March 2019 Features

  • YMCA of Coastal Georgia holds 164th Annual Meeting

    March 28, 2019

    The YMCA of Coastal Georgia held its 164th Annual Meeting and launched the 2019 Annual Campaign, For a better us, on Tuesday at the Ralph M. Gilbert Civil Rights Museum in Historic Downtown Savannah. With nearly 200 YMCA staff, Board Members and community leaders in attendance, the annual meeting celebrated the recent work and impact of the Y, the recognition of three outstanding volunteers and a powerful keynote address from Brian Hussey of Bank South and the Low Country Down Syndrome Society.

  • Healthcare Plan Headed to Governor’s Desk for Signature

    March 28, 2019

    State Rep. Jodi Lott (R-Evans) stood in the well Monday afternoon and urged House members to support SB 106, the Governor’s “Patients First Act.” “This is a big-picture debate. Health care is complicated,” said Lott, one of Governor Brian Kemp’s floor leaders in the House. “It’s complex. But voting for SB 106 is the start of moving the ball forward in Georgia. This is the first part. It’s the first piece of the pie. If this bill fails it won’t change the fact that healthcare is one of the Governor’s top priorities.”

  • State and Local Community Leaders Celebrate Groundbreaking for Georgia International Trade Center

    March 27, 2019

    Local community leaders and state representatives recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the Georgia International Trade Center (GITC); the newest Class A, rail-served industrial park in the Savannah region. The 1,150 acre park is located within 10 miles of the Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City Terminal.

  • Georgia Power, DOE Finalize $1.67B Loan Guarantee for New Vogtle Units

    March 25, 2019

    U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and North America's Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey joined Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Tom Fanning, Georgia Power Chairman, President and CEO Paul Bowers and hundreds of workers and special guests at the Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear expansion project near Waynesboro, Georgia, to announce the closing of approximately $1.67 billion in additional Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantees for the new Vogtle units.

  • Savannah State Gala to Raise Scholarship Funds, Honor Local Leaders

    March 20, 2019

    Savannah State University's (SSU) Annual Scholarship Gala will be held Saturday, April 6, 6:30 p.m. at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront. Net proceeds from the university’s premier fundraising event will support student scholarships. With the theme of “An Evening of Gratitude and Celebration,” SSU will recognize scholars and community leaders.

  • Georgia’s 2019 Small Business ROCK STARS Named

    March 19, 2019

    Governor Brian. P. Kemp joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Economic Developers Association to recognize Georgia’s 2019 “Small Business ROCK STARS” at an annual luncheon at the Georgia Aquarium today. Four Georgia-based companies were recognized for being outstanding, unique and impactful small businesses.

  • Why March Madness Costs Companies Billions Due to Employee Distraction and Poor Productivity

    March 18, 2019

    Recent statistics reveal that March Madness has become more popular than ever before, thanks in large part to the worldwide betting that takes place. Over 60 million people are expected to fill out brackets this year, with an estimated $10 million being put on the table. However, there is another cost which people may not expect: A downturn in employee productivity.

  • Steeplechase Continuing Georgia Tradition

    March 15, 2019

    Year two of the “Steeplechase Under New Ownership” era is coming up on April 6. Anthony-Scott and Phoebe Hobbs are the current owners of the Georgia Steeplechase, the spiritual successor to the famed Atlanta Steeplechase that ran for 52 years – same venue, same great racing… same great beverages if you’re into that kind of thing.

  • Dean Sam Pardue: Making Georgia and CAES No. 1 in Agriculture

    March 15, 2019

    As we celebrate National Agriculture Week 2019, many in the Southeast are still struggling to recover from hurricanes, tornadoes, whitefly outbreaks and record-breaking rainfall. Nature is both the nemesis and nurturer of agriculture - the ultimate “can’t live with it, can’t live without it” dilemma.

  • Sterling Seacrest Partners: When Business and Personal Risks Collide

    March 14, 2019

    Distinguishing between personal, social and business activities can be difficult for some business owners. Civic activities are an expected part of your position, working from home is common, and entertaining clients is as much social as it is business. In light of today’s litigation prone society, protecting yourself and your business from liabilities created by such activities is good risk management.

  • goBeyondProfit: Practical Tips for Starting Your Company's Community Outreach

    March 14, 2019

    Frequently, business leaders reach out to the goBeyondProfit team asking for practical advice about how to begin or get better at this giving back journey we are all attempting. Georgia business leaders understand that charitable outreach offers vital benefits to the community and their business, but what are the basics to getting it right?

  • Georgia Sets New Trade Record

    March 14, 2019

    Governor Brian P. Kemp is proud to announce that Georgia’s 2018 international trade numbers set a new record with exports surpassing $40.5 billion - a 9% increase over 2017. Total trade between Georgia and the world spanned 223 countries and territories, reaching a new high at $139.3 billion.

  • Senators Isakson, Perdue, Carter Secure Full Funding for Savannah Harbor Deepening

    March 13, 2019

    U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA), and U.S. Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA-01), have secured full capability funding to keep the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) on track in fiscal year 2020.

  • Sponsors Donate $51,000 to 2019 Leadership Southeast Georgia Program

    March 08, 2019

    Businesses from the 10-county region have donated $51,000 to Leadership Southeast Georgia for its five-month leadership development program in 2019.

  • Georgia Road Maps Designed though Vinson Institute Partnership with GDOT

    March 08, 2019

    Motorists exploring Georgia’s travel treasures can unfold a colorful copy of the Official Highway and Transportation Map to find the easiest way to reach their exciting destinations.

  • SunTrust Bankers Provide Exit Strategy and Tactical Advice For Clients Transitioning Ownership of Their Businesses

    March 07, 2019

    As Baby Boomer business owners near retirement age in greater numbers, SunTrust advisors realize a greater need exists for their clients to learn the “who, what, when, where, why and how” of transitioning ownership, since the bank’s recent surveys have found that only one-third actually have such a plan. Most owners focus on the regular operations of their business and on the overall business strategy, with less immediacy in regard to their personal transition plans.

  • Georgia Tech-Savannah Hosted Insightful “Learners & Leaders” Business Valuation Breakfast

    March 07, 2019

    Georgia Tech-Savannah kicked off their 2019 “Learners & Leaders” breakfast series on Thursday, February 28th, with an insightful lesson on the value of one's business. Managing Director of Business Valuation, Inc., Patrick Emmet along with C. Don Wiggins, President, Business Valuation & Heritage Capital Group traveled from Jacksonville, FL to speak and educate attendees about the top 35 factors that contribute to the devaluation of businesses.

  • Economist Finds Property Values Rise In Georgia’s Historic Districts

    March 07, 2019

    Values for single-family residential properties in the National Register and local historic districts in Georgia rose 13-14 percent and 7 percent before they were designated historic properties, according to research by Georgia State University economist Carlianne Patrick.

  • Georgia Chamber Announces The New Georgia Economy Series

    March 07, 2019

    The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the beginning of its 2019 New Georgia Economy Series. In partnership with local Chambers, the Georgia Chamber will offer half-day workshops to provide unique insights on the emerging business trends and risks, and the impact to small businesses, innovation and entrepreneurship that the state faces.

  • Rep. Tanner Unveils 2019 House Transit Proposal

    March 06, 2019

    The 2019 House Transit plan released late last week is designed to “allow the state to remain economically competitive and prosperous for Georgians, regardless of where they live,” according to State Representative Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville).

  • AG Chris Carr Kicks Off the 8th Annual Legal Food Frenzy

    March 05, 2019

    Attorney General Chris Carr announced that registration is open for the 8th Annual Legal Food Frenzy, a statewide food and fundraising competition among Georgia’s lawyers to help end hunger across the state.