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Consumer Stories

Local entrepreneur reflects on 40 years in the printing business

Printing isn’t merely about putting ink on paper; it’s about conveying messages, according to Larry Lynn. Lynn opened his printing business, Allegra, in 1983 to help his customers convey those messages. He and his wife, Rosemary, also own Image360, a sign company. The couple runs both businesses at 128 Commercial Blvd. next to the Martinez post office. Allegra and Image360 operate under Alliance Franchise Brands, LLC, and a franchisor of more than 600 printing, marketing, and sign businesses throughout North America. Besides printing and signs, their staff also designs and

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Josh Heath March 24, 2022 1 Comment
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Roughing it at Outback Steakhouse

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 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”. Food

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Wes Hennings March 24, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Glimmer of good news for jobs but inflation still a fear

The New Year brought some cheer to several sectors of the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area economy.  The retail sector continued to gain jobs, employment in this sector was up 400 and is close to providing 30,000 jobs. Reassuringly, leisure and hospitality added almost 400 jobs as well. Manufacturing added a further 250 jobs and mining, logging, and construction added 400 jobs. Professional and business services saw an increase of over 600 jobs, following five consecutive months of declining jobs. These job gains were offset by losses of about 400 jobs

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor March 23, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Augusta Airport prepares for the major travel rush

Thanks to covid, Masters travel numbers at the Augusta Regional Airport have been significantly lower than usual for the last two years. But that won’t be the case this year. The airport is preparing for a normal tournament week April 4-11 by instituting a new parking policy, introducing a new baggage claim area, and temporarily adding some direct flight options. “As the primary gateway to Augusta, we are diligently preparing for the 2022 Masters and are excited for the prospects of a full event,” said airport Executive Director Herbert L.

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Josh Heath March 23, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local golfers tee off for two causes

A week before the legendary golf tournament descends on Augusta, there’s another tournament that raises funds to support two local nonprofits. The 26th annual Triple Crown Golf Classic will be held on Monday, March 28 at Woodside Country Club in Aiken. Proceeds from the private event will be split between Helping Hands and Tri-Development Center of Aiken County, Inc. Helping Hands provides services for abused, neglected, and abandoned children, while Tri-Development serves adults with a variety of disabilities, such as brain injuries and autism. Heather Waddell, Executive Director of Tri-Development

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Josh Heath March 23, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local entrepreneur to make trash cans sparkle

You probably don’t think much about your outdoor trash cans until the stench of three-day-old meatloaf hits you in the face and pesky flies swarm around your head. But Drayton Oswald wants you to leave the chore of cleaning your dirty cans to him. Next month, Oswald plans to launch Spic & Span Georgialina Cans, which will specialize in washing, disinfecting, and deodorizing cans. The home-based business will primarily serve Columbia County residents. Spic & Span will use a simple process that can clean two trash cans at the same

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Josh Heath March 23, 2022 No Comments
Employee Benefits

Ex-Major Leaguer makes pitch to help CSRA businesses save on health benefits costs

Drive, hard work and asking questions propelled Tom Mastny to a three-year Major League baseball career. Now, he’s using those same attributes to help CSRA businesses contain health care costs. Mastny is CEO of The Pennant Group, a health benefits company that helps employers dig deeper to discover the reasons for high health costs and then find ways to reduce or contain those costs. “It’s the ‘hidden paycheck,’” Mastny said about the health care costs. “Most employees don’t understand all the things taken out of their check, and if you

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Gary Kauffman March 22, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

AU Health finally gets the green light to build Columbia County hospital

Between 2010 and 2020, Columbia County’s population grew by more than 25 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Despite this growth, the county still doesn’t have its hospital. The closest hospital is Doctor’s Hospital, which depending on where you live in the county could mean a half-hour drive. But that won’t be the case much longer. Augusta University Health System CEO, Katrina Keefer said she and her staff are currently in the design phase for a new five-floor, 100-bed hospital in Grovetown. It will be located just off Exit

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Josh Heath March 22, 2022 1 Comment
B2B Stories

Brace yourselves for the second orthodontics location

A local orthodontist will soon give Columbia County residents another reason to smile. Dr. Lee Andrews II of Rogers & Andrews Orthodontics, whose office is located at 3545 Wheeler Road in Augusta, plans to expand his practice by opening a second location just off I-20 Exit 190 in Grovetown. Andrews and his staff held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site located at 785 Gateway Center Blvd. near Home2 Suites on Thursday, March 10. Alison Andrews, the orthodontist’s wife, said a construction crew has already begun grading the property, and the

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Josh Heath March 22, 2022 No Comments
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