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Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Best openings after graduation season

It is graduation time in our colleges, universities, and high schools, but which sectors are hiring? The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases monthly job openings for a variety of industries at the national level. The national job openings rate (job openings divided by job openings plus employment multiplied by 100) is 4.1% in March 2026, down from a peak of 7.5% in March 2022.  Healthcare and social assistance have the highest job opening rate at 5.4%, down from 9.4% in March 2022. Leisure and hospitality also has a job

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Consumer Stories

The CSRA runs on Dunkin’ x 16!

The Patel family is opening its 16 th local Dunkin’ Donuts this Friday in Columbia County, and you’re invited to nab some free swag. Three Patel brothers, Sam, Peter, and A.J are holding the grand opening at 8 A.M., Friday, May 15th.  The address is 755 Point Bluff Parkway in Harlem, near Piedmont Prompt Care and a strip center featuring Jersey Mike’s. The first 100 guests will receive 100 days of free coffee. Team members will hand out Dunkin’ branded items, while a DJ plays some music and an artist

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Consumer Stories

CSRA coffee company takes command of helping local military families

A locally owned small business is partnering with an agency at the United Way of the CSRA (UWCSRA) to support veterans one cup of coffee at a time. Commander Coffee has created a bag of a custom blend coffee, with 20% of sales going to Mission United for the next several months. “I actually invited the staff from the United Way to come down here and do a tasting,” Commander Coffee owner Randy Bradum explained for ABD. “I curated a couple of blends that I thought would be good fits

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B2B Stories

Huge tournament impact at Augusta Regional this year

Leaders at Augusta Regional Airport are still crunching the numbers, but the first review showed increased activity and revenue. Members of the Aviation Commission learned results are up across the board, from arrivals and departures to security screening and jet fuel sales. “The fact that what we pull off with the size of the facility, and what we try to do every year, it’s really miraculous. We kind of punch well above our weight come Masters Week,” executive director Herbert Judon, Jr. told commission members. Kenneth Hinkle, the airport’s Director

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B2B Stories

American Airlines and Delta are growing, while Airport targets new major city

One airline is adding several new flights, another is growing operations, and Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is preparing a grant to secure a third airline focused on a major Midwest city. American Airlines informed airport management that it will be adding additional service in May and August. It will connect to the Charlotte hub, so it will not add a destination city, but will increase capacity. “They’re going to add more overnight flights, so they’ll have more of a peak,” Airport Executive Director Herbert Judon, Jr. explained to members of

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Consumer Stories

Simon Says: February fall-off in the local labor market

After my last few columns touted the strength of the local labor market, there was bound to be a correction. In February, employment fell. Employment fell by 400 jobs in February, though several sectors saw gains. The education and health services sector continued to add jobs. There have been over 40,000 people employed in this sector since August last year. Most of these jobs are in the health services sector because most education jobs are in local government (K-12 teachers and staff) or state employment (university employees).  The government sector

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Consumer Stories

Updates on 2 popular, closed venues

In 2027, metro Augusta could see the return of two very different, but equally popular, venues. Both have been closed since 2024, one by design, the other following Hurricane Helene. JBA subheader In December 2024, demolition began on the James Brown Arena, clearing the way for a new, three-story, 10,500-seat venue. Last week, members of the Coliseum Authority learned that the construction work remains on schedule and on budget.  “Everything is moving on schedule with the steel erection,” Jon Rawlins, Senior Project Manager with Legends Global, updated authority members. “The

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Awards

35th Anniversary “Monster” celebration

Organizers of yesterday’s 35th Anniversary party left a crowd of several hundred “oohing and ahhing” over a near 25 feet tall vehicle technicians re-built for the ceremony. Matthews Motors revealed their new truck at the end of the two-hour celebration. It will be used for community events in the future. Matthews Motors’ focus is on commercial trucks, including sales, service, parts, and manufacturing of truck beds. Managers gave tours to guests around the spacious property at 1351 Gordon Highway, including a visit to Matthews service facility with 22 truck bays. 

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B2B Stories

The Financial Road Ahead: Politics and the Economy

Publisher’s Note: Despite Professor Franza’s friendly “jab” at my favorite baseball team, he’s done a great job in this column to crystallize how the Federal Reserve, the War in Iran, and Mid-Term Elections are affecting our economy.  Rick: Even though I am not an economist, my role as a college business professor at AU requires me to pay attention to the economy and how it is impacted by numerous factors. In addition, one of my favorite avocations is following domestic politics, motivated by time spent in Washington, D.C. in the

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B2B Stories

A sweet investment connected to the CSRA

An international company is making a multi-million dollar investment in one South Carolina town, with a strong candy connection to Augusta. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) announced the Ferrara Candy Company is opening its first facility in the Palmetto State. Over the next 10 years, the company’s $675 million investment is expected to create 1,000 manufacturing and corporate jobs. McMaster called the announcement a transformative moment for Orangeburg County and all of South Carolina. “Ferrara Candy Company’s $675 million investment in the Midlands is a powerful vote of confidence

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