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CSRA estimates: $3 billion economic development/4,000 jobs

Last week, the President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) walked business leaders through the impact of regional development. Cal Wray brought the report to the Chamber’s first Member Economic Luncheon of 2025. He pulled together numbers from Richmond, Columbia, and Burke counties in Georgia and Aiken County in South Carolina. “Aiken, $1.36 billion in new investment, 1,452 new jobs,” he began. “Burke was $50 million investment, 244 new jobs. Columbia County, $158 million with 1,600 new jobs. Richmond County, $1.335 billion and 778 jobs. That is what manufacturing,

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Consumer Stories

Mullins Colony mystery solved as restaurant chain competes with Augusta favorite

Two sources (including a Columbia County government official and one of the construction leaders on the project) confirm what’s been a hot restaurant rumor in our community for several months. National franchise, CAVA, is coming and will be 50 feet from the entrance to Diablo’s Southwest Grill; adjacent to Chipotle in a 1.3-acre outparcel in front of Mullins Colony Shopping Center. Chipotle’s property is subdivided with Mattress Firm, and CAVA will share its building with an undisclosed tenant as well. CAVA’s fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant theme is very similar to Chipotle,

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Consumer Stories

New CSRA BBQ restaurant set to open in former one

Former financial planner Kurt Mueller, who started Ironhead Barbecue with a food truck and catering orders, is opening his first restaurant in the former Pot Smoker BBQ location at 340 Edgefield Road (Highway 25) in North Augusta. Mueller expects to open in August or September and tells ABD he has plans for his food truck as well. “The food truck will still operate a normal schedule until we open. After opening, the food truck will still run, but probably not as frequently. Ideally, I would hire someone to run the

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B2B Stories

Another local transportation group asking for public input

The organization tasked with identifying transportation issues wants to hear what people see as challenges today and for the future. The Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) focuses on Richmond and Columbia Counties in Georgia and the South Carolina counties of Aiken and Edgefield. It is updating the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) through 2055 with a focus on multimodal transportation projects and priorities. Kaycee Mertz, Vice President and Georgia Planning Lead at engineering company WSP, told members of the Rotary Club of Aiken that they will use data from traffic counts,

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B2B Stories

First look at Masters Week’s impact on the airport

Members of the Augusta Aviation Commission heard a positive report on how Augusta Regional Airport managed this year’s tournament traffic. In a nutshell, operations went smoothly, with no runway incursions or accidents involving aircraft. The best news: The numbers were up across the board. “We had about 400 extra operations from the previous year, with 617,544 gallons of fuel delivered,” said Kenneth Hinkle, the airport’s Director of Aviation Services. “That is a 4,000-gallon increase from the previous year.” He said not all numbers are available, while staff members conduct the

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B2B Stories

Putting STEM into action for Augusta’s future

One of Augusta’s selling points is the burgeoning Cyber industry and the development of high-paying jobs in the CSRA. Both buildings of the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center were abuzz with students learning about the ever-growing field of cybersecurity. Cyber Georgia STEMfest brought together 100 students from elementary schools in Georgia and South Carolina. The bi-annual event is a partnership of the Cyber Fusion Innovation Center and the Georgia Cyber Center with sponsors Parsons, Booz Allen Hamilton, SRS Community Reuse Organization, and SteelGate, LLC. Armond Rouillard, SteelGate’s Chief Operating

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B2B Stories

TODAY’s Deadline on Important Economic Event

7 years ago, Cal Wray, EDFP, President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority, came to town after more than ten years of growing other communities. Thursday, he’ll provide a report card with some numbers shared in this article. He will headline an Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce event with a presentation titled “Next Up Augusta – Projects, Wins, & What’s Next.” The luncheon will be held this Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center, located at 2 10th Street in downtown Augusta. The Augusta EDA

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B2B Stories

Pitches hit home runs in entrepreneurs’ competition

From a program to boost SAT scores to a way to keep swimming pools clean with less chlorine, 10 entrepreneurs had the chance to lay out their dream to a panel of judges. The No Boundaries pitch competition awarded $20,000 to the winners and added a surprise for the youngest competitor. One of the goals of the event was to show how businesses can thrive on both sides of the Savannah River. It was a goal that resonated with Jim Tunison, President and CEO of the Aiken Chamber of Commerce.

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B2B Stories

Business Leaders Meet Meta

The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce’s April Power Lunch provided the chance for business leaders to meet a new neighbor coming to Aiken County. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and other social media platforms, is building an $800 million data center in the Sage Mill Industrial Park. Laura Warren, Meta’s Community Development Regional Manager, brought the importance of data centers to the personal level. She explained that everything an individual does on their computer or smartphone is processed in a data center to be shared as intended.

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Consumer Stories

Employment Opportunities Abound at ABD Expo + a Bonus

It’s never too early for career guidance or too late to land your dream job. From 9:30 AM until 12:30 PM today, Augusta Business Daily is hosting our Career and College Expo. It’s at the Snelling Conference Center, 3165 Washington Road. Looking for career education programs for upcoming college students in your family? Augusta University, Hull College of Business, Troy University, and the USC Darla Moore School of Business will be there to answer your questions. An array of businesses, from corporate to small, will be on hand to take

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