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Awards/Celebrations

Kicking off the next 50 years protecting consumers

The South Carolina office tasked with protecting businesses and individuals from fraud and scams is reflecting on its golden anniversary. The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) was created on Jan. 1, 1975. The South Carolina Consumer Protection Code established it. Its mandate is to create a healthy marketplace through education, complaint mediation services, regulatory filings, and guidance for identity theft victims. As part of the agency’s outreach programs, it has kicked off a new series of “Wednesday Webinars.” “Education is a core component of our mission,” explained Carri

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Dana Lynn McIntyre January 15, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Financial Group expands up the road

A financial planning firm in the CSRA since 1974, is expanding from one end of Stevens Creek Road to the other. Richard Young Associates now has seven certified financial planners (CFP’s), nearly 20 employees, and will be moving into a new, large facility on Stevens Creek Road across from the West Hills subdivision and Dollar General on the west side of the Riverwatch Parkway. Part of the reason for the company’s growth is their association with Dave Ramsey and its Money MD programs, first on the radio and then through

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Neil Gordon January 15, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

The President and the Federal Reserve: Why You Should Care

It seems pretty clear that President Donald Trump is not a big fan of the current Chairman of the Federal Reserve (“the Fed”), Jerome (Jay) Powell. At the root of President Trump’s problem with Mr. Powell is Powell’s reluctance to lower interest rates as quickly as the President would like. I first wrote about this issue in April 2025 when the President intimated in social media posts that Powell’s firing might be imminent. However, when financial markets reacted negatively to such an attack on the Fed’s independence, the President backed

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Dr. Rick Franza, AU Hull College Professor January 15, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

McMaster releases his final budget to put more $$ in taxpayer pockets

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster laid out his fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. He was joined by Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. The plan included many of the themes that have been a hallmark for McMaster, such as reducing the state income tax and improving teacher pay. Just five years ago, South Carolina had the highest personal income tax rate in the southeast at 7%. McMaster pushed to have it lowered incrementally to its current 6%. He proposes dropping it to 5.9% and continuing to reduce it with the goal of eliminating

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Dana Lynn McIntyre January 14, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Major manufacturer in CSRA pledges to help future biz leaders

Aurubis Richmond is the newest company to open a storefront at Junior Achievement’s Discovery Center in Evans. Aurubis is one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. The company processes complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and metal-bearing recycling materials into metals from the Augusta Corporate Park in South Augusta. This marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to education and community engagement. “This initiative reflects Aurubis Richmond’s belief that business and community must work together to prepare the next generation for success,” said David Schultheis, President of Aurubis Richmond. Aurubis

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Neil Gordon January 14, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

CSRA lawmakers lead today’s 2026 SC legislative session opening

Members of the South Carolina General Assembly have gathered in Columbia for today’s opening of the 2026 session. This is the second regular session of the 126th General Assembly. State Sen. Tom Young (R-District 24, Aiken County) told ABD he sees a wide range of topics facing lawmakers this session, ranging from education to workforce initiatives, and modifying the state’s income and property taxes. South Carolina has been incrementally lowering the personal income tax from 7% to the current 6% on income over $17,830. Young anticipates a vigorous debate on

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Dana Lynn McIntyre January 13, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Record Employment in CSRA

New records were set in four employment sectors for the end of 2025, including a few traditionally strong areas in the CSRA. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the long-awaited Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) employment data for October and November last week. There was little change in the total employment in the Augusta MSA, up 200 persons over the two months to stand at 248,800. Education and health services added 100 jobs in October and 40 in November to stand at 38,195, a record. Like the national economy, this sector

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor January 13, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Enviropro360: Facility Managers take note

January is National Radon Month with an emphasis on testing buildings and raise awareness about invisible lung cancer. Click read more to see if your building is one that should be tested.

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Joseph Galpin, EnviroPro 360 January 12, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Augusta area legislator pushes for more $$ in our paychecks

Georgia lawmakers are returning to Atlanta for the opening of the 2026 Legislative session. The House will be gaveled into session at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Democratic Senator Harold Jones represents Georgia’s 22nd Senate District, covering Augusta and parts of Richmond County, Georgia, as the Minority Leader in the Georgia Senate, told ABD he expects reducing or eliminating the personal income tax will be one of the session’s key issues. “Other than that, things have been kind of quiet as far as what the major issues are going to be out there,”

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Dana Lynn McIntyre January 12, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Huge Sign CSRA Economy Is Improving

SCORE sets record on mentoring small businesses in a 16-county area of the CSRA. 30 Certified Mentors and Volunteers worked with over 355 Small Business Clients in 2025. The Chapter’s territory includes Aiken, Augusta, North Augusta, and a total of sixteen counties. Mentoring services have been provided for three phases of a Small Business’s journey. The Idea and How Do I Start Phase…The How Do I Grow My Business Phase…And finally, The Time Is Right to Sell and/or Retire Phase. As a Non-Profit, all Mentoring Services are free and confidential.

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Neil Gordon January 12, 2026 No Comments
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