May 13, 2016 UBJ

MAY 13, 2016 | VOL. 5 ISSUE 20

RECHARGING THE

ELECTRIC CITY DEVELOPER STEVE KAY REFLECTS ON THE CURRENT STATE OF GROWTH IN ANDERSON - PAGE 16

05.13.2016

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INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

upstatebusinessjournal.com

Many ways to make healthy happen

BY CATHERINE PUCKETT

Partnership Coordinator, LiveWell Greenville Many of us spend so many hours at work that the workplace can significantly impact our health and behaviors. That presents both challenges and opportunities. LiveWell Greenville took time last Saturday to celebrate the companies that rise to those challenges and take opportunities to improve their employees’ lives through comprehensive wellness strategies. These are places where company leadership invests in programs and policies that promote

full-spectrum health, from nutrition and physical activity to mental and financial health.

LiveWell Workplace Award winners are some of the best examples in our community. Just like individuals, companies come in all shapes and sizes and can make positive changes from wherever they start. Let these winners and their initiatives be your inspiration to start or expand wellness initiatives that make working hours some of the healthiest parts of your week.

| WORKPLACE | 3

MBAe ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION

LiveWell Workplace Award Winners

Baldor – silver

Walking trail maintained on company grounds

Hartness – silver

On-site yoga classes two times per week led by own yogi

Conduct yearly biometric screening for all employees – incentive of savings up to $800 a year in medical

The Blood Connection – silver

Update wellness initiatives via monitors and email on boards and in canteen area

On-site nurse practitioner (24 hours weekly)

Employees participate in 5K walks/runs

Bon Secours Health System – gold Wellness Wednesdays through weekly “employee huddles”

Legacy – gold

Legacy staff is required to work out three times a week and log it in, as part of its wellness policy Monthly fitness newsletters

Maintain No Gain – through the holidays weight management initiative

Pelham Medical Center – gold

City of Greenville - silver

Free fitness room membership if employee joins employee wellness program

Fleet Feet – 5K, 10K and half-marathon training

Rosenfeld Einstein – silver

City of Greer – silver

Increase in walking among groups of employees: taking lunches to walk at Cleveland Park or University Center, employees walking circles in parking lot

Encouraging work-life balance through employee assistance plan

Wellness program is employee driven and has its own logo Wellness program added spouses and employees that are not on insurance plan

GE Power and Water – gold

LiveWell Greenville signage in café for LiveWell Greenville healthy choice menu items

Treadmill desk popular for watching webinars, lunch breaks and quick pick-me-ups

ScanSource – gold

Well balanced wellness programs

Wellness program rich with infrastructure investments

Registered dietitian and Zumba instructor

20 percent subsidy offered on healthy food items in all cafeterias

Southern Weaving – gold

Greenville Health System – gold

Financial wellness program, SmartDollar (by Dave Ramsey)

ChooseWell initiative removed fryers and sugary beverages from cafeterias and vending

Wii Fit Triathlon

QuitWell tobacco cessation program and support group

Monthly “Share a Healthy Recipe” initiative

Wyche – silver

Fresh produce delivery

www.clemson.edu/mba

4 | THE RUNDOWN |

UBJ

TOP-OF-MIND AND IN THE MIX THIS WEEK

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05.13.2016

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 20 Featured this issue: LiveWell Greenville honors healthy workplaces ....... 3 Q&A with Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts .................18 Recap: Greenville Design Review Board meeting ....... 21

UBJ’s 2016 Who’s Who winners sit underneath their portraits at the celebratory reveal event on April 28 at the United Community Bank in downtown Greenville. From left: Robert Hughes, Pamela Evette, Christy Thompson (ScanSource), John Warren and Minor Shaw, as well as Peter Barth, made up the 2016 class. See more photos on page 28.

Photo by Will Crooks

WORTH REPEATING “Do any of us really need an app that simulates the action of pressing down a stapler?” Page 14 “Here’s the answer that everyone says, including my mother: ‘We need more shops.’ And we do.” Page 16 “If we keep painting buildings on Main Street, it will look like Disneyland.” Page 21

TBA Look for Tipsy Taco, a locally owned Tex-Mex restaurant specializing in fromscratch tacos and craft cocktails, to open June 1 at 215 Pelham Road in the Publix shopping center.

VERBATIM

On the Electric City’s early visionary “Whitner proved to a skeptical civilization that electricity could be a powerful and useful servant and could accomplish more in an hour than mankind could perform in a month.”

From the 1940 obituary of William C. Whitner, who led the development of the hydroelectric plant at Portman Shoals near Anderson in 1897.

FOR GREENVILLE

67% OF GREENVILLE BUSINESSES ARE GIG+ ACCESSIBLE RIGHT NOW–AND GROWING.

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INTERNET

ETHERNET

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MANAGED SERVICES

enterprise.spectrum.com Data based on business, building and employee counts sourced from GeoResults and Charter Communications® installed network as of March 2016. ©2016 Charter Communications.® Restrictions apply. Services may not be available in all areas. Call for details.

6 | TRANSPORTATION |

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05.13.2016

Trucking company plans relocation to Spartanburg J. Grady Randolph Inc. to build 12,000 square feet on Highway 101 corridor TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF

tanderson@communityjournals.com A Gaffney-based trucking company plans to relocate its Greenville office and bring about 100 jobs to Spartanburg County.

J. Grady Randolph Inc. is building a 12,000-square-foot facility on six acres at 3085 Highway 101, about 4 miles south of Interstate 85. When complete, it will house the operations of the location at 315 S. Old Piedmont Highway, which opened in 1995.

Mark Randolph, who co-owns J. Grady Randolph with his brother, Jimmy Randolph, said the company has outgrown its space in Greenville.

23 West North St., Greenville, SC 29601 864.232.2761 | www.rushwilson.com Open Mon.-Sat. 9:30am - 5:30pm; Closed on Sunday

The Highway 101 property is also centrally located for the company’s employees and customers, he said.

Randolph said he anticipates the facility to be operating by the first week of July. “We’re very excited,” he said. “I think there is tremendous growth potential along this corridor … We were fortunate to find a good location and look forward to our future [in Spartanburg County].”

Tab Patton, principal of Patton Development Co., which is managing the construction, said J. Grady Randolph’s move is only the beginning of the growth he expects to see along the Highway 101 corridor.

“I think it’s going to be a hotbed for industrial and residential development over the next several years,” Patton said. “The way that Toray, Kobelco and others have flocked to Highway 290, I think you could see the same thing. Especially if the county is able to extend the infrastructure as

it did with Highway 290.”

The corridor has already attracted interest from Canadian pharmaceuticals giant Valeant, the parent company of Bausch & Lomb, which plans to build a 432,000-square-foot distribution facility near the intersection of highways 417 and 101. The project could initially create up to 70 jobs.

Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt praised J. Grady Randolph’s decision to move to what he referred to as “the golden box,” a large swath of the county bordered by I-85 and highways 101, 221 and 290. He said the county has already begun working with its utility partners to develop a plan to extend sewer services further down the Highway 101 corridor.

“I think it’s a brilliant move because that area is going to explode,” Britt said. “It’s already a great road … As we move forward, we will be looking out for the best interests for our residents. All of our industrial partners have proven to be good corporate citizens.”

J. Grady Randolph celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2015. The company was founded in 1935 by Randolph’s grandfather, Joe Grady.

The Randolph brothers took over for their father, James Grady, in 2008. Randolph said he began working for the company in 1981.

The company has terminals in Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia, as well as a fleet of more than 150 trucks, 600 trailers and more than 200 employees. And the company is hiring.

For more information, visit jgr-inc.com.

FOR GREENVILLE

67% of Greenville businesses are GIG+ accessible right now–and growing.

Cloud Computing. Big Data.

Internet of Everything.

These are ambitious undertakings.

Businesses court this tricky trifecta to maintain a competitive edge in an ever-increasing digital work environment.

The trick? They consume unimaginable amounts of bandwidth that can—and do— put an intense amount of strain on a network that isn’t modernized for the way business is— and will be—done.

A fiber-based GIG+ connection is the best bet to handle the demand. You’re within working distance of being able to tap into more possibilities. Spectrum Business™ Enterprise Solutions has an all-fiber GIG+ network with capacity up to 10 Gbps.

Business goals realized in the cloud A total of 2.5 quintillion bits of data are created every day. Storage and utilization of that data is best served in the cloud.

Businesses will continue to benefit by using the public and private cloud networks for the following workloads: Development and testing: developers tasked with creating new applications spend a majority of their time in the cloud due to the inherent scalability found within this environment Batch processing: high-performance computing consumes immense storage cycles requiring high levels of data processing Enterprise applications: HR, Finance and other ERP applications continue to run on premise, which in turn demands readily available, high-performance environments for visualization and scaling

GIG+ benefit: Preparing and investing now will allow businesses to flexibly meet the needs of customers and employees alike. A “cloud ready” designed GIG+ network architecture better supports the higher-capacity requirements that come along with cloud workloads.

Big(ger) Data analytics Every C-level executive salivates over the prospect of what Big Data can deliver. But in order to store, synthesize and analyze all that information means moving away from silos and moving huge amounts of Big Data—and that in turn means the ability to turn more data into actionable information.

GIG+ benefit: It’s called Big Data for a reason.

A GIG+ connection can move huge data sets faster without compromising the performance of other enterprise applications running on the same cloud platform. To maximize the value of Big Data while avoiding impact to other cloud applications, businesses need a network with dedicated connectivity for Big Data that can withstand the bandwidth demands of the constantly expanding volume of Big Data.

Guard against BYOD network demands Virtual desktop infrastructure, tablets and smart phones are great productivity tools, but each puts unique demands on network infrastructure.

With more and more mobile devices coming online, network bottlenecks and application performance are at risk of suffering.

GIG+ benefit: Mobile device connectivity leads to unpredictable network demands that can change moment to moment. IPv6 deployment via a bandwidth-burstable GIG+ connection esures these shifting workloads are handled with ease.

A network that provides more Spanning 28 states and with more than 65,000 miles of local fiber, Spectrum Business’s fiber network offers a host of critical advantages: More accountability – Spectrum Business stands behind its wholly owned and managed network with last-mile service and industry-leading service level agreements guaranteeing 99.95% availability More reliability – With a redundant core and a physically diverse network with over 65,000 fiber route miles, the Spectrum Business network is more stable than copper, supporting your business continuity and disaster recovery initiatives More flexibility – Rapidly scalable bandwidth offerings in increments of 10 Mbps make it easy to tailor service levels across fiber products without the hassle of dealing with multiple vendors

Start planning “The price of not investing in high-capacity Gigabit-plus networking will become steep as additional workloads that once resided only within the enterprise transition to the cloud.”

- Ted Chamberlin, principal advisor and analyst for Custom Shop Strategies

Every enterprise needs Gigabit-plus speed.

Work with the experts at Spectrum Business Enterprise Solutions to wield the power of this technology. Experience measurable gains, savings and efficiency.

Get on it. Learn more about GIG+ services at your location:

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Data based on business, building and employee counts sourced from GeoResults and Charter Communications® installed network as of March 2016. ©2016 Charter Communications.® Restrictions apply. Services may not be available in all areas. Call for details.

8 | SERVICES / BANKING |

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05.13.2016

Sitel Corp.’s newly opened call center to create 400 jobs in Spartanburg County TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF

tanderson@communityjournals.com After 10 months of construction, Sitel Corp.’s new call center in Spartanburg County is open for business.

The Nashville-based outsource service provider said in a statement Monday the $2.5 million, 47,000-square-foot facility will create more than 400 jobs during the next five years.

It is at 895 Springfield Road in the old Winn-Dixie store near the intersection of Highway 176 and Springfield Road.

“Spartanburg County is an ideal location for Sitel’s newest world-class customer experience center, and we appreciate the support from the community as we build and staff South Carolina’s finest customer care center,” said David Rogers, Sitel Spartanburg site director, in a statement. “I look forward to meeting with exceptional

talent from the area to create the Spartanburg team.”

A renovation of the former grocery store began in August. The Spartanburg Herald-Journal initially reported the company planned to begin operating in October.

Although renovations continued, the building continued to sit inactive.

In January, a company spokesman told the newspaper it was still seeking its first client for the center and, when found, that client would trigger the site’s opening.

“It’s a very cool opportunity for Spartanburg,” said David Britt, county councilman and chairman of the Economic Futures Group. “This is a highend tech facility … Sitel offers super training for their associates. The focus on quality is prevalent throughout their corporate structure. It’s a great reuse of a dormant building.

This gives us a chance to add something new to the mix.”

Sitel did not disclose the name of its client but did state that the full-time positions it has begun hiring for are in support of inbound customer care for a “telecommunications and a financial services provider.” Job openings include agents and managers, the company said.

The company said jobseekers can apply online or at the center from 9

a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sitel offers a range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, vacation, holiday time, bonuses and incentives.

Founded in 1985, Sitel has more than 75,000 employees at 146 facilities in 22 countries that support more than 400 clients, according to the company’s website. For more information, visit: www.sitel.com.

Merger with Pinnacle Bank leads to Carolina Alliance Bank’s promising first quarter TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF

tanderson@communityjournals.com Spartanburg-based Carolina Alliance Bank’s merger in October with Pinnacle Bank of South Carolina paid off during the first quarter.

Carolina Alliance announced Friday its net income during the first three months of the year reached $919,743, an 81 percent increase compared with $508,055 during the same period of 2015.

The bank attributed the increase to a rise in its earning assets and non-interest income as a result of the merger.

“We continue to be pleased with the results achieved to date from the combination of Carolina Alliance and Pinnacle,” said Terry Cash, chairman of Carolina Alliance, in a statement. “We believe that we are just beginning to see the financial benefits of the combined companies.”

Carolina Alliance reported its gross loans and leases increased by more than 40 percent to $475.5 million during the quarter, compared with $338.8 million during the first quarter of the previous year. The bank attributed about 85 percent of the increase to Pinnacle loans.

Total assets increased nearly 47 percent to $630.5 million during the first three months of the year, compared with $430.1 million during the same period of 2015, the bank said. It attributed nearly 74 percent of the increase to the merger.

The bank said total deposits increased almost 50 percent to $524 million January through March, compared with $350 million during the same span of the prior year. Pinnacle’s deposits totaled $121.6 million, nearly 70 percent of the increase, as of the merger date.

Carolina Alliance said its nonperforming assets increased less than 1 percent to $3.4 million during the first quarter, compared with $3.3 million during the same quarter a year ago. The bank attributed the increase to nonperforming assets acquired with the merger.

The bank said its total shareholders’ equity during the quarter was $68.4 million, or 10.8 percent of total assets, compared with $53 million, or 12.3 percent of total assets, during the same quarter of 2015.

Carolina Alliance reported the book value per common share was $10.49 as of March 31, com-

pared with $10.03 on the same date of the previous year.

The bank said it’s remained “well capitalized,” the highest of the five regulatory standards used to define an institution’s capital strength.

“First quarter results reveal the positive impact of the Pinnacle merger,” said John Poole, CEO of Carolina Alliance, in a statement. “We still face intense local competition and the specter of interest margin compression in the current state of the economy, but we are continuing to focus on quality customer service and achieving deeper penetration in the markets we serve to drive the asset growth we need for increased earnings.”

According to its website, the bank’s operations include branches in Spartanburg, Anderson, Easley, Greenville, Powdersville, Seneca, Hendersonville, N.C., and Asheville, N.C., as well as a leasing and loan production office in Charlotte, N.C., and a leasing office in Spartanburg.

For more information, visit: carolinaalliancebank.com.

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upstatebusinessjournal.com

Denny’s reports 17% Q1 earnings increase TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF

tanderson@communityjournals.com Spartanburg-based Denny’s Corp. announced last week its earnings increased nearly 17 percent during the first quarter.

The family dining chain reported its net income during the first three months of the year hit almost $10 million, compared with more than $8.5 million during the same period of 2015.

Denny’s said its system-wide samestore sales increased 2.5 percent, including a 3.5 percent increase at its company-owned restaurants and a 2.3 percent increase at franchise stores.

“Our start to the year was quite positive as we grew same-store sales on top of one of our strongest quarters of growth in the prior year,” John Miller, president and CEO of Denny’s, said in a statement. “Our revenue growth, coupled with our ongoing focus on costs, resulted in margin improvement and growth in key profitability metrics. We remain focused on executing our brand revitalization strategy to offer affordable and craveable products delivered with consistent service in an inviting environment.”

The company said it opened 12 restaurants during the quarter and completed 57 store upgrades under its Heritage remodel program. Miller noted that only about one-third of the company’s stores have been renovated under the program.

Denny’s reported its total operating revenue increased 3.7 percent to $124.6 million, compared with about $120 million during the first quarter of 2015.

The company said it generated $14.4 million of free cash flow after capital expenditures of $5.3 million, and allocated $3.9 million towards share repurchases. Denny’s reported its total debt increased by about 2.6 percent to $221.4 million during the first quarter, compared with $215.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2015.

The company said its Advantica Pension Plan, which was closed to new participants at the end of 1999, was liquidated in April, which resulted in Denny’s making a $9.5 million contribution. The restaurant chain said it expects to record an operating loss of $24 million during the second quarter.

For more information, visit dennys.com.

FYI

Old Chicago Pizza planning Greenville, Spartanburg locations Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, a casual dining restaurant known for its handcrafted pizza, taproom fare and vast craft beer selection, announced this week it signed a four-unit franchise development agreement to open new restaurants in South Carolina.

The first location is slated to open in Myrtle Beach in the fourth quarter of 2016, and locations in Greenville, Spartanburg and Horry counties will follow over the next three years, with the next location slated to open in the third quarter of 2017. Exact restaurant locations have not yet been determined, said a company spokesperson.

All four restaurants will be part of Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom’s new restaurant prototype – a 5,000-square-foot building with an additional 1,000-1,200 square feet of outdoor patio space, a new kitchen and upgraded bar technology. The announcement is part of Old Chicago’s aggressive franchise expansion plans for South Carolina.

The South Carolina restaurants will be owned and operated by CRG Pizza Inc. by longtime entrepreneur Brent Collier and his daughters, Lori Collier and Elise Collier Massey. Collier also operates other franchises, including The Melting Pot, Quaker Steak & Lube, Golden Corral and T.G.I. Friday’s.

Old Chicago operates in 24 states with more than 100 restaurants nationwide. Visit oldchicago.com to learn more.

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

| RESTAURANTS | 9

Beyond the Bathroom Bill South Carolina may have avoided the “bathroom bill”, but the debate has certainly brought transgender issues to the public eye. It has made all of us think a little more about this issue and how it affects our own life.

First, let’s properly define transgender. Transgender is the state of one’s gender identity or gender expression not matching one’s assigned sex.

Transgender is independent of sexual orientation.

LEE YARBOROUGH Transitioning is the term used to describe the process through which a person changes his or her outward gender to the gender he or she identifies with. The transition process is different for everyone and it may involve social changes, medical steps, and changing legal documents.

Legally, there are many state and local laws that prohibit discrimination against transgender people. Recently, the Department of Justice took the position that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 extends to gender identity, including transgender status. The EEOC which interprets and enforces Title VII has seen an increase in cases related to transgender discrimination. In fact, both OSHA and the EEOC have recently issued fact sheets to help employers regarding bathroom access for transgender employees.

It is important to know the laws, but what do you do when your employee, Joe, walks into your office and informs you that he is now Jane? Here are some thoughts to guide you: • Some employees may feel uncomfortable with Jane. Jokes may arise and harassment may follow. Have a zero tolerance policy on harassment. All employees, Jane as well as the rest of the staff, should feel safe and respected.

• Add diversity training that includes gender identity and expression.

• If an individual identifies as a specific gender, then treat them accordingly. Use the proper pronouns and preferred name. Make sure all employment forms are changed to reflect this identity.

• Allow employees to use the bathroom of the gender with which they identify. If this causes issues with the other employees, then re-group and find a solution. The employer must address all employees’ fears and concerns which is no easy task. Get HR involved and make a good faith effort to determine which facilities are appropriate.

Non-discrimination policies address conduct in the workplace, not individual personal beliefs. These protections do not require anyone to change their religious or moral beliefs. Rather, the legal protections help to ensure that all employees may perform their jobs free from discrimination.

And most importantly, don’t forget the HUMAN in Human Resources.

Talk to your employees, make them feel comfortable and always follow the Golden Rule. Regardless of whether you are talking to Jane or Joe, your employee is still just a person who wants to be respected.

669 N. Academy Street, Greenville, SC 864.679.6055 | 800.446.6567 | www.propelhr.com

10 | WORKPLACE |

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05.13.2016

Defeating the workplace mental health stigma Untreated mental illness costs US economy $200 billion per year MELINDA YOUNG | CONTRIBUTOR

myoung@communityjournals.com Employers increasingly provide workers with programs and incentives to improve their physical health, but they sometimes forget to address workforce mental health issues, according to Mary Giliberti, CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), based in Arlington, Va. Giliberti was in Greenville last week to give a luncheon talk at the Southeastern Symposium on Mental Health.

Workers with untreated depression and other mental illness cost the U.S. economy around $200 billion per year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Employers can see the impact of untreated mental health problems in the direct costs of medical and mental health care, pharmacy costs and disabilities. Indirect costs include lost productivity, absenteeism and increased sick days.

NAMI CEO Mary Giliberti

There are additional costs to business recruitment, hiring and retraining costs, Giliberti says.

“Those kinds of indirect costs can arise when someone is dealing with a mental health condition like anxiety, depression and other conditions,” she says.

One solution is for companies’ employee assistance programs (EAPs) to do a better job of publicizing mental health services like counseling to the workforce.

Also, managers and supervisors should be trained to identify worker issues related to mental illness and to address these by referring workers to EAP, Giliberti suggests.

“We encourage employers to provide general education in the workplace to help people get help,” Giliberti says.

“Sometimes people don’t recognize they have a mental health condition, or sometimes they do recognize the problem, but feel shame and stigma and refrain from getting Marcy W. Stowell treatment for those MA, FAAA reasons.”

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For example, one business had a worker who started to return late from lunch. The employee was about to lose his job over tardiness when his manager confronted him. It turned out the worker was using his lunch hour to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting across town and was too ashamed to share what he was doing. Once the manager knew what was going on, the worker’s shift was changed slightly to give the employee time to return to work, Giliberti says.

Some employers hold lunch-and-learn programs where an expert talks about how mental health problems affect individuals and their families. They also might put up posters with mental health tips around the workplace.

Greenville employers have an opportunity in May, which is the national Mental Health Month, to participate in Greenville NAMI’s 5K walkon May 21 at Furman University, Giliberti notes.

“That’s an employee engagement activity where employers could get a walk team together,” she says.

“Doing the mental health walk sends the message to employees that these issues are as important as other health care needs.”

ENGAGE NAMI Walk The Greenville National Alliance MAY on Mental Illness hosts the 14th Annual NAMIWalks Upstate South Carolina to raise awareness and funds for mental health education and support.

Who: Employers can sponsor a team When: Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. walk Where: Furman University, Timmons Arena Info: 864-331-3300; namiwalks.org/upstatesouthcarolina

21

The Cheesecake Factory announced this week its highly anticipated restaurant will be opening to the public on May 31 at Haywood Mall in Greenville. It will be the full-service restaurant chain’s first location in South Carolina. The Cheesecake Factory is famed for its wide selection of decadent cheesecakes and extensive menu of more than 250 dishes. The restaurant will occupy approximately 8,560 square foot space with two outdoor patios in the former Panera Bread location next to Macy’s Beginning May 31, The Cheesecake Factory of Greenville will be open Monday-Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

05.13.2016

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upstatebusinessjournal.com

| RESTAURANTS | 11

Entrepreneurs bring Hub City Scoops to downtown Spartanburg

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29601

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864.561.4031

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info@parkplaceonhudson.com

www.parkplaceonhudson.com

the old-fashioned ice cream parlor back to downtown Spartanburg.

Kathy and Michael Silverman, owners of The Local Hiker at 173 E. Main St., have signed a lease on a 1,900-square-foot space at 147 E. Main St. where they plan to open Hub City Scoops by mid-June.

The couple said the 37-seat store could create six new jobs and feature 28 flavors of a premium ice cream brand yet to be named that is currently not sold in South Carolina.

It feels good to finally get to this point,” Michael Silverman said. “The intent overall is to provide a great atmosphere… Part of fostering the growth of downtown is creating places that people want to go to and keep coming back to… There are a lot of great things happening in downtown and we want to say that we have a valuable stake in what’s going on.”

The Silvermans opened their specialty hiking and camping store after winning the city of Spartanburg’s inaugural Main Street Challenge in 2013.

Flavors at Hub City Scoops will be rotated sea-

Greenville, SC

Two entrepreneurs will bring the nostalgia of

sonally, the owners said. They also plan to have a hot cookie dessert, a range of toppings, malts and milkshakes and a root beer float.

The store will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

“We’re excited and a little nervous, but we definitely think this will be a positive for downtown,” Kathy Silverman said.

The couple said they will serve samples of their ice cream at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s annual Criterium bicycle race in downtown on Friday evening, and during Spring Fling on Saturday and Sunday.

Hub City Scoops will be located in the old Bijou Market building beside Archived Clothing in the |

tanderson@communityjournals.com

104 S. Hudson Street

TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF

space formerly occupied by Herb & Renewal.

Andrew Babb and Kevin Pogue with NAI Earle Furman brokered the transaction.

“We are very excited for the Silvermans,” said Will Rothschild, a spokesman for the city.

“They are two existing business owners who are doubling down on downtown. The fact that it’s a unique ice cream concept is another example of how Spartanburg is truly authentic. And it’s another destination on the eastern side of Church Street. That block of East Main Street is extremely important to us. The Local Hiker is already an important anchor. This will make 66 new businesses that have opened in downtown since January 2013.”

For more information, visit: facebook.wcom/hubcityscoops.

xperience in old Greenville. ience in Greenville’s coveted West End District? A place at once steeped in the

thoroughly forward-thinking in its conception and vision for the future. A place

s storied downtown setting, and also points the way to a dynamic, one-of-kind-

best of both worlds: a rich heritage and a modern living experience, all bound

igned, original townhomes.

A new living experience in old Greenville.

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS | HARDWOOD FLOORS | GARAGE PARKING NEARBY PARKS & RECREATION | OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE | KROC CENTER MEMBERSHIP

www.parkplaceonhudson.com 104 S. Hudson Street | Greenville, SC | 29601 864.561.4031 | info@parkplaceonhudson.com

What if there was a vibrant, new living experience in Greenville’s coveted West End District? A place at once steeped in the history and charm of old Greenville, and yet thoroughly forward-thinking its conception and vision for the future. A place that celebrates all that has come before in this storied downtown setting, and also points the way to a dynamic, one-of-a-kind-lifestyle that’s altogether unique.

This is the best of both worlds: a rich heritage and a modern living experience, all bound together by a collection of 24 thoughtfully designed, original townhomes.

Renderings and Plans presented are illustrative and shall be used for general information purposes only. Actual layout, room dimensions, window sizes and locations and steps to grade vary per plan and are subject to modification without notice.

12 | COMMUNITY |

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05.13.2016

Greenville businesses go blue LETY GOOD | STAFF

lgood@communityjournals.com For the inaugural Greenville County Law Enforcement Appreciation Week, local businesses, merchants, restaurants and organizations will be offering discounted services and product coupons to show their support and appreciation for law enforcement personnel and their families.

The weeklong celebration kicks off on May 16 and ends on May 20, which was recently designated as Greenville County Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. For more information on merchants and offers, visit leadgreenville.com

WEEKLONG OFFERS The Dream Travel Planner Coupon for $50 credit towards the purchase of a four-night Walt Disney World travel package and four-day theme park tickets or a seven-night Disney cruise Spectrum Commercial Properties Free copies, coffee and soft drinks Steamatic of Greater Greenville Coupon for 15 percent off general cleaning services Coupon for free carpet cleaning of fourth room with purchase of cleaning of three other rooms Coupon for $30 off pressure-washing over $150 Coupon for free cleaning of third room of tile with purchase of cleaning of two rooms of tile The Dental Retreat at Mountain Park 25 percent off all dental services Mary Kay Skin Care and Cosmetics $25 off orders of $100 or more at a complimentary skin care consultation Kilwins Chocolates, Fudge and Ice Cream Free single scoop of Kilwins original recipe ice cream AlignLife Natural Health and Wellness Centers Free health exam and consult at select locations Linic Jiu Jitsu One month of free training with discounted rate after Atlas Fence & Decks Free gate or 10 percent off Brit’s Brothers Personal Training and Fitness Free one-day open gym or one personal training visit 50 percent off personal training and open gym memberships

Eva Higgins Photography 15 percent off one-hour photo session TechForce PC Repair and IT Services 50 percent off all PC or Mac repair services for officers and immediate family All Clear Plumbing $35 off first service hour for any plumbing services booked during appreciation week Run In 10 percent discount on regularpriced item purchase Blind Wizard LLC 10 percent off order of plantation shutters or 15 percent off blinds Planet Smoothie 50 percent discount on smoothies Harley-Davidson of Greenville Free leather jacket to any law enforcement personnel that purchases a new Harley-Davidson Gretchen’s ABS Cakes and Café 50 percent off lunch and deli bakery items Carolina Fitness $25 per month membership rate with no money down and no contract (year-round) Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar 20 percent off meal (excludes alcohol and tax) Stax’s Original Restaurant $3 off for every $15 spent Duke Sandwich Co. 25 percent off lunch Sheila’s Sheer Elegance 20 percent off purchase and free fitting for female officers Mary Praytor Gallery 20 percent off purchase

DAILY OFFERS MONDAY MAY 16

THURSDAY MAY 19

Soulace Day Spa 20 percent off entire ticket (up to four spa services)

Soulace Day Spa 20 percent off entire ticket for law enforcement officers and/or spouse (up to four spa services)

Table 301 Restaurant Group Free dinner for any meal service at select Table 301 restaurants for law enforcement officers and a guest (excludes alcohol and tax) TW Quarter Circle Ranch Ministries Free onsite trail ride for two riders

TUESDAY MAY 17 Salon Adelle 10 percent off any service or products

Carrano Chiropractic Free chiropractic adjustments and therapy as needed Best Little Housekeepers LLC Discounted home cleaning TW Quarter Circle Ranch Ministries Free onsite trail ride for two riders

FRIDAY MAY 20

Carrano Chiropractic Free chiropractic adjustments and therapy as needed

Soulace Day Spa 20 percent off entire ticket for law enforcement officers and/or spouse (up to four spa services)

Best Little Housekeepers LLC Discounted home cleaning

Best Little Housekeepers LLC Discounted home cleaning

WEDNESDAY MAY 18

Tommy’s Country Ham House Free breakfast

Soulace Day Spa 20 percent off entire ticket for law enforcement officers and/or spouse (up to four spa services)

The Flying Locksmiths Free bagels, donuts and coffee Special discount offer

Carrano Chiropractic Free chiropractic adjustments and therapy as needed

Scout’s Pest Control Complimentary Jimmy John’s subs, chips and drinks Special service offer

Salon Adelle 10 percent off any service or products Best Little Housekeepers LLC Discounted home cleaning Frank’s Gentlemen’s Salon Free haircut and shave

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS Free novelty ice cream or shaved ice treat from Pink Mama’s Ice Cream Truck Magnolia Park $10 gift cards for any Magnolia Park store for first 80 guests served at Tommy’s Ham House Friday morning breakfast

05.13.2016

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INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

upstatebusinessjournal.com

| RESTAURANTS | 13

Coastal Crust pizza truck plans Greenville rollout SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com Popular

Charleston

pizza

truck

Coastal Crust is headed to Greenville this summer with a newly restored 1955 Chevy and a wood-fired Valoriani pizza oven to serve Neapolitan-style pizza.

Coastal Crust’s unique approach to catering events has found a loyal fan base in Charleston, where the truck caters weddings, special events and corporate events throughout the year. The Coastal Crust truck is equipped with a pizza oven, a custom tap system for pouring local brews, a sound system and ample refrigeration for storing fresh salads. Coastal Crust Greenville will rely heavily on fresh produce from local farmers and the future Feed & Seed nonprofit farmers’ distribution network.

For the Greenville expansion, Brian Piesner and Mickey DeMatteis of Coastal Crust Charleston have partnered with Bryan Lewis,

owner/operator of Charleston’s Básico, a Mexican restaurant; Mixson Bath & Racquet Club and Mixson Market.

“I’m extremely excited to work on this project with Brian and Mickey,” said Lewis. “I have been looking at Greenville for more than two years now, and I

hope to develop a distinctive culinary experience for the market.”

Lewis says he really likes Coastal Crust’s concept and had wanted to start a Neapolitan and wood-burning style pizza restaurant.

Greenville was a “natural progression” for expansion, said Lewis, who has family in the Greenville area.

Coastal Crust pizzas have a thin, crispy crust cooked in a wood-fired oven. The pizzas only take two to three minutes to cook and can be loaded with a lot of fresh, seasonal ingredients, said Lewis.

The Coastal Crust Greenville truck is expected to hit the streets in late June 2016. A brick-and-mortar restaurant location in The Village of West Greenville is also planned for this fall. Lewis says he can’t disclose the exact location just yet but it will have space for outdoor and private events.

For more information, contact info@coastalcrustgreenville.com. Follow on Instagram @coastalcrustgreenville.

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14 | INNOVATE |

MOVERS, SHAKERS AND DISRUP TORS SHAPING OUR FUTURE

UBJ

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05.13.2016

The first funeral of an app 3 reasons why users are clearing out their phones and turning to the mobile Web

By BRENT WARWICK CEO, ipsoCreative

Last week one of the most innovative, conscientious and broadly imitated consumer brands posted an unusual message on the home screen of their app.

“It’s time to say goodbye,” the message said. “Thanks for supporting the Patagonia iPhone app. Now that our website is beautiful and easy to use on all mobile Web browsers, we will no longer be supporting this app – you may delete it from your device.”

The call to action on the single button that remains says, “Visit patagonia.com.”

And with that simple message – yet bold move – Patagonia just issued a clarion call among the overwhelming white noise of the app world.

Why are users turning to the Web on their phones, and turning off the apps?

1) Apps are cumbersome and their environmentis cluttered.

My wife, Suzy, is frequently frustrated with her cell phone.

Regardless of its storage capacity, she fills it with photos and videos (mostly of our kids), and she is constantly deleting apps to free up space. She starts by deleting the frivolous apps that caught her eye, but the novelty quickly wore off. She then moves to apps she uses but doesn’t need. And then she moves to the bare essentials – the apps that serve a utilitarian purpose like the digital equivalent of a Swiss Army tool.

By their very nature, apps are space hogs, even with ever-increasing storage capacities on mobile devices. Just check the usage on about anyone’s phone and you will see that a significant portion (often half) is filled with apps.

Combine that with the fact that even small businesses have felt the peer pressure to have an app presence, and

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you have a market bandwagon that is so cluttered, the average user (like my wife) is overwhelmed by the options. And do any of us really need an app that simulates the action of pressing down a stapler?

The app market is so full of content-clutter; a new app now needs to be the app world’s equivalent of a sensational reality TV show in order to garner any attention at all.

Lastly, and most annoying of all, is the fact that there is no real indexing of relevance in app search. While there are rumors that Google and Apple recognize this fact and may be taking steps to address it, the simple fact remains that Google, in particular, makes the vast majority of its revenue from search relevance, something that the app world lacks. And it’s difficult to see how the app industry could potentially catch up to the search relevance of the Web world anytime soon… or really, ever.

2) The real value of apps is in their utility.

There are a few inherent qualities of apps that differentiate them from a website viewed on a mobile device – namely offline functionality, push notifications and rewards programs. In certain use cases, these three app qualities are extraordinarily beneficial to brands or organizations seeking to provide value to their target audience.

I keep the BBC News app, the Southwest Airlines app, Hilton Honors app and, until last week, the Patagonia app on my iPhone for this very reason.

But one of the significant downsides is the ever-increasing number in the red bubble above the App Store icon on my phone. The frequency and file size of app updates is especially accelerating the security updates, bug fixes and constant enhancements needed to stay ahead of the curve. The result is update fatigue.

So, while it was nice to have the Redbox app on my phone for a while, what I really NEED is my banking app, Evernote and my SignEasy app (since I sign quite a few documents in my vocation).

Like my wife and many other users, I’ve trimmed down the apps on my phone to just the bare essentials that serve a purpose that can’t be replicated by a website. This is especially true for apps where I can receive the same informa-

tion or functionality through a website that doesn’t require constant updates.

3) Unlike apps, the Web is inherently egalitarian.

The most significant reason we may be seeing the zenith of the app bubble right now is a fairly consistent macro-trend in technology. Anytime there is a new piece of technology, it is usually proprietary. The creator of that technology expects to see a return on its investment of research and resources. That means that the technology is closed (like an app store that has proprietary development requirements and an approval process). The creator of the technology attempts to corner the market for as long as possible.

But one of the great beauties of the technological realm is its bent toward democracy. Any time the pendulum of access swings too far toward the proprietary end of the continuum, the equal and opposite force of egalitarianism pulls it back toward being open.

I think this is part of what we are seeing in the app world. As the ubiquity of apps, the costs associated with maintaining those apps and most importantly the costs associated with making apps stand out, folks have started to realize that the free Web alternative makes sense.

That may be what Patagonia foresaw and that what other brands may be starting to realize now that Patagonia has once again boldly stepped toward a seemingly counterintuitive future. And it’s worth noting that Patagonia has a disproportionally large presence on the vanguard of consumer trends, which means they are probably on to something here.

VOICES FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, HEARD HERE

| OPINION | 15

An open letter to summer interns We need you as much as you need us – maybe more

By SARAH MOORE Public relations director, Complete Public Relations

Dear Potential Summer Interns, As you’re reading this, you’re probably in one of two camps.

Some of you are probably a little relaxed, knowing that you’ve got an internship lined up for the summer where you’ll hopefully learn more about your chosen industry and maybe learn to make a mean cup of coffee in the process.

The rest of you are probably panicking, thinking that it’s basically break already and nothing’s come through yet and you’ll be resigned to another summer of folding T-shirts and slinging milkshakes at your not-so-favorite job (lots of benefit there too, but that’s another article).

Well, fear not. Whether you’re worried that the most significant thing you’ll do this summer is learn how to work a copier or that all the good opportu-

nities have passed you by, we have news for you – we, the employers of Greenville, need you. We need you as much as you need us. Maybe even more than that.

You need us to learn about the ins and outs of your future career. We need you to learn the ins and outs of YOU. Your generation. What can you, a millennial, teach us about engaging you, inspiring you, connecting to you? Because that’s what we’re all really here to do. What new technology are you learning in your classes that we need to be implementing? How are you communicating with your personal audiences, because you certainly have them (here’s lookin’ at ya, Snapchat)? While you’re with us, you’re one of our most valuable resources, and we’re going to treat you like that.

But we also need you this summer because we need you to come back after summer is over. Greenville is experiencing a wave of young professional, entrepreneurial energy, but that wave only lasts as long as we consistently add new young professionals to the community. Without you coming back to work with us fulltime, our influence dies out.

We need you to see that Greenville isn’t your high school hometown anymore, and the resources and opportunities you think you can get in a big city, you can also get right here, along with an unparalleled quality of life and a lower cost of living that will make your entry level salary go way further. That’s why organizations like PULSE invest in Greenville’s summer interns through PULSE Talent, a program of the Greenville Chamber that connects summer interns to the networking and social opportunities for young professionals in Greenville.

And yes, we need you to get coffee and make copies and drop off the mail and do the boring database entry. But we only need you to do those things because any one of us is also willing and able to do those things to make our companies run. We need you to do those things because, we hope, you’re learning about the advantage of working for a company that values collaboration and teamwork above hierarchy and entitlement. And because, well, we all need more coffee. Even our most valuable resources.

The fourth infrastructure To take Greenville to the next level, we’ll need a better technology grid

By STACY KUPER Net3 Technology

People often focus on roads, sewer and water when they seriously talk about the growth of Greenville.

Those three basic backbones of infrastructure need constant attention for us to maintain our great quality of life here. The opportunities we have, and the opportunities we want to have, depend heavily on the presence and reliability of these three. However, for Greenville to become the community it can be in the future, we are missing a new, large part of the equation if we talk just about those three building blocks of infrastructure. We need to be talking about the fourth block.

That is properly using technology to help us grow.

A better technology grid as well as smarter use of technology by local governments will allow us to improve our quality of life and our quality of growth. Technology such as better apps, better linkage through using

real-time data and better access will help us transform our communities into something much more useful and appealing.

The rate of change in technology is simply mind-blowing. It wasn’t that long ago that an analog bag phone was all the rage, and we didn’t have texting as a communication medium. Now in the palm of my hand I have more computing power than NASA had in the Apollo missions. I can communicate across the globe via email, text, phone, social media and even video with a device that can run for 12 hours on a single charge. When I started my career in technology almost 20 years ago, a cell phone was a costly luxury, whereas today having a smartphone is an assumption.

Consider this: How much better would it be for a person driving from downtown Greenville to the Golden Strip to learn in real time in their cars what traffic delays are happening, what events are going on nearby and if there is bad weather ahead? The technology to do this exists. It is just

a matter of when will we as a community want to invest in it.

I say when because it will happen, but Greenville needs to be on the cutting edge. For the past two years, I have read study after study talking about how to best draw millennials, new business, venture capitalists and the like to Greenville. Almost all of those studies have talked about things such as quality of life, and in that case they are talking about technology access.

Greenville needs to invest in technology in order to entice new business and new ideas. People want to move here and feel they are in a connected community. This is done in today’s world through technology. If you look at the communities that are growing fastest in the country, they are all heavily connected.

The success of Greenville County has not happened by accident. Visionaries and community leaders have positioned Greenville for success over the years and our once sleepy Southern community has grown into an eco-

nomic powerhouse. I am not suggesting there have not been bumps in the road along the way, but we have succeeded where others have failed, and there is no end in sight for our continued growth. With growth, however, comes some pain, and without proper planning we could become the victims of our own success.

To remain on the cutting edge, we have to give more consideration to technology infrastructure. To stay competitive as a community we have to be connected, but that requires an infrastructure that many of us simply overlook. We can no longer have discussions about the quality of life in our community without giving some consideration to technology. If we are going to continue to grow, draw investment dollars, recruit new businesses and create jobs, we have to invest in the infrastructure that allows technology to thrive.

Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we are a technology-driven society, and Greenville needs to stay on the front line.

16 | COVER STORY |

UBJ

RECHARGING THE ELECTRIC CITY

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05.13.2016

‘It’s starting to happen’ Developer Steve Kay is at the center of Anderson’s downtown renaissance SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com

Electrician. Entrepreneur. Innkeeper. Developer.

Steve Kay, who grew up in Anderson, has deep roots in the Electric City. His grandmother was fondly known as “Momma Kay” around town, and his great-grandfather ran a streetcar in the early 1900s. Kay started working at Hill Electric when he was 18 and ended up buying the company in 1991. Now he is transitioning that company to a younger generation while celebrating the five-year anniversary of another labor of love, The Bleckley Inn, a boutique hotel downtown. Not one to rest, Kay has also just embarked on his next venture, The Bleckley Station, a new 16,000-square-foot event venue currently under construction.

UBJ recently caught up with Kay to talk about his experiences, downtown Anderson, upcoming additions to The Bleckley and the city he calls home.

You’re selling your company Hill Electric. Why? I bought the company in 1991, when I was about 45 years old, from Walter Hill who had started the company in 1954. I’m selling because I want to give the next generation the same opportunity I was given years ago. The transition is planned over several years, and I’m still involved as a stockholder and advisor, just not on a day-to-day basis. I’m selling to in-house employees. It’s a process, but it’s a formula that worked when I bought the company and gives them the same opportunity that I was given.

What was your first development project in Anderson?

It was the original building at the Bleckley Inn. We converted an old bank building that is now our private residence. We live on the third floor and it’s one of the five buildings that make up the Bleckley Inn. After that came the former Dixson’s ice cream property and then the building on the corner where J Peters restaurant is located.

Tell me about The Bleckley.

The concept really came about when the Budweiser Clydesdales were in town several years ago. We housed the horses in our carriage house and saw that the horses had a good place to stay the night, but their caretakers had to go out to the interstate to find a hotel. That’s when we decided to renovate warehouse space we had bought into a hotel.

We’ve outgrown this event space, and that’s why we’re doing the event center. During the week, we do a lot of corporate retreats. We have a neat, walkable downtown, and we want people to know that you don’t have to go to the coast to get away.

We’re available, we pay attention to detail and there’s a story for every room.

How did you get on this path?

It started as us [Kay and wife, Lynn] being empty nesters. We were living in a subdivision, but my wife said she was tired of keeping up the big yard and wanted to move downtown. We approached John Pratt, who owned the original building we now live in, and convinced him to sell us the building. It took us a year just to clean the building out. There were no windows, and the pigeons owned it. The bones were good, but it had to be completely stripped down to the timbers and brick. It took a year to get to that point and then another year to build it out. That was the beginning.

How did you accumulate your properties?

It was a significant investment in purchasing the building that became our residence. I decided to buy the adjacent buildings that now comprise the hotel, because I didn’t want to put the investment in the building I renovated and not control what was around me. I didn’t know at the time what it was going to be; I just knew I needed to control it. Pretty soon I got tired of living next to a slumlord, which was me, and knew it was time to improve those buildings. It was obvious to me that downtown Anderson needed a downtown hotel. So I went from electrician to innkeeper.

It’s been five years since the Bleckley Inn opened.

Is it successful, in your opinion?

It’s never exactly what you want it to be, but the community has embraced us, and I can’t say enough about the pride the community has for the Bleckley.

Even if they don’t stay the night with us, they bring out-of-town guests to the Bleckley to show them “look at what we’ve got.” There’s a lot of pride, and that’s kinda neat.

Did you always only consider Anderson to build when leaving the suburbs, or did you consider other cities in the Upstate?

No. I grew up here. My grandmother used to come to town every Saturday. We would park in front of Woolworths and I would come with her and sit.

Everyone in town would come to visit and talk to Momma Kay. I’ve known this city as a child, and this is where you came. Another town never crossed my mind.

How has Anderson changed over the years, and what would you like to see going forward?

Here’s the answer that everyone says, including my mother: “We need more shops.” And we do. We need more than the restaurants. I think everyone would like to see more retail and a broader mix than we have. That’ll have to work itself out as people see the need. Downtown is a destination. That’s changed, and that’s a good thing. Everyone is trying to do his or her part, and it’s starting to happen.

What is your biggest challenge in developing properties in downtown Anderson?

It’s a challenge just to deal with the old buildings.

In everything I’ve done, we’ve tried to maintain the old building and keep its character. It’s very worth-

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while to keep the history, but it’s both a blessing and a difficulty downtown. There’s patina and color, but working around everything to keep that is a challenge sometimes.

It’s much easier to just demolish a building and start fresh, and sometimes you have to do that. The event center is like that. The existing building wasn’t salvageable, but we were able to keep some of the materials, and those will go into the new building.

The event center, Bleckley Station, is your next big project. Anything else out there that you’d like to tackle?

You can’t go to downtown Greenville and not see all of the tower cranes with apartments and condos under construction. There’s a need for that here in Anderson, and whether I do it or someone else does it, the trend is that people want to be downtown. I’ve got enough right now on my plate getting the event center completed, but if someone else doesn’t do it, there’s definitely a need for upscale condominiums in Anderson. I think there is an interest for folks to live downtown, but they don’t want to sacrifice anything. They want a garage, outdoor space and security. I think they’re meeting that need in Greenville, and I think there is a market here in Anderson for it.

You have a Tesla charging station at The Bleckley Inn. How did that happen?

We had a guest who lived in New Jersey whose son was attending college at Anderson University.

They called and said they had a Tesla that they were thinking about driving down and wondered if we had a charging station. I said no, but I’d check into it. I mean, if there’s anyone in the Electric City that can take care of charging an electric car, it’s a guy who owns an electric company.

Turns out that part of Tesla’s strategy was to locate charging stations in boutique hotels because their customers tended to stay in places like ours, so it was a good fit. They contacted us and installed the station. Tesla supplied and provides the equipment as a convenience for their customers – we just provide the power.

It’s not every day, but sometimes you’ll see a Tesla parked in the back. Sometimes they stay with us and sometimes they just need a little shot as they’re passing through.

Have any other family members joined you in the business?

My son initially worked on some of the first construction projects and then struck out on his own. He’s an economic development guy involved

“Downtown is a destination. That’s changed, and that’s a good thing. Everyone is trying to do their part, and it’s starting to happen.” in the Main Street program and now resides in Michigan, but he got his start working with me doing renovations. Lynn, my wife, does a lot of the design and takes care of quality control.

Is there one particular project that you are most proud of?

Well, it all goes together and it’s all ended up being the Bleckley. I believe over the past five years we’ve developed a brand. We’ve tried to do a good job, and I think people have recognized that quality that we’ve put into it. So everything has come together – all of the renovations we’ve done come under the umbrella of the Bleckley. So will the event center. I think we’ve built a reputation, and we work every day to maintain that quality and reputation.

18 | Q & A |

RECHARGING THE ELECTRIC CITY

Anderson mayor sees decade of progress and challenges After running on a dare, Terence Roberts sees his plan for city coming to fruition ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF

ashley@communityjournals.com

UBJ

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RECHARGING THE ELECTRIC CITY

| Q & A | 19

10 Years Ago

someone dared Anderson native Terence Roberts to run for city mayor. Today, the self-described “coach’s son” raised by two teachers says the city is on the cusp of big changes, with plans to leverage the city’s growing student population and a small army of private-sector leaders looking to partner for economic development progress. UBJ caught up with the early riser to capture his vision for the city.

How did you get to become the mayor of Anderson?

I’ve been a small-business owner for 25 years, and, as a small biz owner, you’ve got to do the chamber and work with nonprofits, and I did. I was the first black president of the chamber, I chaired the YMCA and I worked with United Way. I’ve been busy on the volunteer part of it but… long story short, a buddy of mine kind of dared me to run for mayor of the city of Anderson.

It was a three-person race, and it included the first black and the first woman candidates. And I got in a runoff with the incumbent, and I won.

Then, it was just, what do I do next?

It’s been 10 years now, and nobody’s run against me for the last two years.

I don’t know what that says. Either I’ve done a really good job, or nobody wants the damn job.

What was the plan once you were sworn in?

The city of Anderson was not broken in regards to that all cities have to protect people through police and fire, you’ve got to pick up everybody’s trash in a timely basis and keep the city clean, and we were doing that.

But … I don’t think we were selling our story through marketing and so forth. I think that’s what I brought to the table.

Six, seven years ago we decided to focus on three things, which kind of comes from my mom being an English teacher with the three-paragraph essay. As a group, we decided to focus on downtown, recreation and neighborhoods. We brought that to all of our employees and said, “This is the reality of what we want to do.”

Downtown housing is a big topic for cities all over the country. What does that look like for Anderson?

We’ve torn down probably 300, 350 homes just because of the blight. For whatever reason, people had just forgotten about some inner-city neighborhoods 20 years ago, 30 years ago, and we had to clean up that part

of it. When you tear out 350 homes, you have to figure out a way to build them back. It’s hard to get the private sector to go in, so organizations like Homes of Hope and Nehemiah Corporation, they’ve done a great job partnering with us to make that happen. We still have a ways to go, and we’ve identified about 100 homes that probably need to be torn down or are not livable. That’s one focus of what we’re doing, and that seems to be going in the right direction.

Is the affordable housing issue harder to deal with in Anderson than elsewhere?

I think it’s everywhere, and throughout the Upstate. I’m an Upstate guy, I don’t believe in those county lines that some people still believe in. I was a founding member of Ten at the Top, and I get the whole idea of the 10-county region prospering. If Greenville does well, we do well.

If Oconee County does well, we do well. It’s the 10-county region. Having said that, I think that’s an issue in all of our counties. Even switching gears to our downtown, probably five years or so ago, [Greenville Mayor] Knox White and his council had a fall retreat here. … The gist of their retreat was – and this was five years ago – if

“Nobody’s run against me for the last two years. I don’t know what that says. Either I’ve done a really good job, or nobody wants the damn job.”

Terence Roberts, mayor of Anderson

Greenville was such a great place, if they’ve done such a great job, why aren’t more people living down there, in the city of Greenville?

What we’re on the cusp of here in Anderson is there are a lot of people who want to rent apartments. They’re coming out of the suburbs and they want to have that urban setting. You look at the number of cranes in the area of Greenville and the apartments and the condos; I think maybe they answered that question for themselves.

Many cities are shifting resources to grow a local entrepreneurship culture and appeal to young people.

Is that the case in Anderson?

One of the strategies is to start growing our own entrepreneurs, and having them start in high school. …

Now, this strategy is citywide as opposed to downtown. Every city might have a vibrant downtown, but now we think we’ve gotten enough traction downtown to start offering incentives and resources to other businesses.

One of our advantages is we have one of the fastest-growing colleges in the Southeast with Anderson University. It’s doubled its enrollment in 10 years, from 1,500 to 3,000 students, and one of the things that I campaigned on when I ran 10 years ago was that we’re a university town … and the kids didn’t even know where downtown Anderson was. For a few years, we had a program where we

put them on buses and brought them downtown. I think one of the cool things that we see, and it’s an indicator that Anderson is growing, is if these kids have a good experience in the city of Anderson, they’re going to stay here. We’ve seen that already.

What progress have you seen so far, and what else do you want to accomplish?

When we first started 10 years ago looking at Anderson, there were maybe five residential spots downtown. Now we think we probably have 100-plus residents downtown. Even for us, we’re filling existing buildings and people are taking buildings and doing retail and living on the second floor.

One of the great things about downtown Anderson is it’s a historic district, and it’s connected and it’s walkable, as opposed to Spartanburg or Greenwood. Others … they maybe tore down too many buildings, and we don’t have that because it’s a historic district. People have to jump through a lot of hoops to make changes, but I think that’s an advantage.

I think probably a couple of metrics that we see is continuing to improve downtown. We had a marketing study done about five years ago. And right now we’re just following the plan, and that’s something that coach always had, he always had a plan. You’ve got to follow the plan.

20 | SQUARE FEET |

REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION

SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com |

Anderson entrepreneur launches Bleckley Station Steve Kay’s planned event center is modeled after a turn-of-the-century train station

Anderson entrepreneur

Steve Kay

is adding yet another building to the Bleckley brand.

This time it’s a 16,000-square-foot event center named The Bleckley Station, located on Main Street in downtown Anderson.

Modeled after a grand turn-of-the-century train station, The Bleckley Station will feature a 45-foothigh glass atrium and 10,000 square feet of open floor space accommodating banquet seating for up to 500 guests. The 22- to 45-foot ceilings will have exposed curved steel beams and wooden trusses.

Along Main Street, full glass walls will allow ample natural light in.

The crown of the Station will be the 2,000-squarefoot skylight above the exposed structural steel art, said Kay. By day, filtered light will create an outdoor feel in a totally enclosed and conditioned space. By night, LED lighting will reflect off the glass ceiling and create an infinite variety of color and moods for any event.

“We think The Bleckley Station will be something that competes and attracts people from all over the Upstate,” said Kay. The new event venue will operate under the Bleckley Hotel umbrella, a boutique hotel with 24 rooms comprised of five buildings in downtown Anderson. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

UBJ

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@SJackson_CJ

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upstatebusinessjournal.com

REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION

SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

FRONT ROW

sjackson@communityjournals.com |

Greenville Design Review Board Urban Panel, May meeting

In a very short meeting this month, the city of Greenville’s Design Review Board – Urban Panel heard only two applications and there were no informal reviews presented.

201 N. Main St. The first application, submitted by Johnston Design Group, was to modify a request previously approved in the space on North Main Street formerly occupied by Ayers Leather and now the current location of Lou Lou Boutique, among others.

The application requested approval to paint the brick veneer of the building.

City staff said the building received historical status, which means the preservation overlay district ordinance would apply and historically unpainted brick should not be painted. Staff recommended denial of the application.

The blemishes and rust stains on the unique brick are “part of the character of the building,” said staff. Board member Carmella Cioffi said that if the owner hadn’t received historical status it would be a different discussion.

“If we keep painting buildings on Main Street, it will look like Disneyland,” said board member Danielle Fontaine.

The board denied the application.

245-247 N. Main St. Since the applicant wasn’t present, this discussion went quickly. The application is to add a rooftop staircase to the building on North Main that is part of the new event venue, The Upper Room. City staff asked if the board would provide comments and give the ability to handle at staff level. Cioffi said the impact was “minimal” and “doubts that anyone would be able to see the stairs.” The board agreed to allow city staff to proceed.

| SQUARE FEET | 21 @SJackson_CJ

22 | THE TAKEAWAY |

UBJ

NOTES FROM THE BEST TALKS YOU MISSED

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Sparkling messages for small businesses PR pro Taryn Scher reviews the basics of public relations

EVENT: Greenville Area Small-Business Development Center Workshop DATE: April 22 SPEAKER: Taryn Scher, owner, TK PR TOPIC: “Facebook Is NOT a PR Strategy”

By RANCE BRYAN Greenville Area Small-Business Development Center

Taryn Scher is a rock star in the public relations world. She’s helped promote her clients into the regional and national spotlight. Her clients have been featured on shows such as “Good Morning America,” “Today” and “NBC Nightly News.” Additionally, her clients have been in publications like Southern Living, Esquire, The Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping and The New York Times.

As the “sparkle boss” of public relations firm TK PR, Scher has assisted in getting Greenville attention at a national level. VisitGreenvilleSC has been featured in National Geographic, Travel and Leisure and Garden & Gun magazines and many others over the last 24 months.

Due to Scher’s patient but persistent efforts, she is able to expand the reach of her clients’ footprint beyond the typical geographic boundaries. She recently explained her process and a few other tips at a workshop for the Greenville Area Small-Business Development Center.

The program, “Facebook is NOT a PR strategy,” walked attendees through the do’s and don’ts of the PR process.

BE PREPARED Have all of your website, photography, product information and employee bios ready and available at all times. Timing is crucial in public relations, and most media outlets won’t wait for you to prepare the information they are seeking. It needs to available immediately.

PAY ATTENTION TO NEWS AND TRENDS Look for opportunities to align your business with trends that are happening in the marketplace. Sustainable, renewable and local are examples of some of the current trends in the market. Use these or other ideas to showcase how your business is aligned to these types of economic developments.

PICK A SPOKESPERSON A spokesperson for your company doesn’t necessarily have to be the owner or highest C-level individual, but it does need to be someone who can speak on behalf of the company. The spokesperson also needs to be engaging, lively and knowledgeable and be able to shine a positive light on your business.

Designate this individual and equip them with the information they need to be successful when a public relations opportunity is presented.

FOLLOW UP Everyone is busy, but it’s the responsibility of the business to reach out and make sure information was received and answer any remaining questions. In the public relations world, patience and persistence are key. Some opportunities could take months, or even years, before they develop, but the payoff is always worth the wait.

THINK BIGGER PICTURE AND SMALLER PICTURE Look for opportunities to involve your business in a larger setting or spotlight. If you can show how your business supports a larger initiative or activity, it could lead to a promotional opportunity. It’s equally helpful to show how your business can affect people on an individual level. Small-picture outcomes are often as interesting as big-picture perspectives.

ENGAGE JUN

2

10 A.M. TO NOON

Marketing 201: Effective Marketing Strategies

Greenville SBDC, 1 N. Main St., Greenville Speaker: Tim Morton, upstate market president, Beam and Hinge bit.ly/Greenville-SBDC-June

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05.13.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

THE FRESHEST FACES ON THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

| NEW TO THE STREET | 23

Open for business 1

2

1. Tucanos Brazilian Grill recently opened at 1025 Woodruff Road, Greenville. For more information, visit tucanos.com.

2. Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. recently opened at 530 Howell Road, Suite 203, Greenville. For more information, visit cecinc.com.

CONTRIBUTE: Know of a business opening soon?

Email information to lgood@communityjournals.com.

Photos provided

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Layout

Caldwell Constructors, Inc. Completes Keith Building at Legacy Square, Verdae A

B

C

BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS

Caldwell Constructors, Inc. recently completed construction of a three-story mixed-use building anchoring Verdae’s Legacy Square. The Keith Building is named for the late Tom Keith, who was instrumental in the planning and design of Verdae. Situated in the heart of Hollingsworth Park, this is the first of several mixed-use buildings planned for the area. Caldwell Constructors is a tenant of the 20,000-square-foot building along with Verdae Development, KDS Commercial Properties and others.

Retail space and a high-end restaurant are slated for the ground floor.

Caldwell Constructors, Inc. has built a reputation for providing outstanding service through unwavering integrity, a transparent project approach and tireless work ethic. It is their unparalleled service and value—along with the ability to deliver exceptional, consistent results—that keeps their clients coming back. Whether the project is commercial, medical, institutional, or industrial, finding creative solutions to meet clients’ needs is their passion.

Visit www.caldwellconstructors.com to learn more.

A

Exterior of the Keith Building at Legacy Square

B

Caldwell Constructors’ lobby area

C

KDS Commercial Properties, offering full-service brokerage, investment and development services

D

Conference room and office space overlooking Legacy Park

D

| THE FINE PRINT | 25

Portable storage and moving company expands to Greenville 1-800-Pack-Rat, a portable storage container and moving solutions company headquartered in Maryland, is opening its first location in Greenville. The company has over 60 locations across the country and provides steel, weatherproof storage containers for local and long-distance moving, as well as short- or long-term storage.

Richard Barrett, a Colliers International broker, assisted the company in the lease of approximately 15,000 square feet of flex space at 119 McDougall Court in Mauldin. The company plans to continue to expand in the Greenville area.

Local CPA firm launches new website Greenville-based accounting firm Scott and Company LLC recently launched its new website.

The updated website offers a sleek, user-friendly design, according to a release.

Features include a blog dedicated to business news and important tax information, profiles of firm leadership and detailed information on Scott and Company’s services and industry specialties. Scott and Company Advisor, the firm’s newsletter, is also featured on the website.

“We are excited to go live with the brand new Scott and Company website,” said Don Mobley, CPA, managing member of Scott and Company. “The website is an extension of our organizational mission, and we hope to strengthen our business relationships through its implementation.”

Michelin launches Pre-Mold retread Michelin Americas Truck Tires, a division of Michelin North America Inc., headquartered in Greenville, introduced the Michelin X ONE XZU S+ Pre-Mold retread – an all-position, next-generation wide-base single – for waste and refuse trucks that operate in demanding urban environments. This retread delivers up to 50 percent greater wear life and is designed with a special winged tread for maximum shoulder protection in high-scrub applications.

The Michelin X ONE XZU S+ Pre-Mold retread features a 29/32-inch deep tread depth and an optimized, straight rib design that contribute to wear life, according to a statement from Michelin. Coextrusion technology and a unique two-layer compound minimize the casing temperature for enhanced durability.

“With the demanding conditions in urban areas, waste and refuse customers are looking for retreads that can handle these punishing conditions and reduce their cost per hour,” said Adam Murphy, VP of marketing for Michelin Americas Truck Tires. “The new Michelin X ONE XZU S+ Pre-Mold retread exceeds those demands with incredible wear life, even when trucks are continuously starting, stopping and turning as they pick up waste in city areas.”

FINE PRINT continued on PAGE 24

26 | THE FINE PRINT |

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BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS

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FINE PRINT continued from PAGE 23

Duke proposes nearly $3 in monthly fuel savings Duke Energy Progress is proposing nearly $3 in monthly fuel savings for its customers beginning this summer. If approved by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC), the new fuel rates, which would go into effect July 1, would be the lowest since 2006.

Under the proposal, typical residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month would see their bills decline from the current $104.77 to $102.00, a savings of $2.77. Commercial customers would see an average decrease in the fuel charge of about 2.9 percent, and industrial customers would receive an average decrease of about 4.5 percent.

Duke Energy Progress offers its customers electric rates in South Carolina that are consistently below the national average, according to a release. The company also offers energy-saving tips and innovative efficiency programs to help customers realize additional savings.

Clemson cybersecurity team wins state competition

greenvilletoday.com Follow @GVLtoday

CU Cyber, the Clemson University competitive cybersecurity team, won first place at the recent Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition at Trident Technical College in Charleston. Team captain MacKenzie Binns also earned MVP honors as the team took home its third title in four years.

“I was very proud of the team and their performance bouncing back from last year in which many were rookies,” said Dr. Kevin McKenzie, one of the team’s faculty advisors. “Most of the time the general public is never aware that companies face real scenarios like the ones that the teams did every day to deliver the services that we expect.”

CU Cyber bested seven other schools from the state, including the University of South Carolina, College of Charleston and The Citadel. The competition put six-person “Blue Teams” in charge of a fictional medical supply company that recently lost its IT staff, giving players 30 minutes to study the company’s technical infrastructure before “Red Team” hackers began to attack.

Teams earned points by maintaining its network and services (like email and web servers) while responding to threats and keeping business systems operational. Clemson captured two out of the three main categories on its way to victory.

Pacolet Milliken partners in clean energy project

COMING SUMMER 2016

Potrero Hills Energy Producers, a partnership between Michigan-based DTE Biomass Energy Inc. and Greenville-based Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, recently started generating electricity from landfill gas. This cleaner source of electricity comes from a newly constructed renewable energy facility at the Potrero Hills Landfill in Suisun City, Calif.

The power plant uses advanced engine-generating technology to deliver enough renewable electricity to power 10,000 California homes. The landfill gas-to-energy facility is equipped with advanced environmental controls that treat incoming landfill gas to reduce sulfur content prior to combustion, thereby reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide.

“This project will help California meet its renewable energy goals, and we’re proud to be a part of that,” said Ralph Walker, executive VP of Pacolet Milliken Enterprises. “Converting waste to power is good for the environment and the community.”

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upstatebusinessjournal.com

HIRED

PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS

HIRED

PROMOTED

HIRED

| ON THE MOVE | 27

PROMOTED

Kyle A. Sox

Craig Purcell

Chris Bradley

George C. Shields

Courtney Mebane

Named director of business development with the Economic Futures Group in Spartanburg. Sox previously served as global business development project manager for the South Carolina Department of Commerce and worked in financial control for Shaeffler Group USA in Fort Mill.

Named chief revenue officer with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team. Purcell has more than 20 years of experience in the sports industry working in sales and marketing. He previously served as president of CSP Consulting, senior VP of sales and marketing for the Oakland Raiders and manager of strategic corporate and technology accounts with the Ottawa Senators, among others.

Named creative director with ZWO Branding and Marketing. Bradley has been with the firm since 2009 and previously served as associate creative director.

He is an adjunct professor at Anderson University teaching courses in Web design, print production and design software, and also serves as a judge for AAF Greenville.

Named vice president for academic affairs and provost at Furman University.

Shields is currently dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.

In his new role as chief academic officer at Furman, Shields will be responsible for faculty and related administrative departments that support undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs.

Named marketing communications manager at Smith Moore Leatherwood.

Mebane previously served as vice chair of the Legal Employer Alumni Relations Section of The National Association for Law Placement and is a founding member of the Salvation Army of Greenville’s Women Auxiliary. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in marketing.

ADVERTISING Your Creative People hired Micah Moeller as graphic designer. Moeller is a senior at Bob Jones University pursuing a degree in graphic design.

EDUCATION Clemson University named Christopher Miller as associate VP for student affairs and dean of students.

Miller previously served as interim dean of students and has more than 20 years of experience in higher education.

Greenville Health System received the Excellence Recognition by the South Carolina Hospital Association’s Working Well initiative and Prevention Partners. The Excellence Recognition is awarded for reaching the highest standards in workplace health and prevention.

The Blood Connection hired Audrey Martin as marketing and community relations support specialist. Martin is a senior at Bob Jones University pursuing a degree in communications.

HEALTH

LEGAL

Matthew Moore was hired as a psychiatric nurse at the Carolina Center for Behavioral Health. Moore is a senior at Bob Jones University pursuing a degree in nursing.

Attorneys Richard L. Few Jr. and E. Tyler Smith joined Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP’s Greenville office. Few has 37 years of experience

Sutera Suteraisisaasemi-underground semi-undergroundwaste waste and and recycling recyclingcollection collectionsystem systemthat thatisisaa clean, clean, safeand andeconomically-friendly economically-friendlyalternative alternative safe totraditional traditionaldumpsters dumpsters to

in strategic tax planning and economic development, among others. Smith previously worked with Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd PA.

MANUFACTURING Solvay hired Zachary Crane as lab technician. Crane is a senior at Bob Jones University pursuing a degree in biology.

MARKETING/PR Complete Public Relations received two Silver Wing Awards of Merit and a Mercury Award for Public

Affairs at the annual Public Relations Society of America’s South Carolina Mercury Awards banquet.

REAL ESTATE The Marchant Company added Bridgette White as marketing director. White is a graduate of North Greenville University where she studied marketing and communication. She previously worked in leasing and marketing with Intermark Management Corporation.

CONTRIBUTE: New hires, promotions & award winners may be featured in On the Move. Send information and photos to onthemove@ upstatebusinessjournal.com.

28 | SOCIAL SNAPSHOT |

UBJ

INSIDE THE UPSTATE’S NETWORKING AND SOCIAL SCENE

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05.13.2016

Photos by Will Crooks

WHO’S WHO UBJ’s Who’s Who class of 2016 was honored at an event on April 28 at United Community Bank in downtown Greenville.

05.13.2016

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upstatebusinessjournal.com

INSIDE THE UPSTATE’S NETWORKING AND SOCIAL SCENE

| SOCIAL SNAPSHOT | 29

Serious About Improving Sales Performance?

Check this out!

Announcing The Activate Series Weekly B2B sales training sessions facilitated by Sharon Day, Sales Activation Group.

Dynamic hands-on learning with customized topics that are relevant, real world and resource rich.

Join us to learn how to activate: • In-depth conversations • Qualified leads • Shorter sales cycles • Greater impact

Classes start Wed., June 8th

‘The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in combat.’

—Richard Marcinko

CONTRIBUTE: Got high-resolution photos of your networking or social events? Send photos and information for consideration to events@ upstatebusinessjournal.com.

To register, call or go online: 864.451.7676 • 2activatesales.com

It’s time to get serious.

30 | #TRENDING |

UBJ

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

OVERHEARD @ THE WATERCOOLER > Chris Loper at Keller Williams Realty “Who said airport food has to be bad? Soon you can fly into GSP and be greeted with a little gourmet!”

5 ISSUE 19 MAY 6, 2016 | VOL.

COMMERCIAL

REAL ESTATE

QUARTERLY ISSUE

POWER TRIO with three properties UBJ spotlights IAL

> Courtney Joyce “So many great places popping up around #yeahTHATgreenville! Like Tipsy Taco, specializing in craft cocktails and from scratch tacos, to open June 1st!”

RE: CYCLEBAR PLANS OCTOBER OPENING IN DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE > Robin Ann Parker “My Redding area peeps, would you pay $200 bucks a month for a luxury/boutique...500 to 700 calorie burning cycle class? I sure as heck would. You?!”

RE: TIN LIZZY’S OPENING MAY 16 > @simkins1956 via upstatebusinessjournal.com “Magnolia Park? What a surprise!”

RE: AUGUSTA ROW TO PROVIDE SINGLE-FAMILY DOWNTOWN OPTION > Erin Halperin “Good news”

MASSIVE UNTAPP

ED POTENT

PLUS CASE STUDY in Charleston’s Could a project shed light on Upper Peninsula End? Greenville’s West MARKET REPORTS state of of the Expert analysis estate in the Upstate commercial real DEALMAKERS transactions The biggest CRE the last quarter in the region from

DIGITAL FLIPBOOK ARCHIVE >> The layout of print meets the convenience of the web: flip through the digital edition of any of our print issues at >> upstatebusinessjournal. com/past-issues

>> WEIGH IN @ THE UBJ EXCHANGE Got something to offer?

Get it off your chest.

We’re looking for expert guest bloggers from all industries to contribute to the UBJ Exchange. Send posts or blog ideas to dcar@communityjournals.com.

LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/ UPSTATE-BUSINESS-JOURNAL FACEBOOK.COM/ THEUPSTATEBUSINESSJOURNAL @UPSTATEBIZ @ashleyboncimino

@jerrymsalley

@SJackson_CJ

@clandrum

@theladylety

@AndersonTrev

>> 203 2. CycleBar plans October opening in downtown Greenville

>> 82 3. Tin Lizzy’s opening May 16

>> 66

>> 64

RE: UPSTATE-MADE BMWS SHOW MIXED RESULTS IN APRIL

5. Augusta Row to provide singlefamily downtown option

RE: A REPORTER’S – AND A CITY’S – JOURNEY

We’re great at networking.

1. Entrepreneurs bring Hub City Scoops to downtown Spartanburg

> Diane Taylor “How cool! You’re married to a celebrity, Elizabeth!”

> Bill Kane “More jobs coming to the Upstate!”

>> CONNECT WITH US

>> 986

RE: THE YOUNG GUN- ROBERT HUGHES III

RE: ZERO CONNECT TO INVEST $1.3M FOR PICKENS OPERATIONS

> Jim Simkins “Opportunities galore...”

The top 5 stories from the past week ranked by shareability score

4. “Love Where You Live” gift cards promote local spending in Spartanburg

> @debbiegar2 “It’s a slowing economy! Trump’s predicting another recession! Hope it doesn’t happen here in SC! All the building in Greenville!”

RE: DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE’S WELLS FARGO CENTER IS ON THE MARKET

05.13.2016

BIZ BUZZ

Distilled commentary from UBJ readers

RE: WOLFGANG PUCK COMING TO GSP

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> @ JulieBMcCombs “Awesome!” > @ RileyDispatch “We’re glad to have played a part in your career, Trevor! Love Where You Live! You sure do. Thanks for everything.”

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAILS Follow up on the Upstate’s workweek in minutes.

RE: GREENCO TO GET $8.3M IN NEW MARKET TAX CREDITS FOR POINSETT FACILITY

Subscribe to our emails & receive The Inbox – our weekly rundown of the top 10 local biz stories you need to know – as well as breaking news alerts. It’s the best way to stay informed on the go. >> upstatebusinessjournal.com/email

> Pam Behrens, PMP “Excellent news! Just commented, while driving that stretch last weekend, what a dismal appearing area it is.”

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RE: POWER TRIO > Jim Simkins “The future is ours!” > Jane Coates Walker “Why isn’t anyone dealing with the issues that will result from all of this out-of-control building – roads, schools traffic nightmares?”

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DATE

EVENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE ON YOUR CALENDAR

| PLANNER | 31

EVENT INFO

WHERE DO I GO?

HOW DO I GO?

Tech After Five networking event for tech entrepreneurs and professionals

Pour Lounge 221 N. Main St., Greenville 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Cost: Free Register: bit.ly/taf-may2016

Spartanburg Chamber Doing Business Better: The Intentional Entrepreneur workshop

Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce 105 N. Pine St., Spartanburg 4:30-7 p.m.

Cost: $20 Chamber members $40 nonmembers Register: bit.ly/dbb-may2016

5/25

Piedmont SCORE Business Planning for the Small Business Owner workshop

NEXT Innovation Center 411 University Ridge, Greenville 6-8 p.m.

Cost: $19 Register: bit.ly/score-may2016

Thursday

UWIT monthly luncheon: Emotional Intelligence How Does it Serve You in Business?

City Range 615 Haywood Road, Greenville 11:30 a.m.

Cost: $17.50 in advance, $20 at the door Register: uwitsc.org

Greenville Chamber Netnight Networking event for business owners and professionals

Aloft Greenville Downtown Hotel 5 N. Laurens St., Greenville 6-8 p.m.

Cost: $10 investors, $15 non-investors Register: bit.ly/netnight-june2016

Wednesday

5/18

Wednesday

5/26 Thursday

6/2

CONTRIBUTE: Got a hot date? Submit event information for consideration to events@upstatebusinessjournal.com.

ART & PRODUCTION

IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF UBJ? WANT A COPY FOR YOUR LOBBY?

ART DIRECTOR

MAY 20 THE R&D ISSUE Academia and research helping develop innovations.

Whitney Fincannon 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

PRESIDENT/CEO

Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com

UBJ PUBLISHER

Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Jerry Salley jsalley@communityjournals.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Emily Pietras epietras@communityjournals.com

STAFF WRITERS

PHOTO COORDINATOR/LAYOUT

UBJ milestone

UBJ milestone jackson Marketing Group’s 25 Years 1988 Jackson Dawson opens in Greenville at Downtown Airport

Tammy Smith

1988

with a majority of them utilizing the general aviation airport as a “corporate gateway to the city.”

In 1997, Jackson and his son, Darrell, launched Jackson Motorsports Group. The new division was designed to sell race tires and go to racetracks to sell and mount the tires. Darrell Jackson now serves as president of the motorsports group and Larry Jackson has two other children and a son-in-law who work there. Jackson said all his children started at the bottom and “earned their way up.”

Jackson kept the Jackson-Dawson branches in Detroit and others in Los Angeles and New York until he sold his portion of that partnership in 2009 as part of his estate planning.

The company now operates a small office in Charlotte, but its main headquarters are in Greenville in a large office space off Woodruff Road, complete with a vision gallery that displays local artwork and an auditorium Jackson makes available for non-profit use. The Motorsports Group is housed in an additional 26,000 square feet building just down the street, and the agency is currently looking for another 20,000 square feet.

Jackson said JMG has expanded into other verticals such as financial, healthcare, manufacturing and pro-bono work, but still has a strong focus on the auto industry and transportation. It’s

OPERATIONS Holly Hardin

ADVERTISING DESIGN Kristy Adair, Michael Allen

1997 Jackson Dawson launches motorsports Division 1993

1990 Jackson Dawson acquires therapon marketing Group and moves to Piedmont office Center on Villa.

>>

Chairman larry Jackson, Jackson marketing Group. Photos by Greg Beckner / Staff

Jackson Marketing Group celebrates 25 years By sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com

Solve. Serve. Grow. Those three words summarize Jackson Marketing Group’s guiding principles, and according to owner Larry Jackson, form the motivation that has kept the firm thriving for the past 25 years.

Jackson graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in video and film production and started his 41-year career in the communications industry with the U.S. Army’s Public Information Office. He served during

Vietnam, where he said he was “luckily” stationed in the middle of Texas at Fort Hood.

He left the service and went to work in public affairs and motorsports at Ford Motor Company in Detroit.

After a stint at Bell and Howell, where he was responsible for managing Ford’s dealer marketing and training, the entrepreneurial bug hit and he co-founded Jackson-Dawson Marketing Communications, a company specializing in dealer training and product launches for the auto industry in 1980.

In 1987, Jackson wanted to move back south and thought Greenville would be a good fit. An avid pilot, he

learned of an opportunity to purchase Cornerstone Aviation, a fixed base operation (FBO) that served as a service station for the Greenville Downtown Airport, providing fuel, maintenance and storage.

In fact, when he started the Greenville office of what is now Jackson Marketing Group (JMG) in 1988, the offices were housed on the second floor in an airport hangar.

“Clients would get distracted by the airplanes in the hangars and we’d have to corral them to get back upstairs to the meeting,” Jackson said.

Jackson sold the FBO in 1993, but says it was a great way to get to know Greenville’s fathers and leaders

>>

2003 motorsports Division acquires an additional 26,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space

1998 1998 Jackson Dawson moves to task industrial Court

also one of the few marketing companies in South Carolina to handle all aspects of a project in-house, with four suites handling video production, copywriting, media and research and web design.

Clients include heavyweights such as BMW, Bob Jones University, the Peace Center, Michelin and Sage Automotive. Recent projects have included an interactive mobile application for Milliken’s arboretum and 600-acre Spartanburg campus and a marketing campaign for the 2013 Big League World Series.

“In my opinion, our greatest single achievement is the longevity of our client relationships,” said Darrell Jackson. “Our first client from back in 1988 is still a client today. I can count on one hand the number of clients who have gone elsewhere in the past decade.”

Larry Jackson says his Christian faith and belief in service to others, coupled with business values rooted in solving clients’ problems, have kept

2009 Jackson Dawson changes name to Jackson marketing Group when larry sells his partnership in Detroit and lA 2003

2009-2012 Jackson marketing Group named a top BtoB agency by BtoB magazine 4 years running

him going and growing his business over the years. He is passionate about giving back and outreach to non-prof non-profits. The company was recently awarded the Community Foundation Spirit Award.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to serving the community last week by celebrating its 25th anniversary with a birthday party and a 25-hour Serve-A-Thon partnership with Hands on Greenville and Habitat for Humanity. JMG’s 103 full-time employees worked in shifts around the clock on October 22 and 23 to help construct a house for a deserving family.

As Jackson inches towards retirement, he says he hasn’t quite figured out his succession plan yet, but sees the companies staying under the same umbrella. He wants to continue to strategically grow the business.

“From the beginning, my father has taught me that this business is all about our people – both our clients and our associates,” said his son, Darrell. “We have created a focus and a culture that strives to solve problems, serve people and grow careers.”

Darrell Jackson said he wants to “continue helping lead a culture where we solve, serve and grow. If we are successful, we will continue to grow towards our ultimate goal of becoming the leading integrated marketing communications brand in the Southeast.”

2011 Jackson marketing Group/Jackson motorsports Group employee base reaches 100 people

2008 2012 Jackson marketing Group recognized by Community Foundation with Creative spirit Award

pro-bono/non-proFit / Clients lients American Red Cross of Western Carolinas Metropolitan Arts Council Artisphere Big League World Series The Wilds Advance SC South Carolina Charities, Inc. Aloft Hidden Treasure Christian School

CoMMUnitY nit inVolVeMent nitY in olV inV olVe VeMent & boarD positions lArry JACkson (ChAirmAn): Bob Jones University Board chairman, The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center board member, Gospel Fellowship Association board member, Past Greenville Area Development Corporation board member, Past Chamber of Commerce Headquarters Recruiting Committee member, Past Greenville Tech Foundation board member

JUNE 17 THE MONEY ISSUE Investing 101, funding and finance.

David Jones (Vice President Client services, Chief marketing officer): Hands on Greenville board chairman mike Zeller (Vice President, Brand marketing): Artisphere Board,

Metropolitan Arts Council Board, American Red Cross Board, Greenville Tech Foundation Board, South Carolina Chamber Board

eric Jackson (Jackson motorsports Group sales specialist): Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board

November 1, 2013 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal 21

20 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal November 1, 2013

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