Awards

Local HVAC business celebrates 29th anniversary

A local heating and air conditioning company just celebrated its 29th anniversary of keeping CSRA residents comfortable no matter what kind of weather Mother Nature brings. On April 1, 1994, Gary Hill founded Advanced Air Technology, which is located in Evans. Prior to launching the business, Hill worked for another company in the same industry. “I was working 50 hours a week for someone else and decided I could work 60 hours a week for myself and have a lot more fun,” he said. “You see a lot more of

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Faith

Faith Friday: Big George Foreman

When you think of larger-than-life characters portrayed in movies, you might think of fictitious characters like King Kong or perhaps one of the prehistoric dinosaurs from the Jurassic Park movie franchise. There are also some characters whose very physical presence looms large. A soon-to-be-released movie will focus on one of them. It’s the true story of former heavyweight boxing champion, George Foreman. He is certainly best known for his boxing. Against incredible odds, he won the gold medal for the USA in the 1968 Olympics at the age of 19

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Awards

MAU celebrates 50 years in business

Last month, MAU kicked off its 50th anniversary year, a major milestone for the organization. Officially incorporated on March 6, 1973, MAU was the dream of Mr. William G. Hatcher Sr., who launched the company with just $500 in a three-room office on Broad Street in Augusta. Today, MAU’s footprint reaches across the country and is comprised of two key businesses: Manufacturing and Supply Chain, and Technology Staffing and Software Development Solutions. That level of longevity puts the company in some rare air. Here’s how hard it is for a

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Darin Myers

Coach Darin: 7 Ways to Create a Culture of Engagement in Your Business

It’s no big surprise that employee engagement is critical to the productivity and long-term success of your business. What might be shocking though is how often engagement is overlooked, even by those organizations committed to fostering a positive company culture. Culture and engagement are not synonymous. Culture is an environment of shared values, goals, and behaviors that distinguish an organization and sets the bar for how things get done. Engagement refers to the level of employee activity and commitment to their work and the success of the organization as a

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B2B Stories

Local Chamber of Commerce to host leadership academy

Since 2019, the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce has partnered with local business and community leaders to prepare rising Aiken County ninth graders for life after high school. The Chamber is currently accepting applications for its 2023 Junior Leadership Academy. During the two-week program, which will meet in June, students will participate in a variety of activities, such as college and career exploration, a community service project, and leadership training. “It’s helping them with the transition from middle school to high school, which is stressful, I can imagine,” said Chamber

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Restaurants/Food

Business Lunch Review: BJ Country Buffet

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday, he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”.

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Consumer Stories

Birdies for Boobies tees off for a great cause

There are no green jackets involved in the 2nd annual Birdies for Boobies golf tournament but for the breast cancer survivors who benefit from the money raised, it’s a crowning achievement, literally. The tournament is hosted by the Boobie Queen Company, a nonprofit founded by cancer survivor, Whitney O’Connor. She was diagnosed with breast cancer six weeks after getting married and just a week before her 30th birthday.  She wore a crown made of a decorated bra during a breast cancer fundraising walk which inspired the Boobie Queen brand. Now,

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B2B Stories

Augusta partnership offers business training and grant/loan program

The City of Augusta and the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce have unveiled plans for their new CABE Fund (City of Augusta Business Equity), an Augusta $425,000 Guaranteed Loan/Grant Training Program, funded by the City of Augusta. This program will provide entrepreneurs and minority small business owners with the needed training and capital to be successful. The program is funded through Augusta’s allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act. The CABE Fund Program will offer a comprehensive approach to assist both new and existing entrepreneurs with the following: Four

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Consumer Stories

Progress preserves history with new bank location

The new branch of Security Federal Bank features all of the banking’s modern technology but its home is a part of Augusta’s history. The landmark structure at 1109 Broad Street has been restored, repurposed, and improved to serve the residents and businesses of downtown Augusta and the cyber district. The project’s significant community investment and attention to detail serve as a suitable celebration of Security Federal’s 100-year history as a local community bank. Constructed in 1924 as the “Uptown Branch” of Georgia Railroad Bank and Trust, the new full-service Security

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