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Consumer Stories
ABD Extra

Simon Says: Where do the numbers stand on income inequality?

Income inequality in the U.S. has been rising since 1980. However, the latest data for 2020 show a steep decline as shown in the chart below. The Gini index for the U.S. fell from 41.5 in 2019 to 39.7 in 2020. A value of 0 implies perfect equality and 100 implies perfect inequality. The decline probably represents the Covid checks and other support sent out by the federal government in 2020. Locally, county Gini estimates for 2021 show higher inequality. Columbia County had a Gini index of 41.9 and Richmond

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe June 26, 2023 No Comments
ABD Extra

Economic Update: Are you hungry?

We’ve got stories that will work up an appetite! Coach Dave Holdeman from The Alternative Board of the CSRA and Augusta Business Daily publisher, Neil Gordon talk about local entrepreneurs treading a path in the food business. Get to know the details on all that and more in this week’s economic update.

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Neil Gordon with Dave Holdeman June 26, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local restaurant owners request community support to stay afloat

In June 2022, Georgia Alexander opened a vegan restaurant in Augusta, but just one year later, she and her mother and co-owner, Diane Francis are struggling to keep the business afloat, thanks to mounting debts and rising food costs. Alexander and Francis own Soca Vegan Kitchen, which serves a variety of Trinidad-inspired dishes and is located at 630 Crane Creek Drive, Suite 103, near Sprouts Farmers Market. Alexander recently started a GoFundMe with a goal of raising $500,000. As of Friday, she had received 10 donations totaling $735. “We are

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Josh Heath June 25, 2023 No Comments
B2B Stories

Upscale restaurant serves made-from-scratch magic

He came from the land of “Leaf Peepers” aka Barrington, New Hampshire, and settled in the “Winter Colony” aka Aiken. The path to opening a restaurant was at the end of a long and winding road for Samuel O’Lone. “My degree is in theology. I worked for eight years at a food service company which taught me a lot about food, but not cooking, and then I worked in student housing in Athens, GA. My sisters were into riding and showing horses and they would come to Aiken during the

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Mitzi Oxford June 25, 2023 No Comments
B2B Podcasting

Davis Beman: What changes have businesses experienced since the pandemic?

As we know, the world has changed since the start of the decade. We take a look back at the economic panel discussion from ABD’s Conference and Expo in May as Davis Beman, principal of Beman Real Estate Company, responds to a question about how businesses should pivot and remain true to core values following the pandemic.

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Davis Beman June 22, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA lakefront home prices are not plunging

A new report published by Lake Homes Realty stated demand for lakefront property has surged this year, and at least one CSRA realtor told ABD she’s not surprised. The report is quoted as saying that lake lot listings have gone up by nearly $6 billion since February. “Lake home buyers know the market, trends and transactions, plus they detest inappropriately overpriced listings,” said Glenn S. Phillips, CEO and Chief Economic Analyst at Lake Homes Realty. “I still expect the 2023 transaction count to exceed 2022 by 10% to 15%. Increasing

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Mike Petchenik June 21, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

BEST OF RESTAURANT REVIEW: Business Lunch Review: Mosh Pit Eats

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”. Food

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Wes Hennings June 21, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Stressed out? There’s a Health Summit for that

Every part of running a business has the potential to stress you out and keep you up at night. Lack of sales, too much debt, issues with employees, and problems with equipment and operations can keep your brain in motion 24/7. It’s not physically or mentally healthy for you or your business. The Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce might have some advice for you as they wind up their Men in Business month with a Men’s Health Summit Brunch this Saturday, June 24, at 10:00 a.m. Business owners are

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Mitzi Oxford June 20, 2023 No Comments
B2B Stories

Gas and convenience chain expands in the CSRA

Edgefield, SC — GasPro, a leading fuel and convenience store chain headquartered in Grovetown, has opened two new locations in Johnston and Trenton. Formerly known as Billy’s gas stations, these modern GasPro stores are now fully operational and ready to fill up your car or truck tank with fuel and your personal tank with an array of food choices. GasPro offers all grades of gasoline and diesel. In addition to fuel, the stores have a wide selection of snacks, beverages, and accessories tailored to the needs of truckers. For busy

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Staff Report June 20, 2023 No Comments
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