B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Local college wants to help you become a more effective leader

If you want to increase your company’s productivity or become a more effective leader, Aiken Technical College may have just the course you need. The college has begun offering The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Signature Edition 4.0 course. The two-day, in-person class covers each of the habits, which include Be Proactive, Begin with the End in Mind and Put First Things First. Nikasha Dicks, Aiken Tech’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations, said it incorporates a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, videos, interactive discussions, and small-group activities.

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B2B Stories

Augusta coffee pioneer opens new downtown location

The people who started the local coffee scene opened their third coffee shop today in downtown Augusta. Buona Caffe opened this morning at 520 Reynolds Street. Although it’s a new location for a retail shop, the building has been home to Buona’s bean roasting since 2018. The building also serves as a warehouse, an equipment showroom, and a training classroom. Owner, John Curry said opening a coffee shop at the location had always been part of the plan for the building, which is located next to the Augusta Museum of

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B2B Stories

CSRA bank celebrates 120th anniversary

When Queensborough National Bank & Trust was founded, Teddy Roosevelt was in the White House. The local bank just celebrated its 120th anniversary. Founded in May 1902, it was originally called the First National Bank of Louisville, which is a small town located about an hour from Augusta. Queensborough now has 27 locations in towns throughout Georgia, including Augusta, Waynesboro, Sylvania, and Statesboro. The bank, which was established with only a few employees, now has a staff of more than 350 people, and currently manages more than $2 billion in

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B2B Stories

Simon says: Augusta economic forecast gloomy as jobs continue post-pandemic lag

Employment in the Augusta MSA has increased by 4,000 jobs in the last year, through April – the latest available data, but remains more than 6,000 jobs off the pre-pandemic peak (see chart below). As I have written about in recent articles (April 13, May 4), this makes Augusta one of the worst-performing economies in Georgia. The more bad news was released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on May 18. Job openings in Georgia declined by 33,000 in March. Georgia was one of four states to see a decline,

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B2B Stories

Georgia businesses leader says worker shortage will continue for years

If you think the workforce shortage is a short-term problem, think again, says Chris Clark. Clark, President, and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce said the problem is expected to affect businesses worldwide for the next 10-12 years. He discussed the state of Georgia’s economy and possible strategies for improving it in a presentation called “The New Georgia Economy” on Thursday, May 26 at Augusta University. One of the topics he discussed was workforce development. Clark said there are currently 11 million job openings nationwide, 400,000 of which are

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B2B Stories

Georgia small businesses go worldwide

    Georgia celebrates small businesses that trade internationally and Coca-Cola is discontinuing one of its drinks. – Augusta Business Daily by Mike Petchenik  

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B2B Stories

New vision for tourism in North Augusta

As the relatively new Tourism and Marketing Director for North Augusta, Randy DuTeau has big plans for the area. He’s been on the job for six months and came out of the gate in the “flow.” He has been a competitive cyclist for much of his life where “flow” is imperative. It involves being in the right zone and rolling with your squad. It’s the experience that should serve him well in his latest journey. “I see this position as a great opportunity. It’s like being handed a blank canvas

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B2B Stories

Goodwill Industries to expand on Furys Ferry Road

Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA are planning to breathe new life into the former Georgia Bank & Trust building in front of its complex on Furys Ferry Road, according to Karen Lee Davis. Davis, the non-profit organization’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations said the building, which has been vacant for many years, will be transformed into a welcome center that will house the Helms College admissions office, the CEO, and the marketing team. “It will really pull together everything we have happening on this campus,” she

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B2B Stories

Americans eating out less as inflation tightens

Inflation and record-high gas prices are beginning to affect one of Americans’ favorite pastimes – eating out. Research by Acosta, a marketing firm in Jacksonville, found that 54 percent of Americans report dining out less. When they do go out, they are more selective in where they go and what they order. About a third of those surveyed said they’re choosing less expensive restaurants or less expensive menu items when they dine away from home. This is a blow to the restaurant industry just beginning to recover from shutdowns during

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