Wed, April 22, 2026

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Newsletter Sign up
Show Support
Menu

Employment
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

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor April 21, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Selling Metro Augusta on a national stage

Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson (pictured to the left of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp)called the just-concluded Red Carpet Tour the” icing on top“ for the hard-working economic leaders charged with bringing new companies to Augusta. He points to past success. “That is the hook, he told ABD from Thursday’s event near the Masters tournament. If you look around the city at some of our notable employers, whether it be Aurubis Richmond, which was one of our newest investments, or GF Castings (under construction in the Augusta Corporate Park), they came here

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre April 13, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Masters of the “House”: Learning from the Front and the Back at Augusta National

The 90th edition of the Masters officially begins this morning when honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson hit their ceremonial tee shots, immediately followed by the start of tournament play. As I discussed in last week’s column, the best companies and sports teams focus on continuous improvement, and no organization epitomizes that more than the Masters and Augusta National. This time of the year, I typically write at least one column on the Masters/Augusta National because there is so much that businesses can learn from the Masters

Read More »
Dr. Rick Franza, Professor, AU Hull College of Business April 9, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Business Summit promotes jobs, services, and knowledge

Your company can be a sponsor or vendor for a business summit after the tournament,  put on by one of the Chambers of Commerce in the CSRA. Sponsored by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, the goal is to showcase products and services and provide workshops on entrepreneurship and job interview skills. “Our focus this year is a lot on workforce development, so we’re trying to make sure that we’re meeting the needs of our Chamber members and providing opportunities for them to showcase their wares, which is part of

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre April 2, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

$5,000 Scholarship from area business

Last year, Aaron Hudson of Augusta received a $5,000 scholarship to help him at the Augusta Technical College and his transition to Augusta University. Who will win this year’s Sandy Mazur Scholarship from Spherion Staffing and Recruiting? Applications are underway for this Georgia award that celebrates leadership, excellence, and the next generation of community leaders. The scholarship awards up to $5,000 to individuals pursuing higher education who demonstrate leadership, academic achievement, and a commitment to bettering their communities. Applications are open now through April 30, 2026. The scholarship is open

Read More »
Neil Gordon April 1, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Can TSA agents handle influx of golf fans?

The first wave of golf fans will begin arriving in Augusta on Tuesday to attend the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA). That kicks off the arrival of thousands of air travelers coming to Augusta for the Masters Tournament, ANWA and Drive, Chip and Putt. Funding for TSA agents is entering its second month of uncertainty. Leadership at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is helping agents as the airport braces for its busiest time of year.  “We are concerned about the current shutdown and how it affects the TSA employees at Augusta

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre March 30, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Developing the next generation of cyber employees

Companies based in the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (GCITC) welcomed 100 middle school students to the campus for Cyber Georgia STEMFest 2026. STEMFest, in partnership with the Cyber Fusion Innovation Center (CFIC), brings students from across Georgia for a day of science, technology, engineering, math, and cyber activities. It is to help students explore career pathways available in their future. “We’re thrilled to welcome students back to the Georgia Cyber Center for another unforgettable day of discovery, problem-solving, and creativity. STEMFest plays an important role in introducing young

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre March 25, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Employment summit for students with challenges

Nearly two dozen businesses teamed up with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SC DEW) for an employment summit for a unique group of students at USCA. The event was for students in the university’s LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) program. It is a college program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. It is in its third year of helping the students. “They spend two to four years with us in the program, learning skills in academics, independent living, like cooking and cleaning safely, as well as social

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre March 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Best and worst unemployment story for Augusta

The last bit of economic data for 2025 was just released for the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The unemployment rate has risen from 4.1% in September to 4.5% in December. This is the highest unemployment rate across the fourteen Georgia MSAs.  There may be a good reason why Augusta “finished last.” As I previously reported, the Augusta MSA had the largest increase in employment, and the rising unemployment rate may just reflect people entering the workforce to find jobs in a relatively strong economy.  This is borne out by

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor March 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Business support needed to train students for a great career

The North Augusta Chamber Foundation is tying one of its programs to the chamber’s 75th anniversary to help Aiken County students. The foundation is raising funds for the program that targets high school students to prepare them for a career after they graduate. The foundation’s Dell Tech program is a partnership with the Aiken County Public School District (ACPSD). It provides high school students with IT certification and hands-on experience. Isaac Kelly of Aiken Staffing Associates and chair of the foundation told ABD the program began in 2020 with North

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre March 23, 2026 No Comments
Load More