for Gulfstream

SAVANNAH-Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced Monday that it will expand its Savannah facilities through a $500-million, seven-year plan to ensure that the company is well-positioned to meet future demand for business-jet aircraft and support services. The growth is expected to result in 1,000 additional Gulfstream jobs, an increase of more than 15 percent from Gulfstream's current Savannah employment level of approximately 5,500 employees. "With our own sales trends and market forecasts suggesting an upturn over the next ...

GPA sets tonnage record in October

SAVANNAH-Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz announced Monday the GPA experienced exceptional growth in October, reflecting several all-time records in many commodity segments. Overall tonnage recorded a new monthly record handling 2,347,260 tons, which represented an increase of 9.8 percent compared with last October. "This increase is consistent with growth rates that have been experienced since December 2009 and indicates ongoing improvements in overall market conditions," Foltz said. "Many commodity groups reported increases during ...

Wackos opens at Dakotas

Veteran comedian/actor Dylan Riggs has opened Wackos Comedy Club located inside Dakotas Grille and Spirits in Rincon. Teaming with local business owner and former mayor of Bloomingdale Ben Rozier, Wackos brings live stand-up comedy back to the Savannah area. The venue will showcase a never-ending lineup of the finest headline comedians around and surprise celebrity guests - from established stand-up stars to the hottest young touring comics in the business. Riggs is scheduled to make club ...

Elmore begins terms as Home Builders president

The Effingham County Chapter of the Home Builders Association of Greater Savannah recently installed its 2010-11 officers and board of directors. The officers and Board were installed by Home Builders Association of Georgia President Doug Tumlin at the annual installation banquet held at the Savannah Golf Club. Shawn Elmore was installed as the Effingham County chapter president. Elmore is the President of Elmore Customs. "It is truly an honor to be chosen to represent an ...

Tourists spent $21B in Georgia in 2010

Gov. Nathan Deal announced that domestic and international visitors spent $21 billion in Georgia in 2010, up 8.3 percent from 2009, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

Leading the way

The 2011 Leadership Effingham Class finished their year by presenting class group projects June 30 in the County Commission meeting room in Springfield.

Plan for the expected — but prepare for unexpected

To enjoy a comfortable retirement lifestyle, you'll need to have adequate financial resources in place. And that means you must plan for the expected - but prepare for the unexpected.

A home-grown choice at Madrac Farms

IDA's Treutlen site earns GRAD status

The Governor Treutlen Site in the Effingham County Industrial Park has been named a market-ready site by the Georgia Allies

Poitevint re-elected as Georgia Ports chairman

The Board of Directors of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has re-elected Alec L. Poitevint II of Bainbridge to serve a second term as chairman of the board.

Bank enters into agreement with regulators

The Coastal Bank announced Thursday that it has entered into a formal agreement with federal and state banking regulators to improve asset quality and to maintain capital above agreed upon levels.

Hospital enters into new partnership with Statesboro-based radiology group

Effingham Hospital announced this week that it has developed an association with a new radiology group to further ensure and enhance its radiology services.

Habitat’s ReStore remains ready for business

As its remodeling and reorganizing commenced, the Habitat for Humanity of Effingham's ReStore remained open for business.

Seminar to cover family leave issues

Georgia Southern University invites human resource personnel and other managers to learn better salary solutions for employees with medical conditions at the University's next Legal Awareness in the Workplace (LAW) seminar.

BEST seminar to cover communication skills

What are the three most important focus areas for every leader? Learn the answers to this and other key business-success questions at Georgia Southern University's next Business Enrichment through Strategic Training (BEST) seminar in Savannah on June 9.

J&S Automotive cuts the ribbon

The Effingham Chamber held a ribbon cutting for J&S Automotive in Rincon at the old Ford location. Joe Taylor along with his wife and staff put together a day full of activities, including great food and beautiful old vintage automobiles. City Limit Customs was also on hand with an early Harley servicar that is being raffled off for charity.

Unemployment in metro area falls to 8.5 percent

ATLANTA-State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the metro Savannah area decreased to 8.5 percent in April, down one-tenth of a percentage point from a revised 8.6 percent in March. The jobless rate in the metro Savannah area in April a year ago was 8.3 percent.

Effingham earns Work Ready status

Gov. Nathan Deal has announced five new Certified Work Ready Communities of Excellence, inclding Effingham County.

One-Stop Center marks first anniversary

The Coastal Workforce Investment Board announces the one-year anniversary of the Effingham One-Stop Career Center. The partnership between the Effingham County Commissioners, Coastal Workforce Investment Board and the Georgia Department of Labor has extended services to Effingham residents for one year now.