Consumer Stories

B2B Stories

Bigger commitment to boost workforce training

The education and training needed to create a skilled workforce remain a top priority in Georgia. Gov. Brian Kemp (R) recently announced a change to the College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI), which is the state’s accountability system for schools. The changes, scheduled to take effect in 2025, are designed to promote high-demand career pathways, those that are aligned with an in-demand industry. “As the No. 1 state in the nation to do business, we have to prepare Georgians for the unprecedented opportunities coming our way, by equipping students

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B2B Stories

Columbia County Chamber touts new workforce development center

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced a new center targeting workforce development, and the Columbia County Chamber is ready to tap into it. The Center for Workforce and Talent Preparedness was announced on Jan. 10 at the annual Eggs and Issues breakfast. “This new strategic initiative was created to lead the state through an unprecedented talent transformation,” said Daniela Perry, Vice President of the Georgia Chamber Foundation in a news release announcing the center. “Talent continues to be the number one issue facing our members. The Center for Workforce and

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Consumer Stories

Elections in movies

This week, Monday night to be exact, saw the Iowa’s Presidential Caucuses, which commence the 2024 election cycle (incidentally, taking place during the height of Hollywood’s own campaign season). Election nights feel somewhat like movies for the politically or socially intrigued: with results painting a picture of a shifting people while revealing strengths and weaknesses in candidates. 2020 felt more like an HBO Miniseries that wouldn’t end. Nevertheless, there are many movies where elections serve as a driving motivator for characters, a climax, or a chance to thwart the direction

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B2B Stories

Georgia to follow suit in healthcare changes?

A recent change in a South Carolina law is credited with opening the door for a new, multi-million dollar healthcare facility in North Augusta. Now, Georgia is considering a similar change. The change was cited during Friday’s announcement of a new multispecialty clinic being developed by Augusta Oncology in the former Medac Building on Bluff Avenue. “That begins with the Lieutenant Governor and the legislators that you see behind me,” said Brett Brannon, President and CEO of Palmetto Peach Development, which is preparing the building. “Without their efforts over many

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B2B Stories

Medical/Economic partnership to create 250 jobs

An 8% increase in cancer patients over the last two years at Augusta Oncology Multispecialty Clinic is leading to a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center in the former Medac Building on Bluff Ave. A partnership with AOMSC, Coronis Health, and Palmetto Peach Development was announced there Friday afternoon in North Augusta. Medac, a medical billing company, opened in 2015. When Coronis acquired Medac, Brett Brannon (pictured at far left) saw an opportunity. He’s President of Palmetto Peach Development and also chairman of the board of the non-profit North Augusta Forward, which

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B2B Stories

Major investment in electric buses and training

Students in the Richmond County School System will benefit from a $1 billion federal investment in clean energy buses, while Goodwill prepares to train the workforce needed to support the electric vehicle industry. In a news release, Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga) and Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Michael Regan said the money is through Warnock’s Clean Commute for Kids Act that was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The bulk of the money, nearly $60 million, will go toward funding 25 of the buses for RCSS, along with buses for

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B2B Stories

Major project at Savannah River Site will create 1,000’s of jobs

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) continues to lay the groundwork to be ready to resume Pit production on-site by 2035. The immediate need will be to staff the Plutonium (PU) Modernization Program. Those individuals will develop and train the workforce needed for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF). The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) approved the Workforce Development Program Plan opening the way for scholarships to cover educational and training at area colleges and universities. “SRNS has recognized the need to engage in workforce planning for the plutonium pit

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Consumer Stories

Maestro should be about Leonard Bernstein

Social Media was all a-buzz when the first few production stills were released for Maestro, the new Bradley Cooper-directed-written-starring vehicle regarding the legendary American composer and conductor, Leonard Bernstein. The talk was not positive, for instead of gasping at Cooper’s inhabitance of Bernstein’s skin, all anyone could dish on was the large prosthetic nose included in Cooper’s makeup. The small controversy led to the Anti-Defamation League giving clearance to the piece. Bernstein, of course, was Jewish, and the emphasized snout brought echoes to the minds of some viewers of antisemitic

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Awards/Celebrations

Great leaders, great role models

Tomorrow evening, Thursday, January 11, at 5:00 pm at the Augusta Museum of History, the 14th Annual Jimmie Dyess Symposium will take place. The symposium was initiated and developed to honor and recognize one of our country’s and area’s great heroes, Marine Lieutenant Colonel Jimmie Dyess, and also identify and honor others who have demonstrated outstanding valor or have made significant civic contributions. Each year, the Dyess Symposium honors one Medal of Honor (the United States Armed Forces highest military decoration which is awarded for acts of valor) winner and

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B2B Stories

CSRA “Fitrepreneur” adds 4th location

Former Evans Fitness co-founder, Mike Montarbo reached his “stretch goal” of four locations in a short period of time. Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate represented his brand, InMotion Wellness Studio, and found a unique spot in the Summerville area of Augusta. The newest studio is now open at 1411 Monte Sano Avenue. “Our motto says it all -Power of Process. Our goal is to help people of all ages and walks of life. We work with teens with sports injuries, people suffering from autoimmune diseases and cancer, and aging clients

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