Bill to clear paperwork hurdle on port funding
ATLANTA — Legislation needed to clear up questions about liability in the deepening of the Savannah River passed the Senate unanimously Tuesday.
Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, now heads to the House for consideration and then to the governor for his signature.
Cowsert, the Senate majority leader, told the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee the measure allows the state to begin accepting federal funds for the deepening project.
It sorts out the arrangements between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Georgia Ports Authority and other state agencies that will be involved in the dredging and the environmental mitigation.
The Corps requested the legislation, Cowsert said.
Preliminary work has begun on the $700 million project using funds the state has invested, but money is still needed from the federal government.
More than 15 years in the making, the project known as SHEP will deepen the Savannah harbor and the associated shipping channel from 42 feet to 47 feet.
United Community board makes changes
The board of directors of United Community Banks Inc. (NASDAQ: UCBI) announced Tuesday that the board has elected Jimmy Tallent, United’s chief executive officer since 1988, to the additional post of board chairman.
W.C. Nelson, the board chairman since 2012, was named to the new position of lead director, and Lynn Harton, United’s chief operating officer, was selected as a director and promoted to president and chief operating officer.
Nelson said the changes will ensure “that our shareholders’ interests are well served by a board and executive leadership with deep experience in our organization, our strategy and our markets.”
Tallent, who has 31 years of experience at United and 40 years in banking, said Nelson’s “deep knowledge and experience make him uniquely qualified to serve as lead director.”
Livestream Google event today at ThincSavannah
AJ Singer Studios will host a Livestream Google Partners event from noon to 1 p.m. today at ThincSavannah, on the third floor at 35 Barnard St. in downtown Savannah.
Google experts will discuss how business owners and employees can grow their businesses. Speakers will include Todd Rowe, managing director of Global Channel Sales, and Fred Vallaeys, AdWords evangelist.
Rowe will talk about how small businesses can differentiate themselves from competitors through digital marketing. Vallaeys will cover how small businesses can navigate the Web and expand their online presence through smarter insights.
The event is open to everyone, but space is limited. For more information, visit thincsavannah.com and scroll down to click on “Google Partners Connect Livestream.”