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B2B Stories

Rocking a $25,000 grant

Aiken Technical College has been selected for the third year in a row for the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). The $25,000 grant provides scholarships and student support for those enrolled in the college’s cybersecurity, computer technology, and CompTIA programs. Since 2023, Aiken Tech has been able to impact more than 200 students thanks to funding from MSI. “Thanks to the generous support and dynamic partnership of MSI, we successfully launched our inaugural Cyber Power Camp this summer, that provided middle and high school students with hands-on experience and insight

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Staff Report September 30, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Finally, some good news on the employment front

After three consecutive months of job losses, employment rose by 800 in August from July. July’s number was revised upwards by 1,100, although it was still lower than June. Professional and Business services saw the largest increase in employment in August, at over 550. Manufacturing also saw a small increase, and manufacturing employment is the highest since November 2024 at 24,085. The government sector saw large employment losses in August across all three levels of government. Federal employment fell by 200 and has fallen by 500, or 6%, since February,

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe September 30, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

A boost for the CSRA workforce pipeline

The University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) has signed an agreement with one of the region’s largest employers to support workforce development. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USCA and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions addresses the specific needs in the Information Technology (IT) and cybersecurity sectors. “SRNS is working to strengthen Computer Science opportunities for students in the CSRA. Providing internships and collaborative experiences helps facilitate opportunity and bolsters our workforce through youthful vision and talent,” said Dr. Sean Alford, SRNS Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer in the

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Dana Lynn McIntyre September 29, 2025 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

National award for workplace innovation

Savannah River Mission Completion’s (SRMC) small business program manager has been honored with national recognition for excellence in supply chain management. Ashley Hannah was named a Workplace Innovator as part of the 2025 Women in Supply Chain awards. The Women in Supply Chain award honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship, and examples set a foundation for women at all levels of a company’s supply chain network. As Small Business Program Manager, Hannah is responsible for strategic planning and direction of the small business program and developing a diverse, qualified supplier

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Staff Report September 29, 2025 No Comments
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
Consumer Stories

Award-winning Helene response

Friday, September 27, 2024, was not business as usual. In almost every neighborhood in the CSRA, there were signs of destruction after Hurricane Helene blew through in the early morning hours. Helene left her mark by dumping as much as 13 inches of rain, equivalent to a once-in-500-year occurrence in many areas of Richmond, Columbia, Jefferson, Edgefield, and Saluda counties, and packing winds of 100 mph. Local tourism and hospitality lost millions of dollars from canceled events. The destruction left many business owners stuck in a maze of insurance-related uncertainties.

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Mitzi Oxford 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
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