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B2B Stories

Financial Group expands up the road

A financial planning firm in the CSRA since 1974, is expanding from one end of Stevens Creek Road to the other. Richard Young Associates now has seven certified financial planners (CFP’s), nearly 20 employees, and will be moving into a new, large facility on Stevens Creek Road across from the West Hills subdivision and Dollar General on the west side of the Riverwatch Parkway. Part of the reason for the company’s growth is their association with Dave Ramsey and its Money MD programs, first on the radio and then through

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Neil Gordon January 15, 2026 No Comments
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The President and the Federal Reserve: Why You Should Care

It seems pretty clear that President Donald Trump is not a big fan of the current Chairman of the Federal Reserve (“the Fed”), Jerome (Jay) Powell. At the root of President Trump’s problem with Mr. Powell is Powell’s reluctance to lower interest rates as quickly as the President would like. I first wrote about this issue in April 2025 when the President intimated in social media posts that Powell’s firing might be imminent. However, when financial markets reacted negatively to such an attack on the Fed’s independence, the President backed

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Dr. Rick Franza, AU Hull College Professor January 15, 2026 No Comments
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McMaster releases his final budget to put more $$ in taxpayer pockets

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster laid out his fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. He was joined by Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. The plan included many of the themes that have been a hallmark for McMaster, such as reducing the state income tax and improving teacher pay. Just five years ago, South Carolina had the highest personal income tax rate in the southeast at 7%. McMaster pushed to have it lowered incrementally to its current 6%. He proposes dropping it to 5.9% and continuing to reduce it with the goal of eliminating

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Dana Lynn McIntyre January 14, 2026 No Comments
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Major manufacturer in CSRA pledges to help future biz leaders

Aurubis Richmond is the newest company to open a storefront at Junior Achievement’s Discovery Center in Evans. Aurubis is one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. The company processes complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and metal-bearing recycling materials into metals from the Augusta Corporate Park in South Augusta. This marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to education and community engagement. “This initiative reflects Aurubis Richmond’s belief that business and community must work together to prepare the next generation for success,” said David Schultheis, President of Aurubis Richmond. Aurubis

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Neil Gordon January 14, 2026 No Comments
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CSRA lawmakers lead today’s 2026 SC legislative session opening

Members of the South Carolina General Assembly have gathered in Columbia for today’s opening of the 2026 session. This is the second regular session of the 126th General Assembly. State Sen. Tom Young (R-District 24, Aiken County) told ABD he sees a wide range of topics facing lawmakers this session, ranging from education to workforce initiatives, and modifying the state’s income and property taxes. South Carolina has been incrementally lowering the personal income tax from 7% to the current 6% on income over $17,830. Young anticipates a vigorous debate on

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Dana Lynn McIntyre January 13, 2026 No Comments
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Huge Sign CSRA Economy Is Improving

SCORE sets record on mentoring small businesses in a 16-county area of the CSRA. 30 Certified Mentors and Volunteers worked with over 355 Small Business Clients in 2025. The Chapter’s territory includes Aiken, Augusta, North Augusta, and a total of sixteen counties. Mentoring services have been provided for three phases of a Small Business’s journey. The Idea and How Do I Start Phase…The How Do I Grow My Business Phase…And finally, The Time Is Right to Sell and/or Retire Phase. As a Non-Profit, all Mentoring Services are free and confidential.

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Neil Gordon January 12, 2026 No Comments
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Columbia County Chamber transitions into 2026

There is a new President and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber. He is a familiar face. Health Taylor will step into the role on February 1. Currently President and CEO of the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, Taylor is no stranger to the CSRA. He served as Vice President of the Columbia County Chamber and Vice President of Business and Community Development for the Aiken Chamber of Commerce. “Love the fact that he’s coming in here already knowing the community, has ties in the community, and already has relationships

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Dana Lynn McIntyre January 9, 2026 No Comments
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Celebrating 75 years in North Augusta

What do the UN Headquarters opening in New York City, the premiere of I Love Lucy, ratification of the 22nd amendment limiting Presidential terms, and the beginning of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce have in common? All happened in 1951. “When I came here in 2012, a lot of folks that lived in North Augusta didn’t know we had a chamber,” President and CEO Terra Carroll told ABD. “I think because it was a bedroom community, and some of the activities that we did were really isolated to in-house

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Dana Lynn McIntyre January 9, 2026 No Comments
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Brinks Tavern launches catering and business lunch delivery after 4 months

It is a New Year with new initiatives for Ed and Mickie DeFelice and the rest of the team at Brinkley’s Restaurant Group in North Augusta. Now that the upscale sports bar is established in the new Beacon Bluff Center at 200 Georgia Avenue, the operators are setting their sights on outreach to the community with the launch of business lunch deliveries and catering. This reporter and his photographer wife, Melissa, enjoyed a New Year’s lunch sampling a number of small plates, entrees, and desserts. The ambience had something for

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Neil Gordon January 8, 2026 No Comments
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TOP 10 LIST: 2026 Predictions and Hopes

Publisher’s Note: What happens in the economy, financial markets, the Federal Reserve, and government/politics affects our business environment and personal finances in the CSRA.  Dr. Rick Franza’s 2025 predictions graded out as a “B”, which would make his students proud! WHAT WILL HAPPEN ECONOMICALLY IN 2026? In some cases, Dr. Franza is separating his predictions from his hopes. Without further ado and in ode to David Letterman, here is Dr. Rick Franza’s Top 10 List. The U.S. Economy, Financial Markets, and the Federal Reserve Prediction #1: GDP Growth for the

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Dr. Rick Franza, AU Hull College Professor January 8, 2026 No Comments
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