Economics

B2B Stories

Simon Says: Positive labor news

Employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) continued to grow for the fourth consecutive month. In August, employment was 247,800, up 700 from July. 3,300 net new jobs have been created in the last year. Over two-thirds of the net new jobs were created in the education and health services sector, reflecting national trends. Private education and health services jobs have grown by 3.8 percent over the last 12 months. Government employment represented almost a quarter of the net new jobs in the Augusta MSA over the last year.

Read More »
B2B Stories

Hurricane destruction highlights need for tort reform

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has wrapped up a series of roundtable discussions collecting information on the need for tort reform in the state. The final session was held at Waffle House headquarters in Norcross, Ga, and was attended by elected officials and business leaders from 12 companies across the state. ABD sat in on the session virtually. In his welcoming remarks, Joe Rogers III, CEO of Waffle House, said Georgia has reached a crisis point in the civil litigation, one that will likely be impacted by the devastation from

Read More »
B2B Stories

Publix in the bullseye of Milton: Impacts to CSRA?

It’s been 13 days since Hurricane Helene slammed into the CSRA. Publix, which has seven locations throughout the area, is focused on continuing deliveries to those stores even as their corporate headquarters in Lakeland, Florida is in the middle of a direct hit from Hurricane Milton. As the CSRA recovers from Hurricane Helene, ABD contacted Jared Glover, Media Relations Manager for Publix. Glover’s area covers Augusta, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. These are his responses to our questions regarding any impact. ABD: Will closures of more than 500 Florida

Read More »
B2B Stories

Helene’s impact on large businesses in Richmond County

While small businesses across Richmond County are fighting their way back from Hurricane Helene, the county’s largest businesses are assessing their situation. “Most of our industries, from what I can tell, were spared,” Cal Wray, President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) told ABD. “Several of the larger ones were without power for four or five days. The last big one that I knew that came back online was last Wednesday. Think most of our manufacturing is back up and running.” A number of the largest employers are in

Read More »
B2B Stories

Savannah Rapids Pavilion Rentals Update from Hurricane Helene

Savannah Rapids Pavilion is indefinitely closed due to damage during Hurricane Helene.  All reservations will be canceled and automatically refunded.  If you would like to move your reservation to the Exhibition Center or talk to a staff member, please call 706-868-3349. The Savannah Rapids Pavilion staff is working out of the Community Services office in Building C.  The staff has begun contacting all future reservations in order of date to offer them the opportunity to reschedule/relocate their event to the Exhibition Center or be refunded. “ServePro is working in the

Read More »
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Lessons from Hurricane Helene

It brings out the best in people and the worst. Best: Neighbors helping clear trees, providing water, offering lifts. Worst: Impatient drivers who yell at electricity workers repairing the infrastructure because they can’t go down their preferred road. Workers getting out of their vehicles to yell and point fingers at fellow workers. From an economic point of view, the free market is a great way to allocate resources. Publix understood what customers would demand and quickly got water, ice, and charcoal grills into their National Hills store (where I shop).

Read More »
B2B Stories

A bit of energized news for the CSRA

Jefferson Energy Cooperative and Georgia Power have both released positive updates heading into day 12 post-Hurricane Helene. Thanks to 600 additional crews in CSRA counties— including hard-hit Columbia County—about two-thirds of residents and businesses now have power. JEC’s total footprint is about 37,000 and officials say a bit more than 25,000 customers are energized. For updates, you are asked to call Jefferson Energy Cooperatives at their main office at 706-547-2167 or 706-592-4531. Georgia Power is extending time to any of its millions of customers who need more time to make

Read More »
B2B Stories

Area businesses are ready for customers

North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams was joined by a group of downtown business owners to update storm recovery in the city. “One of the things I’m excited about is we have power in our downtown and Riverside Village, and we are open for business,” said Williams. Joining Williams were representatives from Fleet Feet, Orange Otter, The Grove Gourmet Market, Cavalier’s Coffee and Shoppe 3130. Jenny Elliott, owner of Shoppe 3130, said businesses and citizens are all part of the same community. “I feel like our neighbors and our business neighbors

Read More »
B2B Stories

Business needs after Hurricane Helene

Area Chambers of Commerce are most known for networking and educational workshops and conferences. Since Helene devastated the CSRA, legislative advocacy is more critical than ever to make businesses whole. The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce put together a survey that business leaders are asked to participate in. This survey aims to gather information from business owners regarding the impact of Hurricane Helene on their operations, including property damage and the current status of their business. Survey Link: https://forms.gle/UqtW112V7WnEsGtt7

Read More »