B2B Stories

B2B Stories

2025 Economics Predictions: How did AU’s Professor do and why should you care!

Publisher’s Note: Twice a year, Dr. Rick Franza, AU’s Professor, puts our economy into perspective with his predictions. He’s wrapped up his semester and his presents with his bi-annual tradition! A couple of reminders are necessary before I start.  First, please note that my predictions focused on how President Trump might implement some of his campaign promises and what impact those policies might have on our economy. Second, I wrote a column in early July in which I provided a mid-year evaluation of my predictions and also provided a “bonus

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B2B Stories

Updated Plan: How H20 use is affecting CSRA Economic Development

One of the highest-ranking leaders in the two-state area just released the updated state water and plan. The purpose is the long-term protection of water resources to keep the dollars flowing for decades to come. A former Augusta Mayor also reflected on similar issues from more than 20 years ago. SC Governor Henry McMaster was flanked by South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Director Myra Reece and Rob Devlin, SCDES Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Water. They were joined by Rep. Bill Hixon (R-District 83 encompassing parts of

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B2B Stories

Looking for the next great ideas in Augusta

The submission period is open for the 2026 INNOVATE: Pitches with a Purpose Student Pitch Competition. There are opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs to participate as a judge or become a sponsor. This is the seventh year for the event, sponsored by Augusta University in partnership with the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (GCITC) and VA (Veterans Affairs) Augusta Health Care. “First round submission will actually be due February 6, and that is just the ideation phase. We just need five slides of the idea of the problem that

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B2B Stories

Using marketing to drive customers to your business

The old adage for any small business is location, location, location. However, being in the right place will not make your business a success if potential customers do not know about you. That is where the next crucial tool for small businesses comes into play: Marketing. Aiken SCORE can help, and ABD is sharing the secrets of success. SCORE, the volunteer-driven organization with a team in Aiken, offered a free online seminar to show the must-do steps to successfully market a small business. It’s part of the non-profit’s ongoing mentoring,

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Major drop in unemployment claims

Local economic data is starting to be released by government organizations after the federal shutdown. I can now update the Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) through August! In August, the index was down 0.2% from July but remained 0.8% higher than August 2024. Components contributing positively to the index included initial claims for unemployment insurance, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), and job openings. Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell 44 percent in July. In August, the DJIA was amid a six-month rally that has continued at least through the

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B2B Stories

CSRA Masterclass on best business practices

Read a good business book lately? 5 CSRA company leaders did the work for you! Here is what they found to help you with your day-to-day work. Panelists from five different types of business, Andrea Bowles, Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate; Elisha Ford, ER at Sweetwater & Martintown; Greg Greenawalt, Gracious Hospitality Services; Isaac Kelly, Aiken Staffing Associates, and Cynthia Rhodes, Rhodes-Porter Group, presented “Moments That Move Us: Five Powerful Messages to Shape Business & Leadership.” Andrea Bowles introduced attendees to “The Energy Clock” by Molly Fletcher. Fletcher’s premise is

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B2B Stories

Medical Center opening 9th location

A primary care center is building its newest location on the border of Richmond and Columbia County. Center for Primary Care (CPC) first opened in 1993. This location is getting built on Furys Ferry Road near Riverwatch Parkway, behind Ziggy’s Coffee, and next to Winchester Homes. CPC has 37 primary care physicians in their locations, which include multiple offices in Richmond, Columbia, and Aiken counties, plus one in Thomson. They offer on-site imaging and lab services and some weekend hours.

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Unique scholarship at Augusta Tech

A California resident, who never attended Augusta Technical College (ATC), has created a $15,000 scholarship in the name of her late cousin, who graduated from ATC. The Robert Fields Annual Scholarship will be available to students enrolled in the construction-related training offered by ATC. It was created by Adrian Arnold (2nd from left), a Clinical Informatics Nurse in Sacramento. Arnold is an Augusta native but did not study at ATC. Still, she wanted to honor her cousin, who passed away in 2011. “My cousin, Robert A. Fields, was dedicated to

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B2B Stories

Is Eliminating Georgia’s State Income Tax a Winning Idea?

Publisher’s Note: In 1994, yours truly left a TV news/weather position in Augusta to earn $10,000 more at a similar job in Spokane, Washington. It was a double-play as there was/is no state income tax. The cost of living was outrageous on rent, food, gas, etc., and it ate up the extra $$$. I returned to Augusta a year later! Our columnist, Dr. Rick Franza, dug into the pros and cons of Georgia mirroring Washington State’s state income tax decisions. GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE PROCESS In the month of November, I had

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Employers needed to grow tomorrow’s workforce

Businesses in Metro Augusta are invited to participate in a program designed to show high school students career possibilities right at home. The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is calling on businesses to sign up for a job shadowing opportunity. The annual event, set for Groundhog Day on Feb. 2, is coordinated by the Richmond County School System (RCSS). “There are so many jobs and job opportunities right here in the CSRA where we can keep our talent right here with us,” Dr. Stacey Mabray, Director of High School Programming

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