Kia Motors April 21 announced plans to expand production at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) with the addition of the critically acclaimed Kia Optima midsize sedan. The West Point, Georgia plant is scheduled to begin producing the 2012 model year Optima in the third quarter of 2011, and KMMG is currently accepting applications for a third wave of hiring to support the increased production. The total number of team members at KMMG is expected to reach nearly 3,000 later this year.

 

"The success of the West Point, Georgia plant and the high-quality Sorento CUV built there underscores the attention to detail and commitment to quality and craftsmanship exhibited by each KMMG team member and is the primary reason for Kia Motors' decision to add Optima to the plant's production line," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO, Kia Motors America (KMA) and KMMG. "Kia is experiencing tremendous growth in the U.S., and the increased volume at KMMG will create more jobs at the plant as well as nearby and on-site suppliers and is the latest demonstration of our unwavering commitment to the U.S and local economies."

The MemberCare Alliance of Muscogee CountySM had 52 businesses covering more than 538 employees. The total Annualized Savings for all Columbus Business Participants Combined (as of June 2010) = $105,446.42.

One of the health insurance industry's best kept secrets is a product called Employee Elect. Offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa*), Employee Elect allows a qualified employer to offer as many as 30 different coverage options to each of their employees. Each eligible employee can choose from any plan on the list they wish, allowing them to have the best plan to suit their needs!

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The above title is a quote from a court decision ("...failing to train managers on EEO law was an 'extraordinary mistake' from which a jury can infer reckless indifference and award punitive damages.") which referenced companies who failed to properly train their supervisors. During tough economic times, many companies call themselves "saving money" by eliminating the expense of training their supervisors and employees. It doesn't save money in the long run and can prove extremely costly if you fail to provide proper training. 

Mike Gaymon president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, talks with new members April 13 in the Saunders's Boardroom.

 

The Columbus, Fort Benning and Chattahoochee Valley Information Fair was held at the Leaders Club at Fort Knox, on March 31. More 300 business and organization representatives from this area shared information about their products and services to more than 1,000 military, civil service employees and defense contractors. This was a project of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Fort Benning and Fort Knox.

 

Those representing the Chattahoochee Valley travelled to Fort Knox on Wednesday, March 30 and set up their booths with supplies and materials which had already been delivered. A Lambert Transfer and Storage truck was provided free of charge courtesy of their president, Carlton E. Hunley III. Before the fair attendees arrived, all the vendors gathered together to hear Col. Michael Wadsworth, the Armor School Assistant Commandant and CSM Mark Moore, the Fort Benning Garrison Command Sergant Major, provided comments and thanked everyone for their support and sharing their information with those making final preparations to relocate to the Chattahoochee Valley area.

 

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Randy Cardoza, managing director Economic and Community Development AGL Resources, talks with Leadership Columbus on Economic Development Day, April 19 in the Saunders's Boardroom.

Carmen Cavezza, chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, congratulates the newest enhanced investor Marcus Brummer, Davis & Associates, $2,500 Enhanced Investor sponsored by William Taylor, board member.

In the 2011 Membership Directory you will find the 28 page color Community Overview, and 8 page Economic Development Guide. 

  

The Membership Directory lists members in the blue section for Columbus by: categorical listing, then in company listing in alphabetical order and Individual listing of company representatives. The yellow section is new members from April 1, 2010-April 25, 2011.  

 

The Phenix City/Russell County Chamber of Commerce membership is in the same format as Columbus in the green section.

 

If you have any questions please call Michael Dunbar at 706-257-1189 or email mdunbar@columbusgachamber.com.

(L-R) Mark Mayes, Director Pratt & Whitney Forging, Tom Bode, Director Pratt & Whitney Engin Center, were presented a plaque by Carmen Cavessa, chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce for their long term investment in Columbus. United Technologies chose Columbus for its location of the Pratt & Whitney $200,000,000 facility in 1981 and began operations in 1983. At that time, it was the largest investment to locate in the Region. Pratt & Whitney continues to be a great corporate citizen. In February, the Governor announced a large expansion of their facility bringing 180 jobs to our Region. In a world-wide business environment, they obviously have many challenges to compete globally. However, they continue to do so and are obviously committed to keeping manufacturing jobs in the United States and in this case, especially in Georgia. They carefully choose the organizations and regional activities to make sure that they are in line with the company's mission, focus, and image. Whether it is United Way, the Partners in Education Program, Habitat for Humanity or the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, once committed they became the kind of partner that sustains continual support and pursuit of excellence. It is no wonder that they are "an employer of choice" and provide high quality jobs and benefits for nearly 550 people.

(L-R) David Gill Sr., Human Resources Manager Kodak, Sue Hall, Kodak, was also selected to represent the Region as Manufacturer of the Year Nominee recognized by Carmen Cavezza chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Eastman Kodak has been in our community for over 20 years. However, since Kodak has owned it, they have continued to expand their operation with tens of millions of dollars in upgrading of equipment and facility providing high quality jobs. Today their annual payroll exceeds $17,000,000 for 300 employees. Their annual expenditures among Georgia companies are over $12,500,000. They are Enhanced Members of our Chamber. Kodak also helped in the creation of our Continuous Improvement Academy (CIA) initiative which provides top quality industry experts, black belts, in continuous improvement to assist businesses who are committed to excelling in this area at no charge. In addition, they partnered with Columbus Technical College to earn the "Ready to Work" certification as one of many workforce initiative and are also very active partners in the Partners In Education program.

 

 

 

May 31st, 2011
5:30 - 7:00 PM
Grand Lobby
of the
Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Please join us as we honor our
Federal, State and Local elected officials.

RSVP to Ashley Winkler, (706) 596-7010 or awinkler@columbusgachamber.com

Download the flyer for more details

 

 

Our reasons for choosing Charlotte were many. One of the reasons being our chamber visited Charlotte for its very first inter-city leadership conference trip.

 

It was 1994, Columbus had passed a one percent sales tax and we were in the middle of preparing for the 1996 Olympic Fast Pitch softball venue. It was decided that we as a community needed to look to other successful cities to assess what they had done to improve in many areas, such as, education, quality of life, economic development. Several of the results of that first trip were:

• The Valley Partnership was formed and patterned after the Carolina's Partnership.
• The City of Columbus purchased four uptown blocks of property after observing the success of the Charlotte effort in downtown revitalization. A major uptown campus for the nationally-recognized TSYS company was subsequently located there.

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