Economics

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Simon Says: Connection between innovation and higher education?

In 2015, according to the latest year data available, there were 10 utility patents granted that originated in Richmond County. A recent study by Michael Andrews (https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/pol.20200320), examines the role of higher education institutions, such as Augusta University and Georgia Tech, in local invention. Higher education institutions may affect invention directly by conducting research or indirectly by driving population growth. Ideally, to understand the role of higher education on economic development and innovation, we would want to randomly assign universities to locations and measure innovation and economic activity before and

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Economic Update: Thanking the next generation

Just as Dana Lynn discussed in our top story this week, Coach Dave Holdeman from The Alternative Board of the CSRA and Augusta Business Daily publisher, Neil Gordon talk about programs that will not only bring jobs, but could provide vital treatment options for cancer in the future. Be sure to get to know the details on all this and more in the latest economic update.

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ABD Extra

Economic Update: Thanking the next generation

Just as Dana Lynn discussed in our top story this week, Coach Dave Holdeman from The Alternative Board of the CSRA and Augusta Business Daily publisher, Neil Gordon talk about programs that will not only bring jobs, but could provide vital treatment options for cancer in the future. Be sure to get to know the details on all this and more in the latest economic update.

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B2B Stories

Local legislators celebrate business wins and discuss future challenges

The 2023 legislative session that just ended revealed great strides for CSRA businesses through small business and workforce development and growing educational opportunities to accomplish those goals, but there is much more to be done. Dozens of business and government leaders met with Columbia County’s local legislative delegation at a breakfast held yesterday morning for a post-session recap. Representatives Jodi Lott (R-District 131), Barry Fleming (R-District 125), Dr. Mark Newton (R-District 127), and Senator Lee Anderson (R-District 24) attended and much of the focus was on ways to encourage existing

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Economic Update: “Feeling Good”

We knew that you would! Join Coach Dave Holdeman from The Alternative Board of the CSRA and Augusta Business Daily publisher, Neil Gordon to recap the week that was. They discuss a bill Governor Brian Kemp signed in Augusta that will assist in creating a reimagined James Brown Arena, providing new jobs and bringing big names to the CSRA. Be the first to get the scoop on all this and more in the latest economic update!

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Mondays with Rick: Innovation is a necessity for a successful business

Dr. Rick Franza, Professor of Management at the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about the reasons why a business must always keep innovating to stay successful. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: There’s a quote about innovation, attributed in some form to several people, that says, “If you stop growing, you start dying.” Why is innovation so important? Rick: The analogy I always use is if you’re going the speed limit on

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Simon Says: Employment declines in the CSRA

Last week, I reported an improvement in the labor market variables in the Leading Economic Index (LEI). After falling from mid-summer 2022, there was an improvement in the first two months of this year. Unfortunately, the main indicator of labor market health, employment, has yet to show signs of recovery. As suggested by the decline in the LEI since mid-summer, employment in the Augusta MSA has fallen from 245,200 in November to 241,000 in March (see graph). Education and health services, professional and business services and transportation and utilities all

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B2B Stories

Virtual summit highlights Small Business Week

A weeklong event kicked off yesterday afternoon at 1028 Broad Street, at the home of 10Twenty-Eight, a new membership and networking lounge. They are in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority this week to showcase small businesses via social media and the week ends on 1st Friday with a shop small business day. It hardly comes as a surprise that a national survey of small business owners found that their top concerns are the economic impact of inflation and interest rates. This week (April 30-May 6) is National Small Business

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B2B Stories

$7.6 Million grant spurs economic development in CSRA

Communities across South Carolina will share in a more than $1.36 billion pot of grant money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Some of the largest grants are coming to local governments in Aiken, Edgefield, and surrounding counties. The funds are being distributed by the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority through its South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program (SCIIP). The program was created by RIA to be a one-time initiative to invest in water, wastewater, and stormwater systems across the Palmetto State. “The vital infrastructure improvements these funds will deliver

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B2B Stories

Bill levels playing field in competition for state contracts

During his visit to Augusta on Monday, Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 128 which ensures equity for minority, women, and veteran owned businesses vying for state contracts. “It is going to streamline and expand access to state certifications for minority, women and veteran owned businesses as they navigate the procurement process for contracts,” Kemp explained. “This bill came out of the executive order issued last July directing the Department of Administrative Services to address the challenges these businesses faced in the procurement process. The shared goal of that executive

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