B2B Stories

Simon Says: Helene’s Impact on Business

The first economic data since Hurricane Helene hit Augusta and other parts of Georgia is now available. I will provide an analysis of this data in my annual economic forecast breakfast this Thursday, December 5th at 7:30 am in the JSAC Roscoe Williams Ballroom on the Augusta University Summerville Campus. The event is free and open to the public but registration is required. There is a small amount of academic literature on the labor market impact of hurricanes. In fact, Mark Thompson, the Dean of the Hull College of Business

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B2B Podcasting

Reasons to mediate your conflicts

Tune in this Saturday at 7:30 AM as TeKay Brown-Taylor explains whether or not mediation makes sense for you versus the alternative. Here’s a short video preview. Click on “read more.”

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Consumer Stories

Fulfilling a commitment to the community

More than 30 local service organizations and nonprofit agencies received a financial boost, thanks to a commitment made by then-University Hospital, now Piedmont Augusta. The groups will share in the $1.9 million total contribution announced on Nov. 21. It fulfills an agreement made by the University Health Care System (UHCS) to become an affiliate of Piedmont. UHCS committed to providing $2 million each year for 10 years to support nonprofit organizations that match the Community Health Needs Assessment and Implementation Strategy for Piedmont’s Augusta Hub. “In many ways, University Health

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Consumer Stories

Parker’s Kitchen opens newest store in Evans

Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Parker’s Kitchen opened its newest convenience store/restaurant in Evans on the corner of Washington Road and William Few Parkway. ABD checked and Parker’s sold unleaded gasoline for as little as $2.45 per gallon. Drivers heading towards the lake from Washington Road in Evans will find it easy to make a right-hand turn into the 2-acre lot. Those heading from the lake, Riverwood subdivision, or Windmill area subdivisions will find it easier to turn right into the TPS store that’s located across the street from Parker’s

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Consumer Stories

Charcuterie demand leads to “Graze Craze”

Nothing says, “I care about you” like one of those tasty, trendy charcuterie boards! New franchisees, Clint and Cheryl Hardy are hoping for many Valentine’s Day orders when they open “Graze Craze” in early February in the Shoppes of Blue Ridge on 4118 Evans to Locks Road. Graze Craze will be in the same center as the popular “Chicken Fingers” restaurant and near Lakeside schools. The center is managed by Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate. At Graze Craze, highly trained charcuterie experts known as Grazologists™ design arrangements that feature fresh fruits and

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B2B Podcasting

Discovering whether to mediate your conflict

Each Saturday, listen to “Work it Out” on 1230 AM at 7:30 in the morning. Today’s video clip below is a good barometer of your needs. Does the level of conflict you are having in the workplace or at home qualify you for mediation?

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B2B Stories

$54,000 CSRA business gift supports veterans’ families

A major fundraising event for two local Fisher Houses was originally scheduled for September, then rescheduled to October before being canceled because of Hurricane Helene. It seems fitting as we approach Thanksgiving, sponsors told event organizers, “Keep the money.” The Augusta Chapter of the Association for the United States Army (AUSA) organized the event to support the area’s two Fisher Houses, one on post at Fort Eisenhower and the other at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center on Wrightsboro Road. “Fisher Houses provide free lodging for families whose loved ones

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Consumer Stories

Ray Ray’s opening second location in 2025

Ray Carnes, the founder of the Recteq grill is living proof that “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Carnes had a public spat in 2023 with former Columbia County commissioner/Sparkle car wash owner, Gary Richardson over his desire to build a competing car wash near Washington Road and the Riverwatch Parkway. Carnes got his plan approved after originally being denied. Carnes got an attorney involved and appeared on the Austin Rhodes program on WGAC and spoke to ABD. Carnes told us that construction is in full swing

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B2B Podcasting

Does your company need Advanced HR Bootcamp?

When times and resources challenge your company’s HR department, you might find the help you need with an advanced HR bootcamp. This is the right time to get your business off on the right foot for 2025. Neil and HR Consultant and Professional Mediator, TeKay Brown Taylor, discuss how an advanced course could help your business.

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B2B Stories

Being Thankful as a Businessperson

Ever since my daughters were very young, it has been a Franza family tradition to go around the table before our Thanksgiving blessing and meal and ask everyone to identify at least one thing for which they are thankful. We are not a big family, so everyone is willing to indulge in this tradition as it does not delay the festivities too long. In addition, as time has gone by, we have all realized that being grateful is an activity that makes us feel better, so everyone now seems to

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