Top Story

ABD Extra

South Augusta’s surge in development: Part two

A quiet explosion of economic development has been underway in South Richmond County, $3.2 billion in all. A long-time plant has expanded, another major new manufacturing plant is under construction and two other companies are expected to start construction in the months ahead. All are in the Augusta Corporate Park on Mike Padgett Highway. But, two things are lacking outside of the I-520 perimeter, a pool of trained workers and sufficient new housing units to attract employees at the plants to move into Richmond County. Cal Wray, President of the

Read More »
B2B Stories

Palmetto Industries break ground at Horizon South Industrial Park

A long-time tenant in Columbia County’s Horizon South Industrial Park in Grovetown is ready to grow. Palmetto Industries broke ground Thursday, on the first phase of a two-phase expansion project. ”We’re excited to be here,” Chamber President and CEO, Russell Lahodny said. “It’s not every day that we get to do these things. So, when we get to do a groundbreaking, it’s pretty impressive.” The new phases are being built alongside the company’s existing facility on Horizon West Parkway. It will add 50,000 square feet of new office, factory, and

Read More »
B2B Stories

Columbia County Chamber of Commerce holds military appreciation event

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce used its June Executive Luncheon series to begin a new tradition, with more than 250 people attending the chamber’s inaugural Military Appreciation event at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Russell Lahodny, President and CEO of the chamber, said there are two reasons the organization wanted to begin the event. First, to honor the men and women stationed at Fort Gordon who serve America and secondly, to acknowledge the tremendous economic impact the Army post has on the local economy. “Our business community thrives off of our

Read More »
B2B Stories

Business Institute covers the basics for success

Want to reach more customers, get the latest scoop on social media strategies, or how to brand your business? The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is offering the “Business Institute,” a series of workshops to provide members and the business community with resources to help them be successful. “It’s an opportunity for us to bring in someone to speak to our Chamber members, mostly for smaller businesses, for them to learn new skills, learn about hot topics for the year, or maybe touch on problem areas that small businesses might

Read More »
B2B Stories

New life for historic James Brown buildings in downtown

New life and purpose are being breathed into three vacant buildings just off Telfair Street in Augusta. The three buildings, at 501, 509, and 513 James Brown Boulevard were built near the turn of the 20th century. Research by Historic Augusta found they have been empty since the early 1990’s. Developer, Brendon Steffes says the old warehouse-type structures will be transformed into 22 apartment units, but will retain the feel of the history of the structures. “If you’re looking at the first floor, you have beautiful storefront windows. And then

Read More »
ABD Extra

South Augusta’s surge in development: Part one

South Augusta is having a surge of economic development, $3.2 billion worth of economic development to be exact, that few people have seen. Some of the largest companies will be in the Augusta Corporate Park off Mike Padgett Highway. The park is a “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Certified” site. One plant, Starbucks, has been in operation since July 2012 as the first company-owned facility to produce soluble products. Those are used in Starbucks via instant and the coffee base for many of the Starbucks bottled and canned beverages.

Read More »
B2B Stories

Florida-based company continues CSRA project

A new tenant coming to the Augusta Corporate Park off Mike Padgett Highway has the green light to close on the property designated for the project. PureCycle Technologies, Inc., a Florida-based company that converts #5 plastic waste to a renewable resource, announced it has received approval from the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) to proceed to closing on the project site. The approval preserves financial and tax incentives offered to the company and allows it to move forward with development. “This approval is the result of several months of hard

Read More »
B2B Stories

Date set for Fort Gordon name-changing ceremony

When Fort Gordon becomes Fort Eisenhower, members of the General’s family will not only be heading to the post just outside of Augusta, but they also helped plan the date for the renaming ceremony. ABD has learned through General Perry Smith that the ceremony will take place on October 27. The Eisenhower family requested the event be held in October because it coincides with former President Dwight Eisenhower’s birth date. Fort Gordon is one of nine army bases involved in the renaming process which includes removing all names, symbols, displays,

Read More »
B2B Stories

New ownership for CSRA staple

Harold Wright launched Wright One Paint and Body back in 2007 on Gordon Highway in South Augusta. The sale of the business is expected to close on Friday, June 2nd. “I have been in the paint and body business for over 30 years, beginning as an estimator and manager working for other shops, but found out I was great at teaching people, which pushed me to open my own shop. Now I’ve come full circle and am ready to retire and do more things that I love,” Wright said. “We’ve

Read More »
B2B Stories

Should businesses embrace ESG?

ESG. Three simple letters with complicated connotations. What is it and who is driving it? Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives have gained prominence as some say, they aim to create sustained outcomes that drive value and fuel growth, all while strengthening our environment and societies. In Augusta, we witness ESG in action when influential organizations such as Augusta National Golf Club invests in the Harrisburg neighborhood and supports the Girls and Boys Club, or when WJBF-TV and Murphy Auto Group team up to donate to the school system to

Read More »