Our Mission Is To Promote Business Success By Being The Leader In Economic And Community Development In The Region
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2012 Total Resource Campaign
The 2012 Total Resource Campaign kicksoff March 19. Get involved with the Chamber's largest fundraising project. The campaign lasts 10 weeks and is full of rewards and fun for volunteers. Contact Ashley Chism at achism@columbusgachamber.com or (706) 596-7010 to volunteer today!
Get the Fever!
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THANK YOU to our Continuous Sponsors for your support.
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JOIN A CHAMBER COMMITTEE
Joining one of the many committees of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce is a great way to expand your business network by building contacts throughout the business community.
Click here to sign up for a committee today!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Business After Hours
Thursday, March 1st
5:30 to 7 p.m.
Greystone Summit Apartments
5200 Greystone Summitt Drive (off Blackmon Road)
Sponsored by: Greystone Properties
Register today online!
Capital Resources To Grow Small Business and Communities Conference - March 14th
This is a free informational conference targets to new or expanding small rural businesses with completed business plans and rural communities with feasible projects needing alternative credit to move their project forward.
Learn more and register online today for this event!
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Get treated like a "Rock Star" in 2012 at Chamber Networking Events with your ALL ACCESS VIP PASS!
Purchase your ultimate networking event package for only $150.00 This pass saves you 30% off of networking event prices! No reservations or waiting in line
with your
ALL ACCESS PASS!
Contact Tabetha Getz at tgetz@columbusgachamber.com or 706-257-1183 for more information.
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Welcome New Chamber Members - American Classified's - Thrifty Nickel
- Anthony Dellascio
- Bonefish Grill
- City Falls Coffee
- Daphne's Design Bridal Boutique
- Global Logisitics
- Jersey Mike's Subs
- Life Line EMS
- Lifeline Adoption
- Sprague's Supply, Inc.
- TMX Finance
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 Quick Links |
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Chamber Events |
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February Power Lunch
The Chamber hosted the February Power Lunch on Feb. 9th at CSU's Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center. Congratulations to Roberto Caligaris editor of Southern Views Magazine who was named the February Hometown Hero. Colin Martin, Vice President, Governmental Affiars for the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce gave a presentation to our members on T-SPLOST (Transportation special-purpose local-option sales tax). Thank you to TSYS for sponsoring the event. The Power Lunch is a great way to make new business contacts during your lunch hour. The next Power Lunch is scheduled for April 12. Mark your calendars for this event.
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Roberto Caligaris, Southern Views Magazine
February Hometown Hero Award winner |
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Young Professionals Kick-Off
The Young Professionals Kick-Off event, sponsored by TSYS was a huge success. 135 attendees previewed the 2012 calendar and recognized 2011's vibrant volunteers. 2012 Chamber of Commerce Chair, Jay Alexander addressed a packed lobby of YPs alongside Mike Gaymon, President/CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Carla Epp was introduced as the 2012 Young Professionals Board of Directors' Chair. The annual report highlighted our endeavors from 2011 that led to 294 members from 130 plus companies. YP is a program of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce that is designed to energize, empower and engage young professionals, ages 21-40 in our Region by providing opportunities for YP members to actively share the future of the Region. Currently the Young Professionals Program is running a membership special which ends February 29th, the $65.00 special covers membership dues for 2012.
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Leadership Columbus
The Leadership Columbus class recently addressed the very broad topics of Health Care and Human Services. The session was sponsored bySoutheast Regional Research Group (SERRG). The day began St. Francis Hospital where the class scrubbed in and experience a live surgery preformed by da Vinci® Surgical System which enables surgeons to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions with unmatched precision. The group also experienced an onsite reenactment of the steps taken when a patient is having a heart attack and arrives at the emergency room. During lunch, the group ventured to Columbus Regional Healthcare Systems where they engaged in conversations regarding healthcare and the future for our region and the nation. At the end of the day, the group focused on Human Services, at the Scout Service Center they participated in a non-profit agency fair where they received information on how funding is acquired by these agencies and the discussion of how they are impacting the community. The day ended with exercise that enabled them to see first hand impact of homelessness in our Region. The unifying theme of the day was CARING, connecting the dots between health care and human services.
 | | YP's at St. Francis Hospital |
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YP Conversations with the Congressman
Members of the Greater Columbus Georgia Young Professionals(YP) program enjoyed lunch and discussion with Congressman Sanford Bishop in a series that the YP's have coined, Conversations with the Congressman. The YP's had the opportunity to hear from the Congressman on what lead him into the political arena and were able to openly ask him questions about his life and current issues in government.
 | | YP's with Congressman Sanford Bishop |
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February Eye Opener Breakfast
Thank you to Uptown Fishouse for sponsoring the Eye Opener Breakfast on February 23. Attendants at the breakfast heard about the Chamber's Total Resource Campaign from Chiar, Jane Nichols and learned about the benefits of T-SPLOST from Georgia Transportation Alliance Executive Director, Doug Callaway. Each month the Chamber highlights a local small business during the breakfast. Congratulations to Ken Greene, Zaxby's owner and operator, for being named the February 2012 Small Business Giant.
 | | Michael Eddings, Uptown Fishouse and family at the February Eye Opener Breakfast |
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Ribbon Cuttings & Grand Openings |
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Amerigroup-Columbus
Amerigroup held a ribbon cutting at the new Columbus office on Feb. 22. Amerigroup Community Care serves members in the Georgia Families programs, including Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids and Planning for Healthy Babies. Beginning February 1 Amerigroup serves members in all areas of the state, including the Columbus, Macon, Valdosta and Albany counties.
Welcome Amerigroup-Columbus!
1019 Broadway, Suite 4
Columbus, Georgia
www.myamerigroup.com/GA
1-800-600-4441 |
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Virginia College
Virginia College Grand Opening
Feb. 23 at 4pm
5601 Veterans Parkway
Columbus, Georgia
www.vc.edu
(762) 207-1600
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Business News |
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Mercer University Partners with Columbus Hospitals to Establish Third Medical School Campus
Mercer University announced that it is partnering with The Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital to establish a Columbus campus for its School of Medicine. Columbus joins Macon, where the school was established in 1982 to prepare physicians for rural and medically underserved areas of Georgia, and Savannah in hosting campuses for the medical school, which currently enrolls 400 M.D. students. Under terms of the partnership, the Mercer School of Medicine will place up to 80 third- and fourth-year medical students at the Columbus Campus. Students will begin their clinical rotations in Columbus this summer. Read more about the partnership. |
Knology Groundbreaking held Northwest Harris Business Park
Knology held a ground breaking Feb. 22 for their new 6,000 square-foot technical facility. Knology's newest facility is located on North Progress Parkway in the Northwest Harris Business Park on Hwy. 103 in West Point. The project represents a capital investment of approximately $5 million and will create new jobs.
"This facility will house the latest in advanced technology solutions for voice, video, and data services," explained Knology Chief Technical Officer John Treece. "This investment is consistent with Knology's ongoing commitment to offer our customers the highest quality entertainment experience."
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John Treece
Chief Technical Officer, Knology |
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Freeport Tax Exemption
As a service of your Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, this is a reminder that the application for Freeport Exemption Inventory by eligible companies must be filed with the Board of Tax Assessors on or before April 1, 2010, in order to be considered for maximum exemption. From April 1 until June 1, applications may be filed but will result in a partial exemption.
The following is from the Columbus Consolidated Government website:
- Class 1 - Raw materials and goods in process of a qualified manufacturer - 100% exemption.
- Class 2 - Finished goods produced in Georgia within the last 12 months - 100% exemption
- Class 3 - Finished goods stored in Georgia at January 1 and destined for shipment out-of-state within 12 months - 100% exemption.
Each of the above referenced Freeport Exemptions must be annually applied for and approved by the Board of Tax Assessors on or before April 1 of each year to qualify for 100% of the exemption. Applications for these exemptions may be obtained from the office of the Board of Tax Assessors. The office of the Board of Tax Assessors located at 100 Tenth Street (East Wing/2nd Floor).
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The 2012 Employment Law Certificate Series
The Employment Law Certificate Series dates are April 12 - Oct. 19. This seminar series is designed to help increase your personal knowledge of these important issues and to help make sure your workplace is not subject to attack from the government
or plaintiffs' attorneys. You will also receive guidance on how to promote a positive work environment and become an employer of choice.
Find out more about the series and access the registration form today!
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Celebrating Columbus' Small Business History: Black Owned Small Businesses
The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, in honor of our communities pioneering entrepreneurial spirits, will be saluting small businesses that have played a significant role in shaping the history of Columbus, GA in a series entitled "Celebrating Columbus' Small Business History." Columbus' business history is rich with stories of innovation and development. The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce would like to share some of the diverse businesses from our community's history.
Richard A. Pierce - considered one of the leader's in commercial development.
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