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Consumer Stories
Consumer Stories

All-time high in employment

Georgia’s labor chief said the statewide job numbers are showing a major trend in the right direction. Augusta’s story is also a positive one. The Georgia Department of Labor said last Thursday that the Augusta metro area is seeing month-over-month job and employment growth, with an unemployment rate of 3.9% in March, down seven-tenths over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.9%.  “There’s no better way to mark Economic Development Week than with measurable results,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “With the state labor force and employment both reaching all-time highs and unemployment falling across all metro

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Neil Gordon May 12, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Best openings after graduation season

It is graduation time in our colleges, universities, and high schools, but which sectors are hiring? The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases monthly job openings for a variety of industries at the national level. The national job openings rate (job openings divided by job openings plus employment multiplied by 100) is 4.1% in March 2026, down from a peak of 7.5% in March 2022.  Healthcare and social assistance have the highest job opening rate at 5.4%, down from 9.4% in March 2022. Leisure and hospitality also has a job

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor May 12, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local H.R. Leader highlights burnout signs for professionals

A recent speaker told a North Augusta business audience that there is a fine line between resiliency and burnout. The age group most affected seemed to be a big surprise. Sally Roberts, a longtime human resource leader, said people, women in particular, seen as resilient often are praised. While resiliency can be a virtue, it can become problematic if it stems from working too long, too hard, and to the detriment of personal health. “You feel like you’re not accomplishing as much as you should. You’re not getting a lot

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Dana Lynn McIntyre May 11, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

The CSRA runs on Dunkin’ x 16!

The Patel family is opening its 16 th local Dunkin’ Donuts this Friday in Columbia County, and you’re invited to nab some free swag. Three Patel brothers, Sam, Peter, and A.J are holding the grand opening at 8 A.M., Friday, May 15th.  The address is 755 Point Bluff Parkway in Harlem, near Piedmont Prompt Care and a strip center featuring Jersey Mike’s. The first 100 guests will receive 100 days of free coffee. Team members will hand out Dunkin’ branded items, while a DJ plays some music and an artist

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Neil Gordon May 11, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

2 Business Groups tag team to provide some Saturday fun

Thanks to Rob Ashe of AdMAX Advertising and Don Lawrence of D.C. Lawrence Commercial Real Estate for letting ABD know about an event that launches at 9:30 tomorrow morning (Saturday). Admission is free. Expect to see 250 cars, including 1956 Chevys to late model street cars. Awards are given out at 12 noon, and the event will continue until 2 P.M. Goal is to raise $8k, with a generous portion of that going to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta. A check presentation will take place on stage.

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Neil Gordon May 8, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA coffee company takes command of helping local military families

A locally owned small business is partnering with an agency at the United Way of the CSRA (UWCSRA) to support veterans one cup of coffee at a time. Commander Coffee has created a bag of a custom blend coffee, with 20% of sales going to Mission United for the next several months. “I actually invited the staff from the United Way to come down here and do a tasting,” Commander Coffee owner Randy Bradum explained for ABD. “I curated a couple of blends that I thought would be good fits

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Dana Lynn McIntyre May 8, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business/Government collaboration provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

A two-day hunt at the Savannah River Site (SRS) created a lifetime of memories for 15 disabled hunters and their escorts during the SRS Ultimate Turkey Hunt. Made possible through the collaboration of the U.S Forest Service, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Outdoor Dream Foundation (ODF), this annual event provides a unique turkey hunting experience for disabled hunters from across the country. Participants and their escorts are given access to the Site’s pristine woodlands spanning 90,000 acres and brings people together

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Staff Report May 8, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Restaurant owners change concept

What was once a hybrid Chinese restaurant is now a Mexican spot in Evans. Pancho Villa Mexican Kitchen & Bar is now open at 301 North Belair Road in the former  Tasty Wings & Seafood and Eggroll Express West, and is across from Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar at Owens/Cox Road. Pancho Villa Mexican Restaurant is known for its authentic Mexican dishes—from sizzling fajitas and street-style tacos to house-made salsas and refreshing margaritas. Pancho Villa says it promises a lively, welcoming atmosphere perfect for family dinners or casual nights out.

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Neil Gordon May 7, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Transitioning “Brave-ly”: How to Recover from a Bad Stretch

Publisher’s Note: Yours truly is a bit of a **** yankee, though I am a diehard NY Mets fan in baseball. Our esteemed columnist, Dr. Rick Franza, is a huge Atlanta Braves fan. Our teams are going in different directions this year, with the Braves setting records—a far cry from the 2025 disappointing season. The Braves are mentally strong, and Dr. Franza gleaned some lessons learned for our businesses. Dr. Franza: Many fans and members of the media called for a major shakeup of the team before the start of

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Dr. Rick Franza, Professor, AU Hull College of Business May 7, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Major shopping center with anchor grocery store coming to CSRA

Thousands of parents and kids spend time each week at Patriots Park, and soon they can go food shopping and have lunch or dinner while there. An executive from a popular grocery store tells ABD about the latest on its possibilities to build in the center. Approximately 20 acres are being developed next to Patriots Park at the corner of William Few Parkway and Columbia Road. Columbia County officials say the developer is Mason Harrison Ratliff from Oklahoma. These are the plans drawn up by the sign company for Patriot’s

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Neil Gordon May 6, 2026 No Comments
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