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Economics
B2B Stories

Augusta’s river region to welcome revenue from April events

With Augusta National Golf Club’s Masters Tournament bringing much-anticipated revenue to the local area, there are several other events taking place this April that will add to the region’s economic growth. Destination Augusta and the Augusta Sports Council reported that the estimated 1,030 visitors attending meetings, reunions, events, and sporting events in Augusta’s River Region will generate at least $1 million in total estimated economic impact (EEI) in April 2024. Below is a chart displaying the estimated financial revenue projects from the following events. These are groups Destination Augusta, and/or

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Staff Report April 2, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Baltimore Port Closure: Impact on the CSRA

In both my undergraduate and graduate Operations and Supply Chain Management courses, I ask my students to post links on our course website that relate directly to the topic we will discussing in class that day. In my undergraduate class, this assignment is entitled, “Real-Time Examples,” while in my graduate class, the assignment is entitled, “Ripped from the Headlines,” a nod to the long-running television show, “Law & Order” (a personal favorite!), and highlighting the currency and relevancy of the requested examples. While there is no good time for a

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Dr. Rick Franza April 2, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Housing market in CSRA takes sharp turn

The Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) fell 0.8 percentage points in January from December. It remains 0.4 percentage points higher than January 2023. The major cause of the decline was an increase in initial claims for unemployment insurance, which were up 36 percent in January. Claims were the highest for January in three years. Inflation in the south also continued to be above the national average at 3.7 percent, reducing the purchasing power of consumers. Job openings edged down about one percentage point and are now at the lowest level

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe April 1, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Hospital construction underway in Columbia County

A groundbreaking ten years in the making marked the official start of the building of a new hospital in Columbia County. Dignitaries ranging from Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to Board of Regents Chancellor Sonny Purdue grabbed shovels at the site off Interstate 20 exit 190, the Gateway to Grovetown, to mark the occasion. “We are so excited about this opportunity. And not only what’s happening today, but what’s going to happen in the future,” Kemp said. “I just want to congratulate and thank the entire WellStar team on this great

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Dana Lynn McIntyre April 1, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Bucking the trend

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that jobless rates were up in 218 of the 389 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in January. Augusta bucked the trend with the unemployment rate falling from 3.8% in December to 3.7% in January. Unfortunately, payroll jobs also fell, but by just 200. Despite the small change in overall employment in Augusta, some sectors saw large changes in employment for the first month of the year. The largest increase was in retail with jobs increasing by 180, followed by leisure and hospitality, up about 150. Government

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe March 25, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Mapping the future of Augusta Regional

A Georgia Department of Transportation study found the airport has an economic impact of more than $182.7 million. Airport leadership wants to grow that impact and the Master Plan is the road map. The public is being asked to weigh in on options for the terminal area Master Plan for Augusta Regional Airport. The plan breaks down improvements into two priorities. Priority one calls for additional security checkpoint lanes and equipment, as well as enlargement of passenger lounges. Priority two includes improvements to the airline check-in desks and waiting areas.

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 21, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Off to the races with a major economic impact

While it doesn’t involve world-class golf, there is another time-honored tradition in the CSRA and this one is all about horses. The 57th running of the Aiken Spring Steeplechase is Saturday, March 23, and it’s a big deal. According to the Aiken Steeplechase Association, more than 25,000 visitors will attend this weekend’s event. The 43 horses entered came from up and down the Eastern seaboard. That means, horse owners, jockeys, and supporters are probably already here. While ABD couldn’t confirm a bottom-line figure for economic impact, Eric Gordon, the city

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Mitzi Oxford March 20, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

North Augusta’s multi-million dollar project list

In November, Aiken County residents will be asked to vote on the county’s fifth Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST). The one-cent tax will be collected on goods and services purchased within the county. The money will be shared with each municipality within Aiken County. The municipalities must provide a list of projects and the amount requested. Monday night, North Augusta City Council voted unanimously to approve its request list with a more than $48.6 million price tag. City Administrator, Jim Clifford said after the initial list presented in a work

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 19, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Financing for new hospital in place

Funding for the construction of the new Columbia County hospital in Grovetown has passed its last step. Attorney Jim Driver told members of the Columbia County Hospital Authority they successfully closed on the $375 million bond and construction is underway. Crews have been clearing the land in anticipation of the start of construction. “The main role is going to be for you to sit on their board, and also to get the quarterly financials. None of that is triggered until they have a certificate of occupancy,” he explained. The series

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 18, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Fastest growing CSRA counties

A couple of Georgia counties were the fastest growing of the 360 largest counties in the nation in the third quarter of 2023. Clayton County (Jonesboro) had the largest percentage increase in average weekly wages at 7.7% and Hall County (Gainesville) had the largest percentage increase in employment at 5.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), Lincoln County saw the largest increase in wages and employment. Wages increased 4.6% from the third quarter of 2022 and employment increased 6.6% in September 2023

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe March 18, 2024 No Comments
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