January 28, 2022

Top Story

UPDATE: Incoming co-owner shares company vision

Ed Felton has worked for Southern Industries for 35 years, but he will soon take on a new role with the company: co-owner. Southern Industries owns several other companies, including Southern Siding & Window Company. Felton currently serves as vice president of operations for one of those companies – Southern Wholesale, Inc. – located at 1823 Gordon Highway in Augusta. The company sells building materials, such as siding and windows, primarily to homeowners and contractors. He, along with Corporate Manager Fran Felton and President Derek Thexton, is buying Southern Industries

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B2B Stories

New Chamber program takes companies to the next level

11 business owners are ready to take their businesses to the next level, thanks to a generous bank sponsorship and the guidance from The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. Level Up Business Academy launched its six-month course for small business owners on January 26th. To qualify, owners had to operate a healthy business for at least three years and show desire to take their business to the next level. The program is designed to accelerate growth opportunities through education, counseling and resources. Multiple guest experts will provide entrepreneurial strategy and

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Consumer Stories

‘Divine drinking’ the way to better health, says soldier-turned-entrepreneur

Editor’s Note: Our Faith Friday columnist Monique Williams is off this week and will be back with a new story sure to inspire you next weekend. In early November, she profiled a special family utilizing God’s creation to quench the thirst of others. Geoffery Jackson wants to leave a legacy for his children’s children. It’s a seed he says was planted one day while listening to a sermon from his pastor. “That’s something we don’t do,” he thought to himself. “Leave a legacy. But, I asked God how did that

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B2B Stories

Renamed professional group hosts kickoff event

A local organization that connects professionals between the ages of 22 and 40 just held its inaugural event under its new name. ABD previously brought you a story about Connect Aiken, which used to be referred to as Aiken Young Professionals. It’s similar to Young Professionals of Augusta. Supported by the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, the organization kicked off the new year by hosting a drop in to Connect Aiken (see photo above taken from Facebook) at Sheffield’s at Rose Hill on Tuesday, Jan. 25. The event was designed to

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Shawna Woodward

FREE ACCESS: Real Talk Real Estate – How many homes will you buy in your lifetime?

In Q2 of 2021, the rate at which Americans owned their own home was 65.4%, or roughly 2/3rds of our population. What was the most reported reason for purchasing a home in 2021? Well, the NAR (National Association of Realtors) reported that 27% of all buyers had a desire to be a homeowner. That’s the American dream – to care for your family, or soon-expected family, and to provide them with a safe place to live. So, how many homes does the average American buy in their lifetime? It is

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