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Simon Says: Mixed Economy

Inflation went up nearly 4% in the latest Economic Index report. There are some positive highlights as well. The Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) increased 0.3 percent in May and is 0.1 percent higher than in May 2025. It has been a while since I updated the Augusta LEI because the Bureau of Labor Statistics has stopped publishing monthly job openings for states. Instead, the only monthly data on job openings is for the South census region, a geographic area stretching from Maryland and Delaware to Texas and Oklahoma. This

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor July 14, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

131 Home Development Planned

Sometime in the next few days, developers for the new Highland Springs neighborhood will put a sign in the ground letting drivers along Pleasant Home Road know what is happening. ABD has all of the key details. The subdivision is between Davis Road and Washington Road on the 400 block of Pleasant Home Road, next to Lakemont Presbyterian Church and Place at Martinez, a local nursing home. There has been no new residential construction in the Pleasant Home corridor since the 1990’s. Developers hope to pour slabs by the end

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Neil Gordon July 13, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Veteran CSRA broadcaster to help churches in new businesses

Cross Line Solutions is the name of the new technology company now providing two different types of broadcast equipment and training to help churches move into the video and streaming phase of their ministry. Small churches often lack staff or expertise with volunteers to manually operate several cameras and switching equipment. Krystal Alabaugh worked for 25 years in television production for WRDW News 12 and Watchmen Broadcasting TV 49, which provides Faith-based programming. Alabaugh helps train smaller churches on the use of robotic video cameras and other broadcast equipment. “It’s

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Neil Gordon July 10, 2026 No Comments
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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Dana Lynn McIntyre July 10, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

New arena begins to tower over 7th Street

The size of the new arena is taking shape off Telfair Street between 7th Street and 8th Street and completely changes the skyline. The new arena will be ten stories high, twice the height of the original James Brown Arena. It will be the length of three football fields and seat 10,500, substantially more than the old 7,000-seat capacity. “It’s going up fast. They’re doing a great job,” Brad Usry, chairman of the arena construction subcommittee of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority, told ABD. “We got 150 people working every

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Dana Lynn McIntyre July 9, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local basketball boosts economy

A few tournaments in the next few weeks will bring in big money and big crowds to the CSRA tourism trade. Currently, Nike is hosting the Nike Junior Championships, followed by the nationally renowned Nike Peach Jam. According to Destination Augusta and the Augusta Sports Council, 20,000 visitors are expected to stay at area hotels, dine, and shop while in town. For the entire month of July, tourism professionals in our area expect there to be more than $12 Million in economic impact.

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Neil Gordon July 8, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Employment Record in CSRA

Employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) set another record in May. Employment now stands at 254,600, the highest ever, and an increase of 400 from the previous record set in January and April. Employment is 1,100 higher than in May 2025. The largest employment gains were seen in professional and business services, up 160, and transportation and utilities, up 110. Local government also increased by about 90 workers and stands at over 22,000 employees for the first time since September 2017. Whether this is good or bad for

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor July 7, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New brick-and-mortar boutique opens

Forgive the ode to the 70’s era. Hey, hey, hey, they’re the monkees and they have a big kick-off sale in celebration of our 250th Birthday.  Monkees is an independent shopping brand across the country, and now Augusta has a store. HERE is a video from a bit of a model shoot showing the store in West Augusta. The store is located in the shopping center at 3626 Walton Way Extension at Wheeler, which includes stores like a café, an indoor golf simulator, non-profits, and more. They offer summer dresses

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Neil Gordon July 1, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Medical Facility more than doubles in size

A sports physician group in Evans is celebrating its move from one office to another in the same building. Last Thursday, Piedmont Physicians Sports Medicine Augusta celebrated the relocation of its offices within 465 North Belair Road. “The move allows us to continue to grow and see more patients comfortably,” said Robert Gambrell, M.D., board-certified and fellowship-trained sports medicine specialist at Piedmont Physicians Sports Medicine Augusta. Company leaders tell ABD Piedmont went from three to seven exam rooms, with an in-house x-ray set up. There is also a dedicated nurses’ station

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Neil Gordon June 30, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

The economics of FIFA and the World Cup

The World Cup is well underway, and as expected, India, the West Indies, England, and Australia are topping their groups as I write.  Oh sorry. That’s actually the women’s cricket World Cup happening right now in England. Most US-based sports fans are probably more aware of the soccer World Cup happening across the US, Canada, and Mexico. As the tournament heads into the knockout stages, the big guns of Germany, Argentina, Brazil, and (er, hum) the United States Men’s National Team (abbreviated USMNT for no reason, we don’t have GMNT

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor June 30, 2026 No Comments
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