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B2B Stories

Large layoff at CSRA Manufacturer while renovations get underway

183 skilled workers in food manufacturing will be out of a job as soon as November, while their employer tears down a portion of the plant and rebuilds. All will be able to file for unemployment insurance. FPL Food LLC announced yesterday its plan to modernize its 22-year-old beef processing facility at 1301 Old Savannah Road in Augusta. According to a news release, full operations are not expected to resume until early 2028. Cal Wray, President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority, met with the FPL Food CEO and founder

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Neil Gordon September 1, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Urban Asian Food in The Valley

The Black Lotus is known for urban Asian delicacies like its Surf N Turf and is also known for a food truck and a chef who brings an “hibachi-like” experience to the offices and homes of the CSRA. Next up, a brick-and-mortar restaurant opening within two weeks. “Let’s Talk Augusta” Facebook Group was the first to report that Black Lotus Urban Spice is opening its new take-out location at 515 Belvedere Clearwater Road off Highway 25 on September 12th with a special tasting from 1-8 P.M.  There may be a

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Neil Gordon September 1, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Low Hire and Low Fire in Augusta

As foreshadowed by the decline in the Augusta Leading Economic Index last week, employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area fell in July. Just not by much. No industry saw large job gains in July. Education and health services and professional and business services both saw employment increase by about 100. Retail lost 250 jobs, and government shed 300 jobs, spread over local and state employment. Other services lost 140 jobs. All other industries had job gains or losses of fewer than 60 jobs. This month is a good illustration

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor September 1, 2026 No Comments
B2B Podcasting

Dave’s Hot Chicken in Augusta

Around Masters time, Dave’s Hot Chicken opened just off Wheeler Road in the Augusta Exchange area. The franchisor and key employee were in town for the Grand Opening. They shared the “secret sauce” of their chicken tenders and how they juggle a number of different brands in Augusta and around the country. Thanks to the M3 Agency for hosting the video podcast in their new state-of-the-art studio.

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Neil Gordon August 31, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

DREAMS come true at Augusta University

Dozens of students at Augusta University (AU) have been awarded a scholarship just created by the state.  In total, up to $200,000 is being doled out to make life easier while carving out a career path. The DREAMS Scholarship is provided statewide. It is a need-based financial boost for students in the University System of Georgia (USG) and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). More than 440 AU students applied, and 69 were selected. The news release announcing the awards quoted Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who introduced the program.

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Dana Lynn McIntyre August 31, 2026 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

Prestigious Finance Media Brand Honors Credit Union

SRP Federal Credit Union’s philosophy is “People Helping People” in our communities. News travels fast outside of Georgia and South Carolina.  Forbes named SRPFU to its 2026 America’s Best-in-State (Georgia) Credit Unions list. Forbes is in partnership with Statista, a leading global provider of market data and industry rankings, and based their report on an independent survey of thousands of U.S. consumers, as well as publicly available reviews.  Financial institutions are evaluated based on key criteria including; customer satisfaction, trust, financial advice, digital services, terms and conditions, and member service.

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Neil Gordon August 28, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA Aviation industry takes off with help of non-profit

Another class of this year’s Aviation Academy is one step closer to working in the aircraft space in the CSRA. The six-week Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta summer program takes students out of the classroom and into the field to learn about careers in aviation beyond pilot or flight attendant.  “They toured Daniel Field. They toured the hangars. They spoke to the people who do the jobs, the people that fly, the people that do the maintenance techs, the people that do the scheduling,” Andrew Conner, the club’s

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Dana Lynn McIntyre August 27, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: CSRA home construction going “through the roof”

Construction permits to build homes in Augusta are at a 15-month high! Residential construction permits in June increased slightly and are at the highest level since March 2025. More than 300 permits have been pulled each month since February 2026, compared to just 4 months over the whole of 2025.  Other indicators had a positive June. The Dow Jones Industrial Average continued its climb on the back of strong quarterly profits for firms. Inflation in the South declined to 3.2% from 3.9% in May despite higher oil and gas prices. 

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor August 25, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA program addresses construction needs

The construction business is booming in Augusta, and companies need help. That’s where Construction Ready and the Home Builders Institute (HBI) come in to offer a pre-apprenticeship training program in Augusta.  This year’s efforts are wrapping up on September 9th after an eight-week construction education program.  Participants are receiving hands-on training, earning credentials, and getting connected directly to job placement opportunities upon completion.  There is a high need for skilled workers across Georgia as more workers are retiring than entering the workforce. Closing this “skills gap” and educating more people

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Neil Gordon August 25, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Evans Fitness sells club to Atlanta area leader; expansion plans

Evans Fitness is now Fitness2020 with major expansion plans in the CSRA. Letters went out to the thousands of members last week. Clients will be grandfathered into Fitness2020’s Elite membership at no extra cost. Evans members will be able to use facilities at the McDonough, Smyrna, East Lake, and other locations. Fitness2020 made two major announcements in its communication with members. “Your 60,000 sq ft club in Evans will be receiving $2 million in renovations and brand-new equipment, elevating the facility even further while keeping the strong community and training experience

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Neil Gordon August 24, 2026 No Comments
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