B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Deadline THURSDAY to apply for summer entrepreneurial program and investments

The next event in the Startup Summer, organized by the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and Make Startups in theClubhou.se in the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, is approaching. The deadline to apply for a pitch competition is Thursday, April 30. This is connected to Venture Lab Aiken, part of the Aiken Innovation Corridor, which the chamber announced in August 2025.  Cash prizes are up for grabs, but this is also an opportunity to be part of the summer cohort for the virtual startup incubator. Participants selected for that program

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B2B Stories

$3.6 million Investment in Columbia County

Andy Jones, Dealer Principal/President of the Gerald Jones Automotive Group, bridged the past and present during the Wednesday afternoon celebration at the grand re-opening of Gerald Jones Lincoln at 4333 Washington Road in Evans. Jones introduced his partners, who included David Jones, now retired, and the children of Frank Lawrence. Both men were TV spokespeople in the 1990’s and early 2000’s for various automotive brands in the CSRA they managed. Many of Andy Jones’ family members were on hand, including the founders of the Gerald Jones Automotive Group. “My dad

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B2B Stories

$6.8 million Investment to boost service business

These renderings by the Augusta firm McMillan Pazdan Smith give hope to ATC students and those looking to join the lucrative car business. Augusta Technical College was awarded a $6,808,307 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Monies will support completion of the Jim Hudson Automotive Institute, a workforce development project at 1122 Walton Way, in the former Johnson Cadillac Dealership. The federal investment represents a major milestone in Augusta Tech’s efforts to expand high-demand technical training and strengthen the region’s talent pipeline. The renovated facility will serve as a state-of-the-art automotive

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B2B Stories

Welcoming students to A.U.

Augusta University celebrated the opening of its new Welcome Center. It is attached to the Student Center on the Health Sciences campus. It will serve as a central point for visitors and students and will support recruitment efforts. Campus tours will now depart from the addition. Dr Susan Davies, Executive Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs, told the standing room only crowd attending the ribbon cutting that the idea of the welcome center dates back to a consultant’s recommendation in 2019. “Our presentation room in the Benet House only

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B2B Stories

Student (and Employee) Success: Nurtured, but Earned

Since graduating from high school nearly 50 years ago, I have spent about 40 of them on college campuses, with almost 30 of them as a business school faculty member and/or administrator. Much has changed in higher education in that time, and in my opinion, mostly for the better. However, in recent months, I have heard from many colleagues, particularly “Baby Boomers” (born 1945-1964) like me and Gen Xers (born 1965-1980), that the higher education value to students is eroding, and I think they have a point as well.   However,

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B2B Stories

Local chamber highlights $500,000 grant with Thursday’s meet and greet

One area Chamber of Commerce has separate upcoming events to bring the business community together. Up first is a Meet and Greet with Tyler Harper, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. It will be April 23rd at the Hub for Community Innovation on Chaffee Avenue.  Ronic West, president and co-founder of GABCC, told ABD the chamber’s agribusiness committee suggested the program. “I think people forget that agriculture is the number one industry in the state of Georgia,” she said. “One thing that we’re doing here at the chamber is

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B2B Stories

Vote tonight on $11.5 million contracts to restore/expand area event venue

If Columbia County Commissioners agree with a committee recommendation, recovery work will begin on a favorite gathering spot. Commissioners vote tonight on two contracts recommended by members of the Management and Internal Services to begin repair work on the Savannah Rapids Pavilion.  The first contract is with Duckworth Development, LLC of Martinez. It is for a renovation of the facility off Stevens Creek Road. If approved, Facilities Director Steven Prather told ABD the county can schedule a pre-construction meeting with the contractor.  “We will decide on a notice proceed date,

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B2B Stories

Healthy plan for your renovations at office or home

Spring and summer seasons are usually the time to remodel and renovate parts of your office or home. What if you or your contractor spots something dangerous behind the walls? If you read more, Joseph Galpin from Augusta’s EnviroPro 360 shows you how to put a plan in place. 2026 Asbestos Plan for GA & SC Renovations | EnviroPro 360

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B2B Stories

Final public hearing set for tomorrow on SPLOST 9

Economic development CSRA leaders think they can recruit one company for a new 1,150-acre area. It’s called the McCombs Mega-site. They need more infrastructure to make it happen—and need a positive vote in about one month. That’s when Richmond County voters will be asked to decide on the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) 9 project list in May. SPLOST 9 is a proposed one-cent sales tax, money targeted for specific capital improvement projects. If approved, it will replace SPLOST 8 when it expires. SPLOST 9 will raise an

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B2B Stories

Changes for South Carolina individual income taxes

New legislation designed to simplify the Palmetto State’s personal income tax structure while lowering the tax rate is official. Surrounded by members of the general assembly and other leaders, Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed H.4216 into law on Wednesday. Beginning in this tax year, the measure changes the individual income tax system to a two-rate structure. Currently, there are three brackets. “Cutting the personal income tax in South Carolina has long been a top priority, and today we are continuing to deliver,” said McMaster during the ceremony. “This is another

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