Economics

Dr. Santanu Chatterjee, interim dean at UGA’s Terry College of Business (at podium), and Dr. Simon Medcalfe, economist at AU’s Hull College of Business and an ABD contributor, both can see growth in Augusta’s economy in 2026. They see different sectors helping to drive revenue and jobs. Dr. Chatterjee led the 43rd annual statewide economic outlook event that travels from city to city. He said the Metro Augusta region is important to the overall outlook for Georgia, with healthcare leading the way. “The only sector in which we’ll see some

Tom Barkin, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, was the featured speaker at an economic symposium in Aiken. The Wednesday event, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Aiken, attracted 400 people, including South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evett (R) and Attorney General Alan Wilson (R), to the USCA Convocation Center. Barkin led his presentation with a topic on everyone’s mind: inflation. He said inflation is unfair, creates uncertainty, and the effort to negotiate with suppliers or shop around for better prices is exhausting. He coupled that

We finished strong in 2025. The Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) increased by 0.4 percent in October and 0.1 percent in November. In November, the LEI was 1.3 percent higher than a year ago. Residential building permits increased in October but fell back in November. Initial claims for unemployment insurance increased in both months. The Dow Jones Industrial Average continued its strong growth in the fourth quarter. After several months of declining job openings, October and November saw increased job openings. The November employment weighted average of job openings in

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) delivered his final State of the State address, wrapping up his second term in office, with a focus on improving affordability for all Georgians. He began by announcing an income tax rebate and a call to reduce the state income tax. “My budget proposal will include a fourth, one-time, 1-billion-dollar tax rebate this year that will return or save the average filer 250 dollars and a married couple up to 500 dollars,” he explained. “With this rebate, my administration and this General Assembly will have