I have already reported that Augusta’s employment rebounded from Hurricane Helene in November, increasing by 800. But what about other labor market indicators? The unemployment rate increased for the eighth successive month to 4.8% in November, and the Sahm Indicator has been indicating a recession in Augusta for four months. The unemployment rate is the highest rate for all Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the State of Georgia. Record employment and increasing unemployment can be explained by the increase in the labor force. These are people that previously were not

The owners of this restaurant at the corner of Washington Road and Pleasant Home Road are still not able to re-open. It’s been more than three months since Hurricane Helene ripped off its roof. Whether there is serious or minor damage, organizers are calling all small businesses harmed by Hurricane Helene to attend an upcoming workshop and learn what help is available. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is organizing the Jan. 22 workshop. The workshop is organized with help from the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, the

The University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business came to Augusta with the economic outlook for 2025 nationally, across Georgia, and in metro Augusta. Dr. Benjamin Ayers, Dean of the Terry College of Business, called the report a good news forecast for Georgia. “We are predicting a slowdown, but not much, and we’re expecting a growth rate that will continue to be above our long-term trend rate in the state of Georgia,” he said. “Still should be a positive year in 2025. We’re expecting Georgia’s inflation-adjusted GDP (Gross Domestic Product)