GSA Business Report - December 12, 2022

Automaker starts production of new BMW XM

By Ross Norton rnorton@scbiznews.com

Production of the BMW XM has begun in Spartanburg County.

It is the first high-performance vehicle with an electrified drive system from the BMW M line.

BMW Manufacturing, which says the future has a place for both

electric and gas vehicles, will make both of them on the same assembly line at Plant Spartanburg, where the X5, X6 and X7 roll off the line at a rate of about 1,500 a day.

“We are excited to add the first-ever BMW XM to our plant’s portfolio,” Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing, said in an announcement.

“This modern, future-oriented

design and powerful performance of the BMW XM has generated a lot of enthusiasm. As the center of competence for X models, BMW Plant Spartanburg is prepared to build this vehicle with the highest premium quality that our customers deserve.”

The BMW XM has a plug-in hybrid system with a V8 gasoline engine and a powerful electric

motor, according to a news release. It will arrive at dealers worldwide in the spring, with key sales markets identified as the United States, China and the Middle East.

The M line of BMWs — meaning BMW Motorsports — was created in 1972 as a division of the company’s racing teams.

By Krys Merryman

kmerryman@scbiznews.com and Christina Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com

When Shannon Wilbanks and Joe Erwin, managing partners of Endeavor, left their advertising firm in 2015, they collaborated on how

they could provide an office-working environment with the energy, technology and training opportunities that they could get at larger agencies but weren’t able to access being in business as a sole proprietor or small business.

It was out of this concept that they realized they were talking about coworking.

“We hadn’t planned on being in the coworking game,” said Wilbanks. “It really grew out of that (concept). Our mission is to do whatever we can to help our members succeed, and that’s coming from a very genuine place.”

Coworking is the use of a collaborative workspace that o ers an alternative way to work. In cowork-

ing spaces, people work independently or in groups to complete projects. is concept is popular, because it provides a sense of community and a conducive working atmosphere you wouldn’t be able to receive if working for a larger company.

Upstate Under Construction

South Carolina Christmas trees a growing sector

While North Carolina produces the second-largest number of Christmas trees in the U.S. each year, the state known more for palmetto logs than fir trees also contributes to the annual harvest of live-cut trees.

South Carolina is an agribusiness state with the forestry sector accounting for billions of dollars and tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the state. In terms of employment, forestry is the No. 1 industry in South Carolina, data from the S.C. Forestry Commission show, including the more than half-a-million trees growing at any one time on the state’s 23 tree farms.

Compared to North Carolina, the Palmetto State’s contribution to the nation’s annual Christmas trees harvest is more of a potted plant than an old-growth forest, but like most agribusiness subsectors, Christmas tree growing is a highly sustainable business that contributes to habitat, prevents soil erosion, and provides many direct and indirect jobs across the state.

Even though Christmas trees on their own aren’t a huge business for South Carolina foresters, tree growing and harvesting, including the production of biomass, is a vital sector for the state’s economy, beating out sectors such as tourism, health care and manufacturing.

By Andy Owens

Christmas tree production in the Southeast 2020

Among Southeastern states, South Carolina grows the third-most Christmas trees behind the juggarnaut of North Carolina and Virginia, with 24.1 million and 4.3 million, respectively. Below are the top ve producing states behind North Carolina and Virginia for live Christmas tree production on farms in each state.

Christmas trees grow for up to eight years before being tall enough to be sold. At any one time, tree farms have thousands of trees of different sizes in production.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cultivated Christmas Trees On Operation 2020

Top states for Christmas tree sales

The following states produce the most Christmas tree sales in 2019 for the more than 11.6 million sold that year.

State Trees sold Oregon 3,844,562 North Carolina 2,019,686 Michigan 1,922,961 Wisconsin 784,617 Pennsylvania 652,891

Ever-growing Christmas tree sales in SC

In 2019, South Carolina sold more than 16,000 Christmas trees for nearly $900,000 in sales, a number that has increased each time the U.S. Department of Agriculture has surveyed the sector. Year Annual sales in S.C. 2019 $883,342 2017 $869,000 2014 $841,274 2012 $666,000 2009 $227,194

“This town has changed its past to a glorious future, and we are happy to be a part of it.”

— Current CEO Manish Bhandari

SC Biz News Briefs

$4.2 million investment will create 42 new jobs for industry serving shed construction

Shed Windows and More Inc., a window and building materials manufacturer and distributor, will expand operations in Horry County. The company’s $4.2 million investment will create 42 new jobs over the next five years, the company said in a news release from the Commerce Department.

Founded in 2001, Shed Windows and More Inc. manufactures and distributes a variety of building materials including windows, doors, hinges, shutters, skylights, hardware and more. e company serves both do-it-yourself builders and contractors around the world.

“Our company has been around for more than 20 years and part of Horry County since 2013,” Vice President omas Slack said in the news release. “We value our employees, our customers and the community. Shed Windows and More Inc. is excited to expand our operations to meet the growth of our customers all over the United States. ank you to everyone who has shared a part in our expansion, and we look forward to more great opportunities in the future.”

Located at 2342 Chestnut Road in the Horry County town of Longs, Shed Windows and More Inc.’s expansion will include the construction of a new 50,000-square-foot facility which will allow the company to manufacture double-pane vinyl windows in-house — increasing its business and work ow.

“Horry County is devoted to supporting and growing industry, and we are proud to announce the expansion of Shed Windows and More Inc.,” County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner said in the release. “ e company represents success in our county and proof that we are a great place to have a business. On behalf of Horry County Council and our sta , congratulations. ank you for being part of Team Horry.”

e expansion is expected to be complete in 2023. Individuals interested in joining company should visit SC Works.

Shed Windows and More Inc. was started by eresa Slack in 2001 with the website being added in 2008, so do-it-yourself builders would have a website giving them access to materials to build a small building, such as a shed, playhouse, treehouse, chicken coop or deer stand and nd everything in one place.

Shed Windows and More Inc. has won the Camp Hill Best of the Year award two years running as a local business in Horry County. Company products have been seen multiple times on HGTV and the Discovery Channel and as part of various DIY shows, including a show done about the Hobbit House of Montana, a unique lodging facility.

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.

MYRTLE BEACH Charleston Regional Business Journal

Shed Windows and More developed

Jason Thomas, executive editor jthomas@scbiznews.com • 864.568.7570

Ross Norton, managing editor-content rnorton@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1222

Christina Lee Knauss, sta writer cknauss@scbiznews.com • 803.753.4327

Krys Merryman, sta writer kmerryman@scbiznews.com • 864.640.4418

Paige Wills, research specialist pwills@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3125

Steve McDaniel, editor, Custom Publishing Division smcdaniel@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3121

New cheese shop opens its doors in Greenville

By Krys Merryman kmerryman@scbiznewscom

It all started with a really good grilled cheese sandwich.

A product of the North, Michael Davitt, co-owner of The Cheese Wheel, said cheese shops are a dime a dozen where he comes from. When he visited Greenville a few years ago, he realized this was an up-and-coming city, but there weren’t any specialized cheese shops, something he was raised on and wanted to see in the Greenville community, bringing a classic fromagerie-style shop to the city. Davitt’s mother, Denise, is the co-owner of the shop.

“We wanted to be the first ones here to fill that void,” Davitt said.

He said when he was younger, he had always wanted to be a small business owner, but it being such a broad career space, he wasn’t sure what type of business he wanted.

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Account Executives

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Events

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Straying away from that dream, Davitt started a career in finance, which wasn’t exactly fulfilling to him.

Growing up in the North, he grew an affinity for Murray’s Cheese grilled cheese sandwiches, a New York City staple, and wanted to try all the different cheeses in the sandwich. Over time, he started eating different cheeses outside of the bread or with crackers.

“It was just one of those things you stumbled into without even knowing it,” he said. “So, why not fill that void in a beautiful city while fulfilling a lifelong dream of wanting to be a small business owner? I quit my finance job to pursue something I knew I would really love.”

So why not just buy cheese at your local grocery store?

When you get pre-wrapped, presliced cheeses, said Davitt, you don’t know how long it’s been sitting out, and the reality with cheese is that the moment you slice it off the wheel, you are allowing oxidation to begin, which in turn distorts the texture, the character, and the original flavor of the cheese itself.

“We also want to foster an educational environment here for people who don’t know much about cheese,” he added. “The taste of the cheeses cut fresh from the wheel is unmatched.”

Davitt said sampling of any of the cheeses is also another difference that makes a business like his stand out, because you simply are flying blind most of the time at the grocery store, not knowing what you’re cutting into or if you’ll even like it.

“You know what you’re buying here when you’re buying it,” he said.

Construction started earlier this year, and with more than 200 domestic and imported cheeses, The Cheese Wheel held its grand opening Nov. 11 at 1441 Augusta St. and can’t wait to serve the Greenville community with high quality, fresh-cut cheese and customer service.

Daniel Builders and Zion Architects were the general contractor and designer for the cheese shop, which turned out better than the owners imagine, said Davitt.

After the shop gets through the holidays, they plan to remove part of the parking lot in front of the shop to add

green space and bistro tables while adding on wine and cheese pairing flights to their menu for an ultimate experience.

Davitt said it’s his long-term goal to create a one-of-a-kind cheese shop scene in the Southeast, eventually opening more shops in Greenville, other cities in the Upstate like Spartanburg, even Charlotte and Charleston, down to the Florida Panhandle.

“Greenville is a vibe,” he said. “It’s an intimate, tight-knit community and fits the vibe we want when people come into our shop. There are a lot of cheese lovers here and everywhere.”

Elvia Pacheco, Greenville Chamber of Commerce programs manager for business growth, said they believe the opening of this cheese shop can provide other business owners and residents a place where they can come and get great gifts for the holidays to support local business, which in turn, positively impacts the city’s economy.

“I think it will be well received, and Augusta Street is a great location for a shop like this,” said Pacheco. “And with the products they sell, cheese and wine, you can’t go wrong with that.”

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Co-owner Michael Davitt slices into a round of cheese at his new business. (Photo/Krys Merryman)

tables while pairing ultimate long-term goal cheese shop eventually Greenville, like SparCharlesPanhandle. said. “It’s community when people a lot of everywhere.” Chammanager believe shop can owners and can come holidays to in turn, economy. received, and location for Pacheco. “And cheese and that.”

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CO-WORKING, from Page 1

And the popularity of collaborative work environments is skyrocketing in a postCOVID world, as the pandemic changed the very nature of how people think about the workplace, with remote work and hybrid setups becoming the norm.

“It was invigorating to see all these people just trying to work their jobs and all with the attitude of ‘I’m going to gure it out’ despite COVID challenges,” Wilbanks said.

As Wilbanks and Erwin got into the coworking industry, Wilbanks said they realized there is a broad spectrum of people who need that type of work environment. Whether someone works at a small business and needs 24/7 access to their o ce, to entrepreneurs and sole proprietors, to people who work remotely for another company who don’t need a private o ce but a single workspace, to people who love working from home but want to get out of the house one day a week, or sole business travelers.

Endeavor opened in May 2016 and is a membership-based coworking community allowing for a space for a diverse range of peers who o er varying services and experiences in addition to providing training opportunities, networking events and business consulting for business professionals.

Wilbanks said they decided on the Greenville One Center space in downtown Greenville for this coworking vision, because it is ideally located in the heart of downtown with 24/7 doorman security, LEED-certi ed features, and the space also has a private gym for members.

“People light up when they step o our elevator and into our space, pleasantly surprised at what we have here,” she added.

‘THE FUTURE’ OF WORKPLACES

Ramon Nieves-Lugo, president of

Unicomm Media Group, founded and leads a successful Hispanic marketing agency of 12 employees, and has had a daytime membership at Endeavor almost since its inception.

For Nieves-Lugo, he said his main purpose for choosing coworking as his choice of o ce space versus a traditional o ce setting was the cost bene t.

“We originally had an o ce for a few members, but it has changed since COVID and everyone doesn’t work at the o ce anymore,” he said. “Commercial space is also expensive, especially being in downtown.

e appeal of this space is high since its in a prime location, especially for sole proprietors and small businesses. e opportunity to connect with other individuals in the area is there, too.”

Even if a business has a lot of employees, said Nieves-Lugo, but doesn’t need a 30,000 square foot o ce space, this coworking option may suit them as well.

“It seems this type of working is the future,” he added.

Every company’s journey is di erent, said Wilbanks.

“ e interesting thing about coworking, especially if you’re in an o ce, is people are increasingly putting a higher value on their time and living their lives while weighing the cost of rent for their o ce spaces. You pay one monthly payment if you have an o ce here, that covers your o ce, the internet, the co ee, the cleaning, o ce machines, everything you need. So not only are those things you would have to otherwise pay separately, it frees you up to do the things only you can do, because we have all those other expenses covered, which takes o the administrative burden to some degree.”

Endeavor Greenville isn’t the only coworking concept in the city that sees similar inquiries with not only local entre-

preneurs and sole proprietors but remote employees in industries such as web and tech, too.

AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

Back in 2007, Atlas Local managing partner and tech entrepreneur Chris Merritt said he and his managing partners just needed o ce spaces at the time. ey had no idea the co-op they created would lead to operating a coworking business, which still doesn’t even seem like a business to Merritt, he said. In 2016, they moved into one of the renovated lo apartment mill buildings in the West End of Greenville, West Village Lo s.

“Although we have grown, we still like to keep that co-op vibe,” said Merritt, who has a desk in the general space versus a private o ce. “Sure, my name is on the lease, but everyone here is an equal.”

Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who aren’t your coworkers is an ideal, best-case scenario for him and other members, Merritt said.

“When I want to disengage from work, I’m in an environment where I can easily do that (versus a traditional o ce setting),” he said. “If I’m burnt out and want to make a pot of co ee or sit and draw on the couch, there is no one there to bother me about some report that is due or something like that.”

Because Atlas Local is attached to residential units, members could cut out of work early and go to the pool or play a game of cornhole or pool a er work as well as the ability to host networking events.

“I’ve always held the opinion that this is a sustainable approach to work, one that I personally want, along with the younger generations entering the workforce,” he said.

Humans need to be around other humans, but only being around each other

because of your place of employment isn’t necessarily the healthiest model, said Merritt.

“Being around other people who share your passions also encourages entrepreneurial mindsets,” he added. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t surround myself with people like that. Our community here tends to organically work with each other, not something we push, it just sort of happens and it makes sense as you’re around other intelligent and creative people.”

Another aspect of remote work and coworking is allowing for the opportunity to hire from anywhere. Merritt said for the average job these days, people can work remotely, which in turn doesn’t allow physical proximity to limit the talent pool.

“Limiting your company to only hiring employees that are able to drive to your physical o ce, I think that mindset will be completely gone in the coming years,” he added. “I see less and less of it.”

Coworking spaces in Columbia run the gamut from smaller spaces in historic buildings to large buildings that have been converted from traditional o ces to coworking locations.

FemmeX, a coworking space and social club dedicated mainly to woman-owned startups and entrepreneurs is located at 1501 Richland St.

SOCO o ers coworking at two locations: SOCO 80808, located in 11,000 square feet of space inside a post-industrial building at 808 Lady St., and SOCO BullStreet, inside a historic building in the BullStreet District, one of the city’s hottest growing residential and business communities.

One of the largest coworking spaces in Columbia belongs to Expansive, a Chicago-based company founded in 2012 that currently o ers coworking and other exible workspace options at 48 locations

An Endeavor Greenville member works on her computer of the coworking enterprise in the Greenville One Tower. (Photo/Contributed by Shannon Wilbanks)

nationwide. In the Carolinas, the company has o ces in Charlotte and Columbia.

Expansive purchased the 12-story building at 1122 Lady St. in 2021 and currently o ers a variety of work options in 159,013 square feet of space. e site includes everything from SmartSuites, high-tech o ce spaces for large teams, and smaller rental o ce spaces to a variety of options for smaller businesses and individual workers.

Je Barnes, Expansive’s area sales manager for the Carolinas, said customers at the Midlands o ce come from every age, demographic and career type.

“I have everyone from students who just can’t get their work done in their dorm to businesses whose workers are working remote, to startups,” Barnes said. “We see a little bit of everything. We have insurance companies, law rms, tech companies, you name it using our spaces. If you can do business from a laptop, you can use a coworking space.”

Like most coworking spaces, Expansive o ers an option where customers can pay for simple access to a table or couch in one of the building’s open lounge spaces, which includes high-speed internet and access to copiers and other o ce equipment.

Sharing space doesn’t seem to be a problem for too many, according to Barnes.

“Our dedicated desks are sold out right now,” he said. “It’s our most popular option because members always have access to the space. It just depends on their schedule and when they want to do

business.”

Barnes believes coworking will only continue to expand as people who got used to working from home during the pandemic seek other options rather than a commute to the same o ce every day.

“ e age of the traditional workspace is starting to go away because people are realizing the amount of money it takes to rent an entire building, out t it and get people to come to a traditional work-

space,” he said. “ at’s just not what people are wanting anymore.”

In contrast to Endeavor and Atlas Local, FemmeX, and in comparison to Expansive, Industrious is a national coworking rm that is opening a location on King Street in Charleston, which is slated to open in early December.

Melissa Besler, a South Carolina native and regional director for the Midwest and Southeast Industrious locations, said the

company wants to provide other companies and employees with a space that is unique and inspiring.

“Charleston is a fast-growing business community, and we believe our surroundings can greatly impact the way people work,” said Besler. “We want to support that concept in building and changing the way people work. We want to adapt as a community grows, which looks di erent in each community we serve.”

Members can work or hang out in the common area at Industious Charleston. (Photo/Industrious)

Jake Scott Associate

Derrick Kelly Associate

Jon Postier Maintenance Technician

Mark Crowley Financial Analyst

Carly Firestine Senior Accountant

Richard Heatly Associate

Rachel Elliott Administrative Coordinator

Billion-dollar lighting company unveils its headquarters in Greenville

By Krys Merryman kmerryman@scbiznews.com

It all started with Thomas Edison — and a lightbulb.

Current, a commercial and industrial lighting business that provides endto-end lighting solutions, unveiled its corporate headquarters – which moved from Cleveland earlier this year — by celebrating its o cial sign raising on Nov. 30 in Greenville.

“ is company had many choices (on where to base their headquarters), but they chose Greenville,” said Greenville Mayor Knox White. “ eir choice and their condence in our community is something we really take to heart, and we appreciate it enormously.”

GE completed the $350 million acquisition of Hubbell Inc.’s commercial and industrial lighting division on Feb. 1, creating Current and its fresh presence in Greenville.

“We are really excited about encouraging and inspiring business growth in this very vibrant community that we are now proud to call home,” said Courtney Abraham, Current chief human resources o cer.

About 30-40% of lighting in North America belongs to Current, said Current CEO Manish Bhandari. Current also is the largest sign lighting provider in North America. Ninety-eight percent of the company is based in North America while only 2% is international, providing lighting solutions in Europe.

“Every streetlight was created by General Electric, so we are the legacy holders there,” he said.

One of Current’s most advanced North American factories is in Hendersonville, N.C., which focuses on streetlighting, said

BMW, from Page 1

The year after BMW Manufacturing temporarily halted production over COVID-19 concerns and the supply chain problems the pandemic caused, the company has had a year of milestones, starting with a January announcement that the plant had a record year of production despite the coronavirus.

In February the U.S. Commerce Department confirmed that Spartanburg-made automobiles led the nation in automotive exports by value for the eighth consecutive year. The value of the 257,876 cars exported in 2021 exceeded $10.1 billion. Exports to Canada go by rail while the rest are exported through the S.C. Ports system, a company spokesman said during a recent event at the plant.

In March, Engelhorn announced that BMW would invest more than $200 million to build a 219,000-square-foot press shop at the site. Construction is underway now and production is expected to start in 2024.

Bhandari.

With 35 brands, each one has a di erent character personality associated with them, he said.

“If you can imagine it, we can build it,” said Bhandari. “Whatever you want, we can make it for you.”

e most rewarding part of being in this business, he added, is utilizing technology and thinking back to the rst light from an oil lamp to what lighting is now.

“We light up people’s lives, that’s what we do,” Bhandari said.

Current can also save consumers on 80% of energy costs, said Jim Benson, Current vice president of enterprise marketing and communications.

With the evolution of lighting, this can be done with long-term sustainability, Benson added.

“Being a green company is a big part of our passion here,” he said.

e mayor said the city sees itself as a “city of opportunity,” especially for young people entering the workforce for the rst

time and the growth of available jobs and opportunities for the entire community to grow.

“ is beautiful, iconic headquarters once again is testimony that we are indeed a city of opportunity,” White said.

Lighting is crucial to urban planning and making cities safer, said White.

“We love what you do,” White said to the Current employees at the ceremony. “I’m all about making cities wonderful places, and as you know, and I know, the future of urban design is the lighting. Lighting has become a cutting-edge concept. It’s no longer your old omas Edison lightbulb anymore. We are now a long way from that.”

Although Current remains a strong presence in Cleveland, the company decided to move its global headquarters to Greenville because the market is similar to Cleveland and the talent available is supported by a solid education system, both K-12 STEM and higher education programs.

“To run a company like this, it requires a certain kind of people,” said Bhandari.

“ ose people require a certain kind of lifestyle community for them and their families to live in. is town has changed its past to a glorious future, and we are happy to be a part of it. Our intent is to be here and grow with the community.”

Current has approximately 3,500 employees and 5,000 customers, said Abraham.

Today’s lighting industry is experiencing 3-7% growth each year, and Current expects to be at the top-end of that growth, Bhandari said.

“You name the job, we have it here,” said Abraham. “Whether you’re rst starting out as an analyst to moving into nance or the creative side, it’s a great place to start a career and never leave, and not just for engineers.”

Hubbell’s C&I lighting business is a provider of professional lighting, lighting controls and connected lighting that o ers a range of indoor and outdoor lighting products for industrial, commercial and institutional applications. Brands that are part of the acquisition include Architectural Area Lighting, Beacon, Litecontrol, Kim Lighting, Columbia Lighting, Prescolite, Dual-Lite, Compass, Kurt Versen, Hubbell Outdoor Lighting, Hubbell Controls Solutions and Whiteway.

GE Current brands include Albeo, Arize, Daintree, Evolve, Forum, Immersion, LightGrid, LightSweep, Lumination, ProLine, Tetra, TriGain and 365DisInFx.

e combined business now o ers an extensive product portfolio of lamps, xtures and controls tailored to C&I, signage, roadway, horticulture and transportation markets. e acquisition also expands Current’s base of distribution partnerships and speci c agent networks for the de ned businesses and brands, the company says.

training center.

In October BMW Group made a monster announcement when it unveiled plans to invest $1 billion in Plant Spartanburg and another $700 million in a new site in Woodruff. The Spartanburg investment will prepare the plant for the production of electric vehicles. The Woodruff facility will produce high-voltage batteries for the six models of BMWs to be built eventually in the United States.

“Our theme at Plant Spartanburg is ‘Building Our Legacy, Driving Our Future,’” Engelhorn said in the release.

“The year 2022 has continued our storied legacy, and now an exciting part of our future is beginning as we start production of our BMW XM. Our commitment to South Carolina and the United States is stronger than ever.”

In April, BMW Manufacturing donated $1.25 million to restore and preserve eight acres of urban wetlands at Unity Park in Greenville.

In September, the company celebrated

the 30th anniversary of groundbreaking for the plant, the production of vehicle No. 6 million, and the opening of a $100 million logistics center. A week later, Plant Spartanburg opened a $20 million

Over the last 30 years, the BMW Group has invested nearly $12 billion in Spartanburg County operations. Nearly 60% of the vehicles assembled by the plant’s 11,000 workers are exported to 120 markets around the world.

A BMW Associate works on the kidney grill of the new BMW XM. (Photo/Fred Rollison)

Mayor Knox White is there as Current unveils its sign at the former Hubbell Lighting. (Photo/Krys Merryman)

By Krys Merryman kmerryman@scbiznews.com

After 17 years of building a restaurant empire in Greenville, the Rick Erwin Dining Group celebrated the opening of its eighth restaurant, The Vista, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 17.

e casual dining neighborhood restaurant, which is named a er Greenville’s historic Alta Vista neighborhood, is located at 2017 Augusta St. and is a unique concept compared to the other Rick Erwin locations — from the interior and exterior to the menu. It opened three weeks ago a er only a few weeks of construction.

“It was already a beautiful restaurant,” said Michael Ivey, partner in Rick Erwin Dining Group.

Rick Erwin, namesake of the group said, “We are always trying to grow our restaurants. We don’t have a number in mind we are trying to achieve, but what we are trying to achieve is surrounding ourselves with great talent and providing a high-end product at the end of the day. We have a good reputation in the community to be able to provide that experience. is is the ultimate neighborhood restaurant. A er three weeks, and the feedback we have received from customers, it’s o to a tremendous

start.”

ey love the opportunity to design new restaurants, said Ivey, but this one was a little di erent — and special — because it represents the neighborhood Erwin and Ivey both reside in.

“It’s a fun experience,” he said. “We both live in this neighborhood, and we knew coming into it we would know a lot of the people coming in to dine with us, like a true neighborhood establishment.”

Although this is the eighth Rick Erwin restaurant to open in Greenville, only ve are currently operating. Saltwater Kitchen at Haywood Mall closed earlier this month, and a er 12 years of operation, Rick Erwin’s Nantucket Seafood, is relocating from its Main@Broad location since February. Rick Erwin’s rst restaurant, which is still in business, was West End Grille.

“We have sticks in the re,” Erwin said, when asked if there are more plans in the work for additional restaurants.

“Stay tuned.”

Right now, their focus is to nd real estate to relocate Nantucket’s Seafood, said Erwin, but there have been some challenges, especially construction costs.

restaurant, we know that,” he added.

Opened with a goal of being a neighborhood eatery, The Vista is a departure from the Rick Erwin Dining Group’s usual restaurant. (Photo/Provided)

pany realized they may have to change the way they grow, which is why e Vista was created in a former restaurant space requiring minimal construction or renovation.

“We have grown to that point with only new builds,” he added. “ is may

“We want to keep it where people know to look for it, and that’s been part of the challenge,” he added.

e opening ceremony was conducted by the Greenville Chamber.

“Our vision is to be a globally competitive Upstate economy where busi-

Vital SC port celebrates railroad expansion in Greer

By Krys Merryman kmerryman@scbiznews.com

The S.C. Ports Authority along with elected leaders and community partners celebrated an expansion of the state’s railroad system with a ceremony on Nov. 18. They also touted the next phase of expansion that will double cargo capacity at Inland Port Greer.

As one the eight largest inland ports in the country, Inland Port Greer is a railserved inland port facility in the Upstate. Owned and operated by S.C. Ports, the port extends the Port of Charleston’s reach by 212 miles, putting goods that much closer to other parts of the country.

e ongoing expansion of Inland Port Greer supports the supply chains of port-dependent businesses and drives economic growth in the Upstate, according to SCPA.

“Nine years into operations, we are thrilled to be expanding the cargo capacity and rail capabilities at Inland Port Greer to better serve our customers’ supply chains,” S.C. Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “We are proud to play a role in supporting Upstate companies’ success. e growth of Inland Port Greer has truly been on the fast track.”

Inland Port Greer opened in 2013 with BMW Manufacturing Co. as the launch customer. e port quickly surpassed initial design capacity estimates, accord-

ing to an SCPA news release. In scal year 2022, Inland Port Greer handled more than 150,000 rail li s — meaning 150,000 containers were moved on or o Norfolk Southern trains, the release said.

“ e bustling logistics hub now moves cargo for numerous companies, including BMW, Michelin, Adidas, Eastman, First Solar, TTI Floorcare and Visual Comfort & Co.,” the release said.

Inland Port Greer operates 24/7 and runs similarly to a container terminal, with operators moving containers on and o trains instead of ships.

“Before this facility opened, one truck driver could go to Charleston and back in a day,” said Inland Port Greer Terminal Manager Will Angelich. “Now that same truck driver can come here ve to 10 times a day to load and unload containers. Inland Port Greer provides e ciencies and reliability for companies’ supply chains. I am very proud of our team of 60-plus people for their dedication to keeping the supply chain uid.”

e consistent growth of port customers spurred the expansion of Inland Port Greer, while global supply chain challenges reinforced the need for more capacity, the release said.

e rst phase of expansion was building an additional rail processing track and two rail storage tracks within the terminal. e addition of 8,000 feet of new rail will meet cargo demands

through 2040, according to the release. e additions have been in the works for more than a year, and the rail expansion has been completed, said Melvin.

“We are continuing to invest in critical port infrastructure around the state to provide more connectivity, capacity and uidity for our customers,” Melvin said. “Our infrastructure investments help Upstate companies be successful, which supports new jobs and opportunities in the region.”

e next phase of expansion involves expanding the container yard by 15 acres to the east and the west to handle 50% more cargo.

e expansion also includes doubling the size of the existing chassis yard capacity and building new facilities for heavy li maintenance and terminal operations. e full project is slated for completion in winter 2024 or early 2025.

“We are chugging right along,” said Melvin. “South Carolina Ports is proud to operate in the city of Greer. is city has partnered with us every step of the way as we developed and grew the inland port.”

e more than $30 million expansion is funded by both S.C. Ports’ revenues and a portion of a $25 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant. e grant was awarded to the S.C. Department of Transportation for its Upstate Express Corridor Program, according to the release.

With the support of the S.C. Legislature, S.C. Ports is also building the Navy Base Intermodal Facility in North Charleston. is rail-served cargo yard will move more cargo to and from Inland Port Greer and Inland Port Dillon, eciently transporting goods throughout the state.

e Navy Base Intermodal Facility will be served by Norfolk Southern, CSX and Palmetto Railways when it opens in July 2025. e modern cargo yard will sit one mile from Leatherman Terminal to ensure speed-to-market for port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast, the release said.

Greer Mayor Rick Danner said there is no shortage of theories about the secret combination for a city’s success.

“Some experts argue that geography matters more than ever, and the city’s success depends on physical capital and authentic placemaking,” said Danner.

“While others would submit, cities must build human capital and creative talent. Some would insist that social capital and economic opportunity are what ultimately de ne the soul of the city. Each of these theories alone is wrong. A successful city must have all these elements.”

Melvin said it’s critical to continue to invest in the ports’ infrastructure to remain competitive.

Greer

“As we expand capacity in the Upstate with Inland Port Greer, we are also expanding capacity in the Lowcountry with the new Navy base,” Melvin added.

e S.C. Legislature along with Gov. Henry McMaster also fueled the project with a $400 million investment, said Melvin.

“ is investment in Charleston will support the Upstate as we move more cargo by rail,” she said.

More than half of the state’s port economic impact already occurs in the Upstate.

e timely projects will only strengthen the state’s supply chains and bring continued success to the state, Melvin said.

“We are grateful to our leadership for understanding what South Carolina needs to be successful,” she added.

A er three decades of service with the S.C. Department of Transportation, Transportation Secretary Christy Hall said infrastructure means so much more than roads and bridges today.

“I recognize that to be successful it takes partnerships to get the job done,” said Hall. “We look forward to continuing that partnership (with S.C. Ports), whatever the needs are to keep that infrastructure investment advancing in our state to keep us on that leading edge.”

S.C. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette said the ports are essential to the state’s success, because they attract businesses to the

state by enabling them to get their goods out quickly.

“And having the only port of this size being operated by a woman is amazing for South Carolina,” she added. “ e governor and I are committed to growing South Carolina, to continue growing our ports, and what you see here is the exact

Congressman William Timmons, U.S. representative for South Carolina’s 4th congressional district, said the state and its growth is successful because of the leadership in place. For decades, S.C. leadership has ensured competitiveness in the global economy, he said.

“We have tens of thousands of people moving here from all over the country,” said Timmons. “ at’s because it’s a wonderful place to run a business, to raise a family, and our environment is incredible, and these are not by chance.”

e port is a critical component to that competitiveness, he added.

team that can get that done.”

Ports and elected officials celebrate Friday’s announcement about the expansion of Inland Port Greer. (Photo/Krys Merryman)

Unity Park tower named after $1M gift from Wong family

By Krys Merryman kmerryman@scbiznews.com

A$1 million donation from longtime Greenville philanthropists and entrepreneurs is one of Unity Park’s largest donations to date — a gift that led to the naming of a tower that will be built at the park.

e city of Greenville hosted an event at Avenue on ursday to recognize omas and Vivian A. Wong’s donation to the Honor Tower at Unity Park, which is a 125-foot structure that will be dedicated to military veterans and rst responders.

Greenville Mayor Knox White announced the donors and their donation at the ceremony, with more than 100 guests in attendance, also unveiling the tower’s o cial name: e omas and Vivian A. Wong Honor Tower.

Vivian Wong and her daughter, Madina Cauthen, were honored at the ceremony. Unfortunately, omas Wong died following a COVID diagnosis while Vivian Wong lost her ability to speak from the same debilitating virus.

“Being American really meant a lot to them,” said Cauthen. “And I think the vision behind what the Honor Tower stands for was important to them. Greenville needs a place where they can honor rst responders and veterans, and

it will be a place of honor.”

e total cost of the tower project is $11 million — $5.5 million in private funding, and $5.5 million in city funding. ere is no set date on when work will begin on the project.

e Wongs moved to South Carolina from Hong Kong nearly six decades ago.

During this time, they had built a restaurant business from scratch, starting in Greenville with the rst Dragon Den location, and then became successful businesspeople by investing in hotels, industrial projects and international business ventures in the city.

“ ey channeled their success into the community and played a pivotal role in changing the face of downtown Greenville,” said a Hughes Agency new release. “ ey have given generously over the decades, including donating the land for the Cancer Survivors Park and the Patewood Medical Campus.”

Vivian Wong has also served on the Greenville Tech Foundation’s advisory board, supported community-focused charities like Goodwill, and as South Carolina’s honorary trade ambassador, appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley.

“Vivian and omas Wong’s story epitomizes the American Dream,” said White in the release. “As immigrants in Greenville in the 1960s, they embraced our city – integrated, built businesses

and gave back. ey seized every opportunity to be successful and contribute. eir philanthropic and community spirit ties in beautifully to what we’re building at Unity Park and the Honor Tower which sits at the heart of it. We are truly grateful for their generosity.” e Honor Tower will be constructed just south of the Reedy River, between what used to be Mayberry and Meadowbrook parks. e site location — between the two historically segregated parks — underscores the park’s symbol of unity.

“When Mayor White approached Vivian to share the vision for the Honor Tower, there was no question she was committed,” the release said. “A er surveying the sponsorship opportunities, she was quick to pledge $1 million for the tower.”

Mary Duckett, Southernside Neighborhood Association president said at the ceremony when it comes to the city’s rst responders, it’s important to remember they are out there every day protecting the city and its residents.

“ e o cers get out there every day, should we not want to have something in our city to honor them when they do so much for us?” she said.

Duckett also told the story of when, in the very place this tower will stand, the days of segregation between Mead-

owbrook and Mayberry Parks occurred.

“ e last ve letters of ‘community’ is unity,” she said. “So, this day is a great day not only for me but for future generations to understand the meaning of being uni ed as a community.”

e diversity seen in the park since its opening has continued every week, and it’s a wonderful thing to see, said White.

Other Honor Tower at Unity Park contributors include Sharon and Heather Carlton, Erik Weir and AT&T.

e 60-acre Unity Park on the west side of Greenville includes the protection and enhancement of the Reedy River and restoration of the historic Mayberry Park, along with playgrounds, pedestrian bridges, walking trails and welcome center. Its design follows more than a decade of community engagement, including meetings with the surrounding neighborhoods.

“In doing this, I think we are all recognizing what we mean to each other (as a community),” said WYFF 4 News Anchor Jane Robelot at the ceremony. “ at’s what Unity Park is all about. It’s such a gi to our whole community. Unity Park is where the City of Greenville chose to rewrite decades-old wrongs.”

Reach Krys at 864-640-4418.

Focus

NEXT ISSUE’S FOCUS: Workforce/Sta ing

City and private sector work together to build better in West Columbia

By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com

Plots of land near the Congaree River in West Columbia that just a little over a decade ago were vacant patches of dirt have been transformed into vibrant new places for local residents to live, work, shop and play in the city’s growing River District, thanks to the willingness of city officials and a local real estate firm to work together.

It’s a partnership that now is resulting in additional development elsewhere in the city, including the recently announced Langley Pointe project, a $60 million mixed-use development located near Lexington Medical Center o the high-tra c U.S. Highway 378 corridor.

NAI Columbia, the real estate rm that has worked with West Columbia on the redevelopment project from its beginning, recently closed a $3.75 million deal that will become the residential side of Langley Pointe.

e 38-acre development will feature one, two and three-bedroom apartments, some with direct access to garages. Other amenities will include a clubhouse, co-working space, resort-style swimming pool, community pavilion, outdoor kitchen, pet spa and a pet park.

Lead developers for the Langley Pointe project are Fickling and Co. of Macon, Ga., and Novare Group of Atlanta, with co-sponsor BCDC of Atlanta. Classic Plains is the general contractor for the project, while SGN + A is the architect. e rst units are expected to be available by February 2024.

City o cials and team members from NAI Columbia say Langley Pointe is a direct result of years of collaboration that resulted in the transformation of the River District.

“Work on the River District area really dates back to the late ‘90s when the city rst made a concrete decision to start acquiring property near the Gervais Street Bridge and create a gateway development to attract people to West Columbia,” said Patrick Chambers of NAI Columbia’s development team. “It’s really been a process that’s developed over the past 25 years.”

Although the project was years in the making, the core work on the River District has taken place in the past four years, building on the city’s 2018 citywide redevelopment plan which focused on making the city a destination instead of simply what o cials called a “passthrough from Columbia to Lexington.”

Chambers, along with fellow NAI staers Ben Kelly and Jack Springs, has worked closely with the city in the redevelopment of the RIver District, representing the city both in the purchase of prime parcels of land where the district’s key projects are

located and in the sale of the parcels to their current owners.

ose parcels include the four-acre Brookland Complex, a mixed-use area that o cials credit with kicking o the entire area’s redevelopment.

“We saw that area as being right as a catalyst for both economic growth and development for West Columbia decades ago,” said Brian Carter, West Columbia’s city administrator. “We knew if we could do something right there at the gateway coming across the Gervais Street bridge we could create excitement in that area and use it to grow other areas of the city. We knew that we could turn an area that was essentially a dirt parking lot into a neighborhood.”

West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles said the Brookland Complex enabled the city to add both residential and retail property that would attract new people to the area and allow them to experience already existing downtown businesses that had

PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP feels like Home

been local favorites for decades, such as popular Italian restaurant Al’s Upstairs and Cafe Strudel, a popular brunch and dessert spot.

“We’ve had high standards from the beginning for what we wanted in that area – we knew what kind of development we wanted and what we didn’t want,” Miles said.

e Brookland Complex, located in the area directly across from the Congaree River and Riverwalk in West Columbia, combines residential, retail, dining and entertainment opportunities for the community.

It includes the Brookland apartments, the Black Rooster, a casual French-inspired restaurant with a roo op bar, and businesses such as the Gentlemen’s Quarter Barbershop, Select Physical erapy and e WRKT, a pilates studio.

Once the Brookland Complex was complete, other projects quickly followed. One of the biggest was the addition of Savage Cra Ale Works, a veteran-owned brewery at 430 Center St. e addition of Savage CRa was the result of research by NAI’s team and the city in an e ort to bring a brewery to the River District because of the positive results other cities saw when they added a brewery to their downtown business mix.

City o cials were able to take advantage of one of the neighborhood’s historic buildings through what is known as an adaptive reuse preservation project, enabling the brewery to go into the location of the city’s former city hall and re station.

e district’s redevelopment also includes plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities, including Carraway Community Park, an all-inclusive playground that allows safe play for children with a range of disabilities,

West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles said the city took its time and held out for the right kind of development to help the area grow in a positive way as more residents move into the town. (Photo/NAI Columbia)

UPSTATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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

Publix and Shops

4400 Highway 9, Boiling Springs

Developer/owner: Carolina Holdings Inc., Greenville Architects: Hiscutt & Associates Inc., Alpharetta, Ga.

General contractor: McCrory Construction LLC Engineers: Lowndes Engineering, Grayson, Ga. (structural); Savant Engineers, Sandy Springs, Ga. (electrical); Atwell LLC, Lawrenceville, Ga. (civil); Am Cerra Mechanical Engineering, Atlanta, Ga. (mechanical/ plumbing)

Estimated completion date: first quarter of 2023

Description: McCroy was selected to construct this Publix-anchored shopping center as part of a new development on 17 acres in Boiling Springs. The project scope includes site work, a 47,240-square-foot Publix with two retail buildings, approximately 6,450 square feet each.

Anderson University Football Operations Building

718 Gossett St., Anderson

Developer/owner: Anderson University

Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Spartanburg General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville

Engineers: SWA, Greenville (civil); Bailey and Son Engineering, Greenville (structural)

Estimated completion date: June 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $16.2 million

Clemson University Memorial Stadium Renovations

301 Centennial Boulevard, Clemson

Owner: Clemson University

Architects: LS3P Associates, Greenville

Project manager: Brasfield & Gorrie, Greenville

General contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie, Greenville

Engineers: Land Planning Associates Inc. (civil), AECOM & LBYD Engineers (structural), RMF Engineering (MEP and fire protection), Jonathan CECI (landscape architects)

Completion date: August 2022

Estimated total cost of project: $32.3 million

The Memorial Stadium Renovation at Clemson University is a 24,000-square-foot renovation of the existing Masters Club and football stadium on Clemson’s main campus. It includes an addition of premium seating and club spaces, fan experience upgrades, a new videoboard, and ADA accessibility and seating.

Description: Anderson University selected Hogan Construction and McMillan Pazdan Smith to provide preconstruction and construction management services for their 45,000 square-foot Football Operations Building. The new state-of-the-art operations facility will be located on the Campus Athletic Complex and will house locker rooms, meeting rooms, coaches' o ices, and a sports medicine center.

Star EV Headquarters & Manufacturing Expansion

378 Neely Ferry Road, Simpsonville

Developer/owner: Star EV Real Estate LLC

Architects:LS3P Associates, Greenville

General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville

Engineers: SWA, Greenville (Civil); Arrowood & Arrowood, Greenville (Structural)

Tharp, Williamston (Plumbing); Walker & Whiteside, Greenville (Electrical)

Estimated completion date: February 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $8.3 million

Description: Hogan has partnered with Star EV to deliver Design-Build services. The specialized electric vehicle manufacturer will receive a new 17,000-square-foot two-story headquarters and a 42,000-square-foot manufacturing addition that will house the assembly of LSVs, golf carts, oroad carts, and other recreational vehicles.

Estimated completion date: September 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $11.8 million

Easley YMCA at the McKissick Campus

200 Frank Parrott Rd., Easley

Developer/owner: Pickens County Young Men’s Christian Association Architects: SGA NarmourWright Design, Greenville General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville Engineers: Land Planning Associates, Easley (Civil); Fuller Consulting, Greenville (Structural)

Description: A new 50,467 square foot YMCA will replace the current dated facility and incorporate state-of-the-art cardio and strength centers, dedicated group exercise and spin rooms, as well as a training room. The full-court basketball gym will have an elevated walking track that will include an enclosed indoor slide down to the lobby. The current Y building will be transformed into a child development center and an adjacent senior center during the second phase of construction.

Sunny Days Headquarters and Logistics Center

135 Owings Park Blvd., Gray Court

Developer/owner: Sunny Days Entertainment Architects: SGA NarmourWright Design, Greenville General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville Engineers: Thomas & Hutton, Greenville (civil); Structural Systems, Easley (structural)

General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville

Engineers: Seamon Whiteside, Greenville (Civil); Structural Systems, Easley (Structural)

Estimated completion date: May 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $17.9 million

Description: Located on more than 22 acres in Duncan's Hillside Industrial Park, the new Class A speculative industrial building will be rear-loading featuring 62 dock doors. The structure will be composed of conventional steel with concrete tilt-wall panels and a mechanically fastened TPO roof system.

CurTec

365 Oconee Business Parkway, Westminster

Developer/owner: Agracel, Greenville / CurTec, Somerset, N.J.

Architects: LS3P, Greenville

General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville Engineers: BGE, Charlotte (civil); Arrowood & Arrowood, Greenville (structural)

Estimated completion date: April 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $5.8 million

Description: CurTec, a Dutch packaging company, has established its first U.S. location in Oconee County.

The new operations facility will include 4,000 square feet of o ice/support space in addition to 29,600 square feet of production space.

Genesis of Greer Dealership

13730 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greer

Developer/owner: JBM Leasing Center

Architects: Langley & Associates, Greer

Estimated completion date: January 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $12.8 million

Description: The new headquarters for a leading supplier, distributor, and manufacturer of children’s toys consists of 206,816 square feet of tilt-wall warehouse space and 11,000 square feet of o ice space. Located on 20.7 acres in the Owings Industrial Park, it includes employee parking, truck courts, docks, a management pond, and utilities as required. Open workspaces, o ices, conference rooms, team/collaboration rooms, a kitchen, breakroom, and storage space are included in the o ice area.

Impact Housing

444 Oconee Business Parkway, Westminster

Developer/owner: Impact Housing Group Architects: MCA Architecture, Greenville

General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville Engineers: Thomas & Hutton, Greenville (civil); Arrowood & Arrowood, Greenville (structural)

Estimated completion date: October 2022

Estimated total cost of project: $3.7 million

General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville Engineers: Thomas & Hutton, Greenville (civil); Palmetto Structural, Taylors (structural)

Description: Next to the recently completed Hyundai of Greer, construction is in progress on the new Genesis facility. The automotive dealership will be equipped with a modern sales showroom, contemporary customer lounges, o ices, and a spacious maintenance service area.

Estimated completion date: August 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $15.6 million

Description: Hogan was chosen by Impact Housing, a producer of modular homes, to provide design-build services for their new facility. It will include 160,000 square feet of warehouse space with loading docks, overhead doors, storage and bridge crane systems and 10,000 square feet of administrative operations.

1240 Howell Road, Duncan

Developer/owner:

St. Mary’s Gymnasium Addition

111 Hampton Ave., Greenville

Developer/owner: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greenville

Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville

General contractor: Triangle Construction Co. Inc., Greenville

Engineers: Site Design Inc., Greenville, (civil); Britt Peters & Associates, Greenville (structural); LeBlanc Welch, Greenville (plumbing, mechanical); Burdette Engineering, Greenville (electrical)

Estimated completion date: October

Estimated total cost of project: $4,655,364

Description: This project includes the new construction of and addition to the existing Monsignor Baum Gymnasium at St. Mary's Catholic Church in downtown Greenville. The addition will include an entrance lobby, a basketball/volleyball court, and a vestibule connecting the existing gym with the new one. The exterior will be clad in brick veneer to match the existing and all features will tie in with the Architectural aesthetics of St. Mary's Catholic Church and School.

Emory Hillside 290

Suncap Property Group LLC, Charlotte Architects: Lindsey Architecture, Greensboro, N.C.

Estimated total cost of project: $6 million

West Alexander & Wilson Creek WWTP 225 Joe Bernat Drive, Greenwood

Developer/owner: Greenwood Metropolitan District, Greenwood Project manager: Harper General Contractors

General contractor: Harper General Contractors Engineers: Goodwyn Mills Cawood, Greenville

Estimated completion date: February 2023

Description: The project includes improvements to West Alexander WWTP increasing their capacity to handle up to 14MGD, including new headworks, a new Intermediate pump station, and upgrades throughout. The project also consists of replacing three new screw pumps at the nearby Wilson Creek WWTP

United Community Bank Headquarters 200 E. Camperdown Way, Greenville

Developer/owner: The Furman Co., Greenville Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville Project manager: Harper General Contractors, Greenville General contractor: Harper General Contractors, Greenville Engineers: Britt Peters & Associates, Greenville (civil, structural), RMF Engineering, Charleston (mechanical, electrical, plumbing)

Estimated completion date: December 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $50 million

Description: This project is new construction and sitework for the United Community Bank Headquarters building in downtown Greenville. The building is three floors of parking structure and four floors of o ice space with a two-story branch attached, which is approximately 198,000 square feet. The building is set on deep foundations and entire frame is cast in place concrete structure. The exterior will consist of curtainwall/storefront, terracotta rain screen, ACM, and a green screen.

D5 Middle School 221 Gin House Road, Spartanburg

Developer/owner: Spartanburg School District Five, Spartanburg Architects: LS3P Associates, Greenville

Project manager: Harper General Contractors, Greenville General contractor: Harper General Contractors, Greenville

Engineers: Seamon Whiteside, Greenville (civil), Burdette Engineering, Greenville (electrical), Crow & Bulman Engineering, Spartanburg (mechanical, plumbing) Arrowood & Arrowood Greenville (structural)

Estimated completion date: November 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $54 million

Description: This school is a ground-up build on a 36-acre Greenfield site adjacent to the existing Abner Creek Academy. The middle school will have a 700-student capacity and 900-student core with a square footage of approximately 140,000 square feet. The structure is a hybrid structural system of concrete masonry bearing and structural steel with metal studs in o ices and most classrooms. The site will have vehicular access, bus access, parking lots, and playing fields.

Bridgeway Station - Building A 2 Centerpointe Boulevard, Simpsonville

Developer/owner: Hughes Investments, Greenville Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville Project manager: Harper General Contractors, Greenville General contractor: Harper

General Contractors, Greenville

Engineers: Site Design, Inc., Greenville (civil); Britt Peters & Associates, Greenville, (structural); LWI Consulting Engineers, Greenville (mechanical, plumbing); Carolina Engineering Solutions, Greenville (electrical, civil)

Estimated completion date: December 2022

Estimated total cost of project: $29 million

Description: Bridgeway Station Building A is a design-build tilt wall building that features over 30,000sf of retail space on the first floor and 163 apartment units above for a total of nearly 200,000 square feet of space. This six-story tilt-up construction will be the first of its kind in the Upstate. The building will be clad with a mix of brick and stone exhibiting the look and feel of walking through an Italian village.

Exchange Two

General Contractors, Greenville

Estimated completion date: January 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $18.2 million

120

Exchange Logistics Park Drive, Piedmont

Developer/owner: VanTrust Real Estate, LLC, Greenvile

Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville

Project manager: Harper General Contractors, Greenville General contractor: Harper

Engineers: SeamonWhiteside, Greenville (civil); LJB, Inc., Miamisburg, OH (structural); LeBlanc Welch Inc., Consulting Engineers, Greenville (mechanical); Walker & Whiteside Electrical Contractors (electrical)

Description: This project includes new construction and site work for a speculative warehouse space. The 348,268 SF is built using tilt-up concrete construction and joist and deck roof framing. This building provides a cross dock system that allows for expedited material handling and is set up to receive multiple tenants. Finishes and extras include painted concrete walls, additional warehouse light fixtures, and dock levelers. The site includes concrete apron and dolly pads to allow for more durable surface

Broadview Greenville

301 E. Broad St., Greenville

Developer/owner: Broad Street Holdings LLC, Greenville

Architects: Johnston Design Group LLC, Greenville

Project manager: Triangle Construction Company Inc., Greenville

General contractor: Triangle Construction Company Inc., Greenville

Engineers: SeamonWhiteside, Greenville (landscape architect); Darrohn Engineering LLC, Greenville (civil); Arrowood & Arrowood, Greenville (structural)

Estimated completion date: August 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $21,734,357

Description: Broadview Greenville will be comprised of 38 luxury residential units spanning five floors above 2 levels of enclosed parking. Currently under construction, the podium-style design allows for optimum use of the site including a community patio/fire pit area and extensive landscape design. Inside, units will feature 10-foot ceilings, study/o ice rooms, detailed molding throughout, white oak hardwoods, custom closet systems, and custom cabinetry in the kitchens.

Exchange Three

110 Exchange Logistics Park Drive, Piedmont

Developer/owner: VanTrust Real Estate

Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville

Project manager: Harper General Contractors, Greenville

General contractor: Harper General Contractors, Greenville

Engineers: SeamonWhiteside, Greenville (civil); LJB Inc., Miamisburg, Ohio (structural); LeBlanc Welch Inc., Consulting Engineers, Greenville (mechanical); Walker & Whiteside Electrical Contractors, Greenville (electrical)

Estimated completion date: January 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $8.65 million

Description: This project includes new construction and site work for a speculative warehouse space. The 157,212 square feet is built using tilt- up concrete construction and joist and deck roof framing. This building is set up to be subdivided and receive multiple tenants. Finishes and extras include painted concrete walls, additional warehouse light fixtures, and dock levelers. The site includes a concrete apron to allow for more durable surfaces for working and storage.

Emergency Department Expansion & Renovation 298 Memorial Drive, Seneca

Developer/owner: Prisma Health System, Oconee Memorial Hospital, Seneca Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville

Project manager: Upstate A iliate Organization, dba Prisma Health System, Greenville

General contractor: Triangle Construction Co. Inc., Greenville

Engineers: Site Design Inc, Greenville (civil); Forma Structural Consulting, Greenville (structural); Smith Seckman Reid Inc., Nashville, Tenn. (plumbing, mechanical, electrical)

Estimated completion date: January 2024

Estimated total cost of project: $9,658,449

Description: Oconee Memorial Hospital is currently under contract with Triangle for an expanded and renovated Emergency Department. The expansion is more than doubling the space available to treat patients with a footprint going from 8,400 square feet to 21,500 square feet; includes new treatment rooms, advanced technology and equipment, a new entrance, triage, and care initiation rooms, and expanded support areas including a larger nurses' station, physicians' area, and storage space to streamline work processes.

Kimpton Hotel & Residences 100 N. Markley St., Greenville

Developer/owner: Hostmark Hospitality Group, Schaumburg, Ill.

Architects: Nichols Architects, Miami

General contractor: Killian Construction Engineers: McLeod Landscape Architects LLC (landscape); Johnson Nathan Strohe (interior); JGP Engineering Group PA, MEP; G.F. Consulting Engineers Inc. (structural)

Description: This project is inspired by Greenville’s historical buildings and urban fabric. The building recessed its facades, taking advantage of the sloping streets to allow pedestrians to discover underground levels from the sidewalk. The ground floor creates a secondary relationship with the building at an intimate scale, welcoming people into the envelope. Materials are consistent with natural and raw materials like steel frames, bricks and mortar, typical of Greenville’s West End historic landscape.

Global Commerce Park Building 3, 560 Commerce Park Drive, Greer Building 2, 369 Global Court, Greer

Developer/Owners: Cothran Properties, GCP Building 2 and CCP Building 3

Architect: David M. Simpson

General contractor: Trehel Corp. Engineer: Arbor Land Design

Completion dates: GCP Building 2, December (tenant upfits); Building 3, March 2023 (shell building)

These are Class A multi-tenant industrial buildings. GCP Building 3 is 140,636 square feet and is now being pre-leased. GCP Building 2 is 82,050 square feet and is fully leased.

Anderson Blood Connection Donor Center 101 Hanna Crossing, Anderson

Developer/owner: The Blood Connection, Piedmont Architect: Radium Architecture, Greenville General contractor: Trehel Corporation, Greenville Engineers: Ridgewater Engineering & Surveying (civil), Britt, Peters and Assoc. (structural), MCG Mechanical (mechanical), Carolina Engineering (electrical), John Hipsher (plumbing engineering)

Estimated completion date: May 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $1,650,000

Description: This Project will be The Blood Connection's 15th Community Donation Center. This ground-up construction includes sitework, wood frame construction on a concrete slab with storefront windows. The exterior will feature awnings over the entries and some of the windows. The welcoming interior will provide 10 comfortable donor beds overseen by centrally located sta . The building's support space will allow this center to, also, base a couple of its iconic “Blood Vessels” in the community.

Goodwill Industries Retail & Job Connection Facility

Chesnee Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith

Engineers: Burdette Engineering (electrical), Blue Water (civil), Stephens Engineering (mechanical and plumbing)

Currently construction is underway for this approximately 22,000-square-foot building in Chesnee. Housing both retail and job training/placement elements, it is modeled after similar buildings we completed in Greenville and Travelers Rest.

Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex 240 YMCA Circle, Clemson

Owner: Clemson University Architects: Land Planning Associates

Engineers: Burdette Engineering Inc. (electrical), Peritus Engineers & Associates (mechanical)

Description: Design completed for Softball Field 1, Davidson Field, and Entry Drive at the Clemson University Snow Family Outdoor Fitness & Wellness Complex in Clemson for installation of Musco Sports Lighting. Addition of two new service entrances, HVAC for Entry Guardhouse were also added to the scope.

Pendleton Street Baptist Church, West End Campus 123 Arlington Avenue, Greenville

Architects: Good City Architects

General contractor: WM Jordon Co. Inc. Engineers: Burdette Engineering Inc. (electrical), Peritus Engineers & Associates (mechanical and plumbing), Darrohn Engineering (civil), McLeod Landscape Architects. This project currently under construction is for the New West End Campus of Pendleton Street Baptist Church in Greenville. The campus will consist of an approximately 4,000-squarefoot, one story existing facility that will be renovated as o ices and meeting spaces, and a new two story, approximately 6,700-square-foot church facility with assembly space, lobby, toilets, elevator and meeting space.

Borden Mixed-Use Development

711 W. Washington St., Greenville

Developer/owner: The Furman Co., Greenville Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith

General contractor: Mavin Construction, Greenville Engineers: Carolina Engineering Solutions, Greenville (MEP); Thomas & Hutton, Greenville (civil); Arrowood & Arrowood, Greenville (structural)

Estimated completion date: Spring 2023 This exciting project looks to transform the old Borden Ice Cream building into a vibrant mixeduse facility. Located on W. Washington near Unity Park, this project will feature commercial units ranging from 2,000 to 20,000 square feet. Overall there is over 40,000 square feet of commercial space available. Outdoor social spaces link the various components together. The site is registered with the National Park Service and was originally home to the Greenville Ice Cream Co. starting in 1923.

Seneca Middle School 15440 Wells Highway, Seneca

Owner: School District of Oconee County Architects: Jumper Carter Sease, West Columbia General contractor: Trehel Corp., Greenville Engineers:  Jackson Civil Engineering, Lexington (civil); Johnson & King Engineers, Columbia (structural); Mechanical Design Inc., Columbia (mechanical and plumbing); Sims Group Engineers, Irmo (electrical)

Estimate completion date: December 2023 Trehel is honored to partner with the School District of Oconee County on the new 169,000-squarefoot Seneca Middle School. Our team is providing CM@Risk preconstruction and construction services for the 926-foot extended facility, which features three 200-foot wings for sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Amenities for the project include multiple classrooms, cafetorium, gymnasium, media center and spaces for several elective programs.

Tyger River Elementary School

12652 E. Wade Hampton Blvd., Duncan

Developer/owner: Spartanburg School District 5

Architects: LS3P Associates Ltd., Greenville

General contractor: Thompson Turner, Greenville Engineers: Seamon Whiteside, Spartanburg (civil); Arrowood & Arrowood, Greenville (structural); Crow and Bulman, Spartanburg (mechanical and plumbing; Burdette Engineering, Greenville (electrical)

Estimated completion date: August 2024

Estimated total cost of project: $47 million Description: 119,000 SF. Pre-K through 5th grade. The school and grounds utilize 45 acres of a greenfield site. The new school is meant to serve the district’s rapidly growing population.

Commercial Property Management Companies

Ranked by No. of Commercial Property Mana gers in the Greenville Area

The Burgess Co. LLC

37 Villa Road, Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29615

NAI Earle Furman

101 E. Washington St., Suite 400 Greenville, SC 29601

CBRE Inc. 355 S. Main St., Suite 70 Greenville, SC 29601

McDaniel & Co.

446 Oak Grove Road Spartanburg, SC 29301

Coldwell

117 Williams St. Greenville, SC 29601

Colliers International 55 E. Camperdown Way, Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29601

Spencer Hines Properties LLC

380 S. Pine St. Spartanburg, SC 29302

Wilson Kibler

13 E. Coffee St. Greenville, SC 29601

Cardinal Commercial Properties 100 Orchard Park Drive, Suite 26262 Greenville, SC 29616

Keith-Evans Real Estate LLC

1525 Skylyn Drive Spartanburg, SC 29307

M.S. Shore Company Inc. 904 N. Church St. Greenville, SC 29601

Avison Young - South Carolina Inc. 656 S. Main St., Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29601

Corporate

100 Corporate Drive Spartanburg, SC 29303

Covington Commercial Realty Inc.

109 Pilgrim Road, Suite A Greenville, SC 29607

Holder Properties Inc.

103 Aldridge Drive Greenville, SC 29607

Joyner Commercial: The Commercial Division of Berkshire Hathaway C. Dan Joyner, Realtors 230 Buist Ave. Greenville, SC 29609

864-672-6080 www.tbccre.com bill@tbccre.com

864-232-9040 www.naiearlefurman.com info@naiearlefurman.com

William A. Burgess 2009 7 9 324,822

Jonathan A. Good 1986 7 201 11,500,462

Flex, health care, income-producing, industrial, land, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

Agricultural, flex, health care, hotel, motel, incomeproducing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

864-527-6070 www.cbre.com/greenville Stephen B. Smith 1988 6 59 9,340,000 Flex, income-producing, industrial, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

864-576-4660 www.mcdanielandco.com billmcrltr@aol.com

864-250-4640 www.cbccaine.com dwhitfield@cbccaine.com

864-297-4950 www.colliers.com/en/united-states/cities/ greenville liz.mccar y@colliers.com

864-583-1001 www.spencerhines.com admin@spencerhines.com

864-679-8600 www.wilsonkibler.com alyse.howard@wilsonkibler.com

864-559-8227 www.cardinalcommercialproperties.net info@cardinalcommercialproperties.net

864-596-0631 www.keith-evans.com kkeith@keith-evans.com

864-235-3898 www.msshore.com msshore@msshore.com

864-334-4145 www.avisonyoung.us/web/greenville avisonyoungsouthcarolina@gmail.com

864-599-9900 www.corpctri85.com pweisman@corpctri85.com

864-483-8811 www.covingtoncom.com chris@covingtoncom.com

770-988-3126 www.holderproperties.com csmith@holderproperties.com

864-233-7724 www.joynercommercial.com mcarter@joynercommercial.com

William A. "Bill" McDaniel 1983 4 76 550,000

Industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

Brad Halter 1933 3 100 2,000,000 Flex, health care, income-producing, industrial, land, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

David M. Feild 1906 3 26 3,517,311

Flex, health care, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

Zach Hines, Lynn Spencer, Guy Harris 1986 3 22 210,000 Flex, health care, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

Ted Pitts Edward Wilson Givens B. Stewart 2011 3 3 50,000

Agricultural, flex, health care, hotel, motel, incomeproducing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

Robert Leland Brissie 2013 2 11 200,000

Kim N. Keith 2004 2 3 20,000

M.S. Shore 1985 2 30 850,000

Christopher B. Fraser 2013 1 47 560,038

Agricultural, flex, health care, hotel, motel, incomeproducing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

Agricultural, flex, health care, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

Agricultural, flex, health care, hotel, motel, incomeproducing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

Flex, health care, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

Andy Peake, Peter Weisman 1990 1 10 500,000

Flex, industrial, land, office, warehouse

Christopher E.

1991 1 5 80,000

Flex, income-producing, industrial, office, retail, warehouse

Chris Smith 1980 1 3 305,000 Office

Matt Carter Danny Joyner 1964 1 19 105,000

Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. For a full list of participating organizations, visit scbiznews.com/buy-business-lists. Although ever y effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.

Agricultural, flex, health care, hotel, motel, incomeproducing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

Banker Commercial Caine

Center / Peter Weisman / Kinney Hill Associates

Covington

Researched by Business Report staff

Estimated completion date: January 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $3.5 million

Stone Avenue Primary Care

1 East Stone Ave, Greenville

Developer/owner: Prisma Health, Greenville

General contractor: Cely, Greenville

Engineers: Newcomb & Boyd, Atlanta (MEP, fire protection); ADC, Greenville (structural); Site Design, Greenville (site, civil and landscape)

Renovation of an old Eckerd Building at the corner of Stone Avenue and N. Main Street to encompass a new primary care center close to downtown Greenville. The 11,800-square-foot renovation will house 18 exam rooms and a drive-thru pharmacy.

Clemson - Poe Indoor

Football Expansion

Perimeter Road, Clemson

Developer/owner: Clemson University Architects: Goodwyn Mills Cawood

Project manager: Mavin Construction General contractor: Mavin Construction Engineers: Michael M. Simpson, Carolina Engineering Solutions, Burdette Engineering

Estimated completion date: Nov. 15

Estimated total cost of project: $4,055,000

Prisma

Health Fountain Inn Primary Care

200 North Nelson Drive, Fountain Inn

Owner: Prisma Health, Greenville Architects: LS3P Associates Ltd., Greenville General contractor: Mavin Construction, Greenville Engineers: Newcomb & Boyd, Atlanta (MEP, fire protection); ADC, Greenville (structural); Site Design, Greenville (site, civil and landscape)

Estimated completion date: April 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $5.3 million

Description: Site-preparation construction on the permanent facility is already under way, with construction on the nearly 15,000-square-foot facility expected to be completed in mid-2022. The completed o ice will have 24 exam rooms and also house radiology services and a laboratory on-site. Once fully operational, the practice will be sta ed by up to 10 providers.

19 Blair

19 Blair St., Greenville

Developer/owner: Pintail Capital Architects: Stonecraft Studio 3 Project manager: Pintail Capital General contractor: Mavin Construction Engineers: Arrowwood & Arrowwood, McG Mechanical, CES Engineering, Freeland & Kau man LLC

Estimated completion date: Nov. 30

Estimated total cost of project: $1,490,000

Description: Complete renovation of an existing flex o ice building into a multi-tenant professional o ice building. The scope of work will provide complete replacement of the MEP systems, windows and exterior veneer surrounding the building. The interior spaces will be separated for each tenant and utilized a common front entry with shared conference, break area and meeting spaces. The site is being modified to support the intended use and meet compliance requirements within the city.

Centennial Ambulatory Surgery Center 64

Centennial Way, Greenville

Developer/owner: Prisma Health

Architects: Boulder & Associates

Project manager: Mavin Construction

General contractor: Mavin Construction

Engineers: SSR, Walter P Moore, Site Design, Anchor Planning, PAR Grading

Estimated completion date: May 1, 2024

Estimated total cost of project: $17 million

Description: Construction of a new 50,000-square-foot Ambulatory Surgery Facility on the existing GMACC Campus on Grove Rd. The upper floor of the facility will be built out to serve and support 6 new operating suites with patient intake and recovery functions within the same floor. The sterilization and surgical suites will also be located on the upper floor while the lower level is constructed as a shell only to provide space and readily available systems necessary to support additional growth or services added.

Description: The project scope includes the demolition of the existing roof and structure over the support spaces on the West End of the facility. The existing structure is being reinforced with piles to support the addition of an entire upper floor over the spaces. Renovation will re-purpose some existing spaces for new uses and the addition will include new egress stairs, a new locker room area, a new women's restroom, visitor's suite, NFL Scout O ices, video and photography studio w/ conference rooms.

Erchonia

114 Southchase Blvd., Greenville

Developer/owner: Erchonia Inc.

Architects: Stonecraft Studio 3 Project manager: Mavin Construction General contractor: Mavin Construction Engineers: Bluewater Civil, Bishop Mays Grading, Citadel, H2L, Engineering, H&W Electrical, Bank of Travelers Rest

Estimated completion date: Aug. 31, 2023

Estimated total cost of project: $6.7 million

Description: The complete site development and new build of Corporate O ice and Manufacturing space located in the Southchase Industrial Park. The building (22,500 sf) will be a tilt wall structure with the front half and an enhanced entry to provide the Corporate and Executive o ice functions while the rear portion of the building are related to shipping/receiving, assembly and manufacturing space. Erchonia manufactures medical grade lasers and is relocating their entire team to the Upstate.

Walter - Sandvik

1510 Batesville Rd. , Greer

Developer/owner: Walter USA LLC

Architects: Craig Gaulden Davis

Project manager: Mavin Construction General contractor: Mavin Construction Engineers: ADC Engineering, Fuller Group, Buford Go & Assoc.

Estimated completion date: Phase 1, Oct. 15

Estimated total cost of project: Phase 1, $2 million; Phase 2, $9 million

Description: Phase 1 includes renovation of 70,000-square-foot existing space to create a new Technology Center and support space to house demonstration equipment for clients/customers as well as upfit to the existing production area, o ices, and amenities space. Future phases are being developed but will include a new coatings and logistics areas as well as additional Sales o ice space, flex space, canteen, training rooms, and conference areas. Relocation of their USA Corporate HQ from Wisconsin to Greenville.

Work

People in the News

ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PR

BUSINESS DIGEST | PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

from Triangle in 2021 a er 57 years of employment. Bryant Nixon has been named president. Nixon joined Triangle as a project manager in 1998 and most recently worked as executive vice president. William Trammell has been promoted to executive vice president and secretary. He joined Triangle in 2006 and has served as vice president since 2014.

installed more than 50 art exhibitions across the Main, Community and Studio Artist Loft galleries during his five years with the center.

LAW

Crawford promoted Michelle Herring to associate media director and hired Natalie Richards as digital strategist. Herring has been with Crawford for more than six years and previously served as senior digital media strategist. Richards comes to Crawford with ve years of digital marketing experience.

Crawford hired Ted Rooke as client strategy director. Rooke has more than 20 years of agency experience and most recently served as the senior director of media strategy at In nity Marketing.

Waypost Marketing promoted Karen Leon to production designer. She joined Waypost in 2021 and previously worked as marketing coordinator.

e Brand Leader hired Richard George to lead its new public relations team. George brings more than 25 years of experience, including serving as a vice president in the New York o ce of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and as the U.S. director of business operations for Paris-based Publicis.

Waypost Marketing hired Rachel Allain as marketing coordinator. She has experience working with Auburn University and TTI.

Joel Sheets, senior vice president of operations at Tindall Corp.’s infrastructure group, was elected chair of the board of the National Precast Concrete Association. Sheets has been involved in both NPCA and the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) for more than a decade.

EDUCATION

e South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation announced four new members elected to its board of directors: Mindie deVeer, an arts advocate of Hilton Head Island; Brian Harris of Lexington, a senior IT auditor with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina; Fain McDaniel of Greenville, a retired partner at KPMG LLP; and Jonnika Wilson of Gastonia, N.C., senior HR analyst at e Timken Co.

Converse University announced three new members to its board of trustees: Chris Cannon, executive chairman of Cannon Roo ng; Paul J. Coté, president and CEO at Coté Color Corp.; and Stinson Woodward Ferguson, of counsel at e Anthony Law Firm.

HOSPITALITY

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A. hired Rob Tiro to work with its public finance and commercial real estate teams. He received his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Giles M. Schanen Jr., a partner in Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP’s Greenville office, was elected president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association. Schanen has been on the the association’s board of directors since 2012.

MANUFACTURING

The Power Transmission Distributors Association named Michael Cinquemani of Greenville the 31st recipient of its Warren Pike Award for lifetime achievement in the power transmission and motion control industry. Cinquemani is owner of Master Power Transmission.

NONPROFITS

Auro Hotels hired David Schaum as general manager at Hyatt Regency Greenville. Most recently, he was the general manager for the Hilton Washington Dulles.

The Salvation Army of Greenville hired Bea Walters Smith as community relations and development director. She has more than 25 years of experience in donor relations, fundraising and nonprofit development.

lead owner of the Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty soccer teams.

Brandy Singleton has been named executive director of PlaySafe. Singleton worked for 11 years at e United Way of Anderson County, serving as vice president of community impact and state director of the South Carolina Disaster Corps.

Better Business Bureau serving Upstate South Carolina announced the addition of Savanna James to its board of directors. James is the director of marketing for Guy Roo ng.

REAL ESTATE

Colliers South Carolina has brought in Rox Pollard III as a brokerage associate on the Colliers Retail Services Team. In his role, Pollard works with tenants, landlords, sellers and purchasers to lease, purchase and sell retail properties and also focuses on increasing the Colliers retail leasing and management portfolio. He graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a minor in nancial management.

Lynn Skidmore of Allen Tate Realtors’ downtown Greenville o ce, was named Realtor of the Year by the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors. Skidmore joined Allen Tate in 2022 following a 17-year career, including running her own real estate o ce as broker in charge.

CONSTRUCTION

Triangle Construction Co. Inc. named Tom Baer chairman of the board. Baer joined Triangle in 1985 as a eld engineer, was promoted to project manager in 1990, was named vice president in 1992 and CEO and COO in 2004. Tracy Pellett was named treasurer. She retired

Hotel Hartness named Tammi Johnson manager of Spa H, which is scheduled to open in late 2023. Johnson previously held the position of assistant spa director at the Old Edwards Inn & Spa in Highlands, N.C.

The Greenville Center for Creative Arts promoted Ben Tarcson to gallery director. Tarcson has coordinated and

March of Dimes recognized Greenville entrepreneur and philanthropist Joe Erwin at its 25th annual Greenville Real Estate & Economic Development Awards. This award honors an individual whose commercial real estate and economic development career and civic activities have significantly enhanced the community. Erwin is co-founder and former president of national marketing agency Erwin Penland (now EP+Co), the co-founder of Clemson University’s Erwin Center for Brand Communications, president of Erwin Creates, which owns coworking community Endeavor, and chair and

Allen Tate Realtors named Adam McCall regional vice president for the Upstate region, e ective Jan. 1. He most recently served as the company’s director of client relations.

Marchant Real Estate hired Vicki Galloway Roark. She has worked in real estate for four decades.

Marchant Real Estate hired Jessica Hall as director of strategic marketing. She has more than 15 years of experience in the construction, real estate and marketing industries.

Herring

Sheets

Tiro Schanen Jr. Hall

Skidmore

Singleton

Schaum

Richards

Leon George

Allain

Business Digest

Beverage store opens in Greenville

Bottles Beverage Superstore said it opened a Greenville at 7 Milestone Plaza, across from Lowes Foods on Pelham Road. e 15,000-square-foot store o ers wine, beer and spirits and includes a 32-tap growler station and weekly wine tastings.

with employees, customers and vendors. Recipients include A ordable Air Experts, Muncaster Financial Group, Champion Comfort Experts, Complete Heat and Air LLC, Cristina Ortiz State Farm Agency, Dillard-Jones Builders, Guy Roo ng Inc., J&P Park Acquisitions and ProGrin Dental.

at 212 Brandau Lane n Simpsonville. e development has 22 houses with four and ve-bedroom oor plans that range in size from 2,856 to 4,421 square feet. Eight homes are under contract pre-construction and the average sell price is $875,000, the company said.

contributions to the economy and their impacts on the community. e organization works closely with local business owners, trade groups and other advertising and marketing groups to determine which agency is the best t for an award.

New South acquires Florida supplier

Subaru dealership to support Mobile Meals

Vic Bailey Subaru announced Mobile Meals of Spartanburg as it hometown charity for the 2022 Subaru Share the Love Event. Mobile Meals serves the homebound in Spartanburg County with meals. As part of the fundraising event through Jan. 3, anyone who buys or leases a new Subaru can select Mobile Meals of Spartanburg or one of four national charities to receive a $250 donation from Subaru of America Inc. Vic Bailey Subaru will also donate an additional $50 to Mobile Meals of Spartanburg for each sold or leased vehicle. Additionally, for every Subaru vehicle routine service visit during the Share the Love Event, Vic Bailey Subaru will donate $5 to Mobile Meals of Spartanburg.

Cliffs announces record sale on Lake Keowee

Cli s Realty announced the sale of 107 Waterfern Court at e Landing at e Cli s at Keowee Springs for more than $6.2 million. Cli s said the sale marks the highest transaction ever recorded on Lake Keowee. e home was built by Dillard-Jones and sold by Zack omas. e 5,991-square-foot home has ve bedrooms, ve bathrooms and two half bathrooms.

ECPI recognized for supporting veterans

ECPI University announced its inclusion in the 2022 Best for Vets: Employers list by Military Times. e Military Times Best for Vets: Employers rankings are based on the results of a voluntary survey that covers a company’s policies and practices for current employees and future job seekers within the military community. ECPI University was one of ve educational institutions to make the employers list.

Bank of America supports Mill Village Ministries

New South Construction Supply LLC, a distributor of concrete and masonry construction products to commercial and residential general contractors and subcontractors, said it acquired Malone Steel Corp. based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Malone Steel will operate as New South Construction Supply – Ponte Vedra. Jeff Malone, president of Malone Steel, will remain with the organization and continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the business.

Lyons announces record quarterly sales

Lyons Industrial Properties said it $60 million in third quarter sales marked a company record. The company was founded in 1999 and has offices in Greenville and Spartanburg. Lyons specializes in leasing, sales and investments of warehouses, distribution and manufacturing facilities.

Bon Secours recognized by SCHA

SEC discusses basketball’s return to The Well

Bon Secours Wellness Arena and VisitGreenvilleSC recently welcomed Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey to Greenville to discuss the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament’s return to Greenville and e Well. e SEC signed a multi-year contract with e Well to host its Women’s Basketball Tournament in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Tickets to next year’s tournament taking place March 1-5 are on sale now at www. bonsecoursarena.com.

BBB announces ethics awards

Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Upstate South Carolina recognized nine Upstate companies as the winners of its Torch Awards for Ethics. Award nominees complete an application process evaluating the company’s demonstrated commitment to business practices that build trust

SCCF presents 17 grants

South Carolina Christian Foundation (SCCF) said it presented grants to 17 nonpro t organizations in Greenville and Anderson counties as part of its Community Trust Fund. Funding supported children’s evangelism, equipping and discipleship, addiction and recovery. For more information, visit www.sccfonline.org.

Bank of America named Mill Village Ministries its 2022 Neighborhood Champion in the Upstate. As part of the program, Mill Village Ministries will receive $50,000 in grant support and an opportunity for engagement in virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonpro t sector on topics like human capital management, increasing nancial sustainability and storytelling. Mill Village Ministries is a faith-based family of nonpro t enterprises that work on social justice, healthy food, bicycle access, youth employment and entrepreneurial training in Greenville.

Bon Secours said it received a 2022 Zero Harm Award from the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA). The awards recognized a commitment to eliminating medical errors and creating a culture of reliability. Zero Harm Awards were started in 2014 to recognize hospitals that have had extended harm-free periods in major areas of surgery and other common medical procedures. Bon Secours was specifically recognized with awards for hip replacement and abdominal hysterectomy.

Anderson native launches online store

Anderson native David Prince has opened Truman and Teddy, an online store selling handcrafted, elevated beds for dogs and cats. Prince is the former COO of a marketing firm and a partner in his family’s Upstate-based educational resource company. Truman and Teddy’s workshop is based in Anderson. For more information, visit www. TrumanandTeddy.com.

Countybank named top SBA lender

Countybank named top SBA lender

Durham Homes begins Simpsonville project

Durham Homes USA, operating partner of Broadstreet Inc., said it began construction of its Weatherstone community

Infinity Marketing recognized with award

In nity Marketing said it received the 2022 Best of Greenville Award in the Marketing category by the Greenville Award Program. e Greenville Award Program recognizes small business

e South Carolina District O ce of the U.S. Small Business Administration recently ranked Countybank No. 1 in total loan dollar volume for 2022 among all South Carolina-based SBA 7(a) lenders. Countybank also ranked No. 2 in South Carolina for loan dollar volume among 90 participating lenders during the scal year.

Jonathan Brashier, Beth Paul, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, Tiffany Daniels and Heath Dillard.

Band of Brothers, Calvary Children’s Home, LEAD Collective and His Turn Soccer.

Viewpoint

VIEWS, PERSPECTIVES AND READERS’ LETTERS

Make sure you know about the latest in changing Google ad landscape

Navigating and understanding marketing, much less Google Ads, can be overwhelming, especially for a small business owner whose attention is focused on running the day-to-day operations of their business. Without a good understanding of the various Google Ads options available, however, it becomes easy to miss a return on investment (ROI)based opportunity that might suit your business needs and marketing goals. With that in mind, let’s dive into a high-level view of Google Ads.

advertising, though, they come in a variety of styles, including Search Ads, Local Service Ads, Display Ads, and Performance Max Campaigns.

Search Ads are Google’s most wellknown Ad product. ey display as text that shows up at the top or bottom of a search page with a marked indicator stating “AD.” Most of us are familiar with Search Ads and we’re comfortable clicking through them to get to the answers we need. Search Ads operate on keywords and allow you to prioritize the exact words that connect to your business and your user.

i ed area and you only pay if a customer calls or messages you directly through the ad.

CHRIS MANLEY

Google Ads is Google’s online advertising platform, also known as pay-perclick (PPC) advertising. At its most basic level, Google Ads allows you to market your product or service on the Google Search Engine and its a liate sites. Google Ads target the 92.01% of internet users that use Google on a daily basis by showing them your ad on the keywords you choose.

ey’re fast, convenient, and a great digital alternative to traditional billboard advertising. Like traditional

When someone searches for plumbing services, for instance, the rst few options that appear are ads for various plumbing companies or home advisor companies who want to help you nd a plumber near you.  e user nds information that is helpful quickly and eciently and the business running the ad gets a new lead from showing up rst on the search query.

Local Service Ads are more involved to set up since the company running them must be screened and guaranteed by Google. In other words, Google is vouching for your business to users, and they want to make sure that your company meets all of the standards they would expect from a service provider.

ese ads are set up to run in your spec-

Display Ad campaigns serve visually engaging ads on the Google Display Network. e Display Network helps you reach people as they browse millions of websites, apps, and Google-owned properties (such as YouTube and Gmail). Display Ads are excellent at building brand awareness. Unlike Search Ads, which are tied to specific keywords, Display Ads allow you to advertise to audience characteristics or general search areas such as topics a user has previously searched for or a geographic location. A new restaurant, for instance, could place a general Display Ad for their geographic location.

A subset of Display Ads, Retargeting Ads, are used to advertise to people who have interacted with your website within a certain time frame. Like Search Ads, you’ve most likely encountered a retargeting ad. For example, let’s say you were shopping for a new o ce printer. You add the new printer to your shopping cart and, at the very last minute, decide to wait on making a purchase. Suddenly every site you visit has that printer  showing up in the ads window inviting you to “pick up where you le o ”and complete your transaction.

Google’s Performance Max Cam-

paigns, which are replacing Shopping Ads, are another option for businesses looking for conversions. ese ads are targeted at people who are searching for a physical product with the intention of making a purchase online. e ad allows users to purchase your product through the ad and is the easiest of all the ads to see direct ROI on ad spend. Performance Max Campaigns allow your ads to appear across all of Google’s channels like YouTube, Display, Search, Discover, Gmail, and Maps

Overall, Google Ads are a great tool to round out any marketing campaign. Running even one type of ad can greatly bene t your brand’s visibility to customers and your overall conversions. To be e ective, however, you’ll need to monitor each campaign closely or work with a trusted partner to see results.

Chris Manley co-founded Engenius in 2008 and is the company’s team leader and strategist. His experience driving sales through web design and digital marketing dates back to 2000.

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