B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Workforce Development for Future Leaders’s Weakening Competitiveness

Augusta University (AU) invited high school students to learn about the importance of a teaching career. The AU College of Education and Human Development hosted its annual Future Georgia Educators Day. Students had the chance to spend the day on the AU campus to hear from current teachers, at all levels of their careers. “We’re here to grow teachers. We’re here to encourage the profession to show what teaching really is about,” Dr. Carey Anne Cushman, Coordinator of Teacher Development and Professional Learning for the Columbia County School District (CCSD),

Read More »
B2B Stories

Another multi-million-dollar expansion in Aiken County

One of Aiken County’s oldest companies is planning a more than $12 million investment in its facility. AGY manufactures specialty glass fiber. It is expanding the capacity of its low-dielectric (Low Dk) and low-dissipation factor (Low DF) glass fibers. “Their material is used in cell phones, in military applications, pretty much anything in our world. This expansion is related to the growth in AI (artificial intelligence), and so this yarn is used in the manufacturing of the chips used in AI,” Will Williams, President and CEO of Western SC Economic

Read More »
B2B Stories

Kendrick Deal: What happens to staff?

Stephen Kendrick JR. got a nice 75th Anniversary present heading into the holiday week. Classic Collision, one of the fastest-growing auto body repair and collision companies in the U.S., acquired Kendrick Paint and Body. Kendrick, who purchased ownership in 2008 and ended his tenure as sole owner and CEO, communicated to staff on Thursday morning that the deal was done. The acquisition affects more than 190 employees who operate the nine locations on both sides of the Savannah River. There’s some confusion as to how many employees will be affected

Read More »
B2B Stories

The urgent need to protect healthcare in rural Georgia

Wellstar’s future Columbia County Hospital in Grovetown is likely to provide more medical care than for just people in the Metro Augusta area. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is looking for ways to protect existing healthcare facilities in rural Georgia, while also encouraging new options. One of those options will be the access to healthcare available at Wellstar Columbia County Hospital near Grovetown. The chamber event’s panel discussion that focused on healthcare was part of the Rural Prosperity Summit. The event brought together hundreds of Georgia business, political, and community

Read More »
B2B Stories

Augusta big part of record-breaking Georgia tourism

The latest numbers are in. Events large and small generated $45 billion in visitor spending for the Peach State, with a nice bump for Augusta’s economy as well. Destination Augusta released the report during the Nov. 5 “Feel Good City” celebration. About $890 million in visitor spending came in our area. That breaks down to:  $240 million from food and beverage $196 in lodging $195 million from entertainment and recreation $125 million in retail and shopping   “We’ve consistently blown up our tourism economy over the last three or four

Read More »
B2B Stories

How to juggle 4 balls in the air without dropping one

When Samantha (Sam) Corujo needs quiet time, she’ll relax on the balcony of Summer House Realty, overlooking Augusta National. It’s a welcome retreat from her traditional real estate office downstairs and three other businesses she’s built. So, how does she juggle all four companies? For the highly energetic entrepreneur, it’s a combination of discipline, exercise, micro-bursting, and creating think time. ” I get up, I go to the gym early, and then I come home, and there’s that little sacred two-hour window of time where I can handle all my

Read More »
B2B Stories

A glimpse inside the area’s newest hospital

Elected officials and business leaders had a peek inside the hospital under construction in Columbia County. The facility is at exit 190 off Interstate 20. Officials with Wellstar MCG Health organized a Friday morning walk of the 85% completed building on Gateway Boulevard, near the Gateway to Grovetown. “It’s amazing that I’m standing here at this moment in Columbia County’s history,” said David Jameson, interim President and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. “It feels good. If I’m excited, every citizen in Columbia County should be just overwhelmed

Read More »
B2B Stories

Getting back to normal at the airport

Augusta Regional Airport urges travelers to brace for ongoing delays — as employees scramble to recover from missed paychecks and wait for back pay. Even though the 40-day federal shutdown has officially ended, Augusta Regional Airport leaders say the effects are far from over — not only for passengers, but for the more than 80 TSA and FAA employees now scrambling to catch up on bills, repay loans, and recover from more than a month without a paycheck. At the same time, flight schedules remain unstable, and a 6% nationwide flight reduction

Read More »
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Bad Job News & Pay in Georgia/Carolina

With the continued government shutdown and no new official economic news releases from federal agencies, I again turn to the ADP employment report for the latest jobs market data. The ADP report is based on national payroll data from more than 26 million U.S. employees, who come from ADP clients, like the ones getting serviced for payroll and HR in West August. This is about 1 in 5 private sector employees, and 1 in 6 covers total employees. The data they have does skew towards larger firms and firms located

Read More »
B2B Stories

Grade Inflation: Both a Cause and Sign of America’s Weakening Competitiveness

Publisher’s Note: When interviewing a candidate at your business in the CSRA, do you expect their GPA to be a true indicator of how dedicated and intelligent he or she is? Students’ grades are up across the country from a while ago until now by 10-20%. But why? Dr. Rick Franza takes a look at an academic challenge that needs course correction. Grade inflation has been rampant on college campuses for decades, particularly since COVID, when this trend became exceedingly evident and problematic.  Having done my undergraduate work in the late

Read More »