Thu, April 25, 2024

April 24, 2023

Expo Preview

Expo Preview: Travel with PopPop

Company: Travel with PopPop Contact: Brian Adams Phone: 803-522-5696 Website: https://travelwithpoppop.com Record sales are predicted for the cruise lines this year. For Brian Adams, a cruise travel consultant based in North Augusta, that’s exciting news. The last time we checked in with Adams, owner of Travel with PopPop, in October 2022, the industry was struggling post COVID. Bookings were down and staffing shortages caused issues for travelers wanting an escape. Last year, some of the biggest cruise lines were swimming in billions of dollars in debt, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean,

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Consumer Stories

When a business owner needs a break

Many travelers are ready to disconnect from the constant distraction of their devices and get back to nature, especially business owners who stay connected 24/7. According to Booking.com, nearly 60% of travelers surveyed are looking for vacations that allow them to escape reality and totally unplug. More travelers than ever are ready to experience new cultures and experiences on their 2023 travels. Rather than kicking back at an all-inclusive resort, nearly three-quarters of U.S. travelers want to be pushed out of their comfort zone on their next trip, with many

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B2B Stories

Kemp visits Augusta and signs off on legislation to build new James Brown Arena

Gov. Brian Kemp was in Augusta yesterday to sign House Bill 230, which clears the way for a referendum where Richmond County voters can fund an Augusta Entertainment Complex, anchored by a new James Brown Arena. The bill, passed during the 2023 session of Georgia General Assembly, clears the way for a referendum to go before Richmond County voters creating a half cent Coliseum Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or C-SPLOST that will be added to goods and services purchased in the county. “That facility, well over four decades

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B2B Stories

Payroll options for your business

Whether you are a payroll processor or a payroll recipient the need to have things done correctly is imperative, because when you mess with employees’ paychecks it can cause unnecessary conflict in the workplace. Today, there are so many ways to avoid payroll mistakes in terms of software. One example is Paycom. You may have seen the Paycom commercials  lately. In addition to Paycom there are other options in todays fast paced workplace to process payroll efficiently. According to Tabitha Hollimon, Owner and Fractional Chief Financial Officer at Hollimon Strategic

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Consumer Stories

Local tattoo artist to launch Christian-based studio

Before Brooke Ayers found a building to open her tattoo studio, about 20 property owners turned her down, but she credits her Christian faith with helping her find the space she needed to support her thriving business. Early next week, Ayers, a tattoo and permanent makeup artist, plans to open Salvation Tattoo Studio at 3564 River Watch Parkway in Martinez across the street from Bob’s Tropical Fish. For several years, she has served clients out of another studio located in downtown Augusta, but she wanted to open an upscale business

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ABD Extra

Economic Update: Sweet Sound of Success

Who’s causing all that racket? Sounds like Columbia County! Coach Dave Holdeman from The Alternative Board of the CSRA and Augusta Business Daily publisher Neil Gordon discuss a new deal that will allow for a public tennis court in the area. If you have a sweet tooth, you might want to check out Alumni Cookie Dough’s new location with a local coffee shop. In addition, Holdeman reviews three tips to help businesses create welcoming environments for employees. Be the first to get a big, cookie dough-sized scoop on these tips

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ABD Extra

Simon Says: Receding Recession?

The Augusta Leading Economics Index has reversed its slide from the summer of 2022 to the end of the year. The latest data for February 2023 shows the index up 0.6 percent using a three-month moving average. The unadjusted change from January is much bigger at 1.9 percent. However, given the fall witnessed in the last two quarters of 2022, the index is below February 2022 levels. Residential building permits increased in both January and February suggesting improvement in the overall housing market, including suppliers such as lumber, masonry and

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ABD Extra

Georgia Business Minute: Saying “no” to the dress?

Augusta’s own David’s Bridal location on Walton Way Extension will be affected by the move the company announced last week, stating that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Atlanta reporter Mike Petchenik discusses which other locations in Georgia will be impacted, as nearly 10,000 nationwide will lose jobs in this week’s Georgia Business Minute.

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ABD Extra

Get to know Azalea Investments LLC

Azalea Investments 699 Broad Street www.azaleaoutdoor.com Contact: President Derek May Phone: 706.823.3302 As a former professional table tennis player, Derek May knows a thing or two about winning. May, a former national collegiate champion from Augusta College and U.S. national team member, is the current over 50 national table tennis champion. In his day job as president of Augusta’s Azalea Investments, he draws from that competitive spirit to harness success in the business world. “I like to compete,” May told Augusta Business Daily.  “In sports, you learn discipline.” May’s ascent

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ABD Extra

Mondays with Rick: CSRA Economic Development: The Holes that Need to be Filled

In my previous two columns for this newsletter, I discussed many of the positive aspects of the CSRA when it comes to economic development. Remember, when we discuss an area’s potential for economic development, we have to consider the aspects of that area that would attract existing businesses to move or expand to that area and the area’s ability to provide an environment that stimulates the creation of new businesses. In my first column on March 20, I provided a number of reasons as to why the CSRA is a

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