Sun, December 03, 2023

Consumer Stories

B2B Stories

New CSRA nursery decking the halls of businesses and homes

They might be the new kid on the nursery and landscaping block, but Southern Carolina Palms in Aiken is ready with all things Christmas. Located at 22 Gunter Road, the business opened in July and now six months later, they boast of one of the largest selections of holiday decorations in the CSRA. “Most of our sales come from families looking for a Christmas tree, wreath, swags, or inflatables,” said Annaleyse Black who handles customer questions and deliveries for Southern Carolina Palms. “We have all of that, but we have

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B2B Stories

Augusta Tech to facilitate hiring through Georgia’s new online portal

As one of the 22 schools in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), Augusta Technical College (ATC) is ready to help students use the new Labor Exchange Platform (LEP). The platform, announced on Nov. 21 by Gov. Brian Kemp, is part of the state’s WorkSource Georgia program, which is administered by TCSG’s Office of Workforce Development. ATC President, Dr. Jermaine Whirl said they are waiting for some final instructions from the state to create portal access on the school’s website. “That information will be housed under our Career Services

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B2B Stories

Robust sales report kicks off Christmas buying

Gloomy predictions for a less-than-healthy holiday sales season were dispelled by a report this week from the National Retail Federation (NRF). During the five-day period from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, NRF found a record 200.4 million consumers hit stores and websites. That surpasses last year’s 196.7 million and far exceeds the NRF’s prediction of 182 million shoppers. “We attribute that turnout to a number of factors certainly,” said NRF President and CEO, Matthew Shay. “It speaks to the way consumers are feeling, but also the deals that were out

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Consumer Stories

The Holdovers: A Powerful New Christmas Classic

When was the last time we’ve seen a serious Christmas movie? Not a genre film, like Hallmark’s standards or re-runs of animated Rankin/Bass specials from fifty years ago, nor a drama with a mention of Christmas, like Little Women or Green Book. Rather, a theatrically released, A-list Christmas flick. This year, Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Alexander Payne (Sideways, Election, Nebraska) and beloved actor, Paul Giamatti have both gifted us a sharp, bittersweet comedy-drama that rings in laughs and tears in bulk; The Holdovers. Set in 1970 at Barton, a fictional boarding school

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Consumer Stories

Meybohm Real Estate announces new mortgage company

Meybohm Real Estate debuted Meybohm Mortgage, a specialized mortgage company created in partnership with Newrez and Carolina One Mortgage, in an announcement made on Nov. 17. Meybohm Mortgage will focus on residential purchase mortgage lending. The company named its two loan officers, Kim Shelpman and John Mark Capers as having extensive experience, which will allow them to provide a standard of excellence in leading the industry. Kim Shelpman, branch manager at Meybohm Mortgage, said the news is exciting for the company. “Meybohm Mortgage is thrilled to introduce a suite of

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B2B Stories

A boost is coming to businesses seeking Georgia employees

Georgia’s nationally recognized workforce development programs are now offering a direct link between job seekers and employers. The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has launched an online Labor Exchange Platform (LEP) as part of the state’s WorkSource Georgia program, which is administered by TCSG’s Office of Workforce Development. “By seamlessly connecting job seekers with employers, we are not just filling job vacancies, but are building a robust, skilled community ready to drive Georgia’s economic growth,” said TCSG Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development, Karen Kirchler. Georgia’s ability to provide a

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Awards/Celebrations

Local leaders among top in Georgia

Last year, Georgia Trend magazine introduced the inaugural GEORGIA 500, a comprehensive publication of leaders around the state driving our successful economy to new heights year after year, and once again, Chamber President, Sue Parr has been named to this list. The Augusta Metro Chamber serves as the voice of the business community and represents over 1,200 members. Under Parr’s leadership, the Chamber’s policy work has included advocating for local excise tax-free industrial energy costs and abundant transportation infrastructure, supporting the state’s second back-to-back 10-year, 13-county Transportation Investment Act (TIA)

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Consumer Stories

Hotels revive popular pet supply program

The rooms at Best Western, 452 Park West Drive in Grovetown, and Baymont by Wyndham Augusta Riverwatch, 2905 Riverwest Drive are not pet friendly, but the staff at both hotels are pet lovers and they are hoping guests will be also. Kim Gibbons is the sales and marketing manager for both properties. Her own cat, Owen, served as the inspiration for what became a community service project for the hotels in 2008 and ran through 2014. Now it’s back. “Originally, the program benefitted the CSRA Humane Society. Over the years,

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Consumer Stories

Help from Augusta & Palmetto expert on Cyber Monday

Fire up your computers and grab your credit cards. Today is Cyber Monday, a day when your Christmas shopping can be done from your couch while wearing your jammies. Cyber Monday was coined in Nov. 2005 by the National Retail Federation, a time when online shopping was still in its infancy. Since then, it has grown into one of the biggest shopping days of the holiday season. According to the website, www.blackfriday.com, in 2022, shoppers spent an estimated 11.3 billion on Cyber Monday. That compared to $9.12 billion. Bloomberg, in

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