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Consumer Stories

Employment summit for students with challenges

Nearly two dozen businesses teamed up with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SC DEW) for an employment summit for a unique group of students at USCA. The event was for students in the university’s LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) program. It is a college program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. It is in its third year of helping the students. “They spend two to four years with us in the program, learning skills in academics, independent living, like cooking and cleaning safely, as well as social

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Best and worst unemployment story for Augusta

The last bit of economic data for 2025 was just released for the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The unemployment rate has risen from 4.1% in September to 4.5% in December. This is the highest unemployment rate across the fourteen Georgia MSAs.  There may be a good reason why Augusta “finished last.” As I previously reported, the Augusta MSA had the largest increase in employment, and the rising unemployment rate may just reflect people entering the workforce to find jobs in a relatively strong economy.  This is borne out by

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor March 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Business support needed to train students for a great career

The North Augusta Chamber Foundation is tying one of its programs to the chamber’s 75th anniversary to help Aiken County students. The foundation is raising funds for the program that targets high school students to prepare them for a career after they graduate. The foundation’s Dell Tech program is a partnership with the Aiken County Public School District (ACPSD). It provides high school students with IT certification and hands-on experience. Isaac Kelly of Aiken Staffing Associates and chair of the foundation told ABD the program began in 2020 with North

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 23, 2026 No Comments
Awards

Hometown financial institution receives 2nd prestigious honor from national magazine

First, Forbes Magazine picked SRP Federal Credit Union as the Best in State Credit Union in Georgia. Most recently, another national magazine bestowed a different honor in South Carolina. Newsweek named SRP as one of America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions in 2026.  In partnership with Plant-A Insights Group, Newsweek recognizes financial institutions that help power local economies by supporting small businesses, financing community projects, and providing reliable access to everyday banking services. “More than financial service providers, credit unions are community partners, showing up in neighborhoods, participating in

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Neil Gordon March 23, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Examining the state of education in Georgia

Individuals at the forefront of post-secondary education participated in a State of Higher Education summit. It was organized by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. Featured speakers included Chancellor Sonny Perdue, University System of Georgia; Commissioner Greg Dozier, Technical College System of Georgia; and Jenna Colvin, President of the Georgia Independent College Association. (Photo Caption) From left to right: Daniela Perry, Executive Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation; Commissioner Greg Dozier, Technical College System of Georgia; Jenna Colvin, President of the

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 20, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

10 Best AI Tools for Business 2026

ABD member Corsica Technologies just updated their Top 10 Best AI tools for 2026. It features the best chatbot for business/personal use, AI search, customer service AI, and more. This feature first appeared at www.corsicatech.com. Click read more for the specific article.

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George Anderson March 20, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Chambers of Commerce are looking for a new wave of leaders

The two largest chambers of commerce in the CSRA are looking for individuals who want to learn the inner workings of their communities. The Augusta Metro and Columbia County Chambers are accepting applications for their 2027 leadership classes. Leadership Columbia County (LCC) is a ten‑month program with monthly full‑day sessions. “We are looking for folks that are interested in leadership roles in Columbia County,” Heath Taylor, President and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber, explained for ABD. “We will share education topics, political, government, arts, economic development, criminal justice, health

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 19, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

March Mini-MBA: Essentials of Supply Chains

Class is now in session for the third week of Augusta Business Daily’s Mini-MBA for the month of March. Hopefully, you found our first two lessons, “Competing on Quality” and “Effectively Managing Inventory,” beneficial as you run your business.    For those of us who teach Supply Chain Management (SCM), events of the recent weeks (Iran), recent months (tariffs), and recent years (pandemic, bridge collapses, hurricanes) have given us plenty to discuss in our classes.  I will also discuss their importance in today’s column. However, before looking into those events, it

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Dr. Rick Franza, AU Hull College of Business March 19, 2026 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

Successful CSRA Businessman applauds non-profit who developed his skills

Tonight, Brad Usry of Fat Man’s Hospitality will be inducted into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame. He’s also a Hall of Fame inductee in the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame and is excited about the BG&C special anniversary this year. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta is celebrating 75 Years of serving local youth with a campaign called “A Promise Kept: 75 Years for Augusta’s Kids.”  Usry went to the Boys Club from 1970 to 1975 on Division Street near what is now the Kroc

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Neil Gordon March 19, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Business Leader Passes Away

Visitation is set for 6 P.M. today for a former longtime car dealer in the CSRA. Ray Bourne passed away on Sunday at the age of 85. Bourne was credited for developing the land and building Bourne Toyota, then a state-of-the-art dealership/service center on 3069 Washington Road, before selling it in 2004. Ray and his surviving wife, “Honey” Maurica M. Bourne, operated it for nearly 10 years there and received several industry and local awards, and were also known for their strong faith and philanthropy.  The property was retrofitted for several

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Neil Gordon March 18, 2026 No Comments
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