Consumer Stories

B2B Stories

$3.6 million Investment in Columbia County

Andy Jones, Dealer Principal/President of the Gerald Jones Automotive Group, bridged the past and present during the Wednesday afternoon celebration at the grand re-opening of Gerald Jones Lincoln at 4333 Washington Road in Evans. Jones introduced his partners, who included David Jones, now retired, and the children of Frank Lawrence. Both men were TV spokespeople in the 1990’s and early 2000’s for various automotive brands in the CSRA they managed. Many of Andy Jones’ family members were on hand, including the founders of the Gerald Jones Automotive Group. “My dad

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B2B Stories

$6.8 million Investment to boost service business

These renderings by the Augusta firm McMillan Pazdan Smith give hope to ATC students and those looking to join the lucrative car business. Augusta Technical College was awarded a $6,808,307 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Monies will support completion of the Jim Hudson Automotive Institute, a workforce development project at 1122 Walton Way, in the former Johnson Cadillac Dealership. The federal investment represents a major milestone in Augusta Tech’s efforts to expand high-demand technical training and strengthen the region’s talent pipeline. The renovated facility will serve as a state-of-the-art automotive

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Consumer Stories

Housing remains a priority for workforce development

A panel discussion sponsored by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce highlighted the ongoing need for new housing units. Called the Real Estate Reality Check, it featured experts in real estate, insurance, and mortgages. Although designed to help homeowners understand what to expect in the coming year, the presentation began with a slide directly connecting housing to workforce development. “It’s a total partnership,” Andrea Bowles, Sales Manager and Relocation Director with Blanchard and Calhoun, told ABD. “In order to attract vibrant businesses, successful businesses, you’ve got to have housing. In

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B2B Stories

Student (and Employee) Success: Nurtured, but Earned

Since graduating from high school nearly 50 years ago, I have spent about 40 of them on college campuses, with almost 30 of them as a business school faculty member and/or administrator. Much has changed in higher education in that time, and in my opinion, mostly for the better. However, in recent months, I have heard from many colleagues, particularly “Baby Boomers” (born 1945-1964) like me and Gen Xers (born 1965-1980), that the higher education value to students is eroding, and I think they have a point as well.   However,

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Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Employment is on the right side of Augusta’s history

Plant Vogtle transportation and utilities jobs, and jobs in other sectors, propelled the Augusta labor market to grow faster than previously recorded over the past five years.   The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revised Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) employment data back to 2020.  For example, before revision, the total employment in the seven counties of the MSA was 249,800 in December 2025. The revision shows that employment passed a quarter of a million back in May 2024. January employment was 254,400, surpassed only by employment in April 2025.  Industries that

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B2B Stories

Healthy plan for your renovations at office or home

Spring and summer seasons are usually the time to remodel and renovate parts of your office or home. What if you or your contractor spots something dangerous behind the walls? If you read more, Joseph Galpin from Augusta’s EnviroPro 360 shows you how to put a plan in place. 2026 Asbestos Plan for GA & SC Renovations | EnviroPro 360

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B2B Stories

Georgia Senator brings home $1.3 million for CSRA businesses and major institution

Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff is delivering big money to help entrepreneurs have a fighting start and to help a local research center save lives. $800,000 of the $1.3 million will help Augusta University upgrade equipment at the Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University’s cancer research center. “This support will allow us to acquire advanced research equipment that will strengthen our scientists’ ability to detect, study, and ultimately combat cancer. For nearly 200 years, Augusta University and the Medical College of Georgia have been home to lifesaving discoveries that improve the health

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Consumer Stories

2nd restaurant opens in new West Augusta location

If Trenton Andrews (center) looks a little tired, it’s easy to understand why. He camped out since 9:30 Wednesday night in advance of Thursday morning’s grand opening of the second Surcheros Tex Mex restaurant in Augusta. Andrews is one of the first 50 customers to win an entrée per week for an entire year. “I’ve been eating at Surcheros since I was 13,” said the AU Psychology student. That was at the Macon, Georgia, Surcheros. Andrews eats three times a week at the original Augusta location of Surcheros on Washington

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Consumer Stories

Supermarket provides large check today

This morning at 9, the Golden Harvest Food Bank and families will benefit from a big donation that will buy a lot of fresh produce and staples. For the first time, the program will serve families in South Carolina, and preregistration is no longer required.  Summer Harvest program is returning for its third year with expanded reach and fewer barriers for families. The $40,000 grant from Food Lion is part of its Summers Without Hunger program, which supports distributions across Golden Harvest’s South Carolina service area. Food Lion leadership will also

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B2B Stories

Take Me to Your Leaderboard: Lessons Learned from This Year’s Masters Contenders

As we begin Day 4 of Post-2026 Masters, life is returning to normal in Augusta. Here at Augusta University, students are in the homestretch of the Spring Semester, and many local businesses are experiencing a combination of celebration and relief.  There are lessons learned from the golfers who contended for this year’s Green Jacket. Prior to the start of the 2026 Masters, there were many questions swirling around many of the potential favorites to win the tournament. Defending champion Rory McIlroy had not played competitively in the month since he

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