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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Local labor market still struggling post-Covid

Over the last couple of weeks, I have reported that Augusta employment has surpassed pre-COVID levels, but the overall labor market is still suffering from long COVID. What about other areas of the state of Georgia? Employment in Georgia stands over a quarter of a million jobs higher in March 2024 than it did in February 2020. Three metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) generated over three-quarters of the job growth, Atlanta, Savannah, and Gainesville. Atlanta itself accounted for two-thirds of the job growth indicating the role the capital city pays in

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe May 20, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

A taste of Miami opens in the CSRA

Aiken is now home to an establishment that offers Latin jazz, flamenco performances, tasty dishes, cocktails, and premium cigars. Rhumba Rum and Cigar Lounge opened at 321 Richland West in Aiken, the former location of Antique Emporium which closed last year. Rhumba held a soft opening in April and a grand opening on May 9. Born in Cuba, Rhumba owner, Elier Alberto lived in Miami for 22 years working in nightclubs that served up Latin cuisine, Latin jazz, and fine cigars. Miami is known for its thriving nightlife and sandy

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Mitzi Oxford May 20, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Augusta Airport celebrates multi-million $ improvements

Elected and business leaders from across metro Augusta recently celebrated the completion of the terminal building expansion at Augusta Regional Airport. The project includes reconfiguring Gates 3 and 4 which adds about 2,000 square feet of usable space to the east end of the terminal. Herbert Judon, Jr., Executive Director of the airport, said, although the amount of additional space is relatively small, it is very valuable and marks an important jump forward for the airport. “When the building was built back in 2008, the airline fleets were a little

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Dana Lynn McIntyre May 20, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

The building blocks to starting a business

When someone wants to start their own business, the first step is the idea. The next step is often “Now what?” The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Third Thursday session set out to answer that question. Called “From Concept to Conquest,” it brought together three experts. Michael Newton with Make Start Ups at theClubhou.se, Andrew Garnett from the Greater Aiken Chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), and Shelby Carl, representing the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) each shared their expertise. As his organization’s name

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Dana Lynn McIntyre May 19, 2024 No Comments
B2B Podcasting

No room at the inn!

Great news on the manufacturing front in both Augusta and Aiken. Mike Petchenik has more in this week’s Biz Bits.

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Mike Petchenik May 19, 2024 No Comments
B2B Podcasting

Hitting Rock Bottom

Stephanie Stuckey’s turnaround in the family brand is nothing short of remarkable. Recently, she told our ABD’s Inspire 24 audience how it almost didn’t happen after reaching her lowest moment.

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Stephanie Stuckey May 19, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Brews, bites, and barks

Sometimes, business dreams are worth waiting for. When Andrew Phifer, an engineer, and his wife, Rachel, an accountant, found themselves more apart than together because of their jobs, they started thinking of what they could do together that both would enjoy. With inspiration from their own “good girl” Kate the rescue dog, the idea for Good Girl Brewing Company was born. In 2021, they found the perfect spot at 880 Banks Mill Road in Aiken, next door to Citizens Park and the former location of Found Treasures, an antique and

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Mitzi Oxford May 19, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

‘Tis the growing season in the CSRA

When you get off work today, you can pick up fresh veggies and other locally produced products at the South Augusta Farmers Market at Mayor Garnett Johnson’s Headquarters, 4104 Windsor Spring Road in Hepzibah. The official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the market is at 6:00 pm. They will also be open at 9:00 am on Saturday. Agriculture is Georgia’s leading industry with more than $74 billion in economic impact every year. In Augusta, agribusiness brings in more than $130 million, according to the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA). “The event

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Mitzi Oxford May 16, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Augusta University President delivers final State of the University address

To paraphrase the university’s slogan, “It was an address like no other.” Dr. Brooks Keel, in a speech marked by humor and poignancy, summed up the past year and then turned to the future. Keel hit all the high points of the past 12 months, beginning with increased budget allocations from the General Assembly for FY25, after a reduction a year earlier. “So, here’s an increase in our FY 25 allocation, just over $10 million in revenue earnings of $13.8 million of new money,” he said, adding that increased enrollment

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Dana Lynn McIntyre May 16, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

USCA gets financial boost to help cyber students

USCA has received money from a veteran-owned cybersecurity firm that will fund scholarships for students seeking a career in cybersecurity and computer science. SteelGate, LLC, a Virginia-based company with an office in Augusta, has donated $25,000 to USCA. The SteelGate Cyber Scholarships will be used to provide $1,000 scholarships to high school students in the Aiken-Augusta area. “We contacted about 15 to 18 high schools in the region. And there’s a competitive scholarship for each school, one to two scholarships,” Dr. Scott McKay, Dean of Sciences and Engineering, explained for

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Dana Lynn McIntyre May 15, 2024 No Comments
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