Economics

Employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) fell by 1,200 in May compared to April. There are two reasons for this fall that I can see in the data. First, although the employment data is seasonally adjusted by the Federal Reserve Economic Data team at the St. Louis Fed, the hangover effect of the Masters golf tournament can be seen in the leisure and hospitality and other services sectors. Employment in leisure and hospitality fell by 600, and other services by 1,100. Second, we may be beginning to see

The Development Authority of Burke County (DABC) is one of three organizations in the CSRA that will receive funds through the Georgia OneGeorgia Authority’s Rural Site Development Initiative. The program gives rural counties financial support to identify and establish ready-for-development industrial sites. “Georgia offers the workforce, connectivity, and business-friendly environment for companies to be successful in every corner of the state, which is why we’ve been named the top state for business for over a decade,” said Governor Brian Kemp in the news release announcing the grants. “The Rural Site

Augusta Regional Airport presented its proposed list to the Finance Committee members of the Augusta-Richmond County Commissioners in hopes of receiving Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds. The update included some interest from a new airline in working with Augusta Regional Airport. The list outlined by Herbert Judon, Jr., Executive Director of Augusta Regional Airport, was brief, just two items. One is a $6 million expansion of ramp space on the airport’s southeast side. The other, $20 million, would be for the construction of two additional hangars. While