Features

• Know the Signs of a Stroke and Act FAST

  May 17, 2016

  Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) having a stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., killing more than 130,000 Americans each year, this represents one out of every 20 deaths. In 2011, South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) initiated a new stroke program, which was the first of its kind south of Macon.

• Georgia 2030: The Chamber's GPS Device to Reach State's Business and Economic Future

  May 16, 2016

  A hundred years ago, the then-newly formed Georgia Chamber of Commerce wisely initiated a road map with the intention of planning the future of business in the Peach State. Today, one year into the second century of the Chamber, President and CEO, Chris Clark and the Chamber Board are instead utilizing modern GPS tracking and other digital tools to explore and research emerging commerce trends, needs and resources for Georgia’s future. This initiative is entitled “Georgia 2030.”

• 10 Ways to Answer A Flood of Emails in One Day

  May 04, 2016

  Most small business owners are buried in email. This is discouraging since they don’t always get to answer the important ones. Business etiquette suggests that each email should be replied to within 24 hours.

• Valdosta Middle School: Bridging Skills Gap in STEM Education

  May 02, 2016

  It is estimated that by 2018, the U.S. will have more than 1.2 million unfilled jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs represent more than one out of every 10 jobs in the U.S. and have wages approximately twice the nation’s average. Creating a pipeline for students to engage in rigorous, relevant curriculum of academic study to advance their knowledge in STEM areas is the focus of the Valdosta Middle School STEM Academy.

• Center of Innovation for Manufacturing: Developing Partnerships to Grow Georgia’s Industries

  April 27, 2016

  In an increasingly competitive global environment, Georgia’s manufacturing industry is using cutting-edge technology to develop new products for commercialization and increase the number of manufacturing-related jobs throughout the state. The Center of Innovation for Manufacturing, a program of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, is using university-led research to help the manufacturing industry throughout Georgia develop new products and processes.

• Tower Cloud Continues to Deliver in Georgia -- Bringing Reliable Connectivity to Valdosta Businesses

  April 22, 2016

  Valdosta-based CJB Industries, Inc. has combined chemical manufacturing excellence with exceptional customer service as its formula for success for nearly two decades. So when phone and data connections between the company's headquarters and manufacturing facilities began to consistently falter, corporate executives knew it wouldn't be long before business began to suffer.

• Family Establishes Flora Fourakers Scholarship at Wiregrass and Patten Seed Matches the Gift for $25,000

  April 15, 2016

  The family of Flora Fourakers has established a scholarship fund of $12,500 through the Wiregrass Technical College Foundation South to help students complete their post-secondary education at Wiregrass Technical College.

• Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Board is Leadership Focused

  April 14, 2016

  The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce is led by a 13-member board of directors that formulate and govern the organization’s policies and procedures. Board members are engaged in leading initiatives outlined in the strategic plan and advance the Chamber’s pro-business agenda to advocate for, build, connect, and promote its members and the community as a vibrant and inviting place to live and work.

• How to Use a Stay Interview to Keep Good Employees

  April 13, 2016

  Employee retention may not be what the 50s crooner Frankie Valli had in mind when he sang that iconic line from the song “Stay,” but it is a topic of concern for every employer who fears losing top-tier talent. That is particularly the case for small businesses where the loss of a single employee may represent an entire job function or department. Add to that the strain involved in recruiting, hiring, and training a replacement — it’s a headache no employer wants.

• Renasant Bank Hosting Annual Valdosta Shred-A-Thon Event on April 9th

  April 06, 2016

  More than 15 million U.S. residents are victims of identity theft each year, with an estimated cost of financial losses totaling more than $50 billion. Protecting personal identification is a growing concern among consumers and businesses. To reduce the risk of identity theft, Renasant Bank will host the annual community Shred-A-Thon event Saturday, April 9th.

• Valdosta Celebrates National Community Development Week

  March 28, 2016

  The City of Valdosta will participate in the 2016 observance of National Community Development Week, March 28th – April 1st, with a variety of events that highlight the city’s Community Development Block Grant program.

• Southeastern Credit Union Hires Jim Doyle as New CFO

  March 25, 2016

  Jim Doyle has joined Southeastern Credit Union as Chief Financial Officer/Vice President of Finance. Jim brings over 28 years of banking experience to the Southeastern senior management team.

• Pearlman Cancer Center the Region’s Choice for Cancer Treatment

  March 24, 2016

  Cancer does not discriminate against age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 1.6 million new cancer cases are diagnosed in the U.S. annually, and more than a half-a-million deaths are associated with cancer.

• Georgia Technology Summit Speakers Envision Innovation on Land, at Sea and in the Air

  March 22, 2016

  At the recent 12th Annual Georgia Technology Summit held in Atlanta by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), three keynote speakers envisioned their respective spheres of influence where future technological innovation will flourish: within the growth of cities (such as Atlanta); in the air (The Weather Company); and, at sea (the U.S. Navy).

• Gathering of Eagles Event at WGTC Focused on Networking, Economic Development, & Leadership

  March 21, 2016

  Business leaders and community members attended the 10th annual Gathering of Eagles sponsored by Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation South, Southwest Georgia Bank, Taylor Insurance, and Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority.

• Cancer Coalition Honoring Dr. Ronald Zaccari at March 24th Night for Hope Event

  March 17, 2016

  The Cancer Coalition of South Georgia will host its second annual Night for Hope fundraising gala on Thursday, March 24th, in the Valdosta State University Student Union Ballroom. The 2016 gala proudly honors local cancer survivor Dr. Ronald M. Zaccari. The elegant, formal celebration includes a plated dinner, live and silent auctions, and live musical entertainment.

• Senator Isakson Tours Moody AFB and Visits with Chamber Representatives

  March 10, 2016

  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., led a Congressional Delegation to Moody Air Force Base (AFB) in Valdosta on Friday, March 4th. Senator Isakson was joined by Senator John Boozman, R-Ark., as well as top military legislative aides from the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services.

• Georgia’s Aerospace Industry Reaching New Heights

  March 08, 2016

  The Centers of Innovation, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, is focused on helping industries and small businesses connect, compete, and grow globally. This is the first in a series of articles focused on the Georgia Department of Economic Development Centers of Innovation, which has six centers located throughout the state: Aerospace, Agribusiness, Energy Technology, Information Technology, Logistics, and Manufacturing.

• Valdosta Chamber & Renasant Bank Host Inaugural Chamber Awards

  March 04, 2016

  The Chamber and Renasant Bank hosted an evening of elegance and success in the business community at the Inaugural Chamber Annual Awards Dinner last Thursday. Awards were presented to the best of the best in the Valdosta-Lowndes County business community.

• Guardian Bank: The New Mortgages Rules and How They Impact You

  February 29, 2016

  In October 2015 a new set of mortgage guidelines for lenders went into effect. The intent of the reform is to prevent another housing bubble burst, but the overhaul of changes has left many lenders and borrowers puzzled and frustrated. That isn’t the case at Guardian Bank, a local Valdosta-Lowndes County community bank with an established reputation for stability and excellent customer service. Chief Executive Officer Parrish Clark explains why the Guardian Bank lending team is ready.

• Funertia Offers Unplugged, Uncomplicated, and Unusual Activities for All Ages

  February 26, 2016

  David Schmidt is not sure when the idea came to him, but it has been swirling in his head for about a decade. Located at 1835-G Norman Drive, in Valdosta, Funertia is Schmidt’s dream to offer customers of all ages an opportunity to engage in competitive and interactive games (no electronics) in a family-friendly environment.

• VSU Ranked for Exceptional Online Education in Georgia

  February 24, 2016

  Valdosta State University is one of the Best Online Schools in Georgia for 2015-2016, according to Accredited Schools Online.

• Former Columbus Chamber President Mike Gaymon Pens Book "A View from the Backhoe"

  February 22, 2016

  It has been more than a year since Mike Gaymon retired from the Greater Columbus, GA Chamber of Commerce where he was known as a bold and effective leader that helped transform the Columbus community. Gaymon traded in the boardrooms and business meetings for a backhoe and a quieter life in the country where he has spent time reflecting on his decades-long career as a Chamber executive. It was this new view from atop a backhoe that inspired his book, aptly tilted, A View from the Backhoe.

• Chamber Government Affairs Council Advocating for Businesses

  February 19, 2016

  Advocating for businesses at the local, state, and national levels is a key priority of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. Each year, the Government Affairs Council develops its legislative agenda based on issues and concerns facing local businesses.

• Valdosta Municipal Court Judge Vernita Bender Recognized by Judicial Council of Georgia

  February 18, 2016

  Valdosta Municipal Court Judge Vernita Lee Bender was recently featured by the Judicial Council of Georgia as one of the most influential African-American judges in Georgia.

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