Economics

B2B Stories

Governor Brian Kemp: Great for Business; Great for Georgia

Publisher’s Note: As many in the Peach State and around the U.S. celebrate the first black female governor, Keisha Bottoms, it’s a good time to celebrate current Governor Brian Kemp before the torch is passed to Bottoms in January. By making Georgia one of the strongest states for business, Brian Kemp has also made the state an economic powerhouse. In the past 7 years of Mr. Kemp’s tenure, Georgia’s economy has experienced historic investment, rapid job growth, and top-ranked business competitiveness.   This has translated into one of the nation’s lowest

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Today is final public hearing for Augusta budget

Residents and businesses have another opportunity to meet with Augusta Commissioners to get answers and share concerns about the city’s 2027 budget. A public hearing is set for today, Nov. 4, at 10:30 a.m. It will also be available via livestream on the city’s website. This is the third such hearing the commission has scheduled. Administrator Tameka Allen presented the proposal to commissioners for review. She began with results of a survey the city conducted to receive input on how citizens prioritize the needs they want to be addressed.  This

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Augusta’s Airport: Non-stop to Chicago, parking, and key staff updates

Soon, this notice above will be a thing of the past. The three-month-long project that closed a long-term parking lot at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is nearing completion. The repaving project began in August and removed 350 parking spots from service. Things will improve and expand in time for the busy holiday season. Members of the Aviation Commission were updated by Elizabeth Giles, the airport’s Senior Construction Project Manager. “I want to thank Ken (Hinkle, director of Aviation Services) and all staff for coming together and making a hard situation

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Simon Says: Biggest employment jump in 18 months

The views expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not represent Augusta University. Employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) grew in September to the highest level since April 2025.  Total number of employees grew to 254,500, up 300. Large gains were seen in the government sector, up over 400, with most of those gains in local government. Federal government employment was up 100, but state was down 150. Leisure and hospitality had the second highest gain at 372. This sector has gained 1,000

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Simon Says: Trump vs. Biden and Augusta’s Economy

Publisher’s Note: The views expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not represent Augusta University. Simon Says: I read a recent article in The Wall Street Journal comparing the economy under President Trump compared to President Biden, and I thought it would be interesting to examine the local economy under the same lens. To do so, I compare the 20 months of data we have under the Trump presidency with the last 20 months of the Biden administration. The chart below provides the average rate

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Critical step for the Savannah River Site

A crucial step forward has been taken in one of the largest missions underway at the Savannah River Site (SRS). The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has approved Critical Decision (CD)-2/3 for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF). That clears the way for SRS to move forward with full-scale construction on the facility, which will support NNSA’s plutonium pit production. In the news release announcing the approval, Jeff Griffin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), the management and operations contractor for the site, said

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A Voting Guide for the Midterms

We are less than two weeks away from Election Day (Tuesday, November 3), and early voting has begun in Georgia and in South Carolina. Given how we have been deluged with commercials and mailers during the past couple of months, it is clear that candidates and parties see this as an important election. While I believe all election years are important, even-year elections, such as 2026, are even more important, particularly at the state and federal level.   In the State of Georgia, all seats in the Georgia General Assembly –

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Holiday spending forecast looks green

Retailers in the CSRA and elsewhere should have a successful and profitable holiday shopping season this year. The National Retail Federation (NRF) has released its annual report predicting retail sales during November and December. It anticipates a 4.2% growth over 2025, translating to $1.013 trillion in consumer spending. Last year’s sales rose $972 billion, or 3.1% over 2024. During a recent media briefing, attended by ABD, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said consumers have consistently demonstrated the importance of holidays and that spending on loved ones remain priorities. “We

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Simon Says: Free Market System

This second column, commemorating the semiquincentennial of economics, examines Adam Smith’s views on enterprise. (Spoiler alert – he is still turning in his grave) Smith believed in individual freedom and self-interest. A famous quote states, “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.” The free market and profit incentivize merchants, craftsmen, and artisans to provide meat, beer, and bread, not because of some altruistic feeling for others, but because it is

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Marco Rubio’s Look Back to Move Us Forward: What He Nailed and What He Missed

Last week, while on a diplomatic trip through Europe, U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, gave a speech at Pnyx Hill in Athens, Greece, where ancient Athenians held democratic assemblies.  This was a fitting location for Rubio’s speech, which the Editorial Board of the Wall Street Journal called its “speech of the year.” I thought he hit the target and also missed a few opportunities. It directly ties the lineage of modern America back to ancient Greece. While some commentators saw this speech as a rationalization for “America First” or

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