Letter to the Editor: The following was written by James K. Stiff, President, Goodwill of Middle Georgia & the CSRA, Helms College.
Thank you for the recent coverage in the Augusta Business Daily on the revitalization of vacant buildings in Augusta, notably the transformation of a former drugstore into a new Goodwill retail training store on Walton Way. We appreciate your attention to the economic developments in our community and are thankful for the great quote from Mayor Johnson regarding the new human and economic energy Goodwill brings to the CSRA.
I must clarify a crucial point concerning the former Rite Aid location. Despite the article’s assertion, the property continues to generate substantial real estate taxes. Taxes are paid by the landlord and passed through to Goodwill in the highest PSF cost of any store we lease.
More importantly, this conversation presents an excellent opportunity to highlight the broader impact of Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA. In 2022 alone, our services reached over 10,000 clients, and we successfully placed nearly 4,000 individuals in competitive employment. These efforts have not only transformed lives, but have also contributed an astounding $232 million in economic impact across the 35 counties we serve.
Goodwill is deeply invested in building a stronger more resilient community through education, job training, and employment services. Our services help transform tax receivers into proud self-sufficient taxpayers….without the aid of tax dollars like other government-operated institutions.
We hope to see future stories that feature your local Goodwill’s unique social enterprises that serve as applied learning venues for students of the only college in the world that is affiliated with the 160 autonomous non-profit Goodwill organizations. Thank you for helping celebrate the successes of those we serve, thanks to the generous support of our donors, shoppers, and philanthropic contributors.
We trust in the Augusta Business Daily’s commitment to accurate and fair journalism and look forward to your continued partnership in highlighting the good that comes from working together for the betterment of our community.
