Economics

Economics has always been interested in what creates wealth ever since Adam Smith wrote An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Many of my columns for Augusta Business Daily have examined the nature and causes of the wealth of the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Recent research on economic freedom across all MSAs in the US sheds some light on which MSAs are growing the fastest and creating the most wealth. Dean Stansel of the Birdwell Institute, has been compiling an index of economic freedom

After wrapping up my grading for 2024 (both for my Augusta University/Hull College students and for my 2024 Predictions for the Augusta Business Daily), I am sitting on an oceanfront balcony on Hilton Head Island contemplating the year ahead. Unlike last year, when my prognostications spanned multiple areas (national economy, local economy, workplace trends, and the business of sports), this year, the scope of my predictions will be more limited. Given the election of Donald J. Trump as our President, I thought I would tackle predicting how President Trump might

Last week, I documented the initial impact of Hurricane Helene on the labor market. This week, I provide some thoughts on the long-term impacts on our health based on my reading of the academic literature. Rachel Young and Solomon Hsiang provide the first evidence of the long-term effect of tropical storms in an article in Nature. They find that mortality increases by 3.2% to 5.1% over 15 years following a hurricane. In Augusta, using all-cause mortality rates for Georgia, this would mean an extra 194 to 309 deaths per year,

Augusta, GA – Since acquiring a House Doctors Handyman franchise in 2011, Mark Boyd has been committed to providing Augusta residents with high-quality home repair services. Over the years, Boyd’s vision has grown significantly, and in 2024, it has culminated in the formation of Nesto of Augusta—a one-stop home services provider that unites six specialized brands to meet virtually any home maintenance or improvement need. Adding to its multifaceted offerings, Nesto of Augusta is also deeply invested in supporting the Augusta community and has partnered with the Ronald McDonald House