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CSRA garnering international attention for storm recovery

One of the State of Israel’s top officials in the southeast spent Wednesday in the CSRA, visiting storm-damaged areas and distributing supplies. Anat Sultan-Dadon, the Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States began the day in North Augusta. “We have been in touch with the authorities and the elected officials and decided to come to one of the locations where it matters to be on the ground,” she explained to ABD. Sultan-Dadon was joined by elected leaders from North Augusta, South Carolina state government, Columbia County, and Georgia

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: Next Steps After Storm Damage: How to Restore or Sell with Help from Homeowners Insurance

As I sit here today, overwhelmed with the sound of chainsaws still whirring in the distance and a second storm hitting Florida, thoughts of what will come next burst into my emotions. Many of us are dealing with storm damage to our homes. This can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with the daunting task of excessive repairs or even the possibility of totaling your property. The emotional and financial toll will be significant. However, homeowners’ insurance should be there to help shoulder the burden and guide you through the

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B2B Stories

Hurricane destruction highlights need for tort reform

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has wrapped up a series of roundtable discussions collecting information on the need for tort reform in the state. The final session was held at Waffle House headquarters in Norcross, Ga, and was attended by elected officials and business leaders from 12 companies across the state. ABD sat in on the session virtually. In his welcoming remarks, Joe Rogers III, CEO of Waffle House, said Georgia has reached a crisis point in the civil litigation, one that will likely be impacted by the devastation from

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B2B Stories

Helene’s impact on large businesses in Richmond County

While small businesses across Richmond County are fighting their way back from Hurricane Helene, the county’s largest businesses are assessing their situation. “Most of our industries, from what I can tell, were spared,” Cal Wray, President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) told ABD. “Several of the larger ones were without power for four or five days. The last big one that I knew that came back online was last Wednesday. Think most of our manufacturing is back up and running.” A number of the largest employers are in

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B2B Stories

Taking steps toward recovery on post

Fort Eisenhower and Eisenhower Army Medical Center (EAMC) are beginning to phase in operations as the post and hospital recover from Hurricane Helene. Beginning on October 3, the post operated under controlled access. Only mission essential personnel, first responders, and residents were permitted on the post. MG Ryan Janovic, Commanding General at Ft. Eisenhower, said 37 of the post’s 780 family housing units were significantly damaged. “Significant damage, most often here now referred to as a large pine tree through the roof, as it is happening off the installation as

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B2B Stories

Area businesses are ready for customers

North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams was joined by a group of downtown business owners to update storm recovery in the city. “One of the things I’m excited about is we have power in our downtown and Riverside Village, and we are open for business,” said Williams. Joining Williams were representatives from Fleet Feet, Orange Otter, The Grove Gourmet Market, Cavalier’s Coffee and Shoppe 3130. Jenny Elliott, owner of Shoppe 3130, said businesses and citizens are all part of the same community. “I feel like our neighbors and our business neighbors

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B2B Stories

Businesses and Non-profits provide aid to a struggling CSRA

Editor’s note: Pictures are worth a thousand words. The one above is in Harlem, where folks are waiting in line to get nourishment from the Cantina Food Truck. Those scenes are being played out across neighborhoods. Families still can’t get out of their driveway because of downed trees, others need ice to keep insulin cold for their diabetic family members. They are your neighbors. They are employees of businesses. They and we, are all trying to survive and put the devastation behind us. Today, there is some good news. Financial

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: Homeowners Insurance Woes

Editor’s note: In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s damage across the CSRA, homeowners and renters have many questions about what their insurance covers and how FEMA might help with disaster assistance. For more information: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App, or call 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. In the Best of Real Talk Real Estate, Shawna Woodward offers more practical advice for homeowner and renter insurance. In recent months, I’ve noticed some concerning trends affecting homeowners across the country. You may have

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B2B Stories

Helene’s impact on the local tourism industry

Local tourism and hospitality leadership is assessing the impact Helene has had so far, and will have in the coming days, on Metro Augusta. Destination Augusta estimates as much as $8.5 million has been lost in economic impact from events that have been canceled and will be canceled for the foreseeable future. “With the news that hurricane Helene was going to impact Georgia, we began to see conferences and conventions cancel their plans. Obviously, the first major thing to go last week was the Iron Man event that was supposed

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B2B Stories

Businesses step up and area Chambers provide resource lists

As the CSRA continues to fight back from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, area businesses are stepping up to the plate, one of them literally. The Augusta GreenJackets announced plans to open SRP Park from noon until 5 p.m. yesterday offering air conditioning, a chance to recharge phones, and hot dogs and soft drinks from noon until 2 p.m. People will also be able to take home two – 10lb bags of ice. “We’re kind of monitoring around here,” Tom Denlinger, GreenJackets Vice President, told ABD. “But we are fortunate

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