Local women getting down to business

Women working in business finally have a group that is just for them in Effingham County. Brooke Burns, owner of Burns Insurance Associates in Rincon, founded Effingham Women in Business at the start of this year. She describes it as a networking group. It also offers mentoring and education. The ladies range in age from their mid-20s on up. Anyone holding a leadership position in business and the non-profit sector is welcome to join. And ...

Newlyweds can benefit from financial planning tips

It's almost June, a popular month for weddings. If you're getting married this month, you have a lot to think about: a rehearsal, a ceremony, a reception, possibly a honeymoon. But most important of all, you've got the anticipation of starting a new life together. To help make that life a happy one, you and your new spouse will need to communicate with each other on all types of issues - and one of the ...

Effingham Chiropractic opens

Rincon businesses and the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce helped welcome Effingham Chiropractic last week. Dr. Blair Martin of Hardeeville, S.C., has expanded his practice to include the Rincon location, where the team will be led by Dr. Angie Hummel. Ken Stoner of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce presided over the presentation and ribbon cutting last Thursday. The first dollar was presented and support was shown to the expanding economic growth of Effingham County.

Investing for your kids? Keep these dates in mind

If you have young children or grandchildren, you may want to start investing for them - and you should. As you invest, however, you'll need to keep a couple of key dates in mind - because they can make a difference in your family's tax situation and your control of your child's or grandchild's assets.

Business start-up workshops coming to Savannah in June

A workshop entitled "Thinking of Starting a Business" will be held twice during the month of June. Each workshop is two and a half hours long and will begin at 6 p.m. They will take place on June 7 and 21 and will be held in the conference room of the Small Business Assistance Center, 111 East Liberty Street, Savannah.

DeLoach joins Citizens

Effingham County native Jamie DeLoach has joined the management training program at Citizens Bank, according to an announcement by Michael T. Lee, president and CEO. DeLoach previously served as a financial advisor at Wachovia Securities in Savannah.

When is the right time for a trust?

None of us can predict the future, so if you want to make sure your family and other heirs receive what you want them to have, it's not too soon to do your estate planning. Trusts can be a key part of those plans. But under what circumstances might you need to establish a trust?

Citizens taps Mosley

Lisa Mosley has been named manager of Citizens Bank's new office in Port Wentworth according to Michael T. Lee, president and chief executive officer. The office is scheduled to open in early summer at 7224 Highway 21.

Roofer honored for work with G-P mill

D. C. Taylor Co., a commercial and industrial roofing contractor with offices in Atlanta, was a finalist for the National Roofing Contractors Association's Gold Circle Awards for outstanding workmanship on low-slope roofing systems.

Allmond earns Choo-Choo honor

VNS Corporation honored the Pro Sales Force for Choo Choo Build-It Mart and Wholesale Building Products at its 19th Annual Pro Sales Banquet on April 19 in Vidalia.

Conditions worsen for Georgia farmers

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin is concerned about the effect of the drought on all of the state's crops, especially those already damaged and/or held up by the recent freeze.

Pulpwood strong in weak timber market

ALBANY - In spite of generally depressed timber markets, Southern pulpwood prices have shown surprising strength in recent months, raising hopes that a supply glut resulting from a government tree-planting program two decades ago may be nearing an end.

Atlantic Southern promotes three of its staff members

Atlantic Southern Bank announces the promotion of three staff members: Daniel Robbins has been named senior vice president–retail operations. Robbins joined the bank in 2006 after completing a distinguished career in banking and technology. Stuart Pippin has been named banking officer. Pippin joined ASB in 2002 and currently serves as the bank's Mulberry Street branch manager. Ed Campbell has been promoted to senior vice president–human resources. Campbell has been with Atlantic Southern bank since 2004 ...

Quality counts when buying bonds

One of the reasons you invest in bonds - perhaps the main reason - is the interest payments you'll receive. So, naturally, you'd like these payments to be as large as possible. However, "chasing" high rates may not always work out in your favor. But when buying bonds, you can hardly go wrong when you look for quality.

SBA launches online assessment

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently introduced a new online training resource for budding entrepreneurs to provide the fundamentals of starting a small business. The Small Business Primer Strategies for Success online training is a free course designed to assist individuals who are thinking about starting a small business or who are in the early stages of running a business.

SBDC holding business startup workshop

A workshop entitled "Starting a Business" will be held on Aug. 18. It is a three hour class that begins at 6 p.m.

Directory pays off for Chamber

Karen Tanksley, publisher of the Effingham Herald, presented Effingham County Chamber President Brooke Graham with a check for more than $1,200 to the Chamber last week.

Ports, Panama Canal renew their alliances

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and the Georgia Ports Authority, which owns and operates the Port of Savannah, renewed their ties Wednesday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The MOU, renewable for five years, was first signed in July 2003 and aims to unify efforts to encourage mutual economic benefits.

Jobless rate inches higher for June 2011

ATLANTA – State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in metro Savannah increased to 9.5 percent in June, up 1.0 percent from a revised 8.5 percent in May. The jobless rate in metro Savannah in June a year ago was 8.8 percent.

Farm Service Agency issues crop insurance reminder

Hobby Stripling, state executive director of Georgia's USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), reminds producers of the need for insurance coverage for crops in order to be eligible for the agency's disaster assistance programs. Producers must purchase at least catastrophic (CAT) level of insurance for all insurable crops and/or FSA's Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for non insurable crops to be eligible.

Coastal Bank approved to offer new mortgage, down payment assistance programs

The Coastal Bank has been officially approved for two new mortgage loan and down payment assistance programs specifically designed to help low to moderate income mortgage customers.

More double-digit growth for the ports in FY2011

Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz announced Monday that the GPA handled more than 2.9 million TEUs (20-foot Equivalent Unit containers) at the Port of Savannah, more than 465,000 automobiles and machinery units at the Port of Brunswick and nearly 2.2 million breakbulk tons for all terminals in fiscal year 2011 (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011).

Chamber sounds call for vendors to reserve space for Oktoberfest

The Effingham Chamber of Commerce is issuing a call for all area vendors interested in participating in this year's Effingham Oktoberfest to apply now.

SBDC holding startup workshop

A workshop entitled "Starting a Business" will be held July 21. It is a three-hour class that begins at 6 p.m.

Local Corps office to host course for contractors

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, will host a one-day "Construction Quality Management for Contractors" course on Aug. 17.

Motorcycle shop likes its view

Being back on Laurel Street in downtown Springfield is a welcome sight for Steve Harrell.

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