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B2B Stories

Training future pilots and techs to take flight

Augusta native, Jamail Larkins, was just 14 years old when he made his record-breaking flight as the youngest pilot to solo flight a Cessna 172. Now, he’s helping to host an event next weekend to give interested CSRA STEM students a chance to use scholarship money to carve out a career pathway. This fast-growing job sector is also propelled by internship opportunities through a few local school systems. He and another local flight expert will be teaching the future generation at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) next Saturday. His AviationStart company

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 20, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Target Market: Who Are They, What Do They Value, and Where Are They?

In last week’s column on Super Bowl ads, I stressed the importance of providing a value proposition when you are advertising or marketing your goods and services.   As a reminder, a value proposition is a promise that you make to potential customers that provides them a compelling reason why they should buy your product rather than a product from one of your competitors.   Prior to developing a value proposition, you first need to understand who you are trying to sell to and what product characteristics they value. This will ensure

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Dr. Rick Franza, AU Hull College of Business February 19, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

All I know about the Trader Joe’s Deal in Evans

The worst-kept secret in the CSRA is that Trader Joe’s is expected to build a standalone store directly behind the Columbia County Performing Arts Center, with the building facing North Belair Road. Cal Wray, the leader of the Augusta Economic Development Authority, says Trader Joe’s even looked in Richmond County a while back and decided against it. He says that Columbia County officials not being specific on active projects is not unusual. He doesn’t comment until there is a signed agreement. A Columbia County spokesperson said, not only is the

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Neil Gordon February 19, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

EXCLUSIVE: Grocery/Retail Center Hinges on many moving parts

A home at 8101 Sir Galahad Drive, across from the Evans Post Office and Regions Bank, is one of the complex deal points of a proposed commercial development. The Columbia County Chamber has owned that property for more than 10 years, and developers are hoping for a better result with commissioners than the Chamber had. The Chamber purchased the home on the right for $177,000 in the summer of 2015 with the intention of renovating the property as their corporate office. It was and is currently zoned residential. Back then,

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Photos and Article by Neil Gordon February 18, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Next wave of workforce in CSRA gets BIG boost

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has signed an agreement designed to streamline transfer pathways at all 22 regional campuses, including Augusta Technical College. The articulation agreement with the American College of Education (ACE) also creates tuition reductions and expanded access to undergraduate and graduate programs. The partnership is available for eligible TCSG students, graduates, and full-time employees. The news release announcing the agreement quoted TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “This agreement reflects our shared commitment to expanding access, affordability, and opportunity for Georgia’s workforce,” said Dozier. “By reducing barriers

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 18, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Fastest growing counties in CSRA

The fastest-growing county in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in 2024 is not in Richmond or Columbia County. It is Burke County. Real Gross Domestic Product grew at 15.6% in 2024 from 2023, according to recently released data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Columbia County grew at 3.6%, Richmond County at 1.6%, and Lincoln County at 0.6%. McDuffie County shrank by 3.5%.  In South Carolina, Aiken County grew at 2.7,% and Edgefield County shrank by 1.9% (see graph below). The state of South Carolina grew faster (4.5%) than

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor February 17, 2026 No Comments
Awards

500 + Chamber members get Presidential treatment at annual meeting

The incoming Columbia County Chamber President got to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to a retired Chamber President credited with being one of the key leaders behind Columbia County’s growth more than a decade ago. The new President and CEO, Heath Taylor (left), addressed the membership for the first time since starting on February 2nd.  He presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Tammy Gibbs Shepherd, who was President from 2010 to 2020. She helped strengthen local businesses, expand workforce programs, and was one of the leaders behind the push to

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Neil Gordon February 17, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Health Insurance Is Not Health Care — What Augusta/Aiken Employers Should Be Thinking as Renewal Season Never Ends

As CSRA health insurance consultants, our historically heaviest renewal period has always been January 1. While that date is still the most common, we are increasingly seeing renewals spread more evenly throughout the year. Today, the most popular renewal dates are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 — what many in the industry now refer to as the “quarter system.” So, how can these opportunities make a difference? We’ve just come out of a busy renewal cycle and are already heading toward the next one. That reality

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Tom Mastny, CEO, The Pennant Group, Augusta February 13, 2026 No Comments
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CSRA retailer expands on Georgia Avenue

There are not many things that go better with ice cream than children with their favorite toys! The Orange Otter Toy Store just expanded on Georgia Avenue and moved its store just a few blocks away, and close to a North Augusta family tradition.  They were in the same center as South State Bank and adjacent to Gary’s Hamburgers on Georgia Avenue. Orange Otter is now next to the Pink Dipper ice cream shop at 507 Georgia Avenue. Aubrey Hickson, store owner, says the new location is 1600 square feet

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Neil Gordon February 13, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local business to help teach nonprofit clients online safety

An organization known for helping patients with neurological challenges has added classes to develop more than its clients’ physical needs. Day One Fitness, located in Beech Island, provides personalized physical development programs for individuals with challenges ranging from Parkinson’s Disease to stroke recovery. Thanks to a suggestion from a volunteer, it also offers classes on other topics.  “She came to me, and she said, ‘Hey, the people that have been coming are just so hungry for information, and there’s just so much that we don’t know,’” Executive Director Danielle Williams

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 13, 2026 No Comments
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