B2B Stories

Simon Says: Positive labor news

Employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) continued to grow for the fourth consecutive month. In August, employment was 247,800, up 700 from July. 3,300 net new jobs have been created in the last year. Over two-thirds of the net new jobs were created in the education and health services sector, reflecting national trends. Private education and health services jobs have grown by 3.8 percent over the last 12 months. Government employment represented almost a quarter of the net new jobs in the Augusta MSA over the last year.

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B2B Stories

Business leaders/volunteers find a hub to combat Helene

An eight-day herculean effort by area volunteers from service organizations like the American Red Cross to the Chamber of Commerce came to an exhausting end late last week. Members of the Leadership Augusta Class of 2025 showed up on Thursday, October 10th, in lieu of a regularly scheduled activity. Sponsored by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, each month members set aside one day to immerse themselves in myriad opportunities to learn how the community works. The 2025 class is chaired by Al Dallas (far right) of the Georgia Cancer

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Consumer Stories

CSRA garnering international attention for storm recovery

One of the State of Israel’s top officials in the southeast spent Wednesday in the CSRA, visiting storm-damaged areas and distributing supplies. Anat Sultan-Dadon, the Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States began the day in North Augusta. “We have been in touch with the authorities and the elected officials and decided to come to one of the locations where it matters to be on the ground,” she explained to ABD. Sultan-Dadon was joined by elected leaders from North Augusta, South Carolina state government, Columbia County, and Georgia

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Human Resources

ConceptHR Corner: People make it happen!

Recently, Hurricane Helene made an enormous impact on the local and regional area creating massive damage. It was a bit humbling and overwhelming when everyone emerged from their shelter viewing the devastation as the storm had finally passed. As much as all attempted to be prepared, there was no way of knowing the enormity and severity of the situation until it occurred. Power, internet, water, gas, and food were either nonexistent or scarce, creating hardships and stress. Fear and a feeling of helplessness soon followed, affecting everyone. However, the depth

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: Next Steps After Storm Damage: How to Restore or Sell with Help from Homeowners Insurance

As I sit here today, overwhelmed with the sound of chainsaws still whirring in the distance and a second storm hitting Florida, thoughts of what will come next burst into my emotions. Many of us are dealing with storm damage to our homes. This can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with the daunting task of excessive repairs or even the possibility of totaling your property. The emotional and financial toll will be significant. However, homeowners’ insurance should be there to help shoulder the burden and guide you through the

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B2B Stories

Hurricane destruction highlights need for tort reform

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has wrapped up a series of roundtable discussions collecting information on the need for tort reform in the state. The final session was held at Waffle House headquarters in Norcross, Ga, and was attended by elected officials and business leaders from 12 companies across the state. ABD sat in on the session virtually. In his welcoming remarks, Joe Rogers III, CEO of Waffle House, said Georgia has reached a crisis point in the civil litigation, one that will likely be impacted by the devastation from

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B2B Stories

Publix in the bullseye of Milton: Impacts to CSRA?

It’s been 13 days since Hurricane Helene slammed into the CSRA. Publix, which has seven locations throughout the area, is focused on continuing deliveries to those stores even as their corporate headquarters in Lakeland, Florida is in the middle of a direct hit from Hurricane Milton. As the CSRA recovers from Hurricane Helene, ABD contacted Jared Glover, Media Relations Manager for Publix. Glover’s area covers Augusta, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. These are his responses to our questions regarding any impact. ABD: Will closures of more than 500 Florida

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B2B Stories

Chamber Candidate Meet and Greet goes on as scheduled

Even though several thousand residents remain without power, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is working towards a return to normal. The Chamber’s Political Action Committee is moving forward with its plans to host a Meet and Greet, featuring area candidates vying for crucial positions in the upcoming November election. Members of the community are invited to the event to be held this evening, Thursday, October 10th at Greenbrier High School at 6:00 PM. Doors to the auditorium will be open to the public free of charge at 5:30 PM.

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Consumer Stories

Helping Hurricane Helene victims

Contact: Jeff Mason, VP of Sales Phone: (706) 724-1488 Website: Kamo Facilities and Solutions Location: 1326 Reynolds St, Augusta, GA 30901 If you have lived or worked around Augusta for any amount of time, you are familiar with the friendly folks at Kamo Facilities and Solutions. A staple in downtown Augusta since 1947, Kamo Facilities and Solutions has served the needs of CSRA businesses and beyond for their custodial needs. Jeff Mason, VP of Sales, says, “Although we are a local distributor, we offer more than just cleaning products and equipment.

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B2B Stories

Helene’s impact on large businesses in Richmond County

While small businesses across Richmond County are fighting their way back from Hurricane Helene, the county’s largest businesses are assessing their situation. “Most of our industries, from what I can tell, were spared,” Cal Wray, President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) told ABD. “Several of the larger ones were without power for four or five days. The last big one that I knew that came back online was last Wednesday. Think most of our manufacturing is back up and running.” A number of the largest employers are in

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