Thu, September 18, 2025

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Newsletter Sign up
Show Support
Menu

Top Story
B2B Stories

Augusta leaders trending in Georgia

What do Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, Augusta Metro Chamber President and CEO Angie Cox, Greater Augusta Black Chamber President and Cofounder Ronic West, and Downtown Development Authority Director Margaret Woodard have in common? Each has helped carve a path for economic development in the CSRA, and their efforts are highlighted in the August edition of Georgia Trend magazine. Some of the articles focused on the region’s response to the devastation from Hurricane Helene, lost lives, and the millions of dollars in cleanup. Mayor Johnson and Augusta Metro Chamber’s Angie Cox

Read More »
Staff Report August 19, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local business takes flight in expanded location

Their story is the epitome of small business success. Three Crows Fiber opened a little over a year ago in Augusta on James Brown Boulevard. In less than a week, the niche business offering yarns and knitting classes drew customers from across the CSRA and as far away as Athens and Statesboro. The business expanded to a space at 1026 Broad Street last week that will give them more room to spread their wings. “The space is three times bigger than what we had before. We really needed that to

Read More »
Mitzi Oxford August 18, 2025 No Comments
Closings

Gary’s Hamburgers down to one store after 42 years

After a temporary closure this Spring and Summer and more than a dozen years in Martinez, Gary Gibson is closing his locally run restaurant due to health and staffing issues. Gary Gibson tells ABD surgeries and physical therapy have slowed him down and haven’t enabled him to recruit employees at a time when it’s harder than ever to compete with other employers, despite nearly doubling his wages in five years. “Before Covid, our starting wage was $8 per hour, and now it’s $14-15 per hour,” said Gibson. He used to

Read More »
Neil Gordon August 15, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Update on CSRA multi-million-dollar investment

With an $800 million investment in Aiken, Meta is set to spark innovation throughout the CSRA. Next week, you’ll be able to get an update on exactly what that might mean for your business during the Aiken Chamber of Commerce’s State of Our Community event. Laura Warren, Meta’s Community Development Regional Manager, will be the keynote speaker for the Chamber event on Wednesday, August 20, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Aiken High’s new Performing Arts Center, 449 Rutland Drive. Meta is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Threads,

Read More »
Mitzi Oxford August 14, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New restaurant being built in Evans

A new restaurant is moving in next door to McDonald’s in front of the shopping center bordering the Riverwood Plantation subdivision in Evans. ABD confirmed with the Wendy’s district manager that the fast-food restaurant is set to open around the end of 2025. It will be the 12th location for the franchisee—and at least the second adjacent to McDonald’s. The competitors are side by side in front of the West Town Shopping Center in Martinez. 60-70 employees will open the new design Wendy’s in the center, which also features a

Read More »
Neil Gordon August 13, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

More flexible options available for CSRA small businesses

Two area contractors will be turning the lights on at a new office park with warehouse space in Evans. It’s part of a trend ABD found offering up more space for rent to meet the needs of growing companies. Clark Develops, LLC will be the general contractor/owner of FlexSpace of Evans, and Newsome Electrical Construction LLC (NEC) will handle the electrical work from pre- to post-construction. The land is located at 4542 Washington Road in Evans between the back of the Bojangles Restaurant and the Eagle Pointe Shopping Center. That

Read More »
Neil Gordon August 12, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Popular Restaurant Expands

A popular Columbia County neighborhood bar and grill is adding a second location outside of another Columbia County neighborhood. Ironwood Tavern’s first location is at 5117 Washington Road in a shopping center next to Subway and Publix, bordering the Riverwood Subdivision in Evans. ABD’s confirmed that Ironwood will lease Suites 1 and 2 (far right end units) outside of the West Lake Subdivision in Martinez, in a newish shopping center on Furys Ferry Road developed by Rafy Bassali, co-owner of several Swank retail stores and Escape Outdoors. Swank, Oxygen Fitness,

Read More »
Neil Gordon August 11, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Land prep for new business

ABD has learned the type of business developing a large lot on Stevens Creek Road near the Riverwatch Parkway. A financial advisory firm will build offices on the Columbia County side of Stevens Creek Road on the same side of the street as one entrance to the Watervale Subdivision. That part of Stevens Creek Road has seen a resurgence since 2024 with the development and opening of a Dollar General Store. The financial advisors will be across the street from DG.

Read More »
Neil Gordon August 8, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

U.S. Secretary of Energy on hand for opening of AMC

The latest feather in the cap for USC Aiken opens this morning, and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will join Savannah River National Laboratory leadership and partners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC), located on the campus of the University of South Carolina-Aiken, will provide a platform for public-private partnerships to improve advanced manufacturing in areas such as additive manufacturing, AI-driven automation, energy resilience, and nuclear applications. This facility will be a catalyst for regional economic and technological growth, while supporting partnerships and technology commercialization. “The

Read More »
Mitzi Oxford August 7, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Competence can be undermined by lack of honesty and accountability

While it has been a while since I have written a column on leadership, recent events have indicated to me that this is an appropriate time to address what I consider some of the most important and necessary leadership traits. Understandably, we put significant emphasis and priority on a leader’s competence. We expect a good leader to demonstrate expertise, relevant knowledge, and the ability to make sound decisions. Such competence is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for effective leadership. In my opinion, and the opinion of many others, a

Read More »
Dr. Rick Franza August 6, 2025 No Comments
Load More