B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Groundbreaking for $30 Million CSRA Cyber Center

The South Carolina National Guard (SCNG), in partnership with the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA), will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its new $30-million Cyber Integration Center on the university’s campus on Tuesday, May 27, at 10 a.m. The state-of-the-art center, slated to break ground adjacent to Savannah River National Laboratory’s Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative on the university’s campus and near Fort Eisenhower and other regional cybersecurity assets, will serve as an ecosystem for cybersecurity experts in private, government and academic sectors and include space for classes, training areas, and operational and administrative

Read More »
B2B Stories

How to grow Augusta’s airport

Members of an Augusta Aviation Commission committee heard about ways to maximize the use of Augusta Regional Airport and potential obstacles. The Opportunity Ad Hoc Committee talked about existing, available land, options on how to use it, and public development versus private development. Committee members first heard a presentation from Pamela Davison, CEO of Bravo Air. The company provides private jet charter services from the airport. She said the company began in 2021 with one aircraft, a King Air F90 turboprop plane. They soon upgraded to a larger King Air

Read More »
B2B Stories

Large Southeastern Engineering Firm Expands in CSRA

Multidisciplined architecture and engineering firm Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) has announced the opening of its new geotechnical engineering laboratory in Aiken, South Carolina. This laboratory is designed to expand the firm’s capabilities in geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) market. GMC offers both geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing for large multidisciplinary designs and as a single service.  From preliminary design and analysis through testing and observation during construction, the firm’s geotechnical engineers and construction specialists can provide expertise for long-term, cost-effective

Read More »
B2B Stories

Six steps to boost confidence for women

Staci Peters is Senior Vice President of Business Services for SRNS, and she spoke at the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business luncheon. Despite having 25 years of experience in her field, she said she struggled with personal and professional doubts, including imposter syndrome. “I’ve struggled in my career. I have seen other women struggle in their careers. And if there’s anything that I can do to help, even just get one of those kinds of wisdom out of my conversation, and learn from me. I want to

Read More »
B2B Stories

The Job Market of the Future

As we enter “graduation season” for our local public high schools this week (Columbia County) and next (Richmond and Aiken Counties), I know that many of you, both as parents and business leaders, are wondering what the job market of the future will look like. Rapid technological development and recent tariff and immigration policies may likely accelerate some of the changes that have been occurring in the workplace, but some of the other recent changes will continue to move forward. Here are some of the more important trends that are

Read More »
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Employment and Earnings Off to a Good Start

The Augusta Labor Market Index (LMI) for the first quarter of 2015 increased by 0.25 percent. This compares favorably to the Georgia LMI, which decreased by 0.2 percent and is just below the growth rate of the LMI for South Carolina, which was 0.3 percent. In Augusta, employment increased by 500 jobs, and average weekly earnings were up $38.20. Hours worked fell by 42 minutes. The two other components in the LMI are the unemployment rate and the labor force. Normally, my favorite site, the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED),

Read More »
B2B Stories

Groundbreaking for the future of nursing education at Aiken Tech

Overcast skies and a light rain did not dampen the enthusiasm for a ceremony marking the start of a new nursing education building at Aiken Technical College. Doctor Forest Mahan, president of Aiken Tech, said the groundbreaking marks the beginning of the next chapter in the school’s commitment to educating healthcare professionals. He said it was the result of partnerships the school has formed in its dedication to providing skilled, compassionate, and dedicated professionals. “And it’s important to note that if you look around this campus, in addition to this

Read More »
B2B Stories

Family of Entrepreneurs Opens 4th Business

It’s no secret that North Augusta is growing by leaps and bounds. ABD reports on new businesses opening regularly in the area. Carolina Hills Sandwich and Sweet Shoppe is yet another that opened its doors just last week at 433 Georgia Avenue in North Augusta. It’s between Parks Pharmacy and Carpenter’s Tire and Auto. “When my wife and I married 17 years ago, we lived in downtown Augusta. We loved the sandwiches and soups at Sunshine Bakery and at Sandwich City, especially the split pea soup and egg salad sandwiches,”

Read More »
B2B Stories

Local Wealth Management Team Recognized Best in Georgia

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) announced that the Nautilas Group, based in Augusta, has been named to Forbes Magazine’s 2025 list of America’s Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams. “I am pleased that the Nautilas Group is representing Morgan Stanley,” commented Lisa Novelo, Branch Manager of Morgan Stanley’s Augusta office. “To be named to this list recognizes Brian Keith (pictured above left) and Jeremy Wilson (pictured above right) and their professionalism and dedication to the needs of their valued clients.” Keith is a Senior VP and Financial Planning Specialist and has spent 20

Read More »
B2B Stories

Two Questions with the Dean: Study Abroad

In the next month or so, business students at AU’s Hull College of Business and other students will leave and study abroad from a week-long trip up to a full term. In today’s “Two Questions with the Dean,” Dean Mark Thompson explains the details. ABD: What trip is set up for this semester? HULL: The study abroad trip this coming summer is going to England and Scotland as part of our international business course. So, it gives students a great opportunity to experience what it’s like to be somewhere else,

Read More »