Chambliss, Isakson Applaud Navy’s Decision to Base Aircraft Carrier at Naval Station Mayport

.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today announced that the U.S. Navy has signed the official Record of Decision to base the next aircraft carrier to be commissioned at Naval Station Mayport located near Jacksonville, Florida. The move will benefit Georgia’s Coastal communities by creating growth and jobs at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Camden County, which would likely provide repair and maintenance capability as well as training opportunities for the Navy in the local fleet operating area.

“I applaud the Navy’s decision to base its next carrier at Mayport,” said Chambliss, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “I have been privileged to see firsthand the excellent work our personnel at Kings Bay do in maintaining nuclear submarines, and the Navy can capitalize on the skill and knowledge offered by our professionals at the base.”

“The Navy has made an excellent decision in choosing Mayport,” said Isakson. “The resources at Kings Bay are unmatched and this decision will save the Navy time and money in the long term.”

On November 21, 2008, Chambliss and Isakson sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Defense to base the next aircraft carrier at Naval Station Mayport.
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Is Your Business Ready for the COBRA Premium Subsidy?

/PRNewswire/ -- As the unemployment rate grows, so do the numbers of unemployed workers and their families who are coping with the loss of health insurance. COBRA continuation coverage can offer critical (albeit small) peace of mind, but while many workers have the right to purchase such coverage, only about 20% actually opt in because the cost is often prohibitively high. A November 2008 study by non-profit advocacy group Families USA reports that COBRA premiums average $388 per month for individuals, and $1,069 for family coverage (view the whole report at http://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/cobra-2009.pdf ).

As if there weren't enough administrative duties associated with COBRA administration, hold on to your business hats: As part of the $825 billion economic recovery bill unveiled last week by House Democrats, people who lost their jobs after September 1, 2008 could have the government pay almost two- thirds of their health insurance premiums. The length of the subsidy would be 18 months, equal to the maximum amount of time employees can carry COBRA from their former employers. With events such as divorce, separation, or death, the time period is extended to 36 months. In effect, this offers a second chance to people who may have passed on the offer the first time. It appears that President-Elect Obama backs the idea, so it looks like the bill will pass.

Except for federal and certain religious organizations, all employers with 20 or more employees are required by law to offer COBRA. Not only must they must send notices within 90 days to any employee beginning coverage or within 44 days within ending health benefits, you must be able to prove it. There are stiff penalties for failing to comply, and the DOL makes changes regularly. An estimated 80% of companies are already not in compliance with Federal COBRA regulations. Are you?

Mangrove's full-service benefits administration is streamlining HR departments across the country. Organization of all sizes are taking advantage of our flexible, personalized affordable offerings for COBRA, keeping them compliant and aware of the various ever-changing regulations. In light of this new subsidy, more companies than ever will be looking to outsource their COBRA administration to be compliant. Aside from a low price, the peace of mind is priceless. Avoid the rush; talk to a Benefits Specialist at Mangrove today to see how we can help you, or visit us at http://www.emangrove.com/cobraadmin.aspx to check out our full service offering.

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Statement by John Baumstark, CEO of Suniva, on Being Recognized by Governor Perdue in the State of the State Address

(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Over the past year, Suniva has had a great relationship with the state and Governor Perdue's office. We were honored to be recognized in the Governor's speech as a stand out in the renewable energy sector, bringing new technology and industry to Georgia.

“As the governor stated, Suniva was born in the labs of Georgia Tech. Our Georgian heritage is a major part of our success, and we plan to continue our relationship with Georgia Tech as we lead the world in the pursuit of low cost, high efficiency solar technology here at home.

“With the help of sound economic policies from the Governor, we plan to build upon our many early successes and continue creating jobs here in Georgia in 2009 and beyond.”

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MyCoupons Releases New and Easier to Use Web Site

/PRNewswire/ -- MyCoupons, LLC unveiled the latest evolution of their leading coupon code and community site today. The new site is the result of user extensive user testing and based upon feedback from many of the sites thousands of daily visitors. "Ensuring that our site can be easily used, both by the first time visitor and by our thousands of regular visitors is vital to our continued growth. This new design helps expose the depth of features. Our redesigned search integrates our vast database of coupon codes with millions of products from thousands of stores," explains Gregory Stoltz, President of MyCoupons, LLC. "MyCoupons.com is one of Wolfe.com's fastest growing companies. I believe MyCoupons will grow even more in 2009 based on the investment from Wolfe.com, the economic climate, and having over achieving employees which are all important to our growth," stated Jason Wolfe, CEO of Wolfe.com LLC.

During the current challenging economic client consumers are working harder to maximize their family budgets. This is clearly evident by the rapid growth in traffic to the site. On a monthly visitor basis, the site experience greater than 400% growth during 2008. The company's cost-per-redeem coupon code publication system provides a cost effective advertising channel for online retailers while simultaneously providing consumers with more valuable discounts. MyCoupons has driven substantial sales volumes for many of the most well known Internet retailers.

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Sanford Rose Associates(R) Relocates Its Corporate Headquarters to Atlanta

/PRNewswire/ -- SRA International, Inc. (SRAI), parent company of the Sanford Rose Associates Executive Search Network, announced today it has successfully relocated its headquarters from Akron, Ohio to the Atlanta area. The Sanford Rose Associates(R) Network is globally recognized as a leader in the recruitment of executive, managerial and professional talent.

Says President and CEO of SRA International, Inc., Richard J. Carter, "The new SRAI corporate facility and location not only provides more capabilities and flexibility for future growth and expansion, but it also gives our trainees, clients and franchised owners a convenient and economical 'hub location' to meet clients and candidates."

SRAI's new offices will be located at Mill Creek Forest, 1305 Mall of Georgia Blvd., Suite 160, Buford, GA 30519.

Sanford Rose Associates has been in continuous operation for 50 years, since its founding in 1959 by pioneer and innovator Sanford Rose. Today the SRA Network consists of more than 65 offices in the United States, Asia and Europe.

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North America Leads World in Economic Freedom, 2009 Index Finds

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- North America is the world leader in economic freedom, boasting two of the 10 freest countries in the 2009 "Index of Economic Freedom," published annually by The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation.

The United States enjoyed the highest ranking within the region and finished sixth in the world, followed immediately by Canada.

One reason the region does so well is the North America Free Trade Agreement. "NAFTA has been a positive force enhancing economic freedom," the Index authors wrote, "connecting more than 400 million people in an economic area with about one-third of the world's total GDP."

Mexico still has a way to go to catch up with its northern neighbors, and could begin doing so by improving its investment freedom and freedom from corruption, the authors noted.

In a first for the Index, Canada, Mexico and the United States are split off from the rest of the Americas and graded as a separate region.

To compile the Index, the authors measured 183 countries across 10 specific factors of economic freedom: The higher the score, the lower the level of government interference. All countries were graded on a scale of zero to 100.

The 10 freedoms measured are: business freedom, trade freedom, fiscal freedom, government size, monetary freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom, property rights, freedom from corruption and labor freedom. Ratings in each category were averaged to produce the overall Index score.

This year's Index aims to be the most precise measure of economic freedom ever published. The authors fine-tuned their methodology. For example, they fine-tuned the "labor" component, analyzing six labor freedom factors instead of the four studied in previous Indexes.

Worldwide, the average rating for economic freedom held essentially steady this year. However, "there is a real possibility that the economic freedom scores in this edition might represent the historical high point for economic freedom in the world," the authors warned. As governments attempt to stave off a global recession, their meddling could threaten economic freedom and long-term economic prosperity.

Of the 183 countries ranked (the most ever), only seven were classified as "free" (a score of 80 or higher). Another 23 were rated as "mostly free" (70-79.9). The bulk of countries -- 120 economies -- were rated either "moderately free" (60-60.9) or "mostly unfree" (50-50.9). The remaining 29 countries were rated "repressed" economies, with total freedom scores below 50.

This is the 15th consecutive year The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal have published the Index. The 2009 edition was edited by Kim Holmes, Heritage's vice president for foreign affairs, and Ambassador Terry Miller, head of Heritage's Center for International trade and Economics.

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Flowers Foods Named 'Best-Managed' Food Company Among the 400 Best Big Companies in America

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Flowers Foods (NYSE: FLO) has been named the "best-managed" food company among the 400 best big companies in America by Forbes Magazine. Forbes editors selected Flowers Foods as the best among the 17 companies in the food, drink, and tobacco category that made it on to Forbes' annual Platinum 400 list. This is Flowers Foods' fifth time on the list and the second time the company has been named "best" in its category.

To create the list, the magazine looked at more than 1,000 publicly traded companies with at least $1 billion in revenue and then chose 400 based on financial metrics, earnings forecasts, corporate governance ratings, and other public company information. From that list, Forbes editors picked one best-managed company from each of the 26 industries represented. Forbes selected these companies not just for their financial performance, but also for leadership, innovation, and execution.

In addition, Flowers Foods' stock was one of 15 noted by Forbes as holding up well during recession. Editors looked through the Platinum 400 to see which stocks performed best in 2008 and during the last recession in 2001.

"We're honored to once again be selected as 'best of the best' among our peers by Forbes," said George E. Deese, chairman of the board, CEO, and president. "The entire organization takes pride in our ongoing dedication to executing on our long-term strategy that continues to build value for our shareholders."

"America's Best Big Companies" appears in the January 12, 2009 issue of Forbes and online at www.forbes.com/platinum.

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2008 Tax Changes Include Self-Employment Tax Modification

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Prior to preparation of the 2008 tax forms, micro-business and the self-employed should be aware of a few tax law changes, including an increase in retirement savings opportunities and self-employment tax modifications.

"Don't let the 2008 filing season sneak up on you," said Keith Hall, national tax advisor for the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE). "There are many online resources available to micro-businesses to help them get prepared, including the NASE and the Internal Revenue Service."

The following tax law changes relate to 2008 returns:
-- First-Time Homebuyer Credit -- Offices located inside a first-time
home purchase may qualify for additional tax incentives if the
purchase was made from April 9, 2008, to June 30, 2009. The $7,500
credit is very similar to a 15-year interest-free loan.

-- Standard Mileage Rates Adjusted for 2008 -- The standard mileage rate
for business use of a car, van, pick-up or panel truck is 50.5 cents
per mile from Jan. 1, 2008, to June 30, 2008. The rate is 58.5 cents
for each mile driven during the remainder of the year.

-- Talk to the IRS -- The IRS is reaching out to taxpayers who are unable
to meet their obligations during this economic slump with tax credits,
deductions and additional outreach. Please visit www.IRS.gov for more
information on how the agency is working to help financially
distressed business owners.

-- Contribution Limits for IRAs and Other Retirement Plans -- Where an
IRA contributor who is not covered by a workplace retirement plan is
married to someone who is covered, the deduction is phased out if the
couple's income is between $159,000 and $169,000.

-- Self-Employment Tax Changes -- For those who receive Social Security
Retirement or disability benefits, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
payments are now exempt from the 15.3-percent social security
self-employment tax. The income thresholds increase for the 2008
filing season and are indexed for inflation.

-- AMT Exemption Increased for 2008 -- For tax-year 2008 only, the
exemption for a married couple filing a joint return is $69,950, up
from $66,250 in 2007; $34,975 for a married person filing separately,
up from $33,125 and $46,200 for singles and heads of household, up
from $44,350.


Entrepreneurs preparing to meet the filing deadline can turn to Hall and other qualified CPAs for help through NASE's TaxTalk program at http://taxtalk.nase.org/taxtalk.asp. While there, they can submit a tax question, watch or download tax advice from Keith Hall and browse the TaxTalk resource library.

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Nordson Swainsboro and Dawsonville, Georgia, Facilities Recognized as Winner and Finalist in Industry Week Magazine’s 2008 Best Manufacturing Plants C

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two of Nordson Corporation’s (NASDAQ - NDSN) manufacturing facilities have been named among North America’s Best Plants for 2008 by Industry Week magazine. Nordson’s Swainsboro, Georgia, facility has been selected as a winner, one of the ten best plants, in the annual competition. Nordson’s Dawsonville, Georgia, facility was named as a finalist, one of the 20 best plants in 2008.

The Nordson Swainsboro facility, which was a finalist in the 2007 Industry Week Best Plants competition, manufactures ProBlue® adhesive melters, the world’s leading hot melt adhesive dispensing systems, as well as ProBlue® Fulfill™ integrated fill systems, Classic™ XIV melters, Blue Series™ dispensing guns and modules and Saturn® nozzles and solenoids. These products and systems are used in the packaging of consumer products and in a wide variety of industrial and consumer durable goods assembly applications. The Nordson Dawsonville facility produces Universal™, Signature™, SureWrap™, CF®, Summit™ and PatternJet™ applicators, guns, modules and nozzles. These products are used in the manufacture of baby diapers and disposable hygienic products and in food, beverage and consumer product labeling.

Established in 1990, Industry Week’s annual competition salutes plants that are on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction and create stimulating and rewarding work environments. The competition encourages manufacturing managers and work teams to emulate the honorees by adopting world-class practices, technologies and improvement strategies.

Entrants are judged on criteria including: proactive environmental and safety practices; operational improvements; agile production systems; supplier partnerships; customer focus; employee empowerment; quality systems; management practices; and manufacturing capability.

In 2007, while implementing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement programs, the Swainsboro facility entered the Industry Week competition in order to benchmark itself against other leading North American manufacturing plants. Now, only two years later, the facility has exceeded its original lean manufacturing goals and has been recognized as one of the top ten plants in North America.

“The Swainsboro Team is extremely pleased to be recognized by Industry Week magazine as one of its Best Plants,” says Scott Rosenau, production manager at the Swainsboro facility. “This is a goal we’ve pursued over two years, and we're thrilled to reach this level of performance. I'm extremely proud of the team here and want to thank the outlying Nordson groups that helped contribute to our success.”

“Our Swainsboro and Dawsonville facilities have been able to enhance and tighten every aspect of our production, improve our global competitiveness and increase our levels of community service and involvement,” says John Keane, senior vice president, Nordson Adhesive Systems division. “We’re excited to have not one, but two of our plants recognized by Industry Week, and feel confident as the culture of continuous improvement is proliferating throughout all of our manufacturing facilities.”

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Invest in America Offers Incentive for Credit Union Members’ Car Purchase

(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Wednesday, January 7, representatives of General Motors and Chrysler Corporations announced the expansion of the “Invest in America” pilot discount purchase programs to credit union members. These programs are being made available to the members of the nation’s 7,900 credit unions. GM’s “Credit Union Member Discount Program” extends to March 31, 2009, and Chrysler’s “Credit Union Member Cash” rebate program extends through June 30, 2009.

With a certificate and proof of membership, a credit union member can receive a discount of 4.5% off the MSRP in addition to other available discounts on most General Motors products. With proof of credit union financing, a member can receive a rebate of $500 to $1,000 as specified for most vehicles from Chrysler (dealer participation is optional). The details of both these programs can be found at www.lovemycreditunion.org.

Although obviously impacted by levels of employment and general economic conditions, credit unions remain well capitalized and ready to lend to their members. Credit unions have continued to make automobile loans, mortgage loans, and loans for many other purposes to members throughout the recent economic struggles. Credit unions continue to be an available source of low-cost loans and capital, as well as providing the opportunity for members to participate in these discount auto purchase programs.

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Thanks to the Tennessee Credit Union League for the heads up on this great news.

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