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February 17, 2026
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Fastest growing counties in CSRA

The fastest-growing county in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in 2024 is not in Richmond or Columbia County. It is Burke County. Real Gross Domestic Product grew at 15.6% in 2024 from 2023, according to recently released data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Columbia County grew at 3.6%, Richmond County at 1.6%, and Lincoln County at 0.6%. McDuffie County shrank by 3.5%.  In South Carolina, Aiken County grew at 2.7,% and Edgefield County shrank by 1.9% (see graph below). The state of South Carolina grew faster (4.5%) than

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor February 17, 2026 No Comments
Awards

500 + Chamber members get Presidential treatment at annual meeting

The incoming Columbia County Chamber President got to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to a retired Chamber President credited with being one of the key leaders behind Columbia County’s growth more than a decade ago. The new President and CEO, Heath Taylor (left), addressed the membership for the first time since starting on February 2nd.  He presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Tammy Gibbs Shepherd, who was President from 2010 to 2020. She helped strengthen local businesses, expand workforce programs, and was one of the leaders behind the push to

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Neil Gordon February 17, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA golf course piggybacks the Masters

Watching the Masters tournament at Augusta National or on CBS could lead to a big boon the following week for a renovated golf course in Augusta. The Augusta Municipal Golf Course, best known by its nickname, The Patch, is set to re-open on April 15 after a 16-month renovation process. Photo Courtesy of Augusta National It has been closed since April 2023. Under a partnership with the Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC), Augusta Technical College, The First Tee of Augusta, and Masters Tournament Charities, the 18-hole course has undergone a

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 17, 2026 No Comments