Economics

B2B Stories

Another manufacturer heading to the CSRA

While Richmond and Columbia counties have been in the economic development spotlight recently, Aiken County is joining in the economic success. Columbia Vehicle Group, an electric vehicle manufacturer based in Reedsburg, Wis., is moving its manufacturing operations to University Parkway in Aiken. The $12.2 million plant will mark the company’s first location in the Palmetto State. It will create 180 new jobs. “We’ve been investing in great communities since 1947 with Aiken being a superb fit for our continued global expansion of the Tomberlin and Columbia brands. It has been

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B2B Stories

Running out of space for new industry?

Friday’s announcement that GF Casting Solutions will build a plant in the Augusta Corporate Park off Mike Padgett Highway creates a problem for the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA). This is an example that not all problems are bad. GF Casting Solutions has contracted for 147 acres. This plant has pushed the park to near capacity. “We have a 40-acre site and a 65-acre site available. Otherwise, the park is completely full,” AEDA President, Cal Wray told ABD. Wray said they are actively looking for new industrial sites. He anticipates

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B2B Stories

Another major international company coming to Augusta

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) announced GF Casting Solutions AG, a division of Georg Fischer AG, Schaffhausen will build a $148 million plant. The Augusta Corporate Park off Mike Padgett Highway will be the home to the manufacturing company. “Having met the great team at GF Casting Solutions during our recent mission to Switzerland, we could not be more excited to welcome them to the Peach State. Congratulations to Augusta and Richmond County for securing these jobs of the future for Georgians,” Kemp was quoted in the Friday news release

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Georgia’s Lottery impact on workforce development

Since its launch in 1992, the Georgia Lottery has pumped $28 billion into the state’s education system. In fiscal year 2023, lottery proceeds for education surpassed. $1.5 billion. There have been 2.1 million HOPE scholarships and grants and two million Pre-K students. Gretchen Corbin, President and CEO of the lottery, broke down the numbers for the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s member economic luncheon on May 1. She said then-Gov. Zell Miller championed the idea of a state lottery, with funds going to benefit education programs, when he realized the

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Simon Says: Employment levels break near 5-year mark

We have done it! The Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) employment has finally surpassed pre-covid levels. Employment now stands at 247,600, surpassing the pre-covid peak of 246,400. By contrast, the U.S. passed the pre-covid employment level in June 2022 and Georgia did in October 2021. March was a strong month for jobs growth with the U.S. economy adding over 300,000 jobs and the Augusta MSA adding 2,100, the highest monthly increase since August 2020. Pretty much, all the job gains were in professional and business services employment, which increased by

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Guest Column: Local Leader on the Stronger Workforce for America Act

We live in a time when things are objectively better for all people than almost any time in history, and also happens to be filled with divisiveness and mistrust of our institutions. The recent passage in the House of Representatives of the Stronger Workforce for America Act gives me tremendous optimism that we’re turning a corner in America; that civic engagement and bipartisanship can indeed make a difference. It is true, the confluence of the digital and gig economies, globalization, climate change, and the pandemic created a perfect storm of

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Economic development on key part of Augusta

Demolition of the Augusta-Richmond County Joint Law Enforcement Center (LEC) at 401 Walton Way has left city officials with a question. What is next for a site that can be a gateway to the city? Looking for direction, the city partnered with the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) to bring the Technical Assistance Panel of the Urban Land Institute-Atlanta (ULI) to meet with commissioners, stakeholders, and community members with an interest in the property. Daphne Bond-Godfrey, Executive Director of ULI-Atlanta, said the organization is a non-profit made up of real

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Direct cyber path to Augusta University for GA technical colleges

Leaders from Augusta University and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) signed an agreement creating a direct pipeline for cybersecurity students. It’s patterned after the Augusta Advantage initiative launched in January 2023. Although Augusta Advantage is open to students in multiple areas of study, including business administration, communications, and social work, the statewide agreement is specifically for students studying cybersecurity. The agreement creates a seamless path for students at all 22 of Georgia’s technical colleges pursuing an Associate Degree in Cybersecurity to continue to a bachelor’s degree at AU.

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April goes out with an economic development boom

April has been a busy month for economic development with multi-million dollar projects announced in Richmond and Columbia counties. The latest is the April 30 announcement by StandardAero of a $33 million expansion of its operations at Augusta Regional Airport. The company provides aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. The project will add more than 80,000 square feet of hangar space, and an engine shop, to the company’s existing buildings. That is a 60% increase in space and will allow the company to work on larger aircraft said Chris Bodine,

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B2B Stories

BEST OF: The year 2024: Looking into my crystal ball

Publisher’s Note: We are 1/3rd of the way through 2024. Let’s see how predictions are going so far for AU Hull College of Business professor, Dr. Rick Franza. Here is his report from four months ago! Last week, Augusta University’s Hull College of Business held its annual Economic Forecast Breakfast, and my inimitable colleague, Dr. Simon Medcalfe, gave his uniquely informative and amusing take on what the local economy may have in store for us in the coming year. Dr. Medcalfe has inspired me to break out my crystal ball

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