B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Crowdfunding event provides financial assistance to local startups

By 2030, Frederick Griffin wants to provide enough healthy food to feed 100,000 people in Georgia and South Carolina, and his business just received funding that will help him turn that goal into reality. Griffin and his wife, Anna, own and operate a new business called Ebony Tree Farms, thanks to a 12-week entrepreneurial training program called Make Startups, which is offered by theClubhou.se. “We are a social enterprise and hydroponic farm system,” Frederick said. Hydroponics refers to growing plants in water-based nutrient solutions, not soil. Ebony Tree Farms is

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B2B Stories

The 411 on the CSRA labor market

Most local businesses have experienced employee shortages. Why are they continuing and what is the solution if any solution exists? Those were the million-dollar questions and the focus of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s member economic luncheon. It came as no surprise when guest speaker, Dr. Melinda Pitts, Research Center Director from the Center for Human Capital Studies at the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as being responsible for the upheaval in America’s economy. Even with the end of the public health emergency on

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B2B Stories

Local agency reports tremendous business growth last year

Natonia Tillman loves owning and operating a downtown business because it’s not too far from other parts of the city, such as South Augusta. Tillman owns 10Twenty-Eight, a business center and networking lounge located at 1028 Broad St., which was one of 47 businesses that opened in downtown Augusta last year. Those openings contributed to more than $93 million in private investments in that area. “It puts us in an area that’s centrally located,” she said. “It’s also an area where there’s a lot of foot traffic, because people are

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B2B Stories

Entrepreneurial training program helps establish new CSRA businesses

When Benjamin Ross established a counseling business with his wife, Vivian, they had no employees and saw clients in a small office on Wrightsboro Road, but they now have 10 staff members and a larger office on Central Avenue. The couple owns and operates Elephant in the Room Counseling Services, LLC. Benjamin attributes much of their success to his completion of a business training opportunity offered through a partnership between the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce and Bank of America. Last year, he graduated from the Intensive Entrepreneurship Training

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B2B Podcasting

Expo Preview: Beman Real Estate- Blanchard & Calhoun

Company: Beman Real Estate- Blanchard and Calhoun Contact: Davis Beman Phone: 706-538-4800 Website: Beman Real Estate Address: Blanchard & Calhoun Commercial Real Estate, 237 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA Neil Gordon discusses what lies ahead in investment, management, and brokerage with ABD Expo partner, Beman Real Estate- Blanchard & Calhoun  

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B2B Stories

Air show infuses $ and excitement in the CSRA

Sleek, fast, and red, white, and blue. The Thunderbirds have landed in Augusta. The team arrived in Augusta on Monday to practice its aerial acrobatics and map out logistics, prior to the air show at Augusta Regional Airport this weekend. Although the focus will be on fun, watching skilled pilots do what should be impossible, the event is expected to have an important economic benefit, bringing attention to the airport and tourism dollars to Augusta. “We hope that this infuses the economy a little bit with some dollars, both from

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B2B Stories

Large events to provide a $1 million+ boost for local tourism

Destination Augusta, a non-profit corporation that promotes tourism in the Augusta River Region, expects events this month to generate a total estimated economic impact of at least $1.4 million for the area. This weekend, more than 25,000 people are expected to attend the Augusta Air Show at the Augusta Regional Airport, and Destination Augusta estimates 1,000 of those attendees will spend money at local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses, generating an estimated economic impact of more than $172,000. “The meetings and groups segment of our travel market is a key

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B2B Stories

CSRA “Champions” deliver huge boost to the economy

Great deeds never go unnoticed, especially when they deliver more than $44 million to the local economy. Individuals representing more than a dozen organizations brought events, conventions, and religious gatherings to the Augusta area, each with an impact on the local economy. They were recognized as champions yesterday morning by Destination Augusta and the Augusta Sports Council. Augusta Mayor, Garnett Johnson was presented with a check for $44.5 million, representing how much money came into the local economy over the past two years from their efforts. “Thank you for everything

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B2B Stories

Local photographer takes shot at business success

When she was in high school, Savanna Sorrells became interested in photography, but more than 10 years later, she turned her hobby into a business. In March, Sorrells launched Shots by Sav, a home-based photography business. She takes various types of photos, including professional headshots for local business owners, maternity sessions, and graduation sessions. “I love capturing memories and special moments for people to have the rest of their lives,” Sorrells said. She wishes she had her baby pictures, but they were destroyed in a house fire when she was

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B2B Stories

Local university organization helps launch student businesses

Kaitlyn Le has always enjoyed sales, which is why she set up her own Etsy shop that sells Asian-inspired tote bags. Le, a pre-med major, serves as co-founder and co-president of Augusta University’s Young Entrepreneur Organization, which was founded in the spring of 2022 to help students either start or grow their businesses by providing marketing and funding. One of its members, who sells crochet plushies and keychains, made $400 in a single day by selling her items on campus. She said the businesses are a great way for students

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