February 28, 2023

B2B Stories

How to Best Use Your “Spring Training”

For those of you who have been reading my columns in various venues during the past six years, you know that I am an avid sports fan and that Major League Baseball (MLB) is among my favorites.  Therefore, when I heard those magical words, “Pitchers and catchers report,” a couple of weeks ago, signifying the start of MLB’s pre-season “Spring Training,” my excitement for the coming season began to build. If you don’t follow MLB, Spring Training takes place from mid-February to late March, with some MLB teams training in

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Consumer Stories

GreenJackets install cashless payment system

When you attend an Augusta GreenJackets game this season, you won’t have to stuff your wallet full of bills. The GreenJackets are going cashless. Instead of using cash, you’ll be able to pay for items like items from the gift shop and concessions with all major credit cards, debit cards, and phone cash apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. The cashless system will be used throughout the stadium and the parking decks. The decision to go cashless was made to provide faster service. According to a news

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Augusta LEI falls for sixth month in a row

The Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) recorded its sixth consecutive month of decline in December 2022. It finished the year 2.3 percent lower than December 2021. Although the overall index was down, there was some good news in some of the indicator variables. For example, seasonally adjusted initial claims for unemployment insurance declined 10 percent in December from November. Job openings in South Carolina increased. There were 169,000 job openings in October, 182,000 in November, and 187,000 in December. Unfortunately, in Georgia, job openings fell sharply from 392,000 in November

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Lessons Learned

Free Access: Workplace Wednesday: The Future of Work: How Hybrid Working Supports People, Profits, and the Planet

The last two-and-a-half years have created a significant opportunity for companies to reassess outdated working habits and bring in new long-term flexible strategies that are better for them, their employees, and the planet. What’s more, thanks to global flexplace provided by IWG brands including Regus and Spaces, and HQ, professionals have access to an unrivaled choice of locations to work, from both in Aiken and across the world. Hybrid work enables workers to divide their time between a company HQ, home, and a local flexible workspace and is now the

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Consumer Stories

HobbyTown owner to relocate to larger retail space

Prior to becoming a business owner, Dusty Germo worked as an engineer at John Deere for 12 years and pursued various hobbies in his spare time, but he now helps his customers enjoy their hobbies. Since July 2022, Germo has owned the Augusta franchise location of HobbyTown, which is located near Furniture Outlet at 266 Bobby Jones Expressway, Suite 110 in Augusta. The 3,000-square-foot store has been open since 1993. He’s moving the business to a 9,000-square-foot building, which is currently under construction at 4107 Riverwatch Parkway, Suite 4 at

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B2B Stories

First air show in 20 years brings Thunderbirds and economic boost to Augusta

Look! Up in the sky! An air show will return to the skies over Augusta Regional Airport, pumping money into the economy, costing the airport nothing, and creating opportunities for vendors and sponsorships. The two-day event will be on May 13 and 14. It will feature attack helicopter demonstrations by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, stunt pilots, and the United States Special Operations Parachute Team. The centerpiece will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, flying F-16 Fighting Falcons and performing solo maneuvers and in formation. Members of the Aviation Commission

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