GSA Business Report - April 18, 2022 by SC Biz News

VOLUME 25 NUMBER 7 ■ GSABUSINESS.COM

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Something brewing, legally

Attorney finds niche as go-to lawyer for S.C. beer industry Page 6

STRAIGHT AND NARROW Making it cool

Voters picked the coolest product made in the Palmetto State. Page 3

Upstate Under Construction

See what’s going up, where it’s going and who’s building it. Page 13

Beasley turns to private sector

Former governor appeals for help feeding victims of war. Page 7

INSIDE

Leading Off........................... 2 SC Biz News Briefs................. 3 C-Suite................................. 4 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering and Construction........................11 LIST: Landscape Architecture Firms.............. 19 At Work.............................. 20 Viewpoint............................23

Workers at the Magna Mirror assemble mirrors for the automotive industry at an updated plant in Duncan, designed with a balance of automation and human talent in mind. (Photo/ Molly Hulsey)

New design spurs innovation at Magna plant By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

ver a year ago, Magna Mirror’s team told a customer that the company had a “chaotic” warehouse. The customer then deployed an audit team to investigate. What the team really meant was that the company used a common strategy called dynamic warehousing where items don’t always have a

predetermined place once they come through the dock, according to Group General Manger Steven Salvatore. But, as the team discovered, not everyone interprets that word the same way. In any case, Salvatore won’t use it to describe the company’s new 170,000-square-foot warehouse and manufacturing facility in Duncan, because now, every part that enters the facility is put in its place. The new location has about 70,000 more

square feet than its Greer predecessor, but really, it’s Magna Mirror’s use of narrow aisle design and flow racks that have made the difference. When Salvatore led a tour through the new warehouse during the Duncan facility’s grand opening on April 7, tiers of boxes appeared poised to tumble into the aisle at any time. Salvatore reminded those on tour the sight was an illusion created by the flow racks. See MAGNA, Page 8

Crypto firm moving ahead with $280 million investment By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

ony Tate thinks that 2022 is a turning point — not just any turning point, but the largest transfer of wealth in human history. That’s one reason why the Easley native has come back to his old stomping grounds after more than two decades in south Florida, why he’s invested close to $80 million in Gaffney and why he’s seeking to cultivate cryptocur-

rency literacy among students as young as 12 years old. That initial investment helped Litchain establish a high-security property with bitcoin mining “pods,” reminiscent of ventilated shipping containers, for sale that can be transported to private investors or financial institutions anywhere in the world, according to the company. The pods are also paired with mining advising services covering land acquisition, energy costs and site construction. The $80 million invested last year also

In Focus

Finding common ground From students to presidents, landscape architecture attracts more attention. Page 11

enabled the Litchain team to cut the ribbon on an educational and administration hub at Gaffney’s 189 Hyatt St. in March: the keystone in Tate’s mission. “When you don’t know something, you have a natural tendency to fear it, but this is nothing that you need to fear,” Tate, CEO of Litchain and a Sotheby’s real estate adviser, told GSA Business Report. “People need to wrap their minds around crypto before the See LITCHAIN, Page 8

Leading Off Hot Houses

BRIEFS | FACTS | STATEWIDE NEWS | C-SUITE

A LA CARTE

here was a pause on the real estate housing front in 2020. As if for dramatic effect, everything stopped while everyone stayed home. Then, as though everyone at home started looking at their housing situation, notions broke out everywhere: notions to decorate, notions to fix and repair, notions to upgrade and, it seems, notions to move. The quiet real estate housing market took off as we got deeper into the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In 2021, it turned red hot. These graphs show the increase in new lists in 2021 over 2020 and the number of closed sales in 2021 year over year. Even the slowest submarkets saw increases. Lawrence Young, economist for the National Association of Realtors, expects 2022 to cool off some but to remain vigorous.

The 2,800-foot elevation is not the only thing high for an English cottage style home at The Cliffs at Glassy. The

New listings statewide

property at 120 Stone Crop Drive has

Closed sales statewide

sold for a community record price of $3.5 million.

133,687 129,718

127,266

90,481

124,191

121,379

+2.3%

+4.5%

-1.9%

+5.0%

2018

2019

2020

2021

2017

Top 5 Areas: Change in New Listings from 2020

109,523

94,579

+4.5%

+5.1%

+10.2%

+11.1%

2018

2019

2020

2021

2017

Top 5 Areas: Change in Closed Sales from 2020

Aiken

+21.3%

Coastal Carolinas

+21.8%

Sumter

+20.8%

Cherokee

+21.8%

Central Carolina

+19.0%

Aiken

+18.6%

Cherokee

+16.7%

Sumter

+17.6%

Greenwood

+14.3%

Greater Augusta

+12.2%

Bottom 5 Areas: Change in New Listings from 2020

Bottom 5 Areas: Change in Closed Sales from 2020

Charleston Trident

+1.9%

Hilton Head

+7.4%

Beaufort

+1.8%

Central Carolina

+5.9%

Hilton Head

+1.4%

Piedmont

+5.1%

Piedmont

+0.8%

Western Upstate

+4.4%

Spartanburg

+0.1%

Spartanburg

+3.1%

Source: South Carolina Realtors

ON THE

RECORD

121,687

99,419

Anna Spangler has been promoted to creative director for Complete PR, a fullservice media affairs company working throughout the Southeast. She joined the firm in 2018. Spangler will handle multimedia efforts such as graphics, logo creation, video production and web design.

Current as of Jan. 10. All data from the Multiple Listing Services

“The last thing we want to do is take food from a child in Ethiopia and give to a child in Ukraine.”

Greenville-based marketing agency Fuel

— David Beasley, executive director, World Food Programme

Upstate as the Fuel for Good second

selected Big Brothers Big Sisters of the quarter 2022 grant recipient. Fuel dedicates three months and $10,000 worth of pro bono services each quarter.

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SC Biz News Briefs

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Mike Lee, vice president and general manager of Nucor Steel Berkeley, accepts the ‘Coolest Thing Made in SC’ trophy from S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster and S.C. Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey on Wednesday at the Statehouse. (Photo/Melinda Waldrop)

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‘Coolest’ manufacturing champ crowned

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Steel beat out three other contenders to be named “The Coolest Thing Made in SC,” with Nucor Steel Berkeley in Huger winning the inaugural statewide contest launched in February by the S.C. Manufacturers Alliance along with corporate partner Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina. “We knew we wanted to celebrate the manufacturing industry in South Carolina. We’re always looking for new and creative and innovative ways to do that,” Sara Hazzard, president and CEO of SCMA, told the Columbia Regional Business Report. The organization asked the general public to suggest S.C.-made products for the honor and received 175 nominations, Hazzard said. Voting narrowed that field to a 16-competitor bracket, trimmed in half each week before the final four, honored in a ceremony at the S.C. Statehouse, were decided. More than 110,000 votes were cast on the contest website, scmanufacturingmadness.com, during the competition, Hazzard said. “We were blown away by the response. The general public really got excited about the contest,” she said. “The employees within each of the manufacturing companies that were participating got very excited about their product being nominated, their company being recognized. It made it really clear how proud South Carolina manufacturing workers are of what they do every day and the products that they make.” Mike Lee, vice president and general manager of Nucor Steel Berkeley, accepted the winner’s trophy from S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster and S.C. Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey. “What a great idea to showcase what we do in our state,” Lee said. “There’s so many incredible things we make in South Carolina that nobody knew we ever did that not just impact South Carolina but impact our country and the world.” The other three finalists were: the Electrolux and Frigidaire single-door refrigerator and freezer, made by Electrolux Home Products in Anderson; the F-16 Fighting Falcon, made by Lockheed Martin in Greenville; and the Talon 1,000 X-4 side-by-side all-terrain vehicle, made by American Honda Motor Co. Inc. South Carolina Manufacturing in Timmonsville. “The four finalists are trendsetters,” Hazzard said in presenting the finalists, who each received a plaque from Lightsey. “They’re game-changers.” In operation since 1996, Nucor’s Huger facility makes sheet and steel beam products for industries including agriculture, automobile, appliance, construction, energy and transportation. It employs 975 people and is the state’s largest recycler, converting recycled steel scrap metal into 3.5 million tons of steel annually, Hazzard said.

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Beasley appeals to private sector to help Ukraine

Planting seeds

Entrepreneurial program accepting applications Page 7

By Melinda Waldrop

Beer business

Beverage attorney shares insight into booming sector Page 10

Driving force

Auto industry is major economic engine in S.C. Page 14

Start the press BMW investing $20M in Upstate press shop Page 16

FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR On March 24, the U.S. Postal Service placed its first $2.98 billion order for 50,000 next-generation postal vehicles to be made in Spartanburg. Oshkoch Corp.’s 2021 production contract has run into some snags. (Photo/Provided)

SC politicians stand behind Oshkosh contract By Molly Hulsey

INSIDE

Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 In Focus: Manufacturing and Automotive ........................ 13 List: Law Firms ...............18,19 Bonus List: Business Communication Companies ......................................... 20 Viewpoint ...........................23

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

shkosh Defense’s contract to build the U.S. Postal Service’s replacement truck fleet continues to meet opposition, but the company stands by its decision to produce the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle in South Carolina. Earlier this month, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives requested an investigation into the Postal Service’s plans for the Oshkosh contract and its compliance with National

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Environmental Policy Act reporting practices. An initial $482 million contract to begin replacing the 230,000-vehicle fleet with a mix of gas and electric-powered vehicles was awarded to Oshkosh Corp. in February 2021. But two months later, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to make the federal government carbon neutral by 2050 and all federal fleets electric by 2035. The letter cited concerns from the Environmental Protection Agency, the White House See OSHKOSH, Page 15

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

ormer S.C. Gov. David Beasley descended the steps of his old office building on March 29 to appeal to the private sector for donations to stave off a humanitarian crisis he warned could rapidly spiral beyond Ukraine. Citing 40 million people still inside the country at risk of severe food insecurity after the Russian invasion of Feb. 24, Beasley, now the executive director of the United Nations’ World Food Programme, called upon corporations and individuals to help curtail what he called the “worst crisis Europe has faced in a decade” during a news conference at the S.C. Statehouse. Beasley has led the WFP, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2020 for its work providing lifesaving food to millions worldwide, since April 2017. He emphasized that the looming crisis in Ukraine will soon be a global one if the WFP cannot raise $850 million in additional funds it will need by the end of this year to try to mitigate the damage. “Ukraine is the breadbasket for the world. They grow enough food to feed 400 million people,” Beasley said. “Twenty percent of the world’s corn comes from Ukraine. Thirty percent of the world’s supply of wheat comes from Russia and Ukraine. Forty percent of fertilizer base product comes from Belarus and Russia. All of this is stuck as we speak. We’re now looking at an additional 30 to 50 million people going into severe food insecurity around the world because of what’s happening inside Ukraine.” More funding is critical, Beasley See BEASLEY, Page 6

Powering the pipeline

Dominion Energy career day aims to spark interest in utility careers Page 8

ColumbiaBusinessReport.com

Cash is king

Paying cash, buying homes fully furnished and more real-estate trends in 2022. Page 10

Hitting the water

Sportsman Boats expands its Summerville shop just in time for summer. Page 6

Hospital expansion A new Veterans Medical Center could come to Dorchester County. Page 14

Supporting Volvo

BMW, Mercedes supplier opens new site to assist Ridgeville car manufacturer. Page 10

INSIDE

Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 Small Business Spotlight ....... 4 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering and Construction ............... 13 List: Landscape Architecture Firms .............26 At Work ..............................27 Viewpoint ........................... 31

FEBRUARY 2022

By Alexandria Ng

Court’s in session Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic won the Credit One Charleston Open on April 10, the first event held in the renovated Daniel Island stadium. Page 13 Photo/Teri Errico Griffis

ang@scbiznews.com

ifth-graders nowadays aren’t just talking about TikTok and Fortnite—they’re discussing advanced manufacturing, aerodynamics and the future of STEM education. These conversations are facilitated through Boeing South Carolina’s DreamLearners educational program, which celebrated one million participants this month. On April 6, representatives from Boeing, North Charleston Elementary School and local community leaders gathered to celebrate this milestone. “STEM education unlocks tomorrow’s innovations, encouraging breakthroughs and advancements we can’t even imagine today,” said Ziad Ojakli, executive vice president of government operations at Boeing, who attended the event. “Boeing celebrates the inspiration and sense of accomplishment STEM programs can bring to young minds, and we are proud to champion a unique program like DreamLearners.” DreamLearners began in 2012 as a STEM-based instructional program that educates students about Boeing’s presence in the state, as well as about advanced manufacturing and aerospace. While students of all ages can take part in the educational offerings, the program also meets the Force and Motion standards for fifth-grade classes in the state of South Carolina. Participants of DreamLearners get the chance to contribute to group activities while learning more about different careers at Boeing and the benefits of a STEM-focused education through speaker events See BOEING, Page 8

CHARLESTON UNDER CONSTRUCTION Who is building what in the Charleston area? Projects, companies, prices, projected timelines, photos and stories. Page 13

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Ohio developer breaks ground on 1.5M square feet across Upstate Would-be speculative properties gain tenants before groundbreaking, says VP

By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

peculative industrial development across the Upstate has been more than worth the risk for Ohio-based VanTrust Real Estate. “The leasing activity from corporate America looking to lease new Class A distribution centers is at an all-time high, and the vacancy rate is at all an all-time low,” said Andy Weeks, vice president of the development firm’s Columbus, Ohio office. “So when you have those kind of supply-and-demand factors, it really drives developers to want to develop more products to meet that demand.” VanTrust says it often “dips its toe” into a market to test the waters before jumping into the deep end. Now with at least five Upstate industrial properties under its belt, the Ohio developer is considering office, multifamily and mixed-use investments in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metro area. As a Furman University grad and dad, Weeks was impressed with the growth he saw across the Upstate market each time he traveled back to his alma mater — in particular what he calls “thoughtful” development such as public-private partnerships in downtown Greenville.

He considers the demand in Anderson and Spartanburg counties a parat of the entire Upstate market’s success, so under his direction, VanTrust launched a pilot run with the Exchange I-85 logistics park in Piedmont. In 2020, McMillan Pazdan Smith, Seamon Whiteside and Harper Contractors finished the first 289,000-squarefoot industrial property at the Anderson property. Van Trust has since leased the property out to Bosch and CHEP USA, according to Weeks, and most recently sold the property to an undisclosed buyer with assistance from Givens Stewart with Wilson Kibbler. Adjacent 150,000-square-foot and 350,000-square-foot speculative buildings are now in the works on 47 acres. “Upon hearing this wonderful news about VanTrust’s latest expansion, I was reminded of the tremendous faith the company showed in our community when they first arrived and invested in their first building,” Anderson County Councilman Jimmy Davis said in a statement. “Now, as we work together as a county and a nation to move forward in the aftermath of the pandemic, I am gratified that VanTrust continues to have faith in Anderson County and that they believe their investment here is well placed.” VanTrust and Vannoy Construction planned to market a 618,000-square-foot building at 6670 Highway 221 in Roebuck

“It’s a challenge for us to try to get these buildings built as quickly as we can in the current environment, so that these tenants can occupy as quickly as they want to.” Andy Weeks executive vice president, VanTrust Real Estate

earlier this year as a speculative property — the Ohio developer’s first project in Spartanburg County. But just as the team broke ground, supply chain service provider Ingram Micro announced plans to invest $37 million into the property to transform it into the company’s new regional fulfillment center. Trey Pennington of CBRE represented Van Trust in the lease, which will enable Ingram Micro to ship around 2 million packages each year with the addition of 203 jobs in the area. A 227,000-square-foot speculative property next door brings VanTrust’s under construction portfolio to about 1.5 million square feet in the Upstate, according to Weeks. “Ingram Micro is pleased to continue to invest in the state of South Carolina with a new advanced fulfillment center to further serve our customers in the region and play an important role in helping

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keep the global supply chain moving,” Marianne Zeller, executive director of Global Real Estate for the logistics company, said in a news release. South Carolina is known for providing access to a dedicated workforce and we are excited to grow our presence here in the state.” The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a $300,0000 SetAside grant to Spartanburg County to assist with the cost of building improvements. “The companies that we’re talking to, to lease our buildings, they’re in a hurry to get in these buildings,” Weeks said. “So that’s a challenge for them; it’s a challenge for us to try to get these buildings built as quickly as we can in the current environment so that these tenants can occupy as quickly as they want to,” he said. To speed up that process, VanTrust’s team tries to release orders for materials as fast as possible and hires general contractors that have a good hand on the pulse the market and are able to leverage their buying power to get materials. “Now what we’re doing a lot of times is releasing the contract or ordering some of those long lead-time items before we have everything else figured out, because we just want to make sure we’re in the queue to get those materials when we need them,” he said. Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter.

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April 18-May 1, 2022

Q&A: Tapping the mind of a beverage lawyer By Heath Hamacher

hhamacher@sclawyersweekly.com

rook Bristow hopped out of litigation after nearly a decade, exhausted and looking for a new craft. So he poured himself into his passion and an entirely new practice area, and in 2016 founded Bristow Beverage Law in Charleston. Today, he says that life has never tasted better. The self-proclaimed “attorney-at-lager” recently spoke with Lawyers Weekly reporter Heath Hamacher about a large selection of topics, including his practice and the “street cred” he earned serving as a certified beer server and craft beer master. That conversation has been slightly edited for clarity and brevity.

When did you first realize that a change from defense litigation was brewing?

One day after work, I was exploring the beer label on whatever I was enjoying at the time, and reading some of the legal copy, and thought to myself, ‘I wonder if this could be a thing in South Carolina.’ It turns out, yes, it could. Once I had that ‘a-ha’ moment, I started a beer news blog as I got more interested in craft. I then went to work for a wonderful law firm in Greenville, Bradford Neal Martin & Associates, who focused on small business law. It was an amazing environment for me to grow as a person and a lawyer. Getting to work with small businesses gave me many of the tools and confidence I needed to strike out on my own in 2016. During that time, I authored two pieces of legislation that really opened up the doors for South Carolina breweries. By then, the industry was growing, and I was able to go out on my own. I had enough business where I thought, ‘Well, maybe this can work. But if it doesn’t, I’m sure someone will come get me.’” But I’m still here.

Beverage lawyers don’t appear to be that plentiful. How many do you figure practice it exclusively?

While there are certainly a good number of attorneys who might touch the industry a little bit through various practices, there are very few nationally who do it exclusively. A lot of us do know each other, as the club is small, and do often collaborate on questions as many lawyers would in a single office.

Your website is colorful. Did your advertising degree from the University of South Carolina help you make it so?

I still think my undergraduate degree does give me some perspective in how I want things to be seen. I was always a copywriter though, and not a designer

or art director. But I still love to see some pops of color, while keeping a relatively simple design scheme. I think some bright and brash appeal is needed in web design, particularly amongst law firms, when nine out of 10 websites look the exact same.

I see your paralegal and office manager have the titles “chaos coordinator” and “smooth hoperator.” How’d that come about?

They came up with them on their own, and I think they’re great. Jamie [Abodeely] was originally going to be the Office Ninja but decided due to her having to be the gatekeeper of communications, Smooth Hoperator made more sense. In Jennifer’s [Hladek] case, her resume said “chaos coordinator.” And I absolutely loved it, because that does often describe what she has to do as our paralegal and licensing coordinator.

What’s the attraction to beer, particularly craft beer?

For me, it was something that I just always had a taste for once I was of age. And my palate has evolved over time in terms of what I enjoy. But, for me, a lot of what makes beer great are the people. I’ve made some of the most wonderful friends who are in the industry. We often say that beer people are good people. And in my experience, for the most part, that’s most definitely been true.

Is there a typical day in the life of what some dub a “beer lawyer”?

To be fair, we do wine and spirits as well. In fact, these days, spirits is slowly creeping up in terms of what I work on most days. It has gone from 2 percent of my practice in 2020 to 20 percent in 2021, and is still growing. No day is really the same, especially given my schedule. I have a 1-year-old son, who I watch in the mornings a few days a week and have since he was born, so I’m not grinding all of the time. In starting this law firm, it was important to me to have what I never had at bigger offices: a better work-life balance. As to work, I generally answer email in the morning, but the calendar is usually set a day or so before. The last few weeks were dedicated to hustling through alcohol licensing renewals for Charleston County and Dorchester County businesses. Yesterday, it was doing compliance filings across the country for two larger companies that we work with. Tomorrow, it’ll be research projects. Today, it’ll be trying to solve some licensing issues for a few businesses who need assistance. Later in the week, we’ll be working on helping a client merge with another company and working on some federal label approvals for another. It really is a nice blend of

Brook Bristow cooks up more than legal advice and legislation to support the industry. The attorney also has some experience on the production end. Photo/Provided)

work, so variety is never an issue.

Sounds like you’re a jack of many trades.

We’re Swiss army knives, not butter knives. For most of our clients, we’re effectively their in-house counsel. We have to at least know a little about a lot, because the number of issues that will need to be covered is fairly immense. Generally speaking, we work in about six different areas: business and corporate, intellectual property, licensing and compliance, operations and trade practices, contracts, and labels and formulas. And all of those areas have many different components, so it’s always interesting. But, once in a while an issue pops up that doesn’t fit into any of those boxes—like the time I was asked by a client if he could have free-range chickens roaming his brewery property. That was a very interesting bill entry.

Do you think some clients find you more credible because of this “street cred” you earned working in the beverage industry?

Absolutely, yes. There is no doubt that knowledge is power. That is one thing I can appreciate about any type of law—whether traditional or not—is that you are constantly learning how to be an expert on any

number of topics. For me, I never set out to be a beverage attorney. There wasn’t any book or treatise I could read about how to do this. It just happened and I learned as I went. As legislation was being passed, I started to be contacted by various brewers who were looking to start up and wondering how they would be impacted and if I could help them. And because alcohol is a fairly small industry, it snowballed from there. Now we represent hundreds of clients from small startups to national brands, which is still pretty crazy to me. I think being able to build relationships and speak the language of your clients are of utmost importance to anyone building a practice, particularly in a niche area like mine. Then again, maybe they just like my beard.

Is it fair to say that you’re having as much fun at work as the law allows?

I think for me, that’s the best compliment someone can give me working in law, and a law school classmate actually did say that. Something like “You’re the most successful person in our class.” I’m thinking, how is that possible? I’m not the richest. I’m not a partner. I’m not arguing at the Supreme Court. I drive a Kia. And he said, “You’re the most successful, because it looks like you’re having the most fun.” So true.

April 18-May 1, 2022

www.gsabusiness.com 7

HELP DRIVE THE UPSTATE TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE JUNE 6–12, 2022

Former S.C. Gov. David Beasley addresses attendees at a news conference as (from left) former N.Y. Gov. George Pataki, former S.C. first lady Mary Wood Beasley, former S.C. Gov. Jim Hodges and S.C. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette look on. (Photo/Melinda Waldrop)

Beasley appeals to private sector to help Ukraine By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

because the WFP can’t simply shift around resources to help Ukraine. “The last thing we want to do is take food from a child in Ethiopia to give to a child in Ukraine,” he said. Beasley, who said he’d been in Ukraine three times in the last three weeks, was joined on the Statehouse steps by former N.Y. Gov. George Pataki, who has also visited the country through his George E. Pataki Leadership and Learning Center. The nonprofit is collecting funds for a Ukrainian refugee camp in Hungary, from which Pataki’s grandparents emigrated. Pataki said that while news cycles are full of announcements of billions in aid to Ukraine, “you don’t see it on the ground. You don’t see food, medicine, clothing, health care needs being delivered directly to those refuges in Ukraine,” he said. “We’re going to continue to look to do as much as we can through the Pataki Leadership Center, but I can tell you, what we can do is nothing compared to what David Beasley and the World Food Programme can do.” Echoing Beasley’s call to help were former S.C. Gov. Jim Hodges and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. The guests who made the biggest impact, however, were not on the official agenda. Liliya Kimbrell, wife of S.C. Sen. Josh Kimbrell and a native of Ukraine, was on hand to welcome her sister and niece, who fled the country through Poland and joined Beasley at the podium. “She escaped with her two little kids, but our parents are still there,” said Liliya Kimbrell, who said she talks to her parents three See BEASLEY, Page 9

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MAGNA, from Page 1

The system was, indeed, less chaotic than the alternative. Those who don’t work in logistics may have first encountered flow racks in the dairy section of a grocery story. The first carton put on the rack rolls down to the front of the display: first in, first out. Warehouses use the same type of rack, just on a larger scale. “We used to be in a very, let’s say under-invested facility, and there was a lot of uncertainty of what we were going to do and what we were going to be, and we quickly defined that,” he said. The facility, the company’s sixth in the state, will hold an incoming intelligent mirror line for Volvo Cars, plus an in-house plastic molding operation — all in addition to the manufacturer’s growing Mercedes and BMW supply lines. “Today’s production volume is roughly about 1.6 million mirrors that are delivered locally and across the world, and we are excited to add the Magna Xfinity mirror technology to our production portfolio,” Matthias Steck, general manager of the new Magna plant, said during the facility’s opening ceremony. “Our focus was to combine advanced manufacturing that you’ll see later in our assembly lines with a modern workplace design.” The new location features a number of amenities for the 150 to 400 new employees brought on through the expansion: a fitness room, vegetable garden, gaming lounge and solar-lit walking trail. According to Salva-

April 18-May 1, 2022

tore, regional employees made a heatmap of where Magna’s Spartanburg employees lived and then selected a location for the new facility as close as possible to the majority of employees. “It was a very specific choice and it was more focused on the employees, not the customer,” he said. “We can ship an extra 10, 15 minutes away. It’s the same. We ship once a day, so at the end of the day, if it’s a little bit longer, it’s not a big deal.” The architecture of the facility and the company’s workflow also lay the groundwork for future automation. Crane rails were engineered into the ceiling to prepare for the future as Magna Mirror brings injection molding operations in-house around August, according to the company. Narrow aisle warehousing design, while not ideal for heavy forklift traffic, can save space, streamline operations and leave room for additional automated systems. The conventional aisle spacing, such as in the Canadian company’s previous facility, gravitates toward the 12-foot range. Narrow aisle design can space rows anywhere from 10 feet apart to, as seen in the Duncan warehouse, five feet apart, according to Jane Hennes, material manager at Magna Mirrors. “The greenfield of this building really gave us an opportunity to make something very streamlined that required very little touching, and it’s very effective in its management,” she said. “We designed systems to make it as lean as possible.” Every time a product is handled or “touched” in the warehouse, the higher

Magna Mirror’s new 170,000-square-foot warehouse and manufacturing facility in Duncan, its sixth in S.C., produces parts for Volvo Cars, Mercedes and BMW. (Photo/Molly Hulsey)

inventory handling costs become greater the opportunity increases for Murphy’s Law to take over. In the old building, the company had a warehouse that was about 11,000 square feet and housed 1,200 spots for a single deck pallet, according to Hennes. The new facility has about 11,000 square feet too but with 1,800 spots for the single deck pallets. “So it was a 50% increase just moving into this building even though we have the same footprint,” Hennes said. “You automatically, just by reducing your aisles obviously, get way more storage space.” The narrow aisle design also eliminated an additional touch point for the team. In the old warehouse space, parts came through the dock and were put into a “static storage area” before being taken down and moved to a more visible storage area where it is removed to the line.

With additional room created by the narrow aisle configuration, Magna’s warehouse staff are now able to bypass the static storage stage. All parts have a dedicated position in the warehouse and are put in their place once they come through the dock. “There is no dynamic storage for our components,” Hennes said. And to prevent injury and prepare for future automation, all parts are moved by cart — none by hand. “We wanted to not expand out of this footprint if we add in more business. So what we’ll do is build those racks this way into our own footprint, and we will gain another 50%,” she said, gesturing toward an empty expanse that will soon house plastic injection operations too. “So by the time we’re done, we’ll have 2,700 storage racks where originally we had 1,200.” Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter.

LITCHAIN, from Page 1

rest of the world wraps their arms around it.” He believes crypto is the answer in an era where the greenback buys 70% of what it could in 2019. “But if you don’t understand what it is, it’s just a bunch of ones and zeroes to you,” he said. “If you don’t understand that, you don’t know how it affects your family’s decision as to how they’re going to save for your future or how they’re going to save for their children’s future. It’s not going to affect how they can own real estate.” Yet there is a Grand Canyon-sized chasm in terms of crypto education and its prescience in today’s economy, he said. Higher education hasn’t had the chance to catch up. Having served as a blockchain analyst for six years in Florida, Tate shared stories of helping clients transform their stimulus check into ownership of a home they once rented, prompting him to launch 27 financial literacy courses on litchain.com with plans in the works for secondary education classes, college curriculum and crypto kids camps set to launch this summer. Within two months of his move to Gaffney, Litchain struck up a partnership with See LITCHAIN, Page 10

Litchain founder Tony Tate has installed a site of portable cryptomining pods in Gaffney with an $80 million investment, but he said that’s just the beginning of his rollout across the state. (Photo/Provided)

April 18-May 1, 2022

www.gsabusiness.com 9

ACRE program accepting applications for 5th year By Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

program aimed at helping agribusiness innovators procure funding and mentoring services is accepting applications through the end of the month. The Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship, an initiative of the S.C. Department of Agriculture now in its fifth year, has awarded nearly $680,000 to 58 startups, according to a news release from the agricultural department. Eighty-six businesses have BEASLEY, from Page 7

times a day. “We’re really worried about the situation, the critical time. It’s so devastating. We never thought this was going to happen in 2022. But I was just so glad she could escape. She went through a nightmare to get where she’s at right now. … We don’t know what the future holds for them right now, but at least they’re safe.” Stories such as those are what helps drive Beasley, who said that when he joined WFP, 80 million people faced starvation globally. That had grown to 135 million before COVID, he said, largely because of man-

received training, while 1,100 S.C. residents have participated in workshops. Selected applicants will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges in June for a chance to win up to $25,000. “We’re looking forward to another year of discovering what innovative agribusinesses exist within our state, and helping support them,” Kyle Player, ACRE executive director, said in the release. Previous ACRE award winners include Milky Way Farm in Starr, which received funding that helped purchase a second robotic milking system and

increase milk sales. Twin Creeks Lavender Farm in Williamston purchased a barn that doubles as a retail shop and drying area. ACRE also partnered with Project Victory Gardens to host a two-day Boots to Agribiz workshop for servicemen and women transitioning out of the military and into agriculture. The Advanced Entrepreneurship application requires a business plan and a ready-to-launch prototype or sales history for the applicant’s company or product. Businesses must be located in South Carolina.

The application also includes a detailed guide to what ACRE is looking for in a business plan. ACRE has a separate program each fall for beginning innovators who have an agribusiness idea but don’t have experience in business. Applications will be accepted through April 29 and are available online at acresc.com/programs. For more information, contact Player at 803-734-2324 or kplayer@scda.sc.gov.

made conflict and climate crises. Since the pandemic, a total of 276 million people don’t know where their next meal is coming from, he said. Those numbers will only grow if timely aid can’t reach Ukraine, where farmers are “on the frontlines fighting when they need to be in the fields planting corn” with wheat harvesting season rapidly approaching. As of now, WFP has reached a million people in the country and hopes to reach two and a half million in April, 4 million in May and 6 million in June, Beasley said. He appealed for donations at wfp.org of as little as $5 but also said: “Those of wealth, who’ve

made millions during COVID, it’s time to step up in ways you never could have imagined. The world needs you now more than ever.” Earlier this month, Nephron owner and CEO Lou Kennedy took to social media to encourage donations to WFP. Devine Street bakery Silver Spoon Bake Shop donated $2,200 from sales of petit fours decorated with blue-and-yellow hearts and sunflowers to World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit founded by Jose Andres providing food to Ukrainian citizens and refugees. Beasley, who said he’s in close contact with Andres, said such initiatives are cru-

cial to prevent the “absolute devastation” of global destabilization and famine the Ukrainian crisis could trigger. “We can’t afford for Ukraine to collapse. … You’ve got almost 4 million people who have already fled the country, and they’re the lucky ones,” he said. “They’re the ones who are being met at the border with loving arms of strangers and neighbors and friends and family. They’ve got shelter and food and they’ve escaped harm’s way. But you have 40 million still inside Ukraine that are still struggling.”

Reach Melinda Waldrop at 803-726-7542.

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LITCHAIN, from Page 8

Limestone University and Spartanburg Community College to discuss a curriculum rollout. The startup will offer a $10,000 scholarship to the winners of an app design contest. “Our team at Litchain was able to put together and pull off a two-year economic development project in two months, because everyone that we had in the decision process wanted this, and we all worked together,” Tate said. “It’s amazing how fast and how much you can accomplish in this world when nobody cares who gets the credit.” That team now includes President Joe Biden’s former press secretary, Tiffiany Vaughn-Jones, and former Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce CEO Joanna Turner, backed by Gaffney Mayor Randy Moss and S.C. Sen. Harvey Peeler. Tate is applying with local economic development teams to secure financial incentives. “You go where you’re celebrated, not where you’re tolerated,” he said when asked why he moved his operation to Cherokee County. “They wanted this here. That’s why I came here.” Nuclear power provided by Duke Energy also helped sweeten the pot for high-energy mining operations, as well as property where he could install a solar field. Litchain also plans to invest another

April 18-May 1, 2022

$200 million in an adjacent site in Gaffney, according to Tate, which he plans to top with an additional $80 million investment in labor, infrastructure, warehousing and offices. But Tate doesn’t want just want to stop in Cherokee County. “Eventually I would like to buy something similar to the Alice Mills plant in Easley and do something there that I’m doing here in Gaffney,” he said. “I want to do this in Greenville County, Spartanburg County, as well as what I’m doing here in Cherokee County. And also, I’m doing this in Columbia and Richland County, and I’m also going to be doing this in Orangeburg County.” Tate said he aims to hire local talent, anywhere from 25 to 50 people per each 100-megawatt site, depending on the skill sets of each community. Aside from education, shipping and mining hardware upkeep, the company also advises clients in buying and selling real estate with cryptocurrency and has branched into the Metaverse and NFT market. “So, I’m looking to do this in places and counties that are welcoming, where I can also work with the local colleges and school systems to help build these financial literacy programs that encompass this emerging asset class,” Tate said. Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter.

The modular pods can be shipped to clients anywhere in the world and moved in case of natural disasters. (Photo/Provided)

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In Focus

ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION LISTS: Landscape Architecture Firms, Page 19

NEXT ISSUE’S FOCUS:

Growth Report: Life Sciences

L-Arch program grows by 200%

By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

wo Upstate companies are in the running as finalists for HGTV’s Ultimate Outdoor Awards for their design of a “poolside paradise” at a home in downtown Greenville. The DabneyCollins Company, a Pendleton landscaping firm, and The Heirloom Companies of Campobello, a wood and metal works manufacturer employed in the creation of picnic shelters at Greenville’s Unity Park, are among eight finalists in the competitions’ poolside category. Winners are selected through public vote on HGTV’s award website through April 12. “DabneyCollins has created some of the finest luxury outdoor spaces in the Southeast, so we were honored they chose Heirloom to help bring this incredible project to life,” James Moseley, head of design at The Heirloom Companies, said in a statement. Several members of the DabneyCollins team first cultivated their eye for outdoor design in Clemson University’s landscape architecture program, according to director and professor Matt Powers. And while HGTV might be the posterchild in the public imagination for a field that’s burgeoning with demand and interest, Powers is always reminding potential students that landscape architecture is so much more than designing leafy backyard getaways. What makes the discipline distinct from landscaping and from engineering is what bridges the two careers: landscape architects solve problems in the landscape through design.

A poolside patio and gated entrance in downtown Greenville designed by Dabney Collins Company and The Heirloom Companies is one of eight contenders for a national HGTV award. (Photo/Provided)

“Landscape architects create spaces outside,” he said. “So we create courtyards, we create basketball courts — but outside — baseball fields, zoos, parks. Architects design buildings, and landscape architects design everything between the buildings, so that could be streets and sidewalks. It could be parks, greenways, trails, the coast. And even the buildings themselves are in the landscape, and we help architects and often dictate where those go within the landscape.” Most landscape architecture projects are public or at least larger than a single residence. And psychology of place plays a critical role in what materials are selected and how they are presented. For example, legacy landscape architect Lawrence Halpert transformed downtown Greenville from a concrete jungle into a shady bou-

levard by planting select trees. He changed the flow of traffic, narrowed the street and expanded sidewalks so people could dine al fresco. Everything down to the drainage can be the domain of a landscape architect if they’re hired on. “The difference between us and an engineer, who could also do that, is that landscape architects are typically a little bit more sensitive about the human-nature balance,” Powers said. “Our goal is 100/100: nature/humans. Art. Science. Not 50/50. We’re trying to do both, best we can.” And as it stands, financial support for more holistic outdoor design is one of the few plots of common ground the Trump and Biden presidential administrations could find, according to Power, which has driven significant speculative demand in the field. As has enhanced investment and interest in

bUY AND SELL AT THE SAME TIME

sustainability and — an ongoing trend that exploded during the pandemic — public park networks. For several years, SC Biz News has reported that the S.C. Parks System has fielded higher numbers than ever recorded and prepares for the rollout of its first new parks in 20 years: the Black River Park in Williamsburg and Georgetown counties. Powers’ students assisted the firm Earth Design with the creation of the park last fall. In 2022, admissions to Clemson University’s landscape architecture program — the only undergraduate degree of its kind in the state — were up 200%, he said. Prospective employers send job positions to the department every day and tickets to the program’s job fair sold out in 48 hours. All of Power’s seniors already have jobs lined up after graduation and many accepted offers months ago. And while certain features of landscape architectural design — such as parking lots with pervious asphalt or parks with native wildflowers instead of turf grass — have not caught on everywhere, Powers is convinced they are features of the future. “I would say that landscape architecture is in some ways at the forefront and in some ways in the middle of a lot of different trends that are happening,” he said. “What I mean by that is we’ve been the forefront of the green industry for a long time.” Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter.

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IN FOCUS: ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

April 18-May 1, 2022

Daniel Island serves up new tennis stadium By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

t the end of March, it was hard to believe renovations to the Credit One Stadium would be ready in time for the Credit One Charleston Open. Bob Moran, president of Charleston Tennis LLC, laughed at the idea, though. As the man in charge of all stadium operations, he had big plans and had no doubt they would happen on time for the tournament. With 90% of the project completed, all that remained were finishing touches like landscaping, erecting temporary stands and tents, smoothing out a new back entrance for the stadium and bringing furniture inside to VIP rooms. “It’ll be a completely different look,” Moran said. For two years, the stadium has been closed for extensive renovations following a $50 million investment from Charleston Open owner and local billionaire and philanthropist Ben Navarro. The construction combined with the looming pandemic forced last year’s then-Volvo Car Open to take place in a temporary stadium to zero capacity. This year, from April 2-10, the new stadium welcomed fans and more than 100 of the greatest female players from around the world to serve in the Women’s Tennis Association tournament, for which Credit One Bank is the title sponsor. On April 10, Belinda Bencic of Switzerland won the women’s singles division, while Magda Linette, from Poland, and Andreja Klepac, representing Slovenia, ruled the doubles tournament. Headquartered in Las Vegas and affiliated with Sherman Financial in Charleston, Credit One Bank has a large card member base in the Southeast. Increasing national branding as a title sponsor of the tournament was one of the biggest driving factors for getting involved, said Michael Norris, head of sponsorships for Credit One Bank. “We want to be here for a long time, and with this new facility there’s going to be a lot of entertainment to go along with women’s tennis, so I think there’s a lot of ways for our brand to activate in the area for years to come,” Norris said. Credit One Bank first collaborated with the Charleston tennis scene in 2020 for the Credit One Invitational, a tournament that raised funds for health care workers in the area. The event also served as the Credit One’s entry into the tennis market. The financial company donated some of the proceeds to Medical University of South Carolina and other local hospitals and hospital groups. “We saw great success in that tournament and Bob (Moran) actually

approached us in regard to moving forward with being the title sponsor for the tournament this year,” Norris said. “We were thrilled.” Knowing the magnitude of the renovations and the investment put into the updates, Credit One was eager to make the annual women’s tennis tournament the company’s first title sponsorship. “What better way to do that in Charleston, you know? There’s such a great history in the tournament here,” Norris said. With upfits and renovations, the Daniel Island stadium has increased seating capacity from 7,000 to 11,000. The original bleachers remain, but 16 permanent hospitality suites ranging from 10 to 30 people have been added. Guests can enjoy fully conditioned private rooms, complete with kitchens and bathrooms, that open to private patios and open views of the court. The stadium now offers 137% more restrooms, pushed toward the outside for easier access, and has more dining options from local eateries like Swig & Swine BBQ, Mac & Sweets and Orlando’s Pizza. A new Wando Entrance connects a path to the docks in front of King Tide and the Yacht Club. The Daniel Island boat shuttle will run back and forth from the landing, a 700-yard walk to the front gate. To offer even more convenience for patrons, the Credit One Stadium is also a fully card and mobile payment venue with reverse ATMs located throughout the stadium’s concourse level.

Behind the courts, a newly built 35,000-square-foot stage house offers VIP guests, athletes and entertainers a private experience with anything they could need, including a private dining area, lounge and golf simulator. The House also offers a gym, plenty of televisions to watch live action, training rooms, a large media room to allow press members their own space for a day of coverage, a commercial kitchen for vendors to make meals on site and so much more. “I guarantee we missed a bunch, but at the same time, you do the best you can and learn as you go,” he said. For musicians, the original stadium wasn’t user-friendly for unpacking gear and loading it onto the stage, Moran said, but the new building answers that issue. Trucks can now drive into two loading docks and unload equipment. Handlers can then roll gear straight onto the stage or into the stage house with freight elevators and storage. Norris has been in close contact with Moran, Navarro and his wife, Emily Navarro, over the last year as renovations have been going on. “It’s been amazing,” Navarro said. “I was here in July, and all that was up was a frame. There was dirt everywhere. So to kind of see all the different milestones in the construction process and then see it all come to life for the tournament — the grand lawn tent go up and obviously our logo on the side of the stadium — it’s been exciting.” The Credit One Stadium is host to the

one major tennis tournament each year, but Moran said he is always looking for other opportunities that would allow Charleston Tennis LLC to be a good WTA partner. He’s also hoping to branch out with even more events at the venue as the world continues to open since the height of the pandemic. “We’re a multi-use facility, but tennis is going to be the hub, and if there’s opportunity to do more tennis, we definitely will,” he said. Credit One Bank is committed to five years as a title sponsor of Charleston’s tennis tournament, and saw the draw that the area brings following the 2020 tournament. Even without fans in the stadium, the chatter around the community and the coverage from social media and media partners was a win for Credit One. This April, Credit One card members were invited to the tennis tournament to enjoy the weeklong event in the VIP room and lower-level seats on a first-come, first-served basis. Norris said the company also is in the process of creating an expedited service line to get cardholders into the stadium quicker, as well as exclusive discounts for tickets and concessions. “There’s a very passionate fan base in Charleston, and we want to give them more of what they love,” he said. “That’s what our brand stands for. … We want to bring great entertainment. We want to give these women tennis players a great facility to play at. So I don’t see this as a one-and-done deal for us at all.” Reach Teri Errico Griffis at 843-849-3144.

April 18-May 1, 2022

UPSTATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

www.gsabusiness.com 13

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

central control rooms with remote reporting to Columbia Department of Corrections via the existing fiber network. Design will be based on occupancy type for each building.

Simpsonville Arts Center Simpsonville Owner: city of Simpsonville Architects: DP3 Architects Engineers: Peritus Engineers & Associates (mechanical and plumbing), Burdette Engineering (electrical), Productions Unlimited (theatrical), Britt Peters & Associates (structural), ST&B Engineering (fire protection) Completion date: first quarter 2022 Approximate Cost: $2.5 million Auditorium lobby and green room to include performance lighting and coordination of performance sound equipment. Classroom/corridor renovation. Gymnasium renovation. The initial phase will include a new power service entrance for the facility and a new fire alarm system for the entire facility. The building is an existing, aged school of approximately 20,600 square feet total. Fire Alarm Replacement Tyger River Correctional Institute, Enoree Owner: S.C. Department of Corrections Engineers: Burdette Engineering Inc. (electrical), H&W Electrical (contractor) Completion date: first quarter 2022 Approximate cost: $1,440,000 Currently in the process of designing the replacement of the fire alarm system in all buildings to total approximately 370,000 square feet at the Tyger River Correctional Facility. Fire alarm system design shall be based on IBC 2018, and latest NFPA 72 and minimum standards for local detention facilities in South Carolina. System reporting shall be based on all individual building panels reporting to the

Corporate Hangar, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport Greer Owner: Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Greer Architect: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville Engineers: Burdette Engineering Inc. (electrical), Seamon Whiteside (civil), MMSA (structural), Crow Bulman Engineering (mechanical, plumbing), Miles Engineering (fire protection) Completion date: fiscal year 2022 A new 25,000-square-foot corporate hangar to include 5,000 square feet of warm dark shell space for future tenant space.

Palmetto Middle School, Anderson School District 1 Palmetto Owner: Anderson School District 1 Architects: Craig Gaulden Davis of Greenville and Stubbs Muldrow Herin of Mt. Pleasant Engineers: Burdette Engineering Inc (electrical), Productions Unlimited (theatrical), Stephens Engineering (mechanical), ADC Engineering (civil), Arrowood & Arrowood (structural) General contractor: Harper General Contractors Completion date: 2022 Approximate cost: $33 million.

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UPSTATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

April 18-May 1, 2022

Design for approximately 140,000 square feet of new construction and 13,000 square feet of renovations for phased construction of a new school in place of the existing school facility for Anderson County School District 1. The school was constructed in phases requiring sequencing and possible temporary installation of power and telecommunications throughout the construction period. Center for Health and Life Sciences, Greenville Technical College Greenville Owner: Greenville Technical College, Greenville Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville Engineers: Burdette Engineering Inc (electrical), MMSA Structural Engineers, Peritus Engineers & Associates (mechanical), Productions Unlimited (theatrical), Blue Water (civil) Completion date: 2023 Approximate cost: $50 million Burdette is currently providing the electrical engineering for design, specifications and construction observation for the new Arts and Health Sciences building based on a 125,000-square-foot three-story building. Borden Building Renovation 711 W. Washington St., Greenville Developer/owner: The Furman Co. Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith General contractor: Mavin Construction, Greenville Estimated completion date: Jan. 31, 2023 Estimated total cost of project: $5,525,000 Description: Renovation of 40,000 square feet of historic industrial space to a mixed use development with different tenants. Also completed associated sitework.

111 Main 111 Main St., Spartanburg Developer/owner: Bauknight & Babb LLC Architects: McMillan Pazden Smith Contractors and engineers being selected Estimate completion date: December 2023 Description: The project includes two buildings, 111 Main and 109 Main, with 111 being on the National Register of Historic Places. The finished project will include nearly 40,000 square feet of historic renovation and the addition of almost 1,000 square feet of new construction in the 109 building. Twenty-five apartments, with one, two and three bedrooms, with several in the townhouse style in the 109 Main St. courtyard, will be part of the project. The site will have parking under the building with access from Broad Street.

GSP infrastructure 2000 GSP Drive, Greer Developer/owner: Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport General contractor: Mavin Construction Engineer: WK Dickson Estimated completion date: June 15 Estimated cost of the project: $1.8 million Description: Infrastructure project consisting of new water and sewer utilities, access road and retaining wall to accommodate future hangar projects.

Anderson University Springdale Conversion 1226 Springdale Road, Anderson Developer/owner: Anderson University Architects: Stuart Stenger General Contractor: Mavin Construction Estimate completion date: May 31 Estimated total cost of project: $320,000 Description: Renovations and upfit to existing residential space. Turning a three-bedroom house into offices and learning space for the art program. This is the first step in preparation for the upcoming College of Engineering project.

Anderson University College of Engineering 316 Boulevard, Anderson Developer/owner: Anderson University Architect: Craig Gaulden Davis General contractor: Mavin Construction Estimated completion date: Summer 2023

April 18-May 1, 2022

UPSTATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Description: The first step to prepare for the College of Engineering project will be renovations to the house located at 1226 Springdale Road. It will be upfit into offices and learning space for the art program. Construction of the new 30,000-square-foot College of Engineering will begin shortly after.

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

Green Laundry Lounge 101 Moorlyn Lane, Suite G, Greer Developer/owner: Jay Desai Architects: Johnston Design Group General contractor: Cely Construction Co. Inc. Completion date: March Description: Construction of ground-up new shopping mall including Green Laundry Lounge which just had its grand opening. It’s the first of its kind featuring a full-service farm-to-table cafe/coffee bar with indoor and outdoor seating, a lounge featuring computers for kids, dry cleaning systems, and is all green, ecofriendly. It features vendors and suppliers from our local community. Their vision is to reinvent laundry where the community can socialize and have quality time with their friends and family.

St. Andrew Catholic Church Parish Hall 209 Sloan St., Clemson Developer/owner: Bishop of Charleston, for the benefit of St. Andrew Catholic Church, Clemson

www.gsabusiness.com 15

Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville Engineers: Bluewater Civil Design, Greenville (civil); Britt peters, Greenville (structural) Estimated completion date: June Estimated total cost of project: $2.2 million Description: A 5,770-square-foot parish hall is currently under construction, located adjacent to the recently completed St. Andrew Catholic Church butil by Hogan. The parish hall will incorporate a multi-function community/dining room, kitchen, offices, conference room and storage space.

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: Seamon Whiteside, Greenville (civil); Bailey and Son Engineering, Greenville (structural) Estimated total cost of project: $12 million Description: Anderson University selected Hogan Construction and McMillan Pazdan Smith to provide preconstruction and construction management services for the 36,500-square-foot Football Operations Building. The facility will feature three levels with the upper level providing daily operations. The field level will house a strength and conditioning room, equipment room, sports medicine area, student-athlete lounge and a locker room for the football team.

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, Greenwood (civil); Arrowood & Arrowood, Greenville (structural) Estimated completion date: February 2023 Estimated cost of project: $8 million Description: Hogan and LS3P Associates have partnered with Star EV to deliver Design-Build services. The project includes a new 17,000 SF two-story headquarters and a 42,000 SF pre-engineered metal building manufacturing expansion that will house the assembly of electric vehicles. Easley YMCA 201 Burns Road, Easley Owner/developer: Pickens County Young Men’s Christian Association Architects: SGA NarmourWright, Greenville General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville Engineers: Land Planning Associates, Easley (civil); Fuller Consulting, Greenville (structural); Stephens Engineering, Easley (mechanical, plumbing, fire protection); and Carolina Engineering, Greenville (electrical) Estimated total cost of project: $12 million The YMCA of Easley has selected Hogan to provide a new 52,000-square-foot YMCA expansion that will replace the current facility and feature state-of-the-art cardio and strength centers, exercise and spin rooms, as well as a training room with workout spaces and locker rooms. Renovations will

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UPSTATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

include the conversion of the existing YMCA into a child development center and adjoining senior center. The campus grounds will include two athletic fields, multiple playgrounds, and a half-mile track.

April 18-May 1, 2022

General contractor: Pattillo Construction, Greenville Engineers: Krudwig Structural Engineers, Kansas (structural); Seamon Whiteside, Spartanburg (civil) Estimated completion date: December Description: New construction of a 1,005,520-square-foot speculative warehouse located on a 178acre site in Moore.

Laurens County Administration Upfit 12 Bolt Drive, Laurens Developer/owner: Laurens County Architects: Craig Gaulden Davis, Greenville General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville Engineers: Thomas & Hutton, Greenville (civil) and Fuller Group, Greenville (structural) Estimated completion date: July Description: A former grocery store is being renovated into a county administration building. The Voter Registration and Veterans Affairs agencies will occupy 11,800 square feet and will share a common lobby, offices, conference rooms, training room, multi-purpose room, waiting area, storage, and a break room. The remaining 41,000 square feet will be gutted and prepared for a future upfit. Victor Hill Distribution Center 1117 Victor Hill Road, Greer Developer/owner: Seefried Industrial Properties, Atlanta Architects: MCA Architecture, Greenville General contractor: Pattillo Construction Corporation, Greenville Engineers: Rogers Mechanical, Georgia (mechanical); Piedmont Steel, Atlanta (structural); Spearman Electric, Greer (electrical); and WN Kirkland, Spartanburg (plumbing) Estimated completion date: August Estimated total cost of project: $7.3 million Description: The project includes new construction of a 185,250-square-foot concrete tilt wall, steel frame warehouse and office facility in Greer.

Prisma Health Primary Care - Fountain Inn 200 North Nelson Drive, Fountain Inn Developer/owner: Prisma Health, Greenville Architects:LS3P Associates, Greenville General contractor: Mavin Construction, Greenville Engineers: Site Design Inc., Greenville (civil); ADC Engineering, Irmo (structural); and Newcomb & Boyd, Atlanta (plumbing, mechanical, fire protection and fire alarm) Estimated completion date: Spring 2023 Description: The project consists of a new medical office building and related site work with space for expansion in the future. The program includes primary care clinics serving pediatric and adult patients. The 14,566-square-foot building will be construction Type IIB, single story, slab on grade, steel framed non-combustible structure and framing, unprotected and fully sprinklered. SC Global Logistics Duncan Highway and Old Spartanburg Highway, Moore Developer/owner: Flint Development, Kansas Architects: Davidson Architecture and Engineering, Kansas

Glen Raven Mills Expansion 4665 Liberty Highway, Anderson Architects: MCA Architecture, Greenville General contractor: M.B. Kahn Construction Co. Inc. Estimated completion date: November Estimated total cost of project: $35 million Description: The Glen Raven Mills Custom Fabrics Anderson Facility Expansion is a 240,854-squarefoot distribution center/high bay warehouse, a 196,721-square-foot manufacturing space, and 10,478 square feet of ancillary workshops. The facility has a structural steel frame with load-bearing PC concrete exterior walls. The project is being constructed on a 40-acre site adjacent to an existing facility. It also includes an upfit to the facility.

April 18-May 1, 2022

UPSTATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

www.gsabusiness.com 17

Hyundai of Greer 13740 E. Wade Hampton Blvd., Greer Developer/owner: JBM Leasing LLC, Greer Architects: Langley & Associates, Greer General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville Engineers: Thomas & Hutton, Greenville (civil); Palmetto Structural Engineering, Taylors (structural); and Carolina Engineering, Greenville (HVAC, plumbing and electrical) Estimated completion date: April Estimated total cost of project: $5.4 million Description: The new dealership will envelop 19,427 square feet of space incorporating a modern sales showroom, administrative offices, customer lounge and a large service area. The exterior will consist of a structurally glazed curtain wall system, decorative EIFS and ACM panels, and ornamented with Hyundai branding.

Crosspoint Church Student Worship Upfit 1019 Tiger Blvd., Clemson Developer/owner: Crosspoint Church Architects: Equip Studio Inc., Greenville General contractor: Hogan Construction Group LLC, Greenville Engineers: Arrowood & Arrowood (structural) and Devita & Associates (fire protection, mechanical, electrical and plumbing) Estimated completion date: June Description: An interior upfit will transform a former retail building into a new student worship area for Crosspoint Church. Modifications will create a new 150-seat assembly space with a platform. A large lobby space will serve as a pre-function space for the seating venue and provide access to a warming kitchen and storage. Lounge seating will surround the lobby circulation space.

Unity Park Greenville Developer/owner: city of Greenville Architects: MKSK Inc. and McMillan Pazdan Smith General contractor: Harper General Contractors Estimated completion date: May Estimated total cost of project: $38.5 million Description: The revitalization of Unity Park is designed to attract new life and create economic vibrancy to a currently underutilized space of West Greenville. Opening in May, the project includes extensive site work to the 60-acre site including paths, bridges and pavilions. The Reedy River is undergoing a bank stabilization, beautification and creation of a secondary river channel. Park amenities will include: new playgrounds, ball fields, splashpads, visitors center, public restrooms and parking.

Southchase Wilson Bridge - Building C 270 Wilson Bridge Road, Fountain Inn Developer/owner: 270 Wilson Bridge LLC, Greenville Architects: MCA Architects Project manager: NAI Earle Furman, Greenville General contractor: THS Constructors, Greenville Engineers: Bluewater Civil Design, Greenville Estimated completion date: summer 2023 Description: This project includes new construction and site work for a spec industrial facility in the Southchase Industrial Park — one of the last developable sites in the park. The building will be a Class A, tilt-wall project, complimenting the architecture and design of the two neighboring buildings located at 250 and 260 Wilson Bridge Road. The building also will be approximately 86,700 square feet and have a 32-foot minimum clear height.

Gastroenterology Associates 125 Halton Road, Greenville Developer/owner: Halton-Webb LLC, Greenville Architects: SHLTR Architects, Greenville General contractor: Caldwell Constructors Engineers: SHLTR Architects, Greenville (core/shell architect); SGA NarmourWright, Greenville (interior upfit architects); Structural Systems Engineering, Easley (structural); Carolina Engineering Solutions LLC, Greenville, (MEP) Estimated completion date: September Description: The new construction of a 40,000-square-foot medical office building for a repeat client is nearing completion. The first floor will contain the ambulatory care portion of the practice with the second floor housing office, administration and exam rooms. The plans include a rooftop terrace with occupancy planned for September of this year.

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UPSTATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

April 18-May 1, 2022

Ga., (structural); and Paulson Cheek, Norcross, Ga. (HVAC) Estimated completion date: second quarter of 2022 Estimated total cost of project: $13 million Description: This is the second building to be constructed within the Fox Hill Business Park Development. Building 2 is a 306,600-square-foot concrete tilt-up industrial spec building to be custom built to fit the needs of the future tenant to use for manufacturing, distribution or warehousing space. The park is served by immediate access to Interstate 385 linked to Interstate 85 with excellent access to the Greenville and Upstate markets.

Basecamp GVL 1000 Laurens Road, Greenville Developer/owner: Basecamp Gvl LLC, Greenville Architects: SHLTR Architects, Greenville General contractor: Caldwell Constructors, Greenville Engineers: Palmetto Structural Engineering, Tigerville (structural); Bluewater Civil Design, Greenville (civil/landscape); Leblanc Welch Inc., Greenville (plumbing and mechanical); and Burdette Engineering, Greenville (electrical) Estimated completion date: October Estimated total cost of project: $3.5 million Description: Located on the Laurens Road corridor, this project features a 20,000-square-foot wellness campus supporting all aspects of health. Caldwell is executing extensive sitework including demolition of an existing building and renovation of two existing buildings. Exterior uplifts include new facades, storefront designs, overhead doors, and an outdoor dining and recreation area. Interiors feature a highly versatile industrial design aesthetic showcasing polished concrete floors and exposed structural elements.

Ambassador Animal Hospital 630 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville Developer/owner: Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, Ambassador Animal Hospital, Greenville Architects: SHLTR Architects LLC, Greenville General contractor: Caldwell Constructors, Greenville Engineers: Palmetto Structural engineering, Tigerville (structural); Davis & Floyd, Greenville (civil); Carolina engineering Solutions, Greenville (plumbing and electrical) Estimated completion date: October Estimated total cost of project: $2.2 million Description: The new construction project of a 6,000 square-foot veterinary facility is being handled as a design/build project. The owners is relocating their existing practice to a new location across the street to improve the facilities, including spacious waiting room and upgraded technology. Fox Hill Business Park – Building 2 200 Francis Marion Way, Fountain Inn Developer/owner: Sudler Real Estate, New Jersey Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith General contractor: Pattillo Construction Corp., Greenville Engineers: Carolina Power, Greer (electrical); Glenn Mechanical, Anderson (plumbing); Piedmont Steel, Covington,

BridgeWay Station BridgeWay Boulevard, Mauldin (Bridges Road exit of Interstate 385) Developer/owner: Hughes Investments, Greenville Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville General contractor: Harper General Contractors, Greenville Engineers: LeBlanc Welch, Greenville (mechanical and plumbing); Carolina Engineering Solutions, Greenville (electrical); Site Design, Greenville (civil); and Britt Peters and Associates, Greenville (structural) Estimated completion date: Phase 1, late 2022 Description: Work continues on BridgeWay Station in Mauldin. The project’s first phase features 2000,000 square feet of residential space, 70,000 square feet of retail space, and more than five acres of parks and trails connected to the Swamp Rabbit Trail via a new pedestrian bridge over the interstate. BridgeWay recently announced a new tenant, Cinergy Entertainment. Cinergy will be using 70,000 square feet of space for a new entertainment venue featuring a virtual reality arcade, movie theater and boutique bowling alley.

United Community Bank Headquarters 200 E. Camperdown Way, Greenville Owner/developer: United Community Bank / The Furman Co., Greenville Architects: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville General contractor: Harper Construction, Greenville Engineers: Britt Peters & Associates, Greenville (civil/structural); Sexton Design and Development, Greenville (landscape architect); RMF Engineering, Charleston (MEP/fire protection); and Ecoworks Studio, Atlanta (WELL certification) Estimated completion date: spring 2024 Estimated total cost of project: $70 million Description: The new United Community Bank headquarters broke ground on March 29 with Gov. Henry McMaster in attendance. Situated in downtown Greenville near the Grand Bohemian Hotel, the 118,000-square-foot office building will create 227 new jobs and serve as the national headquarters for UCB. It will be the largest bank headquarters in South Carolina upon completion. The office has excellent views of Falls Park and will be one of the first buildings in the state certified to WELL health and safety standards.

IN FOCUS: ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

April 18-May 1, 2022

www.gsabusiness.com 19

Landscape Architecture Firms

Ranked by No. of Registered Landscape Architects in the Greenville Area Company

Phone / Website / Email

Executive(s) / Year Founded

Landscape Architects / Total Employees /

SeamonWhiteside 508 Rhett St., Suite 101 Greenville, SC 29601

864-298-0534 www.seamonwhiteside.com eeckman@seamonwhiteside.com

Rick Schroder, Joe Bryant 1985

10 47

Commercial, residential, mixed-use, office, higher ed., K-12 schools, municipal, health care, industrial, streetscapes, parks and recreation, flood studies, drainage plans

Earth Design Inc. 1309 Grove Road Greenville, SC 29605

864-603-1231 www.earthdesignsc.com contact@earthdesignsc.com

Rick Huffman, Cheryl Brown, Holley Owings 1996

3 12

Landscape architecture for commercial, municipal and residential focusing on environmental design, restoration ecology, green infrastructure, park design and project implementation

Davis & Floyd Inc. 1319 Highway 72/221 East Greenwood, SC 29649

864-229-5211 www.davisfloyd.com marketing@davisfloyd.com

Stephen L. Davis, Jason P. Eppley 1954

2 71

Master planning, industrial and commercial site planning, municipal ordinance compliance planning, streetscape design, cemetery design, 3D modeling and graphics, planting design

Freeland & Kauffman Inc. 209 W. Stone Ave. Greenville, SC 29609

864-672-3411 www.fk-inc.com kkauffman@fk-inc.com

Kim Kauffman 1993

2 17

Commercial development

MRB Group Consulting P.C. 134 Meeting St., Suite 170A Charleston, SC 29401

843-992-0275 www.mrbgroup.com info@mrbgroup.com

Kevin Park, Ryan T. Colvin, James J. Oberst 1927

2 5

Civil, landscape architecture, structural, aviation, land planning, urban, site and sustainable design, recreation planning and design

Site Design Inc. 225 Rocky Creek Road Greenville, SC 29615

864-271-0496 www.sitedesign-inc.com jnash@sitedesign-inc.com

Clay Jones, Craig Winnall, Mark Binsz 1991

2 62

Multi-family and commercial master planning and landscape design

PDI Architecture LLC 1020 Breazeale Road Pendleton, SC 29670

864-224-5800 www.pdiarch.com pdia@pdiarch.com

Patrick D. Iannelli 2004

1 10

Full landscape architectural services

Sexton Design & Development LLC 6 Custom Mill Court Greenville, SC 29609

864-412-7712 www.sextondd.com natasha@sextondd.com

Jeremiah Sexton, Natasha Sexton 2017

1 6

Providing buildable design solutions to the community with emphasis on urban renewal, redevelopment, hospitality, park and recreation, institutional and multi-family projects

SGA NW 148 River St., Suite 222 Greenville, SC 29601

864-609-4199 www.sganwdesign.com info@sganwdesign.com

Christopher Nordmeyer 1987

1 10

A GF design company; architecture, interiors, planning, landscape architecture

Description

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 every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.

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MIN G

Under the Microscope: Bio-Science In July, SCBIZ magazine examines the economic impact of the life sciences industries, the businesses that support them, and growth trends for the future in South Carolina.

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ULY

New frontiers

Summer 202

S.C.’s life sci en poised for gro ces sector wth, succes s

Chester County will be in the Spotlight, along with a Power List of Real Estate Attorneys. Don’t miss this opportunity to promote your brand to 80,000+ high-level business executives and site selectors.

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BUSINESS DIGEST | PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Business Digest

Grant to support entrepreneurs

The S.C. Small Business Development Centers Network announced that the S.C. Association for Community Economic Development was awarded a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration to serve as the “hub” organization for South Carolina’s Community Navigator Pilot Program. As part of the program, the SBDC has been designated as one of the state’s eight participating “spoke” organizations responsible for better connecting historically underserved entrepreneurs with critical resources. The CNPP is part of a $100 million American Rescue Act initiative to help reduce the barriers that underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs face in accessing the programs and services that they need to recover, grow or start their businesses.

OTO acquires Florida hotel

Spartanburg-based OTO Development said it acquired Best Western Fort Walton Beach in the Florida Panhandle. A renovation is planned, the company said. OTO, which is part of The Johnson Group, develops, owns and operates select-service hotels across the country. Built in 1998, Best Western Fort Walton Beach comprises six floors and 100 guestrooms, 60 of which feature balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

BASF appoints site director for Mauldin, White Stone project, culminating in a presentation to VentureSouth. At the end of the program fellows have the chance to interview for two internship positions with the investment firm.

Illumifin to acquire LTCG

Greenville-based Illumifin, an administration and software provider for insurers, announced it signed a definitive agreement to acquire LTCG, a provider of administrative solutions and clinical services to the long-term care insurance industry. Terms were not released. The acquisition expands Illumifin’s offerings in underwriting, policy administration, health risk assessments and claims management. Illumifin was formed in July 2021 by Abry Partners and Hoplon Capital.

Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts (left), presents Anderson University Senior Vice President of Development and Presidential Affairs Wayne Landrith with a proclamation formally recognizing April 7, 2022 as Anderson University Day.

City proclaims April 7 AU Day

The city of Anderson recognized April 7 as Anderson University Day. The university that day ran a 24-hour fundraising drive to support students, faculty and campus programs.

Angel analyst fellowship established

The Robert and Margaret Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with VentureSouth, has launched Furman Angel Analyst Fellows. The fellowship provides students with the skills, experience and network to accelerate their knowledge of early-stage venture investment. Students will get hands-on experience working with the VentureSouth team and will meet twice a week for eight weeks at Furman 101 in downtown Greenville, where they hear from entrepreneurs and business leaders, have facilitated discussions, go over case studies and exercises and receive mentoring. The last three weeks are spent on a due-diligence

Staff Report

gsanews@scbiznews.com

erald Murphy has been selected as BASF’s new site director for its locations in Mauldin and White Stone. A native of Columbia, Murphy earned his bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and his MBA from the University of South Carolina. Murphy has been with BASF for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles. Most recently, he served as site director for BASF’s location in Bishop, Texas. “I’m thrilled to be returning home to South Carolina and to have the opportunity to lead such great teams at BASF’s sites in Mauldin and White Stone,” Murphy said in a news release. “The personal care products we produce at these organization to receive three months and $10,000 worth of pro bono services. Fuel said it will help Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate raise awareness about the need for mentors and the opportunities to change the lives of children by volunteering as a “Big.”

ESPN Upstate now The Fan Upstate

Audacy announced the launch of The Fan Upstate (WORD-AM/WYRD-AM) in Greenville and Spartanburg. The Fan will delivering live, local content including the “The Rob Brown Show” and “Offsides with Marc Ryan.” The station will now be home to CBS Sports Radio and BetQL programming. The Fan Upstate will also continue to serve as the play-by-play home for Furman University Paladins football and basketball, as well as Byrnes High School football. The station, previously ESPN Upstate, is multicast on WORD-AM/WYRD-AM, WFBC-HD2, 97.7 FM and 97.1 FM.

sites are ones we all likely use throughout our everyday lives — items such as soap, toothpaste, disinfectants and laundry detergent, among many others — and it’s gratifying to play a role in creating products that improve our lives.” More than 150 products are made at BASF’s site in Mauldin, including surfactants and co-surfactants used in many common Murphy cleaning and disinfectant products, specialty esters and other proprietary blends. At BASF’s site in White Stone, the company produces surfactants for the personal care and cleaning industries. Together, the two sites employ more than 150. recovery programs, 16 transitional housing facilities, a foster care community, a foster care program, a food ministry distribution center, 18 thrift stores and a vehicle-sales program. In 2021 Miracle Hill served 3,176 men, women, and children; provided over 10,000 emergency shelter beds, and served 319,939 meals throughout their programs.

Countybank opens in Simpsonville

Countybank said it opened a commercial loan office at 309 South East Main St. in Simpsonville. The office provides commercial loans, business lending and cash management services.

Antique store opens in Piedmont

Fuel announces grant

Greenville-based marketing agency Fuel announced Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate as recipient of its second quarter Fuel for Good grant. Through the program, Fuel selects a local nonprofit

Miracle Hill raises $500,000

Miracle Hill Ministries said its annual fundraising banquet raised $500,000. The donations received from the banquet will be used to attend to the needs of the ministry’s four rescue missions, two addiction

Antique Junction opened April 2 at the former Duke Power building at 18 Piedmont Highway, Piedmont. The store includes 5,000 square feet of show space, including 20 booths and two makers’ spaces to support local artisans. In addition to the 5,000 square feet of space, the store features a loading bay, warehouse space, a handicapped-accessible lift and a parking lot. Antique Junction said it is looking for quality vendors to fill booths. Contact antiquejunctionupstate@gmail. com for information.

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

April 18-May 1, 2022

www.gsabusiness.com 21

People in the News HOSPITALITY

Kolak

committee.

Megan Kolak, Greenville Triumph’s senior vice president, has been named to the USL W League’s executive committee. Kolak represents the South Atlantic Division on the seven-member

Hartness announced the appointment of Albert Mertz as general manager of Hotel Hartness. Mertz has more than 30 years of international hospitality experience.

INSURANCE Owens Insurance Agency promoted Chad Hannon to market president for the agency’s home office in Greer. Hannon joined Owens Insurance as execuHannon tive vice president of the commercial division seven years ago.

LAW

Riordan

focuses on advising hospitals, physicians and physicians’ groups, nursing and longterm care facilities and other health care providers.

Monsell

The Greenville Triumph SC promoted front office staff members Megan Kolak, Ryan McKie and Marcus Siler. Kolak will serve as senior vice president Siler after previously working as vice president of partnership marketing and community relations. McKie’s position as high-performance coach is being promoted to a full-time role. Siler has been promoted to director of soccer operations after serving as soccer operations manager.

Mertz

Countybank’s names Anderson market executive

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A. announced that Meghan Riordan was selected to serve a three-year term on the board of advisors for the Greenville Chamber. Her legal practice

Massingill

Wyche announced that Jessica Monsell joined the firm as an associate in its litigation practice. Monsell will focus her practice on complex business litigation, insurance, technology and transportation law. Wyche announced that Camden Navarro Massingill has been named a shareholder of the firm. Massingill focuses her practice on employment-related matters.

MANUFACTURING

Staff Report

gsanews@scbiznews.com

ountybank promoted James R. Fowler Jr. to executive vice president and Anderson market executive. Fowler has served Countybank for more than 24 years in various leadership roles, most recently as the bank’s most senior corporate banker as director of commercial banking and strategic initiatives. As Anderson market executive, he is responsible for leading Countybank’s business development efforts in Anderson and helping the organization grow and prosper in the growing market. Fowler has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wofford College and has attended the North Carolina School of Banking at UNC Chapel Hill and the Campbell University Trust and Investment School. He has a wealth management specialist certification and is a licensed insurance agent. olinas; and Steve Babcock, previously director of engineering, to vice president of engineering and drafting for Georgia and Carolina operations.

REAL ESTATE

Thompson

Stillinger

T&S Brass and Bronze Works promoted DeAnna Thompson to marketing manager for North and South America and Christine Stillinger to marketing coordinator for Europe, South Africa and the Middle East. Thompson, who has been with T&S for more than 20 years, previously served as communications manager. Stillinger, who joined T&S in 2013, previously served in other marketing and customer service roles. BASF named Gerald Murphy site director of its locations in Mauldin and White Stone. Murphy has been with BASF for nearly 20 years, most recently as site direcMurphy tor for BASF in Bishop, Texas. Metromont promoted Chuck Gantt, its Greenville vice president and general manager, to senior vice president of Georgia and Carolina operations. The company also promoted Chris Rogers, previously director of sales, to vice president and general manager for the Car-

Keaton

Roser

The Art of Real Estate announced that Tim Keaton joined its Greenville Studio as an associate agent. He previously worked in the telecommunications industry.

The Cliffs hired JoAnn Roser as a sales executive. Roser joins the mountain region sales office, which includes The Cliffs at Glassy, The Cliffs at Mountain Park and The Cliffs Valley.

Colliers South Carolina promoted Hannah Wahnon to marketing coordinator in the firm’s Spartanburg office. She has worked at Colliers since 2019. Wahnon McCoy Wright CRE hired Garrison Smith as junior associate. Smith recently graduated from Clemson University. Catherine Johnston has been promoted

Fowler has also served in various roles in banking and in the community, including president, president-elect, treasurer and member of legislative committee of the Independent Bankers of South Carolina. “Jimmy has successfully served in many different types of leadership roles throughout his long tenure with Countybank,” said Fowler Ken Harper, executive vice president, chief banking officer. “His extensive business development experience and knowledge of this market as an Anderson County native will serve both him and the bank well as we continue to support growth and development in the Electric City.” Countybank has locations in Greenwood, Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer and Anderson. to vice president of human resources at OTO Development. Johnston has been the company’s director of human resources since 2017. Coldwell Banker Caine hired Linda O’Brien as a residential agent at its Greenville office. She has more than 20 years of sales and management experience in the communications industry. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner Realtors announced that broker-in-charge Donna Smith was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, South CaroliSmith na’s highest civilian honor presented in recognition of a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service and contributions.

ARCHITECTURE Thomas & Hutton announced that Joe Clark completed the landscape architect registration examination and is a newly registered professional landscape Clark architect in the state of South Carolina. Clark joined Thomas & Hutton’s Charleston landscape architecture department See PITN, Page 22

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April 18-May 1, 2022

USC Upstate names new communications chief Staff Report

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

MAY 9

GROWTH REPORT: LIFE SCIENCES List: Life Sciences Companies Advertising Deadline: April 25 MAY 23

PORTS, LOGISTICS, AND DISTRIBUTION

List: Motor Freight Companies Bonus List: Employee Benefit Brokers Advertising Deadline: May 9 JUNE 13

ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION (AEC) List: Home Builders Advertising Deadline: May 30 JUNE 27

MANUFACTURING & AEROSPACE List: Largest Employers Special Section: Business Cares Salute to the Military Advertising Deadline: June 13

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he University of South Carolina Upstate named Kesha Boyce Williams its new associate vice chancellor for marketing and strategic communications. Williams will provide strategic leadership, oversight and tactical and technical direction to the institutional marketing and communications team in support of the university’s strategic direction, according to a news release. In her role, she is charged with helping raise the profile of USC Upstate by fostering a spirit of collaboration and delivering creative, compelling and Williams high-impact content, the release said. “Accomplishing our vision and achieving the greatest impact in the lives of our students and in the Upstate region requires effective and strategic communication,” USC Upstate Chancellor Bennie Harris said in the release. “Kesha Boyce Williams’ wealth of communication leadership experience in higher education and other settings will be vital as we elevate our work and propel USC Upstate forward. I am grateful she has chosen to join our team.” Prior to joining USC Upstate, Williams served for nine years as the public information director for Clemson University, where she created and implemented strategies for communications, marketing and social media content. She served as a division plan administrator for Clemson’s Inclusion and Equity Plan and was the leader of digital communication on the university’s crisis management team.

“I feel very blessed and honored to be joining the University of South Carolina Upstate at this transformative moment in the institution’s history under the leadership of Chancellor Bennie Harris,” Williams said in the release. “USC Upstate continues to build on a great culture of educational impact that has produced generations of scholars and leaders and provided research and scholarship that has changed lives. I am excited to be working with the marketing and communications team to share more stories about the impact of a USC Upstate education in this state, nation and world.” In the summer of 1989, while she was still a high school student, Williams participated in The Models of the Mind program at the South Carolina Honors College. Two years later, Spartanburg CBS affiliate WSPA-TV supported her involvement in a summer journalism program at Northwestern University, where she later enrolled as an undergraduate. Williams also served as web project manager for Oberlin College, a private liberal arts college and music conservatory in Oberlin, Ohio; communications manager for the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio; and web services manager at The Cleveland Institute of Art. She was a web content manager for Catholic Relief Services, director of communications and online marketing for America’s Promise, and new media manager for The Points of Light Foundation. Early in her career, Williams produced content for Knight Ridder/Tribune properties and Tribune Media Services. She was an intern for The Laurens County Advertiser. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Communications, Culture and Technology from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

People in the News PITN, from Page 21

in 2017 and relocated to the Greenville office in 2019.

ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PR

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

Garcia

VantagePoint Marketing hired Brianna McClain as content specialist, Rebecca Garcia as account executive and Shelley Windsor as account manager. Windsor McClain has experience in communications, social media marketing and project management. Garcia brings seven years of marketing and business development experience. Windsor has volunteered with organizations such as ScanSource Charitable Foundation and United Way.

Viewpoint

VIEWS, PERSPECTIVES AND READERS’ LETTERS

A rising tide lifts all: firsthand advice for small business owners

was executive director of the Five Points Association – representing 150 merchants – and preparing for our biggest event of the year, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, when I decided to take a leap of faith and buy my own small business: The Gourmet Shop. This was a year before the pandemic hit and I was confident that my grit and determination would make this dream a reality. When COVID AMY BETH turned our world FRANKS upside down, I found that adaptability was the key to success. Now that I have owned The Gourmet Shop for a few years and boast experience I could never have dreamed I would gain, I have a story to tell my fellow business owners. As a worldwide pandemic impacted our businesses, I learned that when the future seems uncertain and challenges loom larger than usual, there are no replacements for communication, continuity and collaboration. Luckily, we had

social media at our fingertips to use in ways we hadn’t previously imagined and to help us with all three. Here is how:

Communication

At the beginning of the pandemic, many small businesses were forced to close or alter their hours of operation. This served as a reminder to always be prepared to communicate effectively with loyal customers – and potential new ones – even when you may not be able to see them in person. We used our Instagram and Facebook pages to update customers and answer any questions they had in real time - for which we were thankful because of increased phone line traffic our staff could not maintain. Opening up a line of communication virtually about our regulations, hours, and carry-out options with our customers and community really was what got us through our hardest days. Although we have a website, social media became our hub for online orders.

Continuity

We also wanted customers to continue to see the same kind of customer-service oriented staff they

were accustomed to at The Gourmet Shop, even if some faces changed. Like the majority of the country, not receiving a steady paycheck is not an option for us. As soon as we were able to serve our customers again, our precovid staff was reunited. Additionally, we took advantage of social media to bring in new hires. We found that this was where we received the most traffic and have since hired more than 75% of our candidates after finding them on Facebook. This quickly put people back to work in order to provide for their families and keep our doors open. Continuity gave us a peace of mind we never knew could be so valuable.

Collaboration

I have always loved the phrase “A rising tide lifts all boats.” The collaborations undertaken during such a difficult time not only kept us all afloat but created lasting relationships. While wearing my small business owner hat, I remembered the one I wore before. As an executive director I relied on utilizing the different strengths of each member business to benefit the entire company and now was no differ-

ent. The Gourmet Shop needed to be supported by and supportive of the community in order to survive. Working and collaborating with other small businesses in Five Points on giveaways and special events unlocked new opportunities for my business. All businesses, ranging from hospitality to retail, could gain from becoming active members in their community. My advice to fellow small business owners is to take advantage of your resources and community support and keep an open mind to what is possible with social media. Open up lines of communication with your community and be responsive. Lean on your neighbors, friends, and competitors alike to help each other out. The rising tide raises all. Amy Beth Franks is the owner of upscale Columbia grocer and cafe The Gourmet Shop.

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

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April 18-May 1, 2022

2022 | SOUTH CAROLINA

MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE AND EXPO PRESENTED BY:

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

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

Join Manufacturing suppliers and innovators across all industry verticals at South Carolina’s most significant manufacturing event of the year. The 2022 conference will include: • An exhibit hall the equivalent of three football fields • Implementing Industry 4.0 Technology • 2023 Economic Outlook: Auto, Aerospace, Biotech • Women in Manufacturing: Leaders and Influencers • SCMEP Manufacturing Excellence Awards • The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP) will conduct training courses For questions about exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Melissa Tomberg at (864) 720-1220 or mtomberg@scbiznews.com Visit scmanufacturingconference.com for the latest updates.