The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Augusta Economic Development Authority, is pleased to celebrate Augusta's Best in Business at their Member Economic Luncheon on Thursday, December 12 at the Augusta Marriott.  Augusta's Entrepreneur, Corporation of the Year, Small Manufacturer of the Year, and Large Manufacturer of the Year award recipients will be honored.  The luncheon, presented by South State Bank, will feature keynote speaker Steve Justice with the Georgia Centers of Innovation.

Each year in the CSRA, small business owners and corporate and manufacturing companies are excelling in business while giving back to the community they call home.  The annual Augusta's Entrepreneur, presented by South State Bank; Corporation of the Year; Small and Large Manufacturer of the Year, presented by Georgia Power; honor the individuals and companies who have distinguished themselves in business and commitment to the Augusta Region community.

Keynote Steve Justice is the Executive Director of the Georgia Centers of Innovation, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.  Prior to assuming the Executive Director position, Mr. Justice was the Director of the Center of Innovation for Aerospace where he was responsible for a wide ranging program to accelerate Georgia aerospace companies' growth by helping them commercialize new products, services and business models, connecting them with university research and industry expertise as well as other Georgia resources for the aerospace industry.

Tickets for the luncheon are $35 for Chamber members and $45 prospective-members.  Corporate tables are available.  Advanced registration is required at AugustaMetroChamber.com.  The Member Economic Luncheon series sponsors include Augusta Magazine, Azalea Investments, James M. Hull College of Business at Augusta University, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, South State Bank and Unisys.  Media sponsors are News 12 NBC 26 and The Augusta Chronicle with technology sponsor SharedSpace Augusta and parking sponsor Ellefson Transportation Group.