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B2B Stories

Can TSA agents handle influx of golf fans?

The first wave of golf fans will begin arriving in Augusta on Tuesday to attend the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA). That kicks off the arrival of thousands of air travelers coming to Augusta for the Masters Tournament, ANWA and Drive, Chip and Putt. Funding for TSA agents is entering its second month of uncertainty. Leadership at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is helping agents as the airport braces for its busiest time of year.  “We are concerned about the current shutdown and how it affects the TSA employees at Augusta

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Consumer Stories

Upscale retailer moving into high-end plaza

Swank will have a new neighbor this summer in Evans. It’s a retail shop the owners are quite familiar with. The third Posh Tots children’s boutique is 1300 square feet and will open next to Swank in the shopping center with anchor store Publix at 5117 Washington Road, outside of Riverwood. It replaces the Madison Julia hair salon, which closed. The Bassali family owns both Posh Tots and Swank, and has paired them together before. Posh Tots and Swank are also part of that newish West Lake Commons shopping center.

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B2B Stories

Searching for the ultimate work-life balance

A new so-called generation is emerging, joining baby boomers, GenX, millennials, and GenZ, and it is primarily a female demographic. Many women are juggling multiple roles, including careers, raising children, managing their households, and increasingly, caring for aging parents. They are becoming known as the Sandwich Generation.  The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce sponsored “Caught in the Middle: Women of the Sandwich Generation.”  Leading the discussion was a panel of women with diverse backgrounds: Yvette Harris, Co-owner, Horizon Motor Coach Amy Hane, Owner, Long Term Liaisons Jennifer Turman, HR Manager,

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Consumer Stories

CSRA bank brings in legendary golfer for clinic next week

A World Golf Hall of Famer will be at Jones Creek Country Club early next week to lead a clinic for children learning the game of golf. Annika Sorenstam is returning to Augusta on behalf of Bank of America and its Golf with Us in partnership with Youth on Course to expand affordable access to golf nationwide. Please note: This clinic is not open to the public.  These photos of the 72-time tour winner were taken by ABD at the 2023 event. Sorenstam and the golfers below will be helping

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Best and worst unemployment story for Augusta

The last bit of economic data for 2025 was just released for the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The unemployment rate has risen from 4.1% in September to 4.5% in December. This is the highest unemployment rate across the fourteen Georgia MSAs.  There may be a good reason why Augusta “finished last.” As I previously reported, the Augusta MSA had the largest increase in employment, and the rising unemployment rate may just reflect people entering the workforce to find jobs in a relatively strong economy.  This is borne out by

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Awards

Hometown financial institution receives 2nd prestigious honor from national magazine

First, Forbes Magazine picked SRP Federal Credit Union as the Best in State Credit Union in Georgia. Most recently, another national magazine bestowed a different honor in South Carolina. Newsweek named SRP as one of America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions in 2026.  In partnership with Plant-A Insights Group, Newsweek recognizes financial institutions that help power local economies by supporting small businesses, financing community projects, and providing reliable access to everyday banking services. “More than financial service providers, credit unions are community partners, showing up in neighborhoods, participating in

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B2B Stories

Examining the state of education in Georgia

Individuals at the forefront of post-secondary education participated in a State of Higher Education summit. It was organized by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. Featured speakers included Chancellor Sonny Perdue, University System of Georgia; Commissioner Greg Dozier, Technical College System of Georgia; and Jenna Colvin, President of the Georgia Independent College Association. (Photo Caption) From left to right: Daniela Perry, Executive Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation; Commissioner Greg Dozier, Technical College System of Georgia; Jenna Colvin, President of the

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Awards/Celebrations

Successful CSRA Businessman applauds non-profit who developed his skills

Tonight, Brad Usry of Fat Man’s Hospitality will be inducted into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame. He’s also a Hall of Fame inductee in the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame and is excited about the BG&C special anniversary this year. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta is celebrating 75 Years of serving local youth with a campaign called “A Promise Kept: 75 Years for Augusta’s Kids.”  Usry went to the Boys Club from 1970 to 1975 on Division Street near what is now the Kroc

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B2B Stories

Business Leader Passes Away

Visitation is set for 6 P.M. today for a former longtime car dealer in the CSRA. Ray Bourne passed away on Sunday at the age of 85. Bourne was credited for developing the land and building Bourne Toyota, then a state-of-the-art dealership/service center on 3069 Washington Road, before selling it in 2004. Ray and his surviving wife, “Honey” Maurica M. Bourne, operated it for nearly 10 years there and received several industry and local awards, and were also known for their strong faith and philanthropy.  The property was retrofitted for several

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: How far has the CSRA come in 20 years?

About 50% of CSRA counties are growing, and 50% are not. I usually use Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) data for this column, as it is released more frequently than county-level data and is more up-to-date. However, I was giving a talk to the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Regional Commission on Friday, so I dug into some county-level data.  The CSRA Regional Commission is a group of area economic development organizations from 13 Georgia counties: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, and Wilkes. By

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