Fri, May 15, 2026

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Newsletter Sign up
Show Support
Menu
B2B Stories

USC Aiken to offer on-the-job training program for students with intellectual disabilities

Students from three area high schools are about to begin an opportunity that could change their life. USC Aiken will launch Pacer LIFE this fall. It’s the first postsecondary program in the region for people with intellectual disabilities. Pacer LIFE offers not just coursework but also job training, on-the-job training, and independent living skills like banking, cooking, and laundry. Pacer LIFE students are also full-on Pacers, enjoying student life and living on campus in USC Aiken dorms. Nationally, only 18% of adults with intellectual disabilities are employed, and of these,

Read More »
Staff Report February 27, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA businesses scramble for employee healthcare coverage as Humana exits Group Medical Plans

Major insurer Humana is leaving group commercial healthcare and major medical plans to focus on government-funded programs, and ancillary benefits such as ambulance transportation, blood, drugs, and medical supplies. This impacts employers and their employees under plans which are fully insured, self-funded, and those with Federal Employees Health Benefits medical plans. “Employers need to prepare for changing their insurance provider, for some disruption, and potential rate changes,” advised Tom Mastny, CEO of The Pennant Group. For Michael Harrison, owner of Flow Pro Plumbing in Augusta, Humana’s announcement last week was

Read More »
Mitzi Oxford February 27, 2023 1 Comment
Consumer Stories

Medical helicopter has new home at Augusta Regional Airport

Augusta University Health’s AirCare helicopter’s recently completed hangar was dedicated on Feb.23 at Augusta Regional Airport. Dr. Phillip Coule, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Augusta University Health System, said they knew AirCare was needed, especially to help serve the rural parts of Georgia. However, he didn’t anticipate how much of an impact the helicopter would have, or how far it would range. Numbers show AirCare, operated by Metro Aviation in partnership with AU Health, has logged 700 transports in its first eighteen months. The majority have been within

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre February 26, 2023 No Comments
B2B Podcasting

Understanding Liberty’s new business model

Liberty Insurance is famous for its “emu” spokesperson. ABD Publisher, Neil Gordon sits down with the local face of Liberty— and she shares how Liberty is now part of a larger company that allows her to take care of most every insurance need.

Read More »
Neil Gordon February 26, 2023 No Comments
B2B Stories

Legacy entrepreneurs reveal their success stories to Chamber audience

Perseverance, hard work, and customer service were the common theme of three CSRA business leaders honored as Trailblazers at the 114th annual Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce meeting on Feb. 23. The Chamber hosted a panel discussion of three entrepreneurs who started iconic CSRA businesses: Larry Jones, founder of Universal Plumbing; Vera Stewart, founder of the Very Vera cooking empire; and Ray Carnes, founder of recteq grills. WJBF News Channel 6 anchor, Brad Means moderated the discussion about what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Jones went from growing

Read More »
Gary Kauffman February 26, 2023 No Comments
B2B Stories

Mondays with Rick: Increase your business opportunities through digital marketing

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about the importance of digital marketing. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: We hear a lot about digital marketing, but I think for many companies that is still a somewhat vague and confusing term. What is digital marketing and how does it differ from traditional marketing? Rick: Marketing is any way of providing your message and can be done through

Read More »
Gary Kauffman February 26, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Cost doubles for CSRA Public Safety HQ

Businesses and taxpayers are footing the bill for an extra $10 Million plus of cost overruns in North Augusta—but the people who keep everyone safe say it couldn’t be avoided. After years of discussion and debate, officials held a groundbreaking ceremony, Friday at the site of the new public safety headquarters. Discussions for the building started more than eight years ago. Not until 2020, did the city move forward in earnest. The original plan was to build on East Buena Vista Avenue near the current headquarters. The cost was estimated

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre February 26, 2023 No Comments
Cyber Security

Free Access: Tech Alert: Are public Wi-Fi sites safe?

People often wonder, should you use public Wi-Fi? Commonly, folks will use VPN tools, but I want to make sure you know that these tools can often be a source of malware and breaches. Beware of using these options when looking to protect your computer from attacks using public Wi-Fi. Here is what I recommend watching out for: First, if you are entering passwords or interacting with your bank, be sure that you are only interacting on sites that begin with HTTPS. If the website does not have HTTPS in

Read More »
Patrick Reynolds February 26, 2023 No Comments
Faith

Free Access: Faith Friday: Marriage Makers/Marriage Breakers (Part Two)

Dave and Ashley Willis are a vital part of a marriage ministry called XO based in Dallas Texas. They are both authors and host a podcast called “The Naked Marriage” (which has had over 1.1 million downloads just since the beginning of 2023). They also speak to thousands of couples in person at marriage events across the country. Here is the rest of our conversation: Where do you point people when they ask you for an example of a strong marriage? Dave: I would say start in your church. If

Read More »
Steve Swanson February 23, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local IT firm donates $2,500 to nonprofit that serves trauma victims, families

Dealing with trauma can be a major challenge for children, but a local IT firm has donated $2,500 to a non-profit organization that serves these victims and their families. IntelliSystems made the donation to Children’s Place Inc., which provides counseling and other services to families in five South Carolina counties: Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, and McCormick. The company’s donation will be used for the nonprofit’s Guardian Angel program, which provides clothing, classroom supplies, and other items for the children it serves. Each December, Children’s Place takes kids on a shopping

Read More »
Josh Heath February 23, 2023 No Comments
Load More