B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Augusta native to lead downtown incubator

She was raised in Augusta and has returned home to serve as the Executive Director of Accelerate Augusta. Augusta Technical College’s President, Dr. Jermaine Whirl, announced on December 3 that Sheffie Robinson had been selected for the position, effective December 16. Soon after, she met with ABD to talk about her role. “It isn’t often that you’re charged to lead such a major project in a city you grew up in,” she said. “I have phone calls from people like, ‘Hey, I remember when you were just an itty-bitty thing,

Read More »
B2B Stories

New Company on the Horizon Invests in Business Community

More than a year before it is expected to be operational, a new tenant in the Augusta Corporate Park is joining the business community. PureCycle Technologies, Inc., a Florida-based company that converts #5 plastic waste to a renewable resource, broke ground in March 2022 on a $250 million facility in the park off Mike Padgett Highway. “They are grading the site. They started two weeks ago,” Cal Wray, President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA), updated ABD. “They started the week before Thanksgiving, so they were finally grading the

Read More »
Awards/Celebrations

Aurubis Richmond Wins Governor’s Award

The 2024 Business Partner of the Year Award honoring outstanding achievements in workforce development, partnerships, and student success across Georgia was presented to Augusta Technical College’s partner, Aurubis Richmond. “Aurubis Richmond exemplifies the power of industry partnerships in transforming communities and empowering students with life-changing opportunities,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “Through their commitment to education, workforce development, and community engagement, Aurubis Richmond has set a benchmark for what it means to be an exceptional partner. Their investment in Augusta Technical College and our students not only strengthens the local

Read More »
B2B Stories

2025 Predictions: Trump Policies Edition

After wrapping up my grading for 2024 (both for my Augusta University/Hull College students and for my 2024 Predictions for the Augusta Business Daily), I am sitting on an oceanfront balcony on Hilton Head Island contemplating the year ahead. Unlike last year, when my prognostications spanned multiple areas (national economy, local economy, workplace trends, and the business of sports), this year, the scope of my predictions will be more limited. Given the election of Donald J. Trump as our President, I thought I would tackle predicting how President Trump might

Read More »
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Helene’s Health Effects

Last week, I documented the initial impact of Hurricane Helene on the labor market. This week, I provide some thoughts on the long-term impacts on our health based on my reading of the academic literature. Rachel Young and Solomon Hsiang provide the first evidence of the long-term effect of tropical storms in an article in Nature. They find that mortality increases by 3.2% to 5.1% over 15 years following a hurricane. In Augusta, using all-cause mortality rates for Georgia, this would mean an extra 194 to 309 deaths per year,

Read More »
B2B Stories

How North Augusta fared and looking ahead

The economic news is mixed in Aiken County for 2025. The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce wrapped up its 2024 Power Lunch series with the annual economic report. Dr. Nancy Albers, Dean of the School of Business Administration, was the keynote speaker. Albers spoke specifically about where Aiken County stands and where it may be headed. While versed in reviewing economic analysis, Albers said she is not an economic analyst. So, she turned to Dr. Fadi Fawaz, an Associate Professor of Economics and Finance at Tennessee State University. “For his

Read More »
B2B Stories

Advice from Georgia’s insurance commissioner

Keith Perret (dressed in State Farm red) and others affected by Hurricane Helene got an interesting status update over breakfast from Georgia’s Insurance Commissioner. The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce held its annual legislative breakfast, an opportunity to talk with the members of the local delegation prior to the 2025 Legislative Session. The man leading the state agency on the front line of helping storm victims receiving fair compensation was guest speaker for the event. John King told ABD he realized metro Augusta is facing a long road to recovery.

Read More »
B2B Stories

Sponsored Article: Mark Boyd Expands House Doctors Handyman into Nesto of Augusta, Offering Six Brands Under One Roof

Augusta, GA – Since acquiring a House Doctors Handyman franchise in 2011, Mark Boyd has been committed to providing Augusta residents with high-quality home repair services. Over the years, Boyd’s vision has grown significantly, and in 2024, it has culminated in the formation of Nesto of Augusta—a one-stop home services provider that unites six specialized brands to meet virtually any home maintenance or improvement need. Adding to its multifaceted offerings, Nesto of Augusta is also deeply invested in supporting the Augusta community and has partnered with the Ronald McDonald House

Read More »
B2B Stories

Another step forward in meeting healthcare demands

Aiken Technical College’s radiologic technology program has been accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). “Achieving JRCERT accreditation is a significant milestone for our radiologic technology program because it validates the quality of the education provided and enhances the reputation of the program among students, employers, and the broader healthcare community,” said Program Director Crystal Burke. “The workforce demand for radiologic technologists is strong, and by offering a rigorous, comprehensive, and technology-forward education, our program can effectively prepare students to meet the needs of the

Read More »
B2B Stories

The Walls are Tumbling Down at JBA

The Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority is settling into a new location for its meetings, the Grand Lobby at the newly renovated Bell Auditorium. The location gives authority members and staff a front-row seat to watch the demolition of the James Brown Arena. Well, you can see a building torn down right now. The insides don’t look like what I thought they were going to look like,” quipped Mike Harvey of Nations Group, the owner’s representative for the construction of the new JBA and concourse connecting it to the Bell. He

Read More »