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 the impact of the TechNet cyber conference on the CSRA’s economy and status. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: All last week we heard about the TechNet Cyber conference taking place in downtown Augusta. Please explain the purpose of the conference. It sounds like a geeky Army thing. Rick: It probably is geeky, but it’s more than Army. It’s

The good hands of Allstate insurance are dipping deeper into the pockets of Georgia policyholders. According to Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, John King, Allstate is using a loophole in Georgia’s law to increase automobile insurance rates by 25 percent. “I am angry and disappointed that Allstate has chosen to exploit a loophole in state law to implement such a substantial increase in costs on hardworking Georgians when families are already struggling with historic inflation everywhere from the gas pump to the grocery store,” King said in a statement.

Last week, Gary Kauffman of Augusta Business Daily reported that “the PGA Tour was the only meaningful option for golfers playing at the highest levels, yet the tour doesn’t compensate the golfers for their revenues at the level of athletes in other sports.” (See Pro golfers file antitrust lawsuit). Eleven golfers have filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the PGA Tour. In economics, a monopoly is a single seller of a product. As every student in an introductory class knows, a monopoly can charge a higher price for its product than

Downtown Augusta is home to a growing list of retail shops, restaurants, and other businesses, thanks to the Downtown Development Authority of Augusta. The agency was created in 1974 to oversee and promote downtown redevelopment. Its board meets monthly to discuss a variety of topics, including projects and initiatives. ABD visited this month’s meeting, which was held on Thursday. DDA Executive Director, Margaret Woodard presented the Director’s Report and discussed current projects. For example, as ABD previously reported, The Brunch House of Augusta plans to relocate from Greene Street to

  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 Fort Gordon and its effect on the CSRA’s economy. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: How does having Fort Gordon in Augusta affect our economy? Rick: It’s a two-fold impact – there’s the direct spending, like with all the construction that’s going on out there now, and the other things that support the mission, like computers. But also obviously,

Like many businesses, the city of Augusta has plenty of unfilled job openings. But it has taken a step to help ensure it won’t have even more. The Augusta Commissioners recently approved a pay raise and incentive bonuses to help the city with employee retention. Employees who didn’t receive a raise last year will get a 3 percent boost this year. In addition, employees can receive bonuses of $1,000 to $2,500 if they reach certain incentives. The pay raises are expected to cost the city an additional $500,000 this year