Macon Telegraph : Business News

An auction company will sell next week roughly 130 properties in Middle Georgia that Macon-based State Bank & Trust inherited last year from failed Security Bank.

Greg George, associate professor of economics and director of the Center for Economic Analysis at Macon State College, was asked to put a Middle Georgia perspective on the economy. George also is chairman of the Middle Georgia Economic Advisory Council, which advises the Atlanta Federal Reserve on local economic conditions.

The July unemployment rate was down slightly from June in the metro Macon area and was unchanged in the Warner Robins area.

In this economy, it’s always good to hear about businesses and organizations that are hiring. We’ve had a string of good news here lately. Business reporter Rodney Manley wrote last week about diaper manufacturer First Quality adding 150 jobs at its Avondale Mill site.

Developers led by former Mercer University President Kirby Godsey want to build a $50 million project that would put a boutique hotel, residential high-rise and restaurant, and an upscale office building between Riverside Drive and the Ocmulgee River.

In recent weeks a Sandersville manufacturer, which had more than tripled its work force during the height of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, has laid off more than half of the employees it added.

North Coast Logistics, a warehousing and distribution company, plans to open a 75,000-square-foot center in Macon, officials said.

PERRY — Frito-Lay’s efforts to go green earned gold Tuesday.

WASHINGTON — Sales of previously occupied homes plunged last month to the lowest level in 15 years, despite the lowest mortgage rates in decades and bargain prices in many areas.

With November elections swiftly approaching, political candidates are actively lining up their support teams. A marketing/advertising firm can help strategically plan your marketing, assist with wise advertising buys, steer you away from bad marketing decisions, help you with graphics, work with the media, develop your positioning and provide general counsel on such things as Web sites and social media.

The Small Business Development Center in Macon is offering a series of programs to help new small businesses.

Developers of a proposed bowling center in north Bibb County received zoning approval to move forward.

Ads on TV may promise to modify car loans and stave off a visit from the repo man, but some companies fail to carry through on their promises. The Better Business Bureau recommends cash-strapped consumers save their money by trying to work out a deal with the lender directly before paying hundreds in up front fees to a loan modification company.

Correction

Name: Jerry Bradley

Macon State College has announced the addition of three officers to the college’s new Public Safety Department.

QUESTION: I would like to take a job in my company’s training department. Training is the “big thing” in our organization this year, and I want to be a part of it. The director of training has encouraged me to transfer, but my boss, who is the head of operations, does not like the idea.

With its emphasis on revitalizing historic downtowns, the Main Street program would seem a good match for Macon.

Bibb County is nearly ready to become Georgia’s largest state-certified Work Ready County, a designation that would bring big economic development benefits. But local officials have about a month and a half to get the private industry participation they need, or they’ll have to go back to the drawing board.

A proposed bowling center on Zebulon Road, which drew some opposition when pitched to zoning officials in July because of its plans to serve alcohol, will be back on the agenda Monday.