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Consumer Stories
B2B Stories

Health Insurance Is Not Health Care — What Augusta/Aiken Employers Should Be Thinking as Renewal Season Never Ends

As CSRA health insurance consultants, our historically heaviest renewal period has always been January 1. While that date is still the most common, we are increasingly seeing renewals spread more evenly throughout the year. Today, the most popular renewal dates are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 — what many in the industry now refer to as the “quarter system.” So, how can these opportunities make a difference? We’ve just come out of a busy renewal cycle and are already heading toward the next one. That reality

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Tom Mastny, CEO, The Pennant Group, Augusta February 13, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

CSRA retailer expands on Georgia Avenue

There are not many things that go better with ice cream than children with their favorite toys! The Orange Otter Toy Store just expanded on Georgia Avenue and moved its store just a few blocks away, and close to a North Augusta family tradition.  They were in the same center as South State Bank and adjacent to Gary’s Hamburgers on Georgia Avenue. Orange Otter is now next to the Pink Dipper ice cream shop at 507 Georgia Avenue. Aubrey Hickson, store owner, says the new location is 1600 square feet

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Neil Gordon February 13, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local business to help teach nonprofit clients online safety

An organization known for helping patients with neurological challenges has added classes to develop more than its clients’ physical needs. Day One Fitness, located in Beech Island, provides personalized physical development programs for individuals with challenges ranging from Parkinson’s Disease to stroke recovery. Thanks to a suggestion from a volunteer, it also offers classes on other topics.  “She came to me, and she said, ‘Hey, the people that have been coming are just so hungry for information, and there’s just so much that we don’t know,’” Executive Director Danielle Williams

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 13, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Changes at local food and entertainment complex

John Hyder is about to demolish this part of his multi-purpose property that he opened 28 years ago. He’s a serial entrepreneur and is planning his 3rd act. His miniature golf course was part of a unique business model that featured the South on Whiskey Event Venue and JC’s Seafood on his several-acre property at 3197 Whiskey Road in Aiken. Those two businesses will remain open. Over the weekend, Hyder made the announcement on his personal Facebook page, and it sparked about 100 comments. “We would like to sincerely thank

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Neil Gordon February 11, 2026 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

Augusta Businessman recognized as Scouts begin new year

The Georgia-Carolina Council Scouting America held its annual campaign kickoff and named this year’s Distinguished Citizen Award winner. Donnie Thompson, owner of several businesses, most notably Windsor Fine Jewelers, was chosen by previous award winners to be recognized this year.  Thompson, who thanked the council and his predecessors, was introduced by Andy Jones, owner of the Gerald Jones Auto Group. Jones said Thompson embodies the spirit of scouting by being helpful, kind, and generous. “Generosity isn’t just about money,” said Jones. “It’s your talents, your energy, and your heart, and

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Dana Lynn McIntyre February 10, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

65 jobs and $17 million in CSRA Economic Deal

A county on the southern fringe of the CSRA is welcoming a new company. Preciball USA designs and manufactures precision and industrial balls for industrial use. The company’s products are used in applications such as bearings, pumps, valves, swivel joints, and more. Preciball USA’s primary offices, which will remain open, are located in Pooler. “Our new high-precision manufacturing facility will complement our existing distribution operations and offer fully integrated, end-to-end domestic production to serve customers across an array of industries,” said Don Peak, Executive Vice President of Preciball USA. “We are

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Staff Report February 10, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Augusta job growth vs. other Georgia cities

Publisher’s Notes: Last week, yours truly jumped the gun, and my headline undersold how good Augusta’s labor market is. “Augusta is growing jobs at a faster rate than most Georgia cities.” As Simon writes this week, the news is much better: SIMON: This week, I DO compare job growth to other cities (metropolitan statistical areas, MSAs) and job growth last year in Augusta was faster than ALL other Georgia cities. Only four MSAs had positive job growth in 2025: Augusta, Brunswick, Columbus, and Savannah. Four MSAs saw large job losses:

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor February 10, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Wingstop adds another location

Super Bowl Sunday was a huge day for Wingstop in the CSRA. The chicken franchise is growing again and adding a new location in the same plaza as Jimmy John’s and Fresh Market. They are building out a store at a shopping center at 1408 Whiskey Road in Aiken. Hungry folks will have a choice of classic and boneless wings with signature flavors like Lemon Pepper, Cajun, and Hickory Smoked BBQ. Wingstop is closing in on 10 locations in Richmond, Columbia, and Aiken counties. Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate represented Wingstop.

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Neil Gordon February 9, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

$1 million Beautification Project

Trees are an integral component of Aiken’s charm, and the organization protecting them just received a major infusion of money. Rob Johnston, a well-known local philanthropist, donated one million dollars to the Aiken Streetscapes Fund held by the Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA). The money will be used to fund the Oak Wilt Response program. “Oak Wilt is a serious and often fatal fungal disease affecting oak trees,” said Darce Stoker, Executive Director of Aiken Streetscapes. “Approximately 22 water oaks along Charleston Street have been identified as infected. In

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Neil Gordon February 9, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Death at Georgia hospital should cause concern in the CSRA medical community

With the Augusta VA, especially area hospitals and healthcare service providers in the CSRA—testing is critical to prevent major illnesses and even deaths. Joseph Galpin from Enviro Pro 360 explains. https://enviropro360.com/blog/legionella-testing/a-wake-up-call-for-georgia-facilities-what-the-atlanta-va-legionella-case-means-for-you/

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Joseph Galpin, EnviroPro 360 February 6, 2026 No Comments
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