B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Getting a peek inside Accelerate Augusta

Hurry over to Accelerate Augusta if you want to get an early look at how it can help your business. Accelerate Augusta Powered by SRPFCU (SRP Federal Credit Union) is having a series of workshops through September as a “soft opening” leading up to the official opening on October 10th. The downtown business incubator is a partnership between Augusta Technical College and the Downtown Development Authority. “We’re doing this to give an overall view of who we are and to actually get some traction for our grand opening, Executive Director

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B2B Podcasting

From Layoffs to Leadership: Erik Smith’s Faith Journey with Chick-fil-A

From time to time, ABD spots something we think is “must-see.” CSRA business owners, Robert Kelly from Augusta Staffing and Job Shop and Phillip Stanley from Brightworx Productions regularly host “Glory Stories” podcasts. Please be inspired by the humble beginnings of an owner/operator of a local Chick-fil-A restaurant, whose faith led the way to new heights.

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B2B Stories

Business Education: New opportunities available

The Hull College of Business is trying to make sure that students have a chance to take coursework and start to learn how to run a business. Its Dean, Mark Thompson explains more: “One of the things that Hull College has done and continues to look to do is to create dual degree options. We do this with our professional students, where we have medical school students, we have dental school students that are pursuing their MD and DMD while also pursuing an MBA. So that’s one of our sets

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B2B Stories

Up close with Augusta’s First Ladies

The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s September Women in Business event turned the spotlight on three of the women whose husbands lead the community. Toni Seals-Johnson, wife of Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, and Karen Keen, wife of Augusta University President Dr. Russell Keen, joined Charlene McCorn, married to Paine College President Dr. Lester McCorn, for a panel discussion on balancing their responsibilities with their personal lives. The women came from different fields in their own careers. Seals-Johnson was in tourism, then she started Augusta Office Solutions with her husband. Keen

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B2B Stories

Hungry college students get help

The Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA) and Golden Harvest Food Bank are continuing their partnership to attack food insecurity head-on on a local college campus. The Knights Corner Food Pantry opened in Aiken Technical College’s Student Activities building in the fall of 2024. That anniversary was celebrated during a recent open house. A study by the Government Accountability Office found that 3.8 million college students, that’s an estimated 23%, face food insecurity. Of that number, 2.2 million are classified as very low food security, meaning they often skip meals

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B2B Stories

Planning and managing capacity for service company success

One of the enjoyable and interesting aspects of teaching college-level business courses is that you often encounter examples of the concepts you teach on a regular basis in everyday life.  I think one of the reasons students enjoy my classes is that I often bring my personal experiences to the classroom to demonstrate what we are learning.  In addition, as I relate my personal experiences, the students tend to recognize that they have had relevant experiences as well, which reinforces their learning.   This was particularly evident this past week as

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B2B Stories

Part 2: Impact of tariffs on imports, sales, and the Georgia Ports

Georgia’s deepwater ports are responsible for $174 billion in sales, representing 11% of the state’s total sales. That’s $77 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or 9% of Georgia’s total GDP. More than 650,000 jobs, full-time and part-time, are supported by the ports. High on the list of imports coming into the Georgia ports are retail consumer goods, including furniture, automotive, and electronics. Goods that are then distributed across the CSRA, Georgia, and the rest of the country, generating income for businesses. A recent report by the National Labor Federation

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B2B Stories

Two local businesses combine to Celebrate!

Whether you’re hosting an office party, honoring a coworker, or planning any special event, these two businesses, now under one roof, can help. Two local businesses, Summerville Flower Shack and Two Moms Cookies, are coming together under the ownership of Christy McArdle (Summerville Flower Shack) and Mary Douglas Klimas (second-generation owner of Two Moms) to launch a one-of-a-kind celebration hub: Celebrate! on Central. The new concept brings both brands under one roof at 2830 Central Ave., the former home of Two Moms Kitchen. This expanded space will be more than

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B2B Stories

Supply Chain Expert says CSRA businesses should use Georgia’s ports

Late last week, members of the Metro Augusta business community learned Georgia’s deepwater ports are a major driver of the state’s economy, accounting for $77 billion of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). That is 9% of Georgia’s total GDP. An Augusta Professor of Supply Chain Management and Operations says there are many benefits for local manufacturers and businesses to import and export their products through Savannah and Brunswick. Fabio Batista, Chief Commercial Officer for the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), spoke at the September Member Economic Luncheon sponsored by the

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