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Consumer Stories

CSRA Healthcare Watch: Empowering Your Staff

Before working in the employee benefits industry in Augusta, I was like many employees — I didn’t fully understand how health insurance actually worked. I remember seeing my monthly payroll deduction for health insurance and then hearing that our rates were going up again the following year. Like many people, I assumed insurance companies were simply raising prices because they could. (Which is not completely wrong.) At one point, after reaching my maximum out-of-pocket for the year, I remember thinking, “Well, if everything is free now, I might as well

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Jamie Gose, Employee Benefits Consultant April 27, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

$3.6 million Investment in Columbia County

Andy Jones, Dealer Principal/President of the Gerald Jones Automotive Group, bridged the past and present during the Wednesday afternoon celebration at the grand re-opening of Gerald Jones Lincoln at 4333 Washington Road in Evans. Jones introduced his partners, who included David Jones, now retired, and the children of Frank Lawrence. Both men were TV spokespeople in the 1990’s and early 2000’s for various automotive brands in the CSRA they managed. Many of Andy Jones’ family members were on hand, including the founders of the Gerald Jones Automotive Group. “My dad

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Neil Gordon April 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

$6.8 million Investment to boost service business

These renderings by the Augusta firm McMillan Pazdan Smith give hope to ATC students and those looking to join the lucrative car business. Augusta Technical College was awarded a $6,808,307 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Monies will support completion of the Jim Hudson Automotive Institute, a workforce development project at 1122 Walton Way, in the former Johnson Cadillac Dealership. The federal investment represents a major milestone in Augusta Tech’s efforts to expand high-demand technical training and strengthen the region’s talent pipeline. The renovated facility will serve as a state-of-the-art automotive

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Staff Report April 24, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Housing remains a priority for workforce development

A panel discussion sponsored by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce highlighted the ongoing need for new housing units. Called the Real Estate Reality Check, it featured experts in real estate, insurance, and mortgages. Although designed to help homeowners understand what to expect in the coming year, the presentation began with a slide directly connecting housing to workforce development. “It’s a total partnership,” Andrea Bowles, Sales Manager and Relocation Director with Blanchard and Calhoun, told ABD. “In order to attract vibrant businesses, successful businesses, you’ve got to have housing. In

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Dana Lynn McIntyre April 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Welcoming students to A.U.

Augusta University celebrated the opening of its new Welcome Center. It is attached to the Student Center on the Health Sciences campus. It will serve as a central point for visitors and students and will support recruitment efforts. Campus tours will now depart from the addition. Dr Susan Davies, Executive Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs, told the standing room only crowd attending the ribbon cutting that the idea of the welcome center dates back to a consultant’s recommendation in 2019. “Our presentation room in the Benet House only

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Dana Lynn McIntyre April 23, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Student (and Employee) Success: Nurtured, but Earned

Since graduating from high school nearly 50 years ago, I have spent about 40 of them on college campuses, with almost 30 of them as a business school faculty member and/or administrator. Much has changed in higher education in that time, and in my opinion, mostly for the better. However, in recent months, I have heard from many colleagues, particularly “Baby Boomers” (born 1945-1964) like me and Gen Xers (born 1965-1980), that the higher education value to students is eroding, and I think they have a point as well.   However,

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Dr. Rick Franza, Professor, AU Hull College of Business April 23, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local chamber highlights $500,000 grant with Thursday’s meet and greet

One area Chamber of Commerce has separate upcoming events to bring the business community together. Up first is a Meet and Greet with Tyler Harper, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. It will be April 23rd at the Hub for Community Innovation on Chaffee Avenue.  Ronic West, president and co-founder of GABCC, told ABD the chamber’s agribusiness committee suggested the program. “I think people forget that agriculture is the number one industry in the state of Georgia,” she said. “One thing that we’re doing here at the chamber is

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Dana Lynn McIntyre April 22, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Vote tonight on $11.5 million contracts to restore/expand area event venue

If Columbia County Commissioners agree with a committee recommendation, recovery work will begin on a favorite gathering spot. Commissioners vote tonight on two contracts recommended by members of the Management and Internal Services to begin repair work on the Savannah Rapids Pavilion.  The first contract is with Duckworth Development, LLC of Martinez. It is for a renovation of the facility off Stevens Creek Road. If approved, Facilities Director Steven Prather told ABD the county can schedule a pre-construction meeting with the contractor.  “We will decide on a notice proceed date,

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Dana Lynn McIntyre April 21, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Employment is on the right side of Augusta’s history

Plant Vogtle transportation and utilities jobs, and jobs in other sectors, propelled the Augusta labor market to grow faster than previously recorded over the past five years.   The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revised Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) employment data back to 2020.  For example, before revision, the total employment in the seven counties of the MSA was 249,800 in December 2025. The revision shows that employment passed a quarter of a million back in May 2024. January employment was 254,400, surpassed only by employment in April 2025.  Industries that

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor April 21, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Healthy plan for your renovations at office or home

Spring and summer seasons are usually the time to remodel and renovate parts of your office or home. What if you or your contractor spots something dangerous behind the walls? If you read more, Joseph Galpin from Augusta’s EnviroPro 360 shows you how to put a plan in place. 2026 Asbestos Plan for GA & SC Renovations | EnviroPro 360

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Joseph Galpin, EnviroPro 360 April 20, 2026 No Comments
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