It’s an exciting time for Augusta! With a host of new businesses coming to the area, an expanding healthcare industry, the improvement of our arts community and the revitalization of several area neighborhoods, our city is flourishing rapidly.
As the new publisher of Augusta Magazine, I am thrilled to see our community thrive. The future of Augusta and its surrounding area are poised for greatness.
In this issue we introduce you to 10 of our area’s brightest young men and women. A pastor, human resource professional, attorney, educator and a financial analyst are among the distinguished group. These individuals are leaders in our community. Each has a clear vision for the future and is eager to make a positive impact on the city.They are deeply rooted in community service and bring the experience and enthusiasm that will carry us forward. I share their mission.
I grew up in Columbia County and have witnessed tremendous growth through the years. A sea of retail stores now surrounds the neighborhood where I grew up and my middle school has been replaced with a Big Lots and Home Depot. I will be the first to admit that change isn’t always easy or popular, but it is inevitable.
As stewards of this city, it is our responsibility to ensure its vitality and sustainability. Augusta Magazine is a hallmark of our great city. For more than 40 years, the magazine has featured the best of the Garden City, becoming a true reflection of the area in which we live.
Southerners are steeped in heritage. We proudly display it, scars and all, like a badge of honor. While we must always treasure the past, it cannot sustain us. We must embrace the future and the certain change it brings. I invite you to join me on this journey. I look forward to getting to know you, our readers, along the way as we explore the future together!
-Ashlee
This article appears in the June/July 2015 issue of Augusta Magazine.