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 and look forward to enhanced customer service at East River Terminal," said GPA Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz. "The significant expansion and installation of new infrastructure ...

Farmers could get income tax break for conserving land

Would you be surprised to learn Congress has made it possible for you to pay no federal income tax for the next 16 years?

Savannah Tech, Workforce Development to hold town hall

SAVANNAH-Savannah Technical College will host one of several statewide town hall meetings on the development of a Soft Skills curriculum for middle and high school students as a part of a broader initiative of the Governor's Office of Workforce Development, led by Director Melvin Everson. The purpose of the meetings is to unite Georgia as it works to establish an effective set of soft skills to ensure that the emerging workforce is prepared to achieve success in the workplace.

DOT seeks review, comments at local meetings

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will be presenting the Draft FY 2012 -2015 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for public review and comment.

Chamber welcomes new businesses

The Effingham Chamber of Commerce celebrated ribbon cuttings for Howard Family Dental and That Dress.

Ameris to acquire The Coastal Bank

Ameris Bancorp, the parent company of Ameris Bank, announces the acquisition of The Coastal Bank (Coastal Bankshares, Inc), scheduled to close in the third quarter of 2014. Once this merger is finalized, Ameris Bank will be the largest community bank on the Georgia coast.

Effingham jobless rate up slightly from December’s mark

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the unemployment rate in the Coastal Georgia region increased to 7.5 percent in January, up three-tenths of a percentage point from 7.2 percent in December. The rate was 8.9 percent in January a year ago.

Savannah Tech’s impact approaches $57M

In fiscal year 2012, Savannah Technical College had an economic impact on its four-county service area of nearly $57 million with spending directly or indirectly related to the college, according to a new study released by the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.

State Labor Department to help AT&T recruit wire technicians

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Labor will help AT&T recruit a number of wire technicians to install U-verse integrated digital TV, high-speed internet, and voice services.

State jobless rate falls to 7.4 percent

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 7.3 percent in January, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 7.4 percent in December. The rate was 8.6 percent in January a year ago.

IDA, Chamber to work on contract agreement

Effingham Industrial Development Authority members tabled action on their contract with the Effingham Chamber of Commerce. But IDA members backed the relationship between the two organizations.

‘Operation: Workforce’ tries to fill mission of jobs for vets

Operation: Workforce, an online one-stop shop portal for all veteran employment issues in Georgia, is currently serving more than 1,700 veterans and 730 Georgia employers. Created in November 2012, the site was launched by the Governor's Office of Workforce Development as a part of Gov. Nathan Deal's veteran-specific initiative to help connect our heroes with meaningful employment.

Interest builds again in IDA’s Treutlen site

The loss of a Chinese phosphate company hasn't slowed the Effingham Industrial Development Authority.

Effingham Women in Business to hold meet and greet, expo

Effingham Women in Business will host a meet and greet and mini business expo event March 11 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church's social hall. The church is located at 2000 Lexington Ave. in Rincon just past Macomber Ball Park.

Medient expected to have master plan finished soon

Medient Studios is expected to present a master plan in the next 30 days for its planned production complex, according to Effingham Industrial Development Authority CEO John Henry.

PSC members support federal loans for Vogtle

Commissioners Lauren "Bubba" McDonald Jr. (R-Habersham County) and Doug Everett (R-Albany) are applauding the U.S. Energy Department's finalization of $6.5 billion in federal loan guarantees to assist Georgia Power with the construction of two new units at its Alvin W. Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant.

Georgia Ports start off 2014 with strong month

The Georgia Ports Authority opened calendar year 2014 with a strong January, achieving gains of 12.5 percent in 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) and 7.3 percent in overall tonnage, compared to January 2013.