June 2012 News

June 29, 2012

• Spring Chase Apartments Named Leading Business By the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber

• Governor, Attorney General Disappointed by Ruling on Obamacare

• Georgia Chamber President Chris Clark Comments on US Supreme Court Decision on Health Care

• U.S. IPO Pipeline Slows Due to Confidential Filings Under JOBs Act and Investor Uncertainty

• Small Business Travel And Economic Outlook Positive Despite Mixed Economic Indicators

• Doctors Say SCOTUS Ruling on Health Care Largely Irrelevant

• S&P 500 Stock Buybacks Decrease Again

• Leading Economic Index for Europe Decreased Again in May

June 28, 2012

• 2 VSU Employees Named to Executive Leadership Institute

• Restaurant Inspections: Red Lobster, Great Wall Restaurant

• Chamber Centennial Celebrations Continue

• Personal Income Growth Lagging in Georgia

• Tractor Supply Company Creating 200 Jobs, Investing $50M at New Distribution Center in Macon

• Smartphones will Influence $689 Billion in Retail Store Sales by 2016

• New Construction Starts to Rise 2% in 2012

• Risks from Europe Mount, but U.S. Economic Recovery to Remain Resilient

• Is The Foreclosure Crisis Subsiding?

• Survey: MBA Hiring Remains Strong Despite Downtick in Student Optimism

• Office Pulse Survey Finds Summer Hours are Bad for Business

June 27, 2012

• Study: Georgia to Add Most Health-Care Jobs in Nation

• Hartsfield-Jackson Passenger Traffic Up 1.5% in May

• Coca-Cola Plans to Invest $3 Billion in India

• Property Tax Breaks to Lure Businesses Largely Ineffective

• Consumer Confidence Index Declines Again in May

• U.S. Employer Businesses Show Declines in Establishments and Employees in 2010

• Most Economists Agree Home Prices Will Bottom by 2013, But Majority Surveyed Expect Homeownership Rate To Dip Further

• Employers Increase Benefits that Improve Employee Health and Wellness

• Is the Occupy Wall Street Movement Still Relevant?

June 26, 2012

• The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber Salutes Johnny B. Lastinger for Years of Service

• Georgia Gas Prices Down Another 5 Cents This Week

• U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Water Wars Appeals

• Small Business Index Up in May

• New Home Sales Reach Two-Year High As Mortgage Rates Continue Fall

• June 2012 New Car Sales Expected to Be Highest June Since 2007

• Shippers Fear Possible East Coast Port Strike

• Fewer Investors Taking Vacations This Summer, Though Vacation Spending Holds Steady from Last Year

• Nearly Half of Americans Have Insufficient Emergency Savings to Cover Three Months' Expenses

June 25, 2012

• Georgia Car Repair Bills Among Highest in U.S.

• Study: Southeast High-Speed Rail System Feasible, Expensive

• Hedge Fund Index Finished Down 1.33% in May

June 23, 2012

• Red Cross Offering Relief from Heat and Fires Across the U.S.

June 22, 2012

• Metro Valdosta’s Jobless Rate Rises to 8.4% in May

• VSU to Host Ribbon Cutting for Bailey Science Center Addition

• Southern Georgia’s Jobless Rate Rises to 9.9% in May

• Georgia Among Worst for Economic Security

• Governor Deal Comments on AAA State Bond Ratings

• US Healthcare Costs' Annual Growth Rates Increased in April 2012

• Leading Economic Index for the U.S. Increases

• Restaurants Feeling the Heat From Retail Competition

• New Study Explores Why Key Employees Quit and What to Do About It

June 21, 2012

• Restaurant Inspections: Masato Japanese Steak & Seafood, El Toreo

• Georgia-Based NCR Accelerates Growth in Brazil

• Pew: Georgia Retirement Benefits 85% Funded

• U.S. Suppliers Seen as Potential Beneficiary in Changing Manufacturing Environment

• For Mature Economies, Stronger Global Competitiveness Goes Far Beyond Traditional Exports

• Home Values Continue to Rise; May Marks Third Consecutive Month of Increases

• Wage Trend Indicator Forecasts Modest Gain in Pace of Wage Growth

• Construction Industry Has Doubts About Recovery in 2013

• US Manufacturers Find Revenue Growth In The Midst Of The Collapse By Ignoring The Hype Of Social Media

• Executives Frustrated by New-Hire Sales Performance, New Report Reveals

June 20, 2012

• Century of Chamber Leaders Honored at Centennial Luncheon

• Endless Summer Tanning Salon Named Leading Business By the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber

• Georgia's International Trade Division Rolls Out Online Directory of States Exporters

• Fitch Rates Georgia $742MM General Obligations 'AAA'; Outlook Stable

• Improving Housing Data Drives Consumer Spending Index's Third Monthly Increase

• Physician Income Growth Slows in 2011

• High Gas Prices Still Hurting Self-Employed Business Owners

• Consumer Credit Default Rates Decreased for the Fifth Consecutive Month

• Truck Tonnage Fell 0.7% in May

June 19, 2012

• Guardian Bank Honored at Small Business Development Center Award Ceremony

• Georgia Gas Prices Still Inching Down

• UPS Looks to Fund More Growth in China

• Delta Ranks No. 3 in J.D. Power Satisfaction Survey

• Homebuilder Confidence Highest in Five Years

• Study Finds Shortfall in States' Retirement Systems Has Grown to at Least $1.38 Trillion

• New Census Bureau Estimates from 2005 to 2010 Show 35% Change in Household Net Worth

June 18, 2012

• Employer Seminar Set for June 21st in Valdosta

• VSU Honors Recent Retirees

• State Farm Insurance to Bring 500 Jobs to Georgia

• New Research Shows High Economic Impact of Georgia Nonprofits

• Georgia Department of Banking Takes Possession of Marietta Bank

• HR & Benefits Decision Makers Believe U.S. Health Care Landscape is Experiencing Profound Change

• Mutual Fund Activity Up in May

• Nearly 60% of Americans Plan to Summer Vacations This Year

• New Study Shows Tax Increases Harm U.S. Economy and Provide No Relief on Deficits and Debt

June 15, 2012

• Georgia’s Jobless Rate Unchanged at 8.9% in May; 34,000 New Jobs Added in Last Year

• U.S. Foreclosure Activity Increases 9% in May, Georgia Leads Nation

• Coca-Cola Eyes Business in Myanmar

• Nokia to Cut 10,000 Jobs, Refocus Strategy

• Average Fixed Mortgage Rates Reverse Course

• Air Ticket Sales in 2012 Running Ahead of Last Year by 7%

• CFOs Report 3Q Hiring Plans: Staff Levels May Remain Little Changed; Recruiting Difficulties Rise

• Housing Shadow Inventory Fell in April 2012 to October 2008

June 14, 2012

• Deadline for $15,000 Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition Friday

• Valdosta Regional Airport Offers New Travel Cost Calculator

• China's Largest Product Testing Firm Opens First U.S. Office in Georgia

• Georgians Finally Put Away Old Keys, Buy More New Vehicles

• Traffic at Hartsfield-Jackson Continues Rise in 2012

• U.S. Retailers Don’t Let Declining Sales Stop Hiring in May

• Employment Outlook Shows Increase in U.S. Employers' Hiring Plans for the 3Q

• One in Three Lawyers Plans to Hire in Third Quarter

• Google Reveals Plans to Put the Breaks on Negative SEO

June 13, 2012

• VSU SIFE Team Places in Top Four at National Exposition

• La Quinta inn & Suites, Valdosta/Moody AFB Earn 2012 Certificate of Excellence

• Georgia Recognized for Excellence in Economic Development

• New Job Starts Are At Their Lowest Level In The Past Nine Months

• Self-Employed Believe the Cost of Health Care Coverage Will Go Up Under the Affordable Care Act

• Outsourcing Continues to Grow Among Firms

• Commodity Market Lower In May, Reflecting Broad-Based Declines Across Major Economies

• U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services in Down in April

• Leading Economic Index for Spain Continues Decline as Bailout Looms

• Marketing & Advertising Executives Anticipate Hiring In The Third Quarter

June 12, 2012

• Ribbon Cut on New Moody AFB Headquarters

• SmithBarnas & Associates Named Leading Business By the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber

• Nexxtep Technology Services Joins Apple Consultants Network

• Gas Prices Continue to Fall Across Georgia

• Consumers More Cautious in May

• 34% of High Net Worth U.S. Individuals Hold Treasure Assets

• Luxury Real Estate Sees Glimmers of Recovery

• Small Businesses Underestimate Impact of Data Security; C-Suite Calls for Stricter Legislation

• Twitter Users Have Quadrupled Over Past Two Years

June 11, 2012

• July’s Statewide Referendum Will Determine Valdosta’s Economic Future

• Governor Deal Prevents Increase in State Gas Tax

• Are You Ready to Lead Your Company Through a Crisis?

• New Research Reveals Banning Email in the Workplace Wrong Approach to Email Overload

• Management Salaries in Finance on the Rise

• U.S. Importers Keeping Inventory Lean, Containerized Shipments Down 2% in April

• Survey of Independent Business Owners Shows They Prefer Less Government Spending and A Smaller Federal Government

• OPEC Crude Oil Production Rose to 31.75M Barrels Per Day in May

• Citigroup Drops Push To Increase Capital Payout This Year

June 08, 2012

• Georgia Tax Revenue Up 2.1% in May

• Customer Satisfaction for Retailers Fell 4% in Last Quarter

• Consumer Sentiment Appears to be Reaching Plateau Heading into Summer Season

• Business Failures on the Decline, Western U.S. Still Leads in Small Business Bankruptcy Filings

• CFOs Report Third-Quarter Hiring Plans

• Majority Of CIOs To Keep Third-Quarter Staffing Levels Steady

• US Lags Behind China in Clean Energy Technology Race

June 07, 2012

• Restaurant Inspections: Wendy's, Sonic Drive-In

• Georgia Power Offers Summer Energy Tips to Help Save Customers Money

• Coca-Cola Grants $8.4 Million for Health Promotion

• Hartsfield-Jackson’s Cargo Operation Wins Airport of the Year Award

June 07, 2012

• New Survey Released on the Politics of Small Business

June 07, 2012

• Banking Execs Focused on Increasing Operational Efficiency as Regulatory Reform Continues to Hamper Growth

• Third Quarter Employment Outlook Report - Stagnant

• Hedge Fund Index Closed Down 1.50% in May

• Corporate Pension Gains Evaporate in May

June 06, 2012

• Delta Invests $65M in Grupo Aeromexico

• Regions Financial Names New Business Head, Rolls Out New Structure to Increase Growth

• Survey Finds Positive Shift in Employee Engagement Worldwide

• Record $2.3 Billion Raised by U.S. Companies Through ATM Transaction Fees

• April Home Price Index Shows Year-Over-Year Increase of Just Over One Percent

• Starbucks to Pay $100M for Bakery in Effort to Improve Food

• Home Health Continues to Generate Jobs for America

• Millennials Value Branch Locations Over Online Services and ATMs, New Study Shows

• Manufacturers Focused On Cost Management, Innovation To Drive Top-and-bottom Line Growth

June 05, 2012

• Chick-fil-A Named Leading Business By the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber

• Gas Prices Down to $3.28 Across Georgia

• Southern Company Receives EEI Edison Award for Leading Nuclear Renaissance

• Delta Reports Financial and Operating Performance Both Up for May

• Governor Deal Appoints New State Auditor, State Accounting Officer

• Home Builders Kickoff a Week-Long Blitz Build with Habitat for Humanity

• The Impact of America's Debt Crisis is Likely More Severe than Forecasts Indicate

• Employment Trends Index Increases in May

• Retailers Say Cash, Revenue And Headcount Are Up Over 2011

• Direct Selling Industry Continues to Grow in Sales and People

June 04, 2012

• Southern Georgia Regional Commission Receives National Award

• Wiregrass Tech Graduate Starts Local Telecommunications Company

• Flowers Foods Increases Dividend

• State of Georgia to Streamline Services for Agricultural Exports

• Verizon Buys Georgia's Hughes Telematics for $612M

• U.S. Employment Report: Workers Uncertain About Job Market; Index Remains Above 50

• Corporate Real Estate And Workplace Leaders Rate Most Important Issues Facing Corporate Real Estate

• Demand for Foreclosures Triples Among Homebuyers

• Google Places Discontinued

June 01, 2012

• Flowers Foods Acquires Lepage Bakeries for $370 Million

• Georgia's Consolidated Container Acquired by Bain Capital Partners

• Working Capital Performance Improves in US but Stalls in Europe

• Real Estate Compensation Rises Again Along with Performance

• U.S. Executives Reveal Third-Quarter Professional-Level Hiring Plans

• Historically Low Growth in Healthcare Spending Expected in 2013

• Delinquency Rate Hits All Time High in May

• Washington DC Metro Strongest Economy - Again