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B2B Stories

Business groups’ solutions to minimize tariffs

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is watching how Trump Administration’s tariff policies can impact the state’s economy. The Chamber released Guidance and Advice on Tariffs and Trade Regulations (www.gachamber.com/data/tariffs-briefing-april-16-2025-guidance-advice-on-tariffs-and-trade-regulations/), a 14-page report examining the current situation while providing guidance on ways to mitigate the impact. Coinciding with the release of the report, Chris Clark, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber, held a virtual news conference with reporters across the state, including ABD. The latest report focused on Georgia’s most valuable sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and agribusiness. One recommendation is

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B2B Stories

Crossing the Savannah River’s invisible boundary for business development

Participants have been selected for a pitch competition that is trying to encourage business development on both sides of the Savannah River. No Boundaries, sponsored by theClubhou.se, is set for April 23rd at the Amentum Center in Aiken. “We had 57 applications for No Boundaries, and we had startups all the way from Austin to Maryland that applied,” Eric Parker, founder of theClubhou.se, told ABD. “What blew me away was that we had one period where we had 40 applications come through in 24 hours.” From the 57 applications, nine

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B2B Stories

Impact of This Year’s Red Carpet Tour

The red carpet was rolled up, but local participants in the 2025 Red Carpet Tour are following up on connections made during the event. The tour, sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and hosted by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, brought business leaders from around the world to the Garden City. “I’m following up with people we met on the tour, so we haven’t slowed down,” Cal Wray, President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA), told ABD. “I’d love to say we get to take this week

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Consumer Stories

Golf meets education, thanks to ANGC, Tiger, and Augusta Tech

The Augusta Municipal Golf Course, affectionately known as “The Patch,” stepped into the spotlight on Masters Monday. Fred Ridley, Chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC) and the Masters Tournament, announced they are partnering with the TGR Foundation, the non-profit founded by five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods, to design a nine-hole, short course for the municipal course. “At the heart of our effort at The Patch is a commitment to create an affordable and inviting golf experience,” said Ridley in announcing the short course. “Equal importance will be placed

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B2B Stories

Rolling out the Red Carpet for business leaders

Golf is not Augusta’s only Spring tradition. It is also when the city welcomes business leaders from around the world. Led by Gov. Brian Kemp (R), the 63rd Annual Red Carpet Tour, organized by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and hosted by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, wrapped up over the weekend with a second visit to Augusta. The Garden City is the only city the annual tour visits twice. The tour also visited Athens on Friday. The guests arrived in Atlanta on Wednesday, then came to Augusta for

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B2B Stories

Masters Surveys on Ticket/Housing Prices

Publisher’s Note: The following data was compiled earlier in the week by a couple of marketing and survey companies. Your individual experiences may be that Masters ticket prices and housing/hotel rates are higher or lower than the following survey results. According to Victory Live, a ticketing technology company that analyzes trends across the secondary market, average daily prices increased year-over-year for every day of the tournament, with the most notable spikes on Sunday’s final round (+33%) and Tuesday’s practice round (+32%). The most expensive ticket on the market is for Wednesday’s practice round

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B2B Stories

Red Carpet Rolls Out and Business Prospects Roll In

Today, some key Augustans will probably have tired hands and feet from shaking hands and walking Augusta National. Augusta Richmond County Economic Director Cal Wray, his staff, and dozens of ambassadors organized by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce will be welcoming business leaders from all over the world. It’s time for the annual Red Carpet Tour. Wray says his office will be speaking to several people associated with dozens of ongoing projects—many of them are site selection consultants hired to scout communities like Augusta on behalf of companies. “We

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B2B Stories

Mapping the Future of South Carolina’s Roads

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is soliciting public input on the Palmetto State’s future transportation needs. The department has created Momentum 2050: the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan. It assesses the existing statewide transportation system and anticipates impacts over the next 25 years. Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell, in a statement on the plan website, said it is a road map for economic prosperity. “The road and bridge network in South Carolina supports the movement of freight and people across our state. We have to keep these critical arteries

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B2B Stories

CSRA Caterers Master Crunch Time

Thousands of visitors from across the country and around the world are in town for the 89th Masters tournament. They are shopping with local retailers, staying in hotels and in homes that are rented out for the week. Those golf enthusiasts all have to eat somewhere, which is why restaurants are packed, and caterers are jumping to meet the demand. Fat Man’s Mill Café and Catering is swamped with catering jobs for small groups and corporate events. “We are closed for the week to focus on the Masters. For us,

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Awards

Augusta entrepreneur named Georgia’s Small Business Person of the Year

Patrick Wells will be leaving for a ceremony in Washington D.C. in early May as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Georgia honoree. He hopes to return to Augusta as the SBA’s Small Business Person of the Year in the U.S. Wells owns Piedmont Landscape Management, a commercial landscape maintenance company in Augusta. Piedmont has been in business since 1977, and in 2019, Wells and his wife bought the business.  Wells will celebrate National Small Business Week from May 4 to 10 along with winners from across the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,

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