Building a better Web site

A three-hour seminar presented by The University of Georgia's International Trade Center, in close cooperation with Bibby Financial Services, The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Commercial Service will be held Sept. 29, at the Coastal Georgia Center at 305 Fahm St. in Savannah. It includes: • A phased approach of simple enhancements to internationalize the Web site, plus modifications to localize the site to suit a specific target country and/or culture. • Translating ...

Pick-your-own-foods available at GFB certified farm markets

MACON-The late-summer heat is still sizzling away, but the time to get lost in fall farm activities is not far off. Both food and fun can be found at Georgia Farm Bureau's Certified Farm Markets, many of which offer corn mazes, hay rides, and hands-on agriculture activities like shelling corn or milking a cow as well as farm tours for school groups. Of course, there's also the food. Apples are already available at many North Georgia ...

SBDC to host starting a business workshop

A workshop entitled "Starting a Business" will be held Sept. 23. 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 start-up ...

Coastal Concrete debuts testing lab

Coastal Concrete recently opened a new state-of-the-art concrete testing lab in Pooler. The laboratory, which is one of the first of its kind in the region, conducts high-tech concrete testing and specializes in the research, design and optimization of products for customers. "We're thrilled to be one of the first concrete companies in the greater Savannah area to offer in-house testing services," said Wayne Tanner, CEO for Coastal Concrete. "We can control all the variables in ...

CWIB members go on retreat

The Coastal Workforce Investment Board (CWIB) members, including Michael King and David Atkins of Effingham County, came together at their 2010 retreat June 16-18 at St. Simons Island. The CWIB is a private-sector-led, planning and policy-making entity whose primary responsibility is ensuring that programs funded by the Workforce Investment Act are run effectively and efficiently. The members are appointed by local elected officials and represent the nine counties (Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, ...

Georgia Ports hosts harbor deepening forum

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) hosted local business leaders to discuss the impact of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). The event brought more than 60 members of the local business, economic development, maritime and logistics industries. "The Port of Savannah's maritime, logistics and business communities agree that the Savannah Harbor must be prepared for the demands of global shipping after the Panama Canal Expansion is completed in 2014," said GPA Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz. ...

State’s hospitals meeting safety, treatment standards

ATLANTA-Georgia's psychiatric hospitals meet national standards for safe and effective care according to the independent body that accredits them. The Joint Commission, an organization that sets quality standards for healthcare providers and evaluates their performance, surveyed each of Georgia's seven state hospitals serving people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders. During the unannounced inspections the Joint Commission looked at many of the same safety and treatment issues that were the subject of a ...

Tuned in to power upgrades

The Sunrise Rotary Club of Effingham member Brian Dickey told fellow Sunrise members about Georgia Power's fall conversion schedule to upgrade local electric utilities. The work will require power outages in specific areas on specific dates beginning Sept. 15. The Sunrise Rotary Club meets at the Guyton Christian Church Center, 105 3rd St. in Guyton, Tuesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. More information is available on its Web site, www.EffinghamRotary.org.

Georgia Power’s King named Work Ready Business Champion

Dinah King with Georgia Power has taken the reins of the Effingham County Georgia Work Ready Program as the communities Business Champion. Work Ready is helping Georgia's communities design economic development strategies to attract new business and preserve the health of their existing economic base. This voluntary initiative shows a community's commitment to life-long education and improving high school graduation rates, important factors for driving businesses to an area. To accomplish this, it takes our community ...

Port’s study reveals emissions cut, efficiency increased

SAVANNAH-The Georgia Ports Authority's (GPA) Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz announced that its diesel additive study yielded a 5-percent reduction in fuel consumption, as well as drastically decreased emissions. "We undertook this study as a proactive effort to reduce our environmental footprint," said GPA's Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz. "As we expand our operations to accommodate increased cargo, we continue to look for ways to improve efficiencies and operate in an even more environmentally-friendly manner." GPA's engineering ...

Great Dane to open plant in Statesboro

After an extensive property search, Great Dane Limited Partnership has announced plans to build a new refrigerated trailer plant on a 118-acre site in the Gateway Industrial Park on Highway 301 South in Statesboro. The plant, in its first phase, will encompass 450,000 square feet, including office and show room space, and will have the capacity to produce 5,000-plus trailers annually. At that level of production, the facility will employ more than 400 people. "After more than ...

Seminar covers preventing harassment

Georgia Southern University's new Business Enrichment through Strategic Training (BEST Practices) seminar series gives business professionals fast, direct training on best practices in core management and workplace skills. "BEST Practices 105: Preventing Workplace Sexual Harassment" will run 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Sept. 30. Participants will learn what is and isn't sexual harassment, including the latest court decisions. Discussion topics include what to do if a co-worker is sexually harassed and whether a supervisor can be held personally liable ...

Seminar covers preventing harassment

Georgia Southern University's new Business Enrichment through Strategic Training (BEST Practices) seminar series gives business professionals fast, direct training on best practices in core management and workplace skills. "BEST Practices 105: Preventing Workplace Sexual Harassment" will run 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Sept. 30. Participants will learn what is and isn't sexual harassment, including the latest court decisions. Discussion topics include what to do if a co-worker is sexually harassed and whether a supervisor can be held personally liable ...

Cagle honors local business

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle didn't stop in for a facial treatment or a haircut at Glaze Beauty. But he left them with something they'll value.

Dog training academy welcomed

The Effingham Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, welcoming Effingham Dog Training to the community. Owner and trainer Trisha and husband Robert Olsen showed off their dog, Belle, at the ribbon cutting. Belle is a registered therapy dog and volunteers with the READ program in Springfield. Classes are discounted for owners of rescued dogs.

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.