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VOLUME 23 NUMBER 13 ■ GSABUSINESS.COM

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JULY 13 - JULY 26, 2020 ■ $2.25

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In Focus Historic Greer lights up with finished CenterG By Molly Hulsey

Passenger traffic on the ascent

After hitting rock bottom in April, GSP flights pick up. Page 17

Confidence builder sticks to windows Greenville hopes to reassure diners and travelers. Page 12

Time for leaders to step up for staff Columnist: Employers should look out for employee safety Page 23

Looking ahead for next 125 years Greenville Country Club manager takes the long view for club operations. Page 4

INSIDE

Leading Off .......................... 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 C-Suite ................................ 4 In Focus: Hospitality and Tourism ............................. 17 LIST: Restaurants with Banquet Facilities .............. 18 At Work ..............................22 Viewpoint ...........................23

Mayor Rick Danner stands in front of Trade Street improvements. (Photo/Molly Hulsey)

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

side from a nameplate inlay in the intersection of Randall and Victoria Streets with Trade Street, on June 30, downtown Greer was a few bricks away from fulfilling a vision eight years in the making. Called CenterG, the streetscape project is a key phase in the town’s master plan. “There was this point in time that people said ‘Oh my god, what have you done? You have ruined downtown,’” Mayor Rick Danner said as he surveyed the length of Trade Street. “On the flipside of that, just in the last six or eight weeks as the light posts have gone up, as the lights come on at night, as the landscaping has gone in, as the final pieces have started to sort of fall in place, you’re getting ‘Oh my gosh, it looks great!” By June 30, electricians had beaded turn-of-the-century Trade Street with string lights. Three years and $10.8 million worth of engineering and craftsmanship by Greer Commission of Public Works, Sossamon Construction Co. and designers Kimley-Horn produced a feature that, according to Danner, few southeastern towns can claim — a level Republic can produce an engine every 30 days to meet demand. (Photo/Ross Norton)

“shared surface” streetscape marked by colored brick instead of paint. Alternating maroon and umber ribs delineate crosswalks; burnt orange herringbone ringed by a cream parallel-parking lane cordons See GREER, Page 6

ON TRACK Greenville manufacturer revolutionizes industrial locomotive By Ross Norton

rnorton@scbiznews.com

hey’re not the 200-ton behemoths rolling down the CSX main lines, but at 160,000 pounds, the Republic Locomotive model RX500 — the only industrial locomotive made in America — is still imposing when viewed up close, and it packs plenty of muscle for its niche in industrial settings around the world. Republic has been repairing locomotives at its Greenville headquarters since 1980 when founder Lewis Rhodes of See LOCOMOTIVE, Page 8

Bounce Back

Experts from help businesses prepare for when the coronavirus pandemic subsides. Page 11

Leading Oﬀ

BRIEFS | FACTS | STATEWIDE NEWS | C-SUITE

Let’s walk on the beach, for a month

f you were to walk every bit of the Palmetto State’s tidal coastline, you’d have a 2,876-mile trek to get from Georgia to North Carolina, which would take you about 719 hours at the average walking speed of 4 mph. Considering pluff mud, that’s probably a generous rate of speed. Also that includes every tidal inlet and island, because we like to be thorough. Even through the coronavirus pandemic, South Carolina’s beaches (for better or worse) continue to be popular destinations for folks wanting to escape the house — both local folks and those from out of state. We’re not sure how the numbers are going to shake out for fiscal 2020 after everything is said and done, when we have a vaccine and can safely reopen the economy. But here’s a look at fiscal 2019, as far as tourism is concerned. (The fiscal year ends June 30.)

Admissions taxes in the Upstate Admissions taxes are collected at all places of amusement, even if fans don’t find, say, a football game to be particularly amusing. Compared to population, the admission tax revenue for Pickens County is a bit out of balance, until you consider the 81,500 seats at Memorial Stadium in Clemson. The tax is 5% of paid admissions. Fiscal year 2019 admission taxes: County

Annual

Greenville

$3,622,039

Pickens

$2,178,030

Spartanburg

$815,434

Anderson

$512,867

The top counties receiving the largest amounts of accommodations revenue for 2019 fiscal year. County

Annual

Horry

$16,111,281

Charleston

$12,140,543

Beaufort

$6,962,362

Greenville

$2,763,453

Andrew Merriman, deputy county administrator for York County, will become Greer’s new city administrator Aug. 3 after a unanimous City Council vote. A native of Mauldin, Merriman replaces Ed Driggers after his 20 years of service.

Tourism data by the numbers

$50,074,476

Accommodations taxes collected across S.C. in fiscal year 2019, up 5.6% from the previous year.

$16,111,281

Anderson University awarded Jack

Horry County’s accommodations tax revenue for fiscal 2019, up 5.4% and the highest in the state.

Shaw, founder and president of Upstate

$12,140,543

honorary doctorate for his civic and pro-

real estate firm Shaw Resources, an fessional leadership as a former state

Charleston County’s accommodations tax, the secondhighest in the state in 2019 and up 6.8% compared with the previous year. The next closest county, Beaufort County, came in at nearly $7 million.

High season

A LA CARTE

representative and BB&T Corp. director, among other positions.

Number of S.C. counties topping $1 million in accommodations tax revenue for the year.

Storage Zone Storage and Business Center has launched a $50,000 Hometown

ON THE

RECORD

“We’re hoping that someone will mandate it (wearing masks for air travel) but unfortunately our elected oﬀicials have chosen not to mandate it.”

Restaurant Gift Certificate Challenge to support local businesses across the center’s various markets. Greenville’s location presented Sacha’s Café with a

— Dave Edwards, president and CEO, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport

WEBSITE: www.GSABusiness.com

@GSABusiness

$1,000 check.

@GSABusiness

facebook.com/GSABusiness

July 13 - 26, 2020

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SC Biz News Briefs COLUMBIA

Staff Report, Columbia Regional Business Report

CAE receives $2.7M for in federal funds for airport infrastructure improvements Columbia Metropolitan Airport will receive $2.7 million in federal funds for modifications including a new service road, an improved terminal and apron lighting, and improved drainage and erosion control. The funds are part of $800 million in airport safety and infrastructure grants awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration to 46 states, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Marshall Islands. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport will receive $4.9 million to rehabilitate a taxiway, expand an apron, and construct and improve safety areas. Myrtle Beach International Airport will use $3.7 million to reconstruct a taxiway. Other S.C. airports receiving funds are located in Allendale, Camden, Darlington, Florence, Georgetown, Greer, Hartsville, Kingstree, Lancaster, Laurens, Manning, Pageland and Pelion. The funding includes $689 million from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program and $104 million in new coronavirus relief. “These 383 grants will allow airport sponsors to either begin or complete construction projects that will maintain the safety and efficiency of our national airport system,” Stephen M. Dickson, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, said.

The Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal is expected to open in early 2021. (Photo/ S.C. Ports Authority)

CHARLESTON

Staff Report, Charleston Regional Business Journal

Ports Authority moves forward with on plans to deepen harbor, build terminal S.C. Ports Authority plans to move forward on the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project and construction of the country’s first new terminal since 2009. The ports authority expects to transport 1.24 million containers and generate $82.1 million in cash flow during the coming fiscal year with $264.2 million sourced from operating revenues. The board unanimously approved a $319 million spending plan to deepen the Charleston Harbor, renovate the Wando Welch terminal and finish the first phase of construction on the Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal, expected to open in early 2021. “The opening of the Leatherman Terminal will mark an extension of the successful container operations concept at the Wando Terminal with the transfer of four large ship services to that location at its opening, while leveraging SCPA’s existing workforce,” Jim Newsome, CEO of the SCPA. KARALEE NIELSEN FALLERT All Good Industries

PAGE 4 VOLUME 13 NUMBER 9 ■ COLUMBIABUSINESSREPORT.COM

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Black-owned businesses surge By Dalvin Brown

City hall for sale

The property that housed North Charleston’s first city offices is on the market. Page 15

HEALTH CARE HEROES

View from above

Check out the Vantage Point afforded by a drone over the Park Circle business district. Page 12-13

USA Today

ris Christian, a small-business owner in Chicago, was mourning the death of George Floyd when she was hit with an onslaught of online orders. The owner of Chicago French Press was

home reeling after watching cellphone footage of the white police officer’s knee on Floyd’s neck when her iPhone lit up with notifications from new orders. “I was crying when I kept hearing these Shopify ‘ching chings’ going off,” said Christian, See BLACK-OWNED, Page 9

STARTING UP

SUMMER 2020 Kris Christian, owner of Chicago French Press, said her business received a surge of new orders on the heels of protests calling for equality in America. (Photo/Chollette)

A family that planned to open a breakfast restaurant in West Ashley just before the pandemic hit now faces added challenges with money, time and the well-being of employees on the line. Page 10

High-quality crop

Clemson researchers develop pest-resistent DNA sequence for cotton crops. Page 3

Call to action

Charleston chamber officials say businesses must take precautions, protect clients. Page 31

INSIDE

SPONSORED BY:

Upfront................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs................ 3 Best Advice.......................... 4 Vantage Point ..................... 12 In Focus: Commercial Real Estate ..... 15 Hot Properties ..................... 18 List: Commercial Real Estate Firms ...............22 Bonus List: Independent Insurance Cos. ...................24 At Work ..............................27 Viewpoint ........................... 31

Healthy Tri-County looking to solidify pieces of new normal By Barry Waldman

Contributing writer

t the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s third livestreamed Power Event of the year, three health care equity advocates discussed what their institu-

tions and partners are doing to promote the well-being of everyone in the community. The Medical University of South Carolina, Roper St. Francis and Trident United Way serve as the lead partners for the Healthy Tri-County initiative, whose mission is to improve health outcomes and eliminate

health inequities in the Lowcountry. Three years ago, the initiative and approximately 60 community partners produced a comprehensive health improvement plan for the region called Our Health, Our Future:

Economic upheaval S.C. industries respond to unprecedented shutdown

See HEALTH, Page 14 ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED

Bounce Back

Experts from several industries help businesses prepare for when the coronavirus pandemic subsides in this special advertising section. Page 5

ColumbiaBusinessReport.com

CharlestonBusiness.com

SC Biz News 1439 Stuart Engals Blvd. Suite 200 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

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.

County Spotlight: Dillon | Trending: COVID-19 in S.C. | S.C. Delivers

SCBIZmag.com

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July 13 - 26, 2020

Publisher - Rick Jenkins rjenkins@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1224 UPSTATE NEWSROOM Editor - Ross Norton rnorton@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1222 Staff Writer - Molly Hulsey mhulsey@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1223 Associate Editor, Custom Publishing Division Jim Tatum jtatum@scbiznews.com • 864.720.2269 MIDLANDS NEWSROOM Editor - Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7542 LOWCOUNTRY NEWSROOM Executive Editor - Andy Owens aowens@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3142 Senior Copy Editor - Beverly Barfield bbarfield@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3115 Editor, Custom Publishing Division Steve McDaniel smcdaniel@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3123 Research Specialist - Paige Hardy phardy@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3125 Digital Editorial Assistant - Alexandria Ng ang@scbiznews.com • 843-849-3124 UPSTATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Account Executive - Ryan Downing rdowning@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1221 Account Executive - Angie Hammond ahammond@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1974

C-Suite

Photo by Ross Norton

GREG HOBBS

GENERAL MANAGER, GREENVILLE COUNTRY CLUB

THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED WAS... ...from my father “Whatever career path you choose,

President and Group Publisher - Grady Johnson gjohnson@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3103

always strive to be the best at what you do and you will find happiness and prosperity. When I told him I wanted to manage private clubs, he chuckled, “So you want to be a

Creative Director - Ryan Wilcox

for the membership community in Greenville. Full of history and tradition, GCC

PLAN FOR THE NEXT 125 YEARS: One of my favorite quotes to my members, board of governors and employee partners is: “Everyone wants change, but nobody wants to change.” Clubs, like all other businesses, must remain relevant to enjoy continued success. I often

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE?

wonder what our Club founders would think if they visited the club today. A club with 36 holes of golf, 1,200 active members, award winning aquatic and tennis complexes, 300 employee partners and a lifetime of memories. I would hope

Always be courteous and respectful of everyone you

interact with. Treat them like you would want them to treat your mother. (Again, advice from my father)

Greenville Country Club offers state-of-the-art facilities and social activities continues to build the legacy of the club each day.

waiter all your life…”

South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth

WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION DO?

they would be proud. GCC has enjoyed many years of success by embracing and honoring traditions and history that are the cornerstones of all great clubs. I feel honored to be a small part of it.

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Don’t let your guard down COVID-19 is still very active in our community. To stay safe ... Keep social distancing (at least 6 feet between you and others.)

Wear a mask when you can’t maintain a distance of at least 6 feet, especially indoors.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Cover your cough or sneeze.

And stay home … • • •

if you’re sick age 65 or older or have a health condition that puts you at high risk for serious illness

Learn more:

PrismaHealth.org/Coronavirus This public service announcement is brought to you by Prisma Health and GSA Business Report. 20-2580

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July 13 - 26, 2020

GREER, from Page 1

off curbless sidewalks. A slight bump in the center of the road drives stormwater into grates beside the sidewalk — a replacement gutter. The layout not only sculpts the area to become more accessible to wheelchairs and strollers but also makes the street an open canvas for special events. “It takes an auto-centric downtown and flips it to a pedestrian-centric downtown … you get the feel of the brick which is characteristic of our downtown, so the cue from the buildings that were built in the early 1900s gives you a brick context that is familiar, and then we replicated it in the walkways and in the street,” he said. As the first phase of downtown Greer’s facelift concludes on time and under budget, the line city planners walked between the novel and established will also define ongoing projects. “We started working with them on what was it we could do that could be unique but still in the same flavor of a town that represents kind of a ‘turn of the century’ Southern town,” Danner said when describing the modus operandi of the project’s first phase, which set the precedent for a second phase of growth approved by the City Council. “We didn’t want to kill the goose that laid the golden egg, but we also knew that there were some things we could do that would help spur development.”

By July 2, the intersection of Victoria and Trade streets still awaited an inlay while the Randall-Trade inlay was blocked off from traffic. (Photo/Molly Hulsey)

Projects in the near future include lights and streetscaping of the four to five blocks surrounding Hampton Inn project, a parking garage and Project Homecoming, a $32 million 275-family planned community that includes retail and restaurant storefronts. Later, plans

include an arts district that stretches across the railroad tracks and Mayfield, Moore and Daniel Streets to studios in the Arts Center, renovated with $2.5 million last year. Another central figure in the CenterG project, Greer Chamber CEO David Mer-

hib, believes that a healthy arts community — bolstered by low-rent apartments beside the railroad tracks — serves as a catalyst for innovation and city pride within the wider business and residential community as well. Since the unveiling of See GREER, Page 20

Visit the GSA Business Report YouTube page to see these and many other informative videos.

Coffee With…John Lummus Our popular Coffee With…series has accumulated thousands of views

Women of Influence - A digital event show honoring 25 influential women in the Upstate 4,200 views and counting

Coping with Covid with Dr. Matt Bitner, from Prisma Health 4,400 views and counting

See What All the Fuss is About

July 13 - 26, 2020

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Congratulations to the Leukemia & ymphoma Societyâ€™s 2020 Upstate SC Man & Woman of the Year

Grand Total $143,536.73

Man of the Year

Woman of the Year

Richard Cox

Cortney Carter

C Dan Joyner REALTORS

Collett

Congratulations to the Citizenship Mission Award Winner

Kristin Meyer Southern Crafted Shutters & Doors

Thank you Sponsors

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LOCOMOTIVE, from Page 1

Atlanta started the company in what had been repair shops for the Piedmont & Northern Railroad, where his father had been the chief mechanical officer. Rhodes struck a deal to rebuild locomotives at the site on W. Washington Street. Today’s owner and president, Hugh B. Hamilton Jr., came in later from the paper industry. Degrees in engineering had gotten him into the paper business, and he worked his way into sales and marketing before he felt the strong pull of entrepreneurship. “If you look at it, it’s the same equipment — in this case big motor generators, DC switchgears, big DC motors, overhead cranes, all of the skills that were involved in it. It’s the same thing that we build locomotives from,” Hamilton said. “It’s just that instead of coming out as a paper machine, it comes out as a locomotive. I knew all the pieces. I just needed some good luck. About half, or three-quarters, or 90% of any business success should be contributed to good luck.” Over the next several years Republic repaired or rebuilt just about any kind of locomotive that had been manufactured over the last half century and he recognized that the country — really, the world — was relying on an aging fleet of industrial locomotives. Sometimes the machines are used in rail yards to switch

July 13 - 26, 2020

trains, but most of them are at work at industrial sites where heavy towing capacity is required. They’re found in steel mills, mining sites, chemical plants and other large industrial sites. Republic’s locomotives are at work in nearly every state and as far away as Guatemala and Russia. Anywhere industrial locomotives are found, unless they are a model RX500 made in Greenville, they’re probably very old, Hamilton said. It’s not uncommon to find locomotives at work that where built in the 1930s and many of them

Hamilton designed and patented the RX500, the first major redesign of industrial locomotives since diesel replaced steam, according to the company website. The locomotive is so much smaller than earlier models that it often takes some convincing — and demonstrating — to show customers that it’s up to the task. According to Hamilton, its worth is easy to prove. “This locomotive is physically smaller but has some really powerful electronics in it,” he said. “Yet we made it simple to operate, simple to maintain, squeaky

“About half, or three-quarters, or 90% of any business success should be contributed to good luck.” Hugh B. Hamilton president, Republic Locomotive

were built in the 1950s. After repairing and rebuilding them for years, Hamilton thought the market was ready for something new. “It wasn’t so much what was wrong with them, as it was they were just old,” Hamilton said. “It’s like, well, these locomotives mostly came out of the ‘50s so compare your 1950s cars with today’s modern cars. A lot has happened in the last 50 or 60 years.”

clean and safer than anything else has ever been, by far.” Maintenance costs and fuel consumption are so much lower than old models that the locomotive will pay for itself, he said. One company assessed its purchase and determined diesel consumption had dropped from 8,128 gallons per month to 2,204, which was saving about $200,000 a year in fuel costs at the time of the report.

“The limiting factor on what a locomotive can pull is wheel slip,” Hamilton said. “They’ve got so much torque that you can actually spin the wheels and that controls what you can pull because you’ve got to be able to control the wheel slip. Well, our electronics look at wheel slip a couple of thousand times a second, and so we are constantly adjusting so that we don’t have wheel slip and therefore our adhesion is about twice what the old locomotives are. So you make the locomotive smaller and still get the job done, and by making it smaller, we can ship it over the highway by breaking it in half.” The machines are delivered by truck with a Republic Locomotive crew. Within two hours, they assemble the train and in several minutes teach an operator to drive it. The RX500 can produce 50,000 pounds of tractive effort, which is roughly enough to pull a mile-long train on a straight and level path, but most of the RX500s are pulling 20-30 cars on a site. “Ours has four wheels and the old ones have eight, yet we can pull the same thing they do,” Hamilton said. “It’s really quite something. We’re proud of it.” Reach Ross Norton at 864-720-1222 or @ RossNorton13 on Twitter.

July 13 - 26, 2020

www.gsabusiness.com 9

www.gsabusiness.com

July 13 - 26, 2020

Invest in your success. The story of the Upstate business market is a story told in numbers. Market Facts includes data and statistics critical to commerce in our region. Topics range from employment to education to logistics, with data presented in readable charts and graphs. Take advantage of this opportunity to get your marketing message to our business community, and in front of the businesses and people planning a move to our area.

PUBLICATION DATE: August 24, 2020

| ADVERTISING DEADLINE: July 17, 2020

For advertising information, contact Rick Jenkins at (864) 720-1224 or rjenkins@scbiznews.com

July 13 - 26, 2020

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BOUNCE BACK NAVIGATING THE POST-PANDEMIC ECONOMY

The Upstate’s future depends on the strength of all small and medium businesses to drive the economic recovery in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. GSA Business Report has assembled some experts to share their expertise and advise businesses of all sizes on how to bounce back when the pandemic abates. What should you do now to prepare for an economy that’s likely to look like nothing we’ve seen before? Our experts are here to help.

NETWORKIN MAKING AN IMPACT

Can We Still Do US&S offers solutions for every facility challe

riting in the early days

of July 2020, without A family-owned business making big strides in the Ups the benefit of hindsight,

ow does a facility maintenance company set itself apart in a crowded market? The answer can be found right here in the Upstate, through US&S, Inc. (US&S). By offering our customers a dynamic set of facility maintenance solutions, we can deliver high-quality, cost-effective services that Euleta our customers Alston need to sustain President and enhance US&S Inc. their own operations. Facility maintenance including cleaning and disinfecting services is not simply maintenance or cleaning – in today’s climate, it has become an essential stakeholder confidence play for businesses – for its employees, business partners and customers. While this messaging has always been a part of our discussions with potential and existing customers, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has really brought a heightened level of awareness to the forefront of conversations concerning the core services we provide. What we do is important – it makes a difference. I joined US&S over 11 years ago after graduating from the University of South Carolina and spent nearly 5 years in sales, marketing and account management with a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company. I have always thought that the opportunity to manage my own sales territory, like a business, allowed for a seamless transition to my family’s business. My father, Rich Hagins, established US&S in 2003 after serving in the U.S. Navy for over twenty years. While we have worked together to grow US&S for over a decade now – we

PRESENTED BY

have consistently a unique relationship I can onlyhad speak to what we do now that has us the to the and allowed take my bestopportunity guess about always be a part of something bigger and future. Many of us will choose to greater than ourselves. continue to US&S is a facility maintenance and work in from support service provider specializing home if we operations and maintenance, janitorial/ have the cleaning services, repairs and renovation, option, have grounds maintenance and professional service solutions. Our janitorial/cleaning groceries services include comprehensive delivered janitorial and and enhanced cleaning services,refrain facility from US&S employees perfor sterilization sanitization,contact clean with Mie and Potter enhanced cleaning and room and floor care solutions, supply services with emphasis Owner other people touch point areas in full management and inventory control Finding Peace, LLC by using our coverings – a significant support, green cleaning and recycling during the COVID-19 pa backyards support. The cleanliness of our customers’ exclusively. buildings and complexes makes an the evidence of their successful integration partners and family thro Many people decided to provide continuea these impression; it is our goal to service excellence an into our daily operations. clean,practices safe and comfortable environment even while communitiesFamily Focus Our emphasis on our outstanding performance w for our customer’s employees, tenants,stores began to return to work, culture is essential because we are more improvement always at the families and business We operate reopened andpartners. we entered phase one Integrity Our honesty than a team – we are a family. Our cohesive predominately the tosoutheast and two inthrough our return public. family atmosphere extends to the customers devotion to providing United States, serving federal, commercial, and teaming partners we collaborate with experience” for our custo Here we sit in the middle of a industrial and institutional markets. in successful work execution. We value strong foundation of solid e resurgence of COVID-19 cases. Will We are not just a facility maintenance relationships, communication, teamwork and uncompromising mo life ever return to the way it used to networking? By doing exactly what to wear masks a company, but a team (a family) of skilled and the prosperity of our community. We do the right thing – wh be? Not likely. People who remember leaders, technicians, janitors, floor techs, hold ourselves neighbors, we arw we do now. Zoom, by Google Meet-Up, watching, and when they accountable providing the polio epidemic, Hong Kong flu and mechanics, superintendents, administrators solutions distancing, Free Conference Call.com and other Quality We wantlearn our to the needs of the whole US&S first SARS virus don’t remember – all the working together, effectively and family. platforms have exploded in usage considerface our in name synonya public, efficiently, provide service suchtomass fearexcellent and such deepand trauma.Stewardship highest if quality standards We virtual take great pride inalmost we are going it as we have meetings an enjoyable We have a great Will weexperience. ever meet in large groups do theThen job righ valuinghourly. and safeguarding environment, w I believethewe will be ableWetostrivewetomeet. team.atOur substantial events base of long-term, networking again? At this every time. Ultimately, our energyhold resources, financesin and assets meeting in sma larger events public like trade repeatpoint, clients demonstrates the importance entrusted in our care. We believe it is our our customer’s endorsemen I doubt that everyone will shows, conferences and summits. groups as we rega we place on building and sustaining civic duty With over 60 new empl to protect, support and give back return to life as we knew it. We are too They will just look very different than and comfort. I relationships through the culture of our to our local and outperforming our financi global community. aware of the threat of airborne illness before. Some differences will thecontinue people and performance excellence – pursuancetoof hol a The core of of ourthose company ethics and anda passion diseasefortransmitted by abodilySafety we have what we do and meetings and mucha needed – theco fu centersbe around culture ofimprovement. safety which is quality certification fluids. to dedication to Many serve. of us have loved onesparamount platform. wi Sanitizing spaces, washing bright. We are proudWe of hav and is always the first priority. Our your consider even if we personally have US&S is a value-driven company that commitment to make the handstofrequently and staying of beinghow recognized in seve safety is a commitment to home The thought risking strivesno torisk fulfillfactors. our core values every of day. andin-person customer-spo our customers, partners and family. exp when teaming you are feverish or ill related are an Theseharm timeless as a keep compass to avalues lovedserve one will manyWe of believe programs for work th safety is athat continuous Thethemost i practices couldprocess haveandenabled for our describe how we live. should be integrated into every aspect of our the team we have in plac usactions mostlyand isolated. consider for netw us to avoid the rapid spread of the These principles arewe used as an active How do continue to guide build our happen.is Such recognition lives, not just what we do at work. what I believeg coronavirus. for our decisions and and shapes how our team Excellence We are our efforts to serve our cus relationships businesses throughPerformance as most of us are learning important lesson operates throughout the organization. The dedicated Just to our customers, teaming communities where we wor experience and results for our clients are

The Path Forward

The Upstate prepares to get back to business

www.findingpeace www.usands.com | 864-233-8035

mie@findi 1200 Woodruff Road, Suite C-6 | Greenville, SC 29607 USSFacilityServices

@TeamUSAndS

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July 13 - 26, 2020

After being closed for a while to help ensure social distancing, Greenville’s Falls Park is open again, attracting people to downtown shopping and dining. (Photo/Ross Norton)

The TD Essential Market changed the way it operates to make shoppers and vendors feel safer as they venture out while local COVID-19 cases rise. (Photo/Ross Norton)

Pledge points Greenville tourism toward recovery By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

bout two months after businesses began sticking Greater Greenville Pledge decals on windows, almost 1,000 companies have committed to the social distancing contract. Hundreds of pledge-signing businesses cluster within city limits on the pledge website. Others are scattered across five Upstate counties, with a few signatories in Charleston and Florence counties. All of them have committed to monitor the health of employees, disinfect high-touch areas, encourage masks, promote social distancing and limit store capacity. Chris Stone, CEO of VisitGreenville, believes the resurgence of Upstate’s tourism, hospitality and retail economy will be a slow one. Still, measures like the Greater Greenville Pledge, will be a linchpin in reaffirming customers and visitors that Greenville is open for business and playing it safe. “We’re missing about 7,000 people a day in the market. That value is about $1.8 million in visitor spending a day, which translates to about $54 million a month,” Stone said, adding that the business travel market, which typically makes up 40% of all visitors, has become almost nonexistent. In Greenville, hotel occupancy bottomed out at 20% destination occupancy compared to the usual 75% to 85%. Weekend-getaway tourists from nearby states like North Carolina are the first expected to make the foray back into hotels and other tourist attractions, which Stone argues hinges on social distancing compliance. “Foremost, Greenville has to be seen as a safe place to travel. So far, numbers are ticking up. If our percentages are on

the wrong side of the equation, you know, then you’re not seen as a safe place to be,” he said. Megan Campbell, communications director for the Greenville Chamber and a member of the Greater Greenville Pledge marketing team, said she hoped the pledge could help answer the top concern noted by regional businesses in the chamber’s COVID-19 recovery survey: customer demand. “I think businesses are appreciative of some sort of help in restoring customer confidence,” Campbell said when asked about feedback the team received from participants. The Greater Greenville Pledge was developed through brainstorming sessions between members of the business recovery task force: the city of Greenville, Greenville Area Development Corp., Greenville County and Greenville Chamber. Since initiation, the planning team has also grown to include representatives from the Hispanic Alliance, UniComm Media Group and the Greenville Convention Center, as well as two canvassers who help introduce businesses to the pledge and deliver bilingual marketing materials. So far Campbell said the team has not had to crack down on any pledge violators, and the program’s success was the one bright spot in a Washington Post Op-Ed, “In South Carolina’s Economy of Shame, the Good Guys Wear Masks.” Ordinances requiring employees of close-contact service providers, restaurants and other companies to wear masks, as well as the city’s business recovery grants — distributed only to entrepreneurs who sign the pledge — have not hurt the task force’s efforts to encourage social distancing through carrot instead

of stick. After reopening on May 24, family entertainment and party venue Kangaroo Jax saw expenses climb for masks and disinfectant, which is lathered onto inflatables and rides between visitors, while operating at limited capacity with limited demand. “There has been quite a heavy loss, and I believe all entertainment facilities are in the same boat,” said Melissa Griffith, manager of the venue. She knew that any boost in funding

“We’re missing about 7,000 people a day in the market. The value is about $1.8 million in visitor spending a day.” Chris Stone CEO, VisitGreenville

would help and applied for one of the $1,000 grants offered by the city to help cover mask and disinfectant costs. Loan acceptance was contingent on accepting the pledge, but Griffith said that Kangaroo Jax had already been taking precautions in adherence to official guidance before she knew about the pledge, so there was not much additional adjustment. “When everyone is following the same guidelines, there’s more trust and there’s less fear … it just shows people that we care, we’re doing the absolute best we can to keep our guests safe while being open,” Griffith said. Other recent loan recipients — and

pledge takers — include Crème Shack, Stone Pizza, Pigtails and Crew Cuts and Olive Oil and Vinegar. According to a July 1 press release, the city has yet to award 160 out of the 250 microgrants, which were drawn from Greenville’s Unity Park fund. Nolan John, author and CEO of Greenville Culinary and History Tours, signed the pledge within minutes of its announcement with hopes it will shine a light on his efforts to limit each tour to family groups when over two sign up in a group. He wears a mask and disinfects between customers. Over the past few weeks, he has reopened his barbecue tour and historic tours of the WestEnd, downtown, Greenville architecture and textile mills, albeit with a more limited clientele than the 20-person groups hosted pre-COVID-19. Still, he doesn’t really believe that customers base purchasing decisions off a window decal. “I don’t think there is anything I can do necessarily to restore confidence,” John said. “I am doing all that I can, and I guess I could always advertise or try to get the word out more about that, but it really ultimately is up to guests and their seeking for things to do. If they don’t feel safe and they don’t want to go out, they aren’t going to seek and look for what is available, so I think really all comes down to how safe individuals feel.” He’s not sure whether it will take a vaccine or other treatment measures to make Greenville a hotspot for tourism again instead of infection, but he plans to do whatever he can to make the guests who do come, feel at home. Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter.

July 13 - 26, 2020

www.gsabusiness.com 13

NETWORKING Can We Still Do It?

riting in the early days of July 2020, without the benefit of hindsight, I can only speak to what we do now and take my best guess about the future. Many of us will choose to continue to work from home if we have the option, have groceries delivered and refrain from Mie Potter contact with Owner other people Finding Peace, LLC by using our backyards exclusively. Many people decided to continue these practices even while communities began to return to work, stores reopened and we entered phase one and two in our return to public. Here we sit in the middle of a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. Will life ever return to the way it used to be? Not likely. People who remember the polio epidemic, Hong Kong flu and the first SARS virus donâ€™t remember such mass fear and such deep trauma. Will we ever meet in large groups at networking events again? At this point, I doubt that everyone will return to life as we knew it. We are too aware of the threat of airborne illness and disease transmitted by bodily fluids. Many of us have loved ones to consider even if we personally have no risk factors. The thought of risking harm to a loved one will keep many of us mostly isolated. How do we continue to build our relationships and businesses through

networking? By doing exactly what we do now. Zoom, Google Meet-Up, Free Conference Call.com and other platforms have exploded in usage as we have virtual meetings almost hourly. I believe we will be able to hold larger events in public like trade shows, conferences and summits. They will just look very different than before. Some of those differences will be much needed improvement. Sanitizing spaces, washing your hands frequently and staying home when you are feverish or ill are practices that could have enabled us to avoid the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Just as most of us are learning

to wear masks as a courtesy to our neighbors, we will adjust to social distancing, learn not to touch our face in public, and mutually decide if we are going to shake hands when we meet. Then we can be comfortable meeting in smaller groups or larger groups as we regain our sense of safety and comfort. I believe that we can continue to hold larger networking meetings and conferences on a digital platform. We will innovate and learn how to make the experience more like an in-person experience. The most important point to consider for networking in the future is what I believe to be one of the most important lessons of this coronavirus

pandemic. We need to decide for ourselves what we are comfortable doing and honor the decisions of our neighbors - locally and globally. More compassion and patience with each other can be the best result of this traumatic time. I look forward to meeting you during a Chamber of Commerce meeting on Zoom, a small Morning Mix networking meeting at the Commerce Club or at the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference at the Greenville Convention Center in the fall. For a complimentary 20 minute chat with me, go to bit.ly/FPChat20.

www.findingpeacellc.com | 864-735-7882 mie@findingpeacellc.com @FindingPeaceSC

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July 13 - 26, 2020

MAKING AN IMPACT US&S offers solutions for every facility challenge A family-owned business making big strides in the Upstate

have consistently had a unique relationship that has allowed us the opportunity to always be a part of something bigger and greater than ourselves. US&S is a facility maintenance and support service provider specializing in operations and maintenance, janitorial/ cleaning services, repairs and renovation, grounds maintenance and professional service solutions. Our janitorial/cleaning services include comprehensive janitorial and enhanced cleaning services, facility sterilization and sanitization, clean room and floor care solutions, supply management and inventory control support, green cleaning and recycling support. The cleanliness of our customers’ buildings and complexes makes an impression; it is our goal to provide a clean, safe and comfortable environment for our customer’s employees, tenants, families and business partners. We operate predominately through the southeast United States, serving federal, commercial, industrial and institutional markets. We are not just a facility maintenance company, but a team (a family) of skilled leaders, technicians, janitors, floor techs, mechanics, superintendents, administrators – all working together, effectively and efficiently, to provide excellent service and an enjoyable experience. We have a great team. Our substantial base of long-term, repeat clients demonstrates the importance we place on building and sustaining relationships through the culture of our people and performance excellence – we have a passion for what we do and a dedication to serve. US&S is a value-driven company that strives to fulfill our core values every day. These timeless values serve as a compass for our actions and describe how we live. These principles are used as an active guide for our decisions and shapes how our team operates throughout the organization. The experience and results for our clients are

US&S employees performing enhanced cleaning and disinfecting services with emphasis on high touch point areas in full protective coverings – a significant value-add during the COVID-19 pandemic.

the evidence of their successful integration into our daily operations. Family Focus Our emphasis on our culture is essential because we are more than a team – we are a family. Our cohesive family atmosphere extends to the customers and teaming partners we collaborate with in successful work execution. We value relationships, communication, teamwork and the prosperity of our community. We hold ourselves accountable by providing solutions to the needs of the whole US&S family. Stewardship We take great pride in valuing and safeguarding the environment, energy resources, finances and assets entrusted in our care. We believe it is our civic duty to protect, support and give back to our local and global community. Safety The core of our company ethics centers around a culture of safety which is paramount and is always the first priority. Our commitment to safety is a commitment to our customers, teaming partners and family. We believe safety is a continuous process and should be integrated into every aspect of our lives, not just what we do at work. Performance Excellence We are dedicated to our customers, teaming

partners and family through passionate service excellence and delivering outstanding performance with continuous improvement always at the forefront. Integrity Our honesty, loyalty, and devotion to providing “the ultimate experience” for our customers rest on a strong foundation of solid ethical standards and uncompromising moral values. We do the right thing – when someone is watching, and when they are not. Quality We want our customers to consider our name synonymous with the highest quality standards in our industry. We strive to do the job right, the first time, every time. Ultimately, our goal is to earn our customer’s endorsement. With over 60 new employees this year, outperforming our financial benchmarks, and the pursuance of a major industry quality certification – the future of US&S is bright. We are proud of having the privilege of being recognized in several communityrelated and customer-sponsored award programs for the work that we do and the team we have in place making it all happen. Such recognition gives credence to our efforts to serve our customers and the communities where we work, live, and play.

www.usands.com | 864-233-8035 1200 Woodruff Road, Suite C-6 | Greenville, SC 29607 USSFacilityServices

@TeamUSAndS

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July 13 - 26, 2020

www.gsabusiness.com 15

S.C. cargo business booms as passengers drop

By Molly Hulsey

s passenger traffic at S.C. airports dwindled, cargo business was on the rise, especially in the Midlands and Upstate. “We are currently home to the state’s largest air cargo operation, having UPS and FedEx here at CAE, and at the end of May 22, we saw an increase of 17.06% in shipments,” said Kim Jamieson, director of marketing and air service development of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. “People are shopping online and moving to the e-commerce realm in response to staying at home.” Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport’s Tom Tyra said air cargo business in on the rise across the country. “Nationally, we have seen an increase in air cargo activity,” said Tyra, director of air service development and communications at GSP. “Some of the increase is due to a higher level of online shopping but most of the increase is from the cancellation of passenger air flights and moving cargo that they would normally carry to all-freight airlines. Locally, we have seen some uptick in cargo activity but at the same time we have seen fewer shipments from companies that have reduced hours due to the virus or who have had their supply chains disrupted by closures in

other parts of the world.” At CAE, at least some of the spike comes from Nephron Pharmaceutical’s pivot to supply critical needs goods and respiratory therapy drug across the country. As the company began to ramp up for production in March, more than 25,000 packages were flown through CAE to hospitals in a number of states via UPS, according to a news release. With plans to release a new home-order product in September, Nephron expects to ship out 200,000 packages per month through the airport over the next year. “We cannot overstate how important the local UPS hub is to our business,” Lou Kennedy, Nephron CEO and owner, said in the release. “Having them based out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport, our local airport, is instrumental to the sustainability of our health care operation.” And Nephron isn’t the only player giving its products wings at the airport’s UPS hub. Because of the influx of customer orders during the first heat of the COVID-19 crisis, UPS increased deployed company-owned and chartered air freight flights by 185 trips in April, according to the release. Cargo, once a side business that gained traction before the pandemic, had become one of the high-performing

parts of CAE ledgers. Last year, the airport moved 76,194 tons, an 11% increase from 2018 and 22% jump from 2014, the release said. “CAE serves all of South Carolina and even portions of surrounding states,” Mike Gula, executive director of CAE, said in the release. “For outbound freight,

“Nationally, we have seen an increase in air cargo activity.” Tom Tyra director of air service and communications, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport

feeder flights and truck shipments arrive at CAE daily from our surrounding airports, businesses and cities before being sorted and distributed through our integrated carriers — UPS and others. This process is reverse for inbound flight.” The Upstate’s manufacturing sector tends to drive cargo business at GSP. “Cargo has been good,” said Dave Edwards, president and CEO of GSP.

“We saw an increase in February. March dropped off a little bit; part of that was BMW (temporarily) shutting down.” Some of the surge was attributed to Upstate manufacturers reopening and catching up the supply chain. Before the pandemic, GSP was seeing four cargo flights weekly to Europe but that went up to six weekly flights to accommodate additional freight. With things caught up, Edwards said, the number will drop to five per week, still a net gain of one. On the other hand, Charleston International Airport witnessed a million-pound drop in cargo volume in May, according to Elliot Summey, CEO and president of the airport. But the decline isn’t due to a lack of demand, and Summey hopes to deepen the CHS cargo business moving forward. “It’s down a little bit mostly because our major airlines like Delta and American are actually the ones that are moving that cargo for us in the belly of the plane, and because those planes haven’t been flying, there’s been a capacity issue. It certainly isn’t a desire issue; it’s a capacity issue,” he said. GSA Business Report editor Ross Norton contributed to this article.

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REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

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To register, go to bit.ly/gsa2020fortyreg After registering, youâ€™ll receive return communication with a link, which will allow you to access the YouTube page immediately. Be sure to subscribe to the page to ensure you receive reminders about the upcoming event.

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In Focus

HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM LISTS: Restaurants with Banquet Facilities, Page 18

NEXT ISSUE’S FOCUS:

Transportation & Logistics

Air traffic starts slow ascent after COVID-19 crisis By Molly Hulsey and Ross Norton

mhulsey@scbiznews.com rnorton@scbiznews.com

o one expected the streaks to go on forever at South Carolina’s airports. But no one would have guessed at the close of 2019 — yet another record-setting year for passenger traffic — that 95% of the passengers would disappear four months later. It was an airborne coronavirus that put planes on the ground and kept travelers at home. February was a good month for Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport: 91,002 people got on airplanes at GSP that month; 91,880 deplaned. A month later, those numbers dropped 42%, then hit bottom in April. Passenger traffic dropped 95.8% in April when 8,721 passed through, compared to 207,539 in April 2019. “It was pretty disheartening to walk into the terminal facility in April and see no activity,” GSP President and CEO Dave Edwards said. Passenger traffic faltered similarly in Columbia and Charleston. “The end of March and April are pretty devastating to everyone in the airline industry and every airport across the country, but we’ve seen an uptick here in Charleston around May. We’re still about 89% off year to date from last year,” Charleston International Airport CEO Elliott Summey said. Near the end of March, passenger numbers were off by more than 95%, he said, and the airport started dealing with a $3 million monthly deficit in April. Since the beginning of 2020 to April 30, Columbia Metropolitan Airport’s onboarding numbers plummeted by

In April, about 4% of the usual number of passengers were passing through GSP (Photo/Molly Hulsey)

39.1% — from last year’s 224,377 passengers to 136,704 this year— resulting in a total loss of $1.2 million in revenue by the end of that month, according to Kim Jamieson, the airport’s marketing director. By Dec. 31, these losses are expected to reach $8.1 million. In Columbia, June optimism and a reviving economy saw 158,132 passengers walk through Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, Jamieson said. While down from June 2019’s 340,354 passengers, the 53% drop stands as a welcome increase from March’s losses. Across the state, numbers inched up in May. At GSP, 26,666 passengers got on and off planes compared to fewer than 9,000 the month before. Still, it was a drop of 88.4% from March 2019. June numbers for GSP were not available at press time but Edwards said he expects to see steady improvement over the next several months. “We had 4% of our passengers in April

and got to 12% in May and I think we will be over 20% for June, so we’re making consistent progress and it’s about what we anticipated,” he said. “We’re looking at 50% by end of year and June of next year to be at 80% and another two years to get back to 100% of traffic.” Passenger numbers were not the only ones rising in June, however. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases surged through the month, raising questions about the strength of economic recovery. Edwards said it’s too soon to know if the rise of the virus is hurting travel plans. About 60% of GSP’s passenger traffic is for business and 40% for leisure. The small growth in May and June is attributed to the latter. “There’s no doubt that. The recovery we’re seeing is in the leisure side,” he said. “A lot of businesses have a moratorium on travel so the normal road warriors just aren’t out there.” He said the industry needs help from lawmakers to mandate the kind of prac-

tices that would make travelers more confident in the safety of air travel. “My hope is people are following precautions more prevalently. We’re highly recommending that people wear face masks,” Edwards said. “We’re hoping that someone will mandate it but unfortunately our elected officials have chosen not to mandate it. It’s unfortunate because we think that would go a long way in making people more comfortable and safer.” GSP’s director of air service development and communications, Tom Tyra, said some estimates are predicting that 2019 numbers won’t be seen again until 2024. “Hopefully, air traffic will rebound faster than that but with international travel still closed, vacation attractions closed or offering limited services and many cities in the nation seeing increased cases of the virus we just don’t know when we will see large numbers of people traveling again,” he said. Summey said he was grateful that CHS entered the pandemic on sound financial footing and that May’s roughly 24,000 passengers pulled the year over year drop up to an 89% dip compared to the 95% decrease witnessed earlier in the spring. “We’re seeing it come back slowly but surely. We’re anticipating June’s numbers to be a little bit better, and we’re hopeful for a good July as the weather gets warm and South Carolina opens back up under Gov. McMaster’s leadership. Obviously, with Charleston being the destination that it is, we anticipate those numbers being even better in July,” Summey said. Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter. Reach Ross Norton at 864-720-1222 or @RossNorton13 on Twitter.

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IN FOCUS: HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

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July 13 - July 26, 2020

Restaurants with Banquet Facilities Ranked by Maximum Capacity for a Seated Event Company

Phone / Website / Email

Manager

Commerce Club 55 Beattie Place, 17th Floor Greenville, SC 29601

864-232-5600 www.commerce-club.com commercegreenville@clubcorp.com

Tucker's Restaurant and Catering 3501 Clemson Blvd. Anderson, SC 29621

Event Capacity

Private Banquet Rooms

Menu / Signature Dishes

Caroline Neish

250

Customizable and Chef oriented

864-844-2452 www.tuckersrestaurant.net tuckersinc@yahoo.com

KD Simpson, Hamid Mohsseni

250

Specializing in fresh ingredients and scratch-made dressings and sauces coupled with American cuisine; customized menus to each individual event

The Lazy Goat 170 RiverPlace Greenville, SC 29601

864-679-5299 www.thelazygoat.com info@thelazygoat.com

Michaela Leitch, Lake Dailey

110

Mediterranean-themed dishes with influences from Spain, Morocco, Italy, France, Greece, Africa and the Middle East; menu includes meat and cheese plates, small plates and main dishes

Soby's New South Cuisine 207 S. Main St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-232-7007 www.sobys.com info@sobys.com

Kailey Phillips, Sarah Freidank, Michaela Leitch

100

Contemporary cuisine with traditional Southern ingredients; fried green tomatoes, New Orleans-style shrimp and grits; white chocolate banana cream pie

Passerelle Bistro 601 S. Main St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-509-0142 www.passerelleinthepark.com gina@table301.com

Michaela Leitch, Michael Minelli

Rick Erwin's Nantucket Seafood 40 West Broad St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-546-3535 www.rickerwins.com/nantucket-seafood info@rickerwins.com

Sarah E. Locke

Ricks's signature shellfish tower; surf and turf; 4 oz or 11 oz center-cut filet; jumbo lump crab cake or lobster tail; whipped potatoes, sauteed vegetables; delmonico-12 oz

Nose Dive 116 S. Main St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-373-7300 www.thenosedive.com gina@table301.com

Michaela Leitch, Rachel Maurer, Jason Phillips

"Comfort Food" inspired fare featuring ingredients from local purveyors whenever possible; West Coast Classic Burger, Chicken and Waffles and a brunch "Grits Bar"

Seasons Cafe and Catering 68 Global Drive Greenville, SC 29607

864-297-6516 www.seasonscafeandcatering.com info@seasonscafeandcatering.com

French-influenced dishes including cassoulet, baked goat cheese and croque-monsieur

Chef driven menu ranging from shrimp and grits, BBQ, steak and chicken; box lunches, corporate events, convention, weddings

Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. View the full list online at www.scbiznews.com/buybusiness-lists. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to lists@scbiznews.com.

Researched by Paige Hardy

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With many of your clients and prospects working from home, now is a great time to engage them through a webinar. Hosting a webinar is a powerful way to connect with your target audience, and with GSA Business Report - you won’t have to worry about any of the logistics. Whether you’re looking to move an in-person event online, or just need to generate quality sales leads, our team can help provide turnkey service from marketing to execution! What is included in your webinar: • 45-60 minute webinar • Social media • Dedicated project support • Print ad • Email marketing For more information, please contact Rick Jenkins at (864) 720-1224 or rjenkins@scbiznews.com

July 13 - July 26, 2020

IN FOCUS: HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

www.gsabusiness.com 19

Hotel industry hits bottom, expects long climb back By Ross Norton

rnorton@scbiznews.com

f there is a silver lining to the bleak days facing the hotel industry, it’s that Americans have a deep desire to be on the move. Kirby Smith, vice president of sales and marketing for Greenville-based Auro hotels, said the American psyche is one that says, “I want to get on the road.” Through a pandemic that the industry says has been economically nine times worse for hotels than the period following 9-11, there are abundant examples suggesting that people will return to travel with enthusiasm when COVID-19 cases are under control. Smith said the rate of people making same-day plans to stay at a hotel near home is the highest it’s ever been for the company, which owns hotel properties all over the country, including several in both Greenville and Charleston. “It’s surprising,” he said. “They literally book that day. If the weather is nice, they make plans and they’ll book the same day. There are still couples and families that want to get out; I think they’re feeling pent up.” It’s been good for that slice of the hotel industry’s customer base. The problem is, that slice is a small one. “I’m not suggesting it’s all well,” Smith said. “We have a long way to go.” According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the travel and leisure industry had lost 7.7 million jobs by April as a result of the pandemic, leaving hotel operators in a fight for survival. Eight in 10

“The general theme is that people want to get back to normal as soon as possible and normal is to get on the road.” Kirby Smith vice president of sales and marketing Auro Hotels

hotels have laid off or furloughed employees, and the association projects 2020 to be the worst on record for hotel occupancy. The association is appealing to Congress for more stimulus relief. The large slices of the hotel customer base include business travelers and those who travel for events — anything from a professional convention to sports tournaments.

The pandemic has not slowed construction of the new AC Hotel in Greenville but owner Auro Hotels has not decided what opening plans will be. (Photo/Ross Norton)

“Where we’re seeing the biggest challenge is in the corporate group segment,” Smith said. The event travelers are trying to make something happen these days as they grapple with decisions on whether to reschedule or cancel until next year. But the business travelers who have been grounded by corporate policy don’t see a greenlight in the foreseeable future. “Corporate is very soft right now. Corporate America is going to take care of their people first. Some are still traveling but most don’t want to put their associates on the road for fear of COVID-19.” For that segment, Smith said the level of bookings for 2021 is promising. Still, a turn-around is expected to be a long and steady climb, especially since an end to the pandemic and its economic damage is feeling more elusive. “This is more sustained than 9-11,” Smith said. “We don’t expect to see normal (bookings) until 2022. It’s definitely picked up. Occupancies are coming back. They’re not where we want them to be, but I feel optimism.” He said construction on Auro’s new AC Hotel at Camperdown in Greenville has continued unabated and remains on schedule, although plans for opening the 197-room hotel are undetermined. Auro’s other hotels in the Upstate include the Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville, and Residence Inn and Springhill Suites — dual hotels under one roof, which opened in early 2019 on Washington Street.

• • • • • • •

There are 55,000 hotel properties in the United States. The hotel industry generates more than $660 billion for the U.S. economy. The industry is expected to lose nearly 50% of its revenue in 2020. Lost revenue could exceed $120 billion. A hotel with 100 occupied rooms per night supports 250 local jobs and generates $18.4 million in guest spending in the community around the hotel. In 2018, hotels generated about $40 billion in state and local tax revenue. Local and state tax revenue from hotel operations is expected to drop by $16.8 billion this year because of the sudden decline in travel.

Source: American Hotel & Leisure Association In Charleston, the occupancy numbers have been surprisingly strong, Smith said. Auro properties in the Lowcountry include the Charleston Marriott, the North Charleston Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Waterfront, a Residence Inn and Spring Hill Suites downtown and Townplace Suites near the airport. Hotel occupancy in the area was climbing toward 100% but dropped off some during the first week of July as COVID-19 cases surged. “Charleston leisure transient has been surprising to me,” Smith said. “Occupancies are much stronger than one might anticipate in Charleston. It has slowed down a little bit this week (the week of July 1) but Charleston was close to having a lot of sellout hotels.” According to a survey by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, 89% of hotel operators in May said they were

dealing with a significant downturn: 35% calling it dramatic, 33% categorizing it as severe and 21% moderate. Like Auro hotels, the association predicts a recovery period in 2021 and a return to 2019 revenue and occupancy rates in 2022. Resort hotels and business/luxury hotels are faring worst, according to the association. Smith maintains that he sees reason for optimism. He sees it in the eagerness of staff and guests to make the adjustments necessary to protect one another and get out there anyway. “The general theme is that people want to get back to normal as soon as possible and normal is to get on the road,” Smith said. “The American psyche is ‘I want to hit the road.’” Reach Ross Norton at 864-720-1222 or @ RossNorton13 on Twitter.

IN FOCUS: HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

www.gsabusiness.com

July 13 - July 26, 2020

Target your market in an upcoming issue of the GSA Business Report

JULY 27

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS List: Third-Party Logistics Providers Bonus List: Warehouse Services Advertising Deadline: July 13 AUGUST 10

BANKING AND FINANCE List: Accounting Firms Advertising Deadline: July 27 AUGUST 24

MARKET FACTS

Advertising Deadline: July 17 SEPTEMBER 7

ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION (AEC) List: Engineering Firms Advertising Deadline: August 24 SEPTEMBER 21

MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE Special Section: Preview Guide Advertising Deadline: September 7

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

By July 2, CenterG project’s centerpiece, the Trade-Randall Street inlay, was complete and blocked off from oncoming traffic. (Photo/Molly Hulsey)

GREER, from Page 6

the new arts center last year, Merhib sees that residents along proposed arts district corridor street are already starting to give their lawns a little more TLC than before. “When you talk about entrepreneurship, you talk about what sparks entrepreneurship, what sparks the imagination and creativity within the city, whether it’s New York City or Greer, S.C.,” Merhib, said. “The arts are critical to entrepreneurship, creativity and livelihood.” Another proposed multi-family apartment complex called Victor Park is poised to move into the site of a partially destroyed 1890 textile mill between Victor Mill and Hardin streets. The city annexed the area in August. Danner indicated that additional venue space is Greer Station’s next frontier with the hope that it will welcome commerce from residents and “near tourists.” City Hall’s event space remains busy — several events were held inside the hall on Tuesday, June 28, despite the COVID19 pandemic — and Danner said its success left the area ripe for similar projects as well as downtown retail and restaurant sales. The newly renovated depot, now filled with shops, will become a new event hub once retailers’ leases run out. Across the Randall and Trade Street intersection, a building now called the Davenport, wedding and party planners will be able to take advantage of the historic ambience and centrality of the spot to Greer’s downtown restaurants and shopfronts, almost all of which are occupied, Danner said. While Greer’s redevelopment plan beckons incoming business and residents in areas surrounding downtown, Danner and Merhib both emphasized the city’s commitment to retaining the town’s roots and prioritizing existing businesses, especially during the economic crunch brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. “When you come downtown, you’re not going to find Taco Bell, you’re not

going to find, you know, a Target or anything like that,” Merhib said. “You’re going to find very unique mom and pop shops.” The CenterG project did disrupt the status quo for Greer Station’s storefront businesses, many that were forced to funnel staff and customers through back doors for two years, but financial incentives, electric shuttles and faithful customers helped keep Trade Street in business. The only business that went under during the process had already shown signs of bankruptcy before the project, according to Danner. Before the launch of the project, the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority extended grants up to $5,000 matched by $5,000 from the city to help businesses mitigate losses from the project and invest in façade and rear entrance improvements. Even before the project was launched, 11 businesses applied for the grant in 2018, according to a news release. The Greer Redevelopment Corp. has also extended additional financial incentives to help make a Greer a destination known for restaurant tours and chic retail stores, according to Reno Deaton, president and CEO of GRC, the other catalyst in the CenterG project. He predicts that the 24/7 customer base from incoming residents in Project Homecoming and the Victor Park sites will play a critical role in returning the city’s investment and businesses’ patience during the past few years. “Again, we’re really fortunate that the tools they (the city) have given us in terms of a new downtown, in terms of support for the hotel, for the new parking structure that is under construction, gives us the ability to tell a great story to the next set of investors who are looking for an opportunity to start their project in a way that really embraces the character of this downtown,” Deaton said. Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter.

At Work

BUSINESS DIGEST | PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Business Digest

United Ministries receives grant

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Greenville’s United Ministries an $8,000 grant to support adult literacy. United Ministries’ Adult Education program provides individual, self-paced instruction to adults preparing for GED tests.

Velux expanding in Greenwood

THS Constructors Inc. said in a news release it was awarded the contract for design and construction of a 48,000-square-foot expansion at the Velux facility in Greenwood. Velux provides skylights and roof windows through home centers, building material suppliers, lumber yards and independent retailers. The expansion will be an addition to the existing 82,000-square-foot facility.

Panasonic recognizes Synnex

Upstate lab offers antibody tests

Premier Medical Laboratory Services said it now offers COVID-19 antibody testing. The Greenville lab said it increased its testing capacity to 620,000 COVID-19 tests per month. Premier Medical’s antibody testing, which was granted emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, requires a blood draw administered by a physician or medical staff which is then sent to Premier Medical. For more information, visit www.PreMedInc.com.

Converse College plans fall classes

Converse College announced its fall term will begin on Aug. 17, one week earlier than originally scheduled, and conclude before Thanksgiving break. Classes will be held during fall break to limit travel in an effort to protect the health of the campus community. The last day of classes will be Nov. 20, the college said in a news release. Residential students will be expected to move out of residential halls by the end of the day on Nov. 24.

Company plans housing on Hartwell

Clemson Dockside LP announced that it has selected Sherman Construction Co. as the general contractor for the multifamily student housing development located at 894 Tiger Boulevard in Clemson. The project is set to break ground this summer. The mixed use development will feature 200 apartment homes, 755 parking spaces and 20,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space near Lake Hartwell. The property’s lakefront will incorporate a public green space along with three public art installations. The former hotel site has been vacant for years, with the last development plans stalling during the 2008 recession.

Synnex Corp., a business process services company, announced that Panasonic Corp. of North America has named it the 2019 Distributor of the Year. Synnex received the recognition at the Panasonic Toughbook Virtual Partner Summit on May 20.

tion, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate, Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, Emerge Family Therapy and Teaching Clinic, GoForth Recovery, Healthy Smiles of Spartanburg, Institute for Child Success, Partners for Active Living, ReGenesis Health Care, Ruth’s Gleanings, Safe Homes Rape Crisis Coalition, Spartanburg Academic Movement, Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg County School District 3, United Way of the Piedmont, Upstate Family Resource Center, Upstate Fatherhood Coalition, Upstate Warrior Solution and YMCA of Greater Spartanburg.

SCHA raises funds for workers

The South Carolina Hospital Association, along with partners including Southern Tide and Christian McCaffrey’s 22 and You Foundation, has been raising funds to help frontline health care workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. SCHA has established a program to award a $1,000 grant to at least 70 employees of South Carolina hospitals and health systems who have been significantly impacted by COVID-19. The grants are also available to individuals who were furloughed or laid-off by a hospital due to the impact of COVID-19. Those who are eligible can access the COVID-19 Fund Request Form at scha.org/apply.

Blood bank offers antibody tests

The Blood Connection, a local non-profit, community blood center, is offering COVID-19 antibody testing to all donors at no cost. The test, which will provide blood donors with a positive or negative result, will be included in the normal panel of testing that is performed on all blood collected by the organization.

Foundation awards grants

The Mary Black Foundation announced that it awarded $709,000 in grants to 19 nonprofit organizations serving Spartanburg County. The majority of organizations will receive funds to support core operating expenses and projects that are responding to the impact of COVID-19. Grant recipients are Alliance for a Healthier Genera-

rent pay scale. In addition, the district will purchase about 80 new sets of turnout gear that allows firefighters to change and clean their firefighting gear between callouts. Recent studies have shown links between cancer and carcinogens in the smoke firefighters are exposed to, according to a news release. The second set of turnout gear will reduce the amount of contact firefighters have to these carcinogens, and will therefore reduce the risk firefighters have of developing cancers, the district said.

Pizza Artista opens on Pleasantburg

Hileri and Brian Mercier of Greenville opened a Pizza Artista franchise in the Forest Park Shopping Center on Pleasantburg Drive. Louisiana-based Pizza Artista offers Cajun chef-inspired pizzas along with traditional Italian pizza, barbecue chicken pizza and other specialty pizzas.

ScanSource named One in a Million The BMW Charity Pro-Am Presented by Synnex Corp. staff and board member Max Metcalf, far right, present a check to Lisa Green, executive director of the Cancer Society of Greenville County.

Pro-am launches online campaign

The 2020 BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by Synnex Corp. held its Tournament Week of Giving in June with an online auction and a special check presentation. The BMW Charity ProAm Breakfast with Champions event, which was canceled along with the tournament, would have benefitted the Meyer Center and Cancer Society of Greenville County and many of the event sponsors wanted their funds to be reallocated to a direct donation to the two organizations. Proceeds from the online auction will benefit the six featured charities of the 20th anniversary tournament: Mobile Meals of Spartanburg, Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Upstate, Roper Mountain Science Center, The Cliffs Residents Outreach, Cancer Society of Greenville County, and the Meyer Center for Special Children.

Parker subdistrict sets budget

Parker Sewer and Fire Subdistrict commissioners approved a $13.5 million budget that will give raises to employees and fund upgrades to firefighter gear. The pay increase is based on a variety of factors, including tenure, department and cur-

Greenville-based ScanSource Inc., a provider of technology products, announced it is a recipient of a One in a Million Award from the nonprofit organization Multiplying Good. ScanSource received the award in honor of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, repurposing a production line at one of the company’s facilities to produce protective face shields for frontline health care workers as they treated their patients.

VantagePoint earns certification

VantagePoint Marketing of Greenville recently obtained Gold-Level Certification in SharpSpring’s partner certification program for its VantagePoint 365 digital sales and marketing automation platform. Gold-Level Certification is awarded to only 30 agencies in the United States and indicates high level of expertise in marketing automation and the SharpSpring platform.

AgSouth gives to USDA

AgSouth Farm Credit announced it will contribute $15,000 in total to the U.S. Department of Agriculture divisions in South Carolina and Georgia in light of the effects of COVID-19 on the agriculture and farming communities. Half of the funding will support the partnership between Certified SC Grown and SC Advocates for Ag organizations and their ongoing efforts to support the Farmer to Food Banks initiative.

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www.gsabusiness.com

July 13 - 26, 2020

People in the News ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PR

McEldowney

McElhannon

VantagePoint Marketing promoted client services associates Angie McEldowney to director of client services and Collin McElhannon to account manager. McEldowney has been with VantagePoint for nine years. McElhannon has been with VantagePoint for eight years. Hughes Agency hired Kate Little as senior account director and Anna Catherine Miller as senior account executive. Previously residing in New York Little City, Little served as vice president of Meg Connolly Communications. Miller joins the Hughes Agency from the public sector, most recently in the role of downtown project manager in the public information and events department at the city of Greenville.

Young

Garvin

Sexton

Fuel hired Abby Young as senior account director. Young has more than 16 years of experience in marketing, account strategy and management.

Matthew Garvin, senior developer at Fuel, has been appointed as a board member for the city of Greenville Arts in Public Places Commission.

Infinity Marketing hired Heather Sexton as media coordinator. Sexton most recently worked at American Services Inc. as digital marketing coordinator.

ARCHITECTURE McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture announced that David Moore was elevated to fellow in the American Institute of Architects. Moore has almost 30 Moore years of experience, working with higher education and library clients.

BANKING & FINANCE Eric Lysak joined First Reliance Bank as a relationship banker in Greenville. Lysak will offer advice on business accounts, loans, treasury management services and Lysak investments through First Reliance Wealth Strategy along with personal banking services offered to business owners and their employees.

Poore

Southern First Bank hired Rhiannon Poore as director of marketing and corporate communications. She previously worked at Elliott Davis and FGP International.

Certified wealth planners Chris Beard and Jesse Hansford opened a wealth management company called Professional Planning & Wealth. Beard and Hansford will serve as managing partners.

Peterson

Alewine

United Community Bank hired Pete Peterson as chief retail credit officer. Peterson has 33 years of banking experience with expertise in credit administration, risk management and special assets. Kevin Alewine joined Pinnacle Financial Partners in Greenville. Alewine brings 23 years of experience in commercial banking to his role as senior vice president and credit

advisor. Ann Kilgore, Julie Mullikin and Amy Vaughan have joined Pinnacle Financial Partners in Greenville. Kilgore joins Pinnacle as a financial advisor for the firm’s client services team. Mullikin joins Pinnacle as a financial advisor for the firm’s client advisory team. Vaughan brings 19 years of financial services experience to her role as treasury management advisor.

of Commerce.

TCB Corp. and Countybank announced that Megha Lal joined the Countybank board of directors. Lal is an active philanthropist, a graduate of the Lal Riley Fellows Diversity Leadership Institute Class and a member of Greenwood Women Care.

EDUCATION

CONSTRUCTION Caldwell Constructors hired Paul Avery, Richard Heath and Zach Miles. Avery joined Caldwell as a foreman. He most recently served as the field manager for a local framing contractor. Heath is serving as a senior estimator and joins Caldwell Constructors with more than 35 years of construction experience. Miles is serving as an assistant project manager and is a recent graduate of Clemson University. Sherman Construction hired Chris Dill as a director of business development. Dill brings more than 20 years of experience. Dill

THS Constructors announced the addition of John Decembrino, a 40-year construction human resources professional, to its board of directors. Decembrino has worked for Daniel Construction (now Fluor), SUITT and BE&K and most recently as a consultant for THS Constructors.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Self

Greer Development Corp. hired Sharon Self as marketing and research director. Self has previous experience with Fluor, Proterra and the Greenville Chamber

Kostka

Powell

Greenville Area Development Corp. hired Kornelia Kostka as research manager. Kostka earned an international MBA this year from the University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Business.

Tri-County Technical College commissioner John Powell received the 2020 South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners Trustee Leadership Award.

Randall E. King has been named professor and associate dean of the North Greenville University School of Communication. He previously worked at Indiana King Wesleyan University as the communication and theater division chair, the university’s WIWU-TV station director and as a professor of communication. The University of South Carolina Upstate announced that Araceli Hernández-Laroche has been selected for the 2020 cohort of the American Association of Hernández-Laroche State Colleges and Universities Emerging Leaders Program. Hernández-Laroche serves as an associate professor of modern languages, and as foreign-language coordinator and assistant chair of the department of language, literature and composition. After his retirement as superintendent of Spartanburg School District Seven, Russell W. Booker is slated to become the executive director of the Spartanburg Booker Academic Movement and, under his newly founded agency One Acorn, has been hired as the diversity and economic inclusion consultant for the Spartanburg

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Viewpoint

VIEWS, PERSPECTIVES AND READERS’ LETTERS

Leaders work to keep employees safe during reopening

“M

ay you live in interesting times.” This old adage is certainly in effect today. While it may sound like a warm wish, it’s supposedly a curse since it’s usually associated with times of chaos and disorder. We’re certainly experiROBERT encing this right DEHOLLANDER now. We’re living through a significant black swan event — an unexpected crisis of large magnitude and consequence. Our particular black swan is really two — a pandemic and associated economic crisis. As business owners, we’re significantly affected by both of these. One primary challenge is how to protect our employ-

ees’ health and well-being as the economy reopens. As we reopen the economy, it won’t be without challenges. Last week the Wall Street Journal cited that over 40% of the U.S. population has seen reopening halted or reversed as of July 1. Unfortunately, this is most acute in the Southern states right now. So as business owners what do we do? Let me offer three steps we can take to help meet this challenge. Communicate regularly with your employees. I can’t stress this enough — company leadership needs to lead. Communicate openly and often with your employees so they have the information they need to feel educated and informed about the new coronavirus. This should include your company’s policy, practicing good hygiene, business travel policies, quarantines, working remotely, and steps to take in the event of a positive test result. Take action. If you don’t yet have one,

implement a sickness prevention and communicable diseases policy. Depending on your industry, this may include: taking temperatures upon entering the workplace, self-quarantining if they’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19; allowing employees to work from home; limiting unnecessary travel; fewer in-person meetings; staggering work schedules to limit contact among employees; limiting visitors; increasing distances between workspaces; and spreading out break times. Many of the organizations we work with have installed touchless hand sanitizer stations — they serve as both tools and physical reminders to practice good hygiene. Measure morale. Finally, understand that the pandemic is much more than just case counts. It’s increasing people’s fear and stress levels significantly. We all use a wide variety of coping strategies when we’re in scary and stressful situations and some are not very good for

us. Right now, some of the traditional ways such as company gatherings and gym memberships aren’t available. As a result, company leadership needs to be more creative to foster employee wellbeing. Fortunately, there are other apps, websites and online groups that can help bridge this gap. Also, stay informed. The coronavirus situation is highly fluid. Both the CDC and WHO frequently update the information on coronavirus on their websites. Remember, ongoing communication and implementation of your communicable diseases policy is the best way for company leadership to keep their employees safe and to foster a sense of well-being during the COVID19 pandemic. Robert DeHollander is a certified financial planner. He is managing partner and co-founder of DeHollander & Janse Financial Group in Greenville.

CDFI leaders call for equality in society’s financial structure

he recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd echo countless unjustified deaths of black individuals in America. Coupled with statistics revealing COVID19’s disproportionate devastation of African American communities, the news today provides a grim reminder of TAMMIE HOY structural inequality HAWKINS in America. A Harvard Business Review article indicated deaths from COVID-19 are highest among communities of color. The CDC reported that of those hospitalized for COVID-19, ANNA 33% were black HAMILTON compared to 18% LEWIN white. The CDC’s recent summary in an article on racial and ethnic minority groups indicates these disparities are often tied to economic and social conditions among minority communities due to a lack of access to quality health

care and insurance that would treat underlying medical conditions. Along with a direct health impact, no business has been untouched by COVID-19. With mandatory shutdowns and stay-athome orders, businesses have been rocked and many employees have been furloughed or let go. Once again, STEVE the Black commuSALTZMAN nity was severely impacted. The PEW center indicated job and wage losses due to COVID-19 reached 44% for Black households. Already vulnerable minority-owned small businesses are seeing the same disparities when it comes to rebounding from COVID-19. In an assessment of the financial health of companies, the Federal Reserve Banks reported that minority-owned small businesses were significantly more likely to show signs of limited financial health — by factors such as profitability, credit scores, and propensity to use retained earnings as a primary funding source. These companies were approximately twice as likely to be classified as “at-risk” or “distressed” than non-mi-

nority-owned small businesses before the pandemic. Minority-owned businesses also tend to be in industries susceptible to disruptions from the pandemic. Service industries including accommodation and food services, personal services, child care and retail, have the highest share of minority-owned small businesses and are perhaps the most disrupted by COVID-19. This industry often requires physical proximity to others and services are less likely to be offered remotely. The passage of the CARES Act 1 and 2 outlined many relief programs and opportunities for individuals as well as small businesses, yet minority families and small businesses repeatedly have not shared equal access to these funding sources for their households and businesses. Due to centuries of segregation, underinvestment, and legally sanctioned discrimination, many black businesses have limited access to credit, banking relationships and net worth that would allow them to acquire the financing they need to start or grow their businesses. This has also impacted Black businesses’ ability to access federal relief, including funding through the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The Center for Responsible

Lending estimates that up to 90% of businesses owned by Black, indigenous, and people of color will not be able to access PPP funding. At this moment in time, these resources seem futile when at the core we are battling greater forces of justice versus injustice, life versus death, and love versus hate. As community advocates, Community Development Financial Institutions, and seekers of justice, we stand together through this moment of history not only to fight for capital for Black and brown business owners, and affordable housing and credit for low-income communities, but also equity and anti-racist policies and action. We hope you will join us in this fight for equity. Tammie Hoy Hawkins is CEO of CommunityWorks; Anna Hamilton Lewin is CEO of S.C. Community Loan Fund; and Steve Saltzman is CEO of Charleston LDC.

We want to hear from you Write: Ross Norton, Editor GSA Business Report, 35 Cessna Court, Suite A Greenville, S.C. 29607

Email: rnorton@scbiznews.com

www.gsabusiness.com

July 13 - 26, 2020

Adroit Systems Company, a locally owned leader in the Security/ Fire Alarm industry, welcomes Greg Payne to their sales team as a senior sales consultant and designer. Greg has been in the fire alarm and life safety industry for the last 15 years. Adroit Systems Company specializes in fire alarm systems, mass notification, access control, video surveillance, intrusion, distributed audio systems, and vehicle gate controls. Please call or email Greg for a no cost consultation on any project.

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