FastPitch 2013 offers $6,000 prize
The Creative Coast has announced the top prize winner of FastPitch 2013 will have a chance to win up to $6,000.
FastPitch allows entrepreneurs to make a 3-minute pitch and have the viability of their idea assessed by community leaders, academics and investors.
Coaching and feedback are provided before, during and after the competition.
The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on Feb. 18. Those who get to make presentations will be notified on Feb. 21.
Applications and additional information can be found at fastpitchcompetition.com
For more information, contact charisse@thecreativecoast.org or 912.447.8457.
Jasper County gets mushroom farm
BEAUFORT, S.C. — Afton, Va., mushroom producer amFOG Farms, LLC plans to relocate its headquarters and build a production facility near Hardeeville that’s expected to create seven new jobs.
Chris Sywassink, general manager of amFOG, praised Jasper County’s easy access to Interstate 95, Interstate 16, and Interstate 26 and proximity to growing markets.
Sywassink said he did not have a salary range for the new jobs but the company will offer on-site training for a mix of hourly and salaried positions. Sywassink said the company’s Virginia operations would continue.
The company will produce gourmet mushrooms, including Oyster, Shiitake and Miatake, in a controlled indoor environment. It’s expected to produce 1,500 pounds of mushrooms a week or 78,000 pounds during the first year of operation in 2013.
Construction is expected to start the first quarter of 2013 south of Hardeeville on U.S. Highway 17 and represents a $1 million investment.
Foreign trade conference set for February
The first round of speakers for the Georgia Foreign Trade Conference 2013, scheduled for Feb. 3-5 at The Cloisters on Sea Island, has been announced.
Moderators, keynotes and speakers include:
• Michael Hynekamp, chief financial & administrative officer, deputy head of region Americas, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics;
• Curtis Foltz, executive director, Georgia Ports Authority;
• Tom France, director, global transportation and supply chain solutions, Caterpillar Logistics Services;
• Michael Smith, corporate manager of logistics, Volkswagen Group of America;
• Dennis Manns, assistant vice president- sales & logistics planning, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.;
• Peter Tirschwell, senior vice president of strategy,UBM Global Trade, Journal of Commerce;
• Ulises Carrillo, vice president, Global Logistics, Dole Food Company, Inc.;
• Wolfgang Freese, president, Hapag-Lloyd Americas;
• William Woodhour, vice president North America Sales, Maersk;
• Frank Baragona, president, CMA CGM;
• Walter Kemmsies, chief economist, Moffat & Nichol.
For more information or to register online, visit www.gaforeigntrade.com.