Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

What happens after hiring an employee?

Much attention is given to the importance of education, training, and apprenticeships to build a workforce pipeline. After an individual is hired, another step comes into focus: mentoring. SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), a leader in providing experts, research, and advocacy on challenges in the current workplace, said mentorships can be “career-defining and life-changing” in shaping how mentees learn about their chosen field while also learning to network and nurture their career growth. However, SHRM finds mentorships benefit both groups involved. “Mentorship is a win-win situation,” says Adrienne Mitchell,

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Consumer Stories

Aiken County steps into the future of technology

Data centers are growing in size, location, and scope across the country, and Aiken County is feeling the impact. In late August 2024, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, announced it would build a center in Aiken County’s Sage Mill Industrial Park. Just three months later, Atlanta-based DC Blox said it would build a hyperscale edge node in North Augusta. Those centers are smaller and situated regionally to bring networking power closer to the end user. The North Augusta project is one of four announced by the

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Consumer Stories

10th Anniversary of Fun Business

A CSRA company is jumping into the New Year with 10th Anniversary celebrations. All Star Jumpers Party Rental is one of the leading providers of inflatable jumpers and party entertainment. The company has grown into a major special events business for birthdays, school events, corporate picnics, community festivals, and more. ASJP provides bounce houses, slides, obstacle courses, and interactive games. “We started with a simple goal: to create fun and memorable experiences for children and families. Over the years, we’ve expanded our services, improved our offerings, and built strong relationships.

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Consumer Stories

No Retail Room at the “Riverwood Inn”

100% of the existing buildings are now full at the shopping centers outside of Riverwood Plantation in Evans. Publix has more than half of the more than 100,000 square feet occupied between retail stores and out parcel properties at the intersection of Washington Road and William Few Parkway. Salt Interior and Design occupied the last space available recently, replacing a Taekwondo center. That business moved into a significantly larger space next to Rooted, a locally owned café. AR Workshop was the previous tenant next to Rooted. There are a few

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Residential Real Estate

Best of Real Talk Real Estate: Will Homes Finally Become Affordable in 2025?

Editor’s note: Welcome to a new year! Happy house hunting! As CSRA homeowners make changes after Helene and new potential homeowners move into the area, it seemed appropriate to repeat a column you might have missed about the potential of affordable homes in 2025. The question on everyone’s mind is whether 2025 will bring relief to homebuyers struggling with affordability. While recent fluctuations in mortgage rates have added uncertainty, many industry experts predict a gradual decline in rates next year. However, don’t expect rates to plummet too quickly. The powers

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Consumer Stories

A Dadventure unlike any other

Editor’s note: When Wes Hennings contributes to ABD, the topic usually revolves around Working for the Weekends and where you can take your kids for some fun and games. Today’s Dadventure is different. It’s a lifesaving trip he takes with his daughter.  You’re never prepared for your child to receive a devastating diagnosis. But it’s news we received before our daughter was even born. She would live her life facing Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a disease that until just a few years ago, was almost always deadly before the age of

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Consumer Stories

Second Round of Funding Underway for Helene Crisis Fund

The Community Foundation for the CSRA has entered the second phase of its Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund granting process. Since the storm’s aftermath, the Foundation has granted $2,803,500 to nonprofits that have worked on the front lines providing critical services and administering aid. The second phase of granting will continue to fund 20 counties, in both Georgia and South Carolina, that were impacted by Hurricane Helene.  During round two, the Foundation will expand its granting parameters to include not just 501(c)3 nonprofits, but also churches, civic organizations, and schools

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Consumer Stories

List pinpoints “hot” jobs in CSRA and the state

Georgia now has a tool identifying what are and will be, the most in-demand jobs to fill current openings and create a workforce pool for the future. Called “Georgia’s High Demand Career List’, it was approved by the State Workforce Development Board, according to a news release from Gov. Brian Kemp (R). “As the number one state to do business for over a decade, maintaining our competitive edge remains a top goal for my administration and our partners in the legislature,” said Kemp. “Georgia’s High Demand Career List is our

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Consumer Stories

Restaurant set to re-open after holiday car accident

The staff at an Evans restaurant got an unwanted Christmas gift on Christmas Eve. A driver careened into the side of the eatery, destroying the drive-thru window and causing significant damage to the adjacent kitchen. This week, remodelers hope to complete work on the Chicken Fingers Restaurant at the corner of Blue Ridge Drive and Evans to Locks Road. In the meantime, the restaurant is parking its food truck in front of their end cap unit. The Shoppes at Blue Ridge Center owners and property managers at Jordan Trotter Commercial

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Residential Real Estate

Best of Real Talk Real Estate: CSRA Real Estate Market Update: What’s Happening in Augusta and Surrounding Areas?

Publisher’s Note: A few months back, our resident Real Estate expert, Shawna Woodward looked into her crystal ball to share her insights on 2024. Here is the “best of” Real Talk Real Estate! If you’re following the real estate market in Augusta, GA, you know it’s been an eventful year. From shifting demand to fluctuating interest rates, buyers and sellers alike are navigating a changing landscape. Here’s a snapshot of the latest trends, insights, and what I expect to see as we move toward the end of 2024. Unfortunately, interest

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