B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Hurricane destruction highlights need for tort reform

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has wrapped up a series of roundtable discussions collecting information on the need for tort reform in the state. The final session was held at Waffle House headquarters in Norcross, Ga, and was attended by elected officials and business leaders from 12 companies across the state. ABD sat in on the session virtually. In his welcoming remarks, Joe Rogers III, CEO of Waffle House, said Georgia has reached a crisis point in the civil litigation, one that will likely be impacted by the devastation from

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B2B Stories

Publix in the bullseye of Milton: Impacts to CSRA?

It’s been 13 days since Hurricane Helene slammed into the CSRA. Publix, which has seven locations throughout the area, is focused on continuing deliveries to those stores even as their corporate headquarters in Lakeland, Florida is in the middle of a direct hit from Hurricane Milton. As the CSRA recovers from Hurricane Helene, ABD contacted Jared Glover, Media Relations Manager for Publix. Glover’s area covers Augusta, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. These are his responses to our questions regarding any impact. ABD: Will closures of more than 500 Florida

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B2B Stories

Chamber Candidate Meet and Greet goes on as scheduled

Even though several thousand residents remain without power, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is working towards a return to normal. The Chamber’s Political Action Committee is moving forward with its plans to host a Meet and Greet, featuring area candidates vying for crucial positions in the upcoming November election. Members of the community are invited to the event to be held this evening, Thursday, October 10th at Greenbrier High School at 6:00 PM. Doors to the auditorium will be open to the public free of charge at 5:30 PM.

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Helene’s impact on large businesses in Richmond County

While small businesses across Richmond County are fighting their way back from Hurricane Helene, the county’s largest businesses are assessing their situation. “Most of our industries, from what I can tell, were spared,” Cal Wray, President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) told ABD. “Several of the larger ones were without power for four or five days. The last big one that I knew that came back online was last Wednesday. Think most of our manufacturing is back up and running.” A number of the largest employers are in

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B2B Stories

Savannah Rapids Pavilion Rentals Update from Hurricane Helene

Savannah Rapids Pavilion is indefinitely closed due to damage during Hurricane Helene.  All reservations will be canceled and automatically refunded.  If you would like to move your reservation to the Exhibition Center or talk to a staff member, please call 706-868-3349. The Savannah Rapids Pavilion staff is working out of the Community Services office in Building C.  The staff has begun contacting all future reservations in order of date to offer them the opportunity to reschedule/relocate their event to the Exhibition Center or be refunded. “ServePro is working in the

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B2B Stories

Taking steps toward recovery on post

Fort Eisenhower and Eisenhower Army Medical Center (EAMC) are beginning to phase in operations as the post and hospital recover from Hurricane Helene. Beginning on October 3, the post operated under controlled access. Only mission essential personnel, first responders, and residents were permitted on the post. MG Ryan Janovic, Commanding General at Ft. Eisenhower, said 37 of the post’s 780 family housing units were significantly damaged. “Significant damage, most often here now referred to as a large pine tree through the roof, as it is happening off the installation as

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Lessons from Hurricane Helene

It brings out the best in people and the worst. Best: Neighbors helping clear trees, providing water, offering lifts. Worst: Impatient drivers who yell at electricity workers repairing the infrastructure because they can’t go down their preferred road. Workers getting out of their vehicles to yell and point fingers at fellow workers. From an economic point of view, the free market is a great way to allocate resources. Publix understood what customers would demand and quickly got water, ice, and charcoal grills into their National Hills store (where I shop).

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A bit of energized news for the CSRA

Jefferson Energy Cooperative and Georgia Power have both released positive updates heading into day 12 post-Hurricane Helene. Thanks to 600 additional crews in CSRA counties— including hard-hit Columbia County—about two-thirds of residents and businesses now have power. JEC’s total footprint is about 37,000 and officials say a bit more than 25,000 customers are energized. For updates, you are asked to call Jefferson Energy Cooperatives at their main office at 706-547-2167 or 706-592-4531. Georgia Power is extending time to any of its millions of customers who need more time to make

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B2B Stories

Area businesses are ready for customers

North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams was joined by a group of downtown business owners to update storm recovery in the city. “One of the things I’m excited about is we have power in our downtown and Riverside Village, and we are open for business,” said Williams. Joining Williams were representatives from Fleet Feet, Orange Otter, The Grove Gourmet Market, Cavalier’s Coffee and Shoppe 3130. Jenny Elliott, owner of Shoppe 3130, said businesses and citizens are all part of the same community. “I feel like our neighbors and our business neighbors

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