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About Barbara Kieker

Authored 31 articles.

Articles

• Senator John Kennedy & James Bates LLP Help Businesses and Georgia Grow

  Features, August 24, 2015

  Smart, thoughtful and financially savvy businesses are dealing with employment issues proactively to avoid future problems, according to John Kennedy, partner at James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP, a full-service business law firm. Taking proactive steps – from creating and updating an employee handbook to having a comprehensive set of policies and procedures in place – can prevent an employee grievance from turning into a major issue for businesses of any size.

• Innovative Charity: Water Partners With Companies That Care

  Features, August 11, 2015

  Millennials want to work for companies that have a purpose beyond just making money, according to the latest Millennial Survey by Deloitte. Companies that are working to make the world a better place can have a significant advantage in attracting and retaining young talent. “It needs to be authentic. Young employees can tell if a company really cares,” said Scott Harrison, founder of charity: water, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries.

• Cox Communications Brings a Strong Commitment to Middle Georgia

  Features, June 09, 2015

  In its 50 years of service to the Middle Georgia community, Cox Communications has expanded its cable TV focus to include broadband, phone, business services and most recently home security. Homelife, the Cox home security and automation product, launched in Middle Georgia in first quarter 2015.

• Walthall Oil Company Helps Fuel a Growing Community

  Features, May 27, 2015

  Industries run on fuel and lubricants. From the factory floor to the loading dock to the construction site, fuels and lubricants power equipment in every industry including construction, pulp and paper, general manufacturing and trucking. By understanding how fuel and lubricants impact operations, Walthall Oil Company can help clients increase productivity and reduce both unscheduled downtime and total cost of ownership.

• Macon Occupational Medicine Helps Businesses Maintain Worker Health and Safety

  Features, April 22, 2015

  A healthy, safe workforce is a key ingredient for any successful business. Macon Occupational Medicine helps businesses of every size take steps to maintain the health and safety of their employees – from pre-employment physicals and drug testing to injury treatment and rehabilitation to worker's compensation compliance recordkeeping and reporting.

• Elite Environmental Services Builds Relationships for the Long Term

  Features, April 09, 2015

  In business for 23 years, Elite Environmental Services has several customers who have been with the firm for 10 to15 years and one customer who has been there from the beginning. Long-term relationships are what the business is all about.

• The Brokery Brings Unique Real Estate Expertise to Middle Georgia

  Features, March 11, 2015

  About two months ago, George Emami opened The Brokery, an independent boutique real-estate firm serving commercial, higher-end residential, and historically significant properties. He brings 15 years of real-estate experience to Middle Georgia, having worked as a real estate agent, builder, and developer.

• Locate South Georgia Takes Economic Development to a New Regional Level

  News, March 09, 2015

• Albany Marathon & Street Festival Set for the First Weekend in March

  News, February 23, 2015

• Knight Foundation Helps Build a Stronger Macon

  Features, December 09, 2014

  Macon has all the ingredients to attract and retain college-educated talent – a reasonable cost of living, in-town neighborhoods, an historic downtown and proximity to a gateway airport in Atlanta.

• Day & Ennis, LLC Helps Baby Boomers Create a Path to Retirement

  Features, November 10, 2014

  Many baby-boomers who have worked hard throughout their careers to build a business are now asking with some urgency how to best plan the next phase of their life.

• Davidson Collins Gives Small Business Owners the Freedom to Grow

  Features, November 04, 2014

  For years, major corporations have used private networks and expensive IT hardware and software to centralize their accounting and finance functions in order to lower costs and improve efficiencies. Now thanks to advances in telecommunications and IT technology, Davidson Collins, a finance and accounting outsourcing firm, can provide the benefits of centralization to small business owners.

• Doherty, Duggan, Hart and Tiernan Insurors Help Manage Today's Complex Risks

  Features, October 31, 2014

  There was a time when workers compensation, property, general liability and auto insurance provided adequate protection for many businesses, but no longer. These policies now represent a minimum level of coverage. We talk to Doherty, Duggan, Hart & Tiernan's Bo Hart and Joe Swaim on solutions to mitigate this risk.

• Hays Service Helps Building Owners Optimize System Spending

  Features, October 16, 2014

  Mechanical systems including HVAC, lighting and others might be replaced four or five times over the life of a building, representing a significant investment for building owners. Investing proactively in maintenance can help extend system life, decrease operating costs and provide a consistently safe and comfortable environment for building occupants, accord to Cal Hays, owner of Hays Service.

• Proposed EPA Regulations Trouble Flint Energies CEO

  Features, October 07, 2014

  In June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed regulations covering carbon emissions of existing power plants. The proposal is designed to cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal plants by more than 30 percent by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. "If approved, the regulations will mean it will not be feasible to operate coal plants in the future in this country and that's just a shame," said Flint Energies CEO Bob Ray.

• Central Georgia Technical College Expands Efforts to Build Strong Workforce

  Features, October 02, 2014

  With a primary purpose of developing an educated workforce, Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) is investing in programs in engineering and health care to meet labor market demands in Middle Georgia. Additionally, CGTC is part of a collaborative partnership behind a new training center for military personnel and veterans.

• SparkMacon Lights a Fire Among Creative Thinkers

  Features, September 25, 2014

  SparkMacon, a community and space for the grass-roots development of innovation and art in Macon, achieved $3,000 in prepaid memberships and contributions in the first week of its 30-day crowdfunding campaign, nearly one-third of its $10,000 goal.

• OrthoGeorgia Draws Patients From Across the Southeast

  Features, September 18, 2014

  Hand surgeries are up 6 percent nationwide according to a review of 2013 procedures conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The aging of Baby Boomers, less invasive techniques and greater awareness are driving the growth. That trend is amplified at OrthoGeorgia, which has five fellowship-trained hand surgeons – the only ones in the region.

• Community Foundation of Central Georgia Helps Philanthropy Thrive

  Features, September 10, 2014

  People choose to give to their community through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia because the foundation makes the process easy, convenient and flexible. Each donor sets the parameters for how their funds are to be used either generally or specifically. For example, if a donor is interested generally in animal welfare, CFCG staff will proactively look for projects in that field of interest. All donors have separate accounts.

• Macon CVB Helps Drive Tourism Dollars

  Features, September 03, 2014

  According to Macon-Bibb County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Macon CVB) President and CEO Monica Smith, visitation to the area over the past year increased about 2 percent over prior year, which is fairly typical for the area. Hotel occupancy fell over the same period while hotel rates increased.

• Infinity Network Solutions Brings Strategic IT to Small Businesses

  Features, 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

  Features, 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.

• Spherion Staffing Thrives on Local Connections

  Features, 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.

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

  Features, 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.

• Mercer Alumni Chapters Now Forming

  Features, 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.

• Piedmont Construction Group Faces the Opportunity & Challenge of Growth

  Features, July 29, 2014

  Business at Piedmont Construction Group has been "wide open in the first half of 2014 and will remain busy," according to Vice President of Pre-Construction Christy Kovac. Piedmont is a multi-specialty construction firm founded in 1995 by brothers Scott and David Thompson. It has offices in Macon and Athens.

• Robins Regional Chamber Guarantees Benefits for Engaged Members

  Features, July 08, 2014

  The Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce is so confident that members who actively engage in its programs will realize meaningful value, it recently issued a money-back guarantee. Any member who follows the Chamber's recommended guidelines for attending events and meets stated criteria but is not satisfied after one full year of membership may receive a refund of their membership dues.

• Prospecting Activity Hits Multi-Year High at Macon EDC

  Features, June 18, 2014

  Economic development prospect activity in Macon is at the highest level since 2007, according to Patrick Topping, CEcD, senior vice president of the Macon Economic Development Commission (EDC). Many existing companies in the area are also considering significant expansions and that means all hands on deck at the Macon EDC.

• Middle Georgia State College Sets Its Sights on University Status

  Features, May 15, 2014

  On May 16th, more than 1,300 students are expected to graduate from Middle Georgia State College (MGSC) in ceremonies to be held at the Macon Coliseum. It will mark an exciting, new beginning for the graduates and, in many ways, for the school as well. Under new President Christopher Blake, Ph.D., MGSC is diversifying its program offerings, expanding its facilities and strengthening its commitment to provide greater access to educational opportunities for the people of Middle Georgia.

• HeritageBank of the South Thrives in Challenged Banking Industry

  Features, December 03, 2013

  Where other banks see challenges, Heritage Financial Group sees opportunities. As interest rates ticked up in 2013 and mortgage-refinancing volumes dropped, big banks such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo have cut hundreds of jobs in their mortgage units. HeritageBank of the South, a subsidiary of Heritage Financial Group, is hiring.

• Artesian Contracting Supports Georgia's Military Bases

  Features, September 04, 2013

  For the past 25 years, Artesian Contracting has renovated, remediated and improved base facilities at military installations across Georgia. The firm is based in Albany near the Marine Corps Logistics Base and also has satellite offices at Moody AFB and Robins AFB. Approximately 80 percent of the firm's work is in Georgia and government projects represent about 75 percent of its completed projects.