Consumer Stories

B2B Stories

SPLOST project can help grow part of CSRA

Augusta-Richmond County Commissioners are preparing to finalize the list of projects for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) 9. The initial wish list of projects totaled more than one billion dollars. County Administrator Tameka Allen whittled it down to $426 million over seven years, and the tax will be collected. One of the projects that made Allen’s list would have a substantial impact on developing South Richmond County. The Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) is requesting $25 million to extend residential, commercial, and industrial sewer capacity through South Augusta.

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B2B Stories

Milestone set in quest for more CSRA Cyber professionals

More than 1,000 STEM students are one step closer to a career in Cyber-related fields. The recent class stepped into a larger venue in downtown Augusta to make room for the influx. 102 students are wrapping up their CyberPatriot advanced camp week on Friday. More than 100 others attended the standard camp course in late June. All told, more students have attended this basic CyberCamp in Augusta than anywhere else in the United States. The Alliance for Fort Gordon says it had to move this year’s camp to a larger

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B2B Stories

Augustan to lead organization contributing to $44 million arts industry

The nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $44.2 million industry in the Greater Augusta Area—one that supports 1,616 full-time equivalent jobs and generates $3.9 million in local and state government revenue. Whether it’s viewing paintings at Morris Museum of Art or taking in a concert at the Imperial Theatre, it pumps vital revenue into restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and other local businesses. The Augusta Symphony has been an important part of the arts scene for 71 years. They have a new Executive Director, Paige Tom, who is a familiar

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Awards/Celebrations

SRNS Small Business team racks up 5th award this year

A program manager at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) was recently named the Facility Management Contractor Small Business Program Manager of the Year by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). The award recognized SRNS Small Business Liaison Officer Lisa Tanner’s energetic and forward-thinking efforts in working with and advocating for small businesses. Members across federal and contractor teams were honored for their exceptional performance, which has made small businesses vital to the DOE’s mission success. In FY24, through her strategic initiatives and advocacy, Tanner

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B2B Stories

Out to pasture after running a successful business?

Imagine for a moment that your business contributes more than $70 million to the local economy, not to mention other support businesses that grow and reap the rewards in the entire CSRA. When you are ready to hang up the reins, what happens next? Aiken is horse country, and the real estate investments for horse farms, the events and visitors they attract, the trainers, farriers, veterinarians, and feed suppliers are all part of the economic equation. What happens to the retired thoroughbreds that provided years of excitement for the Aiken

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B2B Stories

Report showcases impact of AI and high tech on job market

The importance of being tech-savvy about cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is the focus of the latest report from the Georgia Chamber Foundation. Titled “Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” the Q2 report breaks down how the state’s economy will be impacted by AI, new technologies, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers. This is one of the five Prosperity Pillars in the Chamber’s Georgia/2050 strategic plan. The report found that STEM is a significant contribution to the innovation economy. It finds that Georgia has more than 2.1 million STEM

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Consumer Stories

Old-time mercantile store opens on “the hill”

A local shopping center is celebrating its 70th Anniversary by leasing to a retailer from an era gone by. This new store is in part of the old Comcast building in the Daniel Village Shopping Center. The shop offers a mixture of timeless antiques and decor along with wine, floral arrangements, and much more. It’s adjacent to Truist and Cadence banks. In recent years, Daniel Village has gotten a facelift and added restaurants like Sunrise Grill and retailers like Ace Hardware to complement anchor tenants Food Lion and Walgreens. As

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Consumer Stories

Health care break for CSRA businesses and consumers

Congress has passed H.R. 1, a major update that makes it easier than ever to access Direct Primary Care (DPC). Starting in January 2026, you’ll be able to use your Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for a DPC membership—removing a long-standing barrier for individuals and businesses alike. This change is a big win for patients who want more time, better communication, and consistent access to their doctor. It’s also a win for employers looking to improve workforce health and reduce long-term costs,” according to Welcome Health, a DPC provider

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Closings

Electronics superstore closes after 21 months in CSRA

Apparently, Best Buy is the best choice for electronics customers in Augusta. BrandsMart U.S.A., its across-the-street competitor, is selling off its display items and shutting its doors as soon as next week. It was confirmed by a store manager. The store celebrated its grand opening in October 2023. According to a press release back then, the 40,000-square-foot discount superstore carried thousands of products from brands like Samsung, LG, GE, Whirlpool, and Sony, with an emphasis on having the lowest prices on electronics in the market. It was the first Georgia

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B2B Stories

Zipping over the Savannah River

A plan by Destination Augusta to create a recreation facility along the Savannah River was approved by an Augusta-Richmond County Commission committee. Members of the Public Services Committee gave the green light for a proposed management and operations agreement with The Forge for the Outdoor Urban Adventure Center. The company operates a 300-acre adventure park in Lemont, Ill. “Finding the right group with the right vision to make this attraction a reality was the first step,” said Destination Augusta President & CEO Bennish Brown in a news release announcing the

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