B2B Stories

B2B Stories

SCORE SE Regional VP headlines North Augusta Chamber business event

If you want to learn, grow, and thrive in your business, mark your calendar for the North Augusta Chamber event that can help you score in those categories. The SE Regional Vice President of SCORE, Catherine Walton, is heading to the CSRA from Memphis on Thursday, February 9, as the keynote speaker for the Chamber’s Learn, Grown, Thrive, and SCORE for the Life of your Business event. Walton has served in her position with the SCORE nonprofit for 17 years. She has also run a successful midsouth business since 2007

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B2B Stories

Veteran-owned clothing company to open new location in Grovetown

A Georgia-based, veteran-owned clothing company is bringing a new location to Grovetown. Nine Line Apparel will be located next door to Cold Stone Creamery at 284 Meridian Drive in Grovetown. The company sells an assortment of patriotic items, including men’s and women’s clothing, home décor, backpacks, and tumblers. Founded in 2012 by retired Army Cpt. Tyler Merritt, his wife, Angela and brother, Daniel, Nine Line has locations in Savannah, Charleston, and DelRay Beach. Its retail locations also sell Black Rifle Coffee. The Nine Line Foundation supports various veterans’ causes. ABD

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: How does Augusta stack up in the Georgia LMI?

I gave a talk to the Kiwanis Club of Augusta a couple of weeks ago and one question I received was, “How does Augusta compare to other areas of the state?” At the time, I mentioned the strength of Atlanta and Savannah, but am now in a position to present a more complete picture. Using the Labor Market Index (LMI) for all metropolitan areas in the state, and for the state as a whole, Augusta is in the middle of the pack. Over the last year (November 2021-November 2022, the

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Commercial Real Estate

Rezoning and use of clubhouse is at the center of Jones Creek controversy

A week after a controversy arose over the rezoning of the clubhouse building at Jones Creek Golf Club, clubhouse owner, Mark Herbert has decided to withdraw his request for a zoning change from the Columbia County Planning Commission. Herbert said that due to the lack of information available to Jones Creek residents, he has elected to withdraw his rezoning request at this time. He said the planned sale of the clubhouse is still expected to go through. Jones Creek Golf Club closed in September 2018 during an unresolved lawsuit against

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B2B Stories

31-year-old automotive company to expand

After five years of developing Energreen America, Bob Matthews is stepping down to focus on expanding his namesake company, Matthews Enterprises. The expansion includes the launch of a new Paint and Body Operation, specifically for medium to heavy-duty trucks. The company is comprised of Matthews Motors, Matthews Truck Bodies, and Matthews Fleet Solutions, each of which has earned a reputation of integrity combined with excellent service. As part of its growth strategy, the company is pursuing aggressive initiatives in areas of acquisition and market expansion. In late 2022, Augusta Business

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B2B Stories

Local entrepreneur cleans up in the drywall business

Drywall is a dirty job, but Jason Staton ensures his clients’ homes remain as clean as he found them. Staton, owner of Statonez Drywall in Augusta, launched his business in Sept. 2022, but the Illinois native already has 29 years of experience in the industry. For 23 of those years, he has owned a similar business in Chicago. Staton handles renovation and remodeling jobs. The business name is a combination of his last name and his wife’s maiden name, Martinez. She manages most of the administrative work for him. One

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B2B Stories

Mondays with Rick: Small Business Development Center is a valuable local resource

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week he talks about the benefits of having a Small Business Development Center office in Augusta. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: The CSRA has an active Small Business Development Center, under the auspices of the University of Georgia. What is its history and purpose? Rick: They’ve been around since 1977. Dr. William Flewellan, the dean of the UGA school of business at

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B2B Stories

Evans restaurateurs to launch second location with drive-thru in Augusta

Wilkes Goolsby and his family are expanding their local restaurant by opening a second location, but for him, the most exciting part of the expansion is having a drive-thru. Goolsby, along with his mom and sister, own Goolsby’s located at 4460 Washington Road, Suite 9 across the street from the Evans Walmart. Founded in 2005, the eatery serves a variety of Southern favorites, including fried chicken, sliced ham, and barbecue ribs. The new location will be at 3122 Wrightsboro Road, across the street from Forest Hills Golf Club in Augusta.

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