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B2B Stories

Major economic news for 2 CSRA Counties

Organizations whose mission is to create partnerships and advance economic development are celebrating financial windfalls. Entrepreneurs and start-ups are right in the middle of it. Economic Development Partnership of Aiken and Edgefield Counties, Inc., better known as Western SC, learned it is one of 14 groups chosen for 2026 Relentless Challenge grants. Collaborating with Western SC are the South Carolina Research Authority and the Aiken Chamber of Commerce. “Our organization is looking for job creation and capital investment opportunities,” Will Williams, President and CEO of Western SC, told ABD. “The

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 11, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Good Deeds: Benefactors List Released

Publisher’s Note: On Monday, our Dana Lynn McIntyre reported on a story about different organizations and companies providing $260,000 in scholarships that were distributed by the Aiken Technical College Foundation to 200 students. ATC provided the list of benefactors to ABD below. Aiken County Community Association (ACCA) Aiken Lions Club Aiken Masonic Lodge 156 AFM Aiken Newcomers Club Aiken Performing Arts Aiken Sertoma Club Alfred F. Endler, Jr.  Endowment Angela Crosby Wicker Endowment Ashley J. Little Family Endowment Aiken Technical College Aiken Technical College Faculty Aiken Technical College President Aiken

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Neil Gordon March 10, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New Business Alert: Combining event planning with vintage china

Patti McGrath has worked in the CSRA in marketing and handling event planning for many years.  Now, she can add business owner to her resume. When she decided to open her own company, she decided to focus on creating events that celebrate the moments that make our lives memorable instead of large corporate affairs. She also wanted to offer vintage china to help others add the elegance of a bygone era to their table. Her event planning and vintage china business, Simply Social Events and More, LLC, opened for business

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Staff Report March 10, 2026 No Comments
B2B Podcasting

Simon Says: Progress on CSRA home buying experience

In the last month of February, the interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages dipped below 6% for the first time since fall of 2022. That, coupled with a key affordability study, is providing some good news to potential homebuyers. This decline in interest rates should provide some relief to potential homebuyers who have found housing increasingly unaffordable over the last three to four years. Housing is defined as unaffordable if housing costs (principal, interest, tax, and insurance) are greater than 30% of median income.  The graph below, which comes from

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor March 10, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Guest Column: Airpower of Iran—the secret sauce of success

There are many leadership lessons to be learned from examining the War with Iran—some good lessons, some bad.  The planning, execution, and success of this campaign will be studied for decades. Much of the credit goes to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and the commander of Centcom, Admiral Brad Cooper.  What leadership skills did they employ? Deep understanding of military history Open to new and creative ideas Willingness to empower subordinates Communication with their bosses Interaction with Israeli military leaders Incorporation of the newest technologies.

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By Major General Perry Smith USAF (ret.) Augusta, Georgia March 9, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

84 Scholarships, 200 Students, $260k

Businesses and individuals who give financial support to students at Aiken Technical College (ATC) were introduced to their beneficiaries. The Aiken Tech Foundation sponsored its annual breakfast, bringing together students receiving scholarships with the businesses or individuals whose financial contributions support their education. “Our students come away from this experience with a little bit of gratitude in their heart, and then our donors come away with this feeling fulfilled that they’ve done some good in the world today,” Kym Johnson, Foundation Director, told ABD. Will Williams, President and CEO of

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 9, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Military Monday: Discharge Matters

Greetings, Military Community, One topic that is often overlooked but carries life-changing implications is the type of discharge a Service Member receives from the military. Many Veterans are unaware that their discharge characterization can directly affect their eligibility for benefits earned through service and sacrifice. The question we should all ask is: Should a single incident, mistake, or difficult moment permanently strip a Veteran of benefits intended to support their health, stability, and future? In many cases, the answer is no—and fortunately, there are established pathways to correct or challenge

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Africa Thomas, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CME, CCM, Augusta, Ga March 9, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Older Buildings in the CSRA require expert inspectors

Across the CSRA, there are many factors as to why there are moisture issues in some of our buildings: Some are historic and on shady lots with thicker tree cover. Across the river in Aiken, some are older farmhouses and horse properties—and then there is humidity much of the year! EnviroPro 360’s Joseph Galpin writes below, you might have mold and offers some suggestions. Who Do I Call To Check For Mold In Aiken SC? – EnviroPro 360

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Joseph Galpin, EnviroPro 360 March 6, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Inaugural event organizers calling on support from businesses

Earth Day will look a little different this year. Businesses have an opportunity to support an organization that is dedicated to preserving a unique park near the border of North Augusta and Augusta. The North Augusta Brick Pond Park Committee, in partnership with the North Augusta Beautification Foundation, has scheduled an event calling people to visit the park near the municipal building. “We’re so gifted in North Augusta. We have 36 city parks, and we have this beautiful water feature of the Brick Pond right here in downtown,” committee member

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 6, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

How to compete with quality

Publisher’s Note: Ever wonder what it’d be like to get your MBA? For the next four weeks, Dr. Rick Franza takes you inside his classroom at Augusta University. Here is lesson #1 for your mini-MBA! RICK: Inflation and unemployment data have been volatile along with equity markets, and our conflict with Iran has clearly added one more element of uncertainty that impacts our economy, supply chains, commodities, and national security. Given this backdrop, my goal this month is to distract you from the potential instability in the world. I will

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Dr. Rick Franza, AU Hull College of Business Professor March 5, 2026 No Comments
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