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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Fastest growing counties in CSRA

The fastest-growing county in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in 2024 is not in Richmond or Columbia County. It is Burke County. Real Gross Domestic Product grew at 15.6% in 2024 from 2023, according to recently released data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Columbia County grew at 3.6%, Richmond County at 1.6%, and Lincoln County at 0.6%. McDuffie County shrank by 3.5%.  In South Carolina, Aiken County grew at 2.7,% and Edgefield County shrank by 1.9% (see graph below). The state of South Carolina grew faster (4.5%) than

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor February 17, 2026 No Comments
Awards

500 + Chamber members get Presidential treatment at annual meeting

The incoming Columbia County Chamber President got to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to a retired Chamber President credited with being one of the key leaders behind Columbia County’s growth more than a decade ago. The new President and CEO, Heath Taylor (left), addressed the membership for the first time since starting on February 2nd.  He presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Tammy Gibbs Shepherd, who was President from 2010 to 2020. She helped strengthen local businesses, expand workforce programs, and was one of the leaders behind the push to

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Neil Gordon February 17, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA golf course piggybacks the Masters

Watching the Masters tournament at Augusta National or on CBS could lead to a big boon the following week for a renovated golf course in Augusta. The Augusta Municipal Golf Course, best known by its nickname, The Patch, is set to re-open on April 15 after a 16-month renovation process. Photo Courtesy of Augusta National It has been closed since April 2023. Under a partnership with the Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC), Augusta Technical College, The First Tee of Augusta, and Masters Tournament Charities, the 18-hole course has undergone a

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 17, 2026 No Comments
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
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