The Georgia Chamber of Commerce released its 2013 Legislative Scorecard on Monday – on which members of the Georgia General Assembly were graded based on their votes related to certain pro-business measures addressed during the 2013 legislative session. Nearly every lawmaker in both the Georgia House and Senate earned a passing grade, with an 18-percent increase in passing scores as compared to the Chamber’s 2012 report.

“What is clear from this year’s scorecard is that lawmakers – both Democrat and Republican – are taking private-sector growth seriously. They realize how important these issues are to the state and to their constituents and that we must take action to encourage investment and job creation,” said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark. “We are proud that there was such broad-based, bipartisan support for each of the scorecard bills. As a result, we will improve Georgia’s overall competitiveness and reputation as a state that is open for business. We commend the members of the General Assembly for their dedication and commitment to the betterment of our state.”

The 2013 Legislative Scorecard is based on legislation that the Georgia Chamber believes will directly impact the business community in areas including education and workforce, civil justice reform, business climate, health care, and economic development. Prior to votes being taken, the Chamber communicated its position on each bill to members of the General Assembly as well as the fact that the bills were eligible to be designated as “scorecard issues.”

Legislators were assigned final grades of A, B, C, or U based on their votes for each scorecard bill – nine votes in the state House and 10 in the state Senate. To receive a grade, the legislator must have been present to vote for 50 percent of the total scorecard votes. If the legislator was not present for 50 percent of the votes, they received an ‘N/A’ grade. For some legislators, subjective factors – including but not limited to sponsoring bills, speaking for or against bills, voting in committees, offering amendments, and furthering the Chamber’s legislative priorities – were taken into account.

Each legislator’s grade on the 2013 Scorecard reflects a midterm assessment of their support for the business community. A final grade for their two-year term in office will be given following the 2014 session of the Georgia General Assembly.

Download the Legislative Scorecard today!

Letz Get Fit is focused on providing an effective and fun workout by the best instructors so you can accomplish your fitness goals faster.  They serve anyone who is interested in Zumba classes or for those clients who prefer more cardio, they offer spin classes on indoor stationary bikes.  The instructors at Letz Get Fit strive to do everything they can to meet and exceed all client expectations.  Letz Get Fit offers the first class on their dime and will always provide water and a towel, because it’s all about YOU!

DC Chamber President & CEO, Kali Boatright, congratulated Kim and her staff on their recent opening, “On behalf of the DC Chamber, we would like to congratulate you on the opening of your new business!  We are so excited to have more healthy options for the community and look forward to watching your business grow and prosper.  The Chamber looks forward to serving you how ever we can help grow your business.”

For more information on Letz Get Fit or to visit one of the many classes they offer, visit their website, www.letzgetfit.net, or contact Kim and her staff at (770) 949-3337.

Primary Fitness’ motto is to “keep fitness fun” and this is the one studio where clients will get just that with their private parties, exotic fitness, and nightclub fitness events!  Experience the physical, physiological, social, and spiritual benefits of dance fitness, focused strength and flexibility training. They are dedicated to providing clients with the highest caliber of group fitness classes, small group training and personal training with no mandated enrollment, annual, or hidden fees. People of all ages can reach their fitness goals in their welcoming environment, with classes to fit all schedules in a location that is convenient for everyone.

Primary Fitness offers a variety of cardio classes including all Zumba Fitness class formats (Zumba® Toning, Zumba Sentao™, Aqua Zumba®, Zumba Gold, and Zumbatomic®), Flirty Girl Fitness®, and Cardio Kickboxing. Strength, Flexibility, and Mind Body classes include Butt & Gut, Power Body, and Pilates. We also have an array of exotic fitness classes such as pole fitness, and exotic chair that Primary Fitness serves the immediate Douglasville community as well as the surrounding Douglas, Cobb, Paulding, and Fulton counties.

DC Chamber Director of Membership & Events, Kimberly Weaver, congratulated Tracy on her recent anniversary, “On behalf of the DC Chamber, we would like to congratulate you on celebrating one year in business and appreciate you locating your business in Douglas County.   The Chamber looks forward to serving you how ever we can help grow your business.”

For more information on Primary Fitness or to schedule a consultation, visit their website, www.primaryfitness.me, or contact Tracy at 678.401.8454.

Stewart Parkway Medical and Rehabilitation Center is the largest state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary health facility west of Atlanta, where Dr. Ziegler and Dr. Bueno have over 20 years of combined experience, designed to provide the very best care for their patients.  They specialize in physical therapy, auto injuries and workers comp rehabilitation, post-surgical rehabilitation, family medicine, chiropractic care, spinal disc decompression, massage therapy, and much more.  The combination of quality healthcare consisting of family practice, physical therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and diagnostic testing that provides lasting resolutions to health problems sets Stewart Parkway Medical apart from their competition.  Their caring staff works together to create a pleasant patient experience and they strive to meet all individual needs of each patient.

DC Chamber Board Member and Hamilton State Bank representative, Stacy Hamby congratulated the practice on their recent opening, “On behalf of the DC Chamber, we would like to congratulate you on your partnership and applaud you for continuing to locate your business in Douglas County.   The Chamber looks forward to serving you how ever we can help grow your business.” Mayor Harvey Persons was present at the ceremony and offered a personal testimony and accolades for Dr. Ziegler, as a patient of his for the past 14 years.

For more information on Stewart Parkway Medical and Rehabilitation Center or to schedule an appointment, visit their website, www.stewartparkwaymedical.com, or contact their staff at 770.942.5575.

The Exodus Ranch provides a horse motel and Bed and Breakfast accommodations for people traveling across country with their horses. They also provide beginner riding lessons to children and adults and full service horse boarding. Exodus Ranch also holds many events throughout the year such as the Joe Wrangler Cowboy Bible Summer Day Camp in the summer and the annual “Murder at the Ranch” outdoor, interactive murder mystery each fall. Local churches are welcomed to use the facilities free of charge to for youth both and adult functions.

“We opened the ranch to provide a place to stay for people and horses. We’ve traveled all over the country and we know how it is. We rarely could find a place to stay that could accommodate us and also had adequate facilities for our horses,” commented Wilcox, “Once we settled here at The Exodus Ranch, our mission was to open up this beautiful lace to anyone traveling through, and to provide the perfect place to stay if you have horses with you. So, whether you are traveling with horses, alone, or with family, come by the ranch for a visit, and feel free to stay awhile if the mood strikes you. The gate’s always open, and we’d love to have you!”

DC Chamber President & CEO, Kali Boatright congratulated Melody on their recent opening, “On behalf of the DC Chamber, I would like to welcome you to our community and can’t think of a more wonderful addition to our county; we look forward to serving you how ever we can help grow your business. Exodus Ranch is a charming location that will make any visitors to Douglasville feel right at home!”

For more information on Exodus Ranch, visit their website, www.exodusranch.com, or contact Melody at (706) 508-2108.

The interim final rule removes the anticipated award price of the contract thresholds for women-owned small businesses (WOSB) and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSB) to allow them greater access to federal contracting opportunities without limitations to the size of the contract.   The rule can be accessed at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-05-07/html/2013-10841.htm  and comments can be submitted on or before June 6, 2013, at www.regulations.gov, identified by the following RIN number:  RIN 3245-AG55.

As a result of the rule change, contracting officers will be able to set aside specific contracts for certified WOSBs and EDWOSBs at any dollar level which will help federal agencies achieve the existing statutory goal of five percent of federal contracting dollars being awarded to WOSBs.

The SBA is currently working on the changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

Prior to the rule change, the anticipated award price of the contract for women-owned and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses could not exceed $6.5 million for manufacturing contracts and $4 million for all other contracts.

Every firm that wishes to participate in the WOSB program must meet the eligibility requirements and either self-certify or obtain third party certification.  There are four approved third-party certifiers that perform eligibility exams: El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Women Business Owners Corporation, U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Additional information and links about approved third-party certifiers are available at www.sba.gov/wosb.

To qualify as a WOSB, a firm must be at least fifty-one percent owned and controlled by one or more women, and primarily managed by one or more women.  The women must be U.S. citizens and the firm must be considered small according to SBA size standards.  To be deemed

“economically disadvantaged,” a firm’s owners must meet specific financial requirements set forth in the program regulations.

The WOSB Program identifies eighty-three four-digit North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) codes where WOSBs are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented.   Contracting officers may set aside contracts in these industries if the contract can be awarded at a fair and reasonable price and the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that two or more WOSBs or EDWOSBs will submit offers for the contract.

For more information on the Women-Owned Federal Small Business Contract Program or to access the instructions, applications or database, please visit www.sba.gov/wosb.

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Despite the torrential downpour, the fundraiser went on as planned and was a record breaking year for the event with over 45 teams participating in the event.  The tournament wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Cornhole Tournament Sponsors; Visiting Angels, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Vineyard Streetball Classic, Douglas County Sentinel and West Georgia Cornhole.

The event proceeds from the Cornhole Tournament benefit annual Leadership Scholarships that are presented to local high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership and community service potential. This year, the final two teams were “Old No. 7” and “Team Money”, who both participated in the tournament last year.  After two rounds of ‘tossing bags’, Team Money took home the title for the second year in a row (pictured).

The Young Professionals Connection is a program through the DC Chamber of rising business and community leaders ages 21-40 who are committed to “connecting with their peers, community, and future” through networking and social events. Individuals who are interested in learning more about YPC should contact the Douglas County Chamber or “like” YPC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Professionals-Connection.

YPC’s next event will be on May 16^th at 5:30 at the Irish Bred Pub and Restaurant in Downtown Douglasville.  To attend, please email ray@douglascountygeorgia.com.  This event is free and open to the public.

Owner Mickey Jefferson and his staff are pleased to announce the opening of their new location in Douglasville.  Zen Massage Center celebrated their grand opening with a Chamber Ribbon Cutting on April 26 at their location; 7475 Douglas Boulevard in Douglasville. 

 Zen Massage Center offers clients a variety of massage and facial services with no contracts. Home of the $39.95 Swedish massage, Zen offers a variety of massages such as deep tissue, sports massage, pregnancy massage, couples massages, and hot stone massage. Facial services range from express facials and age smart facials, to medibac and customized facials specific to each client’s personal needs.  The client’s health and wellness always come first at Zen.

DC Chamber President & CEO, Kali Boatright congratulated Mickey and his team on their grand opening, “On behalf of the DC Chamber we look forward to serving you how ever we can help grow your business.  We are grateful that you chose to locate your business in Douglasville and Douglas County!” 

Zen Massage Center is open seven days a week. For more information on Zen Massage Center or to schedule an appointment, contact Mickey and his team at 770-947-7101.

Assured & Associates understands that there is no place like home when it comes to healing or recovering from an injury or illness. They provide home health care to patients of all ages and diagnosis. The caregivers and skilled nurses of Assured & Associates work one-on-one with clients and assist with activities of daily living such as bathing, meal preparation, errands, etc.

Assured & Associates understands how stressful it can be in finding trustworthy care for loved ones. They are dedicated to providing non-traditional home health care and go above and beyond and treat patients family members like one of their own.

DC Chamber President & CEO, Kali Boatright congratulated Ruby and her team on their recent expansion, “On behalf of the DC Chamber, we are thrilled to see your business grow and thrive in Douglasville and Douglas County! “

For more information on Assured and Associates, contact Ruby Brown and her team at (678) 391-0140.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been working for many months on a story they recently published.  The focus is on the need for continued improvement when it comes to infection rates among metro area hospitals.  Fortunately, the article explains that WellStar Health System has earned a great record of keeping in-hospital infections low in comparison to other hospitals in Georgia.

We hope you will read the excerpt below, click the link for the full article, and help us share the story as an example of the hard work we’re all doing together – as we strive to provide world-class healthcare to our communities.

From the AJC:

WellStar Health System, with hospitals in Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties, prides itself on creating this kind of culture. The system started implementing the new protocols in earnest six years ago and saw dramatic results almost immediately. Today, WellStar’s Kennestone and Cobb hospitals have some of the lowest incidences of central line infections in Georgia.

“Gradually, over time, we have driven our rates lower and lower to as close to zero as we can get them,” said Dr. Marcia Delk, WellStar’s chief quality officer.

While achieving strong results on central-line infections, WellStar is also using its teams to combat other threats, whether it’s a unique sanitation system to kill a certain kind of bacteria; new protocols to cut down on surgical site infections; or an aggressive program to make sure patients are getting the right antibiotics at the right time — a crucial element of controlling infections.

When asked to talk about prevention programs, most hospitals bring in their top infection control doctors for an interview. But WellStar Cobb Hospital lined up its chief medical officer, its infectious disease doctor, an ICU doctor, floor nurses, nursing supervisors, clinical pharmacists and a team of nurses focused on infection prevention.

This sort of culture — staff members at every level engaged in infection prevention — saves lives, experts say.

Link to full article:  http://www.myajc.com/news/news/georgia-ranks-near-bottom-on-hospital-infections/nXZbm/?icmp=ajc_internallink_invitationbox_apr2013_ajcstubtomyajcpremium