B2B Stories

Simon Says: Employment levels break near 5-year mark

We have done it! The Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) employment has finally surpassed pre-covid levels. Employment now stands at 247,600, surpassing the pre-covid peak of 246,400. By contrast, the U.S. passed the pre-covid employment level in June 2022 and Georgia did in October 2021. March was a strong month for jobs growth with the U.S. economy adding over 300,000 jobs and the Augusta MSA adding 2,100, the highest monthly increase since August 2020. Pretty much, all the job gains were in professional and business services employment, which increased by

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B2B Podcasting

Successful Lawyer Legislator goes into candy biz!

Four years ago, Stephanie Stuckey was humming along in Atlanta in the middle of a successful career. Then, she got a call that changed her life. She told the ABD audience last week at “Inspire 24” that your past experiences will help you in future endeavors.

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Consumer Stories

New restaurant coming to a familiar CSRA location

The site of a former restaurant in The Plaza at Evans Town Center has been empty for more than a year. Stay. Social Tap + Table operated a unique pour-your-own beer and wine business from a row of taps along the wall and tapas-style food. It won’t be vacant much longer. As ABD previously reported, there was a three-month-long debate over whether Stay received more than 50 percent of sales from food. In December of 2022, following unsuccessful mediation, the doors of Stay were closed and in the following months,

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B2B Stories

Guest Column: Local Leader on the Stronger Workforce for America Act

We live in a time when things are objectively better for all people than almost any time in history, and also happens to be filled with divisiveness and mistrust of our institutions. The recent passage in the House of Representatives of the Stronger Workforce for America Act gives me tremendous optimism that we’re turning a corner in America; that civic engagement and bipartisanship can indeed make a difference. It is true, the confluence of the digital and gig economies, globalization, climate change, and the pandemic created a perfect storm of

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B2B Podcasting

When Stuckey’s Got Stuck

ABD continues its series on the rise of Stuckey’s in the CSRA and across the U.S. Stephanie Stuckey shared lessons learned with our “Inspire 24” audience on what went wrong after her family business got sold in the 1960’s.https://youtu.be/57qRbQ7UyZI?si=rlyG2xFVxUIhdQyr

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B2B Stories

Economic development on key part of Augusta

Demolition of the Augusta-Richmond County Joint Law Enforcement Center (LEC) at 401 Walton Way has left city officials with a question. What is next for a site that can be a gateway to the city? Looking for direction, the city partnered with the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) to bring the Technical Assistance Panel of the Urban Land Institute-Atlanta (ULI) to meet with commissioners, stakeholders, and community members with an interest in the property. Daphne Bond-Godfrey, Executive Director of ULI-Atlanta, said the organization is a non-profit made up of real

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: Spring market update for Augusta, Georgia and the CSRA

Welcome to spring in Augusta, Georgia! As the weather finally begins to warm up, it’s the perfect time to explore the current trends shaping the local real estate landscape. Whether you’re considering buying or selling a home, understanding the market dynamics can help you make informed decisions and achieve your real estate goals. Here’s a closer look at what I’ve uncovered this week in our area. In the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), there are currently 1,729 homes listed for sale, with 1,278 homes pending sale or under contract. The

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Edgar’s Grille

Food Quality: 5 Service: 5 Business Meeting: 4 Value: 4 Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 People often refer to breakfast as the most important meal of the day, so it always amazes me that so many skip it and wait until lunchtime to eat. But I do understand running late in the morning and having no time to eat breakfast. On those days, when I can’t sit down and have a proper meal, I often grab a granola bar for the road, but it’s never very filling or satisfying.

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B2B Podcasting

Rebuilding an iconic business

Way before Buc-ee’s, there was Stuckey’s. Who remembers the delicious pecan log rolls, the 99-cent breakfasts, the souvenirs? It was magic when your family was on a road trip. Stephanie Stuckey shared her rebuilding of the brand at last week’s ABD Inspire 2024 Conference.

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