B2B Stories

Pet-focused business adds new service to fill need

Paws in Paradise finished a major expansion in 2023 to reach about 200 boarding rooms at its complex on Evans to Locks Road. Now, the boarding facility is reimagining its space to add a wellness center to provide most veterinary services. “We are not a pet hospital, but a boarding facility able to provide services similar to a veterinary office (vaccines, bloodwork, urinalysis, laser therapy, x-rays, ultrasounds, minor surgeries such as dental cleanings, end-of-life care), as well as intermediary services between regular veterinary office and pet hospital (such as triage

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B2B Stories

Accelerating downtown Augusta growth

A business development center whose opening was delayed when Hurricane Helene smashed Metro Augusta, recently opened its doors and is part of a rebirth in one section of downtown Augusta. Accelerate Augusta is up and running in the former Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce building. The I.M. Pei-designed building is located at 600 Broad Street. The microenterprise center was created to support entrepreneurs, start-ups, and help local small businesses develop and grow. However, it is also a welcome neighbor on that section of Broad Street. “Got a new hotel coming

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Consumer Stories

Simon Says: More jobs; less money

The Augusta Labor Market Index (LMI) was unchanged in August compared to July. It is 0.8 percent higher than August 2024. Employment increased in August, as I have already reported, and the unemployment rate fell from 4.2% to 4.1%. However, the other three components of the LMI fell. Average weekly earnings decreased by $30, the labor force fell by 40 people, and average weekly hours worked fell by 36 minutes. Across the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) of Georgia, only Brunswick and Macon saw declines in the LMI. Athens, Dalton, Rome,

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Consumer Stories

2 huge projects in process through Aiken County

A second free-standing emergency room is coming to North Augusta. It is being built in the parking lot in front of a shopping center housing businesses that offer a good amount of physical activity. The E.R. will be built near where Spatter Place and the Family Y of North Augusta are on W. Martintown Road. That’s the North Hills Shopping Center. Aiken Regional Medical Centers (ARMC) is developing it. The hospital has a similar existing facility, the ER at Sweetwater. It opened three years ago at 160 Austin Graybill Road.

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B2B Stories

First-of-its-kind business competition

This Friday, AU’s Hull College of Business is challenging future business leaders with a first-of-its-kind competition. The Dean of the School explains how it works. “So, this year, we are piloting a high school competition slash conference event, and we are piloting it with Columbia County high schools. We wanted to start small, and they’ve been talking with us about how we can create these competitive-type events around business cases. One of the things that we wanted to do is, with it being limited to just the Columbia County High

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B2B Stories

Hull Video: Business Competition

If you’d like to partner with the AU’s Hull College of Business—reach out before next Friday to get involved with a first-of-its-kind competition. Dr. Mark Thompson has more in this short video.

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Closings

Local staffing company hurt by manufacturer’s shutdown

Sabrina Murray, Director of Client Services for Snelling, is on the hunt for new business. For the last 15 years, her company has placed temporary employees at Augusta Sportswear to fill customer orders. Their client is going away, along with temporary jobs, on December 19th, after Augusta Sportswear filed a notice of shutdown with the State of Georgia. “This time last year, business was booming and we placed 47 temps, “said Murray. Murray said when Snelling hosted an employee appreciation event for Augusta Sportswear in August, she had just 22

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B2B Stories

Helping small businesses bid on Augusta contracts

Contracts to work on government construction projects can be lucrative for businesses of all sizes. However, many small businesses do not understand the complexity of the bid process. An October 16 workshop will help small businesses navigate the process. A bid and contract readiness workshop will be held at the Diamond Lakes Library in Hephzibah. It is a collaboration between the City of Augusta Compliance Office and Spellman Consulting Group, LLC. “What we’re trying to do is to educate small businesses on the bid process, how to identify bids, and

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B2B Stories

Rental market booming for entrepreneurs and small businesses in the CSRA

Several more commercial leasing units are on the market for businesspeople, who especially have a need for both office and industrial space. A construction company, manufacturer, and distribution company are all in final negotiations to lease a flexible amount of space in the Trade Center Court in Augusta, according to developer/leasing agent Southeastern. The four buildings are ready for lease in 1500 square feet blocks all the way up to a 7500 square foot space for a total of 25,500 square feet. It’s located ¼ mile west of the I-20

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B2B Stories

Accountability: The Essential Ingredient for Growth and Success

Editor’s Note: Sometimes, sports mirror business. Destination Augusta reports when the Augusta Sports Council brings in a sporting event to town, it can mean millions of dollars in economic impact. Sports and business are about competition. Teams of either have to be held accountable. Dr. Rick Franza traveled from his classroom on Walton Way to South Bend, Indiana, to show how the “Fighting Irish” can help you win at your CSRA Company. When Your Team at Work Gets Off To A Bad Start This past weekend, I returned to my

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