Augusta, GA
Start your engines: Augusta Tech gets $6.8M grant for new auto institute
An Augusta Tech plan to create an automotive service training center downtown finally has the funding to get rolling after more than four years of planning.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has approved Augusta Tech’s application for a $6.8 million grant to complete the Jim Hudson Automotive Institute, the workforce development school announced this week.
The campus will use the former site of Johnson Motor Co., a longtime Augusta Cadillac dealership on Walton Way that closed in 2021. Augusta Tech completed its purchase of the 6.5-acre property in December 2022.
“This grant is a powerful investment in Augusta’s economic future,” said Augusta Tech President Dr. Kendricks D. Hooker. “The Jim Hudson Automotive Institute will directly address critical workforce shortages while creating pathways to high-wage, in-demand careers for our students.”
Within a week of each other in April 2022, the Augusta National Golf Club and Columbia, S.C.-based Jim Hudson Automotive Group donated $1 million each to rev up the program.
“Anybody can sell a car,” company founder and principal Jim Hudson said at a June 2022 donation ceremony in the showroom of his Lexus dealership on Washington Road. “It takes a really good technician to keep it sold.”
Vehicles today aren’t just powered by gasoline or diesel fuel. Hybrid and electric vehicles are rising in popularity, and with it, the demand for more auto mechanics with high-tech training to repair increasingly computerized vehicles.
The facility will occupy about 33,000 square feet, or about half of the dealership building. The property’s layout as a working auto dealer will help flesh out the institute’s design “to support dealership operations, fleet maintenance and emerging vehicle technologies, while providing hands-on, industry-aligned instruction that responds to both regional and national labor market demand,” the school said in a statement.
Then-Augusta Tech President Dr. Jermaine Whirl told The Augusta Chronicle in 2022 that the school spent months talking with local auto dealers, transit companies, and other industry stakeholders to gauge interest in helping increase the auto-repair talent pool in the Augusta area.
The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration approved the full grant request of $6,808,307, months after U.S. Rep. Rick Allen supported the grant application in a July 2025 letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
“Not only will this grant funding enable Augusta Tech to develop a Center for Excellence in Automotive Technology in Richmond County, but it will also equip hundreds of students and workers with the skills needed to succeed in our booming automotive manufacturing industry,” Allen said Tuesday.
Augusta, GA
Georgia primary runoff vote totals for Richmond, Columbia counties
It’s Primary Runoff Election Day in Georgia, which includes on the Republican ballot races for governor to replace lame-duck incumbent Brian Kemp, and GOP challengers to upend Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
There are also important local races still to be decided in this runoff held Tuesday, June 16, including for the mayor of Augusta, and seats on the commissions for Richmond and Columbia counties.
Below are race results showing how candidates for those races and other key races are performing. Check back often on Tuesday evening and Wednesday as vote totals are updated.
Voting started at 7 a.m. and concluded at 7 p.m. While some of these races will be decided on Tuesday, many winners of the runoff still must face challengers in the Nov. 3 General Election.
To check on your voting eligibility and polling locations, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voting Page” website at mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Congressional District 12
Governor
Columbia County District 1
Mayor of Augusta
Augusta-Richmond County Commission District 8
Augusta, GA
Augusta University welcomes Brent McMillian as new athletic director
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Brent McMillian, Augusta University’s new director of athletics was officially introduced in front of faculty and staff.
McMillian is a graduate of Greenbrier High School and briefly attended Augusta University.
He brings 13 years of athletics experience and he’s excited to bring his experience to AU.
“There’s been a lot of success here. It’s a tribute to the coaches and the people. My wife and I had the opportunity to come to the Hall of Fame dinner a few weeks ago. Just incredible student athletes and kids that we’ve had on campus.”
“The one thing that I’m excited to help out with is I’ve always been a revenue generator, and I do come from the Division One kind of mid-major side, and we kind of have to hustle at that level. And, you know, it’s kind of somewhat similar challenges, similar to a good Division Two,” said McMillian.
He’s not the only one excited. President Dr. Russel Keen is also excited to have him apart of the Jaguar family.
“I’m really excited about his vision because you can just tell he’s excited. He sees something brighter.”
“And just bringing his skillset to get more of the community involved to engage this campus, our students, our faculty, staff in the athletic programs and the overall increase and enhance the overall student experience for student athletes is something that, you get fired up just talking to him about it. Really excited about what the future holds for Augusta University,” said Dr. Keen.
Photojournalist: Dania Alawir
Augusta, GA
Burst pipe damages multiple floors at downtown Augusta VA Medical Center
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A water leak at the VA Medical Center in downtown Augusta caused extensive damage over the weekend, impacting portions of three floors, according to the facility’s public affairs office.
Officials said the leak happened Friday evening after a pipe burst on campus. All staff and patients in the affected areas were safely relocated.
VA Augusta personnel worked throughout the weekend and are continuing efforts to restore full operations in the impacted parts of the facility, according to the public affairs office.
Patients whose appointments were affected have been contacted to reschedule or coordinate care through a community healthcare partner.
Officials also expressed appreciation for the quick and coordinated response by VA Augusta staff during the incident.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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