New high for state unemployment

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Labor reported that the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 10.4 percent in January, topping the previous record high of 10.3 percent reported in December.

Coldwell Banker associates honored

On Feb. 19, nine sales associates at Coldwell Banker Intercoastal Realty were recognized by the Savannah Board of Realtors as members of The Distinguished Sales Society. Those receiving the award are Sue Anderson, Kim Goode, Judy Quinney, Stephanie Casey, Emily Pigman, Ann Cade, Alicia Howe, James Presnell and Carrel Donnell.

Hospital officials call HUD meeting ‘positive’

Effingham Hospital Authority Chairman Rick Rafter told authority members a delegation's meeting Department of Housing and Urban Development officials was positive.

Upgrade to expand capacity at Garden City Terminal

Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz announced that a new set of electrified refrigerated container racks were completed and came online in Container Berth Five (CB-5) last week. With the 10 new racks, Garden City Terminal now has a total of 44 racks, which accommodate 1,056 containers.

State FSA targets funds for socially disadvantaged farmers

The Georgia State Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the availability of $9.5 million in direct loan funds for Socially Disadvantaged (SDA) individuals who want to purchase or operate a family-size farm in fiscal year 2010.

Hynes named Chamber director

The Effingham Chamber of Commerce has announced that Tess Hynes has been named its executive director.

Chamber counts on members for Census

Lauren Lewis with the U.S. Census will be the featured speaker at Wednesday's Effingham Chamber of Commerce membership breakfast.

Bank to put its power outage to use in disaster training

A disaster is going to hit the Citizens Bank of Effingham in Springfield on Wednesday - at least that's what it's going to look and feel like to the employees and customers as Senior Vice President Alan Lewis takes advantage of the planned outage by Georgia Power and conducts disaster training for his staff.

Governor, state hail Kia’s grand opening

WEST POINT - Gov. Sonny Perdue joined with Mong-Koo Chung, Chairman of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Friday to celebrate the grand opening of Kia's first North American manufacturing facility, located in West Point. The ceremony was attended by approximately 500 dignitaries from both Korea and the U.S. including company representatives, dealers, and local and state officials.

Kemp urges corporations to renew before deadline

ATLANTA-Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp reminded officers and registered agents of corporate entities registered in Georgia that the annual renewal period deadline is April 1.

Urgent Care Center opens

The Effingham Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Monday morning for Dr. Slavko Kukucka and the Rincon Medical Urgent Care Center located at 119 Chimney Road in Rincon. The center will provide urgent care services for the community and surrounding area. Dr. Kukucka has been practicing in the area for 13 years.

Parker joins Coastal Bank team in Effingham

Effingham County builders and contractors have a new face to turn to for loans at The Coastal Bank's Rincon office.

Banks adapting, too

The economy has been hard on just about everyone and local bankers are no exception. In fact, in many ways, a local bank's fate follows that of the community it serves. Just ask Michael Lee, president of Citizens Bank.

Hospital picks contractor for expansion plans

The Effingham Hospital Authority contract manager selection committee awarded the construction management contract for its modernization project to R.J. Griffin and Company and Rives E. Worrell Company, based in Savannah.

Outlook brightens for second half of 2010

The economy for the first half of 2010 will feel a lot like 2009's, but things should improve toward the end of the year, said an economic expert.

Port posts biggest month ever

SAVANNAH-The Georgia Ports Authority marked its highest monthly numbers ever in March, handling 2.37 million tons of freight.

Unemployment benefits extension set to expire

ATLANTA-The State Extended Benefit (SEB) program for long-term unemployed Georgians will end April 21. The SEB is a federally-funded extended unemployment insurance program.

Ports, leaders applaud Corps’ study

After 15 years of study, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced Wednesday that it had released the final documents for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) for review by state and federal agencies and the general public.

Jobless rate dips in Coastal Georgia, metro Savannah

ATLANTA-The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the preliminary unemployment rate in the Coastal Georgia area declined to 9.2 percent in February, down two-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 9.4 percent in January. The jobless rate in the Coastal area in February a year ago was 9.6 percent.

State jobless rate falls

ATLANTA-State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced Thursday that Georgia's February seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined for the seventh consecutive month to 9.1 percent, the lowest rate since March of 2009, when it was also 9.1 percent.

Vidalia onions to be shipped April 12

The official "shipping date" for the 2012 Vidalia Onion Marketing Season is April 12, said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black.

Lowe’s, One-Stop Center preparing for job fair

Metro Savannah jobless rate rises to 8.9 percent

ATLANTA-The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the preliminary unemployment rate in metro Savannah rose to 8.9 percent in January, up two-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 8.7 percent in December. The jobless rate in metro Savannah in January a year ago was 9.4 percent.

State unemployment rate dips to a three-year low

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced Thursday that Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined in January to 9.2 percent, the lowest rate since March 2009 when it was 9.1 percent. That is a decline of two-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 9.4 percent in December. The jobless rate was 10.1 percent in January a year ago.

Dr. Mudano joins hospital staff as orthopaedic surgeon

Mark L. Mudano, MD, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, has joined the Effingham Health System family of providers. Dr. Mudano will begin seeing patients March 5 at Effingham Orthopaedic Services, a new specialty practice providing a wide-range of orthopaedic surgical services.

Lowe’s takes job fair to One-Stop

The Coastal Workforce Investment Board and its Effingham One-Stop Career Center were proud to see a steady turnout as the center hosted its first job fair Friday.

Metzger named EMC manager in Boro

EMC Engineering Services, Inc. announces the promotion of Alec B. Metzger, P.E., to branch manager of the Statesboro branch office.

Rafter to remain as hospital authority chairman

Rick Rafter has been re-elected as chairman of the Effingham County Hospital Authority.

Ports officials make push for harbor deepening to Congress

In testimony before Congress, Georgia Ports Authority Director of Administration Jamie McCurry pushed Wednesday the need for greater federal funding for harbor maintenance and modernization.

GPA takes steps to cut down on diesel emissions

The Georgia Ports Authority Board approved the purchase of four electric-powered rubber-tired gantry cranes (ERTG) last week, which are expected to introduce a cleaner and more efficient method of operation.