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B2B Stories

Education’s importance to Georgia’s economic future

Education was at the heart of a recent summit in Atlanta and Augusta had a prominent role. The theme of the 2025 Future of Talent Summit was “Reimagining Education and Talent Development.” It was sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The summit was broken into four education segments, ranging from kindergarten through college level education: Reimagining Early Learning & Childcare, Reimagining K-12 Education, Innovations in Technical Education, and Innovations in Georgia’s Colleges and Universities. Leading the discussion regarding colleges and universities were Sonny Perdue, Chancellor of the University System

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 25, 2025 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

Local Fast-Casual Franchise Celebrates 4 Years with Giveaways

If you have a heart for I Heart Mac & Cheese, today may be your lucky day. The eatery at The Village at Riverwatch Center, 826 Cabela Drive is celebrating its fourth anniversary today starting at 11:00 am. If you are one of the first 25 paying customers, you’ll win a Free Grilled Cheese Sandwich once a week for a year! The Augusta location of I Heart Mac & Cheese is owned and operated by local businesswoman, Brandie Taylor, who oversees daily operations. The restaurant specializes in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls

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Staff Report February 25, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Customer Feedback: The Key to Continuous Improvement

Last week, we passed the one-third mark of the Spring Semester for my courses at Augusta University’s Hull College of Business. As I typically do at this point in the semester, I asked my students to provide me with anonymous, written feedback on how their class is going so far this term by responding to three questions: 1) What do you like about the class so far? 2) What do you not like about the class so far? 3) What changes would you make to the class for the remainder

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Dr. Rick Franza February 25, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Franchised Coffee stand about to open 3rd location in CSRA

A drive-thru coffee stand that was supposed to replace an iconic gas station in March 2024, is set to open sometime in May, according to local managers. The land is cleared for the newest 7 Brew Coffee stand at the corner of Walton Way Extension and Wheeler Road in West Augusta. Smith’s Chevron occupied the near one-acre lot for 37 years, before the owner retired and left travelers by the busy intersection to wonder, “What’s next?” 7 Brew will only need approximately 500 square feet for the building to allow

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Neil Gordon February 24, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Networking tips from 4 of the best connectors in the CSRA

One of the most challenging things business owners and individuals face is how to grow a vibrant network of contacts. The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Third Thursday brought together a panel of experts from different backgrounds to give advice on what they have found to be successful. The panel included Tiffany Heitzman of Homebuilders Association Greater Augusta Region, Patrick Wells, President of Piedmont Landscape Management, James Clayton with New York Life Insurance, and Jeannine Steinkuhl, Director of Sales at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in North Augusta. “All four of

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 24, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Who’s Hiring in the CSRA?

For the last two weeks, I reported the 2024 growth in total employment numbers for the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). This week, I will examine which sectors contributed the most to the overall growth in 2024. Education and health services saw the largest change in employment and the largest percentage change. Employment increased by over 2,300 in this sector, or 6.0%. (SEE CHARTS BELOW) The growth in this sector represents somewhat of a double-edged sword for the economy. Some of the growth no doubt comes from changing demographics, such

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe February 24, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Retail Store Closes & Makes Way for New One!

A small business shipping store is about to make downtown Augusta a more colorful destination. Pretty Package Store will be opening what is believed to be their first retail location on 12th Street near Broad. A husband-and-wife team with design and business experience created the brand after having challenges finding pretty supplies and packaging to ship out their orders for another business of theirs. Their durable poly mailers come in different sizes and designs. Their variety pack of approximately 35 (6 x 9, 10 x 12, and 14.5 x 19)

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Neil Gordon February 23, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Sweet entrepreneurship

Cookie lovers everywhere look forward to a bright spot as winter begins to wind down in February: The return of Girl Scout cookies. A portion of the money raised through the sale of cookies pays the bakery company that produces the products. The majority of the funds remain within the originating council. Each council determines how the funds are used, including supporting local camps, community projects and helping girls in underserved areas participate. However, the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce’s February Women in Business luncheon demonstrated how participating in Girl

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 23, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Crazy for Charcuterie? New Franchise opens in Evans

It almost didn’t happen. About a week after Hurricane Helene hit, Clint and Cheryl Hardy were supposed to sign franchise papers to open a Graze Craze location at The Shoppes at Blue Ridge in Evans. “Looking around at the destruction, there was every reason not to move forward but we felt the opportunity was too good to pass up,” said Clint Hardy. Clint and Cheryl worked at SRS and in cyber security for a combined 75 years.  When Clint retired, he kept looking for something to do. Cheryl had a

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Mitzi Oxford February 23, 2025 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

Busby’s Celebrates 80 years in Business and Welcomes New President

Busby’s Heating & Air Conditioning marks its 80th anniversary, and with it, a momentous milestone in the company’s history—Kristen Munn, Rick Busby’s daughter, has been named the new President, and is the third generation of leadership. JC Busby, Rick’s father, founded Busby’s shortly after World War II in Millen, Georgia. The company has since grown into a trusted name in the heating and air conditioning industry. Over the past eight decades, Busby’s has continually expanded its services, introduced new products, and built a reputation for exceptional customer service. The company

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Staff Report February 20, 2025 No Comments
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