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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
Consumer Stories

Wingstop adds another location

Super Bowl Sunday was a huge day for Wingstop in the CSRA. The chicken franchise is growing again and adding a new location in the same plaza as Jimmy John’s and Fresh Market. They are building out a store at a shopping center at 1408 Whiskey Road in Aiken. Hungry folks will have a choice of classic and boneless wings with signature flavors like Lemon Pepper, Cajun, and Hickory Smoked BBQ. Wingstop is closing in on 10 locations in Richmond, Columbia, and Aiken counties. Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate represented Wingstop.

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Neil Gordon February 9, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

$1 million Beautification Project

Trees are an integral component of Aiken’s charm, and the organization protecting them just received a major infusion of money. Rob Johnston, a well-known local philanthropist, donated one million dollars to the Aiken Streetscapes Fund held by the Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA). The money will be used to fund the Oak Wilt Response program. “Oak Wilt is a serious and often fatal fungal disease affecting oak trees,” said Darce Stoker, Executive Director of Aiken Streetscapes. “Approximately 22 water oaks along Charleston Street have been identified as infected. In

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Neil Gordon February 9, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Military Monday: Making a pact to help veterans

Recently, I had the opportunity to listen to and engage in discussion with the Honorable Senator Mark Kelly, alongside Senator Jon Ossoff, as the PACT Act and other critical Veteran issues were addressed. So, what is the PACT Act? In short, the PACT Act expands access to VA health care and benefits for Veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service. If a Veteran experienced toxic exposure during deployment, the PACT Act ensures eligibility for VA health care and establishes presumptive service connections for certain conditions related to those

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Africa R. Thomas, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CME, CCM February 9, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Death at Georgia hospital should cause concern in the CSRA medical community

With the Augusta VA, especially area hospitals and healthcare service providers in the CSRA—testing is critical to prevent major illnesses and even deaths. Joseph Galpin from Enviro Pro 360 explains. https://enviropro360.com/blog/legionella-testing/a-wake-up-call-for-georgia-facilities-what-the-atlanta-va-legionella-case-means-for-you/

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Joseph Galpin, EnviroPro 360 February 6, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Automotive company to hire 200 people in the CSRA with a record investment

Another automotive project in Georgia is on the move in the CSRA with a $30 million investment. Governor Brian P. Kemp’s office says Dongwon Autopart Technology plans a new production facility in Emanuel County. Workers from Burke, Jefferson, and Jenkins County will likely fill management, system leads, and production positions. Hiring will begin this year for the approximate 200 positions. This is an expansion for the 55-year-old company that supplies components such as doorframes, seat frames, and battery frames to automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company supports more than 500

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Neil Gordon February 6, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Top Federal Reserve official leads economic report in Aiken

Tom Barkin, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, was the featured speaker at an economic symposium in Aiken. The Wednesday event, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Aiken, attracted 400 people, including South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evett (R) and Attorney General Alan Wilson (R), to the USCA Convocation Center. Barkin led his presentation with a topic on everyone’s mind: inflation. He said inflation is unfair, creates uncertainty, and the effort to negotiate with suppliers or shop around for better prices is exhausting. He coupled that

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 6, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA Real Estate group applauds Georgia Home Act

The Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives has thrown his support behind legislation eliminating homestead property taxes. Called the Georgia HOME (Home Ownership and Market Equalization) Act, it would eliminate property taxes on homesteads by 2032. It would preserve property tax exemptions currently in place. “This landmark legislation will not only mandate the elimination of property taxes on primary residences by 2032 but will also provide immediate relief for homeowners by doubling, or more than doubling, the state homestead exemption every year until the mandate takes effect, and providing

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 5, 2026 No Comments
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