RICHMOND HILL — U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston of Savannah used a ribbon cutting Monday at a physical rehab clinic in Richmond Hill to talk about the importance of small business.
“We’re here today for three reasons,” said Kingston, a Republican who represents Georgia’s 1st District. “No. 1, jobs; No. 2, victory over pain; and No. 3, the survival of the American Dream,” Kingston said.
Kingston’s comment “victory over pain” was in reference to the new business, Spine and Sport. This is the third time Kingston has attended a ribbon cutting for the expanding health-care business, which is co-owned by Jaques Beauchamp and Eric Bull.
“We’re in a very difficult situation, yet here we are in an expanding, locally owned business that, for the third time in a row last year, was rated by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing companies in America — over 100 employees,” Kingston said. “It’s just absolutely remarkable that we can do this. I think it’s a great reflection not only of them, but also of Richmond Hill.”
Spine and Sport opened in Richmond Hill in 2008, but opened its newest facility in January.
“We have every opportunity in this  community to continue to grow, and we’re very excited to be a part of the Richmond Hill community,” Bull said. “We do a lot of outreach and fun work with the Richmond Hill community.”
Bobby Goldner, director of the Richmond Hill location, said one way Spine and Sport interacts with the community is by providing athletic training at Richmond Hill High School.
Spine and Sport athletic trainer Carolin Suon also serves as the athletic trainer at RHHS, Goldner said. Suon said working with high school students can be a lot different than in-house patients, but noted she enjoys working at both levels.
“It’s a huge difference because students practice every day and have games every other day,” she said. “Here, it’s older and younger (patients) and with high school it’s another level of injuries.”
Moving into a new facility added 700 square feet of space for the facility, something physical therapist Rachel Spivey said has been beneficial.
“It’s been a real blessing that we have much more ability to do more rehab and it has really opened up  the potential for exercise and activities,” Spivey said.
Goldner said the additional space also has allowed Spine and Sport to better serve patients.
“The space allows us to see a lot more patients and we’re constantly trying to improve — that’s why we wanted to meet the demand,” he said.
Spine and Sport’s new Richmond Hill location is in the Ways Station shopping center. For more information, go to www.spinesport.org or call 459-2230.