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B2B Stories

Find holiday treasures and support small businesses

The public has a chance to get a jump on holiday shopping and find unique gifts while supporting local small businesses and entrepreneurs, all in one spot next week. The second annual Augusta University (AU) Holiday Maker’s Market returns on Fri., Nov. 13 to the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (CGITC) campus. Lynsey Steinberg, AU’s director of Academic Entrepreneurship, told ABD the event also benefits the university and comes at a particularly advantageous time. “The university just received a notification that we are going to be receiving the Innovation

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Dana Lynn McIntyre November 6, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Columbia County combat veteran starts business to help area homeowners and contractors

The Aflac duck has been wildly successful for the Columbus, Georgia-based insurance company. HammerDuck, headquartered in Martinez, is off to a fast start in connecting homeowners and contractors to do business together while keeping the money in the CSRA. “I built it because of what I watched after (Hurricane) Helene. Neighbors couldn’t get a roof or a tree crew scheduled,” said Urbon Thompson, who works full-time for the Navy and retired after 21 years of other military service. Local contractors pay national lead services like Angi and Thumbtack $15 to

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Neil Gordon November 6, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Keeping The Promise of CCSD: Great Schools and Great (Business) Communities

Each day, tens of thousands of students enter the doors of the Columbia County School District, each carrying something that belongs uniquely to them: promise. The promise to learn. The promise to grow. The promise to discover talents they may not yet recognize and opportunities they may not yet imagine. Our responsibility as a school district, and as a community, is to help unlock that promise. This year, the Columbia County School District has centered our work around our annual campaign: The Promise. But The Promise is about more than

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Alex Casado, Chief Financial Officer of the Columbia County School District November 5, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

What’s it like to work at the Savannah River Site?

One of the region’s largest employers is setting out the welcome mat for anyone interested in peeking behind the curtain. The Savannah River Site (SRS) Tours and Protocol Office released the dates for its public tours for 2027. There are 21 driving tours to explore facilities and operations. We want to give the public an opportunity to come out and get better acquainted with us,” Bob Bonnett, Tour Program Coordinator, told ABD. “There seems to be a stigma behind the barricades, what goes on out here, and there are so

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Dana Lynn McIntyre November 5, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Grand Opening of local Disney Store

In the past, you’d be able to buy these kinds of plushies either at Disney World or on eBay. Starting Saturday, these types of items and other Disney collectibles will be available in Martinez. The owners of Main Street Collectibles say their store in the strip center at 4070 Washington Road in Martinez is the largest in Georgia. The store is next to the Goodwill drop-off center/store and near Club Car. They claim to have thousands of pieces from 1929 to the present day, including cast member exclusives, signed &

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Neil Gordon November 4, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Food Truck Heaven in the CSRA

The pedestrian park and event space at the 5th Street Bridge at Reynolds Street should be pretty packed this weekend for Foodie Fest, which is expected to be the biggest economic impact driver in November. According to Destination Augusta and the Augusta Sports Council, about 80,000 visitors will be trying out unique food from up to 100 food vendors. The economic impact is expected to be almost $1.4 million. The following week and weekend, the Georgia School Counselor Association and the Head of the South Regatta are expected to bring in

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Neil Gordon November 3, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Biggest employment jump in 18 months

The views expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not represent Augusta University. Employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) grew in September to the highest level since April 2025.  Total number of employees grew to 254,500, up 300. Large gains were seen in the government sector, up over 400, with most of those gains in local government. Federal government employment was up 100, but state was down 150. Leisure and hospitality had the second highest gain at 372. This sector has gained 1,000

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor November 3, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Special Event for SRS workers

Giving Home Health Care just opened for business in the Augusta-Aiken area. They are integrating the company into the CSRA with a complimentary lunch and educational session for some former and current nuclear workers. Giving Home Health Care started in 2012 and is now serving in 13 states. The GHHC team brings extensive experience working with eligible workers and their families, helping them understand the program and the care services available for qualifying work-related illnesses. The company wants former workers to understand the steps they can take to explore potential

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Neil Gordon November 2, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Breaking the Silence, Protecting Our Military Families

A few days ago, we wrapped up October and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It’s never too late to bring attention to an issue that affects individuals and families across our nation, those who have served and continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces, including the CSRA. Military service teaches us courage, loyalty, discipline, and sacrifice. We are trained to protect our country, defend our fellow service members, and stand strong in difficult circumstances. However, another battle often goes unnoticed: the one that takes place behind closed doors. Domestic

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Africa Thomas MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CME, CCM November 2, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Holiday shopping inflation pressures

The National Retail Federation (NRF) released a look at how they expect consumers to shop for this holiday season. NRF said that holiday shopping runs from this weekend to Dec. 31. NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews and Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Allison Zeller looked at the recent NRF holiday sales forecast and expectations for consumer spending. Their findings were announced in a webinar ABD attended. “In our consumer study, we see 56% are reporting that the economy and the state of the economy will impact them negatively

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Dana Lynn McIntyre October 30, 2026 No Comments
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