In today's Digest:
🏗️ Augusta's $250 million arena has its final steel beam
🏭 FPL's plant rebuild could affect 183 skilled workers as soon as November
🏫 South Aiken High broke ground on 12 new classrooms and a competitive gym
🍗 Miss Pearl's Fried Chicken at Enterprise Mill
Inside historic Enterprise Mill at 1450 Greene Street, Fat Man's Mill Cafe carries an Augusta food business that began in the 1940s, when Horace Usry renamed his father's grocery Fat Man's Corner and opened The Pit.
Miss Pearl's fried chicken and squash casserole still anchor the weekday lunch menu, alongside meat-and-two plates and the Pit barbecue sandwich. The cafe moved to Enterprise Mill in 2009 after Fat Man's Forest closed, keeping the Usry family's food-service tradition in Augusta.
Read more here.
🏗️ Augusta Arena Tops Out at $250M
The Gist: The $250 million Augusta Arena reached its topping-off milestone Tuesday as crews placed the highest structural steel. The 10-story venue will seat more than 10,000, connect to Bell Auditorium and add modern sound, lighting, concessions and luxury boxes.
Why It Matters: Brad Usry, chair of the Coliseum Authority's construction committee, said the voter-approved project remains on time and on budget. Its larger capacity is meant to bring more concerts, hockey, graduations and downtown visitors to Augusta.
What's Next: Officials want the arena ready for Richmond County's 2027 high school graduations.
Read more here.
🏭 FPL Overhaul Affects 183 Augusta Jobs
The Gist: FPL Food plans to tear down and rebuild the main production area at its 22-year-old Augusta beef plant. The reduced operation will affect 183 skilled manufacturing jobs as early as November, though a newer portion of the facility will keep serving larger customers.
Why It Matters: This is a significant temporary hit to Augusta's manufacturing workforce, and local economic-development leaders say the workers' skills could transfer to employers such as Aurubis, Textron and Amazon.
What's Next: Affected employees can file for unemployment and will be invited to reapply when full operations resume, which FPL expects in early 2028.
Read more here.
🏫 South Aiken High Starts Major Campus Expansion
The Gist: South Aiken High broke ground on campus renovations funded by Aiken County's 2024 one-cent sales tax. Plans include two new buildings, a competitive gym, 12 classrooms, a culinary kitchen and more outdoor space.
Why It Matters: South Aiken currently lacks some of these facilities, and Principal Samuel Fuller said the new spaces will help students prepare for career paths after graduation.
What's Next: The upgrades are scheduled for completion in 2028.
Read more here.
🎨 Kids Crafternoon | Grovetown Library | Grovetown | Friday, September 4, 3:00 PM | More Children can watercolor a betta fish; supplies are provided and registration is required.
🧺 Evans Market | The Market | Evans | Saturday, September 5, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM | More Shop peak-season produce, crafts, artisan goods, and food vendors at this free market.
🌺 South Pacific Festival 2026 | Evans Towne Center Park | Evans | Saturday, September 5, 10:00 AM-8:00 PM | More Pacific Island food, music, dance, cultural demonstrations, and family activities fill the park.
🍴 Flavor Street Festival: Labor Day Kickoff | McHenry Square | Augusta | Saturday, September 5, 3:00-7:00 PM | More Music, bounce houses, vendors, and food fill this free Labor Day weekend festival.
📚 Storytime | Harlem Library | Harlem | Wednesday, September 9, 10:30-11:30 AM | More Settle in for stories, songs, and a craft; all ages are welcome.
🖼️ Gallery Reception: A Sense of Place National Art Exhibition | Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art | Augusta | Friday, September 4, 5:00-8:00 PM | More See national contemporary art, Harrison Ray's new exhibit, and awards at 6 PM.
🧀 Edible Cheese Canvas Art Boards | Royal Tea on Reynolds | Augusta | Friday, September 4, 6:00-8:00 PM | More Build an edible charcuterie canvas with step-by-step instruction and all supplies included.
🎤 Ali Siddiq: The Custom Fit Tour | Bell Auditorium | Augusta | Friday, September 4, doors 6:00 PM, show 7:00 PM | More Catch Siddiq's storytelling-driven stand-up at a phone-free show; mobile tickets are required.
📖 Panel Discussion: Writing Historical Novels | Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History | Augusta | Saturday, September 5, 1:30-3:00 PM | More Four authors discuss historical fiction and unveil a recreated Frank Yerby dress.
🖌️ Taro Takizawa: Slipping the Splash Reception | Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art | Augusta | Thursday, September 10, 5:00-7:00 PM | More Meet Taro Takizawa and see work exploring nature, memory, pattern, and texture.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
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