Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: CSRA Market Update

As of mid-July, the real estate market in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) is showing intriguing trends that are essential for buyers and sellers to understand. Current Market Snapshot Homes for Sale: 1,868 Homes Pending Sale: 1,168 Average Days on Market: 100 days for closed sales from April to June Percentage of Asking Price Received: 98.59% Sales Trends The first quarter of 2024 saw a robust 4,115 homes sold. However, the second quarter experienced a noticeable slowdown with only 2,378 homes sold, signaling a deceleration in spring sales. The

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B2B Stories

Bouncing the way to major economic impact

North Augusta is preparing to welcome one of the CSRA’s most popular, and economically significant, events back to Riverview Park. The 2024 Nike EYBL Peach Jam Basketball Tournament kicks off on July 12. This marks the 28th year the city has hosted the tournament which began as the Peach Basket Classic in 1996. It began as a four-day event, expanded to a weeklong tournament and this year is growing again. “New this year is the event will last 10 days, July 12 through the 21st,” Rick Meyer, Director of Parks,

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Pho-Ramen’L

Food Quality: 4 Service: 5 Business Meeting: 3 Value: 4 Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 I’ve always liked the kind of ramen you buy at the grocery store that comes in little orange packages because it’s cheap and tasty. It’s also a favorite meal among broke college students everywhere, though there are much healthier options. But several restaurants, such as Pho-Ramen’L, now serve more upscale versions of the traditional noodle dish. These eateries give diners the option of adding various meats, vegetables, spices, and other ingredients to their noodles

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Consumer Stories

Busy restaurant does six-week pop-ups

The Mullins Crossing crew from Chick-fil-A is hitting the road again tomorrow for their second of six pop-up lunch events. Team members are serving chicken sandwiches, salads, and wraps. “Riverwood residents have been asking us for years to come out that way. We want to make our customers happy. Security Federal in Riverwood was nice enough to let us set up in their parking lot. So many people that came to the pop-up location thanked us for being there,” said Gina Adams who operates the Mullins Crossing store with her husband, Jason. The

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B2B Stories

Summer school in session for business owners

While students fear the words “summer school,” a local marketing expert is hoping business owners are ready to learn how to show their businesses in the best light. The Marketing Summer School is the brainchild of Moniek James, a marketing strategist and consultant, and founder of Renegade Creative Media. “I definitely was trying to be a little cheeky with putting in summer school, because, yes, that does bring up memories like the worst thing ever,” she told ABD with a chuckle. “But as a business owner myself, I think about

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Sports / Entertainment

Working for the Weekend: Skateland of Augusta

The temperatures this summer are forcing us to take a different approach to our weekend plans. When it’s too hot to even brave the pool, why not try a throwback activity? Skateland of Augusta offers discounts to families on Saturday mornings, but should you spend your precious weekend time at a roller rink? Our dad reporter goes retro this week with a look at the fun to be had at a South Augusta staple.

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B2B Stories

Mastering education leadership in the CSRA

This fall, the University of South Carolina Aiken will offer a new master’s degree program in Education Leadership. The online distance education program will allow participants to pursue principal certification, supporting local teachers who wish to move into leadership roles while increasing the pool of qualified candidates for local schools. According to School of Education Dean, Judy Beck, the principal certification program will significantly benefit teachers and school districts in the Central Savannah River Area. USCA’s program will provide a more convenient avenue for local educators to advance to leadership

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B2B Stories

Getting your company story out

It was an engaging day in Evans. Getting your company story out seems to be harder and harder to do with the glut of social media channels and online groups. The Columbia County Chamber’s third of four Business Institute workshops in Evans at the Performing Arts Center, delved into ways to reach mainstream media with your message. On the panel were ABD’s publisher, Neil Gordon, WJBF’s Kaleigh Foster, who oversees digital media operations, and WAFJ Radio General Manager and morning on-air host, John Bryant. Here were the takeaways from each

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B2B Stories

Self-Promotion: A Double-Edged Sword

While my participation on social media is fairly limited, I do visit LinkedIn regularly. Although I do not post very often, I keep my profile up-to-date and enjoy using it as a way to follow the careers of my former colleagues and students with whom I do not regularly communicate. It has also provided a means for me to reconnect with some of them, and also with some high school and college classmates and those I served with in the Air Force whom I have not seen or talked to

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B2B Stories

CSRA Chamber managers complete leadership training

Three area Chamber managers have recently completed the Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. W. James Allen, IOM Director of Member Engagement of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 credit hours of course instruction in non-profit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours towards the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified

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