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B2B Stories

Data center pros and cons in CSRA

Will Williams, President and CEO of Western SC, has three data center projects under construction in Aiken County. He has a few lessons learned he can share with his colleagues in other CSRA counties, ready to dive into the deep end of the data waters. In Aiken County, the Meta facility being built in the Sage Mill Industrial Park is the largest of three data centers under construction in Aiken County. Williams said a solar field in Orangeburg County will help power the Meta center. “Aiken Electric is the provider,

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B2B Stories

Future data centers in the CSRA

A topic generating national headlines—and local controversy— drew a large crowd to the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Member Economic Luncheon.  Dennis Trotter, AMCC Board member, introduced a panel of experts and shared the data center’s impact on his firm. “Just in our office, that we do for our commercial real estate business, we’ve seen these become very emotionally charged issues on one end,” he began. “But, with the other end being extremely large capital investment in our community, an enormous amount of tax generation for all our various governments

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B2B Stories

$375 million set aside to improve city of Augusta

Funding for a project that will open up more of South Augusta to business, residential, and commercial growth has the green light. Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax 9 (SPLOST 9) was approved by more than 58.5% of the more than 22,000 residents who cast a ballot. It is a $375 million package that will take effect when SPLOST 8 wraps up this fall. Money for a project from the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) is among those on the approved list.  AEDA received $22 million of the $25 million

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B2B Stories

Spotlighting CSRA Businesses

The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce is calling for its members and all businesses to participate in a new guide highlighting businesses and what makes the city unique. Called North Augusta Advantage: The Official Business & Growth Guide, it will be a full-color guide that will be available online and in a print version. Terra Carroll, Chamber president and CEO, said they have produced a guide in the past, but this version will be more focused on business. “Those that may be relocating for business or bringing a business or

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Awards

Chamber announces Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch

These 10 CSRA professionals have accomplished a lot in their young careers. Now, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Augusta Magazine are giving them their flowers! The honorees are all between the ages of 25 and 35 and will be recognized in late June at the Chamber’s Member Economic Luncheon.  They’ll also automatically qualify for Georgia Trend magazine’s 40 Under 40. The Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch award was started in 2009. Here are this year’s honorees: Anna Freeman, Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center Ansley

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B2B Stories

CSRA Auto expert to lead workforce initiative and report to Georgia lawmakers

The planned Jim Hudson Automotive Institute for Augusta Technical College is celebrating two awards, one monetary and one for an instructor. Christopher Davis, an Automotive Technology instructor and department chair, was selected as the statewide winner of the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction. It is the highest honor a technical college instructor can receive in Georgia. The recognition comes with a $2,500 prize, and Davis will be a representative for technical education for the next year, including appearances before the General Assembly. Davis told ABD he is

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Job challenges in the hotel and restaurant space

Prior to Masters, the leisure and hospitality space lost 1500 jobs over a few months. In general, employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area continued to fall in March, shedding 200 jobs.  Private education and health services continued to add jobs, with another 200 added in March. Over the last year, this sector has added over 2,200 jobs, while the overall employment level has only increased by 200, confirming this sector as the major driver of employment growth nationally and locally. Locally, employment in private education and health services has

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B2B Stories

It’s not just for Masters anymore

A local agency created to help Masters tournament visitors is also available for major events year-round. The Masters Housing Bureau (MHB) was created more than half a century ago, sanctioned by the Augusta National Golf Club. “The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Augusta National came together and formed the Masters Housing Bureau,” Director LaShandrea Redd explained for ABD. “We are very happy that we get the privilege of working with numerous homeowners throughout the CSRA to help them find renters for their lovely properties for Masters, Peach Jam,

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Consumer Stories

Kemp signs off on major bill to create more jobs in the CSRA/Peach State

The importance of workforce development is in the spotlight for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R). For one of his final bill-signing ceremonies, Kemp put his signature on a series of bills to reinforce that Georgia is a top state for talent. He tied it to the state’s ability to continue as one of the best in the nation for business and economic growth. “Our skilled and highly qualified workforce is a major reason why job creators keep coming to and expanding in our state,” said Kemp. “I’m proud to sign

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B2B Stories

Rallying support for EAMC

Local elected officials support keeping Eisenhower Army Medical Center functioning as a full-service facility. The Defense Health Agency (DHA) announced plans to transition EAMC into an ambulatory care center, ending inpatient care with the emergency room as an urgent care facility. The reaction is eye-opening. State Rep. Mark Howard (R-District 127) views the announcement through three lenses. As an elected official, a doctor, and a military retiree who served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He told ABD he was both surprised and disappointed at the announcement.  “Very disappointed, and

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