In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits
Report Addresses GSP Transit Hub
The Upstate Mobility Alliance recently released its GSP Transit Hub Feasibility Analysis, which took eight months and involved public surveys, meetings, and economic and transit analyses.
The analysis explored how a Transit Hub at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport could expand service to the airport, serve the airport’s need for better mobility of passengers to and from the terminal and parking lots, and serve as a connection point for regional mobility.
The study was conducted by the Sam Schwartz firm in collaboration with the Upstate Mobility Alliance and a steering committee. It was funded by a grant from the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
The report finds:
Widespread support for enhanced regional transit cooperation and connectivity to GSP.
Demand for transit connecting people to GSP, including GSP employees, under-employed Upstate residents, and business travelers.
Social and economic impacts to the region from a transit service with GSP as a hub.
Transit service to a GSP hub aligns with SCDOT regional mobility priorities.
The study also found that a transit service that connects Clemson, Greenville, GSP and Spartanburg has a potential market of 1,000 daily riders. Annually, it could add 231 jobs to the Upstate, $12.2 million in labor income, $36.4 million in economic output, $551,000 in local tax revenue, and $836,000 in state tax revenue, according to a press release.
For links and more information, go to https://www.upstatemobilityalliance.org/news/gsp-transit-hub-report-released.
GADC Presents Awards To Manufacturers
The Greenville Area Development Corp. and the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership have presented their 2024 Manufacturer of the Year Awards.
The new award honors the contributions of Greenville County’s small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses. It acknowledges innovation, dedication to community, and commitment to transformational and operational excellence.
Recipients are:
STREN-FLEX LLC, a manufacturer of overhead lifting products. It is located in Simpsonville and was honored in the category of companies with 50 employees or less.
“We are proud to be a part of the Greenville community that welcomed us seven years ago with open arms and provides us with the resources and opportunities to thrive,” said Roderick Rossborough, owner and founder of STREN-FLEX.
The second award went to Calder Brothers Corp., a builder of paving and construction equipment in Taylors. The award was in the category of businesses with 51 to 250 employees.
“As a privately held family business, we pride ourselves on being a strong community partner, dedicated to our employees, while propelling our products forward in a rapidly changing market,” said company Vice President Glen Calder.
The theme of the GADC Investors annual meeting was “Partners in Motion: Shaping the Future Together.”
The keynote address was given by the CEO and Chairman of the Board from Breeze Airways, David Neeleman. Breeze recently began non-stop service from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport to Los Angeles; Hartford, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island; and Orlando and Tampa, Florida.
Jim Burns, Chairman of GADC’s Board of Directors, acknowledged the service of outgoing GADC Board members Beverly Haines and Barry Leasure. Haines began her two terms in 2018. She has held the position of Chairwoman and currently serves as Vice Chair. Leasure began his term in 2019 and has served as Treasurer for four years.
Burns also presented the GADC Chairman’s Award to Renewable Water Resources (ReWa). ReWa CEO, Joel Jones, accepted artwork depicting Greenville’s river walk on behalf of his colleagues.
GADC Interim President and CEO Kevin Landmesser presented an award to Ted Campbell, Senior Project Manager with the S.C. Department of Commerce. The GADC William D. Workman Buffalo Hunter Award was given in recognition of Campbell’s assistance in securing the Nissin Foods project last fall. Nissin’s $224 million investment will create 320 jobs in Greenville County.
The Buffalo Hunter Award was established in 2004 in honor of former Greenville Mayor William Workman (1983 to 1995). Workman helped establish the Upstate South Carolina Regional Alliance and the GADC.
Last year, Landmesser said, GADC announced 20 projects totaling nearly $600 million, with 1,500 jobs. This year, GADC played a role in securing $546 million in new capital investment, with 630 jobs in Greenville County.
The Greenville Area Development Corp. was founded in 2001 by Greenville County Council. The organization provides support and resources to businesses of all sizes and acts as a liaison between businesses and local government.
The S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a private, nonprofit group that provides manufacturers with strategies to improve competitiveness, performance and profitability.
STREN-FLEX opened in Simpsonville in 2017. It has more than 200 distributors throughout the United States. STREN-FLEX stands for “strength and flexibility in lifting.”
Calder Brothers Corp. has enabled smoother operation, enhanced accuracy in laying asphalt, and improved overall productivity on construction sites by integrating electrical systems and computerized controls into equipment. The innovations also reduce environmental impact by minimizing emissions.
Landmesser presented the awards along with SCMEP Regional Vice President Chris Rauch.
Upstate Groups Receive Awards To Help People With Disabilities
The Barbara Stone Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting creative programs and initiatives for individuals with disabilities, recently awarded eight Community Innovations Grants.
The foundation prioritizes nonprofit programs that directly support individuals with disabilities.
The following organizations received grants totaling $26,500:
Bridged
Carolina Dance Collaborative
Center for Developmental Services
Friends of Cleveland Park on behalf of Brook’s Playground
Happy Hooves
Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services
RECESS (Recreation, Education, Community, Exercise, Social and Service) of YMCA of Greenville
Wild Hearts Equine Therapy Center
“Innovative programs that empower individuals with disabilities and enlighten our community (will help) individuals with disabilities flourish,” said Lara Ceisel, Executive Director of the Barbara Stone Foundation.
The 2024 Barbara Stone Foundation board members are Nick Skenteris, President; Michele Reeves, Vice President; Riku Oinonen, Treasurer; Brooke Schmidt, Secretary; and Lee Sowell, Matthew Collins, Marion Elliott, Elizabeth Piper, Jimmy Kimbell, Amy Hallasy, Lisa Finch, Audra Vellucci, Dana Gantt Moore; and the Honorable Nick Theodore, President Emeritus.
For information about the Barbara Stone Foundation or its grants, go to www.barbarastonefoundation.org. The deadline to submit fall grant applications is Sept. 15. First-time applicants are encouraged to email Ceisel, lara@barbarastonefoundation.org.
Since 1991, the Barbara Stone Foundation’s focus has been to influence community systems, policies, and culture to create equitable opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the Upstate.
Horror Film Shot In Upstate Premieres At Camelot Cinemas
Other Vision Studios and director Collins Abbott White will debut their newest indie, horror/thriller film, “Perfidia,” at a red carpet event at 7 p.m. June 11.
The evening will also feature an anthology of genre films from Other Vision’s works.
“When I approach the genre, I’m not looking at the tropes used in most mainstream horror films like jump scares, grotesque scenes, body horror, etc.,” White said. “I’m generally focused on the mind, conflict between opposing ideas, and how an inability to reconcile them can cause people to do unthinkable things.”
The film was shot over three days in Travelers Rest and Taylors; each member of the cast and crew hails from the Upstate.
Founded in 2011, Other Vision Studios is a film and video production company owned and operated by director Collins Abbott White. Other Vision has been a regular feature at Reedy Reels and has screened films across the United States.
Flywheel Presents Pitches, Tech, Networking
Flywheel has announced several events in Greenville.
Pitch-Space Live will be June 11 at 101 N. Main St. Pitches will be given by startups, along with feedback from a panel of investors. Doors open at 4 p.m.; pitches begin at 4:30 p.m. Spectators are welcome.
For tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pitch-space-live-in-greenville-tickets-777226785237?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=3cba6224a7
Tech Slam N' Eggs will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Aug. 1 at 101 N. Main St. Presenters will lift the hood on their tech stack and talk about discoveries, insights, and challenges they overcame.
For tickets and registration, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tech-slam-n-eggs-tickets-778444677987?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=3cba6224a7
Flywheel Café takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. June 6 at Fireforge Crafted Beer, 311 E Washington St.
Flywheel Café is a celebration of founders, investors and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Participants can connect with fellow professionals and enjoy a fireside chat with experts.
This month, Sam Konduros will share his journey to the new role of President and CEO of the Greenville City Economic Development Corp., his business philosophy, and his vision for the future. He will also highlight elements of the strategic plan for the newly formed GCEDC.
Speaking events will take place from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m.
The first drink is courtesy of Flywheel. For tickets and information, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flywheel-cafe-tickets-900451232877?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=3cba6224a7
Lunch & Learn Focus On Tips For Mental Health
The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Lunch & Learn, presented by Founders Federal Credit Union, will highlight “Tips for Managing Stress & Building Resilience” from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 30 at the chamber’s conference room, 105A W. Curtis St.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month; guest speaker Dr. Rachel S. Brown, Medical Director of Prevention & Wellness at Prisma Health, will share practical techniques for coping with stress and building resilience.
Registration includes a meal. For information and tickets, go to https://members.simpsonvillechamber.com/events/details/lunch-learn-series-05-28-2024-57684?calendarMonth=2024-05-01
Hartness Produce StandOpen To Public On Saturdays
The Hartness Farm is again selling fresh produce to the public every Saturday this summer from 9 a.m. to noon at The Village Center, 200 Society St., at the Hartness community. The produce is harvested on-site.
The Hartness Farm is managed with organic, sustainable farming practices. The farm is a food source for Hotel Hartness and gives residents access to a community garden and special events. The farm has 100 chickens for fresh eggs, a cornfield, a cutting garden, and an 11-acre pecan grove planted by the Hartness family decades ago.
The produce stand accepts only credit and debit cards. Hartness is located on S. Hwy. 14 between Woodruff and Pelham roads.
BASF Funds Child’s Birthday Wish
BASF sites in South Carolina joined Make-A-Wish to make one child’s wish come true.
Team members from BASF’s sites in Mauldin, Spartanburg (White Stone), Seneca, Clemson and Converse helped Ruthie Gregory celebrate her 5th birthday at Cleveland Park in Spartanburg and are gifting her with a trip to Zoo Miami.
“All of the teams in the Upstate couldn’t wait to be part of this event,” said Gerald Murphy, Site Manager for BASF in Mauldin and White Stone.
The trip was funded with a $7,500 contribution by the BASF sites through the Make-A-Wish Corporate Wish Sponsorship.
“We are grateful to have BASF sites as partners. Their corporate impact will transform lives,” said Kea Wade, Corporate and Community Engagement Manager at Make-A-Wish.
Ruthie’s trip – with her parents, Martina and Dillon, and sisters, Maryleigh and Mattie – came about after the staff at Make-A-Wish approached BASF in Converse.
“Each site does a lot for the community,” said Jerome Kirkland, Site Manager. “We have been looking for a project that could bring all of us in the Upstate together.”
Ruthie has Revesz syndrome, a rare bone marrow disorder. She wanted to see the animals at Zoo Miami and hold a koala and a tiger.
“She’s excited to be spending time with her sisters,” Martina Gregory said. “It is very special to us to get this wish, to go with her, and to live life to the fullest with her.”
BASF sites in South Carolina employ 750 people and invest $85 million annually through payroll, purchases, investments, taxes and charitable contributions.
BASF Corp., headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE in Germany. The company’s portfolio is comprised of chemicals, materials, industrial solutions, surface technologies, nutrition and care, and agricultural solutions.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits
