Economics

The local organization tasked with looking at current transportation issues, while planning for the future, is seeking public input for an update on moving freight. The Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is in the process of updating the Regional Freight Plan. It will be the first update since 2008. The ARTS MPO works within the Augusta Planning and Development Department to address transportation across Richmond and Columbia counties in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. It is more than 800 square miles with

The heat is on the CSRA with temperatures officially hitting 100 degrees a few days ago. Many other days have registered in the mid to upper 90s with heat index readings between 105 and 110. About now, many folks are singing the praises of Willis Carrier who invented the first air conditioning unit in 1902. It might be even more practical these days to show some love to companies who keep those units running. David Bragg, owner of Riverside Heating and Air Conditioning, has more than 30 years of experience

May was not a good month for the Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) with adverse movements in four out of the five components. Residential building permits declined 5.8 percent from April and initial claims for unemployment insurance rose 24.0 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished May lower than April and real deposits in local banks declined with continued inflation. Job openings did increase by 1.2 percent, but much of that was because March numbers were revised down by 14,000 across Georgia and South Carolina. Over the last six months,