Consumer Stories

CSRA Restaurant Serves Up Dinner and Donations

As the work week winds down, here’s a chance to enjoy a great meal and give back. The Wildemount, located at 200 Park Avenue in Aiken, is hosting a charity dinner to benefit Golden Harvest Food Bank from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm today. “We are pretty busy this time of year but wanted to do something to make a difference. We encourage our guests to join us for dinner and make a $2 donation. We will match up to $2500 in donations,” explained The Wildemount owner, Samuel O’Lone. One

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Thought Leaders

As interest rates go down, Augusta’s economy has a chance to thrive

After more than two and a half years of interest rate hikes and an extended period of interest rates sitting at 5.5%, we have seen interest rate cuts at back-to-back Fed meetings. While the current Fed funds rate sits at 4.75% – well above the 2019 peak of 2.5% – consumers, businesses, and the real estate market should start to plan their first steps in a lower interest rate environment. Consumers see a more friendly environment for big purchases. Already battered by inflation levels not seen since the 1980s, heightened

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B2B Stories

2025 Predictions: Trump Policies Edition

After wrapping up my grading for 2024 (both for my Augusta University/Hull College students and for my 2024 Predictions for the Augusta Business Daily), I am sitting on an oceanfront balcony on Hilton Head Island contemplating the year ahead. Unlike last year, when my prognostications spanned multiple areas (national economy, local economy, workplace trends, and the business of sports), this year, the scope of my predictions will be more limited. Given the election of Donald J. Trump as our President, I thought I would tackle predicting how President Trump might

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Consumer Stories

Holidays take flight and a VIP landing at AGS

Before too long, the hustle of getting home for the holidays will make for busy days at Augusta Regional Airport. Lauren Smith, Assistant Director of Marketing & Public Relations, told ABD there are a few things travelers should keep in mind. First, get to the airport early enough to find a parking space. “We have, I guess, approached our capacity at times. So please give yourself enough time to find parking. We understand it is a challenge right now, and we are working on a parking lot expansion project that

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Helene’s Health Effects

Last week, I documented the initial impact of Hurricane Helene on the labor market. This week, I provide some thoughts on the long-term impacts on our health based on my reading of the academic literature. Rachel Young and Solomon Hsiang provide the first evidence of the long-term effect of tropical storms in an article in Nature. They find that mortality increases by 3.2% to 5.1% over 15 years following a hurricane. In Augusta, using all-cause mortality rates for Georgia, this would mean an extra 194 to 309 deaths per year,

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Consumer Stories

First One-Stop Home Services Showroom Opens in Augusta Area

If Mark Boyd’s new showroom at 4396 Lamkin Drive in Evans resembles a state-of-the-art automotive dealership, there’s a reason. “I spent 23 years in the car business,” said Boyd, the nation’s first Nesto franchisee, a brand designed to partner with multi-unit entrepreneurs in the home services space. Boyd officially unveiled his innovative showroom, located near the Home Depot in Evans, in late October. The event featured representatives from Nesto, Home Depot corporate, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Boyd’s team. Each “bay” in the showroom highlights a different service

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B2B Stories

How North Augusta fared and looking ahead

The economic news is mixed in Aiken County for 2025. The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce wrapped up its 2024 Power Lunch series with the annual economic report. Dr. Nancy Albers, Dean of the School of Business Administration, was the keynote speaker. Albers spoke specifically about where Aiken County stands and where it may be headed. While versed in reviewing economic analysis, Albers said she is not an economic analyst. So, she turned to Dr. Fadi Fawaz, an Associate Professor of Economics and Finance at Tennessee State University. “For his

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B2B Stories

Advice from Georgia’s insurance commissioner

Keith Perret (dressed in State Farm red) and others affected by Hurricane Helene got an interesting status update over breakfast from Georgia’s Insurance Commissioner. The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce held its annual legislative breakfast, an opportunity to talk with the members of the local delegation prior to the 2025 Legislative Session. The man leading the state agency on the front line of helping storm victims receiving fair compensation was guest speaker for the event. John King told ABD he realized metro Augusta is facing a long road to recovery.

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B2B Stories

Sponsored Article: Mark Boyd Expands House Doctors Handyman into Nesto of Augusta, Offering Six Brands Under One Roof

Augusta, GA – Since acquiring a House Doctors Handyman franchise in 2011, Mark Boyd has been committed to providing Augusta residents with high-quality home repair services. Over the years, Boyd’s vision has grown significantly, and in 2024, it has culminated in the formation of Nesto of Augusta—a one-stop home services provider that unites six specialized brands to meet virtually any home maintenance or improvement need. Adding to its multifaceted offerings, Nesto of Augusta is also deeply invested in supporting the Augusta community and has partnered with the Ronald McDonald House

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Consumer Stories

4th Small Business Saturday event ends Friday

The Soul City group is wrapping up its post-Helene present to the community this Friday after a two-week run-in downtown Augusta. (26) Downtown businesses are participating in a holiday decorating contest – the Soul City Spectacular. Windows, doors, and entire facades of buildings will be decorated in a festive holiday spirit. Businesses will be competing in the following categories: The Most Creative, The Most Colorful, The Most Elegant, and The Best Overall. According to John Porter, Downtown Soul City Director, “I think people are still feeling the emotional toll after

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