Augusta, GA
Augusta Tech gets additional $500K to boost auto repair program
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Master Automotive has pledged $500,000 to support the Automotive Institute at Augusta Technical College.
To be located on the site of former Johnson Cadillac at 1122 Walton Way, the first classes will be offered at the site in fall 2025. The college currently offers a diploma and numerous technical certificates of credit programs in automotive technology.
These offerings will be expanded to include more programs in the new institute, including auto body and collision, and light, medium and heavy diesel.
Augusta Tech also plans to add automotive industry classes to its Associate of Applied Science degrees in the School of Business. The institute will also provide noncredit training and upskilling through the college’s Division of Economic Development.
At 65,000 square feet, the Automotive Institute will dwarf the college’s current 10,000 square feet occupied by the automotive program.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND:
- Augusta Technical College President Dr. Jermaine Whirl and his wife, Marqueta, have pledged $10,0000 to create a new endowed scholarship fund at Augusta Tech. Called the Dr. Jermaine Whirl Presidential Leadership Scholarship, the annual award will be given to the student who is elected as the College’s Student Government Association president. The first recipient Rashell Tanner.
As revealed in November 2023, the facility itself will be named the Jim Hudson Automotive Institute in recognition of a $1 million gift from the Jim Hudson Automotive Group. The college also received $1 million each from the Augusta National Golf Club and the Knox Foundation to acquire the facility.
Augusta Tech is currently in conversations with individuals and companies across the automotive industry in the CSRA, throughout Georgia and South Carolina, and even nationally to raise additional money to renovate and equip the building.
“Together with partners like Will Schafer at Master Automotive, we are building a national model for automotive training,” said Dr. Jermaine Whirl, president of Augusta Tech.
Master CEO Will Schafer said: “There is a major need for a facility such as this in our community and we are excited to be a part of it.”
The institute is among the “big 5″ projects that are turning Augusta Technical College into a destination school.
Also at Augusta Tech …
- College President Dr. Jermaine Whirl as the distinguished recipient of Georgia Southern University’s 2024 George and Lucy Armstrong Alumni Award. Dr. Whirl earned his second master’s degree in adult education and community leadership from Armstrong State University, which merged with Georgia Southern University in 2018. This accolade is bestowed upon an Armstrong alumnus/alumna who epitomizes the University’s fundamental values, including collaboration, academic excellence, discovery and innovation, integrity, openness and inclusion, and sustainability.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.
According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.
Here’s what to know.
Where can you save the most in Georgia?
The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.
Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.
Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:
- One-bedroom rent: $1,000
- Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
- Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450
Why are roommate savings so high?
With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.
The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?
Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:
- Cleveland, OH
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Memphis, TN
- Boise, ID
- Augusta, GA
- New Haven, CT
- Chattanooga, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Shreveport, LA
Methodology
The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.
For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.
The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.
Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.
Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.
“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.
Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Shoppers in Augusta will soon lose a longtime retail option, as Lane Bryant’s store inside Augusta Mall is set to close for good this weekend.
Employees at Lane Bryant inside Augusta Mall confirmed that the store will permanently close starting Sunday, April 19.
After the closure, the nearest Lane Bryant location for customers will be in Lexington.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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