B2B Stories

Governor Kemp’s bittersweet State of the State address

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) delivered his final State of the State address, wrapping up his second term in office, with a focus on improving affordability for all Georgians. He began by announcing an income tax rebate and a call to reduce the state income tax. “My budget proposal will include a fourth, one-time, 1-billion-dollar tax rebate this year that will return or save the average filer 250 dollars and a married couple up to 500 dollars,” he explained. “With this rebate, my administration and this General Assembly will have

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B2B Stories

Setting business owners up for success

There is a workshop next week, organized by experts who can point business owners to successful outcomes. This is the 12th year for the CEO Breakfast Workshop, sponsored by the Augusta office of the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The two-hour workshop will feature a panel of experts who can address the three topics for this year’s event. “We’re going to discuss the HR component, the financial component, and the risk assessment component,” Rebecca Mixson, Director for the Augusta office, explained for ABD. “We’re going to talk

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Consumer Stories

How to Be a Smarter Consumer of Healthcare in the CSRA

As a local health insurance consultant with more than 12 years in the industry, 80 employer clients, and 1000+ lives on the individual and Medicare market, I have seen a dramatic shift in the healthcare space over the last few years.  Our local healthcare market and industry are changing.  We, as consumers and consultants, need to make some adjustments in order to keep up. When people buy a TV, they research features, compare prices, and look for reviews. When they buy a car, they negotiate, shop around, and rarely pay

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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