Fri, October 02, 2026

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Newsletter Sign up
Show Support
Menu

Top Story
B2B Stories

Roadmap to economic development successes

Leaders in business, government, and education gathered for a report on economic development in a four-county region in the CSRA.  Organized by Western SC Economic Development Partnership, the annual meeting is the organization’s opportunity to report and listen. Western SC advocates for Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties. Will Williams, president and CEO of Western SC, told ABD that, on the whole, the region is doing well. “Our county leadership has invested in making sure we’re trying to get our sites better and better and more prepared,” he said. “But

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre October 2, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Identifying priorities in the SPLOST 9 list

Members of the Augusta Commission’s Finance Committee approved a proposal to generate funds to kickstart seven projects on the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) 9 list. Administrator Tameka Allen presented committee members with a recommendation to float a general obligation bond to get cash in hand to begin seven of the most impactful projects. The total bond issue would be $80.9 million.  “We looked at our respective priorities and listening to the respective priorities from the governing body. What you’ll see is the items that could actually be

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre October 1, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Father of two preschoolers opening early childhood center in CSRA

Matt Gregory’s next personal and professional move from Atlanta makes perfect sense. His wife’s from Augusta. His young children will transfer from Primrose School in Atlanta to one the Gregory’s are building in Martinez. He’ll run the day-to-day and call on his experience doing consulting work for an early education school in Atlanta. “Everybody kept telling us there was a strong need for premium early childhood education options. There is a lot of growth in Columbia County.” Gregory is building the Primrose School on about two acres just off Flowing

Read More »
Neil Gordon September 30, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Good Deeds: Meta offering new grant program

Meta is accepting applications for a new program to distribute grants in communities where the company has a data center, including Aiken County. The Meta data center is under construction in the Sage Mill Industrial Park. Target completion is 2027. The Future is for Everyone Fund will accept applications through Oct. 19th for proposals to address critical issues in each community where the data center is located. Meta declined a request for an interview from ABD but provided the following statement. “We created the Future is for Everyone Fund to

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre September 29, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

New pathway for the healthcare workforce in the CSRA

One of the gold standards of working in the CSRA includes a position in the medical field at a local hospital, doctor’s office, or healthcare facility. A first-ever undergraduate degree program is being developed for Augusta University’s School of Public Health (SPH) to increase interest in the field.  Launched just three years ago, SPH’s goal is to promote healthy populations across Georgia. The new degree is a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH). “The work of public health professionals strengthens communities, addresses health challenges, and improves the quality of

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre with photos by Michael Holahan September 28, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Augusta airport update on new nonstop route to major city

Members of the Augusta Aviation Commission learned more about an $800,000 federal grant the airport received. The U.S. Department of Transportation selected Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) as one of 14 regional airports for the latest Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). The grant specifies the funds are to be “used for a revenue guarantee and marketing program for new nonstop service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).” “We last did this type of grant, I think it was 2017, when we got the Washington D.C. service, so I felt

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre September 25, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Pumping millions into manufacturing in North Augusta

The new owner of a medical manufacturing facility was in North Augusta to formally kick off an expansion and meet with local leaders. CordenPharma, a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), is planning a more than $200 million expansion of the plant on Dittman Court. It includes a new, 68,000-square-foot building.  “It will bring commercial-scale peptide manufacturing to the United States,” Michael Quirmbach, President & CEO of CordenPharma Group, told the crowd that gathered for the groundbreaking. “With operations planned at the end of 2027, the project will create more

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre September 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Augusta company acquires another in time for the holidays

You’ve probably heard of a mega-merger. How about a MEGAH-Merger? A CSRA home services company that provides a shine to area homes and businesses will be a light to them over the holiday season. MEGAH SoftWash just acquired Christmas Decor, a holiday lighting design and installation provider serving the Augusta metro area for nearly three decades.  Besides pressure washing, MEGAH has had a holiday lighting division since 2016. Now, they are gaining a unique operating system and a high-profile book of business, including: Augusta Regional Airport, the City of Aiken,

Read More »
Neil Gordon September 23, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Economic Development Leaders talk data, automotive, and future jobs

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce’s recent Future Forward: A CSRA Development Summit was an opportunity to learn about economic development, both short-term and long-term. Among the panelists was Cheney Eldridge, director of the Economic Development Authority of Columbia County. She was chosen for the position in February 2024. She recalled speaking at her first Future Forward summit and saying the county had the potential for billions of dollars in new investments. “At the time, we thought it was going to be somewhere around $2 billion, and now we’re looking

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre September 22, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Another coffee location jolts a Washington Road corridor

Gordon Highway used to be called “The Motor Mile,” due to a litany of car dealerships.  Soon, with the addition of Dutch Bros. Coffee, a strip of Washington Road may be called “The Coffee Mile.” Contractors are putting the finishing touches on their first location in Augusta. The Arizona-based franchise has nearly 1300 locations, including the closest one in the two-state area in Columbia, South Carolina. Dutch Bros. is located at 3064 Washington Road, on the land once occupied by Mi Rancho Restaurant and between Burger King and Chick-fil-A. They

Read More »
Neil Gordon September 21, 2026 No Comments
Load More