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B2B Stories

Health Insurance Is Not Health Care — What Augusta/Aiken Employers Should Be Thinking as Renewal Season Never Ends

As CSRA health insurance consultants, our historically heaviest renewal period has always been January 1. While that date is still the most common, we are increasingly seeing renewals spread more evenly throughout the year. Today, the most popular renewal dates are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 — what many in the industry now refer to as the “quarter system.” So, how can these opportunities make a difference? We’ve just come out of a busy renewal cycle and are already heading toward the next one. That reality

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Tom Mastny, CEO, The Pennant Group, Augusta February 13, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

CSRA retailer expands on Georgia Avenue

There are not many things that go better with ice cream than children with their favorite toys! The Orange Otter Toy Store just expanded on Georgia Avenue and moved its store just a few blocks away, and close to a North Augusta family tradition.  They were in the same center as South State Bank and adjacent to Gary’s Hamburgers on Georgia Avenue. Orange Otter is now next to the Pink Dipper ice cream shop at 507 Georgia Avenue. Aubrey Hickson, store owner, says the new location is 1600 square feet

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Neil Gordon February 13, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local business to help teach nonprofit clients online safety

An organization known for helping patients with neurological challenges has added classes to develop more than its clients’ physical needs. Day One Fitness, located in Beech Island, provides personalized physical development programs for individuals with challenges ranging from Parkinson’s Disease to stroke recovery. Thanks to a suggestion from a volunteer, it also offers classes on other topics.  “She came to me, and she said, ‘Hey, the people that have been coming are just so hungry for information, and there’s just so much that we don’t know,’” Executive Director Danielle Williams

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 13, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Super Bowl Ads: Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

Publisher’s Note: Did you watch the “game within the game” on Sunday—no, not Bad Bunny’s halftime performance—rather the performance of the commercials. I checked locally and: 30-second commercials cost about $8,500 each on our NBC affiliate, WAGT. Our resident “supply chain” expert, Dr. Rick Franza, looked at the supply, demand, and multi-million dollar cost/benefit. First, allow him a little “Broadway Joe” runway! RICK: I have always been a big fan of the Super Bowl. As a young boy growing up on Long Island, my fondest Super Bowl memory is Joe

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Dr. Rick Franza, AU Hull College Professor February 12, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

2 Business Schools suggest a positive economic outlook in 2026

Dr. Santanu Chatterjee, interim dean at UGA’s Terry College of Business (at podium), and Dr. Simon Medcalfe, economist at AU’s Hull College of Business and an ABD contributor, both can see growth in Augusta’s economy in 2026. They see different sectors helping to drive revenue and jobs. Dr. Chatterjee led the 43rd annual statewide economic outlook event that travels from city to city. He said the Metro Augusta region is important to the overall outlook for Georgia, with healthcare leading the way. “The only sector in which we’ll see some

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Dana Lynn McIntyre and Neil Gordon February 12, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Meet the new Chamber President tomorrow night

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is stepping into its next decade with its annual banquet. The chamber celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. Preceding the evening banquet will be a special afternoon reception tomorrow, introducing Heath Taylor, the new Chamber President and CEO.  “To celebrate the chamber and what we’ve done and really highlight Heath and welcoming him on board and letting people have an opportunity to come shake his hand and welcome him back to the community,” incoming Chamber Board President Helen Caldwell told ABD. Heath Taylor stepped

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 11, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Changes at local food and entertainment complex

John Hyder is about to demolish this part of his multi-purpose property that he opened 28 years ago. He’s a serial entrepreneur and is planning his 3rd act. His miniature golf course was part of a unique business model that featured the South on Whiskey Event Venue and JC’s Seafood on his several-acre property at 3197 Whiskey Road in Aiken. Those two businesses will remain open. Over the weekend, Hyder made the announcement on his personal Facebook page, and it sparked about 100 comments. “We would like to sincerely thank

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Neil Gordon February 11, 2026 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

Augusta Businessman recognized as Scouts begin new year

The Georgia-Carolina Council Scouting America held its annual campaign kickoff and named this year’s Distinguished Citizen Award winner. Donnie Thompson, owner of several businesses, most notably Windsor Fine Jewelers, was chosen by previous award winners to be recognized this year.  Thompson, who thanked the council and his predecessors, was introduced by Andy Jones, owner of the Gerald Jones Auto Group. Jones said Thompson embodies the spirit of scouting by being helpful, kind, and generous. “Generosity isn’t just about money,” said Jones. “It’s your talents, your energy, and your heart, and

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 10, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

65 jobs and $17 million in CSRA Economic Deal

A county on the southern fringe of the CSRA is welcoming a new company. Preciball USA designs and manufactures precision and industrial balls for industrial use. The company’s products are used in applications such as bearings, pumps, valves, swivel joints, and more. Preciball USA’s primary offices, which will remain open, are located in Pooler. “Our new high-precision manufacturing facility will complement our existing distribution operations and offer fully integrated, end-to-end domestic production to serve customers across an array of industries,” said Don Peak, Executive Vice President of Preciball USA. “We are

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Staff Report February 10, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Augusta job growth vs. other Georgia cities

Publisher’s Notes: Last week, yours truly jumped the gun, and my headline undersold how good Augusta’s labor market is. “Augusta is growing jobs at a faster rate than most Georgia cities.” As Simon writes this week, the news is much better: SIMON: This week, I DO compare job growth to other cities (metropolitan statistical areas, MSAs) and job growth last year in Augusta was faster than ALL other Georgia cities. Only four MSAs had positive job growth in 2025: Augusta, Brunswick, Columbus, and Savannah. Four MSAs saw large job losses:

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