Welcome Terence Roberts
Speaker Jordana Megonigal, CEO of The RECON Network
You can view a recap of the meeting here.
RECON focuses on veterans transitioning to civilian life
RECON helps veterans transition to meaningful careers with purpose, including physical and mental health for vets and spouses
Summit 11/19-11/20 will include tracks for vets, spouses, and companies looking for employees
Veterans Ascend platform (locally owned) predicts career fit to 98.2%
Q & A
- Are there financial incentives and tax benefits to hiring veterans? Yes! Learn more at the summit. There are work opportunity tax credits for those who are WOTC certified from $2,400-$9,600 per year. Must be set up in advance, not retroactive to post-hire.
- SC Works can help with hiring. What is new programs? Programs have not changed, are usually focused on benefits to be received vs. career transition. There are 1,800 organizations in SC, the trick is to find the right one.
- What help is out there for veterans’ spouses? Spouses’ resumes have gaps due to moving and role as support staff. https://www.veterans.gov/milspouses/
- What is the reach of RECON? Focus is in the U.S. with the assistance of networks.
- Is there a list of veteran owned businesses? Hard to find because of parameters – must apply for status or have been served by VA. https://avosba.org/avoba-membership/veteran-owned-businesses-by-state/ & https://www.veteranownedbusiness.com/
- Is there certification reciprocity in SC? Legislation is being discussed across the nation.
- What is the relationship to higher education? While education is a huge factor, RECON is not currently involved in SCACE.
- How is RECON funded? RECON is funded through events (many cancelled in 2020) and corporate partners.
Abbeville: Shannon Sears, WCTel
4 million dollar waste treatment, water treatment project
12 million dollar housing investment in downtown Abbeville, new businesses downtown
City back to normal pre-COVID operations
WCFIBER and Blue Ridge Electric offering high speed internet to customers. 67000 customers, some of them underserved by internet
Frannie Stockwell, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce:
Job Fair Nov 19th for all of Cherokee County: Dollar Tree, Natl Guard, Brown Pack, UPsource, Home Fashion, school district
Survey recently sent out regarding need and interest in public transportation
Small businesses opening in the county and the mall is renting out spaces to small businesses
Meeting with Catawba Indians to partner on 85/transportation and projects
Roy Costner, Pickens County Council
COVID spiking
Unemployment is down to 3.5%
Working on Hurricane Zeta clean up; 60 roads were closed, 54 are open
Grant acquired to build a pull off viewpoint for Table Rock, the most photographed location in the state
Working on a broadband initiative
New partnership with Clemson Paws
Pickens held a drive through job fair today
Sara Butler from USC Upstate/Spartanburg County:
COVID procedures being followed strategically, particularly with uptick in cases
USC task forces formed and lots of communication from staff/admin
Many services are available, testing, counseling (dealing with Covid, loss (financial, emotional, losing a family member))
Resources are available to students and faculty
USC is adapting and surviving by providing live, online, and hybrid options
Katherine Pendergrass, Union County:
USC enrollment in Union County has doubled
Honorable mention for the J Mitchell Graham award having to do with higher education and workforce training
KJ is replacing Bi-Lo and Rose’s opening
Alcohol sales on Sunday was approved so restaurants may want to be opening downtown
Several events upcoming, drive in movie, coon hunt, Union Reads, Christmas parade
Jonesville will share their comprehensive plan in December and Union will post for the public next week