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B2B Stories

Look to MLB for Cues on How to Build Your Team and Business

The remainder of July is crucial for Major League Baseball (MLB) teams as two major events will help impact their future success. First, on July 13 and 14, MLB will hold its Annual Draft in nearby Atlanta during All-Star Week. During this draft, teams will have the opportunity to select high school and college players to sign with their organizations. Following the draft, the next big event is the July 31 trade deadline, which is the last date MLB allows teams to trade players who will be eligible to play

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Dr. Rick Franza July 8, 2025 No Comments
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Simon Says: Big employment dip

Employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) fell by 1,200 in May compared to April. There are two reasons for this fall that I can see in the data. First, although the employment data is seasonally adjusted by the Federal Reserve Economic Data team at the St. Louis Fed, the hangover effect of the Masters golf tournament can be seen in the leisure and hospitality and other services sectors. Employment in leisure and hospitality fell by 600, and other services by 1,100. Second, we may be beginning to see

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe July 7, 2025 No Comments
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$225 million investment for the CSRA outskirts

A leading producer of sustainable building materials is establishing its first sawmill in the southeast. Hampton Lumber will invest $225 million in its latest operation in nearby Allendale County, SC, and is expected to create 125 jobs. Headquartered in Oregon, Hampton Lumber is a fourth-generation, family-owned producer of high-quality wood products sourced from sustainably managed forest resources. Operating nine sawmills in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada, the company markets and sells building materials worldwide. Hampton Lumber will construct a state-of-the-art, 375,000-square-foot lumber mill located at Highway 321 and Barker

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Staff Report July 7, 2025 No Comments
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Pricey transportation projects underway in the CSRA

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has released a report showing the impact the Transportation Investment Act (TIA) has on the CSRA. TIA is a 1% special-purpose tax designed to fund transportation programs in GDOT districts that approved it. In 2012, voters in District 2, which includes the CSRA, were one of only three districts to approve the tax. That 10-year term, now called TIA 1, raised $746.9 million for 84 projects across the district. Kyle Titus, Columbia County Engineering Services Director, told ABD that the TIA funding has been

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Dana Lynn McIntyre July 6, 2025 No Comments
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Burke County part of $18 million grant program

The Development Authority of Burke County (DABC) is one of three organizations in the CSRA that will receive funds through the Georgia OneGeorgia Authority’s Rural Site Development Initiative. The program gives rural counties financial support to identify and establish ready-for-development industrial sites. “Georgia offers the workforce, connectivity, and business-friendly environment for companies to be successful in every corner of the state, which is why we’ve been named the top state for business for over a decade,” said Governor Brian Kemp in the news release announcing the grants. “The Rural Site

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Dana Lynn McIntyre July 2, 2025 No Comments
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PSC freezes Georgia Power rates for three years

In a move that should benefit both businesses and consumers alike, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a plan to keep Georgia Power’s base rates stable and predictable through at least the end of 2028. Storm costs from Hurricane Helene will be considered separately at the beginning of 2026. After seven hours of testimony, the freeze approval follows a stipulated agreement reached between Georgia Power and Georgia PSC Public Interest Advocacy Staff in May, which recommended an extension of the existing alternate rate plan previously approved by the

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Staff Report July 2, 2025 No Comments
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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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Dr. Rick Franza July 1, 2025 No Comments
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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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Dana Lynn McIntyre July 1, 2025 No Comments
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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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Staff Report July 1, 2025 No Comments
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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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Dana Lynn McIntyre June 30, 2025 No Comments
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