B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Expanding hope in Augusta with your help!

Almost $15 million down and about $1 million to go. With your help, construction of a new Center of Hope can begin. The overall cost of the project is $15.7 million. To meet its goal, the Salvation Army has started the public phase of its Standing Together – Restoring Hope capital campaign. The Augusta chapter wants to replace the existing center, currently on Greene Street. It has been in use since 1974. At that time, homelessness in Augusta was predominantly a male issue. “Now we have more women and children

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B2B Stories

Mini-MBA: Managing Inventory

Publisher’s Note: Do you have a Costco membership off the Riverwatch Parkway? The Gordons do through our company. My wife loves it, and though I enjoy the experience—there is a certain level of frustration. Dr. Rick Franza continues his “Mini-MBA” lesson with a look at how the pros and cons of a Costco membership are tied to the all-important inventory juggle. Welcome to the second weekly lesson in the “Mini-MBA” I promised you in this column for the month of March. We kicked off the Mini-MBA last week with a

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B2B Stories

Selling your business to the big crowds in Augusta

A national organization said major events can give small businesses the opportunity to get their product in front of a large crowd. Georgia has two such events this year, including a spring tradition in Augusta (Photo courtesy: www.visitaugusta.com) SCORE, the organization of retired business experts, recently held an online seminar to share advice on best practices to tap into those unique customer bases.  Mark Dobson, a SCORE mentor and President of the investment and development company Eight-Four, LLC, pointed to some of the largest upcoming sporting events, including the Indianapolis

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B2B Stories

Major economic news for 2 CSRA Counties

Organizations whose mission is to create partnerships and advance economic development are celebrating financial windfalls. Entrepreneurs and start-ups are right in the middle of it. Economic Development Partnership of Aiken and Edgefield Counties, Inc., better known as Western SC, learned it is one of 14 groups chosen for 2026 Relentless Challenge grants. Collaborating with Western SC are the South Carolina Research Authority and the Aiken Chamber of Commerce. “Our organization is looking for job creation and capital investment opportunities,” Will Williams, President and CEO of Western SC, told ABD. “The

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B2B Stories

Good Deeds: Benefactors List Released

Publisher’s Note: On Monday, our Dana Lynn McIntyre reported on a story about different organizations and companies providing $260,000 in scholarships that were distributed by the Aiken Technical College Foundation to 200 students. ATC provided the list of benefactors to ABD below. Aiken County Community Association (ACCA) Aiken Lions Club Aiken Masonic Lodge 156 AFM Aiken Newcomers Club Aiken Performing Arts Aiken Sertoma Club Alfred F. Endler, Jr.  Endowment Angela Crosby Wicker Endowment Ashley J. Little Family Endowment Aiken Technical College Aiken Technical College Faculty Aiken Technical College President Aiken

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B2B Podcasting

Simon Says: Progress on CSRA home buying experience

In the last month of February, the interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages dipped below 6% for the first time since fall of 2022. That, coupled with a key affordability study, is providing some good news to potential homebuyers. This decline in interest rates should provide some relief to potential homebuyers who have found housing increasingly unaffordable over the last three to four years. Housing is defined as unaffordable if housing costs (principal, interest, tax, and insurance) are greater than 30% of median income.  The graph below, which comes from

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B2B Stories

Guest Column: Airpower of Iran—the secret sauce of success

There are many leadership lessons to be learned from examining the War with Iran—some good lessons, some bad.  The planning, execution, and success of this campaign will be studied for decades. Much of the credit goes to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and the commander of Centcom, Admiral Brad Cooper.  What leadership skills did they employ? Deep understanding of military history Open to new and creative ideas Willingness to empower subordinates Communication with their bosses Interaction with Israeli military leaders Incorporation of the newest technologies.

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B2B Stories

84 Scholarships, 200 Students, $260k

Businesses and individuals who give financial support to students at Aiken Technical College (ATC) were introduced to their beneficiaries. The Aiken Tech Foundation sponsored its annual breakfast, bringing together students receiving scholarships with the businesses or individuals whose financial contributions support their education. “Our students come away from this experience with a little bit of gratitude in their heart, and then our donors come away with this feeling fulfilled that they’ve done some good in the world today,” Kym Johnson, Foundation Director, told ABD. Will Williams, President and CEO of

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B2B Stories

Military Monday: Discharge Matters

Greetings, Military Community, One topic that is often overlooked but carries life-changing implications is the type of discharge a Service Member receives from the military. Many Veterans are unaware that their discharge characterization can directly affect their eligibility for benefits earned through service and sacrifice. The question we should all ask is: Should a single incident, mistake, or difficult moment permanently strip a Veteran of benefits intended to support their health, stability, and future? In many cases, the answer is no—and fortunately, there are established pathways to correct or challenge

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B2B Stories

Older Buildings in the CSRA require expert inspectors

Across the CSRA, there are many factors as to why there are moisture issues in some of our buildings: Some are historic and on shady lots with thicker tree cover. Across the river in Aiken, some are older farmhouses and horse properties—and then there is humidity much of the year! EnviroPro 360’s Joseph Galpin writes below, you might have mold and offers some suggestions. Who Do I Call To Check For Mold In Aiken SC? – EnviroPro 360

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