B2B Stories

Opening My Mailbag: Inflation, Interest Rates, and the State of the Economy

While I am not an economist like my colleague and fellow Augusta Business Daily contributor, Dr. Simon Medcalfe, many of my family, friends, and acquaintances assume that because I am a business school faculty member and former Dean, that I am an expert on the economy. Therefore, many of them come to me with their questions related to the economy, particularly in times like these when we are getting many mixed signals and we are not sure what is good news or bad news economically anymore. For instance, in the

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Consumer Stories

Ex- Law Enforcement leader making headway in business

Safety first. Headway Collision is now open at 3682 Washington Road in Martinez. If the owner’s name Scott Peebles sounds familiar, it’s because he just wrapped up a 32-plus-year career in key leadership positions with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department and the Marshal’s Department. “I’ve always cared about taking care of people in their time of need. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial interest and like putting a team together,” he said from their second-floor conference room. Peebles added Tracy Bryant (Left) who’s worked in management roles at several CSRA Collision

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B2B Stories

Former TV station building seeks new tenant again

The former three-story WAGT building at 905 Broad Street is looking for another business to occupy it. For a little more than a year, a retail liquidation company hawked department store-type bargains inside the first floor and outside on the sidewalk, next to Laziza’s Restaurant. The Wholesale and Retail Bargain Merchandise store has moved near the Kroc Center at 1661 Broad Street in Augusta. They offer up to 75% off on various items that were returned to Amazon, Target, Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, and other retailers. For more information visit, www.bargainmerchandises.com

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B2B Podcasting

Near $1 billion investment

A Virginia company is expanding its footprint in the CSRA with $889 million to help an important mission in the CSRA. Mike Petchenik has the rest of the story in today’s Biz Bits.

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B2B Stories

New legislation to examine Georgia’s tax credit programs

The first step in adopting legislation to review Georgia’s catalog of tax credit incentive programs has passed the state senate. Senate Bill 366 is the outgrowth of a series of public hearings held across the state to determine the efficacy of the tax breaks currently offered. Titled “Tax Expenditures Transparency Act of 2024,” the measure passed the Georgia Senate unanimously. In presenting the measure, Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R-District 52), co-chairman of the Joint Tax Credit Review Panel, said it outlines a process to review the programs more regularly. Among the

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Darin Myers

Coach Darin: Goal setting tips for your remote work team

Is there any difference between setting goals for your on-site team and your remote workforce? Certainly, there are striking familiarities. For example, whether employees work in-house or are remotely located, it’s vital that their goals are aligned in some ways with the company’s broader vision and mission. Employees in a physical setting or in their home offices are generally more motivated to achieve goals when they understand how their efforts fit into the company’s growth and purpose. On the other hand, as ZDNet points out, for some remote workers, previous

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Some employment sectors bode well for 2024

Employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area ended in 2023 pretty much where it started. In December, employment was 244,000, down just 100 jobs from December 2022 (see below). Mining, logging, and construction were the industry sectors that saw the largest increase in employment over the last calendar year, increasing by 5.8 percent, or about 1,000 jobs. Construction activity bodes well for 2024, as firms invest in new or expanded facilities and residential construction reflects consumer confidence. Leisure and hospitality also ended the year 3.5 percent higher, almost 1,000 jobs.

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B2B Stories

Summer camps target STEM students

Augusta Technical College is accepting applications for summer camps to help develop skills in the science, technology engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. The 2024 Immersion Virtual & Augmented Reality (VARiETy) Summer Camps for middle and high school students will be held in June. The camp for middle school students can engage younger children in developing skills that show career paths they may want to pursue when preparing to enter the workforce. High school students have long been the focus of programs, like dual enrollment opportunities with universities and technical colleges,

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Consumer Stories

CSRA businesses are ready to play golf, are you?

Did you realize, it’s only 62 days until the Masters? Even before that is another golf classic and another reason to skip the office for some golf time and a great cause. Now in its 28th year, the Triple Crown Golf Classic will tee off March 25. This annual golf tournament takes place at the Woodside Country Club to benefit both Helping Hands, Inc. and the Tri-Development Center of Aiken County. What makes it successful is YOU! When you sign up to play, it helps ensure that the necessary services

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B2B Podcasting

The new James Brown arena, what’s next?

Nothing happens overnight, not a music career, even when it’s the Godfather of Soul. Now that the money has been approved, the process to build the new JBA won’t magically happen overnight either. Mike Petchenik has the 411 in today’s Biz Bits.

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