B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Aiken County native spends $1.5 million to construct mixed-use development on site of former slave plantation

The main house on the Lamar Plantation was built in 1850. The property later became Haskell’s Dairy. (Photo courtesy of Turner Development, LLC) Tracey Turner, an African American businessman, has big plans for a historic site in North Augusta that may change the course of black history in the CSRA and in South Carolina. Turner – owner of the Washington, D.C.-based Turner Development, LLC and a native of Aiken County – plans to build a 419-unit mixed-use development like the Hammond’s Ferry neighborhood in North Augusta on a 185-acre lot

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B2B Stories

Local financial advisor/investor says understand the risks in cryptocurrencies

There are many types of cryptocurrencies available, and the most popular are Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Dogecoin. (Photo taken from the MarketWatch website) Kurt Mueller understands the risks associated with investing in cryptocurrency as both a financial planner and individual investor. Mueller, a wealth management advisor for Apollon Wealth Management in Augusta, says you must do your research before choosing any type of investment, whether it be gold, real estate, oil, or stocks. Unlike stocks, “There really isn’t any insider information,” he explains. “It’s speculative, high-risk, and volatile,” so it’s certainly

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B2B Stories

CSRA Cybersecurity expert talks ransomware protection at ABD Expo

Patrick Reynolds, founder of Cross Link Consulting tackled the Colonial Pipeline Gas crisis at the ABD Expo. He painted a serious issue and then on video shared some suggestions after getting a few questions from the audience. “I am not surprised, it is predictable, and it will only increase in the weeks, months, and years ahead. The reality is that in countries such as Russia, there are literally entire cities the size of Augusta and larger that have over 50% of their GDP is comprised of illegal hacking and ransomware

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B2B Stories

How we can help the CSRA hospitality industry in need

The Gary’s Hamburgers in West Augusta is being forced to close weekdays at 3pm for now. (Photo courtesy of Facebook) Editor’s Note: On Tuesday morning the Starbucks Coffee Shop on Washington Road at I-20 CLOSED because there was not enough staff to service guests. They re-opened Wednesday morning after locating workers. On the same day, one of the Gary’s Hamburgers had to close at 3 pm—the stories go on and on.  As part of our weekly strategic alliance with AU’s Hull College of Business, we asked associate professor Marsha Loda

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B2B Stories

New local jobs site already a big hit with the business community

(Photo by Josh Heath) About 10 local business leaders, along with several virtual participants, watched the presentation. There are already about 2,000 local jobs posted on the site. The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce has developed a new platform called Talent 2 Work to address the local labor shortage, and it has already received tremendous support from the CSRA business community. Chamber President Sue Parr says 2,000 area jobs have already been posted to the site, which officially launched on Wednesday, May 19. This includes Georgia Power, Savannah River Nuclear

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B2B Stories

BNI helps CSRA businesses network and grow

Local BNI members listen to a presentation in December 2019. There are currently six chapters in the CSRA with a total of 128 members. (Photo from Augusta BNI Facebook page) Over the past year, many business owners have struggled to survive both the pandemic and intense competition. But in that same time period, local Business Network International members have made 4,725 referrals and secured $4.3 million worth of business, according to Andy Passmore, who serves as the local BNI area director and works as a mortgage loan officer at Security

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B2B Stories

Local networking options grow and change during Covid 19 season

Tom D’Abruzzo, owner of BrandStorm Promotions, LLC, has sponsored Networking for Leads at the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce for the past four years. (Photo by Josh Heath) In today’s competitive business environment, it’s more important than ever for business leaders to be effective networkers. It’s not always about what you know; it’s about who you know that matters in business. Fortunately, there are many networking opportunities right here in the CSRA. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet about 10 local business leaders, including a few I already knew,

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B2B Stories

Augusta Tourism and Sports Organizations re-brand to highlight national travel and tourism week

From left to right, executives proudly stand in front of the new brand. Brian Graham, CEO Augusta Sports Council, Hardie Davis, Jr, Augusta Mayor, Brandon Haddock, Board Chairman Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau and Bennish Brown, CEO Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau (Photo by Neil Gordon) The big reveal took place Thursday afternoon May 6th in downtown Augusta that further tied together the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau and The Augusta Sports Council together. Money raised through the ACVB’s efforts to increase the hotel\motel tax in the CSRA helps to partially

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B2B Stories

Iconic Broad Street building converting to lofts and retail spaces

The approximate 10,000 square foot, three-story Marketplace Antiques Building was sold to Adaire Pennington with the intent of revitalizing the property to feature loft apartments on the second and third floors and retail space on the first floor. (Photo by Neil Gordon) The historic Marketplace Antiques Building at 1208 Broad Street will soon follow the path of other developers in downtown Augusta— with mixed-use housing and retail. The new owner, Adaire Pennington, is excited about preserving this historic building. “Augusta’s downtown has so much potential, and I intend to play

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B2B Stories

Georgia/Carolina hospitality experts optimistic about the future of the tourism industry

Business is starting to come back at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center (photo courtesy Marriott.com) Local hotels are seeing a rebound and steady increase in business over last year. That’s been the case for the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center in downtown Augusta, according to Darryl Leech, the hotel’s vice president and general manager. “We have seen a nice uptick in transient business and conventions are starting to rebook,” says Leech. Leech doesn’t disclose occupancy rates for competitive reasons, but that transient business for Augusta area hotels

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