September 2014 Features

• High Adventure in Georgia Offers Team Building & Reward Opportunities

  September 30, 2014

  High adventure tourism is on the rise. It’s a more than $260 billion a year industry for the Americas and Europe, and it has grown as much as 65 percent year over year since 2009, according to the 2013 Adventure Tourism Market Study.

• Blue Bird Builds Big Yellow School Bus Business in Georgia, CEO Comments on Recent Acquisition

  September 29, 2014

  Every school day, parents in the U.S. trust about half a million school buses to safely transport 25 million children to and from school and related activities. Statistics show students are 50 times safer in a school bus than in a passenger car. The person responsible for manufacturing almost one-third of these vehicles is Phil Horlock, CEO of Blue Bird Corporation, headquartered in Fort Valley, Georgia.

• Metro Valdosta’s Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 8.4% in August

  September 25, 2014

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Valdosta’s unemployment rate for August was 8.4 percent, unchanged from July. The rate in August of last year was 7.8 percent.

• 2014 Results of the Biennial Georgia Manufacturing Survey Conducted by GaMEP

  September 24, 2014

  The 2014 results of the biennial Georgia Manufacturing Survey conducted by GaMEP was released today. Data was gathered from February through June from 504 Georgia manufacturers with 10 or more employees.

• Get Hooked on the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber

  September 23, 2014

  The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber is fishing for new members! From Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, the Chamber will hold a volunteer-driven recruitment rally like never before, inviting community businesses to join the 7th largest chamber in Georgia, and one of only 79 chambers nationwide to be 5-star accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

• 15 Clever Things Happy Business Owners Do Differently

  September 18, 2014

  Owning a business can be stressful. And being happy in your business requires controlling those stress levels and creating a healthy work environment. Here are a few things happy small business owners do differently.

• Jobs & Economic Development Drive Michelle Nunn – In Her Own Words

  September 16, 2014

  Georgia CEO has been privileged to correspond with our state’s candidates for Governor and Senator. There is no question that this November’s election is pivotal for the entire nation. This year, Georgia voters will play an especially significant role in the future of the nation as well as the state. In our second of a planned series of interviews with the four candidates, we talk to Senate Candidate Michelle Nunn.

• VSU's Learning in Retirement Boasts 91 Opportunities to Learn Something New This Fall

  September 15, 2014

  Men and women 50 years of age and older have 91 opportunities to learn something new during the Learning in Retirement 2014 fall term. A member-led and Valdosta State University-sponsored organization that began in January 1996, Learning in Retirement “provides a unique opportunity for cultural growth, lifelong learning, and recreation,” according to information provided by the organization.

• Valdosta Insurance Takes the "Commodity" Out of Insurance

  September 10, 2014

  Insurance ads from Geico and Progressive may have you chuckling and expecting to save $300 on "commodity" insurance. Valdosta Insurance Services takes a different approach – delivering value by educating clients and meeting their specific needs.

• Why Candidate Deal Should Remain Governor Deal – In His Own Words

  September 09, 2014

  Georgia CEO has been privileged to correspond with our state’s candidates for Governor and Senator. There is no question that this November’s election is pivotal for the entire nation. This year, Georgia voters will play an especially significant role in the future of the nation as well as the state. In the first of four planned interviews, we speak with Georgia's current Governor Nathan Deal.

• Stacy Bush on How to Dig Yourself Out of Debt & Save at the Same Time

  September 08, 2014

  Paying down debt can be a daunting task. But with a little self-discipline and some faith in yourself, your financial picture can change for the better in about six months. Stacy Bush tells us how.

• Women Who Make a Difference: Diane Fletcher

  September 05, 2014

  Another wonderful contribution to our series entitled “Women Who Make A Difference." We have been scouring the SWGA area for women in all walks of life who contribute to their communities in politics, health, education, social services and other areas. This week we learn a little more about Diane Fletcher, CEO of the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia.

• Vince Dooley Talks About Success, Passion and His Role with the Georgia Historical Society

  September 04, 2014

  Most mornings before you even wake up, Vince Dooley has already worked out. Retired football coach for the University of Georgia, vice chairman of the board of curators at the Georgia Historical Society, published author, noted speaker, and beloved grandfather, Vince (still lovingly referred to as “Coach”) knows something about success that many people grasp for all their lives.

• Retired Neurosurgeon and Author Dr. Ben Carson to Speak at VSU

  September 03, 2014

  Dr. Ben Carson, retired neurosurgeon and author of six bestselling books, will speak on Sept. 11 in Whitehead Auditorium at Valdosta State University (VSU). His remarks will be based on his book titled "America the Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made this Nation Great."

• GHA Reports Economic Impact of Georgia’s Hospitals

  September 02, 2014

  The Georgia Hospital Association released a report today regarding the economic impact of the state’s hospitals. Based on a study completed by the American Hospital Association and updated with the most current economic multipliers available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, United States Department of Commerce, GHA’s report estimates that Georgia’s hospitals and health systems contribute $40 billion to the economy of the state.