
Week in Review
In today’s Biz Bits week in review, Mike Petchenik looks at new uses for an old property.

In today’s Biz Bits week in review, Mike Petchenik looks at new uses for an old property.

The 2024 session of the Georgia Legislature is in the history book. Gov. Brian Kemp has finished signing or vetoing legislation passed during the session and the postmortems are underway. The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce held its annual post-legislative breakfast on May 9. The keynote speaker was one of the leaders of the Georgia Legislature, House Speaker Jon Burns. Burns touched on some of what he sees as the most important bills passed during the session, most of which the governor has signed. He started with the legislature’s consistency

Stephanie Stuckey’s visit to ABD’s Inspire 24 conference wasn’t just about pecan log rolls and her new book, “Unstuck.” She shared with ABD founder, Neil Gordon some ways that small businesses can thrive on social media.

Family trips across the country introduced generations to the familiar teal roof of Stuckey’s and the magic of their unique brand of candy and novelties. Stephanie is rebuilding the brand through road trips. She stopped in recently at ABD’s Inspire 2024 conference.

While Richmond and Columbia counties have been in the economic development spotlight recently, Aiken County is joining in the economic success. Columbia Vehicle Group, an electric vehicle manufacturer based in Reedsburg, Wis., is moving its manufacturing operations to University Parkway in Aiken. The $12.2 million plant will mark the company’s first location in the Palmetto State. It will create 180 new jobs. “We’ve been investing in great communities since 1947 with Aiken being a superb fit for our continued global expansion of the Tomberlin and Columbia brands. It has been

Friday’s announcement that GF Casting Solutions will build a plant in the Augusta Corporate Park off Mike Padgett Highway creates a problem for the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA). This is an example that not all problems are bad. GF Casting Solutions has contracted for 147 acres. This plant has pushed the park to near capacity. “We have a 40-acre site and a 65-acre site available. Otherwise, the park is completely full,” AEDA President, Cal Wray told ABD. Wray said they are actively looking for new industrial sites. He anticipates

She’s a former legislator and attorney who bought the rights to her family brand, the iconic Stuckey’s. Eat a pecan log roll for a sugar boost and follow her day from Neil Gordon’s recent chat with her at ABD’s recent Inspire 2024 conference.

Stephanie Stuckey, the granddaughter of the founder of Stuckey’s Corporation, the home of the original pecan log roll and maker of delicious pecan snacks and treats, has set a path for rebuilding the iconic roadside family business. It all started with buying back the brand. Catch the story from ABD’s recent Inspire 2024 conference.

Editor’s note: As Dr. Franza enjoys a couple of weeks out of the classroom, it seemed like a good time to repeat his column from mid-January following the announcement from Alabama Coach Nick Saban of his retirement. It’s timely because Saban’s own succession planning has landed him in the broadcast booth for ESPN’s popular College Gameday show. A week ago today, there was a major shakeup in the world of college football as Nick Saban announced his retirement after 17 years as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Saban

SRP Federal Credit Union was recently part of local Board of Education meetings to present checks for the monies donated to each district as part of the High School Affinity School Debit Card Program last year. The Aiken County Public School district in Aiken, SC was awarded a check totaling $256,658.70, with nine schools participating in the program. The Columbia County School System in Evans, GA was also presented a check in the amount of $47,797.80, with five participating schools. The Affinity School Debit Card Program began in 2018 to