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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Georgia labor market grows 2.2%, Augusta at 0.4%

The labor market in Georgia grew at a 2.2 percent annual rate in 2021 but the growth was not evenly spread around the state. Urban areas around Atlanta and coastal cities fared best. The fastest growing labor market, at 3.8 percent, was Savannah with nearby Brunswick also reporting 2.1 percent growth. Atlanta and Gainesville grew at 2.1 percent and 2.3 percent respectively. Augusta recorded growth of 0.4 percent. Two cities saw deteriorating labor markets: Albany and Columbus. Only two Metropolitan Statistical Areas beat the Georgia growth rate suggesting non-MSA areas

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

Delta flies high with new systems and old-time service

Jason Blackburn is a third-generation owner of the Delta Pest and Termite Company headquartered in Burke County, but he’s not set in doing things the way they’ve always been done. “For the first time in 40 years, we optimized all of our routes,” he said from his spacious office on Millen Highway in Waynesboro. (see photo above) That’s not only a tall order, but a big deal since his grandfather Jimmie and grandmother Frankie founded the company in December, 1963. Frankie is alive and ensures Delta is run with the

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Neil Gordon February 23, 2022 No Comments
B2B Podcasting

Taking Care of Business with Best Office Solutions, Part 2

In part 2, Neil Gordon talks to Best Office Solutions owners, Robin Baxley and Sandi Shields and their coach Darin about how they make their partnership work, and how the peer-to-peer The Alternative Board (TAB) helps keep them on track.  

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Neil Gordon February 23, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business is popping at local kettle corn store

If a traditional gift bouquet of flowers seems too passé, a basket overflowing with popcorn from Mack’s Poppin Kettle Corn might do the trick. In 2018, Mack’s Poppin Kettle Corn began selling its snacks at events and fundraisers in Augusta and Columbia. The business has since grown and opened its own storefront in Evans. Located at 4272 Washington Road in the Publix Plaza behind Evans Cinema, Mack’s sells kettle corn in a variety of flavors, such as bacon cheddar, caramel, ranch and even pizza. The store also offers gift baskets

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Josh Heath February 23, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Evans Market accepting vendor applications, starts April 23

Andrea Fanfan looks forward to selling her Hawaiian-inspired snack bags again at this year’s Evans Market, which is now accepting 2022 vendor applications. Fanfan launched PJ’s Snacky Sack in October 2020 in honor of her now 6-year-old son PJ, who was diagnosed with autism. He helps with various tasks, such as labeling and packaging bags, while his mother bakes snacks. The mother-son team sold their treats at last year’s Market and received a positive response from the local community. “We absolutely love meeting new people and seeing all of our

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Josh Heath February 23, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Chocolatier takes a bite out of childhood hunger

Willy Wonka, the most memorable chocolatier of all, said, “So shines a good deed in a weary world.” Think of James Stefanakos, owner of Agape Chocolates, as the Willy Wonka of Graniteville. His business card reflects his mission. Instead of CEO, it reads CFG or Chief Food Giver. He dedicates 15 percent of his chocolate bar sales to Golden Harvest Food Bank in support of their Backpack Program. “Our motto is Buy a Bar, Feed a Child,” he said. “Since we opened in 2015, our donations have helped feed close

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Mitzi Oxford February 22, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Selling boiled peanuts keeps local woman out of hot water

Michelle Cooper has survived severe asthma and four strokes to become a boiled peanut entrepreneur. Cooper, owner of MC Homemade Boiled Peanuts in Augusta, officially founded her business on Oct. 25, 2020. She sells and delivers peanuts throughout the CSRA and charges customers a small delivery fee based on the distance she drives. Cooper said she has also shipped her products to various locations throughout the U.S. and as far away as Haiti. She got the idea to start the business when her brother came to her house with a

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Josh Heath February 22, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local axe-throwing entrepreneurs chop their way to success

When you visit downtown Augusta on a Friday night, you probably swing by your favorite restaurant or bar to relax and unwind, but Vinnie Ingallinera and Jason Laclair offer a unique alternative to the traditional night on the town. Ingallinera and Laclair, owners of Broad Axe Throwing located at 1025 Broad St., celebrated their grand re-opening on Friday, Feb. 18, and about 110 people attended. Hosting a re-opening party implies the business was previously closed, but it wasn’t. Instead, the pair wanted to recognize its official transformation from Source Code

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Josh Heath February 22, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

First Quarter Resolutions

  Don MacNeil is the former Marketing Director of Windsor Jewelers and long-time on-air radio professional.   Is it just me, or… First Quarter Resolutions Early year resolutions. Insert Bronx Cheer here. On some level we all suspect we’re going forget them by June. And yet… Resolutions are one of those, close-your-eyes, grit-your-teeth healthy exercises. If you’re a small business guy or lady, clip this out and tuck it away. Your homework’s been done for you. The Cyber Stuff.  We’ve talked about how your position as captain of the ship

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Don MacNeil February 22, 2022 No Comments
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