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Closings

Munchie’s Snacks Closes but New Plans are Already Underway

Munchie’s Snacks replaced an ice cream shop on 3830 Washington Road in the West Town Shopping Center in December 2023. Two days ago, they announced their closing on social media. Dear friends…with a heavy heart, we announce the immediate closing of our beloved establishment. This decision was not made lightly, and it comes with a profound sense of gratitude for the incredible journey we have shared with each of you. From the very beginning, our mission was to create a space where community, creativity, and passion could thrive. Thanks to

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B2B Stories

Different Way to Access Health Care

The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 2025 Third Thursday series with a look at a different option for receiving health care. Dr. Rob Lamberts of Welcome Health presented Cut Costs, Not Care, a way individuals can access healthcare, and business owners can provide benefits to employees. Lamberts leads an Augusta area medical practice that provides what is called Direct Primary Care (DPC). It is a membership-based alternative payment model that uses a flat, monthly, or annual fee to access unlimited primary care and preventive services. “There are

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B2B Stories

CSRA Businesses Impacted by Snow and Sub-Freezing Temps

Twice since the aftermath of Helene, winter weather has hit the CSRA – it impacts businesses, employees, and the consumers who support them. “Several businesses across the CSRA opted to close early on Tuesday and today’s schedule is yet to be determined. What matters most to these small businesses is the safety of their employees and their customers,” said John Porter, Director of Downtown Soul City. Ironically one of the events that was supposed to happen on Tuesday was a book release party for the Onyx Storm at the Book

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B2B Stories

Legislative session underway in the Palmetto State

South Carolina lawmakers have converged on Columbia for the start of the 2025 Legislative Session. In a news conference coinciding with the start, Gov. Henry McMaster (R), joined by Lt. Gov. Pamela Evett (R), laid out his proposals in his $14 billion executive budget proposal as the session began. High on his agenda are income taxes and education. He pointed to a time when South Carolina had the highest personal income tax rate in the southeast and the 12th highest in the nation. Three years ago, he signed legislation to

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B2B Stories

AI Classes for Small Business Owners

As the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) expands, small business owners have the opportunity to gain experience in how they can use it to grow their business. Managed Nerds, an IT managed services company based in the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, is offering a class on Jan. 28 called EntrepreAI Tuesday. “We help small businesses manage their IT, from planning on what their technology purchases are to maintaining the computers, ensuring that they’re regularly updated, to providing remote or onsite support, and cyber security protection to make sure

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B2B Stories

Governor Kemp outlines priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session

The 2025 legislative session is underway in Georgia and Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has laid out his agenda for business and education. Speaking at the annual Eggs and Issues Breakfast, sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Kemp pointed to policies that have the state ranked number one for business, according to a news release from his office. Kemp referred to the more than 193,000 jobs created in the last five years, along with $90 billion in private investments, thanks to the partnership with the state Chamber, as well as

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Awards/Celebrations

Georgia scores a win from site selection leaders

Georgia’s business climate has received another accolade from a national publication. A news release from Gov. Brian Kemp (R) announced Georgia is the number one state for Best Business Climate. That came from Site Selection Magazine, which conducted a survey of site selection experts. “The Peach State racked up the most votes to dethrone last year’s winner, Texas, for Best Business Climate in the nation. North Carolina finished just behind Georgia in the runner-up spot, followed by South Carolina in third and then Tennessee and Texas in a tie for

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Rising unemployment rates

I have already reported that Augusta’s employment rebounded from Hurricane Helene in November, increasing by 800. But what about other labor market indicators? The unemployment rate increased for the eighth successive month to 4.8% in November, and the Sahm Indicator has been indicating a recession in Augusta for four months. The unemployment rate is the highest rate for all Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the State of Georgia. Record employment and increasing unemployment can be explained by the increase in the labor force. These are people that previously were not

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B2B Stories

Helping small businesses understand recovery assistance

The owners of this restaurant at the corner of Washington Road and Pleasant Home Road are still not able to re-open. It’s been more than three months since Hurricane Helene ripped off its roof. Whether there is serious or minor damage, organizers are calling all small businesses harmed by Hurricane Helene to attend an upcoming workshop and learn what help is available. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is organizing the Jan. 22 workshop. The workshop is organized with help from the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, the

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B2B Stories

New Year New Leadership at Columbia County Chamber

The beginning of a new year also means fresh faces on the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. A news release from the Chamber announced six new members joining the board for a three-year term. “The new members include Jamie Wier, Director of Marketing at Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate Co.; Quynh Spicer, Owner and Dentist at Harlem Family Dental; Matt Dial, Senior Director of Supply Chain Operations at the Augusta National Golf Club; Melissa Frank-Alston, Provost at Augusta Technical College; Stephen King, Area Manager for Georgia Power;

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