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B2B Stories

Local mentoring program extends application deadline

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce has extended the application deadline for its Young Men on the Move program to Monday, Feb. 7. Young Men on the Move (see photo above story) is a mentoring program for local male professionals between the ages of 23 and 30. Each year, 20 professionals are selected to participate in the program. Participants attend a monthly luncheon at the Chamber from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to learn about various personal and professional development topics, and attendance is mandatory. The cost of the program

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Josh Heath January 31, 2022 No Comments
Top Story

UPDATE: Incoming co-owner shares company vision

Ed Felton has worked for Southern Industries for 35 years, but he will soon take on a new role with the company: co-owner. Southern Industries owns several other companies, including Southern Siding & Window Company. Felton currently serves as vice president of operations for one of those companies – Southern Wholesale, Inc. – located at 1823 Gordon Highway in Augusta. The company sells building materials, such as siding and windows, primarily to homeowners and contractors. He, along with Corporate Manager Fran Felton and President Derek Thexton, is buying Southern Industries

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Josh Heath January 28, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

New Chamber program takes companies to the next level

11 business owners are ready to take their businesses to the next level, thanks to a generous bank sponsorship and the guidance from The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. Level Up Business Academy launched its six-month course for small business owners on January 26th. To qualify, owners had to operate a healthy business for at least three years and show desire to take their business to the next level. The program is designed to accelerate growth opportunities through education, counseling and resources. Multiple guest experts will provide entrepreneurial strategy and

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Neil Gordon January 28, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

‘Divine drinking’ the way to better health, says soldier-turned-entrepreneur

Editor’s Note: Our Faith Friday columnist Monique Williams is off this week and will be back with a new story sure to inspire you next weekend. In early November, she profiled a special family utilizing God’s creation to quench the thirst of others. Geoffery Jackson wants to leave a legacy for his children’s children. It’s a seed he says was planted one day while listening to a sermon from his pastor. “That’s something we don’t do,” he thought to himself. “Leave a legacy. But, I asked God how did that

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Monique Williams January 28, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Renamed professional group hosts kickoff event

A local organization that connects professionals between the ages of 22 and 40 just held its inaugural event under its new name. ABD previously brought you a story about Connect Aiken, which used to be referred to as Aiken Young Professionals. It’s similar to Young Professionals of Augusta. Supported by the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, the organization kicked off the new year by hosting a drop in to Connect Aiken (see photo above taken from Facebook) at Sheffield’s at Rose Hill on Tuesday, Jan. 25. The event was designed to

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Josh Heath January 28, 2022 No Comments
Shawna Woodward

FREE ACCESS: Real Talk Real Estate – How many homes will you buy in your lifetime?

In Q2 of 2021, the rate at which Americans owned their own home was 65.4%, or roughly 2/3rds of our population. What was the most reported reason for purchasing a home in 2021? Well, the NAR (National Association of Realtors) reported that 27% of all buyers had a desire to be a homeowner. That’s the American dream – to care for your family, or soon-expected family, and to provide them with a safe place to live. So, how many homes does the average American buy in their lifetime? It is

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Braydon Woodward, Re/Max Reinvented Evans January 28, 2022 No Comments
Top Story

55-year-old local company changing hands

A longtime Augusta businessman is retiring and selling his company to his president and two family members, after a 2021 deal fell through with a private equity firm. ABD has learned Jim Felton – founder and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Industries – is turning his home remodeling company over to his son Ed Felton, Vice President of Operations for Southern Wholesale with 35 years’ experience; his niece Fran Felton, Corporate Manager with 29 years’ experience; and President Derek Thexton with 14 years working for Mr. Felton. Founded in 1967,

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Josh Heath January 27, 2022 No Comments
Darin Myers

FREE ACCESS: Measuring your KPI (Key Performance Indicators)

You’ve heard of P & L’s and balance sheets, assets and liabilities—but how about KPI’s? Coach Darin Myers of www.tabcsra.com defines KPI’s and explains how to look back (lagging) and look forward (leading) to plan for a successful 2022.    

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Darin Myers January 27, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local events spur major economic impact

Destination Augusta, along with the Augusta Sports Council, are responsible for bringing many events to the CSRA each year. Augusta has become a popular destination for large events, such as meetings, conferences, and athletic competitions. These events are expected to add about $4 million to the local economy in just the first three months of 2022, according to a news release from Destination Augusta and the Augusta Sports Council. The events, which bring thousands to the city each year, help to generate revenue for local businesses, such as restaurants and

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Josh Heath January 27, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Dr. Thom and the Kit Fox Hunt

It sounds like the title of a children’s book, huh? But it’s as real as the long history of fox hunting in Aiken. It’s as real as the bronze foxes scattered among city parks and downtown business locations. It all started with Dr. Thom Akins, owner of Kitfox Pediatric Dentistry. His vision was to create a fun way to engage families and encourage locals and tourists to stay and play downtown. In case you didn’t know, a “kit” is a young fox. We learn something every day. Since Dr. Thom

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Mitzi Oxford January 27, 2022 No Comments
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