Economics

Members of the Augusta Aviation Commission heard a positive report on how Augusta Regional Airport managed this year’s tournament traffic. In a nutshell, operations went smoothly, with no runway incursions or accidents involving aircraft. The best news: The numbers were up across the board. “We had about 400 extra operations from the previous year, with 617,544 gallons of fuel delivered,” said Kenneth Hinkle, the airport’s Director of Aviation Services. “That is a 4,000-gallon increase from the previous year.” He said not all numbers are available, while staff members conduct the

7 years ago, Cal Wray, EDFP, President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority, came to town after more than ten years of growing other communities. Thursday, he’ll provide a report card with some numbers shared in this article. He will headline an Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce event with a presentation titled “Next Up Augusta – Projects, Wins, & What’s Next.” The luncheon will be held this Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center, located at 2 10th Street in downtown Augusta. The Augusta EDA

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is watching how Trump Administration’s tariff policies can impact the state’s economy. The Chamber released Guidance and Advice on Tariffs and Trade Regulations (www.gachamber.com/data/tariffs-briefing-april-16-2025-guidance-advice-on-tariffs-and-trade-regulations/), a 14-page report examining the current situation while providing guidance on ways to mitigate the impact. Coinciding with the release of the report, Chris Clark, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber, held a virtual news conference with reporters across the state, including ABD. The latest report focused on Georgia’s most valuable sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and agribusiness. One recommendation is

The red carpet was rolled up, but local participants in the 2025 Red Carpet Tour are following up on connections made during the event. The tour, sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and hosted by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, brought business leaders from around the world to the Garden City. “I’m following up with people we met on the tour, so we haven’t slowed down,” Cal Wray, President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA), told ABD. “I’d love to say we get to take this week