Expansions/Moves

B2B Stories

Bank with 3 branches in the CSRA is sold

Southern Financial Corporation and Southern Bank entered into a definitive agreement to sell their Georgia branches to Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union (“Palmetto Citizens”). Palmetto Citizens will acquire the physical locations in Richmond and Burke counties. A little more than $100 million in deposits and loan accounts associated with Southern Bank’s four branches located in Georgia will be transferred upon consummation of the transaction. Southern Bank will continue to operate as an independent community bank. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary

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B2B Stories

Zoning for a major development in South Augusta

The rezoning of a portion of a 280-acre tract clears the way for the development of a major warehouse project near the Augusta Regional Airport. If the deal goes through, a 300,000 square foot building will be built on the property. Members of the Augusta Planning Commission approved a request to rezone 100 acres from Agricultural (A) to Heavy Industrial (HI) at 1550 Four H Club Road. Ashley Catterton, development service administrator with Augusta Planning, noted that nearby tracts have already been rezoned from A to Light Industrial (LI). The

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B2B Stories

Improvement projects underway at the airport

Motorists heading for Augusta Regional Airport notice the start of new development inside the airport property along the Doug Barnard Parkway fence line. Heavy equipment is being used to prepare for the construction of additional apron space and a new ramp. “You’re seeing a lot of dirt, that’s for sure,” Elizabeth Giles, Senior Construction Project Manager, told ABD. “We are doing the initial excavating and undercutting of dirt, because we do have to drop the elevation to build the new ramp and apron space. And the new ramp and apron

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B2B Stories

New business moving into the old Walgreens in Martinez

It may take even longer to navigate Washington Road near the Bobby Jones Expressway in a few weeks. Sewell Demolition confirms to ABD that it is when they’ll begin tearing down the 15,200 square foot Walgreen’s building. An expanding retailer will be building on the property. Columbia County Public Information Officer Cassidy Harris says Parker’s Kitchen is approved for another location here. Walgreen’s closed in February of 2025 after first opening in 2002. Parker’s Kitchen is used to working around less-than-ideal traffic situations in Columbia County. Traveling from Old Evans

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B2B Stories

Pet-focused business adds new service to fill need

Paws in Paradise finished a major expansion in 2023 to reach about 200 boarding rooms at its complex on Evans to Locks Road. Now, the boarding facility is reimagining its space to add a wellness center to provide most veterinary services. “We are not a pet hospital, but a boarding facility able to provide services similar to a veterinary office (vaccines, bloodwork, urinalysis, laser therapy, x-rays, ultrasounds, minor surgeries such as dental cleanings, end-of-life care), as well as intermediary services between regular veterinary office and pet hospital (such as triage

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B2B Stories

$2 million hotel transformation in Augusta

The former Baymont Inn and Suites on Frontage Road NW is now Garner Hotel Augusta West—part of the IHG brand with 13 hotels in the CSRA. There’s also a powerful connection to Fort Gordon. This Garner hotel is one of two in the CSRA (Aiken) and part of only 20 Garner hotels in the U.S. Garner Augusta is located off Bobby Jones Expressway and I-20, just a few miles from the Fort Gordon exit on the BJE. “From check-in to checkout, every detail’s been rethought with Garner’s warmth and wit,”

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B2B Stories

Heady new service fuels expansion

A local one-of-a-kind salon is living up to its name. Trendz Salon is following consumer trends to stay ahead of what’s hot in hair care and luxury experiences. The salon on the Riverwatch Parkway in Martinez built out an additional room to provide the “headspa” treatment after certifying its professionals in Alpharetta, Georgia, and partnering with the Nautilique brand from Denmark. “The Classic Headspa” experience includes a scalp analysis, luxury shampooing, and can include a flash facial. “Our service includes tools to exfoliate the scalp as well as different massage

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B2B Stories

Two local businesses combine to Celebrate!

Whether you’re hosting an office party, honoring a coworker, or planning any special event, these two businesses, now under one roof, can help. Two local businesses, Summerville Flower Shack and Two Moms Cookies, are coming together under the ownership of Christy McArdle (Summerville Flower Shack) and Mary Douglas Klimas (second-generation owner of Two Moms) to launch a one-of-a-kind celebration hub: Celebrate! on Central. The new concept brings both brands under one roof at 2830 Central Ave., the former home of Two Moms Kitchen. This expanded space will be more than

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B2B Stories

Perfect timing for CSRA business expansion

With an occasional touch of fall in the morning air and hunting season in the crosshairs, the addition of an outdoor store couldn’t come at a more appropriate time. Alicia Byars, owner of Autumn Outdoors, is opening in the North Hills Shopping Center, at 401 Martintown Road in North Augusta. The store will focus on men’s apparel and accessories for the outdoorsman. “God created an opportunity for our family to expand brands beyond our Autumn Grace Boutique, which is two doors away from our new place. We filled a need

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B2B Stories

New leadership for large CSRA company

A third-generation family member is stepping into the President’s role for a 52-year-old locally owned company serving the manufacturing, supply chain, and technology sectors here and across the country. Baker Edwards Hatcher has been promoted as the next leader of Management Analysis and Utilization, Inc., MAU, Inc. Founded in 1973, MAU is a family-owned workforce solutions company that has been recognized as one of the top 75 largest staffing firms in the United States for 2025. The company includes Manufacturing & Supply Chain (MSC) and 3Ci technology service divisions. Baker represents the third generation of

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