Wed, April 08, 2026

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Newsletter Sign up
Show Support
Menu

B2B Stories
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Trend for retail spaces in the CSRA

Service-based tenants leased over half of the total retail space in 2025 for the first time, according to CoStar.  There are a few examples in local shopping centers. (See below) Crunch Fitness replaced the goods-based Bed Bath & Beyond in the Augusta Exchange shopping center. In the Village Plaza at 270 Bobby Jones Expressway, a former Electronics and Appliance store is getting replaced with a service provider. Nail salons and Botox (medical) bars are also increasingly located in retail real estate. These trends show up in local employment numbers for

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor March 31, 2026 No Comments
Awards

Top businesswoman announced in Columbia County

The CEO of a local hospital has a special appreciation for this year’s Businesswoman of the Year, picked at the annual Women of Influence Executive luncheon. It is organized by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and recognizes women in business who demonstrate the highest level of leadership, professionalism, and community involvement.  The 2026 Businesswoman of the Year in Columbia County is Dr. Quynh Spicer, founder of Thomson Family Dental, Harlem Family Dental, and Home Instead Augusta.  “I actually have no idea what to say. I truly am humbled to

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre March 31, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Can TSA agents handle influx of golf fans?

The first wave of golf fans will begin arriving in Augusta on Tuesday to attend the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA). That kicks off the arrival of thousands of air travelers coming to Augusta for the Masters Tournament, ANWA and Drive, Chip and Putt. Funding for TSA agents is entering its second month of uncertainty. Leadership at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is helping agents as the airport braces for its busiest time of year.  “We are concerned about the current shutdown and how it affects the TSA employees at Augusta

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre March 30, 2026 No Comments
B2B Podcasting

Huge grand opening for one restaurant; another one planned soon

One of the largest CSRA ribbon cuttings in recent memory kicked off a big weekend for a new West Augusta restaurant, while its neighbor to the far left expects to open within a few weeks. Dave’s Hot Chicken leaders told Augusta Business Daily its soft opening did very well the day before, on Thursday, March 28th. With a nod to the upcoming Masters tournament, DHC provided a golf simulator (far right) and a mystery envelope giveaway for the first 500 guests on Friday. During the weekend, several schools, first responders,

Read More »
Neil Gordon March 30, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Pitching solutions for community problems

Augusta University (AU) undergraduate and graduate students were joined by non-student entrepreneurs for the 2026 INNOVATE: Pitches with a Purpose Pitch Competition. This is the seventh year for the event, coordinated by AU, the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (GCITC), along with partners Vinea Capital, Aurubis Richmond, LLC, and VA (Veterans Affairs) Health Administration. The competition, created in 2019, is a 5-minute platform for teams to pitch their ideas to address challenges and improve our community. The goal is to address local challenges, support startups, and drive regional growth.

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre March 30, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Searching for the ultimate work-life balance

A new so-called generation is emerging, joining baby boomers, GenX, millennials, and GenZ, and it is primarily a female demographic. Many women are juggling multiple roles, including careers, raising children, managing their households, and increasingly, caring for aging parents. They are becoming known as the Sandwich Generation.  The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce sponsored “Caught in the Middle: Women of the Sandwich Generation.”  Leading the discussion was a panel of women with diverse backgrounds: Yvette Harris, Co-owner, Horizon Motor Coach Amy Hane, Owner, Long Term Liaisons Jennifer Turman, HR Manager,

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre March 26, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

March Mini-MBA: Good Service vs. Bad Service

Publisher’s Note: There are so many reasons to love what Chick-fil-A does. The Gordons go to the Mullins Crossing location weekly. I found this photo from 2 years ago! From the time I get “in line” until I have the food, it’s maybe 10 minutes! Great food. Great service. Every time. RICK: As consumers visiting an establishment for a service, we often find ourselves waiting in line. Whether it is at a drive-thru for a fast food restaurant, placing an order at a fast casual restaurant, checking out at the

Read More »
Dr. Rick Franza, Professor, AU Hull College of Business March 26, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Developing the next generation of cyber employees

Companies based in the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (GCITC) welcomed 100 middle school students to the campus for Cyber Georgia STEMFest 2026. STEMFest, in partnership with the Cyber Fusion Innovation Center (CFIC), brings students from across Georgia for a day of science, technology, engineering, math, and cyber activities. It is to help students explore career pathways available in their future. “We’re thrilled to welcome students back to the Georgia Cyber Center for another unforgettable day of discovery, problem-solving, and creativity. STEMFest plays an important role in introducing young

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre March 25, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Best and worst unemployment story for Augusta

The last bit of economic data for 2025 was just released for the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The unemployment rate has risen from 4.1% in September to 4.5% in December. This is the highest unemployment rate across the fourteen Georgia MSAs.  There may be a good reason why Augusta “finished last.” As I previously reported, the Augusta MSA had the largest increase in employment, and the rising unemployment rate may just reflect people entering the workforce to find jobs in a relatively strong economy.  This is borne out by

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor March 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Business support needed to train students for a great career

The North Augusta Chamber Foundation is tying one of its programs to the chamber’s 75th anniversary to help Aiken County students. The foundation is raising funds for the program that targets high school students to prepare them for a career after they graduate. The foundation’s Dell Tech program is a partnership with the Aiken County Public School District (ACPSD). It provides high school students with IT certification and hands-on experience. Isaac Kelly of Aiken Staffing Associates and chair of the foundation told ABD the program began in 2020 with North

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre March 23, 2026 No Comments
Load More