August 2014 Features

  • Pete Tosh: ‘Who Would Work If They Didn’t Get Paid?’

    August 29, 2014

    The economy is making modest progress, there are significantly fewer layoffs & many organizations are adding to their work force. One of the by-products being a significant number of employees – after weathering layoffs, added work load, salary freezes, increases in their contributions to benefit plans, etc. - are exploring these new job opportunities.

  • Looking at Your Personal Financial Health; Buzz Law, President of Creative Financial Group

    August 28, 2014

    For Buzz Law, president of Creative Financial Group, it was love at first sight. “I’ve spent my entire 30-year career at Creative Financial Group,” Buzz says. With childhood memories of his father working alongside his own financial planner, and having studied business with a focus on finance at the University of Georgia, Buzz knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life.

  • Infinity Network Solutions Brings Strategic IT to Small Businesses

    August 27, 2014

    Security. The cloud. Mobile access. Many small businesses struggle with these IT-related issues and are looking for the right software, hardware or integrated solution. Rob Betzel, CEO of Infinity Network Solutions, believes that before a business leader buys any IT solution, they first need to define their business strategy.

  • Breaking Ground on a Multipurpose Outdoor Facility at Ingram-Pye Elementary School

    August 25, 2014

    On August 20th, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new outdoor education and recreation facility at Ingram-Pye Elementary School. The facility will include a playground funded by a grant from GE Capital, a ball field funded by donations gathered by Leadership Macon and a community garden funded by grants from Perdue Farms and Macon/Bibb Consolidated Government. This spring the Leadership Macon Class of 2014 adopted the garden project as its class community improvement project.

  • The Transformation of Gateway Macon

    August 22, 2014

    Gatewaymacon.com will now be branded as “The Local’s Guide for Things To Do in Macon” and It’s goal will be to act as an online portal for living, working and playing in Macon-Bibb.

  • Q&A with Gretchen Corbin, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Community Affairs

    August 21, 2014

    On August 1st, Commissioner Corbin celebrated her 1-year anniversary of being at the helm of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. While she feels that a lot was accomplished in her first year, she has no plans of slowing down and is dedicated to making an even bigger splash—with the help of her great team—in year two. We chatted with Ms. Corbin about adjusting to her role and what else she has up her sleeve for Georgia’s economic development.

  • Governor, State Officials on Hand for Georgia Military Academic Training Center Groundbreaking

    August 20, 2014

    Gov. Nathan Deal, University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby, Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson and other state officials broke ground Tuesday on a new $10 million education and training center that will serve as a multi-functional resource for military veterans transitioning to civilian careers.

  • Spherion Staffing Thrives on Local Connections

    August 19, 2014

    Business at Spherion Staffing in Middle Georgia is up so far in 2014 over prior year due to an improving economy and a growing customer base, according to Michael Chalmers who owns Spherion franchises in Middle Georgia and North Alabama. The biggest increase is in staffing for manufacturing and logistics positions but staffing for administrative and clerical positions is growing as well.

  • Lindsley Takes Command of Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex

    August 18, 2014

    The guidon was officially passed as Brig. Gen. Walter Lindsley took command of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex from Brig. Gen. Cedric George during a change-of-command ceremony at the Museum of Aviation.

  • 8 Business Expenses You Should Stop Paying For?

    August 15, 2014

    In the excitement of starting up, it can be tempting to invest in things you don’t really need. When was the last time you took a step back, examined your business expenses and figured out where your money could best be used? We asked eight entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneurs - “What’s one business expense that your company decided to stop paying for recently and why?”

  • Pellicano Construction Opens Office in Macon

    August 14, 2014

    Pellicano Construction recently opened its fourth office location in Macon on June 2nd and celebrated with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony with the Macon Chamber of Commerce on June 18th.

  • GEICO Celebrates 40 Years of Growth and Community Service in Macon

    August 13, 2014

    After 40 years and two office openings, GEICO's Macon office has experienced tremendous growth from 150 associates to now more than 5,400 in its two locations. On Tuesday, Aug. 12, GEICO celebrated its 40th anniversary in Macon with its dedicated associates, state and local officials and business and community leaders.

  • The Bear's Den Beats the Odds With 25 Years in Business

    August 12, 2014

    Kristi Lyles and her mother opened The Bear's Den in early 1989 as a take-out restaurant featuring southern homecoming based on their family recipes. It grew into a full-service restaurant with dine-in, take-out and catering. According to Lyles, the idea for the business was entirely her mother's.

  • Central Georgia Health System CEO to Address National Healthcare Conference for Women

    August 08, 2014

    Central Georgia Health System Chief Executive Officer Ninfa M. Saunders, FACHE, will provide the keynote address at Modern Healthcare’s 2014 Women Leaders In Healthcare Conference, a gathering of women leaders from across the nation.

  • 8 Things to Ask Your Employees Before They Leave for Vacation

    August 07, 2014

    Summer vacations are a great time for employees to relax and recharge. However, it does leave your team in the office short staffed. Luckily, with the right systems in place your office can continue to run just as smoothly in their absence.

  • Film Industry Generates $5.1 Billion in Economic Impact in Georgia

    August 06, 2014

    Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Georgia-lensed feature films and television productions generated an economic impact of $5.1 billion during Fiscal Year 2014. The 158 feature film and television productions that shot in Georgia spent $1.4 billion during that time.

  • Mercer Alumni Chapters Now Forming

    August 05, 2014

    With 71,000 Mercer University alumni worldwide and 7,300 in the metro Macon area, it's no surprise that spontaneous alumni gatherings occur in cities across the country. That's especially true during major sporting events such as Mercer's appearance in the 2014 NCAA basketball tournament.

  • Time of Change and Crisis in the Hospital World

    August 04, 2014

    The financial turmoil rocking Georgia’s hospitals shows no signs of fading. Just this past week, Emory-Adventist Hospital announced it would close by the end of October. By doing so, the Smyrna hospital would become the fifth Georgia hospital to close within the past two years. And unlike the previous four, it is in the affluent Atlanta suburbs, not a struggling rural area.

  • 4 Ways To Boost Traffic To Your Tradeshow Booth

    August 01, 2014

    You have to do something special to stand out from the competition at tradeshow booth. From the decision on upgrading your old display to hand-picking the best relationship oriented sales people to man your show booth. There are so many options to improve your visibility at your next show exhibition. We look at four tips to boost traffic at your tradeshow booth to get more customers and expand your brand identity.