Augusta gets lost in the shuffle sometimes. . . (Greenville: apartments, living)

[Augusta Native]

Originally Posted by The Magician

Because a lot of folks in Augusta don't like the city the way that it is now, and would rather it be like some other city, like Raleigh or Austin. Its sad but I understand. Augusta leaves a lot to be desired and outside of population there really isn't anything to differentiate it from other peer cities in the state. C'mon you don't hear people in Atlanta saying they wish the city was more like Houston or Chicago. Outside of Chicago, LA, or New York, Atlantans don't feel like they should aspire to be like other cities, but other cities should aspire to be like them, despite some obvious flaws like transportation. And I don't disagree with that.

I get what you are saying but why try and be a clone or anything similar to another city, why shouldn't Augusta aspire to be the first city to accomplish, do, or create something or an image and have others look to us instead of looking to follow others lead. Just because something worked in 1 city doesn't mean it will work here.

[nortonguy]

Originally Posted by All4Augusta

how far are we from becoming this High tech city Norton Guy....what is the first step in the right direction? I feel we are banking on GHSU a little too much, smoething else has to be able to kick this mule in the backside other than MCG

It depends on how fast we continue to attract private investment. Along with Jim Jacoby, Cal Ripken, and Dr. Azziz all coming together and building something for Augusta.. The research park at the GGHF site downtown would be a huge step in the right direction..

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by nortonguy

I don't remember anybody saying they want Augusta to become Raleigh or Austin.. I want Augusta to become an high tech metro similar to Raleigh or Austin, but not a clone

That's asking for too much. Augusta has a decent research institution in GHSU, but it's nothing like the Duke/UNC/NCSU conglomerate in the Triangle or flagship UT-Austin that's primarily responsible for those areas being the high-tech hubs they are. Ideally, the most it could probably aspire to as far as high-tech goes would be something like a smaller version of Huntsville. Trying to make high-tech THE industry in Augusta would be misguided. Making it part of the equation along with strengthened existing industries would be much more feasible.

[All4Augusta]

Anything that helps take away from this horrible skittle looking skyline I'm down for it..... This research park..... Will it consist of high rises ?

[nortonguy]

I don't think an metro of close to 600k with over 6k high tech permanent jobs coming over the next few years is asking for too much.. Then were building an research park at the GGHF site, GHSU will slip in the top 50 for NIH funds, and become the 2nd designated cancer center in Georgia..

We don't have to grow from GHSU only to become high tech.. Augusta can take several routes and still become high tech in the future.. The recent developments consist of Rural Sourcing, NSA, Algae facility, Rockwood, Plant Vogtle, and the MOX facility...

Before the recession BottleTek was going to build an $100 million facility, and we can definitely attract high tech jobs.. It might happen or not in the future, but the ingrendients which brought the company here still exist..
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/business/local-business/2010-03-25/unnamed-injection-molding-facility-gets-initial-approval

Originally Posted by All4Augusta

Anything that helps take away from this horrible skittle looking skyline I'm down for it..... This research park..... Will it consist of high rises ?

I'm not sure about the research park, but the residential will have some height.. I think we can assume some of the buildings will have to be taller.. Dr. Azziz, Cal Ripken, and Jim Jacoby all want to build on 17 acres of property..

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by All4Augusta

Anything that helps take away from this horrible skittle looking skyline I'm down for it..... This research park..... Will it consist of high rises ?

Who cares about the skyline? That's the last thing to worry about when it comes to creating a vibrant, growing city. Greenville, SC doesn't have much of a skyline either, but it gives a great street level experience along the Main Street corridor.

Originally Posted by nortonguy

I don't think an metro of close to 600k with over 6k high tech permanent jobs coming over the next few years is asking for too much.

No, but that's not the same thing as trying to create a high-tech economy a la Raleigh or Austin. THAT'S asking too much and is very unlikely to happen. You have to be realistic.

[nortonguy]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Who cares about the skyline? That's the last thing to worry about when it comes to creating a vibrant, growing city. Greenville, SC doesn't have much of a skyline either, but it gives a great street level experience along the Main Street corridor.



No, but that's not the same thing as trying to create a high-tech economy a la Raleigh or Austin. THAT'S asking too much and is very unlikely to happen. You have to be realistic.

A city with the largest Microsoft IT academy, SRS, Plant Vogtle, NSA, Cisco, ESI, Rural Sourcing, GHSU, etc should have an high tech economy..


Technology Association of Georgia opens Augusta chapter
TAG was started in metro Atlanta, expanded to Savannah and now it's here. TAG President Tino Mantella said they chose Augusta because of its potential.

"We believe you have a critical mass of technology companies(ESI, Rural Sourcing, etc) and the potential for growth," Mantella said. "You have all the makings of really becoming a leader in the state(Hmm? Even with Atlanta in the state) as far as technology and we wanna help that to happen."

Brian Tucker of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce said new businesses are most likely to be in the technology sector. "The new wave of entrepreneurial-ism is going to be technology," Tucker said.

Technical recruiters agree and said Augusta is a great place to be right now in the technology sector. "This is a city that's on the precipice of doing some really cool things in technology," said technical recruiter Reed Geary.

[nortonguy]

Augusta is already close to it's peers in terms of median income, and things haven't even begun to ramp up..

American FactFinder - Results

MSA
1. Charleston $48,062
2. Savannah $46,755
3. Columbia $45,929
4. Augusta $44,477

County
1. Charleston $46,324
2. Richland $45,925
3. Greenville $45,185
4. Chatham $42,763
5. Richmond $39,152


The people living in metro Augusta haven't seen this type of upcoming growth in decades.. Over $20 billion dollars is being invested into the local economy by 2018... That doesn't include the revenue generated from spin off companies, contractors, suppliers, etc.. The GDP of metro Augusta was only 19,199 billion in the year 2010... Bascially were going to double the size of our economy in the next six years..

[amlovingit]

Originally Posted by nortonguy

A city with the largest Microsoft IT academy, SRS, Plant Vogtle, NSA, Cisco, ESI, Rural Sourcing, GHSU, etc should have an high tech economy..


Technology Association of Georgia opens Augusta chapter
TAG was started in metro Atlanta, expanded to Savannah and now it's here. TAG President Tino Mantella said they chose Augusta because of its potential.

"We believe you have a critical mass of technology companies(ESI, Rural Sourcing, etc) and the potential for growth," Mantella said. "You have all the makings of really becoming a leader in the state(Hmm? Even with Atlanta in the state) as far as technology and we wanna help that to happen."

Brian Tucker of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce said new businesses are most likely to be in the technology sector. "The new wave of entrepreneurial-ism is going to be technology," Tucker said.

Technical recruiters agree and said Augusta is a great place to be right now in the technology sector. "This is a city that's on the precipice of doing some really cool things in technology," said technical recruiter Reed Geary.

NG that's how you put it down.

[All4Augusta]

Ghsu is the 1st energy star hospital in the state of Georgia and one of only 43 in the nation.... We are getting there slowly but surely.