SBA Disaster Loan Deadline in Georgia is March 22; There is Still Time to Apply

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration reminds small businesses affected by the excessive rains and flooding that began in March 2009 in Georgia of the March 22 deadline to file applications for loan assistance. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, with loan amounts up to $2 million with a 4 percent interest rate for businesses and 3 percent for non-profit organizations, is available to entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster.

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities affected by the same disaster”

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities affected by the same disaster,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East. Agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster.

The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Terms can be up to 30 years based on each applicant’s financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

These loans are available in the following counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Butts, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Grady, Houston, Irwin, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, Macon, Marion, McIntosh, Meriwether, Miller, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, Peach, Pierce, Pike, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Screven, Seminole, Spalding Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Upson, Ware, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox and Worth in Georgia.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than March 22, 2010.

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2009 Georgia County Guide Available

Bremen City Schools had a 93 percent graduation rate in 2007. And 65.6 percent of Oconee County’s 2007 graduates were eligible for the HOPE scholarship.

If you want to learn more interesting facts on education and much more in the Peach State, the 27th edition of the Georgia County Guide is the book for you. The annual publication is compiled by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, a unit of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Education tidbits

In the education category, you can learn what percent of public school students in your county qualified for the gifted program, were retained in their grade, dropped out and more.

Did you know that more than half of Georgia public school teachers hold advanced degrees? And more than 24 percent of Decatur City School students are enrolled in the gifted program? And since 1993, Georgia has awarded more than $4 billion dollars in HOPE scholarships.

In the area of finances, the guide reveals that the average Georgia household survives on $45,564 a year and almost 1.3 million Georgians live in poverty. Half of the children who attend Georgia public schools qualify for free or reduced lunches.

Higher income than U.S. average

On a positive note, five Georgia counties have per capita incomes higher than the U.S. average.

The public information in the guide is pulled from federal, state and private agencies. Using more than 1,400 variables, the book provides figures on agriculture, courts and crime, economics, education, government, health, housing and households, labor, natural resources, population, public assistance, transportation and vital statistics on the state and its 159 counties.
“(The guide) has evolved over time to become the premier source of county-level data,” said Sue Boatright, a CAES research coordinator and the guide’s editor.

Used by many

The information is commonly used by realtors, educators, political consultants, county planners, architects and many others to make community decisions, she said.

Crime figures in the guide include the number of index crimes reported, percentage of juvenile arrests and the number of state prison inmates.

Farm-gate values for poultry, row crops, livestock, forestry, vegetables, ornamentals and fruits and nuts are included in the agriculture category.

Order your copy

Access to the data is free online at www.georgiastats.uga.edu. A printed copy costs $20. Microsoft Excel spreadsheets of all the data costs $50. The book and its data on CD can be purchased together for $65.

To order, go to the Web site www.countyguide.uga.edu. Or, send a request and check made payable to Georgia County Guide to the Office of Communications, 117 Hoke Smith Annex, Athens, GA 30602-4356. Allow three weeks from receipt of order for delivery.

By Sharon Dowdy
University of Georgia

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Georgia's 2009 Fishing Regulations Now Available

The new 2009 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations are now available. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division recently distributed printed versions of the regulations to all Division offices and facilities, a number of State Parks and fishing license retailers statewide. An online version of the new regulations soon will be available at www.gofishgeorgia.com.

WRD advises new and experienced anglers alike to familiarize themselves with the Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations before casting a line.

“Georgia offers so many different fishing opportunities from the coast to the mountains and this booklet is designed to help anglers find great places to fish and to educate them on Georgia’s fishing regulations,” explains WRD Chief of Fisheries Management John Biagi. “It contains information that should answer all basic questions for anglers.”

The guide provides helpful information, including color fish identification charts for both freshwater and saltwater fish, license purchasing information, contact information for WRD fisheries management offices and WRD law enforcement offices, trout stream listings, public fishing area (PFA) information, state record fish listings and complete fishing regulations for Georgia.

“We are pleased to offer the fishing regulations to the public at an earlier time of year,” says Biagi. “We hope that this new release date will better assist anglers making fishing plans for the year and with its improved format we hope that anglers find the new regulations easier than ever to use.”

The Board of Natural Resources sets Georgia’s fishing regulations based on recommendations made by the Department’s fisheries biologists and field personnel while the Georgia General Assembly sets the laws related to fishing.

The 2009 regulation changes anglers should be aware of are as follows:

· Licensing Changes: Georgia anglers and hunters who have lost their Georgia recreational hunting/fishing license can reprint them at no cost at www.gofishgeorgia.com . Georgia anglers, boaters and hunters also can now take advantage of new and improved license and boat registration services.

· Saltwater Regulations Changes: At the time of printing, legislative and/or regulations changes were pending that may impact some species and licensing issues. Contact the Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218 for the most up-to-date length and possession limit information. Changes also will be posted online at http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us.

For more information about Georgia’s fishing regulations or for information about where and when to go fishing, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com or contact the nearest WRD fisheries management office.

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Seniors Getting Largest Social Security Increase Since 1982

(SPM Wire) While the economy may be hurting, good economic news for senior citizens is coming from the Social Security Administration which has announced that seniors can expect a 5.8 percent benefit increase in 2009.

The largest benefit increase since 1982, this boost in funding will come in the form of a "Cost-of-Living Adjustment."

The 5.8 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment is beginning with benefits that over 50 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2009. Increased payments also will be coming to more than seven million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries.

While benefits increase yearly to compensate for inflation, based on rises in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' "Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers," the largest increase in 26 years in Social Security is more than welcome in the current economy.

These changes, though, will not necessarily come as a blessing to all, as more payout by the Social Security Administration necessarily means more pay-in by taxpayers around the country.

Of the estimated 164 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2009, about 11 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.

Information about Medicare changes for 2009 can be found online at www.medicare.gov.

More information about Social Security benefits can be found at www.ssa.gov.

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Regents Take Action to Meet an Additional Two Percent Budget Cut

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) approved December 3rd in a special called meeting a change in health benefit plans for USG employees as well as a temporary fee for all USG students. The changes will help the System’s 35 colleges and universities meet an additional two percent reduction in the current Fiscal Year 2009 budget.

As a result of the board’s action today, as of Jan. 1, 2009, the employer contribution rate for health insurance for the System’s PPO and HMO health plans will be reduced from 75 percent to 70 percent. USG employees enrolled in these plans will thus pay increased premiums ranging from approximately $17 to $65 a month, depending upon the plan and number of individuals covered. The employer contribution rate for the Indemnity plan will be the same as the PPO plan. The employer rate for the System’s high deductible health plan will continue at its current level of 90 percent. This change will result in an additional $8 million in savings throughout the System.

Effective for the spring 2009 semester, all USG students will pay a temporary, one-semester fee: $100 at research universities and six other universities, $75 at most comprehensive universities, and $50 at two-year and state colleges. The fee will offset an additional $20 million in budget reductions at the institutions.

An additional $12 million in savings will occur as a result of instructions that allow all USG institutions to defer maintenance expenditures. This budget reduction measure initially was approved by the regents this past August and did not require additional approval in today’s meeting.

“These are difficult decisions,” said USG Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. “The board’s action today will protect the System’s core teaching mission and maintain academic quality.”

The regents took action in August to reduce the System’s budget by six percent ($136 million), and also to approve contingency plans for additional reductions. Health care plans and the student fee were two components of these additional reduction plans.

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Atlanta CIOs Forecast Increase in First-Quarter Hiring

/PRNewswire/ -- A net 8 percent of chief information officers (CIOs) in the Atlanta area expect to hire....More

Atlanta CFOs Forecast Increase in First-Quarter Hiring

/PRNewswire/ -- The hiring of full-time accounting and finance professionals in the Atlanta area is expected to increase in the first quarter of 2009, according to the most recent Robert Half International Financial Hiring Index. Fourteen percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) surveyed plan to add staff during the quarter and 8 percent anticipate reductions in personnel. The net 6 percent increase is up one point from the area's fourth-quarter 2008 forecast and five points above the national average.

The local results reflect a two-quarter rolling average based on interviews with 200 CFOs from a stratified random sample of companies in the Atlanta area with 20 or more employees; 1,400 CFOs were queried for the national data. (To view the national results, visit http://www.roberthalf.com/PressRoom.) The studies were conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Robert Half International, the world's first and largest staffing services firm specializing in accounting and finance. Robert Half has been tracking financial hiring activity in the United States since 1992.

"In Atlanta, we continue to see demand for accounting and finance staff, particularly in industries impacted by increasing regulation," said Andy Decker, regional vice president for Robert Half International. "Businesses going through mergers or acquisitions seek professionals with information technology expertise who can integrate the software and reporting tools used by the combined organizations."

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IRS Announces 2009 Per-Mile Business Driving Rate

Rismedia ---The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the new national per-mile business driving rate of 55.0 cents for the U.S. taxpayer, effective January 1, 2009. This new rate compares to a rate of 50.5 cents-per-mile from January 1 through June 30, 2008, and a rate of 58.5 cents-per-mile from July 1 through December 31, 2008.

“The change in the 2009 national per-mile rate reflects a combination of factors, but is driven primarily by the fluctuation in fuel prices,” states Ted Schuerman, senior project leader and vehicle cost expert within Government Services at Runzheimer International. “Other cost components, such as depreciation, insurance, and maintenance costs, remained relatively stable.”

To establish the annual per-mile rate, the IRS works closely with Runzheimer International, the Wisconsin-based workforce mobility firm. Runzheimer specializes in vehicle, travel, and living costs and has provided this service to the IRS since 1980.

The 55.0 cents-per-mile standard is the amount that a U.S. taxpayer can deduct for vehicle expenses on a 2009 tax return for business miles driven.


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Forbes and Sumichrast to Headline Dec. 3 Georgia Economic Outlook Luncheon with Unprecedented and Dire Warnings for 2009

Terry College of Business Dean Robert T. Sumichrast warned of three "recession triggers" when he gave his forecast speech at UGA's Georgia Economic Outlook luncheon last December.

All three triggers were pulled in 2008. Bang. Bang. Bust.

The economy began to break apart under the weight of record-high energy prices and a housing market in freefall and then shattered this fall when the credit crisis and market upheaval left consumers and businesses ducking for cover.

At the Terry College's 26th annual forecast luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 3, Sumichrast and magazine publisher Steve Forbes will offer their assessments of the state and national economy and some dire warnings for what lies ahead.

The program will start at noon in the Murphy Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The luncheon will also feature opening remarks by Gov. Sonny Perdue and UGA President Michael F. Adams.

"Analyzing Georgia's economy always involves massive amounts of data," Sumichrast said, "but the financial volatility and unprecedented interventions in our economy have made this year's predictions especially challenging."

Sumichrast, who has served as the Terry College's dean since July 2007, will deliver the state economic forecast produced by the Selig Center for Economic Growth and its director, Jeff Humphreys. Sumichrast holds the Simon S. Selig Jr. Chair for Economic Growth. From 2003 to 2007, he was dean of the E. J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University.

Forbes, who is chairman and CEO of Forbes Inc. and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine, will discuss what November's election results mean for the economy and financial markets. He campaigned for the Republican presidential nomination in both 1996 and 2000 on a platform that advocated establishing a flat income tax to replace the federal income tax system, health savings accounts, a new Social Security system utilizing Personal Retirement Accounts, school vouchers and free trade.

Since he became CEO of Forbes Inc. in 1990, the company has launched several successful ventures, including Forbes Asia and Forbes.com. Forbes, the company’s flagship magazine, and Forbes Asia reach a worldwide audience of more than five million readers.

Following the opening program at the Georgia World Congress Center, the Economic Outlook goes on tour around the state, stopping in Columbus (Jan. 9), Swainsboro (Jan. 15), Jekyll Island (Jan. 16), Macon (Jan. 20), Savannah (Jan. 21), Augusta (Jan. 23), Albany (Jan. 28), Thomasville (Feb. 18) and Athens (March 4).

This year's gold sponsor of the Economic Outlook series is Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.

The series' silver sponsors are Georgia Trend, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Georgia Power and RBC Bank. Bronze sponsors are Frazier & Deeter LLC, Jackson EMC, AgGeorgia Farm Credit ACA, Crawford & Co., the Espy Company, Peachtree Planning Corp., Porter Keadle Moore LLP, Hardin Construction, and Public Broadcasting Atlanta.

Additional community sponsors for the Atlanta program are the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and the Georgia Economic Developers Association.

In Atlanta, registration fees are $80 per person, $640 for a table for eight guests or $1,500 for a priority table for eight guests. Fees include refreshments, lunch and Georgia Economic Outlook publications. Online registration is available at eol.terry.uga.edu. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Bohler at 706/425-3280 or ebohler@terry.uga.edu.

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First Chance to Secure Opening Day, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees Tickets Starts Today with "Holiday Six Game Gift Pack"

Beginning today, Nov. 14, fans can secure tickets for some of the hottest Braves game in 2009, including Opening Day, and match-ups with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, with the "Holiday Six Game Gift Pack."

Available Nov. 14 - Dec. 15 at Braves.com/holidays or 404-577-9100, the Holiday Six Game Gift Pack includes a pair of tickets to six marquee games in 2009 for as low as $152 (a savings of 27%). The Holiday Six Game Gift Pack also comes with a Braves replica cap, a holiday card, and Braves wrapping paper and a gift box. Other season ticket packages, including a full season ticket package for only $249, are also available for fans looking for additional options.

The Atlanta Braves 2009 home schedule gets under way on Friday, April 10th when the Braves will welcome the Washington Nationals for Opening Night at Turner Field. The New York Yankees come to town for the first time since 2000 in an interleague series June 23-25, followed by an interleague match-up with the Boston Red Sox June 26-28. Tickets to these games and more are available now through the "Holiday Six Game Gift Pack" and other season ticket packages. Fans can call 404-577-5100 for more information.

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