http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2011/10/savannah-historic-area-to-get-150-room.html
A. Joseph Marshall
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Savannah, Ga.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Kingston Supports Expanding Ga's Access to Foreign Markets
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?storyid=%7Bed5ebf4c-7b4f-4dbd-a5c7-e45c43be7251%7D
A. Joseph Marshall
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Savannah, Ga.
A. Joseph Marshall
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Savannah, Ga.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Savannah ranked 5th best downtown in the U.S by livability.com!
http://livability.com/top-10-downtowns
Great place to visit, work and live.
A. Joseph Marshall
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Savannah, Ga.
Great place to visit, work and live.
A. Joseph Marshall
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Savannah, Ga.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
How to identify an adequate insurance limit for your business’s property
How much insurance should you carry for your business’s property?
It’s always a tricky question, filled with uncertainty and with several variables to consider. On the one hand, purchasing insurance limits that are high enough to make you feel comfortable can be quite costly. On the other hand, if your business property is hit with a large loss, you want to know that it will be protected.
“The goal is to make sure that if your company is faced with a loss, you have an adequate limit in place to cover that loss,” says Nancy Hamilton, an account executive with ECBM Insurance Brokers and Consultants.
Even after you have examined all the angles and found a limit you can afford that protects what you need it to protect, you must stay vigilant, because what may be an adequate limit today may not be enough in the future.
Smart Business spoke with Hamilton about how to choose an adequate insurance limit to cover your business property.
Re-posted by: A. Joseph Marshall
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Savannah, Ga.
Why is it important for companies to choose an adequate limit to cover their business’s property?
In the event of a loss, you want to have an adequate limit to cover the loss. You want to have sufficient coverage and limits to be able to resume operations as quickly as possible. You want to be able to have your business back in the same position as prior to the loss. Many companies do not have the cash reserves readily available to cover all of the costs associated with a loss.
If you currently have a loan, or are considering one in the future, that is another reason to have an adequate limit in place. Many loan documents require businesses to show proof of proper coverage and limits in order to meet the loan requirements.
How can companies determine an adequate limit for their specific property?
Proper property valuation is critical in determining an adequate limit. There are various tools that can be used to calculate the value of the property to be insured, such as original cost of construction with adjustments for inflation, current construction costs and real estate appraisals.
There are also replacement cost estimators that provide important calculations to help businesses determine their valuation. These calculations are based on the square footage of the building and the building’s construction, including the types of materials used in the construction and type of building such as a commercial office building, manufacturing building, industrial building, etc.
Business income worksheets are used to calculate or estimate your organization’s exposure to a business income loss for the purpose of establishing your limit.
How does a business’s geographical area affect property limits?
Construction costs can vary depending on the geographic area of your business. For example, construction material may be readily available in some areas. However, during a major catastrophe, constructions materials may be in high demand, which can drive up costs significantly. A shortage of supplies in your area may extend the length of time that you are out of business.
How is property valuation determined, and what factors are used?
The value of your business assets needs to be considered. That includes your building, if owned, your business and personal property, as well as any potential loss of income, continuing business expenses and additional expenses you may incur after a loss. You need to consider how long it will take for your business to get back up and running at the same level as prior to a loss.
What time frame should be considered when determining loss of income?
You need to consider your worst-case scenario as to the length of time to be back in business. Items to consider are type of loss, extent of loss, and supply and demand for labor and materials. The longer it takes for your business to get back up and running, the more costs you are going to have associated with the claim.
How can companies with multiple locations determine an adequate limit for their properties?
Companies with multiple locations can use one blanket limit or loss limit to cover all locations. There are several factors to consider when determining an adequate limit for multiple locations. Are your locations in close proximity of each other? If you have a large concentration of locations in the same geographical area, you could have a significant impact from a single event. However, if your locations are spread out, then the risk of a single event impacting multiple locations is not as likely.
Establishing an accurate value for each location will help you determine the maximum possible and probable loss. Once the value of each location is determined, you can select a blanket limit or loss limit to cover all locations.
How often should a company have its locations evaluated?
It is recommended that the valuation of a business’s locations be reviewed at least on an annual basis. Some factors can change over the course of a year, and those changes need to be reflected in a new limit. Inflation and construction costs, in particular, can have a huge impact on the valuation of a business.
Nancy Hamilton is an account executive with ECBM Insurance Brokers and Consultants. Reach her at (610) 668-7100, ext. 1263, or nhamilton@ecbm.com.
It’s always a tricky question, filled with uncertainty and with several variables to consider. On the one hand, purchasing insurance limits that are high enough to make you feel comfortable can be quite costly. On the other hand, if your business property is hit with a large loss, you want to know that it will be protected.
“The goal is to make sure that if your company is faced with a loss, you have an adequate limit in place to cover that loss,” says Nancy Hamilton, an account executive with ECBM Insurance Brokers and Consultants.
Even after you have examined all the angles and found a limit you can afford that protects what you need it to protect, you must stay vigilant, because what may be an adequate limit today may not be enough in the future.
Smart Business spoke with Hamilton about how to choose an adequate insurance limit to cover your business property.
Re-posted by: A. Joseph Marshall
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Savannah, Ga.
Why is it important for companies to choose an adequate limit to cover their business’s property?
In the event of a loss, you want to have an adequate limit to cover the loss. You want to have sufficient coverage and limits to be able to resume operations as quickly as possible. You want to be able to have your business back in the same position as prior to the loss. Many companies do not have the cash reserves readily available to cover all of the costs associated with a loss.
If you currently have a loan, or are considering one in the future, that is another reason to have an adequate limit in place. Many loan documents require businesses to show proof of proper coverage and limits in order to meet the loan requirements.
How can companies determine an adequate limit for their specific property?
Proper property valuation is critical in determining an adequate limit. There are various tools that can be used to calculate the value of the property to be insured, such as original cost of construction with adjustments for inflation, current construction costs and real estate appraisals.
There are also replacement cost estimators that provide important calculations to help businesses determine their valuation. These calculations are based on the square footage of the building and the building’s construction, including the types of materials used in the construction and type of building such as a commercial office building, manufacturing building, industrial building, etc.
Business income worksheets are used to calculate or estimate your organization’s exposure to a business income loss for the purpose of establishing your limit.
How does a business’s geographical area affect property limits?
Construction costs can vary depending on the geographic area of your business. For example, construction material may be readily available in some areas. However, during a major catastrophe, constructions materials may be in high demand, which can drive up costs significantly. A shortage of supplies in your area may extend the length of time that you are out of business.
How is property valuation determined, and what factors are used?
The value of your business assets needs to be considered. That includes your building, if owned, your business and personal property, as well as any potential loss of income, continuing business expenses and additional expenses you may incur after a loss. You need to consider how long it will take for your business to get back up and running at the same level as prior to a loss.
What time frame should be considered when determining loss of income?
You need to consider your worst-case scenario as to the length of time to be back in business. Items to consider are type of loss, extent of loss, and supply and demand for labor and materials. The longer it takes for your business to get back up and running, the more costs you are going to have associated with the claim.
How can companies with multiple locations determine an adequate limit for their properties?
Companies with multiple locations can use one blanket limit or loss limit to cover all locations. There are several factors to consider when determining an adequate limit for multiple locations. Are your locations in close proximity of each other? If you have a large concentration of locations in the same geographical area, you could have a significant impact from a single event. However, if your locations are spread out, then the risk of a single event impacting multiple locations is not as likely.
Establishing an accurate value for each location will help you determine the maximum possible and probable loss. Once the value of each location is determined, you can select a blanket limit or loss limit to cover all locations.
How often should a company have its locations evaluated?
It is recommended that the valuation of a business’s locations be reviewed at least on an annual basis. Some factors can change over the course of a year, and those changes need to be reflected in a new limit. Inflation and construction costs, in particular, can have a huge impact on the valuation of a business.
Nancy Hamilton is an account executive with ECBM Insurance Brokers and Consultants. Reach her at (610) 668-7100, ext. 1263, or nhamilton@ecbm.com.
Friday, September 30, 2011
EDITORIAL:Savannah's port: We're No. 2!
From: http://savannahnow.com/opinion/2011-09-29/editorialsavannahs-port-were-no-2
SOMETIMES IT feels good to be No. 2. Such is the case with the Georgia Ports Authority, which now operates the second-busiest container port for exports in the United States.
Only Los Angeles handles more of those metal boxes than Savannah does. And Georgia now moves more than New York-Newark, which is now fifth. So that makes Savannah the busiest export port on the East Coast.
But when you’re No. 2, you still have to try harder — especially since much of these gains could erode if
Savannah doesn’t deepen its harbor.
The current 42-foot depth of the shipping channel is the shallowest of 24 of the world’s major ports, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The depth for most of those ports is in the 48- to 52-foot range.
Size matters in the shipping business. And time is money. An enlarged Panama Canal means bigger ships carrying more containers to places that can handle them most efficiently. That’s why port deepening is critical to the future here and the rest of Georgia.
But it’s not just about boats and trucks. It’s about trains, too.
The stacks of containers streaming in and out of the booming Savannah port atop rail cars have jumped 21 percent during fiscal year 2011. The total also represents a whopping 191-percent gain over the past decade. CSX now has eight trains a week serving the port. Norfork Southern has 11.
Thus the investments made in intermodal rail service are paying off, which helps keep Georgia’s economy moving forward. And watch out, L.A. Once the harbor is deepened, the title for No. 1 will be on the line.
Reposted by A. Joseph Marshall
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Savannah, Ga.
SOMETIMES IT feels good to be No. 2. Such is the case with the Georgia Ports Authority, which now operates the second-busiest container port for exports in the United States.
Only Los Angeles handles more of those metal boxes than Savannah does. And Georgia now moves more than New York-Newark, which is now fifth. So that makes Savannah the busiest export port on the East Coast.
But when you’re No. 2, you still have to try harder — especially since much of these gains could erode if
Savannah doesn’t deepen its harbor.
The current 42-foot depth of the shipping channel is the shallowest of 24 of the world’s major ports, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The depth for most of those ports is in the 48- to 52-foot range.
Size matters in the shipping business. And time is money. An enlarged Panama Canal means bigger ships carrying more containers to places that can handle them most efficiently. That’s why port deepening is critical to the future here and the rest of Georgia.
But it’s not just about boats and trucks. It’s about trains, too.
The stacks of containers streaming in and out of the booming Savannah port atop rail cars have jumped 21 percent during fiscal year 2011. The total also represents a whopping 191-percent gain over the past decade. CSX now has eight trains a week serving the port. Norfork Southern has 11.
Thus the investments made in intermodal rail service are paying off, which helps keep Georgia’s economy moving forward. And watch out, L.A. Once the harbor is deepened, the title for No. 1 will be on the line.
Reposted by A. Joseph Marshall
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Savannah, Ga.
Sweepstakes Cafe...legal or illegal?
I can't wait until these are made illegal. They open next to poor neighborhoods, siphon money away from the lottery and generally bad tenants.
From: http://www2.wsav.com/news/2011/sep/26/sweepstakes-cafelegal-or-illegal-ar-2468421/
From: http://www2.wsav.com/news/2011/sep/26/sweepstakes-cafelegal-or-illegal-ar-2468421/
SAVANNAH, GA --
Have you heard of sweepstakes cafes?
They are popping up all around the state and right here in our back yard but a lot of state leaders think they're simply covers for gambling and the Governor, Attorney General, and Georgia Bureau of Investigation are taking a closer look and so is News Three Community Reporter Alice Massimi.
The City of Savannah has issued a 180-day moratorium on accepting new zoning permits for sweepstakes cafes.
One of the suspected cafes News Three was told about by city staff is located on DeRenne Avenue, another off of Abercorn. From the outside, it appears to be an office supply store.
Inside, however, it's set up like an internet cafe, where patrons participate in sweepstakes and some claim cash prizes are awarded.
Here's how they generally work around the country -- customers pay for internet time loaded on a card and get "free" sweepstakes entries. Customers can use the internet time to do whatever they please.
Most use the sweepstake entries and play slot-style computer games that can have up to 30,000 dollar jackpots.
Owners of the cafes claim it's legal because people are not paying for a chance to win; they're paying for computer time -- a technicality that's being debated in Florida and Georgia
"The concern is it's really a form of gambling that's not sanctioned. They are using a loophole and you see them popping up all over the community. The problem that I have with it is you see the folks sitting in there all night long, and they don't need to be sitting in there all night long spending their money," says Alderman Tony Thomas whose district some of the cafes are located in.
The two cafes we checked out today were not open.
One had a sign saying it was closed until further notice, another saying it was updating the computers.
Depending on how current investigations go, it may become an issue in the state legislature in 2012.
A. Joseph Marshall
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Savannah, Ga.
Have you heard of sweepstakes cafes?
They are popping up all around the state and right here in our back yard but a lot of state leaders think they're simply covers for gambling and the Governor, Attorney General, and Georgia Bureau of Investigation are taking a closer look and so is News Three Community Reporter Alice Massimi.
The City of Savannah has issued a 180-day moratorium on accepting new zoning permits for sweepstakes cafes.
One of the suspected cafes News Three was told about by city staff is located on DeRenne Avenue, another off of Abercorn. From the outside, it appears to be an office supply store.
Inside, however, it's set up like an internet cafe, where patrons participate in sweepstakes and some claim cash prizes are awarded.
Here's how they generally work around the country -- customers pay for internet time loaded on a card and get "free" sweepstakes entries. Customers can use the internet time to do whatever they please.
Most use the sweepstake entries and play slot-style computer games that can have up to 30,000 dollar jackpots.
Owners of the cafes claim it's legal because people are not paying for a chance to win; they're paying for computer time -- a technicality that's being debated in Florida and Georgia
"The concern is it's really a form of gambling that's not sanctioned. They are using a loophole and you see them popping up all over the community. The problem that I have with it is you see the folks sitting in there all night long, and they don't need to be sitting in there all night long spending their money," says Alderman Tony Thomas whose district some of the cafes are located in.
The two cafes we checked out today were not open.
One had a sign saying it was closed until further notice, another saying it was updating the computers.
Depending on how current investigations go, it may become an issue in the state legislature in 2012.
A. Joseph Marshall
Commercial Real Estate Agent
Savannah, Ga.
Savannah Port to Expand Refrigerated Storage Space
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- The Georgia Ports Authority is expanding the Port of Savannah's refrigerated storage space for poultry and other cargo that needs to be kept cold.
The agency's board approved the $4.75 million project Monday. It will consist of 20 container racks, each four stories tall, that will power refrigerated containers.
The new racks will expand the Savannah port's refrigerated storage by 45 percent, with total space for 1,536 cargo containers.
The agency's board approved the $4.75 million project Monday. It will consist of 20 container racks, each four stories tall, that will power refrigerated containers.
The new racks will expand the Savannah port's refrigerated storage by 45 percent, with total space for 1,536 cargo containers.
Port officials say poultry was the Georgia ports' fourth largest export commodity in fiscal 2011, with 1.6 billion pounds shipped overseas in cargo containers.
The Port of Savannah is the fourth busiest container port in the U.S.
The Port of Savannah is the fourth busiest container port in the U.S.
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