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Business leaders talk transportation and workforce

SRP, Bridgestone, and Aiken Regional, three of the most successful business organizations in the CSRA, sent key people to a panel discussion about future growth issues. The monthly Good Morning North Augusta breakfast featured business leaders Liz Ponder with SRP Federal Credit Union, Chris Hennessee from Bridgestone Aiken PSR, and Victoria Luciano of Aiken Regional Medical Centers. Panel members had three distinctive views ranging from financial services to manufacturing and healthcare. The overall discussion centered on the future needs of South Carolina State House District 83, which covers parts of

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Dana Lynn McIntyre August 18, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Reduction in Augusta’s workforce

As already reported here in ABD, June employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) fell by 300, the first decline since February. But how did other labor market indicators fare in June? How do earnings in Augusta compare with other cities? The unemployment rate fell to 4% from 4.2% in May. This is the lowest unemployment rate since June last year. The employment level can fall while the unemployment rate also declines because those who lose their jobs are no longer looking for work or took jobs outside the

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor August 18, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Grand Opening in CSRA

Thanks to ABD reader Sonya Roland from Heritage Academy for her story tip, as she attended a soft opening of a new restaurant and bar on the Southside. This weekend is the grand opening of Liddy’s Restaurant at 2601 Deans Bridge Road. As you enter, there is an “L” shaped bar and three narrow rows of seating. Liddy’s serves classic food like burgers, wings, pasta, and more. Liddy’s will be open in the afternoons and evenings from Wednesday through Sunday. Ms. Roland wins a $50 gift card from Augustino’s for

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Neil Gordon August 18, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Retailer adds 3rd location in CSRA

A children’s boutique is building out a new store in an adjacent neighborhood with three schools. Posh Tots Children’s Boutique will be moving into a new space next to Swank, a boutique focused on women as the target audience. Both boutiques are owned by the Bassali family and serve the Greenbrier School District and other areas of Evans. Swank and Posh Tots also have individual spaces in a different shopping center outside of West Lake in Martinez. The center was developed by the Bassali family. Posh Tots’ original location remains

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Neil Gordon August 17, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Back to School Househunting

It’s back-to-school time and a good time to save money on a home purchase in the CSRA. In today’s real estate roundup, Broker John DeFoor from DeFoor Realty in Appling explains why there is more room to negotiate. https://d4realty.com/back-to-school-home-hunting-navigating-the-late-summer-real-estate-market-in-columbia-county-ga/

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John DeFoor August 14, 2026 No Comments
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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Dana Lynn McIntyre August 14, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

$17.9 million up for grabs for CSRA companies

While the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is soliciting input on road projects for east-central Georgia, the City of Augusta and Accelerate Augusta have teamed up to help small businesses reap financial benefits from the projects. A key meeting is set for next Thursday. The State Supported Funding Program (SSFP) Workshop will connect local businesses, contractors, consultants, and service providers with GDOT contracting opportunities. It was organized by Dr. Yolanda Jackson, the city’s Compliance Director. “The exciting thing about it is it doesn’t require the local businesses to have any

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Dana Lynn McIntyre August 13, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Music, games, and how businesses benefit

USCA is preparing to kick off its new academic year with the return of a downtown party. The marketing arm of downtown Aiken businesses is providing an extra push, while students will soak up good times and good job opportunities. The second annual Downtown Takedown is set for August 22 from 5-9 p.m. Aug. 22 on Newberry Street in Downtown Aiken. The event is co-sponsored by USCA and the Aiken Downtown Development Association. “The hope was that our students, our faculty, our staff, along with our community, could come together

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Dana Lynn McIntyre August 11, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Here’s where the job gains are!

Last week, I reported employment fell in the first six months of the year, but which industries bucked the trend in the Augusta area? Five industries saw employment rise over the last six months. The biggest increase, maybe surprisingly, was in “other services,” which added 955 jobs. This was closely followed by private education and health care services, which added 886 jobs.  Government jobs were up by over 500, with the gains being equally shared between state and local government. Retail added over 300 jobs, and manufacturing added 100.  Large

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor August 11, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

International bakery to open in CSRA

Paris Baguette is set to compete with any donut shop, coffee bar, cake shop, sandwich café, and supermarket bakery in the Augusta/Aiken area. The brand was founded and built in Seoul, South Korea, and is all things baked goods for everyone. When the first one opens in Evans later this year, you’ll have your choice of breads, donuts, breakfast sandwiches, lunch salads, wraps, and sandwiches. Paris Baguette also offers about 20 specialty cakes for every occasion. The first bakery will open next to the Cava restaurant in front of the

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Neil Gordon August 10, 2026 No Comments
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