Heads up! Don’t miss Wednesday, February 14. It’s Valentine’s Day. You don’t want to end up in the doghouse. Mike Petchenik has more on big spending for the big day.
The fastest-growing Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) labor market in Georgia for 2023 was Dalton, followed by Columbus and Rome. Dalton’s Labor Market Index (LMI) which includes employment, unemployment, labor force, hours worked, and average weekly earnings, increased by 2.9% in 2023. Columbus LMI grew by 2.6% and Rome by 2.3%. Augusta grew at 1.1% as did the state of Georgia as a whole. Perhaps surprisingly, some MSAs that have racked up strong growth in the last few years were less robust in 2023. Atlanta’s LMI grew by just 0.8%, Gainesville
This week is one that can change the fortunes of local companies wanting to grow. Mike Petchenik explains more in today’s Biz Bits.
The following was a late Friday afternoon statement Augusta Business Daily received from Ed Enoch. For many years, Partner Ed Tarver collaborated with Enoch on various legal matters, including complex business contracts and discrimination lawsuits from their law offices on Wheeler Road. “Honorable Edward Jerome Tarver, former United States Attorney, and State Senator, died this morning from complications following surgery in December. Ed’s wife, Carol and I appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have already received from the community. Ed was a significant and important figure in our
With her husband’s encouragement, Angela Dragano started her own business three years ago, La Vita Bella, which means ‘It’s a beautiful life.’ Indeed, it’s been beautiful for this entrepreneur who has mastered custom cakes, catering, and event coordination from setup, to decorating and food. Last week, she moved her commercial kitchen from her home to a new location, 908 Dougherty Road in Aiken. La Vita Bella’s hours will vary depending on their custom catering and cake orders. The days and times the new shop will open to the public will
The future of public transit needs in light of growth in Aiken County was the focus of the Feb. 8 “Good Morning North Augusta” breakfast, sponsored by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce. The Lower Savannah Council of Governments (COG) is working with a Minnesota-based company to study transportation and economic growth in the Aiken-Augusta area. Public transit in Aiken County had been operated by the City of Aiken but was turned over to COG in 2004. “Since then, we’ve modified a little bit of our transit system, our Best
In less than two months, golf fans will be piling into the CSRA for the first Major of the year. Find out if the Augusta Regional Airport is ready. Mike Petchenik will let you know on today’s Biz Bits.
Getting a government contract with the Peach State could be lucrative, but may seem like a daunting task. The Augusta Chamber and Rhodes Porter Business Development Management are providing a Special Edition Business Builder to help cut through some of the red tape. The registration deadline is tomorrow, Friday, February 9. Advanced registration is required at augustametrochamber.com/events. The Special Edition Business Builder – “Procurement in the Peach State” will be presented by Crystal Langley and Julian Bailey from the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS). The discussion will focus on how
We spend a lot of time figuring out what’s for lunch and where we are going to park. One of Augusta’s largest employers has an answer for that. A new parking deck is being built. Lunch is on your own. Mike Petchenik has more in today’s Biz Bits.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) has released its prediction for how much consumers will spend on their beloved for Valentine’s Day and the outlook is rosy. A news release from NRF said total spending on significant others is expected to reach a record $14.2 billion this year. That’s according to an annual survey by NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics. “Retailers are ready to help customers this Valentine’s Day with meaningful and memorable gifts,” NRF President and CEO, Matthew Shay said in the release. “With consumers prioritizing their spouse or
