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Consumer Stories
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Best and worst unemployment story for Augusta

The last bit of economic data for 2025 was just released for the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The unemployment rate has risen from 4.1% in September to 4.5% in December. This is the highest unemployment rate across the fourteen Georgia MSAs.  There may be a good reason why Augusta “finished last.” As I previously reported, the Augusta MSA had the largest increase in employment, and the rising unemployment rate may just reflect people entering the workforce to find jobs in a relatively strong economy.  This is borne out by

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor March 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Business support needed to train students for a great career

The North Augusta Chamber Foundation is tying one of its programs to the chamber’s 75th anniversary to help Aiken County students. The foundation is raising funds for the program that targets high school students to prepare them for a career after they graduate. The foundation’s Dell Tech program is a partnership with the Aiken County Public School District (ACPSD). It provides high school students with IT certification and hands-on experience. Isaac Kelly of Aiken Staffing Associates and chair of the foundation told ABD the program began in 2020 with North

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 23, 2026 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

Successful CSRA Businessman applauds non-profit who developed his skills

Tonight, Brad Usry of Fat Man’s Hospitality will be inducted into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame. He’s also a Hall of Fame inductee in the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame and is excited about the BG&C special anniversary this year. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta is celebrating 75 Years of serving local youth with a campaign called “A Promise Kept: 75 Years for Augusta’s Kids.”  Usry went to the Boys Club from 1970 to 1975 on Division Street near what is now the Kroc

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Neil Gordon March 19, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Former CSRA retail leader continues supporting the community

A foundation started by one of Augusta’s historic businesses is continuing to support leadership for non-profit organizations. The J. B. White Foundation, collaborating with the Community Foundation of the CSRA (CFCSRA), has launched the 2026 Capacity Building Cohort. This is the third year the initiative has brought together leaders from nonprofit organizations, particularly those that are small and new or emerging, to strengthen effectiveness, sustainability, and long-term community impact. “We accept 10 nonprofit leaders into it every year, and they spend the year with us doing professional development through trainings

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 18, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Internships and apprenticeships help drive local economic growth

An Aiken County manufacturer, undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion, uses its unique relationships to find trained employees. Representatives from Rolls-Royce Solutions America, formerly known as mtu, participated in a panel discussion sponsored by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce. Karson King, Mechanical Engineer, and A.J. Campbell, CNC Machine Operator, said working with schools like Aiken Technical College and USCA is vital during this period of growth. “Really getting to expand on our young workforce coming in. It’s going to help with skilled workers joining our workforce,” King told ABD. “We

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 17, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Why Transparency in Your Employee Benefits Program Is Essential

“Transparency” has become one of the most overused buzzwords in the Augusta area. It appears in business marketing materials, corporate mission statements, and political talking points. In many cases, it sounds good but doesn’t actually change much. In health insurance, however, transparency isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Healthcare costs continue to rise every year, and many employers feel like they have very little control over those increases. The truth is, the only way to understand what is actually driving healthcare costs—and how to manage them—is through transparency. Without clear

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Glenn Wilkins, Vice President March 16, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New retailer opening in Artist Row before Masters

Thalia & Company is opening in the lower left suite at 1022 Broad Street in downtown Augusta, joining Freshwater Design Company. (Photo from LoopNet real estate service prior to this new development) Thalia & Company is opening a residential interior design storefront.  The studio offers a curated selection of home goods and professional design services.  The shop features custom furnishings, thoughtfully selected décor, and wallpaper services through a partnership with Mai Wallpaper Lady.

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Neil Gordon March 16, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Major changes in DT Augusta begin this year, thanks to agencies’ collaboration

A portion of the 2017 tourism plan is progressing in 2026, thanks to “Augusta 2035: Blueprint for Action.” It is Augusta Tomorrow’s vision project to grow both Augusta and North Augusta with big input from Destination Augusta. Jennifer Bowen, Chief Strategy Officer, SVP, & Film Commissioner for Destination Augusta, told ABD they are excited about the plan. “We’ve had an opportunity, actually, to be involved in it from the very beginning,” she said. “Bennish (Brown, President and CEO of Destination Augusta) first had an opportunity to serve on the committee

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 16, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Two retailers opening in shopping center in Martinez

A clothing boutique and spa are moving into a popular shopping center on Furys Ferry Road near the Publix Supermarket.  Forevermore is replacing Garden City Pet in The Centre at Furys Ferry. Kennedy Nine Sammons, the boutique owner, is relocating to the Centre from a shopping center on South Belair Road and is currently doing a moving sale of her curated fashion pieces. Her business is a tribute to her late grandfather, who inspired her entrepreneurial spirit.  (See ABD’s second anniversary story from last August) Joining Forevermore is Face to Face

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Neil Gordon March 13, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Expanding hope in Augusta with your help!

Almost $15 million down and about $1 million to go. With your help, construction of a new Center of Hope can begin. The overall cost of the project is $15.7 million. To meet its goal, the Salvation Army has started the public phase of its Standing Together – Restoring Hope capital campaign. The Augusta chapter wants to replace the existing center, currently on Greene Street. It has been in use since 1974. At that time, homelessness in Augusta was predominantly a male issue. “Now we have more women and children

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 13, 2026 No Comments
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