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Consumer Stories
B2B Stories

March Mini-MBA: Good Service vs. Bad Service

Publisher’s Note: There are so many reasons to love what Chick-fil-A does. The Gordons go to the Mullins Crossing location weekly. I found this photo from 2 years ago! From the time I get “in line” until I have the food, it’s maybe 10 minutes! Great food. Great service. Every time. RICK: As consumers visiting an establishment for a service, we often find ourselves waiting in line. Whether it is at a drive-thru for a fast food restaurant, placing an order at a fast casual restaurant, checking out at the

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Dr. Rick Franza, Professor, AU Hull College of Business March 26, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

The Indomitable Spirit of Humankind

Publisher’s Note: Israel Ayettey was away at school in Macon when Hurricane Helene ripped through the CSRA. Here is his guest column on the spirit of our neighbors called “The Indomitable Spirit of Humankind.” The wind howled through Augusta that night, rattling windows and uprooting trees like weeds in a garden. It was a night that we, the residents of Augusta, will never forget as long as we live.  When the sun rose, so did our sorrows as we looked around at the destruction left behind. I’ll never forget seeing

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Guest Column by Israel Ayettey March 26, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA bank brings in legendary golfer for clinic next week

A World Golf Hall of Famer will be at Jones Creek Country Club early next week to lead a clinic for children learning the game of golf. Annika Sorenstam is returning to Augusta on behalf of Bank of America and its Golf with Us in partnership with Youth on Course to expand affordable access to golf nationwide. Please note: This clinic is not open to the public.  These photos of the 72-time tour winner were taken by ABD at the 2023 event. Sorenstam and the golfers below will be helping

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Neil Gordon March 25, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Developing the next generation of cyber employees

Companies based in the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (GCITC) welcomed 100 middle school students to the campus for Cyber Georgia STEMFest 2026. STEMFest, in partnership with the Cyber Fusion Innovation Center (CFIC), brings students from across Georgia for a day of science, technology, engineering, math, and cyber activities. It is to help students explore career pathways available in their future. “We’re thrilled to welcome students back to the Georgia Cyber Center for another unforgettable day of discovery, problem-solving, and creativity. STEMFest plays an important role in introducing young

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 25, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Employment summit for students with challenges

Nearly two dozen businesses teamed up with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SC DEW) for an employment summit for a unique group of students at USCA. The event was for students in the university’s LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) program. It is a college program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. It is in its third year of helping the students. “They spend two to four years with us in the program, learning skills in academics, independent living, like cooking and cleaning safely, as well as social

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Dana Lynn McIntyre March 24, 2026 No Comments
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
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