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High school students compete in annual cyber event

Once a year, the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Centers host Cyber Georgia STEMfest, giving 100 high school students hands-on experience with cyber challenges. Students from seven districts, as far away as Kershaw, DeKalb, and Gwinnett Counties, traveled to the center. “That was always our goal,” Eric Toler, Executive Director of the Center, told ABD. “From our very beginning, our mandate was to be a statewide entity with a statewide mission, both in K through 12, through university and college education, through professional training, research and development, and even providing

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B2B Stories

Tickets available for Thursday’s EmpowHER WIB Showcase

The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce is welcoming local professionals to a one-of-a-kind conference designed to empower and inspire women in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) through collaboration, education, and leadership. It is a half-day of learning, networking, and celebrating women in business at the North Augusta Community Center. The conference, Thursday, September 26, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. features a keynote speech from Dr. Nikkie Pryce. , a Celebrity Life Coach, 7-time Bestselling Author, and Empowerment Coach. Dr. Pryce will be joining the event from Paris, France,

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B2B Stories

Large Augusta manufacturer completes phase one; 80 more jobs to come

With a simple cut of the scissors, the $800 million Aurubis Richmond, LLC plant in the Augusta Corporate Park officially joined the Richmond County business community. The Friday ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the culmination of phase one of the project, which has been under construction since 2022. Toralf Haag, CEO of Aurubis AG, told the hundreds assembled for the event that the ribbon cutting was a landmark day celebrating professionals who worked together to achieve a momentous accomplishment. “First and foremost, we are metals for progress, driving sustainable growth across the

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B2B Stories

Sitting solidly at number two for business

South Carolina leaders are welcoming the 2024 edition of Area Development Magazine’s Top States To Do Business. Georgia holds on to the top spot for the 11th year, but the Palmetto State is in the catbird seat once again. In 2022, it was ranked number 3 and improved to number 3 in 2024. South Carolina muscled its way into the number two spot in 2023 and holds on to that distinction for 2024. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evett (R) was the keynote speaker for the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce’s September

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Consumer Stories

Healthy cafe/store closing soon in Augusta

ABD has learned that both the New Life Natural Foods Store and DiChicko’s Cafe inside the store will be closing by year’s end. The cafe will stay open until the end of September and the store will shutter at the end of 2024 as the lease will expire. The self-contained vitamin, supplement, and healthy grocery store has been open in the Fairway Square Shopping Center for decades. DiChicko’s Cafe was added 17 years ago. The co-owner, who longtime customers know as simply “Heather” with her positive outlook, shared her reflections

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B2B Stories

Still sitting on top

Georgia has started its second decade as the top-ranked state in which to do business, according to Area Development Magazine. The magazine released its most recent report last week and Georgia is the top dog for the 11th consecutive year. The magazine said it is a testament to the Peach State’s pro-business conditions. “The Peach State’s consistent performance across various categories makes it a perennial favorite for businesses looking to expand or relocate. Georgia’s ability to sustain its leadership position speaks volumes about its strategic investments in infrastructure, education, and

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Give yourself a raise!!!!

The average weekly wage in the first quarter of 2024 was higher in six of the seven counties in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), according to new data recently released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The fastest growth was seen in Lincoln County at 6.4 percent, followed by Edgefield County. Burke County’s average weekly wages fell 8.6 percent. The good news for Burke County is they still have the highest average weekly wage at $1,972, comfortably higher than second place in Aiken County. Although Lincoln County had the

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B2B Stories

CSRA businesses jump on board for Ironman

In a month that is projected to bring in more than $12 million to the local economy, the 15th Annual Ironman 70.3 on September 29 is one of the biggest events on the list. More than 6,500 visitors are expected to visit and cheer on participants with close to a $6 million estimated economic impact. Athletes will tackle a quick 1.2-mile down-river swim in the Savannah River before biking 56 miles through rural Augusta, and wind up with the flat 13.1-mile spectator-filled run course which will take them along the North Augusta Greeneway

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B2B Stories

Hot tech topics highlight CSRA conference

SC Decoded 2024 wrapped up a two-day conference on Wednesday, but not before a large crowd was updated about “The A, B, C, and Ds of Technology in South Carolina: Artificial Intelligence, Broadband, Cybersecurity, and Defense.” More than 200 people attended the annual event, held at the Crowne Plaza, and hosted by the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, to meet with vendors and hear updates on the technology industry that packs a powerful economic punch. One of the speakers was Joseph Von Nessen, a research economist with the Darla Moore

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B2B Stories

Cybersecurity protection for the insurance industry

Insurance Assurance, a look at how cybersecurity can impact the insurance industry, and what tools are available to protect against it, was held Wednesday at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center. Sponsored by Augusta Technical College and Travelers Insurance Company, the program focused on cybersecurity insurance and threats. Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President of Augusta Tech told ABD the program is the result of a relationship he developed while at Gwinnett Technical College. “Dr. Jose de la Cruz reached out to me, he’s Senior VP of HR for Travelers Insurance,

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