B2B Stories

B2B Stories

2025 Predictions Update: Mid-Year Status

Today, July 2, we officially move into the second half of 2025. Therefore, I thought it would be a good time to perform a “mid-year check” of the predictions I made for the year in this space on December 18, 2024. As a reminder, the title of that column was “2025 Predictions:  Trump Policies Edition.” So, in the remainder of this column, I will evaluate each of my predictions based on the promises President Trump made prior to returning to the White House by giving myself a “midterm grade,” a

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B2B Stories

Large entrepreneurship summit set for Augusta

Augusta has been selected to host a summit conference this fall to talk entrepreneurship, accelerators, and incubators. The Startup Champions Network is bringing the Fall 2025 Ecosystem Builder Summit to the Garden City, Nov. 5-7. “Startup Champions Network is one of the largest organizations made up of entrepreneur support organizations in our country,” explained Eric Parker, co-founder with Grace Belangia of theClubhou.se and Make Startups, Inc. based in the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center “We will have 150 to 200 people convening in Augusta, Ga. to learn about our

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B2B Stories

July brings sizzling economic impact

More than 9,000 visitors, generating almost $1.5 million, are expected in the River Region for meetings, reunions, events, and sporting events this month. One of the largest events kicks off July 7 with the Nike EYBL Peach Jam, which results in the largest chunk of attendance and economic impact. Destination Augusta and the Augusta Sports Council work together on recruiting and hosting these various activities, which play a critical role in sustaining the nearly 30,000 jobs that are part of the Leisure and Hospitality Industry, the fourth largest employment sector

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B2B Stories

Prestigious national recognition for Augusta University

AU is one of only three universities to be selected among the 50 organizations for the 2025 CSO50 Award. What’s more is the company it keeps amongst national firms. Augusta University (AU) has received an award recognizing it is at the forefront of innovation and leadership in cybersecurity. “This recognition is a powerful testament to the relentless mindset of our IT and Cyber Defense teams who are committed to safeguarding Augusta University, our region, and the state of Georgia,” said Augusta University President Russell Keen in the news release announcing

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B2B Stories

Café adds 2nd location in the CSRA

It was closing day late last week as the Roly Poly Sandwich Shop at 3626 Walton Way Extension passed the torch in a creative way to the owner of Lily Coffee, Tea & Bread. Integra Business Brokers was the liaison for the deal in which Roly Poly sold off its equipment and other restaurant supplies and was removed from its lease. Lily Coffee, Tea & Bread was able to negotiate a new lease with the shopping center owners. Over the next few months, they’ll be in build-out phases, including renovations,

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B2B Stories

Antique treasures await in Aiken

What’s old is new again, especially for discriminating antique lovers who have shopped at a new place in Aiken. The Briar Patch Antiques opened a few weeks ago, and it’s already creating a vibe as warm and inviting as Beatrix Potter’s Peter Cottontail stories. The shop had a soft opening in early June and celebrated their grand opening on June 21. Business has been brisk, and nine vendors have already booked the venue, which filled the downstairs area with unique designs in each room. “The grand opening was great, and

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B2B Stories

Airport’s wish list of new airline and projects

Augusta Regional Airport presented its proposed list to the Finance Committee members of the Augusta-Richmond County Commissioners in hopes of receiving Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds. The update included some interest from a new airline in working with Augusta Regional Airport. The list outlined by Herbert Judon, Jr., Executive Director of Augusta Regional Airport, was brief, just two items. One is a $6 million expansion of ramp space on the airport’s southeast side. The other, $20 million, would be for the construction of two additional hangars. While

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B2B Stories

Hull to host new competition

Future business leaders will have a new level of competition this fall when the Hull College of Business hosts its first contest for two high school organizations devoted to business, FBLA and DECA. Dean Thompson says the platform will provide an opportunity to hone their business skills.

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B2B Stories

Future cyber warriors in training

The nation’s largest CyberPatriot camp is wrapping up in Augusta today. This is one of two camps scheduled for this summer. CyberPatriot is part of the National Youth Cyber Education program, created by the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA). Its goal is to attract students to careers in cybersecurity and associated fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The camp has been a fixture at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center since 2019. The Alliance for Fort Gordon hosts it. “Our camps are free. Every single camp

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Awards/Celebrations

AU one of only three universities to win prestigious cybersecurity award

Augusta University was recently honored with the 2025 CSO50 Award, which recognizes organizations for outstanding innovation and leadership in cybersecurity. Presented by Computer Security Online, a division of Foundry, an IDG Inc. company, the award celebrates 50 projects annually that deliver exceptional business value through creative, effective security strategies. Augusta University, one of only three universities to earn the distinction, also earned the distinction in 2023. This year, AU appears alongside companies including Aflac, Intel Corporation, Mastercard, Principal Financial Group, and TIAA. “Augusta University is one of only three universities

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