Good Deeds

B2B Stories

Good Deeds: Meta offering new grant program

Meta is accepting applications for a new program to distribute grants in communities where the company has a data center, including Aiken County. The Meta data center is under construction in the Sage Mill Industrial Park. Target completion is 2027. The Future is for Everyone Fund will accept applications through Oct. 19th for proposals to address critical issues in each community where the data center is located. Meta declined a request for an interview from ABD but provided the following statement. “We created the Future is for Everyone Fund to

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B2B Stories

Local retailer bringing $60,000 to local schools

This afternoon, a local convenience store chain is helping three area school districts to set up their students to succeed. The event is set to launch outside the Enterprise Mill Events & Catering facility in downtown Augusta. Parker’s Kitchen is bringing $60,000 to divide among superintendents from Richmond, Columbia, and Aiken counties. It’s part of their Fueling the Community Program in which Parker’s donates a portion of all gas sold the first Wednesday of each month at their CSRA locations. It’s the 50th Anniversary for Parker’s Kitchen, and since the

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Consumer Stories

Business donates $100,000 for tiny homes project

A donation from a leading home supply chain is advancing construction on two unique features in Augusta’s first tiny homes community. Teams from area Lowe’s stores have been building the Serenity Garden and fire pit pod at the Bridge Builders Community’s (BBC) project to provide housing to teens aging out of foster care with little to no support to transition into their new lives. The company provided a $100,000 grant through the Lowe’s Community Impact program, one of only 100 programs selected for the grant. Earlier this year, BBC sold

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B2B Stories

Salvation Army selling existing properties to build new Center of Hope

Prime real estate halfway between Augusta’s Medical District and the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (GCITC) is up for sale to build on a legacy and shape the future. The commercial office of Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate Company has listed the three properties for the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope. There are two properties that face the 13-hundred block of Greene Street. The third faces Saint Sebastian Way. Major Jonathan Raymer, Area Commander for The Salvation Army, told ABD they decided to post the tracts in advance of

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B2B Stories

9/11 at 25: Remembrance and Lessons Learned

Publisher’s Note: It is hard to think about the lessons we learned 25 years ago today and in the subsequent months and years that followed. They do exist, and in today’s column, Dr. Franza identifies them while looking back at what his family experienced in the Northeast. RICK: I remember it starting out as a beautiful, late summer-early autumn Tuesday morning in New England; specifically suburban Boston. When I left my house for my 45-50 minute commute to Bentley College (now Bentley University), the sun was shining brightly, and the

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Consumer Stories

Corporation of the Year Donates $1 Million

Augusta business leaders and philanthropists Allan and Ursula Soto have committed $1 million to support the Kisner Foundation & Friends Pediatric Development, Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia. The Soto’s founded Vinea Capital, the Augusta-based private investment firm. Vinea is the 2025 Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Corporation of the Year. Vinea’s portfolio includes ABLE Kids, which provides ABA, speech, and occupational therapy services to young children with autism across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, helping expand access to developmental and behavioral healthcare for

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Consumer Stories

Making up a near $1.4 million shortfall

One of Metro Augusta’s largest organizations announced an ambitious goal to support smaller organizations, like the dozens of groups it had to turn down last year. The Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA) laid out plans to raise $1 million through its 2027 Community Grants Campaign. The money will fund the grants CFCSRA awards each spring.  Earlier this year, almost $736,000 was distributed among 59 smaller organizations. Although proud of the amount, Shell Berry, President and CEO of CFCSRA, said nonprofits requested more than $2.1 million during that grant cycle. 

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Consumer Stories

Members to receive a nice surprise in their August bill

It’s not every day that consumers get money back by doing business with a successful organization. That’s the case this year for members of a CSRA cooperative. Many of the 30,000 utility members of Jefferson Energy Cooperative will be sharing in a return of more than $4.5 Million. These capital credits will be divided amongst the members based on their electricity usage, if they had service in 2025. Most will receive the credits on their August bill. Traditionally, JEC retires capital credits on an average rotation of approximately 25 years.

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B2B Stories

Endowment started by Aiken firm

It was time to give back and honor the Crane roots by using a practice taught to their clients. Jason and Martha Crane are part owners of Crane & Owen Financial Solutions, a financial advisory practice at Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. The Cranes established a $10,000 scholarship for business students at Truett McConnell, with plans to increase the endowment in the future. Jason’s grandfather, mother, and other family members graduated from the faith-based college in North Georgia, and he wanted to honor their legacy. “We are proud to do our

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Consumer Stories

Businesses needed for one-of-a-kind United Way program

Area companies are needed for a unique Christmas in July program. It is time to begin collecting donations to support this year’s Empty Stocking Fund (ESF). The goal is to provide Christmas toys for more than 1,200 children from ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) families making more than the federal poverty level, but less than what they need to make ends meet. “This is the first time we’ve actually done this Christmas in July,” Brittany Burnett, President and CEO of UWCSRA, told ABD. “What makes it really unique is

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