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B2B Stories

Augusta Regional targets Midwest for new flight

Augusta Regional Airport leaders remain focused on bringing a third carrier to the Garden City and with that, service to the Windy City. Members of the Airline Service Committee of the Aviation Commission were updated by Airport Executive Director Herbert Judon, Jr. A highlight of his presentation was a plan to seek a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). The Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) is designed to help smaller communities address air service and airfare issues. He said this is the same grant the airport

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Dana Lynn McIntyre September 26, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

FREE training to meet demand in telecom industry

Skilled, certified tower technicians are critical in supporting the telecommunications industry. As 5G, broadband, and fiber projects expand and increase, so does the need for this workforce. “These projects allow employment for skilled tower technicians to build, upgrade, and maintain cell towers, antennas, and related equipment,” said Aiken Technical College Director of Continuing Education Athena Freeman. “The current pool of trained tower technicians is small and does not meet the demand.” To help address this workforce need, Aiken Tech is offering a certified tower technician course from October 13-25. The

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Staff Report September 24, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Signs Augusta’s Economy is Weakening

4 of the 5 key indicators of the CSRA’s economy are not where they should be. Hence, the Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) fell 0.6 percent in July from June. It remains 0.3 percent higher than July 2024. Of the five components in the LEI, only the Dow Jones Industrial Average improved. The two indicators of future labor market vitality declined. Initial claims for unemployment insurance increased by 20 percent, and job openings fell by 4.3 percent. We have already seen a weakening of the local labor market in recent

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe September 23, 2025 No Comments
B2B Podcasting

From Layoffs to Leadership: Erik Smith’s Faith Journey with Chick-fil-A

From time to time, ABD spots something we think is “must-see.” CSRA business owners, Robert Kelly from Augusta Staffing and Job Shop and Phillip Stanley from Brightworx Productions regularly host “Glory Stories” podcasts. Please be inspired by the humble beginnings of an owner/operator of a local Chick-fil-A restaurant, whose faith led the way to new heights.

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Glory Stories: Erik Smith, Chick-fil-A September 23, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Good Deeds: Supporting local nonprofits

The coffers of seven local nonprofit organizations are healthier following a contribution from a local financial institution. The funds are from Peach State Federal Credit Union (PSFCU) through a foundation it created several years ago. “The foundation accumulates money based on certain criteria,” Ed Presnell, Regional Business Executive for PSFCU, explained for ABD. “The foundation allows our volunteers, our advisory board members in each area, to choose charities that they want to donate to. We don’t choose them. So, each year we present checks.” Money is distributed to nonprofits across

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Dana Lynn McIntyre September 22, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Good Deeds: Rewarding future leader

2023 Spherion Franchisee of the Year Angela Swarts (in red) was happy to provide a difference to Aaron Hudson in the form of a $5,000 scholarship to help him at the Augusta Technical College and his transition to Augusta University. The Sandy Mazur Scholarship celebrates leadership, excellence, and the next generation of community leaders. “Sandy Mazur was the former President of Spherion Staffing LLC, my franchisor,” said Swarts, an Augusta franchisee since 1995.  “The owner community created the Sandy Mazur Leadership Scholarship in honor of her when she retired.  Every year, the

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Neil Gordon September 21, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New option for watching the Masters

Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, has announced that Amazon Prime Video will debut as a domestic broadcaster of the Masters Tournament next April. Prime Video will complement the live Tournament coverage by CBS Sports and ESPN annually. “Working alongside Amazon in this capacity is an exciting opportunity for the Masters Tournament and its fans,” said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National and the Masters Tournament. “We are proud of our longstanding partnerships with CBS Sports and ESPN, who have set the highest standard

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Staff Report September 19, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA construction project set to hire 4,000 workers

The Savannah River Site (SRS) is opening new early construction work fronts to accelerate building the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF), including an agreement with the Augusta Building and Trades Council. The construction is an effort to re-establish the nation’s capability to produce plutonium pits in support of sustainable nuclear deterrence, according to the SRS. “It’s amazing to see the scale and urgency at which dirt is moving around the SRPPF worksite with the early site preparation scopes in progress,” said Jeff Griffin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Savannah

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Staff Report September 18, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Hungry college students get help

The Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA) and Golden Harvest Food Bank are continuing their partnership to attack food insecurity head-on on a local college campus. The Knights Corner Food Pantry opened in Aiken Technical College’s Student Activities building in the fall of 2024. That anniversary was celebrated during a recent open house. A study by the Government Accountability Office found that 3.8 million college students, that’s an estimated 23%, face food insecurity. Of that number, 2.2 million are classified as very low food security, meaning they often skip meals

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Dana Lynn McIntyre September 18, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Third value-based retail chain store opening in CSRA

If you’re shopping for a bargain, a store with most items priced below $5 will open this Friday, September 19, in Augusta. Five Below is set to open its newest location in the space formerly occupied by Party City in the Augusta Exchange Shopping Center, 249 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Pkwy. The Augusta Exchange store is the third in the area. A Five Below is located in Mullins Crossing in Evans and in Aiken at the Aiken Exchange, 2529 Whiskey Rd. Suite 415. It’s described as a trendy store for

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Staff Report September 17, 2025 No Comments
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