Tue, September 29, 2026

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Newsletter Sign up
Show Support
Menu

Employment
B2B Stories

CSRA Auto expert to lead workforce initiative and report to Georgia lawmakers

The planned Jim Hudson Automotive Institute for Augusta Technical College is celebrating two awards, one monetary and one for an instructor. Christopher Davis, an Automotive Technology instructor and department chair, was selected as the statewide winner of the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction. It is the highest honor a technical college instructor can receive in Georgia. The recognition comes with a $2,500 prize, and Davis will be a representative for technical education for the next year, including appearances before the General Assembly. Davis told ABD he is

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre May 27, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Mental health support at CSRA workplaces

A local expert is hoping professionals see the signs of unwellness in the workplace. “The cost of missing it is not just productivity, but what we’re missing is opportunities to be able to help people,” she said. “We see burnout, absenteeism, presenteeism, conflict, disengagement, turnover, safety issues, mistakes, and accidents, and most importantly, suffering in silence, ” said Dr. Cheryl Cummings. Dr. Cheryl Cummings is the Employee Wellness Service and Disability Manager for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS).  She brought her mental health expertise to the May Women in Business

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre May 26, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Job challenges in the hotel and restaurant space

Prior to Masters, the leisure and hospitality space lost 1500 jobs over a few months. In general, employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area continued to fall in March, shedding 200 jobs.  Private education and health services continued to add jobs, with another 200 added in March. Over the last year, this sector has added over 2,200 jobs, while the overall employment level has only increased by 200, confirming this sector as the major driver of employment growth nationally and locally. Locally, employment in private education and health services has

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor May 26, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Kemp signs off on major bill to create more jobs in the CSRA/Peach State

The importance of workforce development is in the spotlight for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R). For one of his final bill-signing ceremonies, Kemp put his signature on a series of bills to reinforce that Georgia is a top state for talent. He tied it to the state’s ability to continue as one of the best in the nation for business and economic growth. “Our skilled and highly qualified workforce is a major reason why job creators keep coming to and expanding in our state,” said Kemp. “I’m proud to sign

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre May 21, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Better Job News

Two weeks ago, I reported a decline in employment for the metro area. Fortunately, this week I can report that other components of the local labor market improved or stayed the same in February.  The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.5% for the third consecutive month. The labor force, those in work and those looking for work, increased by 2,400 in February, and by almost 8,000 over the last year. Average weekly hours worked increased to 34.3. In January, I reported average weekly earnings increased to a record high,

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor May 19, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Hospital construction in the home stretch

Wellstar and AU Health leadership provided a tour and media briefing at the new hospital under construction in Columbia County.   The six-floor, 254,000 square foot hospital is being built off Interstate 20 exit 190, just below the Columbia County Exhibition Center. It remains on track to open from late August to early September. In addition to providing healthcare, the hospital and surrounding complex can act as a magnet to draw new businesses to Columbia County. The hospital itself will add about 1,200 jobs. “We have 300-plus staff already hired. We

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre May 15, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

All-time high in employment

Georgia’s labor chief said the statewide job numbers are showing a major trend in the right direction. Augusta’s story is also a positive one. The Georgia Department of Labor said last Thursday that the Augusta metro area is seeing month-over-month job and employment growth, with an unemployment rate of 3.9% in March, down seven-tenths over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.9%.  “There’s no better way to mark Economic Development Week than with measurable results,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “With the state labor force and employment both reaching all-time highs and unemployment falling across all metro

Read More »
Neil Gordon May 12, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Best openings after graduation season

It is graduation time in our colleges, universities, and high schools, but which sectors are hiring? The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases monthly job openings for a variety of industries at the national level. The national job openings rate (job openings divided by job openings plus employment multiplied by 100) is 4.1% in March 2026, down from a peak of 7.5% in March 2022.  Healthcare and social assistance have the highest job opening rate at 5.4%, down from 9.4% in March 2022. Leisure and hospitality also has a job

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor May 12, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local H.R. Leader highlights burnout signs for professionals

A recent speaker told a North Augusta business audience that there is a fine line between resiliency and burnout. The age group most affected seemed to be a big surprise. Sally Roberts, a longtime human resource leader, said people, women in particular, seen as resilient often are praised. While resiliency can be a virtue, it can become problematic if it stems from working too long, too hard, and to the detriment of personal health. “You feel like you’re not accomplishing as much as you should. You’re not getting a lot

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre May 11, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: February fall-off in the local labor market

After my last few columns touted the strength of the local labor market, there was bound to be a correction. In February, employment fell. Employment fell by 400 jobs in February, though several sectors saw gains. The education and health services sector continued to add jobs. There have been over 40,000 people employed in this sector since August last year. Most of these jobs are in the health services sector because most education jobs are in local government (K-12 teachers and staff) or state employment (university employees).  The government sector

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor May 5, 2026 No Comments
Load More