Wed, May 13, 2026

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Newsletter Sign up
Show Support
Menu
ABD Extra

Mondays with Rick: Internships – Everyone wins!

In one of my most recent columns on economic development, I stressed that workforce availability and development have become the number one criterion for companies in deciding where to locate their facilities. Therefore, there is probably nothing more important to the CSRA’s economic development than building and developing its workforce. While attracting a workforce from outside of the area is a key component of workforce development, the most important aspect of building a strong workforce comes from developing and retaining the talent that already resides in the area. While education,

Read More »
Dr. Rick Franza June 12, 2023 No Comments
ABD Extra

Georgia Business Minute: Electrifying news in EV market

A South Korean-based company has announced plans to open a plant near Dublin, GA. that will create heating and air systems for electric vehicles, as well as providing technology that will help maintain battery functions. If accomplished, nearly 20 million dollars will be invested and over 100 workers are expected to be hired. Mike Petchenik reports from Atlanta with the latest on this and other stories in this week’s Georgia Business Minute.

Read More »
Mike Petchenik June 12, 2023 No Comments
ABD Extra

South Augusta’s surge in development: Part two

A quiet explosion of economic development has been underway in South Richmond County, $3.2 billion in all. A long-time plant has expanded, another major new manufacturing plant is under construction and two other companies are expected to start construction in the months ahead. All are in the Augusta Corporate Park on Mike Padgett Highway. But, two things are lacking outside of the I-520 perimeter, a pool of trained workers and sufficient new housing units to attract employees at the plants to move into Richmond County. Cal Wray, President of the

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre June 12, 2023 No Comments
ABD Extra

Simon Says: Here’s where employment was during Masters month

Despite the upturn in the Augusta Leading Economic Index reported last week, employment in the metro area continues to decline. Employment fell slightly by 200 jobs in April from March and is down almost 4,000 jobs since November 2022. Obviously, April was Masters month, and leisure and hospitality employment jumped 3,400 (not seasonally adjusted). This was less than in 2022, when the Masters bump was 4,200. With little month-to-month change in the seasonally adjusted total employment level, most industries did not see big changes in seasonally adjusted employment levels. Most

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe June 12, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Practical ways to improve your workforce

Staffing experts, Robert Kelly and Lynn Billing have some simple solutions for employers falling short of finding qualified candidates. They say taking the long view of improving the pipeline of candidates and matching it with schedule flexibility for those candidates will make the difference in solidifying your staff. Kelly, the chapter president of the nationally awarded SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) group, led last Thursday’s conference on recruiting, retention, and upskilling. “The key is to not scramble to fill a position by hastily filling it,” said Kelly, the long-time

Read More »
Neil Gordon June 12, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Practical ways to improve your workforce

Staffing experts, Robert Kelly and Lynn Billing have some simple solutions for employers falling short of finding qualified candidates. They say taking the long view of improving the pipeline of candidates and matching it with schedule flexibility for those candidates will make the difference in solidifying your staff. Kelly, the chapter president of the nationally awarded SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) group, led last Thursday’s conference on recruiting, retention, and upskilling. “The key is to not scramble to fill a position by hastily filling it,” said Kelly, the long-time

Read More »
Neil Gordon June 11, 2023 No Comments
Cyber Security

LOB can help prevent hacking

Do you have office computers that run slow? When was the last time you checked on the computer that runs your reception or check-in areas? If your computers are loaded up with software that is not specific to run the operations of that position, then, you may need to listen up. Line of Business applications or LOB for short, are what you need to strive to maintain across your organization. LOB applications are computers that only have software installed that are mandatory for that computer to process operations meant for

Read More »
Patrick Reynolds June 11, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Clothing business “Chalks it Up” for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is coming up in less than a week. You still have time to make your mark in honor of your dad. A few years ago, Lionel Smith Ltd. started a promotion that honors dads and gives back to the community. The initiative is a perfect fit for a clothier and tailors in business since 1976. Tailor’s chalk is used to make temporary markings on a suit as it’s being fitted. This time, a different type of chalk is being used to mark a memory of your dad. When you

Read More »
Mitzi Oxford June 11, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

A buffet of updates on a beloved BBQ restaurant

A year ago today, Duke’s Bar-B-Que caught fire. It’s been closed ever since. Daily progress is being made towards the reopening of a local favorite franchise that started more than 45 years ago and now has 14 South Carolina locations. On Friday afternoon, owner Christian Judy, conducted a Facebook Live tour of the new place. Generations of customers weighed in during the FB session and many others have been on social media platforms in the past few months, about what they would like to see and taste in the upcoming

Read More »
Mitzi Oxford June 11, 2023 No Comments
Load More