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B2B Stories
B2B Stories

Simon Says: The economics of Christmas Trees in the CSRA

The Medcalfe family bought their Christmas Tree from Clarks Hill Christmas Tree Farm last weekend. I know this is late by American standards, but the English don’t have the Friday Thanksgiving tradition. We have been cutting down live Christmas trees since our sons were little boys. We have always enjoyed making an afternoon of the activity, taking the dogs, drinking hot chocolate, decorating, and enjoying the scent in the house. The Farm Bureau has just provided some economic data on Christmas tree farming. Over half of all Christmas trees are

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor December 23, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Construction underway for training facility at SRS

The first phase of construction of a non-nuclear operations training facility has started at the Savannah River Site (SRS). A news release from Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) said the High-Fidelity Training and Operations Center (HFTOC) is a component of the plutonium pit production mission on-site. “The SRPPF Project team has now started work to transform the existing HFTOC building into a key asset for the pit production mission. SRNS is collaborating with NNSA and our partners as we work with a sense of urgency to deliver on this national

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Dana Lynn McIntyre December 23, 2025 No Comments
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Veterans’ cemetery in Augusta is closer to reality

Just a week before Christmas, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS) announced a significant milestone in the decades-long effort to create a state veterans cemetery in Augusta, since the closest one is (pictured) in Milledgeville. A news release from GDVS has learned from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that there is now an opportunity for grant funding to support building a state veterans cemetery near Gracewood State School and Hospital. “Augusta has applied before, but we were too far down the priority list for the available funding

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Dana Lynn McIntyre December 22, 2025 No Comments
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Cuts to major tourism engine in Augusta

Publisher’s Note: As part of the City of Augusta’s $21 million shortfall, non-profits are expected to lose discretionary funding in 2026. For Arts in the Heart, ABD’s learned it will mean the loss of $85,000 used to pay for security fees like sheriff’s department officers. The following is a guest column from M. Denise Tucker, Executive Director. While my priority is to get to work, find solutions, stabilize services, and support the communities that will feel the impact of the City’s decision, as Director of the Arts Council, I could

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Denise Tucker December 19, 2025 No Comments
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Passing the business baton in several CSRA counties

Chambers of Commerce are winding down the current year and preparing for 2026, with a changing of the guard on their boards of directors. The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce’s current board president is Neil Gwynne, owner of the Poolwerx Augusta franchise. Gwynne served as chair as the chamber prepared for its 20th anniversary. “Somebody recently said to me that chambers are all about planting trees that you never get to sit underneath and get the shade from. And if I can help this chamber, plant those trees, and continue

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Dana Lynn McIntyre December 19, 2025 No Comments
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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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Dr. Rick Franza, AU Hull College of Business December 18, 2025 No Comments
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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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Dana Lynn McIntyre December 18, 2025 No Comments
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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Dana Lynn McIntyre December 17, 2025 No Comments
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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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Dana Lynn McIntyre December 16, 2025 No Comments
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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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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business December 16, 2025 No Comments
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