Back to BUSINESS ADVOCACY Local & Regional Interactions
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Governor Signs SB 359: COVID-19 Liability Protections into Law |
Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 359 into law which includes the Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act, providing liability protections to businesses throughout Georgia. In passing the Act, the State of Georgia joins an increasing number of states in attempting to address the risks and liabilities of operating during COVID-19.
While operating a business during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that you are doing the appropriate things to stop the spread of Covid. Please note, if your business faces legal action under the guise that your business is somehow responsible for a Covid infection and related injury, the State of Georgia has provided legal protection that requires the plaintiff show the high legal threshold of “gross negligence” in order to win a case. This protection is in place from the time of the declaration of a public health emergency in March.
Should you want to communicate these protections to your customers/employees, the state has provided two specific ways you can do so:
(1) Any receipt or proof of purchase for entry, including but not limited to an electronic or paper ticket or wristband, issued to a claimant by the entity for entry or attendance, includes a statement in at least ten-point Arial font placed apart from any other text, stating the following warning:
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(2) An individual or entity of the premises has posted at a point of entry to the premises, a sign in at least one-inch Arial font placed apart from any other text, a written warning stating the following: |
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No Increase in Property Tax for Augusta-Richmond and Columbia Counties |
Businesses and property owners received some very good news this week as both Augusta-Richmond County and Columbia County will leave millage rates unchanged. Augusta Richmond County has seen its tax digest grow by more than $575 Million over the last 5 years.
Millage rates play a key role in the growth of both the commercial and residential property markets making our region attractive for new population and job creators. The decision by both counties to not increase property taxes ensures that our economy can continue to stay strong through well-balanced local government budgets.
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Richmond County School System Online Academy |
With over 11,000 families served by the Richmond County School System opting into a virtual learning environment next month, the RCSS has launched at lightning speed numerous initiatives that will optimize a new way of learning for over one third of the system’s total enrollment. Committee Chairs of the Chamber’s Business Education Advisory Council including its Digital Inclusion Task Force Chair, James Riley and BEAC Chair Dr. Judi Wilson, had the opportunity to learn more about these initiatives from Dr. Malinda Cobb, Associate Superintendent of Academic Services and Yvette Foster, Director of Teaching and Learning this past week.
The initiatives include providing devices and connectivity for all families in need, expanding wi-fi networks at all school locations and expanding mobile hot spots through the system’s bus fleet and partnerships with the Georgia Department of Education. Providing professional development for teachers entering a new way of teaching in a virtual platform has also been a priority and focus with the system’s learning management platform, Canvas. A library of resources for parents of online students also provides links to 24/7 online tutoring support through FAV and learn at home materials. Click here to learn more about the Richmond County School System’s Online Academy.
If your company is interested in supporting RCSS’s Online Academy, please reach out to Sheknita Davis, the Chamber’s Associate Vice President for Workforce Development at Sheknita.davis@augustametrochamber.com.
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Back to BUSINESS MEMBER NEWS Celebrating our Members
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Augusta Metro Chamber Chat with Mary Beth's Photography |
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Mary Beth Cooper has been a photographer for over 10 years and with her own all-natural light boutique studio, Mary Beth's Photography is here to capture life's beautiful moments. Whether it's the birth of a child, those family photos you've been meaning to take for years, or documenting your child's next steps in life, Mary Beth will create the perfect memories to treasure forever. |
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Back to BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAMS Chamber Events & Programs
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Submit Your Questions for our Panel of Experts |
Are you having trouble managing cash flow? Issues with credit? Need survival training, or help monitoring expenses? Join us August 20th for our Third Thursday Business Builder Zoom Webinar.
Our Bank of America panel of experts are ready to answer your questions, and help you along a road to "Resilience Over Recovery: Safeguarding Your Business Ahead of Economic Downturn." Deadline for question submission is Sunday, August 16th.
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Panel Moderator:
Sue Parr, President & CEO, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
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Will Manning
Senior VP, Global Banking & Markets, Bank of America
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Kathleen Ferguson
VP, Global Banking
& Markets,
Bank of America
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Jason Sowinski
VP, Consumer and Small Business,
Bank of America
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Complimentary for Members, $15 prospective members |
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Financial Literacy: Coming Out of a Crises Ahead and Prepared |
Our next Virtual Women in Business, focusing on "Financial Literacy: Coming Out of a Crises Ahead and Prepared", will be held Tuesday, August 25 and will feature Grace Helms, AVP of Community Development, with SRP Federal Credit Union.
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Grace will discuss factors for consideration when it comes to personal finances emerging from a crisis as well as preparing for the future. Learn how to position yourself to achieve goals and financial security. As children head back to school, now is the perfect time to begin assessing your financial plans and making the necessary adaptations. |
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This virtual program is complimentary to attend, but a $15 donation is requested upon registration for the Education Resources of Augusta Fund |
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A Mini Sponsorship with Max Exposure for Your Company |
Did you know Topgolf Augusta has a 9-hole Miniature golf course and we are giving you the opportunity to feature your company at each of the 9 holes. Sign up today to be the exclusive Putt-Putt Sponsor for our 20th Annual Golf Classic on Monday, September 28 at Topgolf. $500 investment and benefits include:
- Recognized as Putt-Putt Sponsor on Chamber event web page
- Corporate name recognition in program and post-tournament newspaper Thank You ad
- Opportunity to feature promotional flag at each of the 9 holes on the mini-golf course
The Annual Golf Classic is ideal for business development and team building and offers the opportunity to highlight your company through sponsorship and prizes. Teams will compete in tournament games from 12-2:00 pm followed by Happy Hour with appetizers and drinks in the VIP Pavilion. Additional sponsorship opportunities still available
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20th Annual Golf Classic presented by |
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Back to BUSINESS CHAMBER NEWS Updates, Initiatives & More
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Newest Honorary Member of the Chamber Staff |
Jonathan Rios, Director of Masters Housing Bureau, and his wife Courtney welcomed a sweet baby girl over the weekend. Madison McLaine Rios, 8 lbs 3 oz and 21 inches long, arrived at 7:54 am on Saturday, August 8.
Congratulations to Jonathan & Courtney on their beautiful bundle of joy!
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Our Director of Events Soon to Be Planning Own Big Event |
Our Director of Events Sara Best is engaged to Ricky Clark! On Thursday night, while dining at Oliviana Ristorante, Ricky got down on one knee and popped the question. And of course...Sara said yes!
We are so happy for Sara and Ricky!
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Sheknita Davis, 2020 Griffin B. Bell Award Recipient |
Mercer University, in honor of Judge Bell, annually presents the Griffin B. Bell Award for Community Service to a deserving graduating student from among Mercer's 12 schools and colleges. The Chamber's Associate VP of Workforce Development Sheknita Davis, School of Theology, is the 2020 award recipient. The award is the highest distinguished honor across the University.
Sheknita Davis serves as an inspiration and servant leader in the community of Macon-Bibb County. Davis graduated with honors from Mercer's College of Professional Advancement with a Bachelor of Social Science degree and now as a 2020 Master of Divinity graduate of the McAfee School of Theology. During her time at McAfee, she served as social justice director of the Black Student Union of Atlanta and a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the School of Theology.
While pursuing her educational goals, she continued to say committed to community work in Macon. As serving successfully as the workforce development director of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission, Davis started In His Image Agency to implement a grassroots initiative to assist individuals in hard-to-serve populations identify internal barriers to achieve their desired success. Davis also created the People's Advocacy Group, Inc. (PAG), a non-profit organization that focuses on community accountability, citizens' rights, civic engagement, and restoring cultural identity. Davis' faith and genuine love for people is the drive behind her community service.
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CORNERSTONE MEMBERS Presidents Level Cornerstone Members
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JOIN US TODAY Join the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
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