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Economics
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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Staff Report April 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Big growth from 2 Counties in the CSRA

The Census Bureau released population data for 2024-2025 recently. In the metro area, Aiken County in South Carolina and Columbia County in Georgia grew by more than 5,000 residents. McDuffie County in Georgia lost 103 persons. The Census Bureau could also break down how much of these changes were due to natural changes (births and deaths) and how much was due to migration, both domestic and international. For Aiken County, most of the population change was due to migration (+2,752), of which only 81 persons were international migrants. Similarly, in

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor April 14, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Tourism leaders hope lodging revenue surpasses $34.2 million in April

There was very little room at the Inn at hotels like the Augusta Marriott last week. Some of the Hotel/Motel taxes trickle down to Destination Augusta to reinvest funds to bring in more conventions. The tourism arm of the City of Augusta says the Smith Travel Research group will release financial estimates in the summer, which will highlight occupancy and revenue rates—including Masters week. Destination Augusta provided ABD with revenue data for the last four years: April 2025 — $34.2 million in hotel/motel revenue April 2024 — $30.2 million April

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Neil Gordon April 13, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Selling Metro Augusta on a national stage

Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson (pictured to the left of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp)called the just-concluded Red Carpet Tour the” icing on top“ for the hard-working economic leaders charged with bringing new companies to Augusta. He points to past success. “That is the hook, he told ABD from Thursday’s event near the Masters tournament. If you look around the city at some of our notable employers, whether it be Aurubis Richmond, which was one of our newest investments, or GF Castings (under construction in the Augusta Corporate Park), they came here

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Dana Lynn McIntyre April 13, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Family business keeps on trucking with special anniversary

The Matthews family is getting ready to throw a 35th Anniversary party to thank customers, vendors, and staff. They say they’ll keep on moving for many years to come. Shown in photo from left to right: Austin Matthews, Aaron Matthews, Tanya Matthews, Bob Matthews, Alan Matthews Patriarch Bob Matthews founded Matthews Motors in 1991 as a mobile repair operation. Matthews Motors is now a family-owned commercial truck sales dealership and service provider for fleet operators across the Southeast.  Bob’s sons, Aaron Matthews and Austin Matthews, are now leading the company

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Neil Gordon April 8, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

ABD FOLLOWUP: Project Green Jacket Revealed

The veil has been lifted on what has been called “Project Green Jacket” at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS). Last fall, ABD’s Dana Lynn McIntyre first reported development on the land. Construction, visible from Doug Barnard Parkway, began last fall on a new apron and runway. It was said to be for a new hangar; however, an Ohio-based company has announced the project is far beyond simply a hangar and is directly tied to future Masters tournaments. The following news release appeared on Net Jet’s website. NetJets, the global leader in

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Staff Report April 6, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Traffic and Travel Solutions for the tournaments

The first Practice round for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) begins this morning, marking the beginning of Metro Augusta’s busiest travel season. Traffic will start to increase, and activity levels are high at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS). In addition to the regularly scheduled destinations of Washington D.C., Dallas, Charlotte, and Atlanta, Delta and American Airlines will offer additional direct flights to accommodate increased travel demand.  From April 5th through April 13th, Delta Air Lines will offer direct flights to Austin (AUS), Detroit (DTW), New York (JFK) and (LGA), Boston

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Dana Lynn McIntyre April 1, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Trend for retail spaces in the CSRA

Service-based tenants leased over half of the total retail space in 2025 for the first time, according to CoStar.  There are a few examples in local shopping centers. (See below) Crunch Fitness replaced the goods-based Bed Bath & Beyond in the Augusta Exchange shopping center. In the Village Plaza at 270 Bobby Jones Expressway, a former Electronics and Appliance store is getting replaced with a service provider. Nail salons and Botox (medical) bars are also increasingly located in retail real estate. These trends show up in local employment numbers for

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor March 31, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Can TSA agents handle influx of golf fans?

The first wave of golf fans will begin arriving in Augusta on Tuesday to attend the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA). That kicks off the arrival of thousands of air travelers coming to Augusta for the Masters Tournament, ANWA and Drive, Chip and Putt. Funding for TSA agents is entering its second month of uncertainty. Leadership at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is helping agents as the airport braces for its busiest time of year.  “We are concerned about the current shutdown and how it affects the TSA employees at Augusta

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 30, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

March Mini-MBA: Good Service vs. Bad Service

Publisher’s Note: There are so many reasons to love what Chick-fil-A does. The Gordons go to the Mullins Crossing location weekly. I found this photo from 2 years ago! From the time I get “in line” until I have the food, it’s maybe 10 minutes! Great food. Great service. Every time. RICK: As consumers visiting an establishment for a service, we often find ourselves waiting in line. Whether it is at a drive-thru for a fast food restaurant, placing an order at a fast casual restaurant, checking out at the

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Dr. Rick Franza, Professor, AU Hull College of Business March 26, 2026 No Comments
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