"We are so excited to tell you that we have received confirmation that Muscogee Technology Park is the first business park in the State of Georgia that has been certified as "Development Ready," said Becca Hardin, Executive Vice President of Economic Development.

You may recall that Georgia Allies in partnership with Georgia Economic Development hired a consulting firm to work with selected communities in an effort to "certify" parks to enhance prospect recruitment in the state. Columbus was selected as one of the pilot sites for this consulting firm.

The consulting team evaluated Muscogee Technology Park based on the following:

• Ownership and availability
• Road and Rail accessibility
• Zoning
• Availability of utilities / Energy / Telecommunications
• Wetland Delineation
• GeoTech and Phase 1 environmental assessments
• Endangered species studies.

The park received an excellent rating in all of the above!

"We had a team of people who worked extremely hard on this project," said Hardin. "A special thanks to David Arrington, Joe Johnson of JJG, Dayton Preston, Katherine Kelly, Lee Snider, Clint Taylor and Bill Bryant of Georgia Power for their hard work. This could not have happened without the full support and dedication of this team!"

This is MAJOR for the economic development recruitment of Columbus, Georgia!

Business & Healthcare Expo set Aug. 21

Tom Couture invites the Chamber's Board of Directors to participate in the Business and Healthcare Expo.

The Business & Healthcare Expo is set for Aug. 21 at the Columbus Georgia and Convention and Trade Center. This annual event is great way to showcase your products and services to the community and also to market to the other participating vendors.

Depending on your product line, one sale could possibly pay for your participation in this event. New sales can add up to new customers who may become long term clients. Imagine the possible impact to your bottom line for just one days work.

"I'd like to share with you a tool I have found to be beneficial in maximizing the success of the event for me," Tom Couture, Wade Linen. "As I collect business cards, I note on the back whether the prospect is hot, medium or cold. Then about one week after the event I begin following up with those contacts beginning with hot prospects first."

Click here for the sign up form.

Click here for the vendors guide.

Yeehaw . . . we'd like to personally invite you to mark your calendar for this year's Biddin' on the Banks Gala and Auction. This wonderful event is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, at the RiverMill Event Centre from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. You do not want to miss the exciting bidding, awesome food, dancing and networking! We've gone country this year so get out your cowboy hat and boots and plan to join us!

For additional information click here for the sponsor information.

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Networking events provide sponsors the opportunity to shine by showcasing their company, products and services to an audience that is there to learn about area businesses and networking. Networking events provide exposure for your business. Open the door potentially to 250 new customers at one of three key networking events by the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Where else can you have an event planned for you with out having to lift a finger? Everything is planned for the networking events, all you have to do is put together your presentation to interests the members in your products and services.

What are you waiting for? Spaces for 2008 are limited and we are booking sponsorships for 2009 now. Don't miss your chance to sell your products and services.
Click for sign up forms!

August 7th-Business After Hours
Sponsor: Cott Beverages
Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm
Cost: Members- $7.00 Future Members-$15.00

August 14th-Power Lunch
Sponsor: McKenzie's Farm House
Location: Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center-CSU Campus
Time: 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Cost: Members- $7.00 Future Members-$15.00
For more details click the link below:
http://www.columbusgachamber.com/
networkingevents/August08PLFlyer.pdf

August 28th-Eye-Opener Breakfast
Sponsor: GlaxoSmithKline
Program: David Hom, Author, Total Value Total Return: Seven Rules for Optimizing Employee Health Benefits for a Healthier and More Productive Workforce
Location: Columbus Convention and Trade Center
Time: 7:00am
Cost: Members- $12.00 Future Members-$15.00

Partners in Education (PIE) will host its annual Kick-Off Conference on Friday, September 5th, at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. This conference has become a favorite of educators and PIE community partners with average attendance of 325. The event will run from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and will include a variety of break-out sessions such as Best PIE Practices, Gang Activity in Schools and Public Speaking "How-To's." The cost to attend the event is $30 per person which includes lunch and conference materials.

Partners In Education was established in 1987 to partner schools with civic organizations, military units, and churches. Currently, more than 200 partnerships exist amongst 88 schools. These partnerships provide increased educational and enrichment opportunities for students improving levels of achievement, self-esteem, and understanding the expectations of the work world. PIE is a program of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact Dana Whaley at dwhaley@columbusgachamber.com.

Beltone Hearing Instruments Center named Small Business Giant for June

Vaughn Bray, General Manager, Beltone Hearing Instruments Center, accepted the Small Business Giant Award at the June 26 Eye Opener Breakfast.

Hugh Bray, who is Mrs. Keel's son, began working fulltime with his mother and stepfather at the time of his Army retirement in 1972. Mr. Keel passed away in 1978 and Mrs. Keel retired soon after. Under Hugh Bray's leadership, Beltone grew and prospered to a multi-office dispensership in South-Central Georgia and East Alabama. In 1988, Beltone Electronics awarded Hugh and Julie Bray the President's Cup and recognized them as the best Beltone dealership in the United States.

Upon Mr. Hugh Bray's death in June of 1997, Vaughn Bray took over the role of General Manager. Currently, the offices are in Columbus and LaGrange Georgia, Montgomery and Opelika Alabama. Mrs. Julie Bray and Phyllis Bray attend to the administrative needs of the offices while Vaughn works with the hearing care practitioners and patient care coordinators.

Julie has three other sons, two of which are doctors, one in the hearing health care field and one in the medical field. She is active with Keep Columbus Beautiful and was recently awarded Commissioner of the Year for her efforts. Phyllis is the mother to 3 boys (4 if you count Vaughn) and stays busy keeping them busy. She is a former two-term PTA President at Clubview Elementary and was the 2007 Volunteer of the Year at Peach Little League. The Brays are active members at St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Medical Management Services, Inc. named Small Business Giant for July

Mark Manning of Medical Management Services, Inc., accepted the Small Business Giant Award at the June 26 Eye Opener Breakfast.

Medical Management Services, Inc. (MMS), began in October 1987 in a small office on Gurley Drive in Columbus, GA. With less than a handful of employees MMS began providing billing and practice management services to physician groups.

The company's mission has always been to be a results oriented group providing each client with personal attention and service. MMS has strong ties with other professionals and professional organizations so they can give each practice the maximum reimbursement and compliance services. Our billing practices are detailed with the knowledge of the most up-to-date charges and reimbursement patterns in each area that we service. We provide billing services in several states in addition to Georgia with a client base comprised of 31+ groups with over 150 providers. Although our specialty is anesthesia and pain management, we provide additional services to our group providers that consist of Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Chiropractic, Geriatrics, and Psychology.

MMS is pleased with its growth on "word of mouth" referrals only. There are presently 27+ strong employees and the company continues to grow. Our company and employees are involved in various community services from lending a "helping hand" with the Christmas party at the Valley Rescue Mission that the International Association of Administrative Professionals, IAAP, hosts, to collecting items for the Rape Crisis Center and Brown Bag for the elderly. Several employees help with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Columbus Youth Soccer Association, walk for Relay for Health, another works with the Deaf using ASL. MMS participates in fund raising for the American Cancer Society as they have had two employees with cancer living "cancer free" today. MMS has been a member of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce since 1994.

Our working philosophy is that we not be simply a "billing service". MMS strives to have a close working relationship with each client so that they view us as a business partner, with their best interests and the objectives of the group being held as the main goal for everyone's success.

Precision Components International (PCI) was recently awarded United Technologies Corporation (UTC) Supplier Gold. With this certification, Pratt & Whitney has now certified 11 of UTC's 13 Supplier Gold recipients. PCI was selected as one of 13 UTC suppliers from a database of more than 4,000 suppliers worldwide. PCI celebrated receiving Supplier Gold, July 18, at their Macon Road facility.

"PCI is clearly committed to utilizing Lean principles and the proof is in their results. They are one of our best performing suppliers," said Michele Burnat, Director, Operations - Next Generation Product Family. "PCI continuously delivers on time with exceptional quality. Their continuous improvement focus on operational performance has also enabled them to shorten lead times increasing their flexibility and allowing them to better support our customers' requirements."

"PCI has incorporated the best of the Lean and quality tools into their 'Lean Sigma' program. Their commitment to utilizing these tools and willingness to work closely with the Pratt & Whitney team has enabled them to demonstrate superior results for our customers. They are a best-in-class airfoil supplier," said Catherine Vagt, Continuous Improvement Manager for the P&W Global Supply Chain.

Each year, the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosts an Inter-City Leadership Conference to introduce leaders from our area to the issues and accomplishments of another specific U.S. city. During a three-day trip, some 80-100 representatives from our area "hit the road" together to help formulate and shape a shared vision of what our community can and needs to become.

Traditionally, nonprofit organizations are under-represented on the trip, and the Knight Fund at the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley wants to help change that. The Fund, a donor-advised fund established by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, will provide up to 10 partial scholarships to help representatives of 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in Muscogee County, GA, and/or Russell County, AL, attend this year's conference.

The grant is designed to encourage participation among nonprofits that have not attended the conference within the last three years, with preference given to those who are new to the trip.

For more information, click here for a link to the application

Leadership Columbus 2007-08 Class Graduates

Leadership Columbus class participates in mission at the Coca Cola Space Science Center. It was one of the ways the program focuses on leadership and teambuilding.

John Hargrove was the guest speaker for the Leadership Columbus Graduation.

On June 17, 2008, another group of 39 people added their names to the list of graduates of Leadership Columbus. This year's graduates are:

Amy Adams, Arthur Bickerstaff, Bill Blume, Douglas Bryant, Spencer Cantrell, David Cassell, Rich Cellino, Philip Cook, Beverly Davis, Scott Furguson, Cissy Giglio, Richie Grantham, Jeff Harper, Kent Illges, Doug Jefcoat, Chris Jones, Robert Jordan, Steve Kates, Nichole Kennedy, Melissa Klopfer, Amanda Lister, Thomas McKenna, Jannina McPherson, Kelli Parker, Janie Pearson, Allen Pettis, Jean Richardson, Colleen Rustin, Nathan Shuler, Kevin Shirley, Patrick Sleem, Kristin Turner, Stacy Turner, Phyllis Wagner, Tiny Washington, Chuck White, Terri Wilkinson, Brenda Williams and Joseph Wood.

The Leadership Columbus class enjoys their camaraderie prior to their Graduation.

The U.S. House unanimously passed Rep. Lynn Westmoreland's National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act, which will authorize the creation of $1 coins to honor these facilities at Fort Benning, Ga., and the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry.

"For more than 200 years, our Infantry has defended our lives and our freedom, and no tribute can repay what these soldiers have given their fellow Americans," Westmoreland said. "The Infantry coin itself is part of our continuing efforts to honor those who served on the front lines for this nation, and sales of the coin will honor them in perpetuity by creating an endowment that will fund the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning. I'm humbled to play a role in shining a spotlight on these American heroes. The museum is a great attraction for Columbus and sales of this coin will go a long way toward its success in the future."

As the primary sponsor of HR 3229, Westmoreland thanked his fellow Georgian, U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, for his help in seeking support for the legislation. "Sanford played a critical role in getting this bill to the floor and I could not have done it without him," Westmoreland said. "We both represent Columbus and parts of Fort Benning. This was an example of bipartisan teamwork to deliver something positive for the base and the community and our military."

Bishop expressed his support for the bill during floor debate: "I am proud to represent 'The Home of the Infantry' - Fort Benning - in Congress, and humbled and honored to be a co-sponsor of this legislation. A great nation is measured in part by how it remembers those who defended, preserved and contributed to its heritage. The United States Army Infantry has contributed greatly over the years at a tremendous human cost, and it is beholden to those of us serving in Congress to pay tribute to their sacrifices."

The coin act would require the Secretary of the Treasury to design a coin that will demonstrate the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty and history of the United States Infantry. It would include the inscriptions "Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United States of America," and "E Pluribus Unum."

Westmoreland notes the legislation will have no cost for taxpayers. The $1 commemorative silver coins will be sold for $10. This will provide a small profit for the government and create an endowment for the museum. The National Infantry Foundation is currently raising $70 million for the new museum, which will seek to educate the public about the role of the Army Infantry in America's history.

In this and future issues of the Chamber Express, we will feature tables and information on the Maneuver Center of Excellence and its impact on the region. This month we are focusing on the construction dollars being spent and the timetable for the Maneuver Center of Excellence.

Click on the images below to view a larger version:

VROOOOM was selected as one of The 10 Most Dependable™ Web Designers of the Southern United States, and was published in the April 2008 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine, and the June 2008 issue of Delta-Sky by Goldline Research. Goldline Research is an independent third-party research firm that sets the standard for dependability in professional services industries across the United States.

Vroooom was chosen out of more than 700 companies reviewed to receive this prestigious award. Goldline Research undertook an extensive research process to review all qualified applicants in area. Their proprietary research process includes individual company interviews and quantitative analyses of key company data, as well as customer reference checks to confirm high levels of customer service. Those companies that ultimately earn Goldline Research's Most Dependable™ award have shown that they have the traits that are essential for continued success within their industry.

"By being selected as one of The 10 Most Dependable™ Web Designers of the Southern United States, our company has demonstrated our excellence and commitment to outstanding customer service," said Angela Wagenti, owner of VROOOOM. "Please remember that our clients are the most important facet of our business, and it is only with you that we can succeed. We would like to take this time to thank you for the opportunity to partner in your success."

Hall, Booth, Smith & Slover, P.C., with offices in Columbus, was recently honored as one of Atlanta's "Best Places to Work" by Atlanta Magazine. The survey, published in the July 2008 issue, recognizes Atlanta's top 40 companies based on employee job satisfaction.

To determine the top-ranked businesses for this honor, Atlanta Magazine asked employees to nominate companies that they felt provided excellent work environments. Between August 2007 and January 2008, 725 employees nominated 176 companies for this honor. Nominating employees were asked to rank the validity of 20 statements about their job satisfaction. Atlanta Magazine then worked with management experts and local human resource firms to rank the top employers. Earning the No. 25 ranking, Hall, Booth Smith & Slover is one of three law firms on the list.

Hall, Booth, Smith & Slover is a full-service law firm with offices in Atlanta, Albany, Athens, Brunswick, Columbus, Tifton and Nashville, Tenn. The firm has experience in health care, professional malpractice, transportation, long-term care and elder housing regulation and government affairs.

"Providing a positive, stable work place for our employees is a top priority and an essential part of running a successful business," said David Ladner, a partner in the firm's Atlanta office. "We're honored to be recognized for our work and will continue to look for ways to improve our firm."