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Simon Says: Mixed local variables present an uncertain economic outlook

Job openings in Georgia and South Carolina decreased in May from April. In Georgia, job openings fell 16 percent to 367,000. The fall in South Carolina was much less at just half of one percent. There were 179,000 job openings in South Carolina in May. Job openings in Georgia are at their lowest since May 2021. However, these numbers still show there are 2.3 job openings for every unemployed worker in Georgia and South Carolina. Job openings are one variable included in the Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI). Other variables

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor August 9, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Governor extends gas tax suspension, local gas prices among nation’s lowest

Georgians will have at least another month to enjoy slightly lower gas prices, by order of the governor. Last week, Gov. Brian Kemp extended the suspension of the collection of the gas tax until Sept. 12. This is the third extension of the original executive order. The previous order had been set to expire at the end of this week. The gas tax in Georgia is 29.1 cents per gallon. By suspending that tax, Georgians have been able to fill up with some of the lowest gas prices in the

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Gary Kauffman August 8, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Mondays with Rick: Cyber is pervasive in business and all areas of life

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about cyber education and its effect on business. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: We’ve heard a lot about cyber security the last few years in this area, with the Army’s Cyber Command coming to Fort Gordon, Department of Defense contractors relocating here, and the Georgia Cyber Center. It sometimes seems like cyber is just about the government; is it

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Gary Kauffman August 7, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Checkers’ artificial intelligence drive-thru ordering system passes accuracy test

When I heard Checkers was now using an artificial intelligence-based ordering system in its drive-thru, I wondered about its accuracy, so I decided to put it to the test. The first time I visited the Wrightsboro Road location across the street from the mall, I sat in line for several minutes waiting to place my order. But the line wasn’t moving, so I became impatient and left. To be fair, I went during the lunch rush, when most fast-food drive-thru lines are wrapped around the building. When my wife, Rebecca,

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Josh Heath August 4, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Entrepreneurs getting help through Congressman Allen’s new bill

Starting a new business can be hard even in the best of times and even tougher in a distraught economy. But entrepreneurs could soon have some good news if legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga) is adopted into law. The legislation, called the Startup Act, would amend the current Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to include entrepreneurs and startups. The WIOA, passed in 2014, requires states to align their core workforce development programs to coordinate the needs of both job seekers and employers through combined four-year state

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Gary Kauffman August 3, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

From food truck to store: Lily’s now serving fruit teas and Vietnamese coffee near the medical district

The CSRA’s newest coffee shop is a familiar name to patrons of the Augusta Saturday Market. After several years of serving the area with a food truck, Lily’s Coffee, Tea, and Bread opened a brick-and-mortar store Monday morning. The store at 1378 Laney Walker Blvd., within easy walking distance from the medical district, serves Vietnamese coffee, fruit teas, and sandwiches that have been the favorite fare from the food truck. Owner, Lily Nguyen was urged to pick the spot for the store by her niece and nephew who attend medical

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Story and photos by Gary Kauffman August 1, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Mondays with Rick: Investing in education to build the future workforce

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about the importance of education and literacy in developing a strong workforce. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: Recent reports indicate that more than a third of Georgia third graders struggle to read at grade level and overall education is below pre-pandemic levels. What effect could that have on the local workforce? Rick: These children will become adults and enter

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Gary Kauffman July 31, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA credit union to open new branch in Aiken County

A local credit union plans to open a new branch in a long-vacant Aiken County building. SRP Federal Credit Union has purchased the building located at 201 Main St. South in the small town of New Ellenton near the Savannah River Site, according to Meybohm Commercial Properties, which represented the buyer and seller in this transaction. It was formerly occupied by two fast-food restaurants: Hardees and Popeyes. The more than 3,300-square-foot property was listed for $175,000. Founded in 1960, SRP already has 22 branches throughout Georgia and South Carolina, including

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Josh Heath July 27, 2022 No Comments
Top Story

Restaurant demolition starts

Demolition began this week on the latest bit of property to be added to Augusta National Golf Course on Washington Road. Thompson Wrecking, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021, typically demolishes buildings on behalf of Augusta National. They just started the demolition of Wendy’s restaurant in National Hills. The last day of business for this Wendy’s was Sunday, July 17. Local Wendy’s franchisee, Mike Iezzi leased the location at 2738 Washington Road next to Olive Garden from a company called Meadows Inc. from 2007 until a few years ago,

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Story and Photos by Neil Gordon July 26, 2022 No Comments
Top Story

ABD Update: Local baker launches dream business in Augusta Mall

Alice Garner’s grand opening was postponed by a few weeks, but seeing a long line of people waiting to try her desserts was no less sweet when she officially opened her business yesterday morning. Garner, a U.S. Army veteran, launched Garner’s Sweet Dreams, LLC in a kiosk on the lower level of the Augusta Mall between Macy’s and Bath and Body Works. She originally planned to celebrate the grand opening on Friday, July 1, but she had technical problems with the business’s breaker box. The business opened at 11 a.m.

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Josh Heath July 25, 2022 No Comments
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