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Consumer Stories
B2B Stories

CSRA Businesses Focus on Finding the Future for Students

Just as ABD reported on North Augusta’s presentation for bridging the gap between business needs through apprentice programs, comes an expo sponsored by the Columbia County Chamber Foundation and the Columbia County School District. The goals for both are very aligned with CSRA employment needs. The expo focuses on exposing parents and students to career opportunities for the future. The initiative will align the educational, technical, and trade sectors with the businesses, showing parents and students the pathways to obtain a future quality career. Each company will list the main

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Staff Report February 13, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Downtown Bouncing Back with Big Event

It hasn’t been an easy year for downtown Augusta businesses, but they are working to put the lost revenue from Hurricane Helene and a rare winter storm behind them and move forward. An upcoming event, Downtown Get Down, hopes to be the kickstart for a better 2025. “It’s the 2nd year for this event and the start of fundraising for the new year to increase visibility for small businesses and bring more people downtown to support them,” explained Downtown Soul City Director, John Porter. This year’s event features a casino

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Mitzi Oxford February 10, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Job Jolts in the CSRA/Georgia

The Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) ended the year with another record employment level. In December, there were 248,400 people employed in the area, the highest on record. Six months in 2025 had record employment, and nine months saw month-on-month employment growth. It may have been ten without Hurricane Helene. Over the year, employment grew by 2,800, or 1.1%. One of my favorite podcasts is a BBC show called More or Less. They like to ask, “Is that a big number?,” in other words, what is the context or comparison?

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe February 10, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Shopping Center Opens

A new West Augusta Shopping Center is off to a solid start with three retailers open and three other leases signed. Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate already has about 50% of the square footage leased. Super Bowl Sunday provided a big boost to Baldino’s, a popular sub sandwich shop occupying the first spot in the center to the right. The center is at 110 Davis Road, directly across from the West Town Shopping Center at the corner of Davis and Washington Road. The other two businesses open to the far

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Neil Gordon February 9, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

BAM Grand Opening Announced for New Location

For those who love books and love to read, the timing of Books-A-Million’s (BAM) grand opening couldn’t be more perfect. February 14, Valentine’s Day, has been announced for the Grand Opening in the new location at Hitchcock Plaza. After several weeks of social media buzz and media outlet speculation regarding a potential new location for Aiken’s BAM, ABD confirmed on January 27 that the bookstore would be opening at 243 Fabian Drive in Hitchcock Plaza. United Properties Corporation (UPC) based in East Meadow, New York owns shopping centers across Long

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Mitzi Oxford February 6, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA Restaurant Partners with Salvation Army for Donations

Wife Saver Restaurant on North Leg Road can save you a night of cooking but they are also saving donations for those in need at the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope. The Fresh Start Donation Drive is a month-long effort that aims to ensure individuals and families experiencing homelessness have access to basic hygiene items necessary for maintaining health and dignity. Items needed include shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, lotion, and soap. “Access to basic hygiene products is critical for both health and self-confidence, especially for our clients who are working and

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Staff Report February 5, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

$4.9 million Manufacturing Training Collaborative

A trio of mobile advanced manufacturing labs that will bring critical workforce training resources to rural areas across South Carolina were unveiled this week. The event at the William H. “Billy” O’Dell Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence in Greenwood was the result of a unique collaborative initiative between Piedmont Technical College, Aiken Technical College, and Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. Funding for the mobile labs’ initiative came from a four-year, $4.9 million Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant provided by the U.S. Department of Labor. The purpose of the grant is to address

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Staff Report February 4, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

50th Anniversary of retailer

Publisher’s Note: I attended Friday’s grand opening and ribbon cut of the 97th Parker’s Kitchen in the Southeast and the 7th in the CSRA. It’s on Washington Road in Evans across from the Riverwood Shopping Center and convenience store competitor The Pumping Station (TPS). I spoke personally with founder Greg Parker about several business topics. The round numbers seem to be adding up. Revenues are approximately $1 Billion per year. Parker’s is planning to build 25 new stores in 2025 including their 100th. His goal for the Augusta market is

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Neil Gordon February 2, 2025 No Comments
Residential Real Estate

Real Talk Real Estate: Essential Home Maintenance Tips Everyone Should Know

Regular home maintenance is crucial for keeping your property in excellent condition and avoiding costly repairs down the line. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner, an experienced one, or renting a home, these practical tips will help you stay on top of essential tasks to maintain your properties’ best functionality. 1. Inspect and Clean Gutters In my experience clogged gutters are worse than not having them at all here in Augusta. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage, roof leaks, and foundation issues. Regularly clean your gutters and downspouts, especially during

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Shawna Woodward, Re/Max Reinvented Evans January 30, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

$30k Helene Help for the Arts

The Greater Augusta Arts Council awarded 51 local creatives with Hurricane Relief Micro-Grants through the C.R.E.A.T.I.V.E. Grant initiative. This program, led by the Council’s new Executive Director, Denise Tucker, provided critical support to artists impacted by Hurricane Helene. C.R.E.A.T.I.V.E. FUND (Creative Relief for Emergencies and Assistance) Individual Vital Empowerment was designed to provide support to CSRA Individual Member Artists as they re-imagine & rebuild during the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Micro-Grants of $500-$1000 were distributed to support costs associated with replacing supplies or a lost gig during this time. The $30,000

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Staff Report January 28, 2025 No Comments
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