Simpsonville Arts Center is the Newest Upstate Gem

Jul 15, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365

From the long-ago days of reading and recess to today’s activities of performers and painters, the Simpsonville Arts Center is the newest gem of the Upstate.

Built in 1939, the building on 110 Academy Street that once housed the former Simpsonville Elementary School has both kept all the charm of its history while having new life breathed into it during a recent renovation. Added to that charm are a brand-new performing arts auditorium complete with a state of the art high-tech audio-visual system, generous lobby featuring 9 gallery areas to exhibit art, large box office and a concessions area.

On top of all that the updated auditorium offers, the Arts Center also boasts six classrooms at about 600 sq. ft. each with multiple large windows that allow natural light to fill the space. Original hardwood floors, high ceilings and wainscoting add to the magic of the rooms, which are available for monthly rental to visual and performing artists.

At the other end of the building is the old gymnasium, which is undergoing renovations to become a premier event space. With the new HVAC system to be installed, the original wood bleachers from the 1930s, the wood slatted ceiling and the beautiful wood floors, this will be the perfect spot for that special event: wedding receptions, fundraising, auctions, family reunions and large group gatherings – all for the public to use! Rental packages for use of the classrooms, auditorium and entire Arts Center are currently being developed so stay tuned!

As part of the Simpsonville Arts Center’s commitment to bringing quality performing arts to the area, the Mill Town Players, a community theatre recognized for its quality productions at affordable prices, is the company in residence at the Arts Center. With their original location in the Historic Pelzer Auditorium, Simpsonville is the second location for the community theatre.

The slate of shows for the Inaugural Season at the Arts Center is impressive with the first production opening July 22nd – the epic musical “Children of Eden.”

Other shows in the season include “Honk the Musical,” “The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “The Miracle Worker.”

For ticket information, call 864-947-8000.

If you would like to know more about the Simpsonville Arts Center or are interested in renting a classroom, please contact Melissa Sturgis at msturgis@simpsonville.com

Young-Afro Excellence: Bringing Excellence to the Next Generation

Jul 15, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365

Young Afro-Excellence, known as Gene-Xcellence, is a 501(3) nonprofit established in 2020 by Greenville natives and college students, DeAsia Danladi and Tailor Pickens. 

Our mission is to provide the youth, ages 12-24, the guide to reach its fullest potential through any adversity they may face.

As an organization, our goal is to break generational curses by building economic mobility for the next generation. To reach this goal, we provide business grants, scholarships, mentorship programs and materials for success.

Our mentorship program consists of various life-based skill classes such as career development, mental health, and financial literacy. We also conduct workshops, community outreach activities, and educational outings. Our workshops are age appropriate. In addition, individual success planning will be offered. Students ages 16 and older will receive a personalized career plan and personal budget.

Orientation for our Lady Excellence mentorship program is on August 28th, from 3-6 PM. We advise anyone who is interested in joining our mentorship program to visit our website for more information
at https://youngafroexcellence.org/lady-excellence.

We are always in need for volunteers for our mentorship program, community outreach, and annual events. If interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit  https://youngafroexcellence.org/volunteer.

For more information on Young Afro-Excellence, please visit our website at
https://youngafroexcellence.org/ .

Life Sciences Continues Boom Statewide, Upstate Becoming a Growth Center

Jul 14, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365

By James Chappell, CEO & President, SCBIO

Hardly recognized a handful of years ago as an emerging industry, today’s South Carolina’s life sciences industry is booming. In fact, it is the fastest-growing industry in the entire Palmetto State.

Life sciences is a diverse industry, with seven primary sectors: drugs and pharmaceuticals; medical devices and equipment; health IT; research, medical and testing laboratories; bioscience distribution; bio-agriculture and ecosystem support. All segments are well-represented in our state, and all are growing rapidly, propelling the industry to the top tier of the state economy – with faster growth since 2017 than more expected industries like automotive, tires, or aerospace, notes James Chappell, CEO of SCBIO — a nonprofit dedicated to building, advancing and growing life sciences here. 

A January 2022 study by USC’s Moore School of Business showed 1,030 life science companies in South Carolina –  compared to just over 400 in 2017. It employs over 87,000 South Carolinians and generates $25.7 billion in impact, with annual employment growth averaging 2.7 percent since 2010. Its average salary exceeded $87,300 — far above other industries. And importantly, all of South Carolina benefits, with organizations in 42 of 46 counties – including every county of the Upstate.

Even during the recent pandemic, South Carolina life sciences flourished – and many industry organizations here in the Upstate played significant roles in helping to defeat the COVID virus. Home to distinguished medical device, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies – including Bausch & Lomb, Abbott, IVC, Diversified Medical Healthcare, KIYATEC, and many more — the Upstate has become an epicenter for the sector.

During COVID-19, as international supply chains faltered, local life science companies created solutions as market demand intensified – driving new innovation. Industry leaders attribute the sector’s rapid mobilization to public-private relationships developed and initiatives. Across the Upstate, organizations like Rymedi, Precision Genetics, Velocity Clinical Research, Abbott, and SoftBox Systems stepped up.

Rymedi developed technology to rapidly test and report Clemson student infection rates, allowing the university to optimize operations while protecting students and faculty. Precision Genetics became a COVID-19 test processing center for some of the state’s largest hospital systems. Velocity Clinical Research was the only Upstate provider for Moderna’s vaccine trial. Abbott launched a point-of-care test to detect positive COVID-19 infections in 5 minutes — not 5 days. And SoftBox Systems developed temperature-controlled shipping cases to get Pfizer’s precious vaccines across the state… and around the world.

Before COVID, life sciences were emerging as a force in our economy. Now, its day has dawned.

Today, SCBIO initiatives focus on building the industry and accelerating its growth. This is achieved by convening industry leaders, adding workforce recruitment and training programs, accelerating innovation, advocating for the industry, encouraging capital investment, and developing talent. 

“The workforce talent pipeline is very strong as we continue to see exceptional talent, diversity, and demand for degree programs in life sciences,” noted Dr. Cynthia Young, Dean of Clemson University’s College of Science. “As we prepare the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals, this robust talent pipeline will continue to fuel our life sciences ecosystem.”

Life sciences growth thrives in areas with manufacturing expertise, research resources, an innovation ecosystem, and quality healthcare. On these, the Palmetto State matches up well with many states. In other areas, like access to venture capital, we are playing catch-up.

South Carolina has long been recognized as a top state for precision manufacturing, essential to producers of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and medical products. Such products require meticulous attention to detail and a well-trained workforce, assets the state has a global reputation for.

Life sciences averages triple the research and development spending of other industries. And the Upstate features growing research and innovation hubs — by organizations like AVX, Abbott, Prisma Health, Greenwood Genetic Center, and Clemson, and through initiatives by groups like Furman University, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, and USC-Upstate’s Center for Innovation. 

South Carolina also benefits from nationally recognized healthcare centers. From a Top 25 national organization like Prisma Health, plus USC Medical School-Greenville, Spartanburg Regional Health, VCOM, and MUSC, our industry has no shortage of quality healthcare groups to partner with.

Austin Shirley, VP of Commercial Operations for Diversified Medical Healthcare, recently cited a willingness to collaborate for the greater good as a hallmark of the state, noting that “Companies come here to grow and prosper. They see a great bioengineering program at Clemson, innovation and research at MUSC, investment, and advice from SCRA, grant education by 3Phase, and market insight from Upstate Alliance. SCBIO pulls it all together. It’s opportunity unfolding.”

Today, life sciences are booming across South Carolina. The future has never been brighter, and the Upstate plays a crucial role in paving the way to a healthier and brighter tomorrow for all.

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Dr. Chappell is CEO of SCBIO — a nonprofit organization dedicated to building, advancing, innovating, and growing life sciences in South Carolina. Learn more at www.scbio.org.

Main Street Walhalla

Jul 7, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365

Main Street Walhalla is an economic development tool designed to help revitalize the downtown business district of Walhalla SC. By implementing the Main Street Four-Point Approach, the program aims to create an economic and culturally vibrant downtown that both locals and visitors will enjoy. The mission of Main Street Walhalla is to support and enhance the continuing economic development of downtown Walhalla while protecting and promoting its historic heritage.

Some of the initiatives for this year that we are most excited about include supporting the city of Walhalla in its efforts to build a greenway around the perimeter of downtown; assisting current and new businesses by providing access to training, funding, and staff support; and continuing to make downtown a vibrant and beautiful example of a quaint, historic Main Street community by improving crosswalks, signage, and pet friendly amenities. 

Main Street Walhalla also helps create economic opportunity for our downtown businesses by hosting strategic events throughout the year. Our fall Merchant Market and Craft Fair (October 15) is in its third season and is a great opportunity for visitors to not only shop from regional artists and makers, but to visit our downtown merchants and dine in our local restaurants as well. Our Promotion Committee is tasked with planning engaging events for visitors and locals that help make downtown more “sticky”, encouraging people to spend more time here shopping and dining. 

Main Street Walhalla partnered with Southeast Gravel this May to host a Downtown Art Walk and Gravel Bike Race that brought approximately 6000 people to town. Events like this help us achieve our strategic goal of making Walhalla a hub for the many outdoor recreational opportunities in our area.

As Oconee County sees unprecedented growth and interest due to its proximity to incomparable natural resources, Walhalla has seen tremendous growth in interest in housing and business opportunities. As a preservation-focused organization, Main Street Walhalla looks forward to working with the city of Walhalla and community partners to plan for this growth, and to ensure the lifestyle and quirky-quaint feel of our beloved little town stays intact, while at the same time providing space and opportunity for new additions in our community. 

Main Street Walhalla has benefited greatly by being part of a network of similar organizations under the Main Street South Carolina umbrella. In just two short years we have gone from a drive-through town to truly the “Main Street to the Mountains”. We have very little vacancies, have opened over 26 new businesses, and can boast a $26:1 return on public investment. Most of all, our community has fallen back in love with their hometown, as can be seen in the young families who are returning home to start a business or work in Walhalla. We are grateful for the vision of our mayor and council members who saw the importance of choosing the Main Street formula as the economic development tool for downtown. Through it we are able to effectively and sustainably plan for the growth that is in our future.

For more information or to brainstorm ways to partner with us in our mission, contact Libby Imbody, Executive Director at libby@mainstreetwalhalla.com (864) 977-0222 or visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.mainstreetwalhalla.com.

Oconee County Chamber

Jul 7, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365

Oconee County is growing at record pace and the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce works diligently to serve as a unified voice for businesses to promote growth and improvement in the community, economy, and quality of life through connection, advocacy, and education.

The Oconee County Chamber of Commerce is one of the oldest in the country, with an original incorporation date of August 10, 1906.  Over the years our Chamber has evolved to meet the needs of our developing area. The last major change occurred in 2017, when the three main city chambers in our region combined to create the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce. The towns of Seneca, Walhalla and Westminster worked together to merge into one entity, thus providing greater opportunities for the businesses and organizations in the county to access the support they need. 

The last few years have been challenging for everyone, with Covid causing many of the traditional Chamber services to be interrupted, changed, or completely halted. Thankfully South Carolina remained flexible with its legislation and allowed our small businesses to continue to operate during this time. The Oconee County Chamber supported our area businesses and encouraged growth in our area. Our County is experiencing an influx of new residents causing an increase of businesses and expansion at record levels. This presents many opportunities for us to fulfill our mission to promote a thriving business community through connection, advocacy, and education. 

 In April of 2022, I was hired as President of the Oconee County Chamber. My predecessor did a wonderful job of bringing us out of the Covid era and re-establishing many of the events and programming which was in place pre-Covid. We have continued to build and expand those efforts here in Oconee County. In April we opened a satellite office in the town of Westminster, giving businesses and organizations easier access to our resources.

With Business After Hours and Ribbon Cuttings occurring on a regular basis in 2022, we sought additional ways to support our members. When looking at our membership we saw a specific need to encourage and educate our non-profit partners. So, in February we started our Non-profit Vitality Committee which meets monthly. The meeting includes various topics of interest to the non-profit community, and it is held at a different non-profit location each month.

We also are hosting monthly morning events in all three of the main towns within our county. We host Coffee and Commerce in both Westminster and Walhalla. We have coffee and a light breakfast for the attendees and include a quick, but educational presentation on a different topic each month. In Seneca, we focus on networking at Chamber Chatter. We provide coffee for attendees, introduce new members, give updates from the Chamber, and allow plenty of time for networking and interaction.

This month we will host our first Business Bites workshop. These are designed as longer educational opportunities on relevant topics in our current business environment. On July 22, the topic is Finding and Keeping a Good Staff. This is a challenge for both small and large organizations so during the two and a half hours we will discuss specific ways to conquer staffing issues. This workshop is open to non-members as well. To find out more information or sign up to attend click on the link below https://oconeechambersc.com/welcome/events/calendar/#id=213&cid=1759&wid=701 

We are bringing back several annual events in 2022 which were paused during Covid. The Leadership Oconee began in March 2022 with a class of 15. We also are bringing back our Top 20 Under 40 and State of Oconee events in Fall of 2022.  The Oconee Chamber of Commerce remains optimistic and excited about the upcoming opportunities to expand our outreach and impact.

We reach out monthly to update the public on our events, recognize new and returning members and highlight significant developments. We have a large spread in our local newspaper and appear as a guest on a local morning radio show. This allows us to share with the community and keep them informed on a regular basis.

The Oconee County Chamber is also working with Visit Oconee, The Oconee Economic Alliance, and local municipalities to seek out additional ways to collaborate and impact our area. The Oconee Economic Alliance introduced their new Director, Jamie Gilbert in June 2022. Jamie has an extensive economic development background which will be an asset as Oconee County continues to attract businesses from various sectors. The Chamber looks forward to supporting his efforts to recruit additional businesses to Oconee County.

Recently Oconee County hosted the SC7 Expedition for the third year as they kicked off their mountains to sea expedition along the Palmetto Trail. The SC7 Expedition, spearheaded by Tom Mullikin set off from the Oconee State Park on July 1 and will continue throughout the month incorporating various modes of travel eventually reaching South Carolina’s coast on July 30, 2022. 

Oconee County is beautiful geographically and provides wonderful opportunities to get out and enjoy nature, but it is also a thriving area for businesses to grow and contribute to this wonderful community. To learn more about the Oconee County Chamber please visit us at www.oconeechambersc.com or contact me at director@oconeechambersc.com. 

Included in the photo: Julie Gifford, Crystal Romanyszyn, Hannah Eades and Dari McBride