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Consumer Stories

Full-service vet clinic opens in the CSRA

Let’s face it, most of us consider our pets part of the family. Riverfront Vet opened last month in North Augusta, and they are dedicated to keeping your pet healthy and being there to guide you through emergencies. The amount of money Americans fork out each year for the care and feeding of our animal companions jumped to $151 billion in 2024. According to Pettable, that amounts to about $1,850 a year in Georgia and South Carolina. For Dr. Maria Flippo, the first doctor in her family, it’s not about the money. She knew

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Mitzi Oxford August 15, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local 9th grader selected as worldwide winner

A 14-year-old student at Augusta Christian School won the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s “You Made the Grade” sweepstakes, which recognizes academic excellence among military-connected students. He was selected out of 2,300 entrants. Trent Hall is the son of retired Fort Gordon veterans, Tamika and Robert Hall, who have served for a combined 42 years. He enjoys studying science, plays soccer, and aspires to become a professional soccer player. His grand prize in the form of a $2,000 Exchange gift card was presented to him during a presentation at

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Staff Report August 15, 2025 No Comments
Closings

Gary’s Hamburgers down to one store after 42 years

After a temporary closure this Spring and Summer and more than a dozen years in Martinez, Gary Gibson is closing his locally run restaurant due to health and staffing issues. Gary Gibson tells ABD surgeries and physical therapy have slowed him down and haven’t enabled him to recruit employees at a time when it’s harder than ever to compete with other employers, despite nearly doubling his wages in five years. “Before Covid, our starting wage was $8 per hour, and now it’s $14-15 per hour,” said Gibson. He used to

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Neil Gordon August 15, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Update on CSRA multi-million-dollar investment

With an $800 million investment in Aiken, Meta is set to spark innovation throughout the CSRA. Next week, you’ll be able to get an update on exactly what that might mean for your business during the Aiken Chamber of Commerce’s State of Our Community event. Laura Warren, Meta’s Community Development Regional Manager, will be the keynote speaker for the Chamber event on Wednesday, August 20, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Aiken High’s new Performing Arts Center, 449 Rutland Drive. Meta is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Threads,

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Mitzi Oxford August 14, 2025 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

Deadline tomorrow for NA Chamber Award!

The number of women-owned businesses is on the rise, here in the CSRA and across the country. Who do you know that deserves recognition? Nominate a woman for the 2025 “Woman that Empowers” Award, presented at the upcoming at the North Augusta Chamber’s Women in Business Luncheon on September 23, 2025. This annual recognition honors a woman in our community who has: Demonstrated exceptional leadership Mentored or uplifted others Contributed meaningfully to her business or community Overcame obstacles and inspired those around her   We’re asking for thoughtful nominations—not just the

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Staff Report August 14, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Multi-million-dollar expansion “connects” CSRA county

Comcast has completed a high-speed broadband expansion in McDuffie County, Georgia, as part of its $1 billion Project UP initiative. The expansion brings multi-gigabit Internet speeds with 99.9% reliability, supporting economic growth and connectivity needs for businesses and residents. The expansion delivers high-speed Internet, mobile, and security services from Xfinity and Comcast Business. The investment is helping to close the digital divide in areas that previously may not have had access. “Reliable Internet access is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for families, businesses, and communities to grow,” said County Chairman Chase

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Staff Report August 13, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

The “Hot Seat:” When to use it and how to handle it

It is August, one of my favorite times of the year for many reasons. Vocationally, it means the start of a new academic year. On Monday, we started classes at Augusta University, and I met two of my new Fall Semester classes for the first time. Students and faculty are reenergized, excited, and optimistic at this time of the year, so there is always a positive feeling in the air.  However, another reason this is one of my favorite times of the year is that the start of football season

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Dr. Rick Franza August 13, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New restaurant being built in Evans

A new restaurant is moving in next door to McDonald’s in front of the shopping center bordering the Riverwood Plantation subdivision in Evans. ABD confirmed with the Wendy’s district manager that the fast-food restaurant is set to open around the end of 2025. It will be the 12th location for the franchisee—and at least the second adjacent to McDonald’s. The competitors are side by side in front of the West Town Shopping Center in Martinez. 60-70 employees will open the new design Wendy’s in the center, which also features a

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Neil Gordon August 13, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

More flexible options available for CSRA small businesses

Two area contractors will be turning the lights on at a new office park with warehouse space in Evans. It’s part of a trend ABD found offering up more space for rent to meet the needs of growing companies. Clark Develops, LLC will be the general contractor/owner of FlexSpace of Evans, and Newsome Electrical Construction LLC (NEC) will handle the electrical work from pre- to post-construction. The land is located at 4542 Washington Road in Evans between the back of the Bojangles Restaurant and the Eagle Pointe Shopping Center. That

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Neil Gordon August 12, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Navigating Government Contracts

First, 95% of all businesses in the CSRA are small businesses. Government contracts can be quite lucrative for small businesses, offering a stable revenue stream and access to a large, consistent market. The U.S. government is a massive buyer of goods and services, and it’s legally obligated to consider small businesses for many contracts. In case you didn’t have a chance to access the Government Contract 101 webinar that ABD reported was available last week. Here is what you need to know. While the potential is high, the process of winning government contracts

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Mitzi Oxford August 12, 2025 No Comments
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