40 years ago, Ann Marie McManus started her professional career as a licensed real estate agent in Augusta. Today, we learn how she was prepared for her life’s work.
What started as a produce stand 10 years ago in North, South Carolina, grew into one of the largest farms in the state. With 70 acres of produce including corn, okra, green beans, peas, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and watermelons, McCurley Farms is a hot commodity, especially at this time of year when families crave fresh fruits and veggies. Customers were already coming from across the CSRA and from as far away as Atlanta. When ABD talked to owner, Paul McCurley back in April, he had just partnered with Southern Carolina
North Augusta is preparing to welcome one of the CSRA’s most popular, and economically significant, events back to Riverview Park. The 2024 Nike EYBL Peach Jam Basketball Tournament kicks off on July 12. This marks the 28th year the city has hosted the tournament which began as the Peach Basket Classic in 1996. It began as a four-day event, expanded to a weeklong tournament and this year is growing again. “New this year is the event will last 10 days, July 12 through the 21st,” Rick Meyer, Director of Parks,
While students fear the words “summer school,” a local marketing expert is hoping business owners are ready to learn how to show their businesses in the best light. The Marketing Summer School is the brainchild of Moniek James, a marketing strategist and consultant, and founder of Renegade Creative Media. “I definitely was trying to be a little cheeky with putting in summer school, because, yes, that does bring up memories like the worst thing ever,” she told ABD with a chuckle. “But as a business owner myself, I think about
This fall, the University of South Carolina Aiken will offer a new master’s degree program in Education Leadership. The online distance education program will allow participants to pursue principal certification, supporting local teachers who wish to move into leadership roles while increasing the pool of qualified candidates for local schools. According to School of Education Dean, Judy Beck, the principal certification program will significantly benefit teachers and school districts in the Central Savannah River Area. USCA’s program will provide a more convenient avenue for local educators to advance to leadership
It was an engaging day in Evans. Getting your company story out seems to be harder and harder to do with the glut of social media channels and online groups. The Columbia County Chamber’s third of four Business Institute workshops in Evans at the Performing Arts Center, delved into ways to reach mainstream media with your message. On the panel were ABD’s publisher, Neil Gordon, WJBF’s Kaleigh Foster, who oversees digital media operations, and WAFJ Radio General Manager and morning on-air host, John Bryant. Here were the takeaways from each
While my participation on social media is fairly limited, I do visit LinkedIn regularly. Although I do not post very often, I keep my profile up-to-date and enjoy using it as a way to follow the careers of my former colleagues and students with whom I do not regularly communicate. It has also provided a means for me to reconnect with some of them, and also with some high school and college classmates and those I served with in the Air Force whom I have not seen or talked to
Three area Chamber managers have recently completed the Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. W. James Allen, IOM Director of Member Engagement of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 credit hours of course instruction in non-profit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours towards the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified
Editor’s Note: Augusta hasn’t had passenger train service since 1966 when Southern Railways’ “Augusta Special” was running to East Coast destinations. Is it time to bring back that transit option? Recent announcements from both of Georgia’s senators caught the interest of a dean at Augusta University. In a December news release, Senators Jon Ossoff (D) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D) announced grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to study the feasibility of three new passenger rail corridors connecting Georgia with cities in North Carolina and Tennessee. The lines would connect
Bank of America is continuing to support Aiken Technical College (ATC) students in completing their college education by awarding an economic mobility grant to the ATC Foundation. The $10,000 grant will go toward the ATC Foundation’s Student Completion Microgrants Program. The microgrants are provided to eligible students who have completed at least 75 percent of their program of study but are at risk of not completing it for financial reasons. “Partnering with Aiken Technical College to address important issues like workforce development and employment is part of our commitment to
