April 2014 Features

  • AT&T Commits to Georgia’s Future

    April 30, 2014

    AT&T made a significant investment in both serving Georgia customers and employing more Georgians in 2013 through the communication company’s Project Velocity IP. Georgia CEO spoke to AT&T Media Relations Manager Ann Elsas on the impact AT&T is having on the state.

  • Lessons Learned From Your 2013 Tax Return

    April 28, 2014

    With another tax filing deadline in the rearview mirror, most people don’t think about taxes until the next year. However, take a few moments to review your return before you stock it away. This year’s return can provide valuable information on the financial health of your business, as well as show you ways to improve your tax situation in time for next year’s filing.

  • 5 Possible Outcomes in Franchise Ownership

    April 25, 2014

    It always helps to have a goal or two in mind when pursuing something big, like becoming the owner of a franchise business – any business. Do you have a specific goal in mind? Do you have your “end game” visualized? Have you thought about some of the possible outcomes? Or, are you thinking about becoming the owner of a franchise business just to escape a lousy career-related situation? We look at some possible long-term outcomes that can happen as the result of becoming the owner of a franchise business.

  • Research Shows How Retirees Strengthen Georgia’s Economy

    April 24, 2014

    The State of Georgia can bolster its economy by attracting more retirees, according to new research from the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth.

  • Batson-Cook Construction: Building Partnerships First

    April 23, 2014

    From its humble beginnings in the early 20th century in West Point, Ga., Batson-Cook Construction has always operated on the philosophy of building relationships with clients and partnerships with its owners, architects and subcontractors on every building project.

  • Alarion Bank Agrees to Merge with HeritageBank of the South

    April 22, 2014

    HeritageBank of the South, the banking subsidiary of Heritage Financial Group, Inc., and Alarion Bank, the banking subsidiary of Alarion Financial Services, Inc. today jointly announced a merger in which Alarion Bank will merge with and into HeritageBank, and Heritage will acquire all of the common stock of Alarion in a stock transaction valued at approximately $22.1 million.

  • ADEDC Wraps Up Industry Week Celebration With a Look Ahead

    April 21, 2014

    Last week, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission celebrated existing industries in the community with a series of events designed to build community awareness and support. Events included a new video launch, awards ceremony, golf outing and Business After Hours networking reception.

  • Darton State College to Hold Annual Scholarship Gala in May

    April 18, 2014

    The Darton State College Foundation will host its annual Scholarship Gala on May 15th. The Gala is an evening of dinner, dancing, and fun. It is the foundation’s largest fundraising event, raising scholarship money to support general scholarships, including the Dean and Merit Scholarship programs.

  • Interim President Justin Strickland Reflects on ADEDC Progress

    April 17, 2014

    To mark Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week, AlbanyCEO posed a series of questions to Justin Strickland, interim president, Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission on the ADEDC and the state of economic development in the area.

  • Q&A with Georgia DOL’s Business Service Unit Director

    April 17, 2014

    As the Georgia Department of Labor approaches the first anniversary of their Business Service Unit, we chatted with Director Linda Manis about their progress in year one and what lies ahead for the BSU.

  • Albany-Dougherty EDC Honors Existing Industries With Annual Awards

    April 16, 2014

    The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission recognized existing industries Coats & Clark, Outdoor Network, Better Brands of South Georgia and Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital for their global commerce, innovative business practices, impact and corporate giving, respectively.

  • ADEDC Highlights Albany’s Existing Industries in New Video

    April 15, 2014

    The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, long an advocate for the community’s existing industries, today released a video highlighting Albany-made products that are used throughout the world.

  • Curt Fowler: The #1, Best Exercise To Do With Your Team

    April 14, 2014

    One of the hardest things about building trust in work environments is that there can always be ulterior motives to any good deed we do. We need each other at work. So, how can we do good for someone at work without expecting anything in return?

  • ADEDC Industry Week Celebration Begin Today, Continues All Week

    April 14, 2014

    The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission (ADEDC) today kicks off a weeklong celebration of existing industries in Albany-Dougherty County. Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week is one of the ways the commission provides recognition to the successes and contributions of existing industries to the community.

  • Daniel Titus: The Internet is Shrinking

    April 11, 2014

    The internet really is shrinking. No, it's not becoming less popular, and it's certainly not less populated. In fact, it's brimming and almost ubiquitous. It is, nonetheless, shrinking.

  • Mercer University Beats Duke; Prepares for Continued Growth

    April 10, 2014

    The past few years have been all about growth for Mercer University—especially in the medical sector--with a continued effort to double the number of medical students by adding more programs for aspiring medical professionals, such as their Ph.D. in Clinical Medical Psychology degree and a four-year program added at the Savannah campus. The Mercer Health Sciences Center, which opened in 2012, is another piece to help "address the shortage of healthcare access in our region," President Underwood says.

  • Baja’s Albany: Albany, Ga.'s First FRESH Tex-Mex Cuisine

    April 10, 2014

    The grill restaurant that its owners call “The BIG experiment” opened in Albany in February of this year to a warm reception and rave reviews, according to co-owner Ben Austin. “We’ve had a great response from the community,” said Austin.

  • Savannah Author & Social Media Professional Debuts at #1 on Amazon in Category

    April 10, 2014

    Savannah writer and social media professional Shawndra Russell released a new ebook yesterday filled with tips for how business owners can step up their social media game.

  • Is 100% Customer Satisfaction Achievable? For This Company, Yes

    April 09, 2014

    Simplicity Sofas is a furniture manufacturer in High Point, NC. and an eCommerce retailer specializing in furniture for small spaces. After more than six years in business and $4 million in sales, the company has never received a negative review on their website – not one. We share 10 Tips For Achieving 100% Customer Satisfaction.

  • Business Ethics 101: Care, Deliver and Do The Right Thing

    April 07, 2014

    This starts with our personal fundamentals, values and ethics. This is the foundation for a solid brand and reputation in the business space. If you want to be respected, taken seriously, referred and enjoy long term success, high business ethics must be our priority. Ethics are the values, company morals and culture in all your interactions and relationships. It’s your moral compass.

  • Finding Manufacturing, Logistics Sites in Georgia Just Got Easier

    April 04, 2014

    The Georgia Ports Authority has updated its search engine for manufacturing and logistics sites to make it more comprehensive and easier to access. The GPA’s web-based Commercial Corridors Tool now works on all platforms, including mobile devices.

  • 2WR+Partners • Architects & Designers • Projects with Purpose

    April 03, 2014

    In 2001, Sam Andras, Scott Allen and Michael Starr opened a Georgia office as a branch of a Montgomery, Ala.-based architectural firm, 2WR Architects, Inc. In 2010, Andras, Allen, and Starr bought the Georgia office and restructured to a Georgia based corporation as 2WR of Georgia Inc.

  • SafeAire Heating & Cooling Building Share in Residential Market

    April 03, 2014

    Over the past three years, SafeAire Heating & Cooling has focused on building its share of the residential market. With new training programs, ramped-up marketing and an emphasis on customer satisfaction, the company has grown its residential business.

  • Why the IRS and BLS Disagree on Self-Employment Trends

    April 02, 2014

    Are more or fewer Americans engaged in self-employment than a decade ago? While you might think that this is a simple factual question, its answer depends on which federal government agency’s numbers you look at.

  • How the New Overtime Law Changes Will Affect Small Businesses

    April 01, 2014

    President Obama recently signed an executive order calling for new rules on overtime pay. Currently, salaried workers in executive, administrative and professional positions aren’t eligible for overtime pay if they make over $455 per week. The President suggested $600 or $640 as the new threshold – the current standards for New York and California.