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The future of public transit needs in light of growth in Aiken County was the focus of the Feb. 8 “Good Morning North Augusta” breakfast, sponsored by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce. The Lower Savannah Council of Governments (COG) is working with a Minnesota-based company to study transportation and economic growth in the Aiken-Augusta area. Public transit in Aiken County had been operated by the City of Aiken but was turned over to COG in 2004. “Since then, we’ve modified a little bit of our transit system, our Best

Employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area ended in 2023 pretty much where it started. In December, employment was 244,000, down just 100 jobs from December 2022 (see below). Mining, logging, and construction were the industry sectors that saw the largest increase in employment over the last calendar year, increasing by 5.8 percent, or about 1,000 jobs. Construction activity bodes well for 2024, as firms invest in new or expanded facilities and residential construction reflects consumer confidence. Leisure and hospitality also ended the year 3.5 percent higher, almost 1,000 jobs.

Voter approval of the $250 million bond issue for the construction of a new James Brown Arena was just the first step in a long process. Augusta Richmond County Coliseum Authority members this week approved an intergovernmental agreement clearing the way for the funds. Attorney Ed Enoch, the authority’s legal counsel, explained the sales tax funds for the project will be collected by the city of Augusta. To access the money, both the commission and authority must approve the agreement. “Once the intergovernmental agreement is signed, there’ll be a process