May 2014 Features

• May Chamber Board Highlights: All About Moody

  May 30, 2014

  The Chamber Board of Directors met Tuesday at Drury Inn & Suites where they discussed "Operation Moody Transition", a community-wide initiative to connect Moody Airmen who will be leaving the service in the next few months.

• Georgia Credit Unions Impact Their Members, Their Communities & Beyond

  May 29, 2014

  Georgia credit unions are committed to helping their members afford their lives. But the impact of credit unions reaches far beyond the branch walls. As not-for-profit institutions, credit unions contribute their resources to the greater good of their communities. They live out the values of working together to accomplish more, and the difference they make is felt across Georgia every day.

• Behind the Scenes at Medient's $700 Million Georgia StudioPlex

  May 28, 2014

  “Georgia’s film industry is booming,” touted Governor Nathan Deal in last week’s video address to the Savannah Economic Development Authority’s (SEDA) annual luncheon, and rightfully so. Employment, tax revenue and new construction are rising steadily throughout the state. However, one proposed development in Effingham County near Savannah should be a warning to all counties in Georgia. This is the story of how a proposed $700 million “Disneyland meets Googleplex” development has created high hopes for one Georgia community only to be at risk by the players involved.

• Peach State Summer Theatre Box Office Is Open For Business

  May 27, 2014

  Tickets are on sale for the 2014 Peach State Summer Theatre season, which kicks off with the opening of “Mary Poppins” on June 6 and gains momentum with the opening of “Smokey Joe’s Café: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller” on June 20 and “42nd Street” on June 27. The season runs through July 27.

• Your Brand Equals Higher Profits

  May 23, 2014

  It's proven. Strong brands drive higher profits. In fact, most of the value of some of the biggest corporations in the world are their brand, not their buildings or the equipment.

• VSU FCA Looks to Expand its Outreach

  May 22, 2014

  The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Valdosta State University (VSU) ministers daily to more than 400 people, according to VSU FCA Director Shane Goodwin. Athletes, coaches and their families, and other athletic staff members are among those served, but everyone in the VSU community is welcome.

• Georgia Primaries Bring Expected Congressional Runoffs

  May 21, 2014

  Tuesday’s primary election results brought runoffs for candidates for both houses of Congress.

• Chamber’s MetroOne Program Recognizes 18 of Metro Valdosta’s Top Young Professionals

  May 19, 2014

  The Chamber’s MetroOne program recognized 18 of Metro Valdosta’s top young professionals on Thursday evening at the 4 Under 40 reception. Finalists were commended for their many accomplishments in their career fields as well as their community service. The nominees included business owners as well as leaders in education, medicine, financial services, non-profit organizations and marketing.

• Southeastern Federal Credit Union Experiencing Strong Deposit Growth

  May 16, 2014

  According to President and CEO Mike Gudely, deposits at Southeastern Federal Credit Union are growing across the board in 2014 – in checking, savings and money market accounts as well as in higher interest-paying accounts. While not as strong, loan growth is also picking up.

• A Quick Guide to What You Should Be Doing NOW for the Affordable Care Act

  May 16, 2014

  Between the time President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law in 2010 and today, there have been a number of adjustments and changes to its implementation. One thing hasn’t changed, however. As of 2014, Americans, including solopreneurs and employees of small businesses, are required to carry health insurance as individuals. If you don’t, you may face a penalty come tax time. However, subsidies may be available to make coverage affordable.

• CooperCraft, Now ISNetworld Certified and Ready for Continued Growth

  May 14, 2014

  CooperCraft made the move from Sylvester to Tifton December 2011, and the transition has treated the company well. The easy access to I-75, continued growth of Tifton, and larger office space have all led to increased productivity and volume for the statewide company ran by childhood friends Jerry Cooper and Darrell Powell, who lived three houses apart since elementary school while growing up in Sylvester.

• Three Ways to Cut Costs for Your Small Business

  May 13, 2014

  Even with the economy on the rise, it’s general good practice to keep a check on your business costs and see if there’s any room for improvement when it comes to savings. As the old adage goes, “a penny saved is a penny earned.” Here are a few ways you might be able to cut costs and save your small business some money in the long run.

• President McKinney Presents State of Valdosta State Address

  May 12, 2014

  As Valdosta State University concludes another academic year, President William J. McKinney presented the State of Valdosta State address to faculty, staff, students, and members of the community..

• What's Happening With Your IRA? Stacy Bush Says Time for a Checkup

  May 09, 2014

  Given changes in tax laws that have occurred during the past few years, a retirement readiness review could be a good idea if you have an individual retirement account (IRA).

• Georgia's Tourism Industry Impact Hits Record High With $53.6B

  May 08, 2014

  Georgia Tourism, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced Thursday that tourism demand generated $53.6 billion in business sales including direct, indirect and induced impact in 2013, up 4.5 percent, according to the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics.

• Self Employment Continues to Decline, Despite the Recovery

  May 07, 2014

  The recently released Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity (KIEA) shows that pace of entry into self-employment declined last year. The media has put a positive slant on the news. Because many people go into business for themselves out of necessity when the economy is doing poorly and they have few employment alternatives, this decline is okay, the reporters say. It means that the jobs market is doing better.

• Curt Fowler on How GE Uses Lean Innovation

  May 06, 2014

  Lean innovation is not just for startups. According to a recent Harvard Business Review article by Brad Powers, GE is implementing lean innovation principles into its appliance division as it attempts to prove that it can bring manufacturing back to the US and compete successfully.

• Top Stories: Minimum Wage Increase Defeated, Internet Explorer Fixed

  May 05, 2014

  Top stories for small business owners this week involved the fate of a contentious minimum wage bill and the repair of a major Web security issue. The Small Business Trends editorial team has you covered with this important news and more. Just follow our roundup.

• Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series Returns Next Week to Downtown Valdosta

  May 02, 2014

  The popular lunch-time concert series is back! The Main Street Office will host the Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series in Downtown Valdosta, Monday, May 5 through Friday, May 9.

• SunTrust Finds Business Leaders Rank Companies Stronger Than Economy

  May 01, 2014

  Business owners and top decision-makers are more optimistic about their own businesses in 2014 than they are about the overall U.S. economy, according to an annual survey sponsored by SunTrust Banks, Inc.

• Talk to the Hand, Cause the Face Ain’t Listenin’

  May 01, 2014

  When I was in the fourth grade, I had a crush on Jill. It was a one-sided relationship, but as Valentine’s Day came closer I decided the best way to wow her was to walk to Lintner’s Drugstore and buy her a heart-shaped box of Russell Stover chocolates. It took about 6 weeks allowance to be able to afford that purchase, but to me Jill was worth it.