FIRST LOOK: Inside Augusta’s new HUB for Community Innovation

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - We’re checking in on the progress of a major project in Augusta. It’s called the Hub for Community Innovation.

It’s part of a $10 million investment by the Augusta National Golf Club and its corporate partners into the Laney Walker and Harrisburg neighborhoods.

The Hub for Community Innovation will be on the corner of Wall Street and Chaffee Avenue.

The Hub is expected to have two parts, Hub East and Hub West. The east side will be a new headquarters for the Boys and Girls Club, and the west will house four local nonprofits.

“I’m beyond excited. I can’t stop talking about it,” said Brandi Wallace, community education coordinator, ALG.

Hub partners, city leaders, and special guest Condoleezza Rice welcomed us inside the hub for innovation.

Rice, former U.S Secretary of State said: “I often think that we underestimate sometimes as the American what it really means when communities come together.”

The idea for revitalizing Harrisburg by filling the gaps in services within the historic neighborhood started years ago.

Shell Berry, president of Hub Augusta Collaborative said: “I like to say that it was the gas in the engine. It made it possible for this to happen today.”

The Hub is home to the Boys and Girls Club and four existing local organizations.

“Quality free health care along with mental health services, commercial kitchen, gardens, and a teaching kitchen. The upstairs is all about education,” she said.

There’s space for childcare, adult tutoring, community gathering, and homesteaders like Wallace will teach farming during the week.

Wallace said: “I made it something like this where I can teach others, and others want to be taught by me, I shed a tear.”

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