Here's how Columbia County grew bigger in 2020 Like a teenager after a summer growth spurt, Columbia County might not be recognizable to returning Masters Tournament visitors. During the past 12 months, though COVID-19 exacted a heavy economic toll nationwide, one of the world’s biggest retailers and the Army were helping write landmark chapters in the county’s history regarding growth. In April 2020, as the Augusta area was feeling the economic sting of a postponed Masters, state development officials announced that retail giant Amazon would build an 800-employee, 600,000-square-foot multi-story distribution center in Columbia County that, weather permitting, is expected to open this summer.