Augusta, GA – The US Chamber announced its 2011 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award^® winners.  Spherion, the Augusta Metro Chamber’s 2010 Small Business of the Year recipient, was one of 75 businesses selected by the US Chamber for the Blue Ribbon Small Business Award.  After being named Small Business of the Year in December, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce submitted Spherion to the US Chamber’s national competition.

“The fact that Spherion was one of three businesses in Georgia selected for this award speaks to what a tremendous honor this is,” says Chamber President Sue Parr.  “When a small business in Augusta, Georgia, receives national recognition, it is another reminder of the strength of our business community,” Parr continued.

Says Mayor Copenhaver, “As the strength of the Augusta Metro Region’s economy continues to be recognized nationally on a regular basis, it is always important to remember that small businesses are ultimately the backbone of any community’s economy.  Spherion is one such small business and their recognition as a winner of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award is simply an outstanding honor.  I know that the citizens of Augusta join me in congratulating Spherion on this well-deserved award.”

Spherion opened in Augusta in July 1987, and today has 10 employees.  Spherion Staffing Services is a leading recruiting and staffing provider that specializes in placing administrative, clerical, customer service and light industrial candidates in temporary and full-time opportunities.  Spherion employs approximately 300 associates across the CSRA community serving a broad range of clientele from Fortune 500 companies to businesses that are locally owned and operated solely in Augusta, Georgia.

Seven of the 75 businesses selected for the Blue Ribbon Award will be chosen as finalists for the DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award.  All award winners will be honored at America’s Small Business Summit on May 24th in Washington, D.C.

(EVANS, GA) – The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the Youth Leadership program and adult Leadership Columbia County Classes for 2012.

Youth Leadership Columbia County

Students, who are rising sophomores or juniors from Columbia County public and private schools and home-school settings, will be chosen for their desire to learn about the community and their interest in becoming leaders. Students will work on a variety of projects aimed at developing leadership skills and individual talents. Themed class days focus on areas such as healthcare, law enforcement, economic development, government, community service and education.

Tuition per student is $150. Applications are available through area high schools and on the Chamber’s website, www.columbiacountychamber.com. The deadline to apply for the youth class is March 31^st.

Leadership Columbia County Adult Class

Leadership Columbia County is a 10-month leadership development program that offers participants a broad look at civic issues, including education, history, media, healthcare, local government, economics and community service. Class members are chosen from a cross-section of the community.

Tuition is $900 per person with a $100 discount for Columbia County Chamber members.  Applications are available at the Chamber’s office and on the website, www.columbiacountychamber.com. The deadline to apply for the adult class is April 18^th.

For more information on Youth Leadership and Leadership Columbia County programs, contact Lauren Smith, Director of Programs at 706-651-0018 or at lauren@columbiacountychamber.com.

Click here to hear the podcast with the folks at JA

Laurie Cook from Junior Achievement, and Lucie Rosenberg from VARACITY stop by the radio version of the BUZZ to talk to Bill and John about the partnership the two organizations have formed to help JA with it’s fundraising efforts.

Click here to hear the podcast with Jeff Annis

Jeff Annis from ADVANCED SERVICES and now also, WORK, LIFE ADVISORS stops by the radio BUZZ for his weekly visit with Bill and John.  This week, Jeff talks about how to properly handle the amount of e-mail one receives on a daily basis…

Click here to hear the podcast with Jay Garrison

Long time personal trainer Jay Garrison stops by the radio version of the BUZZ to talk to Bill and John about his business, how he has been able to do it for so long, and the various aspects he offers…especially for golfers.

Click here to hear the podcast with Lisa McCollum

Lisa McCollum, one of the participants in the upcoming “Dancing Stars Of Augusta” stops by the radio version of the BUZZ to talk to Bill and John about the event.  The finals will take place in a couple of months at the Bell Auditorium, and the proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

WRDW 1630AM 12-2PM OR STREAMING LIVE AT WWW.WRDWAM.COM

12:20pm — DEENA YOUNGBLOOD will chat about her new business “THE PAMPERED PRINCESS” They offer gifts and sweet treats…as she shares space with Edible Artistry.

Website is www.pamperedprincessonline.com

Store location :

12:30pm – - JOB SHOP JOB OF DAY

12:45pm - - ADVANCED SERVICES CEO Jeff Annis offers up practical tips about balancing life and work issues as part of their “Life\Work Advisors” program.

1:20pm – - LAURIE COOK (Exec Director) and LUCIE ROSENBERG (Achiever’s Alliance Network) will be chatting about Veracity Payment Solutions and the Achiever’s Alliance Network and how it benefits Junior Achievement.  They are up to a little over twenty accounts now and working hard to gain some momentum.

1:45pm - - We welcome a different member of the Augusta Technical College staff to help our listeners look for some new training options or to plan a new future with studies that will yield a new career. For more information, log on to www.augustatech.edu

Andrew Jefferson returns. He is Director of Continuing Education and has some interesting classes for all.

A new one is the Pilot Car Training Certification (you know those cars that drive in front and behind of wide loads on the road).

His computer classes continue to grow with all ages taking various parts…Powerpoint, Word, Excel etc.

He also has some certification courses for workers in various fields, Spanish for the Workplace.

He is also looking for instructors for future classes so all of you out there with knowledge of a hobby…you can turn your information into some cash by teaching a class.

Mooney Shoes, known for athletic shoes and prescription medical shoes is moving next door to Honeybaked Ham in Fairway Square on Washington Road…just down the street from Shoe Studio in National Hills.

They had been in the Kroger Plaza on 15^th Street for many years and originally was a downtown Augusta retailer.