B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Huge tournament impact at Augusta Regional this year

Leaders at Augusta Regional Airport are still crunching the numbers, but the first review showed increased activity and revenue. Members of the Aviation Commission learned results are up across the board, from arrivals and departures to security screening and jet fuel sales. “The fact that what we pull off with the size of the facility, and what we try to do every year, it’s really miraculous. We kind of punch well above our weight come Masters Week,” executive director Herbert Judon, Jr. told commission members. Kenneth Hinkle, the airport’s Director

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B2B Stories

Transitioning “Brave-ly”: How to Recover from a Bad Stretch

Publisher’s Note: Yours truly is a bit of a **** yankee, though I am a diehard NY Mets fan in baseball. Our esteemed columnist, Dr. Rick Franza, is a huge Atlanta Braves fan. Our teams are going in different directions this year, with the Braves setting records—a far cry from the 2025 disappointing season. The Braves are mentally strong, and Dr. Franza gleaned some lessons learned for our businesses. Dr. Franza: Many fans and members of the media called for a major shakeup of the team before the start of

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B2B Stories

Major shopping center with anchor grocery store coming to CSRA

Thousands of parents and kids spend time each week at Patriots Park, and soon they can go food shopping and have lunch or dinner while there. An executive from a popular grocery store tells ABD about the latest on its possibilities to build in the center. Approximately 20 acres are being developed next to Patriots Park at the corner of William Few Parkway and Columbia Road. Columbia County officials say the developer is Mason Harrison Ratliff from Oklahoma. These are the plans drawn up by the sign company for Patriot’s

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B2B Stories

American Airlines and Delta are growing, while Airport targets new major city

One airline is adding several new flights, another is growing operations, and Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is preparing a grant to secure a third airline focused on a major Midwest city. American Airlines informed airport management that it will be adding additional service in May and August. It will connect to the Charlotte hub, so it will not add a destination city, but will increase capacity. “They’re going to add more overnight flights, so they’ll have more of a peak,” Airport Executive Director Herbert Judon, Jr. explained to members of

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B2B Stories

Doing business with local government

Small and minority owned businesses need certifications in order to bid on government contracts at the local, state, and federal levels. The City of Augusta’s Compliance Department is holding a workshop to help small business owners navigate the process of being certified to compete for government contracts.  “I created the workshop to cover all types of certifications,” Dr. Yolanda Jackson, interim director of the Compliance Department, explained for ABD. “I do go over federal, state, and local certifications. How those benefit them and who the certifying agencies are.” The goal

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B2B Stories

Will E-Z GO in Augusta get sold in 2027?

Textron, the parent company of Augusta-based E-Z Go, says it intends to separate its Industrial segments from the company’s core aerospace and defense businesses. Selling off E-Z Go is a possibility, according to a press release Textron just released to stakeholders and on its website. Amongst its choices, Textron says it intends to explore multiple paths to effect the planned separation of its Industrial segment, including but not limited to a sale of the Industrial businesses or a tax-free separation into a standalone, publicly traded company.  “This planned separation creates

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Awards

35th Anniversary “Monster” celebration

Organizers of yesterday’s 35th Anniversary party left a crowd of several hundred “oohing and ahhing” over a near 25 feet tall vehicle technicians re-built for the ceremony. Matthews Motors revealed their new truck at the end of the two-hour celebration. It will be used for community events in the future. Matthews Motors’ focus is on commercial trucks, including sales, service, parts, and manufacturing of truck beds. Managers gave tours to guests around the spacious property at 1351 Gordon Highway, including a visit to Matthews service facility with 22 truck bays. 

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B2B Stories

The Financial Road Ahead: Politics and the Economy

Publisher’s Note: Despite Professor Franza’s friendly “jab” at my favorite baseball team, he’s done a great job in this column to crystallize how the Federal Reserve, the War in Iran, and Mid-Term Elections are affecting our economy.  Rick: Even though I am not an economist, my role as a college business professor at AU requires me to pay attention to the economy and how it is impacted by numerous factors. In addition, one of my favorite avocations is following domestic politics, motivated by time spent in Washington, D.C. in the

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B2B Stories

Business professionals help the helpers to make difference in the CSRA

A business summit to help the staff of nonprofit organizations is set for next month.  Local attorneys, CEO’s, CPA’s and coaches will teach good business practices. This marks the third consecutive year the Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA) will host the nonprofit business summit. It is a day-long series of workshops and panel discussions providing professional development education for anyone connected to area nonprofit organizations. Lasima Turmon, Director of Programs at CFCSRA, told ABD that the summit is designed to help local organizations send staff members and volunteers to

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B2B Stories

A sweet investment connected to the CSRA

An international company is making a multi-million dollar investment in one South Carolina town, with a strong candy connection to Augusta. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) announced the Ferrara Candy Company is opening its first facility in the Palmetto State. Over the next 10 years, the company’s $675 million investment is expected to create 1,000 manufacturing and corporate jobs. McMaster called the announcement a transformative moment for Orangeburg County and all of South Carolina. “Ferrara Candy Company’s $675 million investment in the Midlands is a powerful vote of confidence

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