Financial/Investing

B2B Stories

CSRA Credit Union reaches major milestone

The SRP Affinity Debit Card Program reached $3 million. Early next week, the credit union is going to celebrate. The card allows SRP members to support local schools simply by using their school-branded debit card for everyday purchases. Each swipe helps generate contributions to these 46 local schools. The program provides critical funding to support educational initiatives, student programs, and school resources. The celebration will be huge as representatives from the 46 schools are invited to include school leaders, school superintendents, and Board of Education members. It will be held

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B2B Stories

Are you a Boomerpreneur?

Having an idea, arranging funding, and the best ways to market are among the list of questions all budding CSRA business owners must consider. However, there is one question that is more important than any of those. Are you ready? The Nashville office of SCORE, the nationwide organization that provides mentorships for startups and small businesses, posted a video primer on how to answer that question. The first step is to determine your strengths and weaknesses, beginning with a solid work ethic. However, it is important to determine the impact

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B2B Stories

Final public hearing set for tomorrow on SPLOST 9

Economic development CSRA leaders think they can recruit one company for a new 1,150-acre area. It’s called the McCombs Mega-site. They need more infrastructure to make it happen—and need a positive vote in about one month. That’s when Richmond County voters will be asked to decide on the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) 9 project list in May. SPLOST 9 is a proposed one-cent sales tax, money targeted for specific capital improvement projects. If approved, it will replace SPLOST 8 when it expires. SPLOST 9 will raise an

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B2B Stories

Changes for South Carolina individual income taxes

New legislation designed to simplify the Palmetto State’s personal income tax structure while lowering the tax rate is official. Surrounded by members of the general assembly and other leaders, Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed H.4216 into law on Wednesday. Beginning in this tax year, the measure changes the individual income tax system to a two-rate structure. Currently, there are three brackets. “Cutting the personal income tax in South Carolina has long been a top priority, and today we are continuing to deliver,” said McMaster during the ceremony. “This is another

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B2B Stories

Keeping your numbers up… to date

Profit and Loss Statements, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow Projections. Understanding those documents can make or break a small business. However, some owners can find the amount of documents and numbers daunting. SCORE’s Piedmont office sponsored Small Business Financials 101, a webinar breaking down the types of financial documents and why each matters. Led by Earl Gregorich, the Marketing & Outreach Specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in Duncan, SC, who said keeping good financial records is vital for many reasons. “You got to file taxes, you got

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B2B Stories

Finding money to start a business

“Show me the Money,” a phrase made famous in the movie Jerry Maguire, could easily describe an upcoming class for small business owners. Registration is open for “Unlocking Capital: An Owner’s Guide to Funding a Small Business,” sponsored by the UGA Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) in Augusta. Program coordinator Shelby Carl told ABD that this class is specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs who are trying to understand different funding options. “Especially for anyone who’s considering approaching the bank, but they don’t know exactly what type of

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B2B Stories

Learning to track the dollars and cents

One of the most important skills for small business owners is developing a comprehensive bookkeeping method.SCORE, the organization of volunteers that helps small businesses, teamed up with Block Advisors by H&R Block for an online webinar explaining why quality bookkeeping is vital.  Led by Sonia Chanani and Sandra Martin of H&R Block, the workshop taught how to turn bookkeeping into a simple, manageable task.  Chanani agreed that bookkeeping can be daunting for a small business owner already juggling multiple responsibilities. The goal is to find a way to make it

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Awards

Hometown financial institution receives 2nd prestigious honor from national magazine

First, Forbes Magazine picked SRP Federal Credit Union as the Best in State Credit Union in Georgia. Most recently, another national magazine bestowed a different honor in South Carolina. Newsweek named SRP as one of America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions in 2026.  In partnership with Plant-A Insights Group, Newsweek recognizes financial institutions that help power local economies by supporting small businesses, financing community projects, and providing reliable access to everyday banking services. “More than financial service providers, credit unions are community partners, showing up in neighborhoods, participating in

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B2B Stories

Company chases lofty goals in the CSRA

A bank added its third local location as part of a 160-branch expansion with emphasis on the Southeast.   The Aiken Chamber welcomed local and regional executives from Chase Bank to open its newest location at 481 Fabian Drive in the Hitchcock Plaza in Aiken near Old Navy, TJ Maxx, and other retailers. The branch is a newly constructed, standalone building, staffed by employees from Aiken and nearby communities and featuring both a drive-up ATM and a vestibule ATM for added convenience.  Aiken Branch Manager Brandee Gonzalez shared insight with guests during the morning get-together with

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B2B Stories

Health Insurance Is Not Health Care — What Augusta/Aiken Employers Should Be Thinking as Renewal Season Never Ends

As CSRA health insurance consultants, our historically heaviest renewal period has always been January 1. While that date is still the most common, we are increasingly seeing renewals spread more evenly throughout the year. Today, the most popular renewal dates are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 — what many in the industry now refer to as the “quarter system.” So, how can these opportunities make a difference? We’ve just come out of a busy renewal cycle and are already heading toward the next one. That reality

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