Augusta, GA

Downtown Augusta Connector will create path to businesses

Published

10 months ago

August 1, 2023

Downtown Augusta Connector will create path to businesses

AUGUSTA, Ga. –
Soon, a downtown connector along James Brown Boulevard and Augusta Common will allow pedestrians easier to access local businesses nearby.

The City of Augusta received $225 million in grants from the state of Georgia. $1.7 million will go towards the walkway project.

Margaret Woodard Executive Director of Downtown Development Authority says the Jones Alley Connector has been in poor condition for some time.

The grant will help fix this issue all while allowing visitors another way to get in and out when they come to The Augusta Convention Center.

“It was an eye sore, so now you’re going to have a nice, new alley way or connection from James Brown Blvd. to the Common and an additional way for pedestrians to enter the common for events and festivals,” Woodard says.

The project involves demolishing two buildings and adding a green space with outside seating and additional lighting.

Last year, 47 new businesses opened on the Broad Street corridor. Woodard estimates nearly 20 businesses have opened so far for 2023.

Latasha Simmons, owner of The Vault Salon & Spa is glad to see the progress in the area she has worked in for years.

“It may not seem like it, but downtown is really growing up,” Simmons says.

Woodard says the beautification project is just one of a few that have been done this year. Along with it, she says cracking down on blighted buildings in the area is also a priority.

“People, investors, downtown business, I think are more apt to invest in downtown when they see that the city is investing in the infrastructure,” Woodard says. “It sends a very clear message that the city is vested in downtown Augusta.”

The project is still in the drawing phase. Construction will begin in the next six months.

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Augusta, GA

Ossoff to mark hospital, airport improvements in Augusta

Published

22 mins ago

May 16, 2024

Press Room

Ossoff to mark hospital, airport improvements in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is scheduled to be in Augusta on Friday.

The Democratic senator from Georgia will join Wellstar MCG Health in marking the delivery of two new MRI suites.

That’ll be at 9:30 in the morning.

Then at 11, he will join Augusta Regional Airport and community leaders for a ribbon-cutting celebrating the recent passenger terminal upgrades.

It comes as Ossoff and Sen. Raphael Warnock are announcing $3 million in funding for both the Augusta Regional and Daniel Field airports.

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Augusta, GA

AU president gives final State of the University address

Published

7 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Press Room

AU president gives final State of the University address

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Wednesday, Augusta University President Brooks Keel gave his final State of the University address.

Keel is retiring this summer.

In the address, Keel highlighted past and present accomplishments.

He mentioned things like the largest freshman class ever with 10,000 students, the Wellstar MCG Health partnership, the new statewide transfer program for cybersecurity degrees and the 35% increase in academic programs since 2015.

The university also seen a 32% increase in degrees awarded since 2015.

Keel says it’s not just his final State of the University address. It’s his best one yet because it’s the most they have ever accomplished.

It’s an address that is bittersweet.

“We are sad that Dr. Keel is leaving. He’s just such a nice guy. He has guided the ship through name changes, through difficult times. But the one thing that his legacy will be is that he has set us up for the future,” said Angel Lovett, director of parent and family engagement.

It’s also a time to celebrate everything they’ve added.

“The name change, the building of the math and science, getting us a new parking deck, the new dorms,” said Lovett.

Russell Keen, executive vice president for administration and chief of staff, said: “If you look at where we were in 2015 to where we are today, it’s a remarkably different institution with remarkable support from the campus and the community.”

At a time when enrollment is tough for lots of universities, AU saw an increase.

“The five years prior to him getting here, it decreased 3% every year. And so, if you look at where we are this year, we’ve increased 27% in our enrollment over the last nine years, which is huge,” said Keen.

Keel has just 46 days left at the university before his retirement. He says he is excited to continue to watch the university grow.

“Thank you all so much for what you do day in and day out to make this place. You have a lot to be proud of, because of these folks sitting to your left and your right. We look forward to following this place from afar and watching the great progress that you make. So, thank you so much, and one more time, Go Jags,” said Keel.

While talking about what’s in store for the university, Keel signed off saying the future is bright for Augusta University.

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Augusta, GA

Paine College suspends health, medical benefits for employees

Published

15 hours ago

May 15, 2024

Press Room

Paine College suspends health, medical benefits for employees

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Paine College has announced it is suspending benefits for its employees.

The college issued a statement on Wednesday surrounding the changes in health and medical benefits.

“Due to rising costs of maintaining health benefits for employees, the college decided to pursue a more cost-effective provider,” said Paine College in a statement.

The college says they were unable to reach a viable agreement with its recent provider which resulted in cancellation of coverage.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused our employees,” said President Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones. “We are currently negotiating with insurance carriers in search of a lower-cost provider. It is our intent to resolve this matter expeditiously and restore affordable health and medical benefits for our employees.”

The college says vision and dental coverage remain active.

“We are committed to the well-being of our employees and keeping the lines of communication open as we navigate through this process,” said Jones. “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our employees for their dedication and cooperation during this time.”

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