Employment

Consumer Stories

Job boom is coming, causing Aiken-Augusta housing crunch

A study by the SRS Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO) projects that an eight-county region will need to add more than 17,350 new housing units by 2030, an increase of 43% housing development needed annually. That is triggered by an anticipated 16,256 new jobs by 2030. The study was conducted in partnership with Georgia Power and KB Advisory Group. It encompasses Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie, and Burke counties in Georgia, and Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, and Edgefield counties. The goal is to evaluate current housing trends along with expected job creation over the

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Consumer Stories

Generous businesses attract loyal employees

A new report finds that even the most satisfied employees may be pursuing a different job, spurred by the desire to work for a company committed to the community. ABD’s learned that it is also the case with Augusta-area businesses like the Meta team member efforts to clean up Hitchcock Woods. (Photo Above) goBeyondProfit, founded in 2017, began tracking business generosity in 2019. Its 2025 report finds 97% of employees say business generosity is important. That’s more than double the 47% reported in 2019. (https://gobeyondprofit.org/research/2025-business-generosity-report/) Brittany Burnett, President and CEO

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: How Helene impacted job and rate of pay

Publisher’s Note: As you probably witnessed in the months following Helene’s wrath, workers were out and about helping rebuild. Damaged homes, businesses, and public infrastructure were getting rebuilt. Demand was created for construction, engineering, skilled trades, and logistical movers. Federal and relief funds stimulated recovery efforts, but how much? The numbers may surprise you. In terms of employment, both Columbia County in Georgia and Aiken County in South Carolina saw employment increase from December to March by 1.89% and 0.1% respectively. Moreover, March employment in both counties was higher than

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B2B Stories

And Now for Some Good News!

The future is bright after all for the Augusta area workforce and young men specifically. My column last week on the struggles of young men in America was probably as saddening for many of you as it was for me. I have always seen this country as a land of great opportunity, and the plight of young men chronicled last week put some doubt in my mind for the first time.  However, I am fortunate to teach in Augusta University’s (AU) Hull College of Business (HCoB), so as I interact

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B2B Stories

Progress on $184 million business development

A building that will house 350 new jobs is taking shape in the Augusta Corporate Park off Mike Padgett Highway. GF Casting Solutions will produce lightweight components made from aluminum, iron, and other metals for the mobility and energy industries. Situated across Valencia Way from Aurubis Richmond, LLC, GF Casting will be the third major employer to open in the park, along with Starbucks. The 1,800-acre park in South Augusta is essentially full, with one more site being prepared for future use. “The site at the end (of Valencia Way),

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Finally, some good news on the employment front

After three consecutive months of job losses, employment rose by 800 in August from July. July’s number was revised upwards by 1,100, although it was still lower than June. Professional and Business services saw the largest increase in employment in August, at over 550. Manufacturing also saw a small increase, and manufacturing employment is the highest since November 2024 at 24,085. The government sector saw large employment losses in August across all three levels of government. Federal employment fell by 200 and has fallen by 500, or 6%, since February,

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Consumer Stories

A boost for the CSRA workforce pipeline

The University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) has signed an agreement with one of the region’s largest employers to support workforce development. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USCA and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions addresses the specific needs in the Information Technology (IT) and cybersecurity sectors. “SRNS is working to strengthen Computer Science opportunities for students in the CSRA. Providing internships and collaborative experiences helps facilitate opportunity and bolsters our workforce through youthful vision and talent,” said Dr. Sean Alford, SRNS Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer in the

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B2B Stories

FREE training to meet demand in telecom industry

Skilled, certified tower technicians are critical in supporting the telecommunications industry. As 5G, broadband, and fiber projects expand and increase, so does the need for this workforce. “These projects allow employment for skilled tower technicians to build, upgrade, and maintain cell towers, antennas, and related equipment,” said Aiken Technical College Director of Continuing Education Athena Freeman. “The current pool of trained tower technicians is small and does not meet the demand.” To help address this workforce need, Aiken Tech is offering a certified tower technician course from October 13-25. The

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Signs Augusta’s Economy is Weakening

4 of the 5 key indicators of the CSRA’s economy are not where they should be. Hence, the Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) fell 0.6 percent in July from June. It remains 0.3 percent higher than July 2024. Of the five components in the LEI, only the Dow Jones Industrial Average improved. The two indicators of future labor market vitality declined. Initial claims for unemployment insurance increased by 20 percent, and job openings fell by 4.3 percent. We have already seen a weakening of the local labor market in recent

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Consumer Stories

CSRA construction project set to hire 4,000 workers

The Savannah River Site (SRS) is opening new early construction work fronts to accelerate building the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF), including an agreement with the Augusta Building and Trades Council. The construction is an effort to re-establish the nation’s capability to produce plutonium pits in support of sustainable nuclear deterrence, according to the SRS. “It’s amazing to see the scale and urgency at which dirt is moving around the SRPPF worksite with the early site preparation scopes in progress,” said Jeff Griffin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Savannah

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