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VOLUME 25 NUMBER 10 ■ GSABUSINESS.COM

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Greenville glove factory draws on personal, state roots By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

hris Garcia happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Women in construction

Podcast captures international attention. Page 9

When COVID-19 broke on American shores, he had stepped to the helm of startup Health Supply US, formed in January 2020. Coming from a family of first responders, the former deputy director of the U.S. Commerce Department was more than well

acquainted by the shortages that plagued health care in the following months. He learned that the United States made only 1% of the world’s glove supply and witnessed how prices for PPE skyrocketed to more than 10 times their pre-pandemic market value in some cases. “During COVID, everyone thinks that the number one item that was in most scarce supply was masks, maybe some vials or some tubes,” he told a crowd during the Greenville Area Development Corp.’s annual meeting

on June 6. “But really, the number one item that we could not get our hands on was nitrile gloves and gowns.” Under his leadership, the company began to churn out hospital gowns, masks and hand sanitizer in Texas, North Carolina and California. One other location was needed: a place to manufacture nitrile gloves in the Southeast. “We embarked on an exhaustive search of the right state and the right county and the spe-

New Look for Laurens Road Destiny fulfilled

Nearly a century after it was designated, Unity Park is what it was meant to be. Page 8

Verdae Development Inc. and Hollingsworth Funds have rolled out a bold vision for Laurens Road that would transform an area for pedestrians to avoid into one they would embrace. See story, Page 11.

Fraud allegations

12 sentenced in multi-million dollar fraud case. Page 10

Upstate Under Construction

A glimpse at some of the Upstate’s commercial construction projects. Page 14

INSIDE Leading Off........................... 2 SC Biz News Briefs................. 3 Cruise line pulls out............... 4 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering & Construction.13 List: Home builders............. 18 At Work............................... 19 Viewpoint............................23

In Focus

Architectural base

New center for the state AIA opens in Columbia Page 13

See GLOVE, Page 6

Leading Off

BRIEFS | FACTS | STATEWIDE NEWS | C-SUITE

herokee County is the best place in the state to be a small business owner, according to an analysis by Smart Asset using data from the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey and other government information. The study measured three factors: the proportion of people in a county with small business income, the reported business income and the amount of tax a potential resident must pay on income. With small business income amounting to nearly 15.5% of all income in the county, Cherokee County came out on top with an index score of 58.4. No. 2 Berkeley County trailed at 52.18. The percentage of small business income (2.27%) seemed to be the biggest factor in putting Williamsburg County last in the state.

Rank Country, State

Small Business Small Business Returns Income

Income Taxes

Small Business Index index

Cherokee, SC

28.85%

15.45%

$9,294

58.40

Berkeley, SC

30.22%

10.53%

$9,294

52.18

Greenville, SC

26.56%

11.35%

$9,294

49.80

Greenwood, SC

24.66%

8.51%

$9,294

43.55

Jasper, SC

22.07%

9.99%

$9,294

43.26

Kershaw, SC

25.87%

6.03%

$9,294

40.93

Saluda, SC

21.74%

8.67%

$9,294

40.89

Abbeville, SC

21.94%

8.41%

$9,294

40.69

Charleston, SC

20.16%

9.12%

$9,294

40.02

McCormick, SC

21.43%

7.56%

$9,294

38.89

23.43%

6.91%

$9,294

Source: SmartAsset.com

ON THE

RECORD

“When you only have one [gender of employees] or the other, you aren’t bringing everything to the table that that particular customer or that particular client needs to have. It’s not fair to them, right? We’re better together, so we want to learn how to work better together.” — Christi Powell, Women Business Enterprise lead, 84 Lumber See more on pg. 9

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Commercial real estate for real impact.

We are a global real estate partner, powered by people, that puts you first.

REI has a location on Woodruff Road in Greenville, shown here, as well at on Bull Street in Columbia. (Photo/ Molly Hulsey)

MOUNT PLEASANT

Charleston Regional Business Journal

REI to open 3rd SC store in Mount Pleasant Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op has announced plans to open its third South Carolina location. The new store is expected to open in Mount Pleasant this fall, according to an REI news release. It will employ about 50 full- and part-time employees, a company representative told SC Biz News. The company declined to reveal the cost of the project. The 21,500-square-foot store, to be located 1720 Shoremeade Road in Indigo Square, will offer an assortment of apparel, gear and expertise for camping, cycling, running, fitness, hiking, paddling, climbing and more, the release stated. The location also will feature a full-service bike shop that will be staffed by certified mechanics. REI, which is headquartered in Seattle, also has locations in Columbia (2300 Bull St.), which opened in 2020, and Greenville (1140 Woodruff Road, Suite 400), which opened in 2011. W CO RP

Get in touch +1 864 334 4145 avisonyoung.com

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Columbia Regional Business Report

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COLUMBIA

Traffic Count: 40,200 / Day

Final gas tax increase hits July 1 South Carolinians will see the final increase in gas taxes of a phased, six-year plan starting July 1. The Motor Fuel User Fee increase will raise gas prices by two cents per gallon for the final time as part of the South Carolina Infrastructure and Economic Development Reform Act passed by the General Assembly in 2017. The total 28-cent increase will be permanent. The fee helps support road, bridge and infrastructure construction in the state. From July 1,2017 through March 2022, nearly $890 million has been deposited into the state Infrastructure Maintenance Trust Fund to support more than $2 million in road and bridge work, according to numbers from the S.C. Department of Transportation. A tax credit is available to help offset the fee increase. The credit equals the lesser of the vehicle maintenance fees paid during the year or what was paid in the increased fees. According to S.C. Department of Revenue data, the credit has been claimed on 68,052 S.C. tax returns, totaling $5,592,065 in credits issued so far this year. To claim the credit next year, save receipts from gas purchases and vehicle maintenance work.

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EX-SECRET SERVICE AGENT JOINS FIRM

With publications in the Upstate, Columbia and Charleston, as well as a statewide magazine, SC Biz News covers the pulse of business across South Carolina. Above are excerpts from our other publications.

PAGE36 VOLUME 28 NUMBER 10 ■ CHARLESTONBUSINESS.COM VOLUME 15 NUMBER 8 ■ COLUMBIABUSINESSREPORT.COM

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Administrator Guzman brings personal touch to SBA position

Order up!

Another Broken Egg Cafe to anchor mixed-use project. Page 4

HISTORY IN THE MAKING IAAM to open doors next January

Bon voyage

Carnival Cruise Lines bidding Charleston adieu. Page 4

By Melinda Waldrop

I Downtown digs

1813 Main St. set to welcome first residents this fall. Page 7

Historic honor

Orangeburg native first Black male Teacher of Year. Page 8

Screen shot

The Nick names new executive director. Page 10

INSIDE

Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 In Focus: Life Sciences ....... 21 List: Life Science Companies ..........................................28 At Work ..............................29 Viewpoint ........................... 31

BREW WITH A VIEW Biekeller Columbia plans to open a brick-and-mortar later this year at the CanalSide Plaza at Sola Station. (Rendering/Provided)

Riverfront brewery to open later this year By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

olumbia’s first riverfront brewery is expected to open in the fourth quarter of this year. Bierkeller Brewing Co., which has brewed traditional German beer out of Swamp Cabbage Brewing Co. since 2015 and has regularly played host to seasonal pop-up beer gardens, is opening a full-production brewing facility, biergarten and restaurant at the CanalSide Plaza at Sola Station, located along the Historic Columbia Canal on the banks of the Congaree River. “It’s exciting,” Bierkeller owner and founder Scott Burgess told the Columbia Regional Business Report. “We’re putting ourselves in a pioneering position in a lot of ways. The riverfront,

as much as everyone talks about the potential for development, we learned still has a lot of hurdles. This presented really the best opportunity in a space that’s already there that’s very close to what we’re known for.” The brewery and biergarten will take up a large portion of the ground-floor retail space at Sola Station, with glass windows facing the water. Mashburn Construction is the project contractor, while Sherer & Associates is the architect. “We’re pouring concrete floors and building it from the ground up,” said Burgess, who said an adjacent space is also an option for a future catering and private event setup. Bierkeller plans to hire servers, bartenders/ pourers and kitchen staff soon. Employment See BREW, Page 10

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

sabella Casillas Guzman learned firsthand what makes a successful small business growing up in California, where her father owned a chain of veterinary practices. “What I admired most about my father was his relationship in the community. Everyone who walked in that door was so special to him and vice versa,” Guzman said. “The impact that he made in his neighborhood was truly remarkable.” Guzman, sworn in as the 27th Administrator of the Small Business Administration on March 17, 2021, spoke with the Columbia Regional Business Report after a stop at Benedict College as part of a bus tour supporting National Small Business Week. Benedict became one of two historically Black colleges and universities to launch a Women’s Business Center in 2020. “Focusing always — from having worked in his business — on that customer-first experience is what drives me,” said Guzman, who represents the nation’s 32.5 million-plus small business owners. “I look through the lens of a customer first at all times in our design and implementation. That informs everything else, because you look at who that client is — and it’s a changing face of entrepreneurship — you look at what their needs are and seek to transform the SBA to better serve them. … My dad was able to pursue his American dream, and my grandmother before him. I really appreciate the value See GUZMAN, Page 6

Expert perspectives

Looking for an industry expert? We’ve got you covered. Page 13

ColumbiaBusinessReport.com

New event venue planned for Charleston area. Page 7

Growing portfolio Investment firm aquires Charleston hotel. Page 9

The International African American Museum, located at the site of Gadsden’s Wharf in downtown Charleston, will welcome its first visitors on Jan. 21, 2023. Plans for the museum, which will focus on the impact of slavery in the Americas and the achievements of slaves and their descendants, were first discussed publicly in 2000. (Photo/Ellis Creek Photography)

INSIDE

New Lowcountry projects Page 26

Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering and Construction ..................... 20 Charleston Under Construction ......................26 List: Homebuilders .............34 At Work ............................. 36 Viewpoint ...........................39

By Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

fter years of planning and anticipation, the International African American Museum will welcome its first visitors on Jan. 21, 2023. The museum is located at the site of Gadsden’s Wharf in downtown Charleston, where many slaves disembarked from Africa. Its focus will be the cultural, social and economic impact of slavery in the Americas and the diverse journeys and achievements of slaves and their descendants. The museum features nearly 150,000 square feet of exhibition, learning and interpretive space and includes nine themed galleries rang-

ing from African origins to African American economic, creative and social contributions to American history. The museum also includes this African Ancestors Memorial Garden, conceived by landscape architect Walter Hood, which includes art installations, plants and an infinity reflection pool. “I am proud to have worked with our incredible team to get this museum to opening day,” Tonya Matthews, president and CEO of the International African American Museum, said in a June 1 news release announcing the opening date. “This museum will be a must-see space of courageous curiosity and authentic engagement with our nation’s history — with African American history.

“Committed reckoning with history is a necessary stop on the road to healing and reconciliation. Charleston is a port city, a global city, a historic city — and there is no better place for our museum to steward these stories that have such national and international significance and impact.” The museum was first publicly announced by Joseph P. Riley Jr., former mayor of Charleston, during his state of the city address in 2000. “Our journey has been long because it took time to secure the optimal site,” Riley said in the release. “A site that is called ‘sacred’ because it is precisely where so many enslaved Africans See IAAM, Page 22

Diversity awards

SC Biz News honors community leaders with its inaugural Lowcountry Diversity Leadership awards Page 13

CharlestonBusiness.com

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Clinton, SC Exit 54 and I-26 Available Retail Sites Contact Marvin Moss 864-833-7504 Email: mmoss@cityofclintonsc.com

MIXing it up

Charleston Under Construction

SCBIZmag.com

Power Lines Retail Parcels for Sale

Sewer Gravity Mains Parcels

Date: 5/25/2022

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Carnival Cruise Lines and South Carolina Ports have reached an agreement not to extend Carnival’s homeport cruising contract beyond 2024. (Photo/File)

Carnival bidding Charleston bon voyage By Jason Thomas

Ryan Downing, senior account executive rdowning@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1221 Lucia Smith, senior account executive lsmisth@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7547 Amanda Alford, multimedia account executive aalford@bridgetowermedia.com • 864.720.1223 Tony Rossi, multimedia account executive trossi@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1974 Jim Wheeler, multimedia account executive jwheeler@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3104 Events Kim McManus, events manager kmcmanus@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3116 Accounting

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arnival Cruise Lines will no longer have a homeport in Charleston after 2024. South Carolina Ports and Carnival Cruise Lines announced last month that the two parties have reached an agreement not to extend the homeport cruising contract in Charleston beyond 2024. The agreement will provide more space for the redevelopment of Union Pier Terminal, unlocking a transformational opportunity within the city of Charleston, the Ports Authority said in an emailed statement. South Carolina Ports will continue welcoming port-of-calls in Charleston. “Since 2010, Carnival has been a great business partner and worked alongside our maritime community to benefit our overall maritime commerce mission,” the statement said, in part. “As we look to the

future, South Carolina Ports will continue to evaluate the market and looks forward to continued partnerships and opportunities.” Carnival released the following statement: “It is amazing to see the continued growth of Charleston’s tourism economy, and Carnival is proud to have been a part it of since 2010. While exciting for the future of Charleston, the redevelopment of Union Pier Terminal will unfortunately mean Carnival will no longer homeport a ship in Charleston beyond 2024. “We will work with the Ports Authority to explore future opportunities in Charleston. In the meantime, it is business as usual and we look forward to seeing our guests aboard Carnival Sunshine through 2024.” South Carolina Ports continues to handle record cargo volumes while making significant progress with terminal and berth fluidity amid ongoing supply chain challenges, it announced in a recent news release.

SC Ports had its highest April ever for containers handled, marking the 14th consecutive month of cargo records at the Port of Charleston, the release stated. Strong volumes are driven by sustained retail imports, which were up 34% in April compared to last year. SC Ports handled 264,099 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) at Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal and Leatherman Terminal in April, up 17% from last year, the release stated. SC Ports has moved 2.4 million TEUs thus far in fiscal year 2022, from July through April, up 15% fiscal year-over-year. April marks an all-time record for pier containers, which account for boxes of any size, according to the release. SC Ports handled 145,779 pier containers last month, a 16% increase year-over-year. Thus far in fiscal year 2022, SC Ports has moved 1.3 million pier containers, up nearly 15% from the same period the year prior. CRBJ

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Milliken foundation funding scholarships to 5 HBCUs By Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

illiken & Co. Charitable Foundation is donating $2,000 scholarships to five historically Black colleges and universities in South Carolina. The grant will provide one scholarship per institution beginning this fall to science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors at Allen University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Morris College, and Voorhees University. Prospec-

“We are extremely grateful for Milliken’s longstanding and generous support of students at SCICU’s member colleges and universities.” Jeff Perez President and CEO, SCICU

tive recipients must be S.C. residents with demonstrated financial need, be enrolled full-time, and have a 2.5 or higher GPA. “We are extremely grateful for Milliken’s long-standing and generous support of students at SCICU’s member colleges and universities,” said Jeff Perez, president and CEO of South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. “In 1953, SCICU started advocating on behalf of independent higher education in South Carolina, and Milliken has partnered with us since 1956.

“Over the years, Milliken’s support of SCICU has totaled more than $4.1 million.” In 1995, Milliken & Co. provided $25,000 in seed money for starting the SCICU Undergraduate Student/Faculty Research Program. Milliken will host that program’s research symposium at its Spartanburg headquarters on Feb. 16, 2023. The annual symposium gives students a professional forum for the presentation of project findings during more than six months of research.

programs at Giverrang, said in a news release. “The big guys have the benefit of having huge resources behind them, so we really want to help the small guys as much as possible.” Each area has a web page with some suggested businesses where gift cards can be spent. The Mastercard gift cards can be shipped directly to a recipient’s or a purchaser’s address and will arrive in an estimated seven days. Giverrang is seeking local nonprofits such as economic development organizations and service or fundraising groups

to join its affiliate program. For every card these organizations help sell, Giverrang will donate back a percentage of profits. “We’re excited to help as many local businesses as we can and we hope this resonates with people and they want to support it,” Walerysiak said. “A local gift card makes a meaningful gift for family, friends, or employees,” he said. “Plus, it makes a real difference in helping local businesses not just survive but thrive.”

CRBJ

Gift card program targets small businesses in 148 SC towns By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

Connecticut-based startup has launched a community gift card program that includes 148 cards specific to S.C. towns. The cards, offered by Giverrang, can be redeemed at local, independent businesses throughout the state. A portion of card sells will be donated to area nonprofits through the company’s local affiliate program. “The whole idea is to bring more dollars and attention to small businesses,” Mark Walerysiak Jr., head of card

A program launched by a Connecticut-based startup is offering gift cards specific to 48 S.C. towns. The cards, offered by Giverrang, can be redeemed at local, independent businesses throughout South Carolina. The company is also seeking local nonprofits to join an affiliate program. (Photo/File)

CRBJ

Reach Melinda Waldrop at 803-726-7542.

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The $150 million investment will go toward a custom-made manufacturing facility in the Beechtree Business Park that will house proprietary automative technology to help the company stay competitive on a global scale. Once completed in 2024, the facility is expected to produce 4.3 billion nitrile gloves each year. (Rendering/Provided)

GLOVE, from Page 1

cific city that we could locate in,” he told SC Biz News. He said a business-friendly climate and fertile ground for an innovation economy drew Health Supply US to a 182-acre property in Hughes Investment’s Beechtree Business Park in Greenville. It didn’t hurt that South Carolina has a history of glove making or that Nephron Pharmaceuticals launched its nitrile glove operation, Nephron Nitrile, in the state in 2021. “We embarked on this critical project on behalf of our nation, and in doing so, knew that manufacturing site selection was of paramount importance to operational longevity,” Health Supply US Executive Vice President Aaron Petrosky said in a news release. “Greenville and the entire state of South Carolina displayed tremendous enthusiasm for life sciences and support for this medical device operation. We’d like to thank all those involved from the Lowcountry to the Midlands to the Upstate that enabled this project to find its Greenville home for many decades to come.” By partnering with GADC, Health Supply US purchased the 1 Quality Way property in February 2022 for $6.5 million under the new name for its nitrile glove operations, Glove One, according to Greenville County property records. As announced during GADC’s annual meeting at Greenville’s Westin Poinsett, Glove One will invest $150 million in the construction of a custom-made manufacturing facility on the site and, over five

South Carolina has a history of glove manufacturing, according to Garcia, and also has become a home to some new PPE production companies, such as Nephron Nitrile, since 2020. (Photo/Provided)

years, the hiring of 600 employees. The facility, slated for a Q1 2024 completion date, will be designed and built by an undisclosed architectural and construction team to produce 4.3 billion nitrile gloves per year. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development also approved job development credits related to the project, which was awarded a $300,000 SetAside grant by Greenville County to assist with site preparation and construction, according to a news release. “This major investment by Health Supply US is further proof that our increased efforts to recruit life science companies to South Carolina are paying off,” said Gov. Henry McMaster, joined by Sen. Lindsey Graham, U.S. Rep. William Timmons

and GADC CEO Mark Farris, at GADC’s annual meeting. “Expanding our life science industry is critical to safeguarding our supply chain and ensuring life-saving medical supplies are readily available during future emergencies. I congratulate Health Supply US on their investment and look forward to the impact they will have statewide.”

Rolling up our sleeves

Garcia’s grandfather, Agustin Garcia, first came to the United States from Mexico as a defense contractor responsible for the landing gear on the U.S. Airforce’s B-1 bomber and Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter, as well as a NASA space shuttle. The Greenville facility will be dedicated in honor of the elder Garcia, who died due

to complications from COVID-19. Like the work of his grandfather, the CEO of Health Supply US, sees domestic production of medical products as a national security imperative. The company supplies the military, as well as private hospitals and governments on a variety of levels. “We understand that market force may not allow for 100% of glove manufacturing to be reshored to the United States, but we should at least have a larger domestic manufacturing base than we do now, and we’re happy to help lead the way in doing that,” he told SC Biz News. Health Supply US grew out of Garcia’s concern for the country’s dependence on foreign imports before such concerns came to a head in the spring of 2020. Reshoring policies implemented since then, such as an increase in domestic content requirements for federal contractors in the Buy American Act, have only emboldened his mission. The company plans to stay competitive on a global scale through operations that rely on manufacturing 4.0 technologies and a facility custom-built with automation in mind. “I can’t comment on our proprietary operation plans for the facility, except to say that there are key automation advancements that have been made,” Garcia said. “We are looking forward to employing many of these cutting-edge innovations that allow our facility to be much more efficient. And so I can say that’s one of the key elements for the operation: to automate and use innovation that is not used in the general kind of industry as it is now.”

June 13-26, 2022

www.gsabusiness.com 7

DuPont opening new facility at Cooper River plant By Jason Thomas

jthomas@scbiznews.com

ilmington, Del.-headquartered DuPont has opened a new manufacturing facility at its Berkeley County plant that will have a global reach. The Liveo Healthcare facility, located at DuPont’s Cooper River plant, will increase the company’s biopharmaceutical production capacity and expand its worldwide customer base, according to a DuPont news release. DuPont Liveo Healthcare is a silicone-based technology for a range of innovations in medical devices, biopharmaceutical processing and pharmaceuti-

cal solutions. “The biopharma processing manufacturing investment at Cooper River is a key milestone in our growth strategy; it supports our customers’ expansion and contributes to business continuity,” Eugenio Toccalino, DuPont Healthcare & Specialty Lubricants Global Business director, said in the release. “We’re committed to investing in our healthcare business, and our recent expansions help us offer a highly reliable and sustainable product supply.” In the second half of 2022, the company expects to add biopharma silicone tubing capacity in China, according to the release. The new Cooper River facility was

“For more than 14 years, DuPont Cooper River has continued to diversify and reinvest in new products ...” Kristen Lanier Berkeley County Economic Development Director

completed in 18 months and created 25 jobs, the release said, with an additional 25 jobs expected to be created in the next two years. “For more than 14 years, DuPont Cooper River has continued to diversify and

reinvest in new products, ensuring the viability of this Berkeley County facility,” Kristen Lanier, Berkeley County Economic Development director, said in the release. “Life sciences and biotechnology innovation is a growing sector with an $11 billion annual economic impact and over 40,000 jobs in the State of South Carolina.” In 2021, DuPont’s Cooper River plant expanded to include manufacturing of specialty lubricants. DuPont declined to reveal investment costs or major contractors for the new facility. The company reported 2021 revenue of $16.7 billion, down from $20.4 billion in 2020. CRBJ

307-room hotel portfolio sold to private development company By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

hree York County hotels have been sold to a Charlotte-headquartered, privately held real estate investment, development and management company. Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated

the sale of the Hampton Inn & Suites in Fort Mill, along with the Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Townplace Suites in Rock Hill, to Shreeji Hotel Group on behalf of investor groups led by the Warren Norman Co. Shreeji Hotel Group purchased the 307-room portfolio for an undisclosed price. “This transaction provided our

investment group with an opportunity to divest some assets close to home while we seek opportunities in new markets,” Warren Norman, Warren Norman Co. broker in charge, said in a news release from Hunter Hotel Advisors. Fort Mill and Rock Hill, the fifth-largest city in S.C., are located 30 minutes outside of Charlotte’s city center, home

to six Fortune 500 companies. “The sale of this portfolio is another indication of the strength of quality-branded assets in growing submarkets,” Hunter Hotel Advisors COO Lee Hunter said. “Like so many other sellers today, the Warren Norman Company took advantage of the unbridled demand we continue to see in these locations.” CRBJ

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Business community awaits park for 83 years By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

he wait for the grand opening geyser of Unity Park’s Greenville Water Splash Pad could have been an eternity. Dozens of families ringed the edge of 4,100 square feet of dry concrete, glistening with sweat in 83 degrees and keeping children in line as the May 19 ceremony came to its promised conclusion. And then, with a triumphant shout, the park opened, heralded by a cascade of fountains across the concrete and the rush of bolting kids weaving between needles of water. The Westend Community Choir launched into a set of gospel hymns nearby. But it was the family of Southernside resident E.B. Holloway that had waited the longest — and the Greenville business community that supported him. “We’ve had people to call us up and rake us out about this park. We’ve had people to call and tell us that you don’t need to put all that money in this park,” City Councilor Lillian Brock Flemming, representing Greenville’s Southernside neighborhood, told the crowd of hundreds of neighborhood residents, community leaders and families gathered for Unity Park’s opening. “Folks, we’ve been waiting since 1939. The park was given to us by the state of South Carolina in 1937, y’all, and the city took it at that time.” In 1938, the city of Greenville turned half of the 15-acre Mayberry Park, the last park remaining for the Southernside neighborhood’s segregated Black population, into a baseball stadium for white spectators. “And that’s why the neighborhood said, ‘that’s the last straw,’” Mayor Knox White said. “They went to City Hall — 1938. They were ignored, but what happened next was so Greenville, and yet, so remarkable for the time.” Holloway, the leader of the Southernside neighborhood and the city’s first Black postman, returned to City Hall, this time with stalwarts of the Greenville business community. Rhoda Haynsworth from the family that founded the Haynesworth, Sinkler Boyd law office; Hugh Aiken, president of Piedmont Paint Manufacturing Co. and founder of Charlotte’s Rutland Plastics; and L.P. “Pete” Hollis, founder of the Parker School District for the then-operating Parker Cotton Mill community, all backed Holloway. "We want the park because we need it,” Holloway wrote in a letter to the editor of the Greenville Piedmont newspaper at the time. “We want the park because our social and recreational life is at stake. Please give us a park.” The mayor and council were then

The opening ceremony for the 60-acre park concluded with an inaugural spray of fountains at the Greenville Water Splashpad. (Photo/Molly Hulsey)

Gensis Turf and Harper General Contractors built the 30,400-square-foot TD Synnex playground featuring mound structures new to the Upstate, according to the city. (Photo/Molly Hulsey)

moved to action. “That got their attention,” Knox said. “The community rose up with him. The business community stood with him. In 1939, a commitment was made: a promise was made to this community to build a park for the African American community here.” However, when World War II came to the U.S. home front in late 1941, the promise was bypassed for larger items on the budget. For decades, the 60 acres where Unity Park now stands wasted into a crematorium for animals and a graveyard for county vehicles. Holloway died in 1949. “It was a city-produced liability,” the mayor said. “But in the future, it’s going to be a city-created asset for this neighbor-

hood.” The first phase of the park — more than 57,100 square feet of playground, welcome center and network of three pedestrian bridges built by Genesis Turf, Southern Aquatics, The Heirloom Companies, Bridge Brothers, Artistic Concrete and Harper General Contractors — is now complete. But Knox said construction will start soon on 13 acres of affordable housing within the park. The 13-acre plot, expected to be the largest footprint of affordable housing in the city, was worth $1 million five years ago; today, it’s valued at $17 million. “We should commit ourselves: that the profit from the sale of those properties in the future will be reinvested in Southern-

side and West Greenville,” he said. “We can use it as a down payment on a community center, and do so much more in West Greenville, so that this park is forever truly an asset, truly an investor in the entire West Greenville community.” Holloway’s grandchild, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren stood during Knox’s introduction at the event. Once complete, they will have the opportunity to walk along a pedestrian and bike trail linking Meadow and Welborn Streets named after their ancestor. Industrial communications company Sealevel Systems donated $250,000 to sponsor the Nassau Street-lining trail in Holloway’s name and help install interpretative panels on the history of the park and its founders. The Liberty-based industry designs, engineers and manufacturers communications hardware and software for clients ranging from the U.S. military to cold chain logistics companies. “We are proud to play a role in providing this incredible park to the community and helping share the story of E.B. Holloway,” Susan O’Hanlan, president of Sealevel Systems, said in a news release. “His legacy of standing up for his community and lifting those around him is inspiring, and we couldn’t be more honored to have our name associated with his.” Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter.

June 13-26, 2022

www.gsabusiness.com 9

Before Powell joined Pennsylvania-based 84 Lumber, none of her coworkers in the industry were women. (Photo/Provided)

Podcast highlighting women in construction gains traction By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

or years, 84 Lumber’s Christi Powell didn’t work with other women. A former fire and rescue team lead and chemist, Powell turned her talents toward business development at Lowe’s and Builders FirstSource’s com-

mercial sales departments in 2000. Fellow women in construction were just nonexistent – or at least appeared to be. “I didn’t even know there were female builders,” she told SC Biz News. “You just don’t run into them often.” Then she joined 84 Lumber, a Pennsylvania building materials company led by

Maggie Hardy Knox, and met Hill Electric’s business development and marketing director Angela Gardner. Since then, has run into so many women in the field and companies seeking out women to join the industry that she was promoted to 84 Lumber’s Women Business Enterprise Lead and now cohosts the Women Talk Construction podcast

with Gardner. “I’m now in the world of general contractors now that are high-end, doing 400 units at a time, and very involved with government agencies that are buying,” she said. “So, it’s still kind of the same, but now I work with a different set of customers. See PODCAST, Page 22

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June 13-26, 2022

12 sentenced in multi-million dollar construction fraud case By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

welve defendants from seven construction-related companies have been sentenced for employment tax fraud felonies and crimes related to hiring unauthorized workers in a scheme that saw at least $15 million in bogus checks cashed. The convictions are the first to come from a multi-year undercover investigation, led by the IRS and Homeland Security Investigations, in the Myrtle Beach area and along the S.C. coast, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of South Carolina. The operation targeted the use of unlicensed check cashers to facilitate under-thetable cash payments to employees, many of whom were unauthorized aliens. The check cashers would also provide certificates of insurance falsely stating that the employees were covered under workers’ compensation insurance. These off-the-book payments defrauded the United States out of applicable employment taxes on the employees, according to the U.S Attorney’s office. At least $15 million in checks were cashed, resulting in millions of dollars of total losses to the government.

“These defendants stole money from South Carolina taxpayers, they stole opportunities from those in the construction industry who did the right thing, and they stole safety from the workers who labored on jobsites without insurance,” U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis said in the release. “This successful prosecution was only possible because of the tireless and dedicated investigative efforts of IRS and HSI, as well as the work of our local partners. The defendants in this case, none of whom had criminal records before this investigation, are all now convicted felons. Several face potential deportation, several have lost their homes and face financial ruin, and many will never be able to return to the work they spent their lives pursuing.” Around 2019, IRS undercover agents embedded themselves in the Myrtle Beach area and recorded multiple interactions with the defendants’ companies. The investigation found that a member of the construction company would meet with an unlicensed check casher and give the check casher a business check made out to a company the check casher had created. The check casher would give the construction company representative a bag of cash to pay the employees, holding back a fee of

approximately 3%. The check casher would also provide an invalid certificate of workers’ compensation insurance, according to the release, with the check casher claiming to be a subcontractor who provided the employees and provided insurance. Each defendant received five years’ probation, with all but one sentenced to home confinement, and each must also pay restitution. The defendants received probation, the U.S. Attorney said, because they admitted guilt early, agreed to assist authorities and collectively paid nearly $1 million toward the approximately $3 million owed to the IRS. The following defendants, the first two of Conway and the rest of Myrtle Beach, were sentenced in the case: • Daniel A. Lavoie, 49: Five years’ probation, 18 months home confinement and $293,402.50 in restitution • Enrique R. Reyes, 48: Five years’ probation, 18 months home confinement and $293,402.50 in restitution • Walter A. Duran, 45: Five years’ probation, 21 months home confinement and $976,076.08 in restitution • Lisa Caulley Sellers, 57: Five years’ probation, eight months home

• •

• • • •

•

confinement and $488,038.04 in restitution Ming Xue Nan, 52: Five years’ probation, 14 months home confinement and $173,712.43 in restitution Katherine L. Welker, 39: Five years’ probation, eight months home confinement and $173,712.43 in restitution Josafa P. Neto, 43: Five years’ probation, 18 months home confinement and $209,847.07 in restitution Marylany Hardman Levino, 36: Five years’ probation and $209,847.07 in restitution Saul Prieto, 56: Five years’ probation, nine months home confinement and $74,868.50 in restitution Martha E. Zarate, aka Martha E. Prieto, 54: Five years’ probation, nine months home confinement and $74,868.50 restitution Marcos Caetano De Almeida, 45: Five years’ probation, 21 months home confinement and $298,816.52 in restitution Johanna A. Carpio, 38: Five years’ probation, 14 months home confinement and $131,449.69 in restitution CRBJ

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In Focus

ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

NEXT ISSUE’S FOCUS:

Manufacturing & Aerospace

LIST: Home Builders, Page 18

Verdae vision unveiled with focus on Laurens Road Staff Report

gsanews@scbiznews.com

erdae Development Inc. and Hollingsworth Funds have a plan to transform a utilitarian stretch of Laurens Road into what they call a “next generation destination.” The organizations recently unveiled a new outlook for approximately 90 acres of Laurens Road property with a vision that aims to create a vibrant and inclusive mixed-use district “that reflects Greenville’s cultural and social diversity while acting as a platform for economic innovation with commercial office, residential, recreation and retail in a new urban setting,” according to a news release. While many details of the plan will emerge as plans proceed, some of the vision’s core elements promote accessibility, sustainability, connectivity and affordability, including: • A new central street running parallel between the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail and Laurens Road. • A new green ribbon of parks and open space. • Improved connectivity for public transit as well as pedestrian and bike friendly trails and pathways. The conversion from a one-use retail corridor to a mixed-use district that incorporates economic development through office, small business and entrepreneurship; provides opportunities for a retail landscape to meet current trends; introduces new areas for public recreation; and integrates a variety of housing options to maintain affordability. “What we’ve presented is a long-term vision for an area of focus within Verdae that intentionally provides flexibility to adjust to Greenville’s growth, the market, and most importantly, to great ideas from

The vision for the Laurens Road section of Verdae calls for an environment friendlier to pedestrians and cyclists. (Image/Provided)

community partners to help bring it to life,” Gage Weekes, president and CEO of Hollingsworth Funds, said in the news release. Verdae is the 1,100-acre master planned community that started in 2005 on one of the largest tracts of land in the Greenville area that was owned by the late textile machinery magnate John D. Hollingsworth Jr. He left the bulk of his estate to Hollingsworth Funds, a charitable foundation established to use his holdings to support Furman University, the YMCA, and nonprofits benefitting the greater Greenville community. The creation of Verdae and its continued development helps fund a wide range of community initiatives annually supported by Hollingsworth Funds. A cost for building out the vision has not been determined. “Given Greenville’s tremendous growth and changes to the market over the past 15 years and with almost half of Verdae remaining to be developed, the timing was right to revisit the original master plan to ensure that Verdae is positioned to deliver value to the Greenville community for the next 10 to 15 years,” the release said. “Hollingsworth Funds and Verdae Devel-

feels like

Home

opment initiated an Urban Land Institute Advisory Panel in late 2019 which helped lead to the decision to engage a world-class team of planning professionals to refresh the master plan.” Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, HR&A Advisors, and other professionals have been working with Verdae Development and Hollingsworth Funds in a planning process that is grounded in real estate analysis and market data. This strategic review began with an in-depth study of the entire 1,100-acre master plan property, but led to a concentration on a portion of the footprint that has been performing as big box retail centers since the 1980s, the release said. “We’ve learned a great deal,” Debbie Wallace, president and COO of Verdae Development, said in the release. “First and foremost, we have more land than can be absorbed by the market within a 10 to 15-year planning horizon. We can be more successful by reducing the development target area and cultivating greater community impact.” Market realities that surfaced and influenced the creation of the new vision included:

Verdae is physically and economically between the downtown core and suburban market for products like office, residential, and retail/amenities. Greenville’s growing customer base has genuine purchasing power and seeks alternatives to typical suburban office and residential products. Demand for residential (at a mix of price points), office, retail (sized and located strategically), and open space will drive value. Public-private partnerships are a key ingredient to funding required infrastructure and amenities. “Greenville has a rich history of public-private partnerships, and Hollingsworth has certainly been a valued private partner with the city,” Grenville Mayor Knox White said in the release. “The preliminary vision for Verdae is something we have wanted to see for some time along the main corridors in Greenville. This helps create new nodes of excitement and activity.” Weekes said the next several months will be important as Hollingsworth and Verdae continue to gather input from community stakeholders, work with the city on its current development code process, establish a plan of finance for public infrastructure, and find development partners to execute the vision. “This is a vision for a livable community for the future that builds on a legacy of exceptional planning and re-imagines a place where accessibility, sustainability, connectivity, affordability and innovation intersect,” Weekes said in the release. “We are excited about the opportunity to create a vibrant and inclusive mixed-use district that delivers value for the Greenville community and helps support Hollingsworth Funds’ philanthropic initiatives.” Verdae Development Inc. serves as the master developer for the 1,100-acre planned development.

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IN FOCUS: ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

June 13-26, 2022

$2M gift establishes endowed directorship for wood utilization and design

Pat Layton’s Institute has helped advance the use of cross-laminated timber, used here In the Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center, located at the Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Center, features a unique blend of steel beams and southern yellow pine cross-laminated timber. (Photo/Clemson University)

Staff report

gsanews@scbiznews.com

icky and Amy Scott of Allendale have given $2 million to the Clemson University Wood Utilization + Design Institute to endow the institute’s directorship. The Patricia “Pat” Layton Endowed Directorship is named in honor of founding director Patricia Layton and comes as Layton prepares to retire, according to a university news release. “I am deeply honored and humbled by the Scott family creating this endowment in my name,” Layton said in the release. “The work to make the WU+D Institute what it is today is a team effort that included many people, including Micky Scott and his family. Since 2014, I have served as its director, and it has been the joy of my 45-year career. I have been privileged to work with many faculty and other partners to grow a new industry and bring it to life.” Layton will remain director on a part-time basis while the institute board searches for her replacement. The Scotts, with Micky’s brothers Bill and Hank, are fourth-generation owners of Collum’s Lumber Products LLC, a wholesale lumber and pole manufacturer in Allendale. “When you talk about building with wood, Pat Layton is the top cheerleader and a nationally known expert,” Micky Scott said in the release. “The purpose of this gift is to make sure WU+D can

replace and retain the best director to sustain the institute and ensure that it continues to play a pivotal role in the success of South Carolina’s $21 billion forest products industry for years to come.” The WU+D Institute brings together the state’s manufacturing and forestry industries to innovate and advocate for the expanded use of engineered sustainable wood-based materials, such as cross-laminate timber, in a commercial construction market dominated by steel and concrete. Since its founding in September 2014, WU+D has more than 148 publications, presentations and tours to its credit and has secured more than $3 million in grants. In the process, WU+D has helped forge new markets for South Carolina’s timber, formed partnerships with corporations needing engineered wood-product design consultation and prepared Clemson students to take leadership roles in designing and marketing future innovations in wood-based construction technology. Most recently, WU+D also assisted in securing funding for nano cellulosic research work at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research and now manganese dioxide research and student support from a WU+D partner in chemical engineering, totaling more than $250,000. WU+D also collaborated to build with mass timber during the construction of Clemson’s Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center.

Cutline for wood use 2: Clemson University President Jim Clements, Clemson University Wood Utilization + Design Institute founding director Pat Layton, Micky Scott and Amy Scott at a surprise announcement about the gift and the directorship's new name. (Photo/Clemson University)

Mitchell S. “Micky” Scott received a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from Clemson in 1975. He was recently honored with the Clemson University Distinguished Service Award. He serves on the university’s Committee on Philanthropy, the Wood, Utilization + Design Institute Board and is former chair of Clemson’s Timberlands Legacy Committee. “We cannot thank Micky and Amy enough for their continued support of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, its students, forestry program, and the state’s forestry industry. Their gift is not just a testament to their generosity, but also a tribute to Pat’s career and to the

important role that the WU+D Institute plays in the success of the South Carolina forest industry,” Keith Belli, dean of CAFLS, said in the news release. The Scott family has a deep legacy of support for Clemson and its programs. Scott and his wife Amy have established The Mitchell S. Scott ’75 and Amy J. Scott CAFLS Scholarship Endowment for the recruitment and retention of students to the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Together, they are the first Academic Cornerstone Partner for the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. Their gifts to the college have established numerous endowments.

June 13-26, 2022

IN FOCUS: ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

www.gsabusiness.com 13

HOME BASE: New center consolidates education, advocacy efforts for SC architects By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

reserving South Carolina’s architectural heritage is one mission of the South Carolina Architectural Foundation and the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and a new showplace designed to highlight that ongoing work couldn’t have a more appropriate home. The Center for Architectural Design, housed at 1530 Main St. in Columbia, is the product of a years-long vision to increase visibility of the architectural profession in the state. Before the S.C. AIA chapter purchased the building, currently undergoing renovations with an eye toward a late fall opening, there was no real center for architectural outreach and education to take place. Since the early 1980s, the organization had operated out of “The Cottage,” a small structure on Bull Street nestled among law firms. Inspired by larger AIA chapters with a more centralized, noticeable presence around the country, including one in Raleigh, AIA S.C. decided to change that. “We made the commitment in 2014 that we were going to look for something more prominent, both from an advocacy/ lobbying standpoint with the Statehouse but also from the standpoint of where the public could see architecture in South Carolina,” said Ben Ward, project manager at McMillan Pazdan Smith and 2022 president of AIA S.C. In 2015, AIA S.C. purchased the former Eckerd Drug Store building, where a significant moment in the state’s history took place in 1960. Allen University student Simon Bouie and Benedict College student Talmadge Neal were arrested, jailed and convicted for refusing to leave the Eckerd lunch counter, where they were denied service because they are Black. Those events became the basis for a landmark 1964 civil rights case which, coupled with another lunch-counter case at the nearby Taylor Street Pharmacy, led to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning protesting students’ convictions, saying their right to due process under the 14th Amendment had been violated. Days later, the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed racial segregation in public facilities. “Based on historical photographs of the incident, we actually located the two (counter) stool spots,” Ward said. “In the terrazzo floor, you could see the outline of where the drug store counter was, and then you could see the circles where the stools were bolted to the floor.” The old Eckerd Drug Store played a pivotal role in Columbia history, now recognized with a historical marker outside the building. But like the civil rights case with origins in the building, its new

tenant hopes to expand its impact beyond the capital city. While the Center for Architectural Design’s proximity to the Statehouse is critical for AIA S.C.’s advocacy of architecture and issues such as safe, sustainable building codes, its community outreach will extend into every corner of the state, both urban and rural. “Columbia is very central and strategic in its location to the Statehouse, but really the goal of the center is to get this programming out into our communities, into Charleston and Greenville and the Upstate and the Grand Strand and the Midlands,” said Dan Scheaffer, principal at LS3P’s Charleston office. “That’s where we’re going to make the most impact once we get it into those communities.” Scheaffer was president of AIA S.C. during fundraising for and design of the center, and he was a member of the steering committee for its capital campaign, which he said was met with great support from members. Currently on the S.C. Architectural Foundation board, he is excited about the center’s potential to not just promote architectural achievements but to make those achievements accessible to all state residents. “Really the goal of the center has always been about three main things: advocacy, community outreach and member knowledge,” Scheaffer said. That includes preserving historically and culturally significant buildings, creating affordable housing through better design and supporting programs that promote resilient design to protect homes and businesses during weather events such as hurricanes and earthquakes. “And then one of the things we’re getting a lot of traction on and I think is really important for our profession particularly is diversity, equity and inclusion – being culturally aware. How can we cre-

ate a better pipeline of diversity?” he said. “That really starts with getting into the schools. We’re doing a lot of partnerships with Clemson on programs and also K-12, creating programs that help young students see architecture as a viable career path, because that’s not often taught by guidance counselors and schools, that you can be an architect.” The center also will feature rotating and traveling exhibits, including one called Say It Loud, created by architect and activist Pascale Sablan and aimed at increasing diversity in the field. “We take this idea of architecture, and you go to Dillon County and do presentations for kids,” Ward said. “You go to Allendale County, some of these places where it might not be taught in school. They’re not given that as a career choice. “You can go into architecture, and you can make your community a better place” — that’s not something they hear, and it’s something they should hear.” A goal of the center is also to keep that burgeoning talent at home. “One of the big things for me is creating a pipeline for kids — a whole diverse range of kids — to think that they can become architects, to see the importance of the profession and to see the power for change that we have in the profession, and also to highlight that you can be a great architect in South Carolina,” said Ward, who earned a design degree from Clemson in 2003 before getting his master’s in architecture at N.C. State. “I think so many times, in rural areas, kids go to school for architecture, and then they’ll move to New York or D.C. or somewhere like that to practice when they could stay here in their home state and do great things.” After purchasing the center, AIA S.C. held a design competition in 2017 to select the project’s architect. The winner

was the formerly Columbia-based firm Watson Tate Savory, which merged with McMillan Pazdan Smith last October. The move combined Watson Tate Savory’s expertise in higher education design with the broader reach of MPS, which has offices in Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Charleston, Charlotte, Atlanta and Asheville. “Now we have the backing of this large firm that’s allowed us to do more things and go after bigger projects and participate in the community even more,” said former Watson Tate Savory principal Gene Bell, now with MPS. “We’re hoping the center will bring an awareness of architecture to everyone — not only serve as a home base for all registered architects and our members and the association, but also a home for the understanding of architecture and its impact on our community.” The Center for Architecture will feature its current, historically protected stone façade, which will open into a bright, open event and exhibit space lined by offices. Delayed by COVID-related supply issues and needing roof and other repairs before new construction could begin, the center is on track to open in late October or November, Ward said, with the public portion of its fundraising efforts also set to begin soon. Having been on the ground floor of the center’s creation, Scheaffer is eager to see the project’s final shape. “There’s been a lot of effort by a lot of (people),” he said. “Financially, our firms have invested. We’ve invested our time and our talents to make this happen, so it’s real exciting. It’s going to be an incredible space, and we’re so excited for it to be here. Couldn’t get here soon enough.” Reach Melinda Waldrop at 803-726-7542.

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UPSTATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

June 13-26, 2022

UPSTATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Construction projects submitted by the people who design, engineer and build them.

Broad River Electric Construction 1036 Webber Road, Cowpens Developer/owner: MBM Consulting, Greenville (owner’s rep) Architects: SGA Architecture, Greenville General contractor: McCrory Construction Engineers: Live Oak Consultants, North Charleston (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil structural) Estimated completion date: Third quarter 2022 This 62,900-square-foot project consists of a 27,600-square-foot, two-story office building, a 12,800-square-foot truck shed, and a 22,500-square-foot warehouse. The site includes a laydown yard, pole yard, transformer yard, damaged-line-equipment shed and fueling station.

Clemson University Poe Indoor Practice Facility Renovation Perimeter Road, Clemson Developer/owner: Clemson University Architects: Goodwyn Mills Cawood, Greenville General contractor: Mavin Construction Estimated completion date: November 2022 The west end of the practice facility will be home to Clemson’s new Student-Athlete Branding Institute, multipurpose media spaces, a relocated applied-science lab, and an NFL locker room for recruiting. The upgrade also includes new storage, equipment, and hydration areas on the facility’s east side.

Clemson University Soccer Champions Plaza 220 East Beach Dr., Clemson Developer/owner: Clemson University Architects: Garvin Design Group General contractor: Mavin Construction, Greenville Estimated completion date: August 2022 This project covers demolition of an existing patio and installation of a new plaza. Scope includes landscaping, decorative concrete, fire pit, outdoor grill, signage, precast, masonry, landscaping, granite countertops, stained concrete, outdoor lighting, plumbing with roof drain tie-ins, and grading.

DC Blox Eastwood 33 Global Dr., Greenville Developer/owner: DC Blox Architects: Croft & Associates, Atlanta General contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie, Greenville Engineers: Croft & Associates, Atlanta (mechanical, plumbing); BCE, Atlanta (electrical); ADC Engineering, Greenville Estimated completion date: July 2022 Estimated total cost: $5.8 million The renovation of and addition to an existing operational data center includes an 800-square-foot precast addition, a build-out of 5,244 square feet of shell space, and a 1.5-megawatt addition.

June 13-26, 2022

UPSTATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The Exchange Logistics Park 100 Exchange Logistics, Piedmont This project is a Class A speculative industrial space on the Greenville/Anderson border in the new Exchange Logistics Park at Interstate 85. Buildings II and III are underway. Building II features approximately 346,283 total square feet in a 420-by-832-foot building. Parking will comprise 209 stalls and 44 future stalls; trailer storage will feature 56 stalls. There will be 35 seven-by-10-foot dock doors as well as 35 seven-by-eight-foot 40,000-pound mechanical dock levelers and dock seals.

www.gsabusiness.com 15

GSP Industrial Speculative Building 785 Victor Hill Road, Greer Developer/owner: NAI Earle Furman/Primis Property II, Greenville Architects: LS3P, Greenville Project Manager: THS Constructors, Greenville General contractor: THS Constructors, Greenville Engineers: Thomas Mechanical, Laurens (mechanical); Langford Electric, Greer (electrical); W. N. Kirkland, Spartanburg (plumbing); Stantec, Greenville (civil); Arrowood + Arrowood, Greenville (structural) Estimated completion date: First quarter 2023 The new 265,000-square-foot speculative building will be located near the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport and the Inland Port. Construction will include structural steel frame with tilt-up concrete perimeter walls; slab on grade; storefront windows; dock doors; TPO roof; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; and a fire protection system with pump and site utilities.

Polywood Expansion 3100 Jim Thorpe Hwy., Roxboro, N.C. Developer/owner: Weston, Cleveland Architects: LS3P, Charlotte Project Manager: THS Constructors, Greenville General contractor: THS Constructors, Greenville Engineers: Environmental Air Systems, Raleigh (mechanical, plumbing); Bryant-Durham, Durham, N.C. (electrical); Thomas & Hutton, Charlotte (civil); LS3P, Greenville (structural) Estimated completion date: October 2023 The 500,000-square-foot Polywood Expansion will sit directly behind Polywood’s current facility. The expansion facility will be used for manufacturing, warehousing and distribution. Construction will include structural steel with tilt-up concrete perimeter walls.

Glen Raven Mills Expansion 4665 Liberty Hwy., Anderson Architects: MCA Architecture, Greenville General contractor: M.B. Kahn Construction, Columbia Estimated completion date: November 30, 2022 Estimated total cost: $35 million This facility expansion comprises a 240,854-square-foot distribution-center high-bay warehouse, a 196,721-square-foot manufacturing space, and 10,478 square feet of ancillary workshops. The facility has a structural steel frame with load-bearing PC concrete exterior walls. The project is being constructed on a 40-acre site adjacent to an existing facility, which also is undergoing an upfit.

Publix and Shops 4400 S.C. Highway 9, Boiling Springs Developer/owner: Carolina Holdings, Greenville Architects: Hiscutt & Associates, Alpharetta General contractor: McCrory Construction Engineers: Am Cerra Mechanical Engineering, Atlanta (mechanical, plumbing); Savant Engineers, Sandy Springs, Ga. (electrical); Atwell, Lawrenceville, Ga. (civil); Lowndes Engineering, Grayson, Ga. (structural) Estimated completion date: First quarter 2023 McCrory was selected to construct this Publix-anchored shopping center, which is part of a 17-acre development that features the 47,240-square-foot Publix and two 6,450-square-foot retail buildings along with site work.

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UPSTATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

June 13-26, 2022

Red Bullet Spec Building 200 Masters Blvd., Anderson Developer/owner: Red Bullet, Anderson Architects: Architectural Design Center–ADC, Easley General contractor: McCrory Construction Engineers: Piedmont Mechanical, Spartanburg (mechanical); Walker & Whiteside, Greenville (electrical); Cam-Ful, Charlotte (plumbing); Site Design, Greenville (civil); Fuller Group, Greenville (structural) Estimated completion date: Fourth quarter 2022 This is an expansion to an existing facility for which McCrory recently completed a large renovation and expansion. The new project adds 150,000 square feet of warehouse and machine/maintenance shop with an area three-hour CMU separation wall. Site work includes an additional seven loading docks and truck apron, 16-foot-high segmented block retaining wall, and extension of the underground fire loop.

St. Paul’s Church 304 E. Camperdown Way, Greenville Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville General contractor: Mavin Construction, Greenville Estimated completion date: June 2022 This project comprises ground-up construction of a 26,500-square-foot two-story church building. Included are 1.2 acres of site work for parking, connection to existing parking, and work associated with renovating the existing church entries as required to accommodate the new grading.

Anderson University Football Operations Building Anderson University, 317 Boulevard, Anderson Developer/owner: Anderson University Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Spartanburg General contractor: Hogan Construction Group, Easley Estimated completion date: Spring 2023 A groundbreaking was held in May for Anderson University’s new Football Operations Building. Anderson University aims to field their inaugural Division II football team during the 2024 college football season. This building will serve as the home for the football program, featuring locker rooms, team meeting rooms, coaches’ offices, strength and conditioning spaces, and sports medicine. While primarily for the football program, the building will also provide spaces for other student athletes. Judson Mill 703 Easley Bridge Road, Greenville Developer/owner: Judson Mill Ventures, Greenville Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville General contractor: Triangle Construction, Greenville Estimated completion date: Various completion dates by phase Judson Mill continues to grow with several new tenant upfits and building shell projects currently under construction. New tenant projects underway include JudHub, a shared office space oriented toward nonprofits, social entrepreneurs, and other mission driven companies; Stumphy’s Hatchet House, an axe throwing venue; Magnetic South Brewery’s second Upstate location; and offices and event space for High Spirits Hospitality. Two new building shells are also being completed for future tenants.

IN FOCUS: ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

June 13-26, 2022

www.gsabusiness.com 17

Statewide architecture firm names new COO By Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

cMillan Pazdan Smith, an architecture with locations in Columbia and throughout the state, has named a new COO. Mark Gettig previously served as the president of LifeMade, a division of Greerbased manufacturer Jadex Inc. Gettig has also worked in finance, operations, and

general management for Jarden Corp., Unilever and Bose. In his new role, Gettig will focus on financial management, team development and support services optimization Gettig across MPS’ seven offices in three states.

“McMillan Pazdan Smith is full of really talented, accomplished people,” Gettig said in a news release. “I’m looking forward to using my experience to be a part of the positive impact this firm is making in all of the communities where we operate.” Last October, McMillan Pazdan Smith merged with Columbia firm Watson Tate Savoy. MPS also has offices in Greenville, Charleston, Charlotte, Spartanburg,

Asheville and Atlanta. “We are very excited to have Mark join our firm’s leadership team,” McMillan Pazdan Smith CEO Chad Cousins said. “His prior executive experience across industries adds a new perspective as we expand design services and advisory value for our clients.” A licensed CPA, Gettig received his MBA in finance and accounting from Boston University. CRBJ

Coffee shop, climbing gym to open shared space in Upstate By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

Travelers Rest warehouse will become a production and training hub for Upstate coffeehouse chain Methodical Manufactory well as the long-awaited new home for local climbing gym that closed its doors in 2018. Methodical Coffee, owner of Greenville’s three local coffee shops, purchased the 39,573 square feet of warehousing space off 999 Greer Highway from Grace Church to consolidate the coffee company’s roasting, packaging and shipping

operations. The location will not house a retail coffee shop but will feature a range of other businesses in the space. “The vision for the new location was conceived to not only benefit Methodical, but almost 14,000 square feet will be leased to other like-minded businesses to create a collaborative environment and will be referred to as the Methodical Manufactory,” Marco Suarez, co-owner of Methodical, said in a news release. The space has an industrial look with metal rafters, brick walls and a concrete floor. The occupancy date is slated for early October. A large portion of the warehouse

will be used for storage of Methodical’s imported green coffee beans and tea. With larger warehousing space, Methodical will be able speed production of their coffee and teas and expand distribution of the brand’s ready-to-drink cold brew coffee and horchata beverages, according to the release. Methodical will also locate its Training Lab, a dedicated space used to educate and train baristas and individuals with wholesale accounts, at the warehouse, along with offices for their ecommerce and internal operations. The lab will offer coffee and tea classes as well as play host to public events.

After closing the doors to its 61 Byrdland Drive climbing gym in 2018, the local nonprofit GOAT (Great Outdoor Adventure Trips) moved its youth outdoor leadership center and bike repair shop into a coffee shop on 120 Shaw St. near downtown Greenville. The coffeeshop has sold Methodical products since opening and has helped fund the nonprofit’s efforts to offer underprivileged children and teens opportunities to explore outdoor sports and to work with organization. Now, plans to reopen the Mountain Goat Climbing Gym will come to fruition in 6,692 square feet of the Travelers Rest warehouse. CRBJ

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At Work

BUSINESS DIGEST | PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Business Digest

Countybank Foundation donates to Pendleton Place Youth

The Countybank Foundation, established in 1971 representing Countybank and Greenwood Capital, donated $2,500 to Pendleton Place for the expansion of its Youth Resources Center. Leadership Greenville recently identified a need to expand the center, which will address essential life needs to youth ages 17-24 who are experiencing homelessness and have been affected by trauma. The center provides immediate safety to homeless youth, and offers basic needs like showers, laundry, food, assessments counseling, development, housing coordination, case management and job opportunities. “Countybank and Greenwood Capital are committed to serving our communities and putting people first,” Ken Harper, chief banking officer for Countybank, said in a news release. “This recent donation to support youth in need through the development of a Youth Resource Center in Greenville helps us live that mission.”

CommunityWorks selected for $1M investment a client base primarily focused in the life sciences, health care and innovation arenas. Konduros had previously served as executive director of the Greenville Health Research Development Corp., president and CEO of SCBIO, and CEO of KOR Medical. As SK Strategies reactivates, Konduros has been named CEO of Southeast Life Sciences, a regional life sciences organization, effective in June. Additionally, he and SK Strategies were selected by U.S. Performance Center of North Carolina to serve as a strategic business partner. Also, Good Growth Capital of Charleston named Konduros a venture adviser. SK Strategies is in the process of assembling a team, according to a news release.

Real estate professionals sponsor bike racks throughout Unity Park

NGU offers new majors for communications students

North Greenville University said its School of Communication in the College of Communication and Fine Arts will begin offering an updated slate of majors for fall 2022, including new concentrations of study in film, strategic communication and sports media. The school will have two majors for the new academic year: digital media with concentrations in broadcast, film, journalism and sports; and strategic communication with concentrations in public relations, communication studies and media ministry.

A group of real estate professionals said they are sponsoring bike racks throughout the 60-acre Unity Park to encourage visitors to ride. Wilson Associates Real Estate, Milton Shockley, Bell Carrington Price & Gregg Attorneys at Law, Blackstream Real Estate and Woodfield Development each sponsored groups of racks. Unity Park opened May 19.

Development announce plans to

SK Strategies reactivates business

SK Strategies LLC, the Greenville-based consulting firm initially launched by South Carolina businessman Sam Konduros in 2004, announced it has reactivated with

Expand The Pier near Clemson Chicago-based Core Spaces and Tom Winkopp Development of Clemson announced a joint venture to create an off-campus student housing development on 140 acres near the Clemson University campus. The development will include 4,000 beds to expand the current 1,400-bed student-housing development known as The Pier. The development also will include athletic and fitness facilities, pools, outdoor grills, student clubhouses, beachfront access and waterfront trails.

Staff Report

gsanews@scbiznews.com

ommunityWorks was selected as a Community Development Financial Institution to receive an investment from TD Bank as part of its equity fund to support minority-owned small businesses. CommunityWorks received a $1M investment and was the only organization in South Carolina selected. CommunityWorks serves small businesses and affordable housing developers through a variety of lending and coaching programs. In 2021, 70.3% of CommunityWorks clients were female, approximately 80% of CommunityWorks’ small business coaching and lending clients were minorities, and in total, 70% of CommunityWorks’ clients were Black, according to a news release. CommunityWorks plans to increase access to financial products for minority-owned businesses and developers with the help of TD’s investment, the news release said. The tailored loan products CommunityWorks offers range between $900 and $250,000 to support businesses and loans of up to $500,000 for small and minority affordable housing developers. Along with loan products, CommunityWorks provides coaching and technical support to entrepreneurs based on their

needs. The CommunityWorks Women’s Business Center and financial wellness coach work to help individuals succeed in their field, the release said. “TD has been a long-time partner of CommunityWorks with a strong commitment to supporting underserved entrepreneurs and communities through investing and volunteer service,” Tammie Hoy Hawkins, CEO of CommunityWorks, said in the release. “This generous investment will allow us to expand our reach to serve more minority entrepreneurs in the Upstate and across South Carolina through lending and support. Together we will work to increase economic opportunities for diverse businesses.” “TD is proud to support CommunityWorks through this meaningful investment, which will not only increase critical access to capital, but also provide technical assistance for minority-owned small businesses in South Carolina,” said Michael Innis-Thompson, head of Community Lending and Development at TD Bank, said in the release. “Small businesses, particularly those that are underserved, help our communities thrive through job creation, economic development and revitalization. By investing in them, TD and CommunityWorks are reaffirming our shared commitment to advance racial and gender equity while creating a more inclusive economy.”

Grant to support mission of county foster parent association

Northwestern Mutual Foundation said it is awarding Greenville financial adviser Joseph Funderburk a $15,000 grant as part of its 2022 Community Service Award program. The grant will support the Greenville County Foster Parent Association’s mission is to educate, support, advocate and bring awareness to the Greenville County foster care community by training, providing resources and offering programming to foster families. A financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual in Greenville, Funderburk serves as vice president of the association’s board.

Kerri Smith, Leadership Greenville 48th class member; Manisha Shanbhag, Leadership Greenville 48th class member; and Ken Harper, chief banking officer for Countybank, celebrate the moment with a check presentation. (Photo/Provided)

Submit items using our online submission portal: www.GSABizWire.com. Publication is subject to editorial discretion.

www.gsabusiness.com

June 13-26, 2022

People in the News ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PR

The Southern Bank names VP for commercial lending ell president and CEO. He has been a leader in the firm for nearly 30 years and has served on the board of directors for the South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

AVIATION Kearns

Manos

Infinity Marketing hired Sharon Kearns as graphic designer and Jimmy Manos as social media coordinator. Kearns most recently worked as an intern with Drum Creative. Manos previously interned at Infinity.

Kelley

ty outreach.

Hughes Agency hired Katie Kelley as account executive. Kelley has more than six years of experience in marketing, advertising, event management, social media campaign execution and communiVantagePoint Marketing hired Emily Runyon as account manager. She has 16 years of experience in marketing and advertising.

Kenneth Koch Jr., operations manager for the Greenville Downtown Airport, earned the Certified Member designation of the American Association of Airport Executives.

BANKING & FINANCE James Poole joined CrossCountry Mortgage as a business development specialist. Poole served in the U.S. Army in various roles. Poole

Robinson

Runyon

Miller

Crawford hired Brooke Miller as public relations account executive. She most recently was communications coordinator at The Reserve at Lake Keowee.

Glassman

in Athens.

Brinker Kwiatkowski

Fleming

Infinity Marketing hired Madi Kwiatkowski as media buyer and Ryan Fleming as media coordinator. Kwiatkowski most recently worked as a freelance personal assistant. Fleming most recently worked as a logistics account executive at Total Quality Logistics.

ARCHITECTURE Craig Gaulden Davis named Scott Pow-

Butler

Walt Robinson, an associate in Wilson Kibler’s Upstate office, received the Certified Commercial Investment Member designation by the CCIM Institute. FinTrust Capital Advisors announced that Mary Katherine “MK” Glassman joined the company as a financial planner. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia who interned with FinTrust’s office Jonathan Brinker joined CrossCountry Mortgage as a loan officer. Brinker has18 years of experience as a mortgage professional in South and North Carolina. United Community Bank hired Linda Butler as senior director of talent. Butler previously worked at BMW Manufacturing Co. and Schneider Electric.

Staff Report

gsanews@scbiznews.com

he Southern Bank has hired Russ Williams to be senior vice president of Upstate commercial lending in the Greenville market. Williams is a 35-year veteran of the banking industry with experience in bank leadership, relationship management, loan production and credit administration. Before joining The Southern Bank, Williams was a senior advisor for Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, according to a news release. He was an intermediary providing sell-side advisory services to privately held business owners in the Upstate and active in the listing and selling of small businesses with enterprise values ranging from $500,000 to $15 million. Prior to Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, he worked for several banks based in Greenville, where he was responsible for retail and commercial banking activities, servicing small businesses, and business development. “Russ is a phenomenal addition to the bank,” Scott Frierson, president of The Southern Bank, said in the news release. “Including his 35 years of experience to

comes to Pinnacle from Truist, where he was a commercial real estate relationship manager. Lal

Leopard

EDUCATION Kathleen “Katy” Hardy, program director for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Tri-County Technical College’s Arts and Sciences Division, Hardy received the Presidential Medallion for Instructional Excellence at the college’s spring convocation.

HEALTH CARE

Singleton

members to its board of trustees: Mark Askew, board chair for Palmetto Surety Corp. and United Holding Group; Wells Dunlap, a vice president and commercial relaSmith tionship manager at Countybank; Megha Lal, who is active in numerous Greenwood community organizations, including the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation, Arts Council and Greenwood County Community Foundation; Chris Singleton, a national speaker and former minor league baseball player; and Tara Smith, office manager for the Law Offices of Brandon A. Smith.

HOSPITALITY

Askew

Ken Leopard joined Pinnacle Financial Partners as a financial advisor. Leopard

our already-veteran banking team will enhance our commercial loan services to our customers in Upstate communities.” A Memphis, Williams Tenn., native, Williams graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College in North Carolina and earned an MBA from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. Williams serves as the chairman of the Financial Stability Impact Council for the United Way of Greenville and is a member of the S.C. Bankers Association Economic Development Committee and JDRF Corporate Development Committee. The Greenville branch of The Southern Bank, which is based in Sardis, Ga., is under construction at 101 Cleveland St. The Southern Bank bought the property earlier this year and plans to open this summer. The land and a 575-square-foot structure was purchased from local investors for $562,500 and will undergo an estimated $675,000 in renovations,

Dunlap

The Greenwood Genetic Center Foundation announced the appointment of five new

Wise

The Greenville Triumph SC promoted Stacey Wise to senior director of ticketing. Wise previously served as director of ticketing.

June 13-26, 2022

www.gsabusiness.com 21

HUMAN RESOURCES

Bevill

Stacey Bevill, owner and president of Golden Career Strategies, earned the Professional Certified Coach designation from the International Coach Federation.

Greenville Women Giving names 6 beneficiaries

help further the organization’s work. They

By Molly Hulsey

Dwyer

Kegler

INSURANCE Rudy Painter, division executive for Countybanc Insurance, was awarded a certificate of achievement recognizing 35 consecutive years of successfully mainPainter taining the Certified lnsurance Counselor designation by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. Owens Insurance Agency promoted Sandra Johnson to director of operations. She has worked at Owens Insurance for 10 years. Johnson

MANUFACTURING Milliken & Co. President and CEO Halsey Cook was elected to the board of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers.

Moore

The S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership promoted Tony Moore to director of operations. He previously worked as a regional vice president.

Rosenblum

Whalen

ation of Home Builders. Kegler was named vice president and chief diversity officer of Michelin North America in 2008. Rosenblum is a feature writer for TALKGreenville magazine. Whalen is a clinical social worker for Caritas Counseling Services LLC at St Mary’s Church. The Greenville Racial Equity and Economic Mobility Commission named Stacey Mills executive director. Mills serves as the senior pastor at Mountain View Baptist Church in Greenville, a role he has held for 25 years. The Greenville Area Parkinson Society named Kamber Parker interim executive director while the nonprofit looks for a permanent hire to fill the position. Parker has Parker been the organization’s development director since 2020. Additionally, Parker was recently named Young Professional of the Year by the Greenville Chamber.

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

he local women’s collective giving organization Greenville Women Giving has awarded $517,495 in grant funding to six nonprofits across Greenville County. May 19 marked the organization’s 16th anniversary, which was named Greenville Women Giving Day by Greenville County Councilwoman Liz Seman at the Grant Awards Ceremony held at the Hilton Greenville. “It is so exciting to see that what began as a simple idea of collaboration — getting a handful of women together to make their charitable giving go farther — has turned into one of the United States’ largest and most successful women’s collective organizations in just 16 years,” Greenville Women Giving co-chair Beverly Ward said in the news release. “By working together, we are building a better quality of life for all residents of Greenville County.” Seventy grant applications were submitted to Greenville Women Giving for consideration. To qualify, grants must provide services to meet needs in Greenville County’s arts, environment, education, health and human services communities.

REAL ESTATE

Joyner

MUNICIPALITIES

Ayla

Ayla Ferrone joined the city of Greer as community and media outreach coordinator. She most recently worked as a reporter and weekend anchor for WSPA-TV.

• The Conestee Foundation’s Lake Conestee Nature Preserve will receive $100,000 over two years to create an interactive natural outdoor environment. • Greenville Literacy Association will use $76,000 over two years to hire a fulltime training and career counselor who will support under-skilled adults. • Mental Health America of Greenville County will provide software licenses and laptops for remote suicide lifeline volunteers and employees. • Phillis Wheatley Association received $65,000 to fund improvements to the Dwight Woods Repertory Theater. • Rebuild Upstate was granted $100,000 over two years to preserve and improve low-income, owner-occupied homes in Greenville County. • Thrive Upstate will put a $100,000 grant toward two ADA vans to transport people to jobs, activities and opportunities. Donald at its Spartanburg office as residential agent. He is a former English teacher.

MacDonald

NAI Earle Furman hired Dana Glynn as a senior accountant. She has more than 20 years of accounting experience and previously worked for Southern Hospitality Group LLC, Easlan Capital Inc., Insignia and AIMCO.

Coldwell Banker Caine hired Marci Masitto at its Greenville office as residential agent.

Masitto

The Art of Real Estate hired Leslye Park as an associate agent. Park is a former teacher.

Coldwell Banker Caine hired Dana Lee at its Spartanburg office as residential agent.

Hocker

NONPROFITS Gateway elected Dawn Dwyer, Clarence Kegler, Elizabeth Rosenblum and Dorothy Whalen to its board of directors. Dwyer is retired from the National Associ-

The 2022 recipients are:

are Alex Dahlstrom, Northwestern Mutual; Carl Hocker, Reedy Property Group; Jennifer Jones, PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services; Maggie Joyner, Berkshire Hathaway; Anna Catherine Miller, city of Greenville.

Glynn Dahlstrom

Coldwell Banker Caine hired Tony MacThe grants, which range from $50,000 to $100,000, are selected by a member vote. Since its inception in 2006, Greenville Women Giving has awarded 140 grants to 87 nonprofits for a total of more than $7.6 million, according to the news release.

Jones

Miller

The Upstate American Heart Association identified five local changemakers to lead an initiative that engages young professionals to complete in a four-week fundraising campaign to

Park

Lee

Creecy

United Home Loan Services Inc. named Charner Creecy director of communications. Creecy brings nearly 14 years of experience in marketing, communications and brand management.

Painter

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner Realtors announced that Brittney Painter joined the company’s Augusta Road office as a sales associate.

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June 13-26, 2022

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List: Commercial Real Estate Companies Bonus List: Commercial Moving & Storage Cos. Advertising Deadline: June 27 JULY 25

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For advertising information, call Rick Jenkins at (864) 720-1224

Powell and Gardner interviews both men and women in the construction industry for the podcast, as well as women in nontraditional roles. (Photo/Provided)

PODCAST, from Page 9

Now I work with a lot of women where I never worked with women at all before.”

Building from the ground up

The strongest impetus for the increasing number of women in construction has been minority and women-owned business quotas required of federal contractors for material procurement and onsite work, she said. But few companies understand the full breadth of funding available for such businesses, or how to certify themselves for such incentives, she said. Fewer have the resources available to put together a Women and Minority Business program like 84 Lumber. “Even though I was new in July of 2020, just from doing a little bit of homework for 30 days prior to me taking the role on, I knew more than 90% of the people I talk to who are in it,” she said of the construction industry’s women and diversity hiring leads. “So, we’ve got people out there making laws and making rules and putting together programs that don’t work because they don’t understand it.” Most businesses she dealt with in South Carolina didn’t even know what it meant to be certified as a women-owned business, she said. Meanwhile, she said, general contractors were finding it challenging to find the certified suppliers or employees needed to fulfill federal or internal requirements. Longtime customers and strangers alike have come to Powell in droves saying: “We love having female product managers. What can I do to get more women to work for me?” Powell knew she had her work cut out for her. Instead of having 1,000 mentorship sessions over coffee, she and Gardner began to interview women and men in the construction industry – as well as women in other non-traditional roles such as aviation – across the nation. After the release of 14 episodes, the podcast now has listeners in 17 countries and 207 cities. “When I meet amazing people – it doesn’t matter if they’re in New York or Maine or Arizona – if it’s an amazing

story and we want to share it, we just ask them if they’d like to be on the podcast,” she said. A podcast is released each Monday and focuses in on the wins and challenges overcome for women in construction, not the airing of complaints. Both men and women are featured on the podcast, because both have been key to creating a more egalitarian workforce that doesn’t skip out on 48% of available talent, Powell said. “When you only have one or the other, you aren’t bringing everything to the table that that particular customer or that particular client needs to have,” Powell said. “It’s not fair to them, right? We’re better together, so we want to learn how to work better together.” The podcast website also serves as a forum for industry players to discuss scholarships, workforce development opportunities and business support.

Better together

Powell’s Build the Way initiative has been another method that 84 Lumber uses to connect contractors and women or minority-owned businesses. The company offers free blueprints to small businesses able to demonstrate a need. It’s also compiling a database of minority and women-owned businesses across the country under Powell’s leadership for contractors in need. Paired with the podcast and Powell’s efforts, a Greenville happy hour has grown into a quarterly luncheon called Women Confidence Builders for working women across sectors. The first sessions were held at the Commerce Club; Powell invited 20 people, but 48 showed up. An upcoming Aug. 30 event, sponsored by BMW, is expected to draw 450 people to the Greenville Convention Center. Other business leaders want to emulate the event in Charlotte, Atlanta and Charleston. “It’s just so exciting,” Powell said. “Just to see what God is doing in my obedience to just be good to people and be kind and try to lift other people up.” Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter.

Viewpoint

VIEWS, PERSPECTIVES AND READERS’ LETTERS

Illustration/File

Goodwill Industries program matches senior workers, employers

’ve been a workforce development professional since 2007. That’s also when I first became aware of the mission side of Goodwill Industries Mann of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina. We’re all familiar with the thrift stores. What many people don’t know? Those great deals fuel an enterprise that provides career training and job placement services for thousands of folks in our local communities. It was something I came to understand deeply when I became the business solutions director for Midlands Technical College in 2012. Students came to Midlands Tech for training and certifications through a partnership with Goodwill. Class after class, I saw the impact of Goodwill. Some people gained a new way to support themselves or their family. Some used Goodwill’s programs for help with a job search, writing a resume or for interview coaching. The more I learned, the more I was compelled to bring those services to more South Carolinians. In 2018, I joined the nonprofit’s Board of

Directors. Through my work on the Board, I’ve gotten to know more of Goodwill’s career services programs. I believe one in particular — the Senior Community Service Employment Program — is a win-win for purpose-seeking older Americans and businesses emerging from COVID-19 into today’s tighter-than-tight job market. SCSEP is a community service and work-based job training program for Americans age 55 and older. The program, first authorized by Congress’ Older Americans Act in 1965, provides training for low-income, unemployed seniors. If your first thought is it’s a nonstarter because seniors are retired, I wouldn’t be surprised. But the reality is quite the opposite. Retirement is a luxury many seniors do not have nor one that some even seek. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2024, the labor force will grow to an estimated 164 million people. Of that, about 41 million are expected to be age 55+. Within those senior workers will be a super senior workforce of about 13 million age 65+. While some will need income, others are simply not yet ready for retirement.

They crave purpose. They’re not built to sit at home every day. The SCSEP program is ideal for both senior populations plus those who don’t know how to go about getting a job or lack skills demanded by modern workplaces. With so much emphasis on technology, learning computer skills was a big draw for the SCSEP program before the pandemic. Post-COVID, hiring trends have further digitized. Virtual interviews, digital meetings and conferences occur on screens every day. And that’s all on top of the job hunting basics — connecting with employers, preparing a resume and interviewing for a role. But the benefits of SCSEP don’t end with employees. It’s relief for employers, too. At this moment, many organizations are struggling to fill seats. With labor in high demand, part-time jobs are going unfilled. There’s an entire population of experienced workers Goodwill can connect employers to. They’re vetted, productive, reliable and have much to offer. Participants are first evaluated for their skills and interests and then placed with

local or nonprofit government agencies. They receive about 20 hours per week paid, on-the-job skills training in places such as social services nonprofits, schools, libraries, daycare and senior centers, and health care centers. Connecting people who want to work with places to work. That’s what’s happening at your local Goodwill today and every day. If you’d like to learn more about the Senior Community Service Employment Program, just reach out to Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina by calling (864) 593-6984 or toll-free 1-877-538-7975 or email scsep@ goodwillsc.org. Kim Mann is the talent Management Consultant for the South Carolina Department of Commerce as well as Board Secretary for Goodwill Industries of Upstate/ Midlands South Carolina. CRBJ

We want to hear from you Write: Ross Norton, Editor GSA Business Report 35B Cessna Court Greenville, S.C. 29607 Email: rnorton@scbiznews.com

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June 13-26, 2022

2022 | SOUTH CAROLINA

MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE AND EXPO PRESENTED BY:

SAVE THE DATE: NOV. 3 - NOV. 4 GREENVILLE CONVENTION CENTER | GREENVILLE, SC

To view the agenda and to register, visit www.scmanufacturingconference.com

Join Manufacturing suppliers and innovators across all industry verticals at South Carolina’s most significant manufacturing event of the year.

The 2022 conference will include: • An exhibit hall the equivalent of three football fields • Implementing Industry 4.0 Technology • 2023 Economic Outlook: Auto, Aerospace, Biotech • Women in Manufacturing: Leaders and Influencers • SCMEP Manufacturing Excellence Awards • The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP) will conduct training courses

PRESENTING SPONSORS:

For questions about exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Robert Reilly at rreilly@scbiznews. com or call (843) 849-3107 Visit scmanufacturingconference.com for the latest updates.