Economics

Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about what to believe about gloom and doom economic predictions. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: Lately a lot of gloom and doom economic predictions have been circulating. What can we or should we believe about them? Rick: I’ve seen guys predicting gloom and doom for the last five years. Eventually, they’ll get it right. Even the guys who predicted the

I often report economic data for the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area because the federal government releases this data in a timelier manner than for each individual county. It also makes sense to consider the metro area, as it is defined, in part, by commuting patterns between the constituent counties. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has just released the county-level data for the first quarter of 2022. I know this is not particularly timely or useful for business planning, but it is useful to think about the heterogeneity of our metro

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about the attributes of a good employer. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: Earlier this month, Forbes magazine named Augusta University and AU Health to its list of America’s Best Employers, the only Augusta-based company to make the list. Among the factors considered were salaries, working conditions, growth potential, and diversity. What puts AU on this list? Rick: Our diversity

Consumers are starting to see a bit of relief at the gas pumps, but businesses that rely heavily on diesel fuel are still scrambling to keep up with increased prices. While gas prices have dropped about 27 percent since their high in mid-June, diesel prices have been reduced by only 10 percent. Diesel fuel prices remain about 50 percent higher than in August 2021. According to the GasBuddy app, which shows current area gas prices, as of Thursday afternoon, prices in Augusta trended at $2.93 per gallon, with a few

Despite the economic challenges this year has presented, James Clayton remains optimistic about the fourth quarter of 2022. Clayton, an insurance agent with New York Life, attended the grand opening celebration of Ameris Bank’s new permanent branch located in Walton’s Corner at 3626 Walton Way Extension in Augusta Wednesday. “You’re seeing new buildings and construction,” he said. “I expect our local economy to outperform the national market; we’re going to be OK.” Ameris Regional President Remer Brinson, who has worked in banking in Augusta for 40 years, agrees. Brinson said

Like most small businesses, inflation and the economy have affected Augusta Gift Baskets, but that hasn’t prevented its owners from supporting local nonprofits, according to Julie Williams. Williams and her husband, Randall, own and operate the custom gift basket business. She said they try to give away eight baskets each month to local charities, such as SafeHomes Domestic Violence Center. “We have had to go up on our prices, but that hasn’t stopped us from giving,” Williams said. She, along with more than 100 local female business leaders, attended this