In today's Digest:
🖥️ Augusta approved its first data center rules in a 6-5 vote
🏫 The old Lamar Elementary is coming down for a free STEAM learning lab
💧 Augusta's only wastewater plant is in line for a $59 million overhaul
🦪 Cold-Water Oysters and Wood-Fire Steaks on Kings Way
At 2111 Kings Way in Summerville, Becks pairs a casual dining room with a seafood-and-steak menu. Cold-water oysters lead the raw bar, with seasonal seafood and wood-fire grilled steaks filling out dinner.
The oyster lineup rotates through East Coast varieties, and the dining room keeps the mood casual. Louisiana-inspired plates share the menu with a house-made shrimp burger, seafood entrees, and seasonal cocktails mixed with fresh-squeezed juices.
Read more here.
📈 Your Business Might Be Visible. But Are the Right People Noticing?
You can post consistently, show up online, and still feel like your business is being overlooked. The problem may not be how often you’re marketing—it may be whether people are actually noticing, remembering, and referring you.
Coach Shanita’s free From Invisible to In Demand workshop is designed to help entrepreneurs identify what’s getting in the way of their visibility. She’ll walk through her Visibility Blueprint, strategies for generating more referrals and opportunities, and practical ways to become better known.
The goal isn’t to leave with another list of marketing ideas. You’ll work toward a 30-day visibility action plan you can actually put into practice.
With five years of experience helping entrepreneurs build visibility, influence, and business-development relationships through coaching, events, grants, and community partnerships, Shanita brings a relationship-focused approach to growing a business.
The workshop is for entrepreneurs, startups, and small-business owners who want to increase their visibility without spending thousands on advertising.
Thank you to our local sponsors who help make this publication possible!
🖥️ Augusta Approves Data Center Rules 6-5
The Gist: Augusta commissioners approved a 29-page data center ordinance Tuesday in a 6-5 vote. The rules ban data centers from residential and agricultural zones, set daytime and nighttime noise limits, require buffers of at least 500 feet from homes and farmland in most cases, and mandate closed-loop cooling systems.
Why It Matters: The rules will govern future projects, but they do not apply to the QTS data center already under construction on Gordon Highway near Haynes Station.
What's Next: Planning staff expects to bring proposed changes on noise, buffers, enforcement and community benefits back as formal amendments later this year.
Read more here.
🏫 Lamar Elementary Comes Down for TGR Learning Lab
The Gist: Demolition has begun at the former Lamar Elementary School. Augusta National Golf Club and Tiger Woods' TGR Foundation are backing a free STEAM learning lab planned for the site, with college and career readiness programs and youth golf instruction.
Why It Matters: The lab is designed to serve more than 20,000 children from local school districts, while the demolition closes a chapter for generations of Augustans tied to the old school.
What's Next: The TGR Learning Lab is scheduled to open in 2028.
Read more here.
💧 $59M Upgrade Planned for Augusta Wastewater Plant
The Gist: Augusta-Richmond County is in line for $59 million to repair and strengthen Augusta's only wastewater plant after Hurricane Helene. The project includes new coarse screens, rebuilt clarifiers, more aeration, generator work, pond-liner repairs, bypass construction and roof restoration.
Why It Matters: Helene's surge damaged treatment equipment and standby power, and Augusta shut off water service for several days while crews made repairs.
What's Next: The first project awards are expected to go before the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority board in November.
Read more here.
📚 What If Your Next Favorite Book Isn’t on Your Algorithm?
There’s a certain kind of frustration that comes with looking for your next great read: endless lists, endless recommendations, and somehow nothing that feels quite right.
At The Book Tavern, you can skip the scrolling and talk to someone who actually reads the books. Tell the staff what you’ve loved, what you didn’t finish, or what kind of story you’re craving, and they can point you toward something that fits.
The shelves at 978 Broad Street are filled with new, used, and rare books, which means your next find could be a new release, an overlooked classic, or a title you’ve never come across before.
You can also browse the store’s staff picks online before ordering a book or stopping in. And if you’re shopping for someone else, the staff can help when all you have are a few clues about what they like.
Sometimes the best recommendation comes from a person who knows books not an algorithm. Walk in with the last book you loved and see what they’d put in your hands next. Start with the books The Book Tavern’s own readers are recommending right now.
Thank you to our local sponsors who help make this publication possible!
🍔 Food Truck Friday | Evans Towne Center Park | Evans | Friday, September 18, 6:00-9:00 PM | More
Grab dinner from food trucks and stay for live music in the park.
🧺 Evans Market | The Market | Evans | Saturday, September 19, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM | More
Shop produce, crafts, artisan goods, and food vendors at this free Saturday market.
📚 Meet the Author: Tiffany O'Bryant | Jeff Maxwell Branch Library | Augusta | Saturday, September 19, 12:30-1:30 PM | More
Hear Tippy the Unique Bird, then stay for an activity and book signing.
🧱 LEGO Club | Friedman Branch Library | Augusta | Saturday, September 19, 1:00-2:00 PM | More
Kids can practice their building skills at this all-ages LEGO club.
🎬 Raiders of the Lost Ark | Movies at the Miller | Miller Theater | Augusta | Sunday, September 20, doors 1:00 PM, movie 2:00 PM | More
Reserve a free ticket in advance; general-admission seating is first come, first served.
🥔 Potatoes: A Social Force | Evans Library | Evans | Friday, September 18, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM | More
David Sisler traces how the potato shaped Western history, from Ireland to McDonald's.
🎨 Arts in the Heart Festival | Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds | Augusta | Friday-Sunday, September 18-20 | More
Browse 130-plus artists, eat around Global Village, and catch performances across multiple stages.
🎸 Foreigner | Bell Auditorium | Augusta | Saturday, September 19, doors 6:30 PM, show 7:30 PM | More
Hear arena-rock staples including "Cold as Ice," "Juke Box Hero," and more.
🖼️ The Painting Circle | Jeff Maxwell Branch Library | Augusta | Monday, September 21, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | More
Adults can paint, unwind, and share their work with the group.
🎶 Between the Shelves: Art of Xpression | Headquarters Library | Augusta | Thursday, September 24, 6:00-7:00 PM | More
Jonay King brings high-energy live music into the library stacks.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
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