Local business leaders discuss jobs, housing, and economic development

As more companies and jobs come to Augusta, the need for affordable housing is now more important than ever, according to Janie Terrell Peel. Peel, Director of Sales and Commercial Leasing with Auben Realty, an Augusta-based investment real estate firm, was one of the panelists at a special event hosted for local large and medium-sized businesses, such as SME CPA’s, Augusta Industrial Services, and Azalea Investments, hosted by Augusta Business Daily yesterday.

The other two panelists were Augusta Economic Development Authority President, Cal Wray, and ADP’s Augusta Division Vice President and General Manager, David Brendza. They discussed not only housing challenges but also jobs and economic development.

“Not everyone can afford a $400,000 house,” said Peel, whose nickname is the “Queen of Downtown and All Around” based on her years of experience working in the downtown real estate industry. “The more manufacturing you bring in, the more housing and retail space you need.”

She discussed Auben’s investment in build-to-rent homes, which, as their name implies, are houses that are built to be used for rental, not for sale.

She said there are very few retail spaces available in the downtown area and “We are definitely in the renovation business.”

Meanwhile, Wray talked about Aurubis, a Germany-based recycling company, bringing a new facility to Augusta, which should be operational by 2024. He estimates the company will invest close to $1 billion in the project, which is expected to bring 500 to 1,000 jobs to the area. He added that Augusta is facing a lack of industrial space.

“We have small sites (50 acres) available,” he said. “The average request we have is 250 acres.”

Like other employers, Brendza said ADP struggles to find enough workers to fill its vacant positions.

“We’re not a manufacturer; we’re a service organization,” he said. “We must find unique ways to draw that talent.”

ADP provides many services for its clients, including payroll, tax support, and benefits administration. Brendza said the company uses a variety of strategies to recruit new employees, including referral events and presence on social media platforms, LinkedIn, Instagram, and even Tik Tok.

“Some of the best employees come from referrals,” he said.

ABD recently reported a story about Augusta ranking as one of the top 10 hottest real estate markets in the U.S., along with Columbia and Chattanooga. Auben is invested in all three of those markets and plans to build new locations in Raleigh-Durham and Greenville-Spartanburg.

“The Augusta market, I have to admit, is our strongest market,” Peel said. “Augusta is the best place to invest.”