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B2B Stories

New Leadership for Cyber Center of Excellence

In a time-honored Army tradition, Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton will relinquish command of the Cyber Center of Excellence to incoming Commanding General Maj. Gen. Ryan Janovic tomorrow, August 2, at 9 a.m. at Barton Field on Fort Eisenhower with a formation representing every unit post. Maj. Gen. Stanton assumed command in a virtual ceremony on June 30, 2021, and during the past three years, he has overseen the Fort’s renaming to Eisenhower, the $4.2 billion installation modernization program, including the $1.2 billion cyber campus transformation and $5 million in renovating

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B2B Stories

Heavy metal money returns to the CSRA

For the second year in a row, Aiken Technical College has been selected for a large grant from the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). The college will receive $50,000 to continue supporting students enrolled in its computer technology and cybersecurity programs and courses. Once again, Aiken Tech is the only South Carolina institution selected for the MSI program. Last year’s grant supported over 100 students by providing scholarship funding for those enrolled in the college’s CompTIA’s A+, Network+, and Security+ courses and covering industry certification exam costs for computer technology students.

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Consumer Stories

New office furniture/design firm moves into iconic Augusta building

Visitors to the 17-floor building at 699 Broad Street will notice a few changes in the future. The AU building will be renamed Wellstar Tower, and people will be able to enjoy Edgar’s Above Broad, the Pinnacle Club and now visit a new showroom filled with desks, chairs, and many workplace solutions. Young Office, a 70-year-old company just moved into a 2,500 square foot space on the 1st floor. “The ground floor of the building is really ideal for retail or other businesses that have walk-in traffic,” said Derek May, President

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Consumer Stories

Good Deeds: “All in Faith” for Martinez business

Robyn Kelley (right) and Lisa Merritt (left) are both in the hair business. Both want to make women look and feel beautiful. Robyn owns Trendz Salon and her team takes hair off. Lisa runs a wig boutique there and puts hair on. Wigs are for women like Faith Owens (center), who typically lose their locks due to a serious illness. Through the generosity of Trendz and first responders from Burke County organizing a fundraiser, the Owens’ out of pocket costs were $750 for a $5,000 special order wig made with

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B2B Stories

Leadership Summit in the CSRA

The Global Leadership Summit is back in the CSRA, this time at the First Baptist Church in North Augusta and this time with “Coach K” leading the team of presenters. Each August, business and church leaders take the stage at different venues across the world to share insight in a “Ted Talk” like way. Host churches sign up to beam the virtual talks on screens in their auditoriums. The two-day event is set for all day on Thursday, August 8th, and a slightly shorter session on Friday, August 9th. In

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: Homeowners Insurance Woes

In recent months, I’ve noticed some concerning trends affecting homeowners across the country. You may have faced increasing difficulties in obtaining and retaining your own homeowner’s insurance. These challenges have become particularly pronounced, affecting both new and existing homeowners. After witnessing the rising insurance costs firsthand, I felt we could all use an update on what to expect moving forward. One of the primary issues homeowners face is the rising cost of insurance premiums. Several factors have contributed to this increase, including, a rise in natural disasters, a rise in

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B2B Stories

CSRA impacts from global Microsoft outage

Six days later and some CSRA travelers are still reeling from a global computer outage that began Friday morning, July 19. On that day, Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) announced delays from American Airlines and cancellations for Delta flights. At issue was the fact that Atlanta is the Delta hub. With the exception of AGS direct flights to Charlotte, Dallas, and Washington, DC, the bulk of Augusta flights, with Delta as the carrier, land in Atlanta and depart to cities across the country and around the world. Tabitha Butler, owner of

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B2B Stories

Shining City on a Hill: A True Return to Greatness

Ronald Reagan liked to use the phrase, “Shining City on a Hill” to describe our country. He used that description both on the eve of his election in 1980 and in capping his eight years in office by discussing its meaning in his farewell address from the presidency in January 1989. The origins of that phrase came from a Pilgrim named John Winthrop in 1630, who used the term to describe what he hoped America would become. Reagan used Winthrop’s phrase (actually “Shining City upon a Hill”) to describe how

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B2B Stories

Former Pro Football player to open new CSRA restaurant

After growing up in Huger, SC near Mt. Pleasant, Fernando Washington played professional football for the Frankfurt Galaxy, the World League of America in Germany for two years. It was one of two original NFL Europe teams. He was a defensive end who moved to Aiken two years ago and has transitioned to a business owner and chef. It might seem like an unusual fit, but preparation and cooking come as naturally to Washington as sacking the quarterback. “I grew up in a large family of good cooks starting with

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Consumer Stories

Tapping into underutilized workforces

Someone formerly incarcerated who successfully transitions back into society as a productive employee is something Goodwill has seen up close in Augusta. In 2013, Sean Walker was hired at Edgar’s Grill as a server assistant. Twenty years earlier, he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the murder of his fiancée. Ultimately, Walker was promoted to banquet server at the Snelling Center. “This gave me the opportunity to meet Goodwill’s President and CEO, Jim Stiff, who continually encouraged me to strive for excellence. So, I

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