Economics

B2B Stories

Training to keep America’s supply chain rolling

One of the long-lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic was the disruption in shipments of goods and materials. Aiken Technical College is partnering with Ancora Training to offer a new CDL Class A tractor-trailer course. In addition to CDL driver training, Ancora offers training in healthcare, Internet technology, and business. It operates six private, post-secondary school brands with 22 campus locations. “Trucks are the backbone of America’s economy,” said Athena Freeman, director of the Office of Continuing Education at Aiken Tech. “Every year, trucks move nearly $800 billion in total

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B2B Stories

Sponsored Article: Several ABD Members trust the Hyatt Agency, LLC with their insurance needs. Here is why!

Kevin Hyatt is a walking (and stationary) billboard for his Hyatt Agency, LLC firm. You may have noticed his outdoor billboard while shopping at Costco or noticed him networking at area Chambers of Commerce, on “Thirsty Thursdays” at GreenJackets games, and twice a year at Augusta Business Daily conferences and Expos. That’s where he met the mother and son real estate duo, Shawna and Braydon Woodward of ReMax Reinvented. They each had a booth and Kevin approached the Woodwards and started the process at the ballpark. My service philosophy is

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Mixed news for Augusta labor market

Over the first six months of the year, ten Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) in Georgia saw improving labor market conditions and four declining conditions as measured by the Labor Market Index (LMI). By contrast, the best-performing labor markets were Dalton, Columbus, and Rome. The worst-performing metro area was Warner Robins. The Augusta MSA grew by 0.2 percent, slightly below the state average of 0.5 percent. In Augusta, employment fell slightly, and unemployment increased between December 2022 and June 2023. However, the labor force and average weekly earnings increased. Hours worked

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B2B Stories

The impact of lifelong learning

Editor’s note: I’ve interviewed several of the CSRA’s brightest business leaders over the past couple of years, including Darin Myers and Kurt Mueller. Both have stated the importance of learning and further, learning something new every day. At a time when we are facing the largest segment of an aging population, their advice is relevant. Ida Crawford Stewart, a South Carolina native who grew up in Clinton, SC., served as the Vice President for Estee Lauder Cosmetic Company, died in March, she was 100 years old. She was more than

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B2B Stories

Sponsored Content: Hyatt Insurance has big week planned!

Publisher’s Note: If you see a millennial man running around the concourse at SRP Park Thursday, Aug. 24, or Friday, Aug. 25—it could be a beer vendor…but most likely it’s Kevin Hyatt of Hyatt Agency, LLC. If you can—try and catch him—and a quote. This GreenJackets strategic partner can save you money. Here’s a business profile on what makes “Kevin go”! The Hyatt Agency www.thehyattagencyllc.com 706-343-8033 Call for a FREE quote today! Kevin Hyatt’s goal is simple: treat customers the way he’d want to be treated. The “Golden Rule” is

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B2B Stories

Latest report shows almost $3 billion impact from AU and AU Health

Augusta University, both the Health Sciences campus and the Summerville campus, are educating the workforce of the future while pumping millions into the state and local economies. The latest report by the University System of Georgia found Augusta University and AU Health, including the campus in Athens, are responsible for a $2.94 billion economic boost to the Georgia economy in 2022 and employed 21,250 people. Add to that, the $8.6 million and 69 jobs from campuses in Albany, Savannah, Brunswick, Rome, and Dalton. “Augusta University and AU Health are not

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Generational holdouts impact worker shortages

Where have all the workers gone is still a question I hear. Restaurants are closed some days because they cannot get the staff. Dry cleaners refuse to accept clothes after 5 pm for the same reason. In the Augusta MSA, there are 263,000 people in the labor force, down from 270,000 pre-pandemic (see below). Nationally, about 2.6 million workers are in the workforce compared to pre-pandemic. Although the labor force level by demographic is not available for the local area, national data suggests who has returned to work and who

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B2B Stories

Annual cyber conference brings big economic boost to CSRA

The 10th Anniversary of the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association International’s (AFCEA) TechNet Augusta kicks off today, bringing 5,000 attendees to the Augusta Convention Center at the Marriott. The 4-day cyber-centric conference will generate an estimated $3,990,154 in visitor spending. “TechNet, which attracts attendees from across the globe, is Augusta’s largest conference and continues to grow and expand,” said Destination Augusta’s Bennish Brown, President & CEO. Many businesses have directly benefited from this conference and visitor spending. Over the course of their 10 years in Augusta, TechNet has generated $20.8 Million

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ABD Extra

Patrick Reynolds: How is inflation impacting the hiring process?

There’s not an easy button. Here’s a look back at May’s Employment Recruitment & Retention Panel discussion from ABD’s Conference and Expo, as Patrick Reynolds, CEO of Cross Link Consulting, explains the necessity of working together, even in difficult situations.

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B2B Stories

Will voters spare half a cent for new JBA?

The die is cast and the information blitzkrieg is underway as the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority touts the benefits of a new James Brown Arena. On Nov. 7, Richmond County voters are being asked to go to the polls and vote in favor of a referendum creating a half-cent sales tax to pay for the project. SB230 creating the Coliseum Special Local Option Sales Tax, or C-SPLOST was approved by the Georgia Legislature during the 2023 legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp. Now, the onus is

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