Another option: I've grown up around a pretty big road construction company called Robinson Paving Company (and also Southern Asphalt...owned by the same family). They work on roads all over the state, I believe, but are a huge deal here in Columbus and the surrounding areas. Columbus itself is booming with business but houses are still pretty cheap, although prices are on the rise. I like Columbus, though; you are 90 minutes to Atlanta, so you can get to "big city" things but don't have to live in the hustle and bustle.
Good luck with finding something! I've been to Augusta before with my boyfriend to look at potential housing because he was going to get a job up there at one point. It's been so long I can't remember the good and/or bad places, though. I wasn't very impressed by Augusta but it may have been the parts of it I saw.