MAY 29, 2015 | VOL. 4 ISSUE 22
HARVESTING PROFITS In the Upstate and statewide, agribusiness has been on the upswing – but there’s still room to grow
SO YOU’RE TOLD…
Every IT company has a solution for your business.
THE REALITY
Sure, until things go wrong.
EDTS empowers you to know the difference.
There are common reasons IT providers fail. There are common reasons IT providers succeed. We can help you understand both. We pair each business with a team of experts that enable you to make informed decisions about your IT partner. EDTS, putting the knowledge in technology. Contact us to discuss your IT state. We’re here to build a relationship, and make your business successful.
toll free 1-855-411–3387 AUGUSTA, GA | GREENVILLE, SC | COLUMBIA, SC
EDTSolutions.com
the knowledge in technology
upstatebusinessjournal.com
NEWS
| WORKFORCE | 3
Freedom to work Greenville Chamber joins with coalition to help former prisoners re-enter the workforce ROBBIE WARD | STAFF
rward@communityjournals.com As demand for the Upstate’s
workforce increases, advocates for Greenville County residents with a criminal background are optimistic that more employers will consider hiring people with imperfect records. Discussions at a recent Greenville Chamber breakfast involving leaders with state and local government, businesses and nonprofit organizations could have more local companies evaluating policies that exclude hiring SMIT’N PHOTOGRAPHY anyone with a criminal background. them for employment after leaving “From a lot of the follow-up infor“Ultimately, we hope we’re going prison, including high-skilled jobs. mation and questions that ensued Hand said the gathering of many to find a growing pool of orgs after the event, we really think we June 16 at 10 a.m. employers for the Chamber event planted many fruitful seeds,” said willing to hire ex-offenders.” Meeting of the Greenville will help encourage human resource Nika White, vice president of diverNika White, vice president of diversity directors and other corporate hiring Re-entry Coalition and inclusion at the Greenville Chamber sity and inclusion at the Greenville leaders to review hiring practices of Commerce and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. “Ultimately, United Way of Greenville County Greenville Re-entry Coalition related to criminal backgrounds. we hope we’re going to find a “Our goal was to explain to these growing pool of orgs willing to hire breakfast. “If a person doesn’t have folks why they should consider hiring like ‘once a criminal, always a crimex-offenders.” a job and has no money coming in, people who have blemishes on their inal,’” White said. “For us, it was the As the county with highest poputhen hope for the future is not good.” records,” said Hand, a panelist at the starting process of education.” lation in South Carolina, Greenville The Greenville-Mauldin-Easley County also has more inmates metropolitan statistical area ranked relocated to the area. Proportional 21st in the country in 2013 among to the overall population, one in 10 MSAs with fastest job growth in state inmates, or 4,646, was released advanced industry jobs, according to to Greenville County in fiscal years UBS salutes the Bragdon Parham,Institutional Arrowood, Bragdon Institutional UBS salutes the Parham, Arrowood, a Brookings Institution study. 2010-2014, state Department of GroupConsulting for their 2015Group accomplishments. for their 2015 accomplishments. Growing demandAdvisors, forConsulting high-tech, d have Corrections been recognized by Barron’s as Top 1,200 Financial Kenneth data shows. high-skilled jobs continues to create a FinancialThe Times as a Top 400 Financial has and been Kenneth Parham Bert Arrowood been recognized by Barron’s as Top 1,200 Kennethby Barron’s as U.S. Census estimated 482,752 Advisor, and William Bragdon Kennethhave Parham and Bert Arrowood haveFinancial beenAdvisors, recognized Parham has been by the Financial Times as a Top 400 Financial Advisor, and William Bragdon has been for the andrecognized visor. In addition, Rhonda Barth has beenchallenge promoted to region’s Wealthbusiness Management Greenville County residents in 2014. Top351,200 Financial Advisors, Kenneth Parham has Management been recognized by the named as a UBS Top 35 Under Advisor. In addition, Rhonda Barth has been promoted to Wealth government leaders,ofleading some Associate, one of only 38 inFinancial superior entire team delivers on behalfand of their clients sets a Times as service a Topthe400 Financial Advisor, William Bragdon has on. The superior service the entire team delivers on behalf their clients sets athe nation. The high standard for their peers throughout the industry. companies to identify new sources of been named as a UBS Top 35 Under 35 Advisor. In addition, Rhonda Barth EDUCATION hout the industry. TO workers. A Greenville County Develhas been promoted to Wealth Management Associate, one of only 38 in COUNTER MYTHS Melissa M. Huff Kenneth Parham, CIMA opment Corporation target Seniorindustry Vice President–Wealth Client Service Associate theManagement nation. The superior service the entire team delivers on behalf of their The Greenville Re-entry Coalition clients sets a highRhonda standard for their peers throughout the industry. analysis released in May 2013 Bert R.showed Arrowood, CFP L. Barth Melissaplan M.toHuff and the Chamber encourage Senior Vice President–Wealth Management Wealth Management Associate concern related to the labor force. gementmore discussions Client Service Associate ® between employers Kenneth Parham, CIMA Melissa M. Huff “While labor availability is G. not a William Bragdon UBS Financial Services Inc. Senior Vice President–Wealth Management Client Service Associate and nonprofit organizations that Senior Vice President–Wealth Management Poinsett Plaza, 17 West Mcbee Avenue huge concern for most of the employGreenville, SC 29601 Rhonda Barth backassist people with L. criminal 864-241-6332 800-726-5222 ers we spoke to, it can be difficult to Bert R. Arrowood, CFP® Rhonda L. Barth gementgrounds, said Wealth Management White, also a memberAssociate find employees with certain skill sets,” ubs.com/team/pabicg Senior Vice President–Wealth Management Wealth Management Associate of the coalition. the report states. “Those skill sets Accolades are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications. Neither UBS Financial Services Inc. nor its employees pay a fee in exchange for these ratings. Accolades can be based UBS Financial Services Research shows ability to get a job Inc. on a variety of criteria, including length of service, compliance records, client satisfaction, assets under management, revenue, type of clientele and more. For more information on a particular rating, mentioned include technical engineerWilliam G.Financial Bragdon UBS Financial Services please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures. Certified Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP and C f P in theInc. U.S. CIMA is a registered certification mark of the Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. in the United States of America and worldwide. ©UBS 2015. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. gementas a key indicator PoinsettofPlaza, 17someWest Mcbee Avenue whether Senior Vice President–Wealth Management Poinsett Plaza, 17 West Mcbee Avenue ing, certain electronicsMember positions, FINRA/SIPC. CNC one released from prison will turn Greenville, SC 29601 Greenville, SC 29601 operators, skilled maintenance and 864-241-6332 800-726-5222 into a repeat offender. 864-241-6332 800-726-5222 strong business development skills.” “There’s a lot of myths out there Steve Hand, director of the Quick ubs.com/team/pabicg Jobs with a Future program at Greenville Technical College, also works Accolades are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications. Neither UBS Financial Services Inc. eir respective publications. Neither UBS Financial Services Inc.with nor its employees fee in exchange for these ratings. Accolades canin be based inmates at pay fiveadifferent prisons nor its employees pay a fee exchange for these ratings. Accolades can be based on a variety of criteria, including length e records, client satisfaction, assets under management, revenue, type of clientele and more. For more information on acompliance particular rating, of service, records, client satisfaction, assets under management, revenue, type of clientele and more. For more in the state related to a state-funded ® fied Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and Certified finanCial PlannertM ininformation the U.S.onCIMA is a registered a particular rating, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures. Certified Financial Planner Board of program sociation,inmates Inc. in the United States to of America and worldwide. ©UBS 2015. called All rightsSelf-Paced reserved. UBSIn-Class Financial Services Inc. is Inc. a subsidiary of UBS marks AG. CFP® and Certified finanCial PlannerTM in the U.S. CIMA® is a registered certification released Greenville Standards owns the certification Education (SPICE). The job-training mark of the Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. in the United States of America and worldwide. ©UBS County in fiscal years 2010-2014 2015. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. 1.00_Ad_9.25x6_BL0506 program for inmates helps prepare
ENGAGE
atulations
m, Arrowood, Bragdon Institutional eir 2015 accomplishments.
Congratulations Congratulations ®
®
®
1.00_Ad_9.25x6_BL0506_ParK
4,646
ertified
inanCial
lannertM
®
4 | THE RUNDOWN |
TOP-OF-MIND AND IN THE MIX THIS WEEK
UBJ
|
05.29.2015
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 22 Featured this issue: Coalition looks at ex-prisoners’ re-entry struggles Blue Ridge Electric looks back on 75 years Antrim Drive shops to get facelift
3 10 17
MONEY SHOT: A hog at Greenbrier Farms in Easley. Like many local agricultural producers, Greenbrier Farms also derives revenue from farm tours and educational visits as well as special events. Read more about local agribusiness on page 12. Photo by Greg Beckner
WORTH REPEATING “Our goal was to explain to these folks why they should consider hiring people who have blemishes on their records. If a person doesn’t have a job and has no money coming in, then hope for the future is not good.” Page 3 “Every major hack and breach has had one thing in common: They started with someone innocently or carelessly letting them in.” Page 8 “People tell me it’s so expensive, and I ask, ‘Do you know how much cancer costs?’” Page 12
TBA
VERBATIM
On the Swamp Rabbit Trail Crews are clearing land for a reportedly 64,500-square-foot NewSpring Church facility at the corner of Anderson Road and Highway 153 in the Powdersville area.
“Luckily for travelers, these urban trails double as roadmaps to the very best of art, dining and adventure in each destination, no matter what time of year.” Fodor’s Travel Guide, naming the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail No. 1 on its list of “America’s Best Urban Bike Paths.” See more at bit.ly/ fodors-bike-paths.
upstatebusinessjournal.com
INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW
Oconee to get $1M natural gas test plant $2.5M ITT expansion will occur over next five years
“OPENING DOORS LETS THE FUTURE IN. BOLDLY AND
ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF
aboncimino@communityjournals.com
INTENTIONALLY,
White Plains, N.Y.-based ITT Corp. plans to build a $1 million test facility in Oconee as a part of tits $2.5 million investment to expand its existing operations in the next five years. The company operates in 35 countries and sells to customers in the energy, transportation and industrial markets across 125. The facility will test natural gas vehicle components used in ITT’s Conoflow brand of products, which ITT consolidated to their Westminster location in Oconee in 2011. The existing facility has been in Oconee since 1979 when the former Compact Air Products relocated to the area. “We have been a member of the Oconee County community for more than 25 years and are pleased to be able to grow our presence here,” said ITT Corp. Westminster Plant Manager Rob Hartman in a news release. “This facility expan-
| ENERGY | 5
sion will give us enhanced capabilities to test natural gas vehicle components, which are an integral part of the strategic plan for the control technologies business.” Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., ITT employs 9,400 people globally and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ITT. “Existing industry growth is a huge commitment in our community,” said Oconee County Council Chairman Wayne McCall. “We focus on ways to improve competitiveness by producing the best environment for business and assisting our existing businesses with their needs. ITT Corporation is just one example of these relationships.”
Kemet annual net sales down 1.3%
WE MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND CLIENTS TO EMBRACE WHAT IS YET TO BE DISCOVERED.” - SYDNEY COOKE & TIM PECORARO -
theideagroup GREENVILLE CHAMBER SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH MAY 2015
ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF
aboncimino@communityjournals.com Simpsonville-based Kemet Corp. reported net sales of $823.3 million for fiscal 2015 ended March 31, 2015, down 1.3 percent from fiscal 2014. Cost of sales decreased by 6.9 percent to $663.7 million during that same period, however, bringing operating income into the black by increasing from losses of $18.2 million to gains of $22.4 million. Net income for fiscal 2015 improved from losses of $68.5 million to losses of $14.1 million, while total comprehensive income fell by just over 5 percent to $61.1
million in losses. Founded in 1990, Kemet manufactures passive electronic capacitors for use in the computer, communications, automotive, military, consumer, industrial and aerospace industries. The 9,225-employee company’s commodity manufacturing has been relocated from the U.S. to lower-cost facilities in Mexico, China and Europe, but maintains an Innovation Center for Solid Capacitors in Greenville.
The Greenville Chamber salutes our Small Business of the Month. We honor all the things that small businesses bring to our community and are proud to move forward boldly and intentionally into the future with them. If you’re in business, you have a partner in us. www.greenvillechamber.org
6 | INNOVATE |
UBJ
MOVERS, SHAKERS AND DISRUP TORS SHAPING OUR FUTURE
|
05.29.2015
Not a statistic Student group aims to remove barriers for minority women
Going to college is all about expanding one’s knowledge. You select a major, and you take courses aimed at growing some kind of expertise. But there’s more to the college experience than learning specific subjects and acquiring technical mastery – at least, there should be. These days, more than ever, the objective of higher education is to produce well-rounded, informed, aware and engaged local and global citizens.
alarming dropout rates often experienced by minority women. At this point, Not a Statistic is a committed group of seven, with each member having input into the group’s growth and direction. In the fall, they will implement strategies to increase membership. The group’s purpose is to provide a comprehensive network of resources so that participants can succeed academically, take on leadership roles and build professional connections. Ultimately, NAS seeks to ensure the success of each of its
fessional approach to handling cell phone calls during work hours. Additionally, we’re fortunate at Greenville Technical College to have women of distinction on staff with a variety of educational paths, backgrounds and hobbies who are willing to give of their time and share their experiences with the ladies of NAS.
Moving beyond an ethnocentric point of view puts students on the path of being better employees, better community members and better people in general. A group formed at Greenville Technical College, NAS, is aimed at doing just that – broadening perspectives. NAS (Not a Statistic) grew out of the college’s initiative aimed at removing barriers and helping students succeed. One group with specific barriers is female students of color. Not a Statistic, it is hoped, will keep this population in college together, where they can avoid
members inside and beyond academic halls by creating a sisterhood of support in which each member is held accountable by the others, learns how to effectively communicate, and benefits from a unique focus on soft skills – a proficiency crucial for career success. These skills will be taught by way of ongoing business etiquette workshops that will ensure that when these young women are ready to enter the job market they know how to dress for success, have the appropriate table manners during a business lunch, and take a pro-
For the 2015-2016 academic year, through a workshop series called The Women of Tech, NAS will invite these women to their bimonthly meetings to pick their brains and mine their experiences – learning how they decided on a career path, where it’s taken them, and how their healthy hobbies relate to work and to life. Members will also be invited to join female faculty and staff members as a new group, the Women’s Alliance, is launched. This group will be aimed at creating a forum for sharing information, resources,
By MARGARET TAYLOR
Not a Statistic has the potential to help our female students of color successfully complete college while learning much more than what’s covered in course syllabi. Between the degrees they will earn and the exposure they gain to different points of view, these women will be more than ready for careers or further study. networking opportunities and best practices among women through workshops, panel discussions and guest speakers. NAS also includes a community service component. Members have made no-sew blankets for a local homeless shelter and recently took part in the Greenville Poverty Tour, an eye-opening two-hour guided tour that informs about the history and current condition of local blighted neighborhoods. Such awareness will undoubtedly encourage these students to assist in doing their part to build these neighborhoods through various volunteer efforts. In addition to local activism, members will also learn about opportunities for creating positive change globally through study abroad programs and international travel opportunities – something most of them never even considered a possibility. Not a Statistic has the potential to help our female students of color successfully complete college while learning much more than what’s covered in course syllabi. Between the degrees they will earn and the exposure they gain to different points of view, these women will be more than ready for careers or further study. They will leave with hard skills, soft skills and self-assurance. My hope is that they will leave us prepared to tackle any and all new experiences with a sense of openness, intellectual curiosity, confidence and a spirit of adventure – ready to engage competently in any setting as team members as well as individuals. Margaret Taylor is a behavioral sciences professor at Greenville Technical College and faculty advisor for the NAS student organization.
1
529 Facts You May Have Missed 5 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS PLANS
Sponsored Content
5
The
By The Faust-Boyer Group of Raymond James
2. NON-QUALIFIED WITHDRAWALS. If you make a non-qualified withdrawal (that is, one not used for qualified education expenses), the earnings are taxable and you’ll owe the IRS a 10 percent penalty. However, there are a couple of exceptions. The penalty is usually not charged if you terminate the 529 account because the beneficiary has died or become disabled, or if you withdraw funds not needed for college because the beneficiary has received a scholarship.
< TAX ADVANTAGES. You can make a lump sum contribution equal to five times the federal gift tax exclusion – up to $70,000 for an individual or $140,000 for a married couple – per beneficiary in a single year without gift tax consequences (provided that donor does not gift any more to that beneficiary over the next 5 years). Assets are removed from the account owner’s estate. Additionally, not all states allow you to fully deduct 529 contributions – many have a limit – but South Carolina does. Check with your tax advisor for details. 3. UNUSED OR EXCESS FUNDS. You can change the beneficiary to another qualifying family member at any time in order to keep the account going and avoid (or at least delay) taking non-qualified withdrawals when the original beneficiary doesn’t need those funds. The definition of “family member” is fairly broad: parents, siblings, first cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. Check with your state’s plan for details.
4. OUT OF STATE OPTIONS. You are not limited to investing in your own state’s plan. Another state may offer a plan that performs better and has lower fees. Also, the plan chosen does not affect which state the student enrolls in. An investor can live in SC, invest in a plan from NV and send a student to college in GA.
5. USE IT FOR YOURSELF. You’re already a college graduate – why would you possibly need a 529? You – or your spouse – can use it to go back to school. Maybe you are ready to try for an MBA or other graduate degree. Maybe you want to try nursing. A 529 plan can help you achieve your dreams.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT 529 PLANS? GIVE US A CALL TODAY.
Specializing in high net worth financial planning, executive financial planning, generational planning, and investing for women. The Faust-Boyer Group utilizes a team approach to effectively research, plan, monitor, and service their clients’ accounts. Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses associated with 529 plans before investing. This and other information about 529 plans is available in the issuer’s official statement and should be read carefully before investing. Investors should consult a tax advisor about any state tax consequences of an investment in a 529 plan. Plans offered outside your resident state may not provide the same tax benefits as those offered within your state.
310 The Parkway, Greer SC 29650 864-968-3800 thefaustboyergroup.com
Changes in tax laws may occur at any time and could have a substantial impact upon each person’s situation. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of Raymond James & Associates we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters.
Lynn C. Faust Senior Vice President, Investments
Michael A. Faust Vice President, Investments
Alex McGrath Financial Advisor
8 | DIGITAL MAVEN |
THE TECHNICAL SIDE OF BUSINESS
UBJ
|
05.29. 2015
Hackers party like it’s 1999 1999. (Are you still running Windows XP?) The broadest software vulnerability of 2014 was Heartbleed — an exploitation of a software hole By LAURA HAIGHT, president, that hackers use to distribute malicious code. Zero portfoliosc.com Day attacks are a growing strategy by cybercriminals in part, it seems, because we are so slow to patch systems once vulnerabilities become known. In the last month, two major cybersecurity reIn fact, in early April — one year after Heartports have been released — one from Verizon (goo. bleed — Bloomberg Business reported that 74 pergl/ek0opY) and one from Symantec (goo.gl/a6SI5) cent of the companies comprising the Forbes 2000 — that are both scary and really scary. (goo.gl/uJhYgq) — that’s 1600+ major companies If you have a large IT department, they may be — had not thoroughly fixed the Open SSL hole on reading and analyzing these reports. But if you are their servers and networks. like the vast majority of small businesses, you have While we are talking about guardians at the gate, a small or nonexistent IT department, a part-timer who are yours? Is it your firewall, your intrusion or outsourced service. Do they fill the role of stratedetection system, spam filtering? Nope. All of those gic IT advisor? Most likely not. things are important, critical even. But the single So here are some takeaways you should be thinkbiggest vulnerability for every business, nonprofit ing — and talking — about. or governmental agency is authenticated users. EvUpdates and virus protection are very important ery major hack and breach has had one thing in and they must be done. But they are not the guardcommon: They started with someone innocently or ian at the gate that we used to think they were. As carelessly letting them in. hacking has become more profitable and more So there you are with your major IT investment prolific, there are a lot more people figuring out in hardware and software, but your staff are still how to get into our systems than there are experts opening email they shouldn’t, following links they stopping them. As Doug Hewes, chief information shouldn’t and downloading photos, videos and apsecurity officer for the state’s Health and Human plications that they shouldn’t. Coming along hapServices department, noted at a GSATC Lunch in pily on this ride: the malware that took down Sony, January, we are outgunned and outmanned. hacked Anthem, and exposed 56 million records at The data bear that out. Symantec reported that Home Depot. in “2014, it took 204 days, 22 days, and 53 days, That’s especially disturbing since Verizon refor vendors to provide a patch for the top three ports the percentage of recipients who open phishmost exploited ... vulnerabilities.” Once a patch is ing emails and click on attachments is actually provided, it can still be years before company sysgoing up — 23 percent in 2014 compared with tems and websites are patched and updated. The 10-20 percent in recent years. A security test using Verizon report found that 99.9 percent of exploit150,000 emails found it took less than an hour for ed vulnerabilities were compromised more than a 50 percent of users to open the emails and click on year after they became known. Some hacks in 2014 the links. The good news? Fewer people seem to exploited known vulnerabilities from as far back as be giving up passwords on faked websites. The single biggest vulnerability for every business, nonprofit These are just two of dozens of or governmental agency is authenticated users. Every major aspects you might need to know hack and breach has had one thing in common: They started about. But in knowing these two, what can you do now? with someone innocently or carelessly letting them in. First, be aware. Do the cloud
Securities are offered through SANDLAPPER Securities, LLC (“SLS”), a registered broker-dealer with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Investing in securities whether public or private involve risks including but not limited to the potential loss of some or all of your investment dollars. You should review any planned financial transactions that may have tax or legal implications with your personal tax or legal advisor. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and investments are not FDIC insured.
BY THE NUMBERS:
204 days
time it took for vendors to provide a patch for a top vulnerability in 2014
99.9%
percentage of exploited vulnerabilities compromised more than a year after they became known
74%
percentage of Forbes 2000 companies who have not yet fixed a key vulnerability one year after the Heartbleed virus
23%
percentage of employees who open phishing emails and click on attachments
Sources: Verizon, Symantec, Bloomberg Business
services you use and other companies you do business with protect your data? There are many exploits, and it’s impossible to know them all. But you can check any site for the Heartbleed vulnerability at this site maintained by the security company LastPass: goo.gl/xy2g4I. When it comes to your own servers, systems and procedures, you may have exposures you don’t even know about. Get the advice and support you need to best protect yourself. Second, work with your staff constantly so that they understand that they are the critical piece in protecting their clients and customers. They — and not some expensive piece of hardware — are the guardians at the gate. FBI Director James Cormey has said there are two kinds of businesses: “those that have been hacked and those that don’t know they’ve been hacked.” You will be hacked, he has said; “get a plan.” What’s your plan? Get a plan. Connect with Laura Haight, the president of Portfolio, on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ laurahaight). Portfolio is a communications company that helps small business make the most of the fusion of emerging technology and communication.
WHAT’S YOUR BACKUP PLAN? How much would eight hours of downtime cost your business?
Losing power for even a few hours can mean thousands of dollars lost in revenue. Generac revolutionized the commercial generator market with the first standby generators powerful enough to back your entire business without the cost of expensive configured systems.
NO STANDBY POWER
ORDERLY SHUTDOWN
Lockup, go home and wait for the power to return.
Typically achieved with a generator that provides power to a limited number of circuits.
Using a generator that provides power to essential circuits so your business can stay open.
• Save data, shutdown computers safely • No revenue • Checkout remaining customers
• Business can stay open • Generate revenue • Profits are protected • Loses are reduced
• No revenue generation • Profitability at risk • Missed customer deadlines • Security Risk
LIMITED OPERATIONS
FULL OPERATION Business operations continue as if there was no outage. • Maintain revenue stream • Profits are protected • Gain new customers • Become known as a reliable business in the community
www.CarolinaCommercialGenerators.com
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin
STAY OPEN FOR BUSINESS. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN FOR POWER! Contact us today to schedule our Power Pro Professional for your FREE onsite assessment. Greenville: 864-232-5684
Seneca: 864-638-6635
Anderson: 864-281-1977
POWER SOLUTIONS CASE STUDY of
Rocky Creek Vet
The Upstate of South Carolina is a beautiful area home to many businesses. It is also home to severe thunderstorms in the summer and ice storms in the winter. As the weather warms up, as memories of recent winter storms melt away, it’s tempting to forget the cold, hard dread that the lights might Scott Kelly go out. President Carolina Heating Service Most of the Upstate felt Serving Greenville the effects since 1981 of no power due to ice and wind. But the potential for storm related power outages is a year-round sleeping trigger. While you cannot prevent power outages, you can prepare for them. As a business owner I know just how important having power is to stay profitable and keep that competitive edge, so do the folks at Rocky Creek Vet here in the Upstate. After losing power for nearly 18 hours caused by a car that had crashed into a utility pole several blocks away, they quickly learned they needed backup power ASAP. Virtually every function of their business is dependent in some way on a power source. From the call takers to the employee access to web tools, from the kennel housing that needs lighting and Air Conditioning and the power to sustain surgical procedures, everything needs power. In a competitive world, assuring their clients continued convenient service provides Rocky Creek Vet an advantage over many of their competitors who would be at the mercy of their local power grid. Any loss of power takes them out of communication with their clients and their employees. And power is needed to keep computer servers up and running. As peace of mind Carolina Generators installed an 80KW Generac Generator on location. And Rocky Creek Vet plans to install generators at any future locations. Power your peace of mind by installing an emergency generator.
Contact Carolina Generators today.
www.CarolinaCommercialGenerators.com
10 | MILESTONE |
UBJ
A TRIBUTE TO OUR LONG-LASTING ENTERPRISES
|
05.29.2015
Wiring communities together Blue Ridge Electric celebrates 75 years of partnering to power the Upstate
75 YEARS
1
ALLISON WALSH | CONTRIBUTOR
In 1935, cities across the country had been enjoying the revolutionary conveniences of electricity for more than 50 years, yet rural America was still being powered by the hard work of farmers and their wives. While their urban counterparts were feeling the freedom of the spin cycle and storing food in refrigerators, farm wives were canning the harvest and building fires to heat the water that would be used to scrub clothes by hand. It was around this time that Franklin Roosevelt recognized the need to bring rural America into the modern age in order to spur the economy forward. An executive order establishing the Rural Electrification Administration, and the subsequent legislation establishing the SC Rural Electrification Authority, paved the way for farmers to come together and apply for loans to fund the infrastructure needed to bring power to the pastures. Extension agents began canvassing the countryside in search of people willing to pay the $5 membership fee â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no small sum in Depression-era dollars â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and the electrical cooperative was born. By 1940 the membership across South Carolina had grown too vast to be managed from Columbia and the state was divided into districts, prompting the formation of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in August of that year. >>
2 3
4
1. Blue Ridge Co-op workers clear brush. 2. Construction of a Blue Ridge Co-op electrical substation. 3. Rural customers look at their new electrical meter in 1955. 4. A Blue Ridge Co-op representative visits a rural customer. 5. Blue Ridge Electric Co-op President and CEO Charles Dalton
5
upstatebusinessjournal.com
>> Today Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative is the fourth largest of the 20 co-ops in South Carolina, serving close to 64,000 members across five counties. The company headquarters in the heart of downtown Pickens serves Pickens, Greenville and Spartanburg counties, while a companion facility located between Seneca and Westminster distributes power to Oconee and Anderson counties. GIVING BACK Blue Ridge is a member-owned utility that operates as a not-for-profit. President and CEO Charles Dalton is quick to point out, however, that the cooperative does business and pays taxes just as any for-profit company would, with the exception of income taxes; income is assigned to be paid back to members in the form of capital credits, which are typically paid out on a 20-year cycle. “We refer to our customers as members,” Dalton says. “It’s a term that reminds us how important each of our members are, and drives us to provide a high level of service.” The Blue Ridge philosophy of service extends beyond powering the homes and businesses of its members. “We have a strong sense that we need to support the communities we serve in,” Dalton says, explaining the motivation behind Blue Ridge Fest, an annual festival centered on classic cars and classic beach music that over the last 18 years has distributed more than $2 million to charities within the five counties that make up the cooperative’s service area. “Our employees see so many hard situations in doing their jobs day to
A TRIBUTE TO OUR LONG-LASTING ENTERPRISES
day, so we pick charities we know are doing a good job helping people who really need help.” This sense of community is not surprising, considering Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative was built by communities for the purpose of building up those communities. Many current employees have direct connections to the cooperative’s founders. “We have employees who will retire with 30 or 40 years of experience, and with parents, aunts and uncles who worked here,” Dalton says. “These family connections and traditions are probably true in co-ops, not just in South Carolina, but throughout the country.” Dalton himself is carrying on a family legacy; his great-uncle was one of the coop’s founding members. After graduating from Clemson University in 1964, Dalton and his brother owned a furniture store that drew its power from Blue Ridge Electric, and when his great-uncle died, Dalton assumed his seat on the cooperative’s board. He held this position for 10 years until he was appointed to replace the original general manager, A.J. Hurt, upon his retirement in 1982. “Blue Ridge Electric is something I was always interested in and something that was important to my family,” Dalton says. LOOKING AHEAD The cooperative was granted a fairly large geographic area when legislation was passed in the late 1960s seeking to avoid duplication of service by divvying up territories between co-ops and investor-owned utilities. Where the larger utilities (such as Duke Energy) may average 25-30 customers per mile, Blue Ridge averages 10. This translates to lots of room to fill in with residential and commercial development. “We are well positioned to grow,” Dalton affirms. “We have the infrastructure to serve any additional load we could get.” Blue Ridge is a player in helping to attract that additional load, thanks to the Rural Development Act, a 1996
| MILESTONE | 11
TIMELINE OF BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC CO-OP
1882
First central power station in the United States built in New York City.
1940
A.J. Hurt, an employee of the state REA who helped start the co-op, hired as the first general manager.
1970s
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative appoints first female board member.
1995
Launch of Blue Ridge Security Solutions, a standalone for-profit company.
1998
Dalton launches Blue Ridge Fest, which has contributed more than $2 million to local charities.
1935
Franklin Roosevelt issued executive order establishing Rural Electrification Administration, paving the way for farmers to organize electric cooperatives.
1960s
Industry begins to locate outside of cities, a move made possible by electricity provided through rural co-ops.
1982
A.J. Hurt retires. Current CEO Charles Dalton appointed to replace him.
1996
S.C. General Assembly approves the Rural Development Act.
2015
To mark its 75th anniversary, Blue Ridge will honor 75 members in local communities who display a cooperative spirit of selfless giving by making a donation to the charity of their choice.
statute approved by the S.C. General Assembly allowing taxpaying utilities to defer up to $300,000 in annual license-tax obligations for investment in local job-creating projects. In 2012 that annual sum was increased to $400,000. Blue Ridge has directed a substantial portion of these dollars to support land purchases, water, sewer and roadwork, and construction of shell buildings to aid in the development of commerce and industrial parks in Pickens, Oconee and Anderson counties.
12 | COVER
UBJ
|
05.29.2015
PLANTING PRODUCE, REAPING REWARDS
From left: Sisters Lee Kathryn and Julia Thompson pick strawberries at Beechwood Farms.
From production to processing to plate, Upstate agribusiness wants to keep it local ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF
aboncimino@communityjournals.com The next push for the “buy local” movement in South Carolina should be to actually keep everything local, according to dairy farmer Tom Trantham of Happy Cow Creamery in Pelzer. “Right now the problem is these eggs and chicken and beef, we don’t have the processors,” said Trantham, a dairy farmer since 1968 who said the demand for locally sourced dairy products has maxed out the creamery’s capacity for the last few years. As it is, “You have to drive a couple of hundred miles to get all of your stuff processed, and that’s a huge expense.” Not only does that mean extra expense for farmers, it can mean lost economic activity dollars – in jobs, investment, taxes and development – for the state, said S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers.
Billy Ledford with Beechwood Farms.
“About 90 percent of the value of this industry happens after something leaves the farm,” said Weathers, who said most of the 22,000 jobs added to the $41.7 billion impact agribusiness cluster since 2006 were non-farm positions. “When you go and spend a dollar at a grocery store, about 17 cents gets back to the farmer,” he said. “The jobs are in processing.”
RECRUITING PROCESSORS AND CONSUMERS In the past several years, South Carolina’s agribusiness cluster – which includes agricultural products as well as forestry – has been on the upswing, said Weathers, but the state still wants to see 20 percent growth in economic impact by 2020. Part of that, he said, will be leveraging the state’s economic development experience in recruiting processing companies to the state by offering incentives, tax credits and even making sure the state has a speculative food processing building available. “We’re trying to learn from our commerce department and our local economic developers,” said Weathers, who said he observed the way economic
“We know about the droughts in California and the other parts of the country. … We also represent an access to the East Coast population for a lot of these people who are shipping products east.” Hugh Weathers, S.C. commissioner of agriculture
development works for a decade on the S.C. Coordinating Council for Economic Development. “How do they find out who is looking to move? How do they find out what factors are going into the decision? We need to be ready for them to come and kick the tires.” The other part, he said, is getting consumers themselves to prefer locally grown food. Several years ago, the department launched its “Certified S.C. Grown” campaign, which Weathers said makes consumers aware of the option to support local growers. “The dollars are going to leave those pockets and go to somebody; we just want those pockets here in South Carolina,” he said. “If we bought from our farms at the same rate that Georgia and North Carolina did [in 2006], we would demand over $330 million more
«
COVER | 13
upstatebusinessjournal.com
Ryan Oates with Tyger River Smart Farm.
Plants growing at Tyger River Smart Farm.
A tractor makes its way along a road at Beechwood Farms.
Cucumber plants at Beechwood Farms.
«
dollars of agricultural food products, and to grow it, process it, deliver it, it would take 10,000 more jobs for that extra economic activity in our state.”
UPSTATE MOMENTUM And the momentum is building, according to Billy Ledford, owner of Beechwood Farms in Travelers Rest, who grows strawberries, cabbages, sweet corn, zucchini, half runners, eggplants and tomatoes throughout the year. “A major change in the last 10 years is chain stores being willing to work with local farmers,” said Ledford, who employs 20 people per day in the spring and as many as 60 people a day at the height of production in early summer. Ledford said Beechwood products can be found in Ingles, BI-LO and WalMart, and said others such as Whole Foods had expressed interest. Ledford – who owns and operates Beechwood with his wife Elizabeth Ledford and sister Judy Best – said kale might be an option considering its recent rise to popularity. “We want to continually change and adjust production in response to demand,” he said. While Ledford’s operation spans around 300
Roddy Pick with Greenbrier Farms.
Grapevines and a pond behind Greenbrier Farms’ event space.
acres, producers as small as Tyger River Smart Farm’s 1,300-square-foot hydroponic farm in Duncan are contributing to the move to local. Owner Ryan Oates’s nursery in Spartanburg produces 1,000 heads or bunches of lettuce a week, alongside various herbs and greens that he sells at farmers markets and to a handful of Upstate restaurants. The result is a win-win for everyone, he says. “Just about all lettuce comes from California or Mexico,” said Oates. “That’s a long way for lettuce to go.” Next year he plans to expand using 30 acres he purchased last year. The first phase – a 13,000-squarefoot greenhouse and nursery on 10 acres – will multiply his production capacity tenfold, he said.
LOCAL FOOD FOR LOCAL PEOPLE Another path to $50 billion for agribusiness is tourism, or revenue derived from farm tours and educational visits as well as special events. Just outside of Greenville, for example, 300-acre Greenbrier Farms leverages its quarter-century-old rustic barn as event space for weddings, corporate events and farm-to-table dinners that can cost from $30 to $300 a plate, said Roddy Pick of Greenbrier.
Greenbrier – like many producers close to metropolitan areas – also offers direct-to-consumer options called community supported agriculture (CSA). Consumers “subscribe” by paying in advance for produce and meats, which helps producers secure a stream of guaranteed buyers. The 150 families fed through Greenbrier’s CSA indicate strong community support and further increase the farm’s visibility in the area, said Pick. Demand for high-quality, locally grown food pushed Greenbrier into the wholesale market several years ago, and the company sells to high-end restaurants all over the region, including Nose Dive and Roost in downtown Greenville, he said. “People tell me it’s so expensive, and I ask, ‘Do you know how much cancer costs?’” said Pick, who operates Greenbrier with business partners Amy and Chad Bishop. “We’re trying to put local food in people’s mouths locally.”
“You have to drive a couple of hundred miles to get all of your stuff processed, and that’s a huge expense.” Dairy farmer Tom Trantham of Happy Cow Creamery in Pelzer
14 | NEWS |
UBJ
INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW
|
05.29. 2015
Open for business
A strong network starts with a strong network. At Integral, our team comes with our solution. At Integral Solutions Group, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re your partner for the design, deployment and maintenance of your IT infrastructure. With live 24/7 support, the only Tier IV commercial data center in the state, plus turn-key and a la carte services, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our mission to help alleviate the everyday stress of IT management.
The Mad Vaper recently opened at 105 E. Butler Road, Suite A, Mauldin. The store sells hardware and juices for vaping needs. For more information, visit bit.ly/madvaper or call 864-5201553.
Custom Solutions for Complex Challenges To learn more, call any one of our technology specialists at 1-800-975-6060 or visit us online: www.integralsg.com/strong
CLOUD SERVICES | MANAGED SERVICES | TIER IV DATA CENTER NETWORK INTEGRATION | VOICE & DATA INFRASTRUCTURE
ForeFront Customs recently opened at 450 S. Main St., Mauldin. The business offers vehicle customization. For more information, visit forefrontcustoms.com or call 864-350-8796.
Photos provided
CONTRIBUTE: Know of a business opening soon? Email information to bjeffers@communityjournals.com.
upstatebusinessjournal.com
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS IN THE UPSTATE
| DEALMAKERS | 15
DEALMAKERS Commercial real estate transactions in the Upstate FLAGSHIP PROPERTIES ANNOUNCED:
Josh Tew represented the landlord in the prelease of retail space at 18 W. Antrim Drive, Greenville, to Elegante Salon.
Benji Smith and Josh Tew represented the seller in selling a 4,000 SF multiunit medical office building Josh Tew represented the at 2078 Woodruff Road, landlord in leasing 1,900 Greenville. SF of office space at 103 Benji Smith and Josh Tew Commons Way, Greenville, to Changing Phases, LLC. represented the landlord in leasing 1,815 SF of space at 3519 Pelham Road, Greenville, to Benefit Resource Center.
Josh Tew represented the buyer, McTron Technologies, in purchasing a 2,500 SF office building at 23 Exchange St., Donaldson Center, Greenville.
Josh Tew represented the landlord in the lease renewal of a 2,500 SF flex space at 4009 Pelham CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD Court, Greenville, to | THALHIMER Precision Door. ANNOUNCED: Josh Tew represented Charlie Whitmire the tenant, Benchmark represented the seller Mortgage, in leasing 5,684 in selling 16.43 AC SF of office space at 400 of multi-family land Executive Center Drive, along Montebello Road, Greenville. Greenville, for $350,000 to Paul Burket. Benji Smith represented the landlord in the lease NAI EARLE FURMAN renewal of 2,044 SF of office space at 111 Pelham ANNOUNCED: Commons Blvd., Greenville, Keith Jones represented to Omnisource Staffing. the tenant, Hire Dynamics, in leasing a 2,520 SF Benji Smith represented office space at 430 Roper the landlord in the lease Mountain Road, Suite F, renewal of 2,250 SF of Greenville. office space at 420 The Parkway, Suite O, Greer, to Energy Hardware. Benji Smith represented the landlord in the lease renewal of 3,000 SF of office space at 490 Garlington Road, Greenville, to Spectrum Engineering Services.
Ted Lyerly, Jimmy Wright, and Brendan Gower represented the landlord, Windward Partners, in leasing a 3,000 SF retail space at 5010 and 5012 Old Spartanburg Road, Taylors, to El Patr贸n Mexican Restaurant.
Investments, LLC.
Gaston Albergotti, Bill Sims and Jake Van Gieson Gaston Albergotti, Bill represented the buyer, Sims, and Jake Van Gieson HAM Properties, LLC in represented the landlord, purchasing a 4,800 SF Shelmore Property retail property at 214 E. Company, LLC, in leasing Butler Road, Mauldin. a 2,600 SF retail space at John Powell represented 150 Tanner Road, Suites the seller in selling a 2,400 E and F, Greenville, to Gardner Learning Services, SF industrial property at 106 Welpine Ridge Road, LLC. Anderson. Tyson Smoak and Ross Kevin Pogue represented Kester represented the Pacolet Milliken tenant, a South CarolinaEnterprises in the sale of based dental practice, a 675.97 AC property on in leasing a 2,600 SF Highway 9, Campobello. retail space at 1641 E. Greenville St., Anderson, Earle Furman represented from SC Anderson Hwy seller, Locke Land 81, LLC. Company, LLC, in selling a 134,934 SF industrial Alex Campbell represented property at 206 Enterprise the seller, Crete Carrier Drive, Rockingham, N.C., Corporation, in selling to Warehouse Solutions of a 5,800 SF industrial Richmond County, LLC. space and 2.52 AC of land at 7050 White Ave., John Baldwin represented Spartanburg, to Revelation the seller, Gopher REO, LLC, in selling a 116,280 Towing. SF industrial property at Ted Lyerly, Jimmy Wright, 211 Joe Bernat Drive, and Brendan Gower Greenwood, to Beattie represented the buyer in Development, LLC. purchasing a 4,900 SF Peter Couchell and Robert retail property at 1020 Woodruff Road, Greenville. Schmidt represented the seller in selling a 9,014 SF Ken Anderson represented retail investment property the seller, Stein Real Estate at 4561 Parris Bridge Company, LLC, in selling Road, Boiling Springs. a 60,000 SF industrial Towers Rice represented property at 1245 Woods the seller, SCH290, Inc., Chapel Road, Duncan, in selling a 10,200 SF to MSI Investors of industrial property at 331 Wisconsin, LLC. Spiro Drive, Duncan, to
Towers Rice represented the seller, Baldree Holdings, LLC, in selling John Staunton and Hunter a 3,240 SF industrial Benji Smith represented Garrett represented the property at Industrial Park the landlord in the landlord, First Citizens Drive, Seneca, to S and S lease renewal of 3,000 Bank & Trust, in leasing a Leasing, LLC. SF of office space at 16,411 SF third floor office 492 Garlington Road, Earle Furman and Alexi space at 325 W. McBee Greenville, to Spirit Papapieris represented the Ave., Greenville. Communications. seller, Via, LLC, in selling Ted Lyerly, Jimmy Wright, a 6,250 SF industrial Benji Smith and Josh and Brendan Gower property at 100 Dixie Tew represented the represented the landlord, Circle, Greenville. tenant, Dry Clean USA Dialysis Venture Partners, Carolina, in leasing retail LLC, in leasing a 4,500 John Staunton and Hunter space at 3008 August St., SF retail space at 36 S. Garrett represented the Greenville. Main St., Travelers Rest, to buyer, G & N Holdings, YoKreme, LC. LLC, in purchasing a Josh Tew represented the buyer, Kairos Holdings, III, Alex Campbell represented 7,000 SF retail investment in purchasing a 6,500 SF the tenant, Glasspro, Inc., property at 5322 Wade Hampton Blvd., Taylors, building on 0.33 AC for in leasing a 4,000 SF in the Wade Hampton office/retail redevelopment industrial space at 1040 at 14-22 W. Antrim Drive, Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite Commons, from CAP Greer II, LLC. Greenville. C, Greenville, from R&J
Morris Business Holdings, LLC.
Tony Bonitati, Kay Hill and Bern DuPree represented the seller, Upstate Property Rentals, LLC, in selling a 92-unit apartment complex at 104 Springbrook Court, Anderson, to Richmond Manor Apartments, Inc. KDS COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, LLC ANNOUNCED: Mark Masaschi represented the investment purchaser in the acquisition of a 52-unit student housing facility on Pine Street, Clemson. Bobby Miller represented the buyer, Enchanted Construction, LLC, in purchasing 104 developed
lots at 10420 Asheville Hwy., Inman.
3,000 SF lease at 1310 Garlington Road, Suite K, Sam Ligon represented the Greenville. seller in selling 82,000 SF COLLIERS of industrial space at 1108 NE Main St., Simpsonville, INTERNATIONAL for $1,025,000 to Heard ANNOUNCED: and Heard IV, LLC. Richard Jackson represented the tenant, Bobby Miller represented the seller, Pickens County Fusion Surplus Solutions, Inc., in leasing 60,000 School District, in selling SF of industrial space 4.11 AC in Easley. at 132 White Horse Brad Doyle represented Road, Greenville, from the buyer, Prestwick the landlord, GLP: US Development. Management, LLC. Bobby Miller represented Brantley Anderson the seller, Georgia Road Commons, LLC, in selling represented the tenant, Strategic Power Systems, 22,160 SF of office/retail in leasing 1,317 SF of space at 100 Allawood Court, Simpsonville, to the office space at Park East, buyer, Allawood Properties, 750 Executive Center Drive, Greenville, from the LLC. landlord, Terra ParkGreen, LEE & ASSOCIATES LLC. ANNOUNCED: Frank Hammond and Nick Randall Bentley Reinhardt represented the represented the landlord in buyer, MP VP Rolling Hills the 20,000 SF industrial Easley SC, in purchasing lease of 310 Interstate 0.9 AC at Easley Town Blvd., Greenville. Center in Easley, from Kevin Bentley represented the seller, Easley FD Associates, LLC. the tenant in the 10,000 SF industrial lease at Frank Hammond and Nick 282 Rocky Creek Road, Reinhardt represented the Greenville. buyer, Greenville Federal Kevin Bentley represented Credit Union, in purchasing 0.5 AC at 1513 Wade the landlord in the 2,500 SF flex space lease at 450 Hampton Blvd., Greenville, from the seller, MGM S. Main St., Mauldin. Financial Corp. Bryon Culbertson Givens Stewart, Garrett facilitated the 7,070 SF lease at 997 Bypass Lane, Scott and Richard Barrett represented the landlord, Seneca. 220 Commerce LLC, Randall Bentley in leasing 158,879 SF represented the landlord in the 36,176 SF lease at of industrial space at 6000 Pelham Road, Suites 220 Commerce Drive, Greenville, to the tenant, A & A-1, Greenville. Saddle Creek Corporation. Randall Bentley represented the landlord in Bob Shaw and Jake the 5,200 SF lease of 535 Jackson represented the Brookshire Road, Suites C landlord, Century at Keith, LLC, in leasing 6,000 SF & D, Greer. of office space at Century Willz Tolbert represented at Keith, 5 Century Drive, the tenant in the 3,045 Greenville, to the tenant, SF office lease at 10 SAFY of Greenville. Patewood Drive, Suite 250, Givens Stewart and Garrett Greenville. Scott represented the Willz Tolbert represented buyer, Techtronic Industries the landlord in the 1,034 NA, Inc., in purchasing SF office lease at 522 S. 429 AC of land at I-85 and Main St., Simpsonville. Highway 81 in Anderson, Kevin Bentley represented from the seller, Threatt Enterprises. the landlord in the
16 | SQUARE FEET |
UBJ
REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION
|
05.29.2015
Luxury apartments at Church and Broad to break ground SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF
Proffitt Dixon Partners, a Charlotte-based multifamily investment and development firm, will break ground soon on the company’s first South Carolina venture, a new luxury apartment community at Church and Broad streets in downtown Greenville. Fountains Greenville will be built on 2.45 acres and rise five stories with 201 units at 201 E. Broad St. Its proximity to the central business district, Publix, Falls Park, Centre Stage and the Peace Center is what attracted the company to the location. “The area has exactly what we look for, which is a walkable area near jobs, restaurants, entertainment and greenspaces,” said Stuart Proffitt, managing principal. “As with our other communities, we will follow green building practices, and choose energy-saving appliances and features.” The community will feature a resort-style
Renderings provided
sjackson@communityjournals.com @SJackson_CJ
pool, courtyard, outdoor grills and TV, commercial-quality fitness center, upscale club areas and rooftop deck. It will also have convenient access to the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail. “Greenville is the economic engine of South Carolina,” said Wyatt Dixon, managing principal. “This is a great opportunity to bring the luxury
PROJECT PARTNERS GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Creative Builders Group ARCHITECT: The Housing Studio apartment lifestyle to one of the country’s fastest-growing cities.”
Scannell developing 84 acres at Duncan industrial park The last remaining site at the Hillside Industrial Park in Duncan has been sold to Indianapolis-based Scannell Properties, which will develop 84 acres and will include at least one initial speculative industrial building. Scannell Properties purchased the property earlier this year. It’s the company’s first foray into the Upstate market. “We were impressed by the location’s hub for major manufacturing and distribution logistics as well as its central Southeast location between major Southeastern markets like Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte and Florida, with easy access to major highways, airports and railways,” said Bill Linville, managing director and partner at Scannell Properties. Hillside Industrial Park is located off of Interstate 85 and Highway 20 in Spartanburg County. Linville said they look for “midlevel markets that are good, solid markets,” noting that they see “all of the fundamentals here like population growth, job growth, employers, and distribution trends for the market and a limited supply for modern warehouse space,” he said. The new development is master-planned for
up to 900,000 square feet of industrial space across four to six buildings, depending on need. Construction has already begun on a 155,032-square-foot speculative building that can be used for warehouse, distribution, light manufacturing or assembly, said Linville. That building should be completed in five or six months and interest in the property has been good. Grading is also being done on the other sites to provide opportunities for buildto-suit for either lease or sale. He expects completion by the end of the year. Scannell likes to use local resources when possible for its projects, Linville said. Along with the engineering and general contracting teams, it has hired the local Colliers International team of Givens Stewart, Garrett Scott and Brockton Hall to market the project. “Located in a growing industrial corridor, Hillside offers unique flexibility that differentiates itself from
neighboring parks,” said Stewart. “When combined with the record growth we are seeing in the Upstate, Hillside has the potential to be very successful.” It’s probably not the only project that Scannell will be doing in the Upstate. Linville said he is “looking at what is a good next move” and will be making a commitment soon on its next venture.
PROJECT PARTNERS
Renderings provided
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Yeargin Potter Shackelford Construction CIVIL ENGINEERING: Site Design MARKETING: Colliers International; Givens Stewart, Garrett Scott and Brockton Hall
upstatebusinessjournal.com
REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION
| SQUARE FEET | 17
Hughes makes plans for Falls Park Place In a small vacant lot at the corner of Falls Park Drive and Main Street, directly across from Falls Park, Greenville developer Hughes Investments is proposing to build a six-story, mixed-use project called Falls Park Place. The proposed project would include a rooftop terrace with a pool along with retail, restaurant, office and residential space. The development would be great for downtown Greenville, said Ryan Peiffer, vice president at Hughes Investments. “This is a prominent corner that
Renderings provided
already has the attention of a national retail anchor and a number of different restaurants.” Since the initial filing with the city of Greenville’s Design Review Board, Hughes Investments has revised the project at the DRB’s request to include another story and a 20-foot setback beginning at the fifth floor. Hughes is still studying the feasibility of the project and details may change, depending on input from city staff and the DRB. The plans will be reviewed at the June 4 DRB meeting.
Facelift planned for Antrim Drive shops
BEFORE
SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF sjackson@communityjournals.com @SJackson_CJ
Two local businessmen have purchased a
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Widewater Construction ARCHITECT: Charles Lachanos
W eb
st
er
Rd
.
Renderings provided
L au s on
r en
sR
o ad
St.
A ir p
or t
R d.
pp e n.
L au
t. ick S
o ad
mD
r.
sR
E. A
a s an
cr e e na Gre
r en
ntri
Dr.
Dr.
t r im
t b ur g
R d.
W. An
S. Ple
le
W. An
Dr .
yL
Sh o
er t
t r im
Dr.
L ib
rs D
r.
E lli
Fred er
PROJECT PARTNERS
AFTER
Da
Greenville shopping center on Antrim Drive and are giving it a much-needed makeover. Joshua Tew and a silent business partner purchased the 6,500-square-foot retail center under Kairos Holdings III. It is the partners’ first foray into owning commercial real estate, but hopefully not the last, said Tew, who is also a vice president at Flagship Properties and has a background in construction and real estate. Tew had been involved in another shopping center redevelopment on Laurens Road that led to this opportunity. The property had been distressed with two former owners who hadn’t made any improvements to the property in years. A façade improvement grant from the city is assisting in the revitalization. “It’s a nice benefit to the community from multiple angles,” said Tew. “It’s great to be able to turn an eyesore in the area into an asset.” Construction is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the fall. Exterior improvements include removing the existing awnings, converting all storefronts to glass, putting in new landscaping and making improvements to the parking lot. Interiors will “be made like new again,” said Tew. One tenant, Carolina Financial Resources, will be remaining in the center, which has been renamed W. Antrim Plaza. Another business, Elegante Hair Studio, will be relocating from its current location on Orchard Park Drive to 850 square feet in the revitalized space. Three additional spaces are still available, ranging from 850 to 2,400 square feet.
E.
An
t r im
Dr.
18 | ON THE MOVE |
UBJ
PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS
PROMOTED
APPOINTED
AWARDED
HIRED
|
05.29.2015
APPOINTED
James Prow
Anja Smith
Lynn Cole
Matthew Newton
Lamont Sullivan
Named graphic designer and project manager at Coldwell Banker Caine. Prow was previously the marketing specialist for the Ashley Lewis Team of Coldwell Banker Caine, where he gained the real estate knowledge needed to successfully market a top real estate team in the Upstate.
Named managing partner of All Clear Plumbing. Smith will serve as the business development, community relations and office operations staff. She is actively pursuing projects to improve workforce development and economic growth in the region.
Named the 2015 Oncology Certified Nurse of the Year by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). The ONCC recognizes one oncology nurse nationally each year. Cole serves lung cancer patients as a thoracic clinical navigator at Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute.
Named vice president, branch manager at the McBee Avenue branch of BNC Bank. Newton is responsible for branch operations and business development, with a focus on enhancing customer experiences and building new relationships. He has more than 11 years of banking experience.
Named CEO by the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate. Sullivan has worked for BBBS Upstate for 11 years in different leadership roles and has served as interim CEO of BBBS since January. He will oversee operations in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Pickens, Oconee and Laurens counties.
DEVELOPMENT O’Neal Inc. hired Jeff Moreland as senior process engineer and Harold Culbreath as senior structural engineer. Moreland has more than 25 years of process engineering experience,
working with Sony, Milliken, Day & Zimmerman, and CH2MHill. Culbreath has more than 30 years of structural engineering experience, working with Fluor and Jacobs Engineering.
Hannah Barfield Healthcare Recruiter
EDUCATION Bill Ferrell of Clemson University was named the Fluor-Clemson International Capital Supply Chain Partnership Professor in Industrial Engineering. The program prepares
engineers for leadership roles in improving the flow of goods and materials, including for capital projects. Ferrell has been instrumental in an online master’s program that has graduated about 100 >>
We’ve already met your next employee.
Godshall Professional Recruiting and Staffing specializes in executive recruiting, career placement and consulting for businesses and job seekers in South Carolina. Our healthcare services team has more than 20 years of combined experience in placing qualified candidates in clinical, dental and front office positions. Let us find the perfect fit for your employment needs. Professional • Finance • Technical • Healthcare sccareersearch.com • 864-242-3491
GODSHALL Professional Recruiting Staffing Consulting
upstatebusinessjournal.com
>>
students in four years and is expected to pay for a $10 million addition to Freeman Hall. Tami Blumenfield, an assistant professor of Asian studies at Furman University, was selected for a Fulbright Scholar Grant to conduct research in China during the 2015-16 academic year. Blumenfield will work with the Na communities of the Yunnan Province, where she’ll create a multimedia exhibit and digital archive to help preserve the cultural heritage of the Na people. She will also collaborate with the Yunnan University Institute for Ethnic Studies.
FINANCE Bethany M. Griffith of Abacus Planning Group met all requirements to become an enrolled agent. Griffith began her Abacus career in 2007
INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW
VIP – HIRED
IT
Ashley Jaillette Named executive director of the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners (SCATCC). Jaillette will serve the trustees and expand awareness of colleges in the South Carolina Technical College System. She has 10 years of experience in marketing and client development roles at South Carolina law firms.
Fountain Inn takes aim at workforce development STAFF REPORT
Fountain Inn leaders took aim at its workforce development challenges during a town hall meeting at ZF Transmissions, promoting early childhood education and apprenticeship programs while encouraging closer collaborative partnerships. “We have been hearing at the technical college level and the secondary level that you are critically concerned about having a workforce,” said panelist and Greenville Technical College Vice President of Corporate and Economic Development Cynthia Eason to a room of 50 human resources professionals and business leaders. A quickly aging and retiring workforce has manufacturing employers focusing increasingly on apprenticeships and internships, while students have more and more opportunities with dual college credits that can accelerate degree programs, she said. “We’re seeing employers wanting to get involved earlier down the line.” Dual enrollment and certificate opportunities include everything from AP classes to certifications for
while a student at University of South Carolina and joined the team full-time following graduation. Bethany received the CFP designation in 2012 and recently completed her Certificate in Family Business Advising with the Family Firm Institute.
things like welding, said Greenville County School Board Chairman and District 28 representative Lisa Wells, also a panelist. The Golden Strip Career Technology Center recently added machine tooling and molding options, she said, and the planned Fountain Inn elementary school will even have a manufacturing focus. State Rep. Mark N. Willis (R) of District 16 said schools and employers can’t forget to include parents in workforce development, noting parents are one of the most influential forces in a young person’s future career. “Factories today aren’t the hard, sweaty things they once were,” he said. “Until we can get families in there, we’re going to have problems … we have to figure out how to get into homes.” Other panelists included Piedmont Technical College Vice President for Continuing Ed and Economic Development Rusty Denning, S.C. Sen. Ross Turner of District 8, Rep. Garry R. Smith of District 27 and S.C. Pathways to Personal Success Greenville Coordinator Jay Blankenship. The panel was organized by the Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce.
Zack Moody of Palmetto Technology Group (PTG) achieved CISSP certification, which is a comprehensive certification to ensure that security leaders understand new threats, technologies, regulations, standards and practices.
STAFFING Phillips Staffing hired Nivia Booker as a human resources specialist and Lori Morgan as an account executive. Booker has 12 years of experience in the areas of human resources, accounts payable
| NEWS | 19
and front desk administration. She previously held human resource, accounting and administrative positions with Contec, The Blood Connection and the former Carolina First Bank (now TD Bank). Morgan has 15 years of experience in supply chain and operations management. She most recently served as production control and logistics manager for Faurecia Emission Control Technologies.
CONTRIBUTE: New hires, promotions & award winners may be featured in On the Move. Send information and photos to onthemove@ upstatebusinessjournal.com.
Southern First report Q1 results STAFF REPORTS
Greenville-based Southern First Bancshares reported $2 million in net income available to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2015, a 92 percent increase year over year from $1.1 million. Core deposits increased 21 percent to $627.1 million at the end of the quarter compared to $519.9 million, while total revenue increased 30 percent to $11.2 million year over year. Earnings per diluted share increased 40.9 percent to 31 cents compared
with 22 cents per diluted share the previous year. Southern First ended 2014 with $5.7 million in net income available to common shareholders, or 30.7 percent higher than the end of 2013. “Our team generated strong performance in the first quarter with record earnings of $2 million,” said Southern First CEO Art Seaver in a news release. “Our focus on core deposits continues to generate impressive results with $42 million in growth in the first quarter of 2015.” Southern First operates four branches in Greenville, three in Columbia and two in Charleston. Two new offices in Charleston and Columbia drove occupancy expenses up 23.8 percent or $588,000.
20 | THE FINE PRINT |
BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS
PROFESSIONALS Clemson team wins mobile Count on our State-of-the-art Laundry Department to look their best everyday!
NOW PROVIDING THE FINEST QUALITY CLEANING AND PRESSING OF LAUNDERED SHIRTS, PANTS, LAB COATS AND HOME LINENS.
Lafayette Scientific Cleaners
Because you demand the best. Serving the Upstate for over 60 years
Personalized Cleaning & Hand Finishing 1707 Augusta Street | Greenville 864.242.5606
app competition
A Clemson University student team won the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society’s Mobile Health Applications for Consumers design competition. Cheng Guo, a Ph.D. student in human-centered computing, and Spencer Kohn, a Clemson graduate who now is pursuing a master’s degree at George Mason University, designed a mobile application aimed to help enhance patient privacy when sharing health records. Their application, “Hermes,” offers patients the ability to share their electronic health records with health care providers of their choosing while enabling them to keep portions of their health records private. “Spencer and Cheng were able to apply research we conducted to understand patients’ privacy needs directly. The design has the potential to have a huge impact on the way patients manage the privacy of their electronic health records in the future,” said Kelly Caine, an assistant professor in Clemson’s Human-Centered Computing Division and the faculty supervisor for the student team. Kohn and Guo were among 11 student teams that participated in the Mobile Health Applications for Consumers category and one of three that were selected as finalists. The focus of the competition was centered on designing a mobile application that would support patients and caregivers with health management. Participating teams were given the task of creating a useful and usable application that would both satisfy patients and improve patient outcomes. The winning designers received a cash prize of $1,000. The competition was held in conjunction with the 2015 International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care: Improving the Outcomes.
SCRA accepts new companies in launch program SCRA Technology Ventures accepted Upstate-based companies into its SC Launch Program and Resource Partner Network. Precision Genetics and Boyd Cycling are startups that were accepted as client companies to receive investment and support services. Performance Resource Partners has joined the Resource Partner
UBJ
|
05.29. 2015
Network to provide support services to startups in the SCRA program. Precision Genetics enables health care organizations to implement genetic testing capabilities as they evolve toward precision and personalized medicine. They provide a turnkey solution, allowing for replication of their model across many health care organizations and settings.
Boyd Cycling is a high-performance, high-tech bicycle wheel manufacturer that designs and engineers products in the United States and is beginning to bring all manufacturing to the Upstate of South Carolina. Performance Resource Partners specializes in manufacturing strategy, new product development, technology commercialization and business assessment for small to midsize manufacturing organizations. They are experts in the design and implementation of continuous improvement strategies, coaching and mentoring of business teams and project management. Other companies accepted into the launch program are Charleston financial technology company Questis and Midlands-area company Clean Water Solutions. Columbia company Mad Monkey Inc. joined the Resource Partner Network. “We are delighted to welcome these new companies to the SC Launch program and our Resource Partner Network,” SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney said in a release. “We look forward to working with these innovative businesses and their technologies and helping them as they make important contributions to South Carolina’s high-tech economy.”
Horse facility breaks ground in Anderson Palmetto Equine held recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s new facility. The new facility will be located at 451 Jenkins Circle, Townville, and will have over 6,000 square feet. The facility will offer surgical services, sports medicine, rehabilitation, hospitalization and general >>
upstatebusinessjournal.com
>>
wellness care for horses. The property has over 40 acres with plans to provide full service for boarding, rehabilitation and training. J. Davis Construction Inc., a full-service general contractor with offices in Westminster and Anderson, will construct the project once permits are finalized. Dave Gasar of BDA Architecture, whose firm has designed over 700 animal care projects in 46 states, was the designer of the facility. The company will be owned and operated by Dr. Alexandra Tracey, one of only two practicing board-certified large animal surgeons (DACVS-LA) in South Carolina. Anderson County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Pam Christopher said, “Having an experienced equine veterinarian would definitely help to further stake Anderson County’s future in the equestrian arena.”
BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS
M&A and Accessing Capital Markets Over the past 18 months, M&A activity has accelerated meaningfully in the U.S., and that trend is poised to continue according to the 2014 Deloitte M&A trends report With a total value of $4.3 billion – number of M&A transactions handled by Nelson Mullins in 2014.
80+
75
+
93%
The number of Nelson Mullins attorneys with a focus on M&A, public company or corporate finance.
Percentage of M&A deals valued at over $100 million announced in 2014 in which shareholder lawsuits were filed, according to Cornerstone Research.
4,500
Sealed Air increases price for European products Sealed Air Corporation is implementing price increases of up to 5 percent for the majority of its European Product Care and Food Care division packaging products, effective July 1, 2015. “Our European price increases are in response to the continued escalation of our key raw materials and other input costs – in particular polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene – as all major petrochemical suppliers increased prices over the last five months,” Gerd Wichmann, vice president, Product Care Europe, and Jonathon Durnford, vice president, Food Care Europe, said in a release. “Cumulatively, since January 2015, our petrochemical suppliers have increased their prices between 15 to 27 percent. We are committed to delivering the broadest and most innovative product portfolio to our customers and with that objective, we need to recover raw material cost increases.”
| THE FINE PRINT | 21
The number of reporting companies whose filings are reviewed by the SEC in a typical year.
5
The number of Nelson Mullins attorneys who previously worked at the Securities and Exchange Commission
11
11%
23
%
The number of public company mergers in 2013 that included a “go-shop” provision.
The percentage of CFOs who reported that the cost of taking their company public exceeded their expectations.
The number of states with exceptions to broker/dealer registration for M&A broker transactions.
The backbone of our securities laws is disclosure. The SEC requires public companies and key participants in the securities world to disclose meaningful, accurate, and timely information to the public. SEC Commissioner Michael S. Piwowar in a speech given on February 20, 2015.
Why pay extra for the inconvenience of out-of-state attorneys, when we have brought so much large market experience home to the Upstate? JOHN CAMPBELL (864) 250-2234 john.campbell@ nelsonmullins.com
JOHN JENNINGS (864) 250-2207 john.jennings@ nelsonmullins.com
NEIL GRAYSON (864) 250-2235 neil.grayson@ nelsonmullins.com
www.NelsonMullins.com
22 | PLANNER & SOCIAL SNAPSHOT |
INSIDE THE UPSTATEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NETWORKING AND SOCIAL SCENE
UBJ
|
05.29.2015
DATE
EVENT INFO
WHERE DO I GO?
HOW DO I GO?
Tuesday
Our Upstate Vision Forum Topic: Innovation and the Changing Landscape of Healthcare Speaker: Kirby Thornton, South Carolina Hospital Association CEO
The Crowne Plaza, 851 Congaree Rd., Greenville, 3-5 p.m.
Cost: $10 Register: bit.ly/regional-forum-june2015
GSHRM Economic Development Hardball for the Heavy Hitters How economic development affects human resource issues
Marriott Greenville, 1 Parkway East, Greenville, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m
Cost: $25 Register: greenvillehr.org/june
Chamber Night at Fluor Field Pregame reception for Greenville Chamber investors
Flour Field, 945 S. Main St., Greenville, 6-7:30 p.m.
More info: bit.ly/chamber-night2015
6/5
Greer Chamber First Friday Luncheon Speaker: U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy
Cannon Centre, 208 Cannon St., Greer, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cost: Chamber members $10, nonmembers $15 Register: bit.ly/firstfriday-june2015
Thursday-Saturday
Talented Tenth Conference Young minority professionals from the Upstate connect with business and civic leaders across the Southeast
Hyatt Regency, 220 N. Main St., Greenville
Cost: $50 Register and more info: bit.ly/talented-tenth2015
Upstate Chamber Coalition Presidential Series Speaker: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham
Marriott Greenville, 1 Parkway East, Greenville, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cost: Chamber member $30, nonmembers $40 Register: bit.ly/prez-series-june2015
Comprehensive Small Business Start-Up Workshop
Hughes Main Library, 25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $69, $25 for each additional participant from same company Register: piedmontscore.org/workshops/register/162
iMAGINE Upstate 2016 Festival Reveal
The Old Cigar Warehouse, 912 B South Main St., Greenville, 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $12 Register: bit.ly/imaginereveal-june2015
6/2 Wednesday
6/3 Friday
6/4-6/6 Monday
6/8 Saturday
6/13 Tuesday
6/16
CONTRIBUTE: Got a hot date? Submit event information for consideration to events@upstatebusinessjournal.com.
LEADERSHIP SPARTANBURG The Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce honored the 37 graduates of the 2014-2015 Leadership Spartanburg class earlier this month at the Piedmont Club. Photos provided.
CONTRIBUTE: Got high-resolution photos of your networking or social events? Send photos and information for consideration to events@upstatebusinessjournal.com.
upstatebusinessjournal.com
A QUICK LOOK INTO THE UPSTATE’S PAST
| SNAPSHOT | 23
The Bruner Home for Children on Rutherford Street was operated under the auspices of the Salvation Army’s Women’s Social Service Department but as a separate program from 1917 to 1949. The children’s home concentrated on the care and nurturing of children who were orphaned, discarded or otherwise without adult support.
Today the land is home to the Salvation Army Waldo Leslie Service Center, right, and the Salvation Army Church on the left. Other buildings on the property behind these two are used for social services, emergency shelters and administrative offices.
provided Historic photo
Greg Beckner/Staff
Historic photograph available from the Greenville Historical Society. From “Remembering Greenville: Photographs from the Coxe Collection” by Jeffrey R. Willis ART & PRODUCTION
IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF UBJ? WANT A COPY FOR YOUR LOBBY?
ART DIRECTOR Kristy Adair OPERATIONS Holly Hardin PRESIDENT/CEO
Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com
UBJ PUBLISHER
Kristy Adair, Tammy Smith
Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com
CLIENT SERVICES
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Kristi Fortner
MANAGING EDITOR
STORY IDEAS:
STAFF WRITERS
Ashley Boncimino, Sherry Jackson, Benjamin Jeffers, Cindy Landrum, April A. Morris, Robbie Ward
PHOTOGRAPHER Greg Beckner MARKETING & ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Nicole Greer, Kristi Jennings, Donna Johnston, Annie Langston, Lindsay Oehman, Emily Yepes
DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & ACCOUNT STRATEGY
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE ideas@upstatebusinessjournal.com
EVENTS: events@upstatebusinessjournal.com
NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, AND AWARDS: onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com UBJ welcomes expert commentary from business leaders on timely news topics related to their specialties. Guest columns run 700-800 words. Contact Executive Editor Susan Clary Simmons at ssimmons@communityjournals.com to submit an article for consideration.
Kate Madden
DIGITAL TEAM Emily Price, Danielle Carr
UBJ milestone jackson Marketing Group’s 25 Years 1988 Jackson Dawson opens in Greenville at Downtown Airport
1988
1997 Jackson Dawson launches motorsports Division 1993
1990 Jackson Dawson acquires therapon marketing Group and moves to Piedmont office Center on Villa.
>>
with a majority of them utilizing the general aviation airport as a “corporate gateway to the city.” In 1997, Jackson and his son, Darrell, launched Jackson Motorsports Group. The new division was designed to sell race tires and go to racetracks to sell and mount the tires. Darrell Jackson now serves as president of the motorsports group and Larry Jackson has two other children and a son-in-law who work there. Jackson said all his children started at the bottom and “earned their way up.” Jackson kept the Jackson-Dawson branches in Detroit and others in Los Angeles and New York until he sold his portion of that partnership in 2009 as part of his estate planning. The company now operates a small office in Charlotte, but its main headquarters are in Greenville in a large office space off Woodruff Road, complete with a vision gallery that displays local artwork and an auditorium Jackson makes available for non-profit use. The Motorsports Group is housed in an additional 26,000 square feet building just down the street, and the agency is currently looking for another 20,000 square feet. Jackson said JMG has expanded into other verticals such as financial, healthcare, manufacturing and pro-bono work, but still has a strong focus on the auto industry and transportation. It’s
Chairman larry Jackson, Jackson marketing Group. Photos by Greg Beckner / Staff
Jackson Marketing Group celebrates 25 years By sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com
Solve. Serve. Grow. Those three words summarize Jackson Marketing Group’s guiding principles, and according to owner Larry Jackson, form the motivation that has kept the firm thriving for the past 25 years.
Jackson graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in video and film production and started his 41-year career in the communications industry with the U.S. Army’s Public Information Office. He served during
Vietnam, where he said he was “luckily” stationed in the middle of Texas at Fort Hood. He left the service and went to work in public affairs and motorsports at Ford Motor Company in Detroit. After a stint at Bell and Howell, where he was responsible for managing Ford’s dealer marketing and training, the entrepreneurial bug hit and he co-founded Jackson-Dawson Marketing Communications, a company specializing in dealer training and product launches for the auto industry in 1980. In 1987, Jackson wanted to move back south and thought Greenville would be a good fit. An avid pilot, he
learned of an opportunity to purchase Cornerstone Aviation, a fixed base operation (FBO) that served as a service station for the Greenville Downtown Airport, providing fuel, maintenance and storage. In fact, when he started the Greenville office of what is now Jackson Marketing Group (JMG) in 1988, the offices were housed on the second floor in an airport hangar. “Clients would get distracted by the airplanes in the hangars and we’d have to corral them to get back upstairs to the meeting,” Jackson said. Jackson sold the FBO in 1993, but says it was a great way to get to know Greenville’s fathers and leaders
>>
2003 motorsports Division acquires an additional 26,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space
1998 1998 Jackson Dawson moves to task industrial Court
also one of the few marketing companies in South Carolina to handle all aspects of a project in-house, with four suites handling video production, copywriting, media and research and web design. Clients include heavyweights such as BMW, Bob Jones University, the Peace Center, Michelin and Sage Automotive. Recent projects have included an interactive mobile application for Milliken’s arboretum and 600-acre Spartanburg campus and a marketing campaign for the 2013 Big League World Series. “In my opinion, our greatest single achievement is the longevity of our client relationships,” said Darrell Jackson. “Our first client from back in 1988 is still a client today. I can count on one hand the number of clients who have gone elsewhere in the past decade.” Larry Jackson says his Christian faith and belief in service to others, coupled with business values rooted in solving clients’ problems, have kept
2009 Jackson Dawson changes name to Jackson marketing Group when larry sells his partnership in Detroit and lA 2003
2009-2012 Jackson marketing Group named a top BtoB agency by BtoB magazine 4 years running
him going and growing his business over the years. He is passionate about giving back and outreach to non-profits. The company was recently awarded the Community Foundation Spirit Award. The company reaffirmed its commitment to serving the community last week by celebrating its 25th anniversary with a birthday party and a 25-hour Serve-A-Thon partnership with Hands on Greenville and Habitat for Humanity. JMG’s 103 full-time employees worked in shifts around the clock on October 22 and 23 to help construct a house for a deserving family. As Jackson inches towards retirement, he says he hasn’t quite figured out his succession plan yet, but sees the companies staying under the same umbrella. He wants to continue to strategically grow the business. “From the beginning, my father has taught me that this business is all about our people – both our clients and our associates,” said his son, Darrell. “We have created a focus and a culture that strives to solve problems, serve people and grow careers.” Darrell Jackson said he wants to “continue helping lead a culture where we solve, serve and grow. If we are successful, we will continue to grow towards our ultimate goal of becoming the leading integrated marketing communications brand in the Southeast.”
2011 Jackson marketing Group/Jackson motorsports Group employee base reaches 100 people
2008 2012 Jackson marketing Group recognized by Community Foundation with Creative spirit Award
pro-bono/non-proFit Clients American Red Cross of Western Carolinas Metropolitan Arts Council Artisphere Big League World Series The Wilds Advance SC South Carolina Charities, Inc. Aloft Hidden Treasure Christian School
CoMMUnitY inVolVeMent & boarD positions lArry JACkson (ChAirmAn): Bob Jones University Board chairman, The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center board member, Gospel Fellowship Association board member, Past Greenville Area Development Corporation board member, Past Chamber of Commerce Headquarters Recruiting Committee member, Past Greenville Tech Foundation board member
JULY 17: TRAVELERS REST The small town making big waves.
David Jones (Vice President Client services, Chief marketing officer): Hands on Greenville board chairman mike Zeller (Vice President, Brand marketing): Artisphere Board, Metropolitan Arts Council Board, American Red Cross Board, Greenville Tech Foundation Board, South Carolina Chamber Board eric Jackson (Jackson motorsports Group sales specialist): Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board
November 1, 2013 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal 21
20 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal November 1, 2013
AS SEEN IN
NOVEMBER 1, 2013
Anita Harley, Jane Rogers
Susan Clary Simmons ssimmons@communityjournals.com Jerry Salley jsalley@communityjournals.com
UBJ milestone
Michael Allen
LAYOUT & DESIGN
JUNE 19: ENTERTAINMENT, TRAVEL AND LEAISURE A look at the business of leisure.
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
ADVERTISING DESIGN
Circulation Audit by
UP NEXT
Order a reprint today, PDFs available for $25. For more information, contact Anita Harley 864.679.1205 or aharley@communityjournals.com
DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA
JULY 31: QUARTERLY CRE ISSUE The state of commercial real estate in the Upstate.
TWITTER: Follow us @UpstateBiz FACEBOOK: TheUpstateBusinessJournal LINKEDIN: Upstate Business Journal
publishers of
Got any thoughts? Care to contribute? Let us know at ideas@ upstatebusinessjournal.com.
Copyright ©2015 BY COMMUNITY JOURNALS LLC. All rights reserved. Upstate Business Journal is published weekly by Community Journals LLC. P.O. Box 2266, Greenville, South Carolina, 29602. Upstate Business Journal is a free publication. Annual subscriptions (52 issues) can be purchased for $50. Postmaster: Send address changes to Upstate Business, P.O. Box 2266, Greenville, SC 29602. Printed in the USA.
581 Perry Avenue, Greenville, SC 29611 | 864-679-1200 | communityjournals.com UBJ: For subscriptions, call 864-679-1240 | UpstateBusinessJournal.com
CONNECT
MINGLE WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AT MORE THAN 20 ANNUAL NETWORKING EVENTS, INTERN WITH A MULTINATIONAL COMPANY, OR STUDY ABROAD IN EUROPE OR CHINA
www.clemson.edu/mba 路 864-656-3975