In today's Digest:
🏗️ Augusta paused new data centers, but not the QTS project neighbors oppose
🛡️ Fort Gordon took control of its future Cyber School campus
🏠 The Salvation Army is $400K short of a $15.7M shelter build
🏫 Josey's final class graduated before a multi-school campus overhaul
🎭 The Players and Imperial Theatre named a CEO for merger work
A 6th Street Deli Since 1879
On 6th Street near Ellis, Hildebrandt's is a family-owned, German-inspired delicatessen that started as a local grocery in 1879 and grew into a downtown Augusta lunch stop.
The Louis sandwiches carry the family history, but the move here is still simple: a Reuben, pork chop sandwich, bratwurst, or fried bologna plate in a room that feels tied to the block.
Read more here.
🏗️ Augusta Pauses New Data Centers
The Gist: The Augusta Commission approved a 49-day pause on new data centers Tuesday after more than two hours of public comment. The moratorium does not apply to the QTS project along Gordon Highway that Haynes Station neighbors have been fighting.
Why It Matters: Residents say the project could affect noise, home values, water, power use and trust in how large industrial projects get approved near neighborhoods.
What's Next: A QTS community panel is set for June 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Belair Elementary. Questions are due by June 17.
Read more here.
🛡️ Fort Gordon Gets Future Cyber School Campus
The Gist: Fort Gordon took official control May 29 of the future U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence Cyber School after the Army Corps of Engineers transferred the building to the post. The project broke ground July 17, 2020, is part of a 35-project push to reshape the installation, and sits on the former Greely Hall site.
Why It Matters: Fort Gordon trains about 20,000 signal and cyber soldiers every year, so the campus affects Augusta's military workforce, contractors and cyber pipeline.
What's Next: Fort Gordon will oversee final completion, with an extensive fit-out phase scheduled to conclude in 2028.
Read more here.
🏠 Shelter Build Nears Finish Line
The Gist: The Salvation Army of Augusta is just over $400,000 short of starting a $15.7 million Center of Hope renovation. Officials said the shelter fund is 97% complete, and The Frog and Hen is donating a portion of its $50 flock meal sales toward the project.
Why It Matters: The Greene Street Center of Hope is full year-round, and summer heat adds pressure for people who need a safe place to cool off, sleep and connect with case management.
What's Next: The new facility is planned to add space plus mental health, nursing and preventive health services. The Salvation Army is also continuing fan and water drives this summer.
Read more here.
🎭 Performing Arts Groups Name New CEO
The Gist: The Augusta Players and Imperial Theatre named Shane Peterman their new CEO on June 1 as the organizations continue work toward a proposed merger. Peterman brings nearly 30 years in commercial and nonprofit performing arts and most recently served as producing artistic director at WaterTower Theatre in Addison, Texas.
Why It Matters: The two groups anchor nearly 200 years of Augusta performing arts history, and the leadership hire sets the tone for whether the merger can strengthen programming, fundraising and downtown cultural life.
What's Next: Peterman is expected to begin June 15, nearly seven months after the death of Augusta Players Executive and Artistic Director Scott Seidl.
Read more here.
🛍️ The Augusta Market | Augusta Riverwalk | Augusta | Saturday, June 6, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM | More
Shop local vendors, food, and live music on the Riverwalk.
🥕 Evans Market Spring 2026 | The Market | Evans | Saturday, June 6, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM | More
Shop Columbia County producers, farmers, artisans, and other vendors.
🎨 Artrageous! Family Sunday: Let's Fly Away! | Morris Museum of Art | Augusta | Sunday, June 7, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM | More
Free guided watercolor session on the Riverwalk with bird-themed plein-air painting.
🇺🇸 America 250th Magnet Mosaic at Augusta & Co. | Augusta & Co. | Augusta | Thursday, June 4 to Wednesday, June 10, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed Sunday | More
Paint a patriotic magnet to keep or add to the community display.
🎳 Kids Bowl Free at Five Star Lanes | Five Star Lanes | Fort Eisenhower | Thursday, June 4 to Wednesday, June 10, weekdays 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM | More
Registered kids ages 3 to 15 get two free games each weekday.
🎸 The Black Crowes: Southern Hospitality Tour | Bell Auditorium | Augusta | Thursday, June 4, 7:30 PM | More
Southern rock at the Bell with special guest Southall.
🎤 Open Mic Night LIVE @ The Fox's Lair! | The Fox's Lair at Olde Town Inn | Augusta | Thursday, June 4, 8:00 PM to 11:45 PM | More
Thursday open mic night for singers, comics, poets, and musicians downtown.
🎬 Films on Friday: Drums along the Mohawk (1939) | Morris Museum of Art | Augusta | Friday, June 5, 12:00 PM | More
Free noon screening of the 1939 frontier drama starring Claudette Colbert and Henry Fonda.
🎭 eXtreme Theatre Games by Schrodingers Cat | Le Chat Noir | Augusta | Friday, June 5, 8:00 PM | More
First Friday improv comedy with games and scenes at Le Chat Noir.
😂 Tom Papa | Miller Theater | Augusta | Saturday, June 6, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | More
The stand-up comic brings his 2026 Grateful Bread Tour to the Miller.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
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