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Consumer Stories
Awards/Celebrations

One-on-one with CEO of legacy company

Publisher’s Note: Sig Cox is beginning its 100th year in Augusta as a trusted leader in HVAC service and sales. In a wide-ranging interview, I speak with CEO Jeff Miller on their legacy of doing things the right way, company growth, and what’s planned in 2026. ABD: Jeff, when you bought Sig Cox, how much did you know about the company’s history? JM: We knew it was one of the top companies in Augusta, but really didn’t know the history. When we went through the due diligence period, we learned

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Neil Gordon January 20, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

How to Be a Smarter Consumer of Healthcare in the CSRA

As a local health insurance consultant with more than 12 years in the industry, 80 employer clients, and 1000+ lives on the individual and Medicare market, I have seen a dramatic shift in the healthcare space over the last few years.  Our local healthcare market and industry are changing.  We, as consumers and consultants, need to make some adjustments in order to keep up. When people buy a TV, they research features, compare prices, and look for reviews. When they buy a car, they negotiate, shop around, and rarely pay

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Tom Mastny, President, The Pennant Group January 16, 2026 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

Kicking off the next 50 years protecting consumers

The South Carolina office tasked with protecting businesses and individuals from fraud and scams is reflecting on its golden anniversary. The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) was created on Jan. 1, 1975. The South Carolina Consumer Protection Code established it. Its mandate is to create a healthy marketplace through education, complaint mediation services, regulatory filings, and guidance for identity theft victims. As part of the agency’s outreach programs, it has kicked off a new series of “Wednesday Webinars.” “Education is a core component of our mission,” explained Carri

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Dana Lynn McIntyre January 15, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

McMaster releases his final budget to put more $$ in taxpayer pockets

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster laid out his fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. He was joined by Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. The plan included many of the themes that have been a hallmark for McMaster, such as reducing the state income tax and improving teacher pay. Just five years ago, South Carolina had the highest personal income tax rate in the southeast at 7%. McMaster pushed to have it lowered incrementally to its current 6%. He proposes dropping it to 5.9% and continuing to reduce it with the goal of eliminating

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Dana Lynn McIntyre January 14, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Major manufacturer in CSRA pledges to help future biz leaders

Aurubis Richmond is the newest company to open a storefront at Junior Achievement’s Discovery Center in Evans. Aurubis is one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. The company processes complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and metal-bearing recycling materials into metals from the Augusta Corporate Park in South Augusta. This marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to education and community engagement. “This initiative reflects Aurubis Richmond’s belief that business and community must work together to prepare the next generation for success,” said David Schultheis, President of Aurubis Richmond. Aurubis

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Neil Gordon January 14, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Record Employment in CSRA

New records were set in four employment sectors for the end of 2025, including a few traditionally strong areas in the CSRA. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the long-awaited Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) employment data for October and November last week. There was little change in the total employment in the Augusta MSA, up 200 persons over the two months to stand at 248,800. Education and health services added 100 jobs in October and 40 in November to stand at 38,195, a record. Like the national economy, this sector

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

Enviropro360: Facility Managers take note

January is National Radon Month with an emphasis on testing buildings and raise awareness about invisible lung cancer. Click read more to see if your building is one that should be tested.

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Joseph Galpin, EnviroPro 360 January 12, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Augusta area legislator pushes for more $$ in our paychecks

Georgia lawmakers are returning to Atlanta for the opening of the 2026 Legislative session. The House will be gaveled into session at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Democratic Senator Harold Jones represents Georgia’s 22nd Senate District, covering Augusta and parts of Richmond County, Georgia, as the Minority Leader in the Georgia Senate, told ABD he expects reducing or eliminating the personal income tax will be one of the session’s key issues. “Other than that, things have been kind of quiet as far as what the major issues are going to be out there,”

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Dana Lynn McIntyre January 12, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Brinks Tavern launches catering and business lunch delivery after 4 months

It is a New Year with new initiatives for Ed and Mickie DeFelice and the rest of the team at Brinkley’s Restaurant Group in North Augusta. Now that the upscale sports bar is established in the new Beacon Bluff Center at 200 Georgia Avenue, the operators are setting their sights on outreach to the community with the launch of business lunch deliveries and catering. This reporter and his photographer wife, Melissa, enjoyed a New Year’s lunch sampling a number of small plates, entrees, and desserts. The ambience had something for

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Neil Gordon January 8, 2026 No Comments
Closings

Augusta Food Retailer Closes Store; Relocates HQ to Florida

It’s been a “nutty 13-year run” for the Kyzers in the CSRA. A few years ago, they moved their family to Florida’s coast just south of Savannah. Now, they’ve moved their headquarters and bakery to the beach. Watanut will still have a big presence in the CSRA. The store at 3309 Washington Road in Martinez closed on December 31, 2025. The Kyzers began their roasted nut and baked shortbread gift business on Jones Street in Augusta, moved to Walton’s Corner, and then to Washington Road.  Handmade daily to order, all

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Neil Gordon January 8, 2026 No Comments
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