Augusta, GA
Georgia-Based Dealer Group Invests $500K in Future Automotive Repair School – Autobody News
Master Automotive, with two dealerships in Augusta, GA, and Aiken, SC, announced it committed $500,000 to Augusta Technical College in Georgia towards the establishment of the new Automotive Institute at the college’s expanded campus. The donation will fund the development of a state-of-the-art facility designed to elevate automotive training to national standards, reported WRDW/WAGT News.
Located at the former Johnson Cadillac site on 1122 Walton Way in Augusta, the institute is set to commence its first classes in the fall of 2025.
Currently, Augusta Tech offers a diploma and various technical certificates in automotive technology. With the addition of the new institute, the college plans to broaden its educational programs to include specialties such as auto body and collision, and light, medium and heavy diesel technologies. Augusta Tech also intends to incorporate automotive industry classes into its associates degrees within the School of Business.
Spanning 65,000 square feet, the new Automotive Institute will significantly expand beyond the current 10,000 square feet dedicated to the automotive program.
In a gesture complementing the corporate donation, Augusta Technical College President Dr. Jermaine Whirl, along with his wife Marqueta, have pledged $10,000 to establish the Dr. Jermaine Whirl Presidential Leadership Scholarship. This scholarship will annually benefit the student elected as president of the college’s Student Government Association. Rashell Tanner has been named as the inaugural recipient.
The institute will also bear the name Jim Hudson Automotive Institute, following a $1 million donation from the Jim Hudson Automotive Group. Additional significant contributions include $1 million each from the Augusta National Golf Club and the Knox Foundation, which have been instrumental in acquiring the facility.
“Together with partners like Will Schafer at Master Automotive, we are building a national model for automotive training,” Whirl 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,” said Schafer, owner of Master Automotive.
The development of the Automotive Institute is one of the “big 5” projects poised to position Augusta Technical College as a premier educational destination in the realm of automotive training.
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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