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Employment
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: If you hire, chances are you won’t fire

The current labor market has been described as a “low hire, low fire” economy. The graph below shows the number of hires per month in Georgia along with the number of separations. Hiring rose after the pandemic, peaking at 325,000 in February 2022. Separations, including layoffs and voluntary quits, followed a similar upward trend but peaked later in June 2022. Hiring and separations have declined to about half their peak level in the latest data for October 2025. Hires are about 20,000 per month lower than their long-term average, and

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor January 6, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Job Outlook

In the first local economic news release since September 19th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) rose in September from August. The largest gains were seen in leisure and hospitality, up 500. Employment in this sector now stands at a seasonally adjusted 28,715, a record high for Augusta. Education and health services employment increased by 250, and government employment increased by 175. In the government sector, federal jobs continued to decline and are down 500 since February. Local government jobs

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor December 30, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Major drop in unemployment claims

Local economic data is starting to be released by government organizations after the federal shutdown. I can now update the Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) through August! In August, the index was down 0.2% from July but remained 0.8% higher than August 2024. Components contributing positively to the index included initial claims for unemployment insurance, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), and job openings. Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell 44 percent in July. In August, the DJIA was amid a six-month rally that has continued at least through the

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business December 16, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Employers needed to grow tomorrow’s workforce

Businesses in Metro Augusta are invited to participate in a program designed to show high school students career possibilities right at home. The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is calling on businesses to sign up for a job shadowing opportunity. The annual event, set for Groundhog Day on Feb. 2, is coordinated by the Richmond County School System (RCSS). “There are so many jobs and job opportunities right here in the CSRA where we can keep our talent right here with us,” Dr. Stacey Mabray, Director of High School Programming

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Dana Lynn McIntyre December 9, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Tariffs and Effects on Jobs

Manufacturing employment in the United States has fallen by 58,000 since April, when President Trump announced his tariffs on “liberation day” to stand at 12.7 million in September. Five straight months of losses in an industry that tariffs were supposed to protect. A week ago, at the economic forecast breakfast, we analyzed the impact of tariffs on manufacturing, as well as the agriculture and service sectors. Using data from 2012-2023 on all metro areas of Georgia, we find that tariffs do have a positive impact on manufacturing employment, but it

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe and Brandon Day December 9, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Learning from National Signing Day (Recruiting) and the Transfer Portal (Retention)

Publisher’s Note: Yes, Georgia is squaring off against Alabama this Saturday. It’s a busy week for College Football, including what is happening tomorrow. It’s “National Signing Day,” when this year’s star high school football seniors officially sign a commitment to the college of their choice. It’s tied in to the job market in Augusta as well! While there is another such signing day on February 4, 2026, a large majority will sign tomorrow to get an early start, including potentially enrolling at their college for the Spring Semester.  This National

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Dr. Rick Franza, AU Hull College Professor December 2, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Long-Term Economic Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the delayed September jobs report last week. Employment growth was strong, with 119,000 new jobs created, but the unemployment rate edged up to 4.4%. There is no indication, yet, when metro-level data will be made available. For my economic forecast next week, I will therefore look at some more long-term drivers of economic growth as well as some current policies. Obviously, tariffs have been in the economic news this year, and an analysis of their impact in Georgia will be presented. The current administration

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor November 25, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Thanksgiving Highlights Businesses’ Yearlong Need for Gratitude

Publisher’s Note: We are a week away from Turkey Day! It’s a good time to be thankful for those who help us succeed in the CSRA, like customers, co-workers, employees, vendors, and the community. Dr. Rick Franza breaks down each group and how to show gratitude to those folks who help you! While for many, giving thanks has a religious and spiritual component, there are personal benefits to being grateful for all individuals, whether their thanks are directed at God or not. Therefore, being thankful, while highlighted this time of

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Dr. Rick Franza, AU Hull College of Business Professor November 20, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Uncle Sam’s Delay & Cousin Simon’s Breakfast!

The US government has opened back up, but at the time of writing, we do not know when much of the backlog of economic data will be released. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which is responsible for the national inflation and employment situation, had collected employment data for September before the shutdown and announced late Friday that this information will be released on Thursday. It has already published inflation data for September. The White House announced last week that it is unlikely we will get employment and inflation data

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor November 18, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

A glimpse inside the area’s newest hospital

Elected officials and business leaders had a peek inside the hospital under construction in Columbia County. The facility is at exit 190 off Interstate 20. Officials with Wellstar MCG Health organized a Friday morning walk of the 85% completed building on Gateway Boulevard, near the Gateway to Grovetown. “It’s amazing that I’m standing here at this moment in Columbia County’s history,” said David Jameson, interim President and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. “It feels good. If I’m excited, every citizen in Columbia County should be just overwhelmed

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Dana Lynn McIntyre November 18, 2025 No Comments
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