Economics

It’s here! Azaleas are blooming, the course is manicured to a tee, and fans are arriving in droves. Masters Week officially begins today, but visitors started arriving over the weekend for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and Drive, Chip, and Putt for golf’s future stars. Those events bring golfers and visitors before the tournament, giving Augusta airport the chance to ramp up for the big event. “It’s increased traffic, but kind of like an incremental step,” said Augusta Airport Executive Director, Herbert Judon, Jr. “It’s almost like a practice round

Major renovations of a local extended-stay hotel will be completed by Masters Week, according to Betty Carter. Carter, General Manager of Candlewood Suites located at 1080 Claussen Road in Augusta, said many parts of the hotel, including the lobby, front desk, guest rooms, fitness center, and gazebo, have been remodeled. “We have a new parking lot, business center, hallway lighting, furniture, kitchen cabinets, and security with door locks and cameras,” she said. The total price tag for these renovations, which began last year, is approximately $1.25 million. Carter said so