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Economics
B2B Stories

An Eye on Consumer Spending: Navigating Growth and Challenges in Augusta

As Augusta continues to strive for success in a dynamic economic landscape, business leaders have reason for optimism. Nationally, consumer spending is on the rise, fueled by moderating prices, steady wage growth, and historically low unemployment rates. Not to mention, the share of credit card holders making only minimum payments on their bills rose to 10.75% nationally in the third quarter of 2024, the highest it’s been in 12 years according to recent Fed data. These trends reflect a bolder and more confident consumer base, which is driving demand across

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By Kevin Glass, Augusta Market President, at Synovus Bank and Gary Woodhurst, Commercial Banker - Augusta, Synovus Bank March 11, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Baseball Affects the Economy

Last week, I beat the Augusta heat (and it is only March!) by heading up to Iowa to do a presentation. I can’t wait for Augusta in August, especially after all the lost tree canopy from Hurricane Helene!!! Climate change is making extreme weather more common, including extreme hot and cold temperatures. Economists Kevin Kuruc, Melissa LoPalo, and Sean O’Connor wanted to determine how much people are willing to pay to avoid uncomfortable temperatures. They used attendance data from Major League Baseball from 1950 through 2000, a period with over

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe March 10, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

South Carolina Governor protecting businesses with legislation

Elected leaders and businesses in South Carolina have joined together to push for tort reform laws during the current legislative session. Gov. Henry McMaster (R) was surrounded by lawmakers, business leaders, and employees as he issued a call to address the impact current tort laws have on the Palmetto State’s economy and future development. “As you all know, we are booming, but there can be impediments to that. Can be anchors holding us back,” cautioned McMaster. “Prosperity requires our state’s civil justice system to allow fair and prompt enforcement of

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 9, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Bank enters CSRA market to open multiple branches

Chase Bank is launching its first location in Augusta, across from the Augusta National Golf Course, and in time for thousands of people attending the Masters. Chase’s first branch is at 2805 Washington Road at Alexander Drive in the shopping center in front of Kroger. “We anticipate opening at least four branches in the (Augusta-Aiken) market over the next three years,” said Chase Bank’s spokesperson, based in Charleston, South Carolina. The signage is up and the bank will be occupying several bays in what was once a Five Guys Burgers

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Neil Gordon March 9, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Tort reform legislation moves forward

Two bills that are Ga. Gov. Brian Kemp’s (R) call for reforms to the state’s tort laws are advancing during the current legislative session. The state Senate has approved SB 68 and SB 69. Among the provisions in SB 68 is one limiting owners’ liability for injuries on their property and placing restrictions on damages awarded for medical bills to what was paid by the plaintiff. SB 69 places regulations on third-party litigation financing. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce immediately supported both pieces of legislation, SB 69 in particular. “Georgia’s

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 6, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Businesses and Others Invest in Students

Aiken Technical College held its annual scholarship breakfast, bringing together donors who contribute to the program and the students who benefit. The scholarships are one of the assistance programs coordinated by the Aiken Technical College Foundation. Director Kym Johnson said the funding provided by the donors lessens the financial burden for students who receive scholarships. That support can mean the difference in a student’s ability to complete their education. “The most important message that you’ll hear, is that, yes, we are so appreciative of our students and their hard work.

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 5, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

March Blows in with Close to $2 Million Impact

Basketball, rowing, trade shows, and conferences are expected to pack a big economic punch in the CSRA this month. In the lineup, this year is a new event. The Augusta Sports Council confirmed that Riverview will play host to the first EYBL Scholastic Conference Championship and Nike Invitational Post-Season Tournament. “These are new tournaments that will be hosted at Riverview Park in North Augusta and kicked off yesterday. Both events run from March 5-8, with the Postseason Tournament starting today,” said Hayley Fox, Communications Manager with the Augusta Sports Council.

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Mitzi Oxford March 5, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Poor economic news to close out 2024 in Augusta

All the variables in the Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) were adversely affected according to December data. This is the first time all five components have been negatively affected since April 2022. Residential building permits fell 23 percent from November and initial claims for unemployment insurance increased by 40 percent. Job openings fell 2.3 percent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished December 0.04 percent lower than the end of November. Inflation in the south increased by 0.1 percentage points to 2.8 percent. Overall, the Augusta LEI fell 1.2 percent

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe March 3, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

“Shark Tank Feel” part of March competition

The Sixth Annual Innovate Pitch Competition is set for March 27 at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (GCITC). The competition is in partnership with Augusta University. Teams are given five minutes to pitch their solution for a real-world problem to a panel of judges. “For the first year, I’m really excited to announce that this Pitch Competition has grown and now we have a track that is open to the public,” Lynsey Steinberg, Director of Innovation at the GCITC, told ABD. “Students and entrepreneurs look to solve problems

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 3, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Goodwill Takes Global Center Stage for Workforce Development Conference

Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA will host the 2025 Annual Meeting of Conference of Executives (AMCOE), bringing together Goodwill leaders from around the globe to exchange best practices in workforce development, innovation, and sustainability. The conference will take place March 2 to 5, 2025, at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center. Recognized by Forbes as one of the most inspiring companies, Goodwill continues to create opportunities for people facing employment and career advancement barriers. AMCOE is the premier gathering for Goodwill leaders to share strategies that improve job

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Mitzi Oxford February 27, 2025 No Comments
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