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Consumer Stories
Consumer Stories

Interesting Grand Opening for Dessert Shop

ABD first told you about plans for Paris Baguette to open sweet shops in Evans and Aiken, and now the first store is open. The Evans location next to the Cava Mediterranean food restaurant is open. Parking could be a challenge for both of those popular eateries in front of Mullins Colony on Washington Road in Evans. Some patrons may need to park in the shopping center and walk over. Thanks to members of Let’s Talk Augusta and Augusta Business Connection for first posting photos and word of the opening.

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Neil Gordon October 15, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Nuclear science and the workforce step into the local spotlight next week

A local leader said this region is positioned to become a leader in the nuclear industry, both nationally and worldwide. It involves mission growth at SRS and the decision by Antares Industries, a California-based company that specializes in SMRs, to open an office in Aiken. A weeklong slate of events highlighting one of the region’s largest industries kicks off on Mon., Oct. 19. The annual Nuclear Science Week theme this year is “Exploring Careers, Education, and Workforce Opportunities.” The activities are coordinated by the Nuclear Workforce Initiative (NWI), Workforce Opportunities

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Dana Lynn McIntyre October 15, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local companies spark Halloween event

A local realtor and sweet shop from a merchants association are excited to announce the lineup for a huge annual “fun-raiser.” DEFOOR Realty and Main Street Treats are leading the way at the Trick or Treat festival on Main Street in Harlem on Thursday, October 29th. The event is part of the Spooky To Be Hungry event to generate non-perishable food for organizations like the Fishes and Loaves Food Bank and The Golden Harvest Bank. The cost of admission is a canned good. The drop-off point is at the Harlem

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Neil Gordon October 14, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Job earnings up 13% in Augusta!

Our paychecks are far out-pacing inflation in Augusta. It’s not even close. Employment has grown by 100 since August 2025, and the unemployment rate has fallen from 4.2% to 3.9%. The unemployment rate is the lowest since March 2024. The labor force, those in work and those seeking work, has grown by almost 6,000 people in the last year.  Hours worked is the only labor market variable that decreased from August 2026, down 6 minutes. Average weekly earnings in the private sector increased by $153 from August 2025 to a

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor October 13, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

AI takes aim at manufacturing jobs

The Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (GCITC) hosted a 53-foot mobile center combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing technology. This marked a return visit by the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) and Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM). The mobile studio invited students and professionals to have firsthand experience with the latest technology.  “What we’re trying to do today is expose those that are seeking jobs in the manufacturing industry, especially in advanced manufacturing,” GCITC executive director Eric Toler explained for ABD. “Show them how AI

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Dana Lynn McIntyre October 13, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Guest Column: Augusta area congressman steps into manufacturing issue

Publisher’s Note: Great Dane is trying to protect its company and local jobs. They transport products to and from companies in the CSRA. Recently, Congressman Rick Allen took action to protect Great Dane and others in the trailer industry. The following is a letter from Great Dane, a Statesboro-based trailer manufacturer. The trailer industry plays a central role in transporting everyday items like food, medication, and other essential products to citizens across the country. More than 10,000 Americans work in this industry, which supports an additional 50,000 jobs in the freight

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Chris Hammond, EVP, Great Dane October 13, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

TODAY is the deadline—Golden Arches for Golden Grant program

Many education employees are in school as part of a planning day today. Today’s the deadline to plan to possibly receive a grant of $2,500 to $5,000 from McDonald’s Golden Grant program. There are (9) of these grants available to support Augusta, Georgia, and South and North Carolina schools, Augusta-area K-12 schools, youth sports leagues, and nonprofits focused on mentorship and literacy.  “As a local McDonald’s Owner/Operator, I am thrilled to bring the McDonald’s Golden Grants Program to the Carolinas,” said McDonald’s Owner/Operator, Josh Ranft. “Supporting the communities where we live

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Neil Gordon October 9, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

7th-year local company helping over the holidays

Tis’ the Season of Giving with the Hawk Law Group. You and your company can help by nominating a local family that could use some holiday cheer. Once families are selected, Lindsey McCullough (pictured above), Director of Marketing at Hawk Law, will take the wish lists and go shopping. “From gifts under the tree to help with everyday essentials, our goal is simple: take some of the weight off families who need it most,” said Lindsey. Season of Giving is our way of reminding our neighbors that our law group

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Neil Gordon October 9, 2026 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

Hammering Home Business Success: What We Can Learn from The Home Depot

We’re #1! When we say that in Georgia, it’s usually about sports teams like the Braves’ dominance in the NL East or the Georgia Bulldogs annually contending for football titles.   In 2026, Area Development magazine ranked Georgia the #1 state for business for the 13th year in a row. In addition, we recently learned that Georgia is also the home of the #1 business in the country using one very important metric.   The Home Depot (traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol HD) is the highest-returning

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Dr. Rick Franza, Professor, AU Hull College of Business October 8, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Planting a new course in the CSRA

Two years ago, Hurricane Helene wiped out almost half of the trees in the CSRA—and cost tens of millions of dollars.  A few groups are getting together to help area businesses and homeowners. The Grow Back Project is a collaboration with UGA, the Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA), regional partners and Georgia Power. CFCSRA president and CEO Shell Berry told ABD they could engage UGA’s expertise to bring resources to the average person who wants to replant or put trees back in their yard. “It will not only help

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Dana Lynn McIntyre October 8, 2026 No Comments
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