B2B Stories

Simon Says: How far has the CSRA come in 20 years?

About 50% of CSRA counties are growing, and 50% are not. I usually use Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) data for this column, as it is released more frequently than county-level data and is more up-to-date. However, I was giving a talk to the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Regional Commission on Friday, so I dug into some county-level data.  The CSRA Regional Commission is a group of area economic development organizations from 13 Georgia counties: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, and Wilkes. By

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Consumer Stories

Why Transparency in Your Employee Benefits Program Is Essential

“Transparency” has become one of the most overused buzzwords in the Augusta area. It appears in business marketing materials, corporate mission statements, and political talking points. In many cases, it sounds good but doesn’t actually change much. In health insurance, however, transparency isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Healthcare costs continue to rise every year, and many employers feel like they have very little control over those increases. The truth is, the only way to understand what is actually driving healthcare costs—and how to manage them—is through transparency. Without clear

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Consumer Stories

New retailer opening in Artist Row before Masters

Thalia & Company is opening in the lower left suite at 1022 Broad Street in downtown Augusta, joining Freshwater Design Company. (Photo from LoopNet real estate service prior to this new development) Thalia & Company is opening a residential interior design storefront.  The studio offers a curated selection of home goods and professional design services.  The shop features custom furnishings, thoughtfully selected décor, and wallpaper services through a partnership with Mai Wallpaper Lady.

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B2B Stories

Major changes in DT Augusta begin this year, thanks to agencies’ collaboration

A portion of the 2017 tourism plan is progressing in 2026, thanks to “Augusta 2035: Blueprint for Action.” It is Augusta Tomorrow’s vision project to grow both Augusta and North Augusta with big input from Destination Augusta. Jennifer Bowen, Chief Strategy Officer, SVP, & Film Commissioner for Destination Augusta, told ABD they are excited about the plan. “We’ve had an opportunity, actually, to be involved in it from the very beginning,” she said. “Bennish (Brown, President and CEO of Destination Augusta) first had an opportunity to serve on the committee

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Consumer Stories

Two retailers opening in shopping center in Martinez

A clothing boutique and spa are moving into a popular shopping center on Furys Ferry Road near the Publix Supermarket.  Forevermore is replacing Garden City Pet in The Centre at Furys Ferry. Kennedy Nine Sammons, the boutique owner, is relocating to the Centre from a shopping center on South Belair Road and is currently doing a moving sale of her curated fashion pieces. Her business is a tribute to her late grandfather, who inspired her entrepreneurial spirit.  (See ABD’s second anniversary story from last August) Joining Forevermore is Face to Face

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B2B Stories

Expanding hope in Augusta with your help!

Almost $15 million down and about $1 million to go. With your help, construction of a new Center of Hope can begin. The overall cost of the project is $15.7 million. To meet its goal, the Salvation Army has started the public phase of its Standing Together – Restoring Hope capital campaign. The Augusta chapter wants to replace the existing center, currently on Greene Street. It has been in use since 1974. At that time, homelessness in Augusta was predominantly a male issue. “Now we have more women and children

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Consumer Stories

Fundraiser plants hope on property at huge CSRA employer

Thanks to $150,000 and with Walton Way as the backdrop—AU is starting to look whole again. “I remember when the hurricane came across our community, it reshaped the campus landscape, and for many of us, it was something that we could not have imagined or even planned for,” said Dr. Russell Keen, President of AU. “But today is not a story about loss. Today is a story about hope and renewal in a community that was hit by a storm but didn’t stay down. A community that came together, rose

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Consumer Stories

Augusta Topgolf nabs a big star for Masters Week

After Rounds 1 and 2 at Augusta National, Topgolf hopes you’ll make the one-mile trip to Riverwatch and Alexander Drive to see a famous, flamboyant golfer mix ‘n mingle. It will be a busy week for John Daly. During the day, Daly will set up golf goods for sale at the Top Dawg Tavern, since Hooters closed recently. From 6-9 P.M on Thursday and Friday night, Daly will hang out with fans as they tee off at Top Golf. “This week has always been about the fans as much as

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B2B Stories

Mini-MBA: Managing Inventory

Publisher’s Note: Do you have a Costco membership off the Riverwatch Parkway? The Gordons do through our company. My wife loves it, and though I enjoy the experience—there is a certain level of frustration. Dr. Rick Franza continues his “Mini-MBA” lesson with a look at how the pros and cons of a Costco membership are tied to the all-important inventory juggle. Welcome to the second weekly lesson in the “Mini-MBA” I promised you in this column for the month of March. We kicked off the Mini-MBA last week with a

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B2B Stories

Selling your business to the big crowds in Augusta

A national organization said major events can give small businesses the opportunity to get their product in front of a large crowd. Georgia has two such events this year, including a spring tradition in Augusta (Photo courtesy: www.visitaugusta.com) SCORE, the organization of retired business experts, recently held an online seminar to share advice on best practices to tap into those unique customer bases.  Mark Dobson, a SCORE mentor and President of the investment and development company Eight-Four, LLC, pointed to some of the largest upcoming sporting events, including the Indianapolis

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