Consumer Stories

Restaurant set to re-open after holiday car accident

The staff at an Evans restaurant got an unwanted Christmas gift on Christmas Eve. A driver careened into the side of the eatery, destroying the drive-thru window and causing significant damage to the adjacent kitchen. This week, remodelers hope to complete work on the Chicken Fingers Restaurant at the corner of Blue Ridge Drive and Evans to Locks Road. In the meantime, the restaurant is parking its food truck in front of their end cap unit. The Shoppes at Blue Ridge Center owners and property managers at Jordan Trotter Commercial

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B2B Stories

2024 Predictions: How Did My Crystal Ball Do?

Publisher’s Note: Tomorrow is December 31st, both New Year’s Eve and the official end of 2024. In case you missed a previous article, Dr. Rick Franza took a break from grading his students and graded himself on predictions he made about a year ago. Last Thursday, my esteemed colleague, Dr. Simon Medcalfe, provided another of his informative and amusing talks at the annual Hull College of Business’ Economic Forecast Breakfast. His presentation at this time last year inspired me to consult my “crystal ball” and make my predictions for 2024

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Residential Real Estate

Best of Real Talk Real Estate: CSRA Real Estate Market Update: What’s Happening in Augusta and Surrounding Areas?

Publisher’s Note: A few months back, our resident Real Estate expert, Shawna Woodward looked into her crystal ball to share her insights on 2024. Here is the “best of” Real Talk Real Estate! If you’re following the real estate market in Augusta, GA, you know it’s been an eventful year. From shifting demand to fluctuating interest rates, buyers and sellers alike are navigating a changing landscape. Here’s a snapshot of the latest trends, insights, and what I expect to see as we move toward the end of 2024. Unfortunately, interest

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B2B Stories

Hurricane Helene canceled business event re-scheduled for 2025

Organizers of a series of workshops and training sessions canceled by the sudden arrival of Hurricane Helene have regrouped for 2025. BsidesAugusta 2025 is set for Oct. 20 through Oct. 25. It will follow the outline planned for the 2024 event that was canceled. “It’ll be four days of training classes that we’ll offer, and that’ll be the 20th through the 23rd and then the Security Onion conference on October 24,” BSidesAugusta organizer, and COO of Security Onion Solutions, LLC, Phil Plantamura explained for ABD. “Both of those events, the

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Consumer Stories

Good Deeds: Rooting for Augusta

Publishers Note: The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene will have a lasting impact due to rebuilding efforts—including replanting of trees. Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate included the below information in their company newsletter. This event is open to businesses and the entire community. Rooting For Augusta: Restoring Augusta’s Tree Canopy Hurricane Helene left a lasting mark on the CSRA, taking with it many of the trees that gave our area beauty and charm. Now, we have the opportunity to come together as a community to restore what was lost. Jordan

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B2B Stories

Air Show Augusta coming back for a third year

Augusta Regional Airport will have a busy April in 2025 with two events generating visitors. First is the 89th annual Masters Tournament, which will run April 7th – 13th next year. However, from the first arrivals to final departures, it has expanded to nearly two weeks with the addition of the Drive, Chip, and Putt Competition for young golfers, and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) tournament. Augusta Regional Airport staff will have less than two weeks to catch their respective breaths before Air Show Augusta 2025 roars into the

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Consumer Stories

Tech School Alumnus Flying High

Austen Heider’s ultimate goal is to become a flight paramedic and one day hold a position overseeing EMS at the county, state, or even national level. Heider is an Aiken Technical College alumnus. Currently, he has the opportunity to travel and provide paramedicine at various locations nationwide. He also acts as an adjunct EMT instructor at the college. “EMS is my passion. It’s not a career aimed at wealth or recognition but one motivated by the desire to serve others and the community. I believe it is crucial for individuals

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B2B Stories

Synovus Sponsored Article: ‘Tis the Season to Protect Your Business from Fraud

Commercial fraud – from phishing attacks and identity theft to check fraud – has been on the rise, affecting businesses of all sizes, including those in Augusta. In fact, in 2023 80% of surveyed organizations were hit by actual or attempted payment fraud attacks, according to the 2024 AFP Payments and Control Survey Report. While the holidays are a time of cheer and joy, it can also be a time when businesses are vulnerable to the seasonal spike in fraud and scams. To protect your business, follow these tips. Verify

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B2B Stories

Chamber Prepares for 2025 Business Opportunities

As 2024 begins to wind down, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is looking ahead to programs for 2025. One of the largest will be the Business Expo which will be held Jan. 9 at the Columbia County Exhibition Center. Russell Lahodny, President and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber, told ABD this inaugural event was prompted by a request from Columbia County. “Columbia County came to us and asked us, ‘Would you want to do a business expo and we said, ‘Why not?’” he explained. “With the way we

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B2B Stories

Augusta MSA #s a Christmas gift

Economics has always been interested in what creates wealth ever since Adam Smith wrote An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Many of my columns for Augusta Business Daily have examined the nature and causes of the wealth of the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Recent research on economic freedom across all MSAs in the US sheds some light on which MSAs are growing the fastest and creating the most wealth. Dean Stansel of the Birdwell Institute, has been compiling an index of economic freedom

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