B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Only one bright spot in the job market

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released employment data for the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area last Thursday. Employment fell by 900 in August from July. The chart below shows the rollercoaster ride we have been on in the local area over the last year. Employment rose from August 2022 through November as the chain pulled the roller-coaster up the first hill. We then plummeted down the first drop, losing 3,000 jobs in two months. Another drop followed a mini recovery in February (just to make your stomach go queasy!). A long

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B2B Stories

Broad Street location of incubator announced soon

A partnership between Augusta’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Augusta Technical College will create a space for business development. The microenterprise center will serve as an incubator for entrepreneurs and small business start-ups, as well as welcoming existing businesses to use the shared space. In a new blog post on the DDA website, consultant, Tara Wood outlined what will be available in the new center. “Temporary workspaces, meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen, technology equipment, and retail space will all be available to accelerator program participants. In addition, there will be

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B2B Stories

The little kitchen that could…despite health crisis

There are many reasons restaurants or food service businesses face challenges and sometimes fail including lack of experience, not enough capital, or bad food and service. Not one of those applies to Jen Steller, owner of A Steller Kitchen. They’ve been voted as a Top Restaurant in Aiken. “I grew up cooking alongside my mother and grandmother. I wanted to follow my dream and open a restaurant,” Steller said. In 2018, she did just that. It’s a small place at 131 Silver Bluff Road. There are 4 tables for inside

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B2B Stories

EXPO PREVIEW: Hargrove Inspections

Contact: John Boudreaux Phone: 706-860-0797 Website: Hargrove Inspections Address: 4820 Technology Drive, Ste. A, Martinez, GA 30907 Thorough home inspections are key to determining the condition of the major systems and components in the home and can uncover potentially life-threatening problems like mold or faulty wiring that could cause a significant fire. “Buying a home is one of life’s biggest investments. That’s where we come in, to educate the buyer. Inspections are a big part of the buying process,” says Hargrove Inspections owner and CEO, John Boudreaux. He has more

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B2B Stories

Mondays with Rick: AU Health becomes Wellstar MCG Health, bolsters area’s options

Dr. Rick Franza, Professor of Management at the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about Wellstar’s agreement with AU Health. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: About a month ago, AU Health Systems became part of the Wellstar network and is now known as Wellstar MCG Health. Is this a good move for the Augusta area? Rick: Absolutely! It is for several reasons. The financial picture for AU Health had been pretty bad

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B2B Stories

CSRA financial planner leaves company to pursue his dreams

Editor’s note: I’m a huge fan of Led Zeppelin. Their original drummer, John Bonham was often described as one of the greatest rock drummers of all time and a “man on fire” because of his mad skills. The same could be said for Kurt Mueller, literally and figuratively. On Friday, September 29, Kurt Mueller announced on social media that he was leaving Apollon Wealth Management. Neither his fellow advisors nor his clients were surprised or left hanging. That is not Mueller’s style. He has worked for Apollon and other financial

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B2B Podcasting

Rosie retires resulting in eatery expansion

Tie Dye Rosie and Mosh Pit Eats have been neighbors for years in the Old Evans Plaza. As she moves on, get ready to watch the progress of the popular sandwich shop. Mike Petchenik has the scoop in today’s Biz Bits.

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B2B Stories

Future of dual enrollment education opportunities in Georgia

A joint Georgia Legislative committee has wrapped up a series of meetings on dual enrollment opportunities in Georgia. Chaired by state Representative, Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville) and State Senator, Matt Brass (R-Newnan), the commission was created during the 2023 legislative session with the passage of Senate Resolution 175 (www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/64645). It is tasked with looking for solutions that could expand “dual enrollment for highly skilled talent at younger ages.” Dual enrollment is a pathway for students in high school to jumpstart their post-secondary education, generally at one of Georgia’s technical colleges. Currently,

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B2B Stories

Expo Preview: AU’s Hull College of Business

Company: Hull College of Business (Augusta University) Contact:  Janna Moore, hullmba@augusta.edu Phone: 706-729-2056 Website: https://www.augusta.edu/hull/ Address: 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA The Hull College of Business (HCoB) at Augusta University (AU) is a high-quality, yet affordable provider of undergraduate and graduate business education right here in the CSRA. HCoB is accredited by AACSB International, which represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Less than 6% of the world’s schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB accreditation. In addition, HCoB has been recognized as a top business school in the country by both Princeton Review and U.S.

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