February 23, 2022

B2B Stories

Simon Says: Georgia labor market grows 2.2%, Augusta at 0.4%

The labor market in Georgia grew at a 2.2 percent annual rate in 2021 but the growth was not evenly spread around the state. Urban areas around Atlanta and coastal cities fared best. The fastest growing labor market, at 3.8 percent, was Savannah with nearby Brunswick also reporting 2.1 percent growth. Atlanta and Gainesville grew at 2.1 percent and 2.3 percent respectively. Augusta recorded growth of 0.4 percent. Two cities saw deteriorating labor markets: Albany and Columbus. Only two Metropolitan Statistical Areas beat the Georgia growth rate suggesting non-MSA areas

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Consumer Stories

Delta flies high with new systems and old-time service

Jason Blackburn is a third-generation owner of the Delta Pest and Termite Company headquartered in Burke County, but he’s not set in doing things the way they’ve always been done. “For the first time in 40 years, we optimized all of our routes,” he said from his spacious office on Millen Highway in Waynesboro. (see photo above) That’s not only a tall order, but a big deal since his grandfather Jimmie and grandmother Frankie founded the company in December, 1963. Frankie is alive and ensures Delta is run with the

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B2B Podcasting

Taking Care of Business with Best Office Solutions, Part 2

In part 2, Neil Gordon talks to Best Office Solutions owners, Robin Baxley and Sandi Shields and their coach Darin about how they make their partnership work, and how the peer-to-peer The Alternative Board (TAB) helps keep them on track.  

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Consumer Stories

Business is popping at local kettle corn store

If a traditional gift bouquet of flowers seems too passé, a basket overflowing with popcorn from Mack’s Poppin Kettle Corn might do the trick. In 2018, Mack’s Poppin Kettle Corn began selling its snacks at events and fundraisers in Augusta and Columbia. The business has since grown and opened its own storefront in Evans. Located at 4272 Washington Road in the Publix Plaza behind Evans Cinema, Mack’s sells kettle corn in a variety of flavors, such as bacon cheddar, caramel, ranch and even pizza. The store also offers gift baskets

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Consumer Stories

Evans Market accepting vendor applications, starts April 23

Andrea Fanfan looks forward to selling her Hawaiian-inspired snack bags again at this year’s Evans Market, which is now accepting 2022 vendor applications. Fanfan launched PJ’s Snacky Sack in October 2020 in honor of her now 6-year-old son PJ, who was diagnosed with autism. He helps with various tasks, such as labeling and packaging bags, while his mother bakes snacks. The mother-son team sold their treats at last year’s Market and received a positive response from the local community. “We absolutely love meeting new people and seeing all of our

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