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March 24, 2022
B2B Stories

Fed’s interest rate hike will trickle down to affect CSRA businesses

Raising interest rates to prod people into spending less to fight inflation may sound counterintuitive, but that’s what the nation’s Federal Reserve System is attempting. While the increments may seem small, they will affect local businesses and consumers. “Raising interest rates is the Fed’s main tool to deal with inflation,” said retired banker Dan Blanton, who had served as CEO of Georgia Bank & Trust (now South State). “The historic data bears out that it does work if you give it time.” On March 16, the Federal Reserve Board decided

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Gary Kauffman March 24, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Mortgage rates rise, but might not immediately affect the tight CSRA housing market

The historically low home mortgage rates are coming to an end with the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate hike and plans for more in the future. But that may not have an immediate effect on home sales in the CSRA – and may end up turning into a positive. Tiffany Sheppard, the mortgage banker with Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group in Martinez, said rates are already rising from last year’s lows. Some clients who pre-qualified for loans a month or two ago but who were still shopping around may now have

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Gary Kauffman March 24, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local entrepreneur reflects on 40 years in the printing business

Printing isn’t merely about putting ink on paper; it’s about conveying messages, according to Larry Lynn. Lynn opened his printing business, Allegra, in 1983 to help his customers convey those messages. He and his wife, Rosemary, also own Image360, a sign company. The couple runs both businesses at 128 Commercial Blvd. next to the Martinez post office. Allegra and Image360 operate under Alliance Franchise Brands, LLC, and a franchisor of more than 600 printing, marketing, and sign businesses throughout North America. Besides printing and signs, their staff also designs and

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Josh Heath March 24, 2022 1 Comment
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Roughing it at Outback Steakhouse

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”. Food

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Wes Hennings March 24, 2022 No Comments