Features
-
Blanchard Leadership Forum Brings Big Names to Georgia
June 12, 2014
The Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum consistently hosts some of the biggest names in business during this annual event on August 25th and 26th, and this year’s event lives up to its expectations. The 2014 line-up is headlined by Entrepreneur Mark Cuban and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.
-
Chamber Partners With VSU’s College of Business to Host Economic Summit
June 11, 2014
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce and Valdosta State University will host the 4thAnnual Economic Summit in late August. Top community leaders will come together to discuss strategy for improving Valdosta-Lowndes County economically.
-
Ellen Hill Named Valdosta Main Street Director
June 09, 2014
The City of Valdosta has named Ellen Hill as its new Valdosta Main Street Director. Hill, has served as the Main Street Program Coordinator for over seven years, will coordinate downtown revitalization efforts, public outreach and planning, marketing and promotional activities for the downtown area, and facilitate the administrative functions of the Central Valdosta Development Authority (CVDA).
-
Are You Hiring for the Right Traits?
June 06, 2014
There’s lots of talk lately about the talent shortage – how employers, especially small ones, can’t find workers with the skills and experience they are seeking. But maybe the problem is that small business owners are putting too much emphasis on the wrong things.
-
Coleman Talley Achieves Milestone in the 2014 Georgia Legal Food Frenzy
June 05, 2014
Coleman Talley LLP delivered the goods in the 2014 Georgia Legal Food Frenzy, providing 87,640 pounds of food – double its poundage in 2013 – and winning the medium firm size category for the third straight year. Attorney General Sam Olens announced the results last week of the third annual food drive in which lawyers and staff compete outside the courtroom for two weeks to raise food and funds for Georgia's seven regional food banks.
-
9 Things You Shouldn’t Overlook When Planning Your Next Event
June 04, 2014
Business events are a great way to build relationships with potential partners, meet investors and network. But making sure your event goes well requires a lot of forethought and planning. There’s nothing worse than a lousy event. From location to food, there’s much to consider when picking the perfect venue for your event.
-
Georgia Manufacturing Activity Continues Growth in May
June 03, 2014
Georgia manufacturing activity remained strong for May, even as new orders fell from its high April reading, according to the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) released today by Kennesaw State University’s Econometric Center in the Michael J. Coles College of Business.
-
Stacy Bush Gives a Retirement Reality Check
June 02, 2014
If you have already retired or if you can count the number of years until retirement on your fingers then please heed this friendly warning: Unless you're already making the most of your current retirement planning strategies, then it may be difficult to lay the groundwork for a financially secure future.
-
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.