B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Helene leaves $2 billion tourist destinations in shambles

Fall is in the air. The leaves are changing. Families from the CSRA and beyond would normally descend upon Western North Carolina to soak in the orange, red, and yellow leaves that beckon. A three-and-a-half-hour drive for a getaway to Asheville and surrounding towns might be an annual family plan this time of year. Nothing is normal right now for our neighbors in the so-called Land of Sky region. While the CSRA is still in recovery mode from Hurricane Helene, parts of the scenic attractions in Western North Carolina are

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B2B Stories

Power companies back on track

Jefferson Energy Cooperative and Georgia Power officials say there are just a few folks without power in their service areas. Georgia Power says it is now in the financial phase of the storm to work with customers on paying their bills as they can. November 30th and December 15th are key dates to keep in mind for yourself or loved ones who may need this information. GP is allowing two-, four-, and six-month installment plans for those who qualify. Enroll by November 30th. Service disconnections, late fees, and collection activities

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Columbia County businesses working on Hurricane Helene recovery

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is checking in with businesses across the county to gauge their needs in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation. Russell Lahodny, President and CEO of the Chamber, told ABD he and his staff split up contact information in their database and have been calling to get updates from businesses, large and small. “The big thing is just making sure that our business community has the resources they need, letting them know that we’re here to support them through this, whether that be resources with

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B2B Stories

Helene takes a toll on small business spending

Hurricane Helene took a significant economic toll on small businesses in Georgia, according to new data from Fiserv. At the height of the storm’s impact, consumer spending came to a virtual standstill, with statewide small business sales plummeting 19% from 9/26-9/29 (compared to the same period in 2023). Since 9/30, though, sales have recovered somewhat – up 5.5% year-over-year, driven by a surge in spending on lumber, hardware, and accommodations. Fiserv measures spending at some 2 million small businesses nationwide every month – but can also track sales over specific

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B2B Stories

Two years before a popular CSRA event venue is available

The Savannah Rapids Pavilion has hosted Chamber of Commerce meetings and has been a popular choice for weddings and other events. Because of damage from Hurricane Helene, many of those events will be postponed for quite a while. A planned $8 million had been set aside for renovation. Now, that will have to be revisited based on damage to the facility from Hurricane Helene. Officials in Columbia County have been briefed on the extent of damage done to the 25,000-square-foot Savannah Rapids Pavilion conference center. Sitting high atop an 80-foot

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One stop 411 for CSRA hurricane relief

Our neighbors across the river who are looking for answers and help for Hurricane Helene relief have two great opportunities, one today, Thursday, October 17, and another tomorrow, Friday, October 18 at Team South Carolina County Days. Gov. Henry McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette, other state and federal officials, and representatives from nonprofits will host the information-filled events in Allendale on Thursday and Aiken on Friday. Team South Carolina County Days provides residents affected by Hurricane Helene with a one-stop opportunity to learn about relief resources available to them.

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Retail predictions for Halloween and Christmas

An industry group has released its predictions for retail spending through the upcoming holiday season. The National Retail Federation (NRF) is predicting a steady growth in sales through November and December. It defines the holiday season as Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, six days shorter than the 2023 holiday period. ABD sat in on a virtual briefing NRF provided for reporters on Tuesday. It included NRF President and CEO, Matthew Shay, and NRF Chief Economist, Jack Kleinhenz. NRF predicts winter holiday spending will increase between 2.5% and 3.5% over last

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B2B Stories

CSRA Facebook groups kept everyone connected post-Helene

During a disaster, social media provides up-to-the-minute news information – power outage alerts, road closure updates, designated help areas, shelter locations, and more. Of all the social media platforms, the CSRA benefitted most via Facebook. Like many businesses and residents, our Augusta Business Daily staff was also impacted by Helene’s 100+ mph wind gusts and 8’ to 12” of rain. Like many of you, most of us had no power, we were running on fumes in our cars and lost food in our refrigerators and freezers. When we found limited gas

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B2B Stories

Helping Hurricane Helene victims recover

Small businesses and individuals in need of financial assistance can now meet in person with federal agencies. The Small Business Administration (SBA) and FEMA have set up locations to assist people in storm-impacted counties in Georgia and South Carolina. The centers have been set up to facilitate applications for federal monies available for small businesses and individuals. One of the centers is available at The Hub for Community Innovation at 631 Chafee St. in Augusta. A news release from Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff said staff at the FEMA Disaster Recovery

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