August 14, 2015 UBJ by Community Journals

AUGUST 14, 2015 | VOL. 4 ISSUE 33

GREENVILLE’S GUARDIANS OF

GROWTH Inside the DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, PLANNING COMMISSION and BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS—the 24 people who will decide what your city will look like next year PG. 16

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08.14.2015

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| HOSPITALITY | 3

Green dining Kitchen Sync expects to become Greenville’s first certified eco-friendly restaurant

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ARCHITECT: LMG Architects GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Clayton Construction Company

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GETTING TO GREEN As a member of the Carolina Farm Steward Association, will work with farmers to develop local food shed Plans to harvest their own solar energy; compost and recycle waste; capture rainwater for irrigation Will use all sustainable/recyclable takeout containers; Energy Star equipment; all LED lighting In communication with GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail planners to create easy access to businesses and neighborhoods in the McAlister Square area of Laurens Road Creating a bike-friendly culture Incorporating materials salvaged from local historical sites as well as materials salvaged and repurposed from on-site demolition

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on what is expected to be Greenville’s first certified green restaurant. Located at 1609 Laurens Road, near South Pleasantburg Drive, Kitchen Sync will be a locally owned, full-service neighborhood grill and pizzeria specializing in local, sustainable farm-to-table fare in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. The 4,000-square-foot freestanding restaurant will be located in an existing building that was home to the Coble Dairy creamery 80 years ago. A building in the rear was previously demolished and materials were saved that will be used in the renovation. Kitchen Sync is seeking certification by the Green Restaurant Association

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sjackson@communityjournals.com

SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

(GRA), a national nonprofit organization that helps restaurants become more environmentally sustainable. The restaurant will feature a unique, open-air dining room along with open kitchen counter seating, an indoor bar, and a large outdoor patio. It will have a full bar with wines, an all-local draft beer program and counter seating with views into the kitchen and pizza station. Longtime Greenvillian Kevin Feeny, who grew up in nearby Gower Estates, will own the restaurant. Feeny’s sister and brother-in-law, Karin Feeny and John Farrell, will co-manage the restaurant. All hail from restaurant backgrounds. An eclectic menu will feature an array of snacks, salads and pizzas and farm-to-table dishes drawn from the owners’ collective life experiences. Menu items are expected to change frequently as local foods are in season, and Feeny said prices will be “approachable and affordable.” Feeny expects to open the restaurant in early 2016.

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

4 | THE RUNDOWN |

TOP-OF-MIND AND IN THE MIX THIS WEEK

UBJ

08.14.2015

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 33 Featured this issue: Michael Panasko works on the pipeline Recap: August DRB meeting Trailside aims for DOE standard

MONEY SHOT: Jack Valetti, assistant resident construction engineer for the South Carolina Department of Transportation, explains some of the work planned for the $231 million I-85/I-385 Gateway project. The contract for the project, the second biggest ever done in the state by the SCDOT, is scheduled for completion in 2018. Read more in this week’s Greenville Journal. Photo by Benjamin Jeffers.

WORTH REPEATING

TBA

“This is as close as I’m ever going to get to mission work. If it’s one job or a thousand, either way you just changed someone’s life.” Page 5 “America’s current tax structure hinders real business growth. If you want to start a new business, the costs in money and time are everything but encouraging and helpful.” Page 14 “We’re not opposed to coolness. We’re opposed to garishness.” Page 16

VERBATIM

On ambition Word is that the Blue Ridge Brewing Company will be opening a second location in downtown Greer.

“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” John D. Rockefeller

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08.14.2015

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

upstatebusinessjournal.com

Selling the city

“This is as close as I’m ever going to get to mission work. If it’s one job or a thousand, either way you just changed someone’s life.”

Greenville’s business development manager, Michael Panasko, explains his role filling the pipeline

Michael Panasko

MICHAEL PANASKO

ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF

aboncimino@communityjournals.com What role are you playing? What’s the problem you’re solving? My job is really to sell the city, and the four corners of the city, so that it’s not just downtown. … I think what I was brought on to do was to fill the pipeline, so to bring more opportunities in, to make the introduction, to identify a company that wants to make an investment to expand, whether it’s in Germany or it’s in Ohio. If they want to get into the Southeast, how do we get on the radar? What skills have you picked up with past jobs that will help here? I think the big part was spending half of my career in the private sector, with 10 years in high tech, and it’s always been in the capacity of marketing and business development. However you want to name it – it changes over the years – it’s still how you want to sell your product. My product is the city of Greenville. It’s not a phone. It’s not a notebook. It’s a city.

Title: Business Development Manager, City of Greenville Previous: Innovate Anderson, Upstate SC Alliance, ScanSource Education: Clemson University, University of Pittsburgh Photo by Carol Stewart

What progress have you made so far? The workflow with projects. What you want to see is these companies are locating here, but if you’re doing it without the communication piece between the organizations, something could get dropped, or they could have a situation where maybe sites, a building, isn’t presented to the company that could make a difference to them. … If you’re not involved in that process, you can’t help. So I think the communication has gotten better between the groups.

| Q& A | 5

Where does Greenville have economic development opportunities? One thing that we are focused on more is office, white-collar job opportunities versus straight industrial. We’re not going to be a home for a large manufacturing firm. We don’t feel like we have the footprint to cover that. What we’re trying to do is win what we can, and that’s in the office environment. That doesn’t mean that light manufacturing can’t happen, but it’s not our strength. Maybe there’s a company working on a special project … on a pilot scale. The whole product design and engineering of the actual component, that’s what we do here. And if it works, spin it out and then we get the larger facilities and scale up. Why do you do what you do? Where I grew up, I came out of what was a very depressed location in the ’70s in Pittsburgh, and the steel mills were shutting down. To see what happens to an individual or a family when they don’t have a job or no one’s working, it’s awful. That’s the worst thing that can happen. I’m not a therapist, I’m not a social worker, but I think the psychology of someone having a job – whether you have a job or not – when folks are getting up and going to work and earning a living, there’s a lot more positive to that individual than one who is not working. To me, I just see a lot of value in that, so I take a lot of that personally. This is as close as I’m ever PANASKO continued on PAGE 5

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6 | FINANCE |

UBJ

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

08.14.2015

Matching 401(k) plans don’t add up Participation is higher in auto-enrolled plans, but savings is lower Features designed to get more employees participating in retirement savings plans may have actually reduced overall retirement savings, according to new research involving a Clemson University economics professor. Auto enrollment in employer-sponsored matching contribution plans has been considered a way to get more workers to participate in a retirement plan than would sign up on their own. But while participation rates are higher, savings rates have decreased since auto-enrollment was introduced, said Patrick Warren, a Clemson economics professor who researched matching contribution retirement plans with two New York University professors.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

40%

Employees who participate in a 401(K) plan that includes employer-matching contributions who do not contribute enough to qualify for the maximum match “People overestimate how much they’re going to save,” Warren said. “Forty percent of employees who participate in a plan that includes

PANASKO continued from PAGE 5

going to get to mission work. That’s why I like this side of it. If it’s one job or a thousand, either way you just changed someone’s life. How do you define success? Maybe that’s a personal philosophy, that if I can help [companies] be successful and make money, then the offshoot of that is they’re going to hire people. They’re going to invest. They’re going to pay more tax dollars. They’re going to fund a great downtown, great

“People overestimate how much they’re going to save.” Clemson University economics professor Patrick Warren employer-matching contributions do not contribute enough to qualify for the maximum match.” Warren said employers offer matching contribution programs because they are attractive to potential employees and because they are encouraged by regulations and through tax incentives. “There’s a difference between what’s most attractive and what’s most valuable,” he said. Often times, a worker has to decide what is most valuable – a job with a smaller match and bigger wage or one with a bigger match and smaller wage. If they choose the plan with the bigger match and don’t save what they think they will, they could receive less total compensation, Warren said. Warren said one way to combat the problem is for government to end employers’ incentives for matching plans and instead encourage them to make straight-up contributions to workers’ 401(k) plans. In addition, employers should counsel employees about nondiscretionary saving plans at the time they’re hired. Warren said that could increase the attractiveness of non-matching plans.

school districts and generally make a better quality of life for a lot of folks. If I can play a small part in it, I’m pretty happy. If it’s not going to work out individually for us, we want it here in the Upstate. One of our citizens still might have an opportunity with a company that relocates in Anderson. They don’t see the city line or the county line. They’re going to drive to that opportunity. That’s still a good thing, and at the end of the day that’s really what it’s about: helping our neighbors have work.

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8 | DEVELOPMENT |

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

Recap: A glimpse into the Greenville Design Review Board monthly meeting SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com Last week the Design Review Board Neighborhood and Urban Panel meetings were back to back in a marathon meeting, stretching into four hours. Since I attend these meetings and a lot of our readers don’t, expect to see meeting recaps from us more often. Why not let you all reap the benefit of my suffering? With the recent shuffle in board members (see this week’s UBJ cover story for a rundown on the roster) it was a much different dynamic. New board chairs and vice chairs were also elected last week. A quick rundown on how these meetings work: For each application the board hears a statement from city staff of the project along with their recommendation. Then, they hear from the applicant (if he wants to speak). After that, it’s open to public input – both for and against the project. Once public comment is closed, the board discusses, asks the applicant any additional questions and then votes.

NEIGHBORHOOD PANEL Applications: In the DRB Neighborhood Panel meeting, the board reviewed three applications. Two were approved – one to add a garage to a house on Earle Street and another to replace siding and windows for a home on Wilton Avenue. Much discussion followed on the third application, to renovate an old home-turned-office space at 706 E. Washington St. into a new bank branch for Palmetto Trust Bank. The bank was requesting hardi-siding instead of the wood siding that is currently there. The board said “no way.” The application was partially approved to allow interior improvements, but they’ll have to come back in front of the board with a more compelling story on why they can’t replace the exterior with wood. Informal review: During the informal review portion of the meeting (when prospective applicants can bring in their projects to get a “pre-filing” feel for what the board thinks), board members saw preliminary plans for a new apartment complex by Bonaventura Ventures proposed along the Greenville

UBJ

08.14.2015

Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail, off of Laurens Road and near Breakaway Honda. The new apartments would be a three-story building with a clubhouse, swimming pool, Juliette balconies and direct access to the SRT. Some of the buildings would be carriage houses with direct-access garages. The design is a little unusual, with A/C systems for each unit housed in the balconies instead of on the rooftop to give cleaner roof lines. DRB panel members voiced concerns with the placement of an A/C louver vent on the front of each building. The developer and architects will review and provide photos of other similar projects to city staff before filing their formal application. This project won’t be in the city’s central business district, so once paperwork is formally filed it will go in front of the Planning Commission. URBAN PANEL Perimeter West End: On the Urban Panel, the project formerly known as the Stadium Apartments at 100 N. Markley St. received final approval of materials. Look for a full story with new renderings coming in UBJ soon. Camperdown: Both the new office building and AC Hotel by Marriott for the new Camperdown project (a.k.a. the Greenville News site) received approval (with staff recommendations). A new pedestri- >>

08.14.2015

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

upstatebusinessjournal.com

>> an shade structure concept in the plaza near the hotel was also approved. Final materials and design are yet to be determined, but it will probably be a material of some sort with an “artistic design that will lead people into the project.” Preliminary designs have it looking similar to the Liberty Bridge. Look for more changes to the overall project design in the coming months. Centennial American Properties said they are planning to make this a great destination for Greenville. “This project means more to us than economics,” said Brody Glenn. Verizon: The board also reviewed and approved an application from Verizon Wireless to install eight new antennas on the top of the Marriott Courtyard at 40 and 50 W. Broad St. The board discussed that the visibility is minimal and it will add much-needed service to downtown. Did you know Verizon brings in a temporary cell tower for Fall for Greenville and other large city events? Me either. Warehouse Theatre: Another application reviewed was for new signage at the Warehouse Theatre along Augusta Street. A new marquee sign design was requested, and even though the board said it would like to see more of a “historic theater marquee – something with a little more oomph,” the design submitted met the guidelines and was approved. Laurens Street: The City of Greenville submitted

its own application for Laurens Street, the pedestrian-only street fronting the new Aloft Hotel. This will be the first street in the city with specific guidelines. The city will have approval over tables and umbrellas that restaurants and retail use. Warm-colored LED catenary lights will be hung 14 feet high to illuminate the street. Board members said they hope this sets a precedent for guidelines for secondary streets and approved it unanimously. Informal review: In the informal review portion of the meeting, the property next to Rick Erwin’s West End Grille and the Army-Navy store downtown may finally be getting a much-needed restoration. Preliminary plans showed a restaurant at street level and office space up top. The planter in front of the building on the sidewalk that always trips people up will be removed and the windows will be brought to the sidewalk. Expect to see this for formal review in the September DRB meeting. Preliminary plans were also submitted for the West End Apartment Homes, which are slated for the Pendleton Baptist Church property on Main Street. Discussion followed about the scale and height of the buildings and how they will affect existing single-family homes along Rhett Street. The board said a sun study might be good to see how much shade the new buildings will create.

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| DEVELOPMENT | 9

The plans showed entrances to the development off of both Rhett and Main streets and a couple of areas that can be used as pocket parks. Good news for the developer is that it already has conditional approval for sewer. Parking on the project will be completely wrapped inside the project and will not be seen from the street. Also, the project has one parking space for each bedroom, instead of the usual one space for each apartment. The developer said that if they can take full advantage of the current zoning, they may be able to add public parking. Another project called Renaissance Place along Pleasantburg Drive, next to Pecknel Music, was also informally reviewed. Preliminary plans showed a dentist’s office, a future office building, a restaurant and a Goodwill store. That’s a lot of information, I know. Not all meetings last four hours, thank goodness. But hopefully you feel more informed about what’s going on in our city. Stay in touch and if you have any questions, comments or tips for me, please reach out.

Look for more blow-by-blow recaps of DRB meetings in UBJ in the future.

NEW FRESH MARKET OPENS ON WOODRUFF ROAD The Fresh Market’s newest location at 1601 Woodruff Road celebrated its grand opening earlier this week. Located at the corner of Woodruff and Feaster roads, the 21,000square-foot store is the second one in Greenville County and eighth in South Carolina. HOME2 SUITES OPENS NEAR GSP Home2 Suites by Hilton, a mid-tier, all-suite hotel brand designed for modern business travelers and extended-stay guests, announced last week the opening of Home2 Suites by Hilton Greenville Airport. The new 102-suite hotel is located at 20 Beacon Drive and is owned by Central Realty Holdings. “With a great location in the city’s business district, just four miles from the airport, Home2 Suites Greenville is an ideal property for business guests and those looking for a convenient location,” said Bill Duncan, global head for Homewood and Home2 Suites by Hilton.

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(864) 213-8000 2446 Laurens Road, Greenville, SC 29607

Home2 Suites Greenville Airport features the trademark Home2 Suites amenities, such as the Oasis lobby; the Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items; the Spin2 Cycle, a combined laundry and fitness area; and complimentary continental breakfast at the Inspired Table. The hotel also features an outdoor saline pool and is pet-friendly.

10 | SQUARE FEET |

UBJ

REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION

08.14.2015

Energy-efficient Trailside model complete Development is Greenville’s first built to DOE Challenge Home standards SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF sjackson@communityjournals.com @SJackson_CJ

Addison Homes, a custom homebuilder

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WHO: Architects and other building professionals WHAT: “The Benefits of Daylight and Fresh Air in Residential Design” WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 2, noon–1 p.m. WHERE: Model home at 1 Trails Edge Court, Greenville Lunch will be provided; registration is ree but reservations are required. RSVP before Monday, Aug. 31, by calling 843-730-4470 or emailing cleve.henderson@velux.com.

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specializing in energy-efficient homes, has completed its model home in its new 16-home Trailside development. The model home has also been selected as the venue for an upcoming AIA-accredited workshop hosted by VELUX America Trailside, located off Watkins Bridge Road along the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail, is Greenville’s first community built according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s rigorous Challenge Home standards and the first in the entire country built to the European Active House standards, a designation that represents the highest standards for indoor air quality, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, daylighting and thermal comfort. The educational workshop hosted by window/ skylight manufacturer VELUX America will showcase the health and environmental benefits of utilizing natural daylight and ventilation in residential projects. “There’s growing demand for buildings that provide healthier, more comfortable indoor spaces – while reducing negative impact on the environment,” says Cleve Henderson of VELUX America. “Design professionals can incorporate skylights, sun tunnels and roof windows in any building application to maximize the benefits of natural daylighting and ventilation to achieve comfort, well-being and energy efficiency.” The model home at Trailside will be open one hour prior and one hour after the workshop for a “behind the scenes” look at the project. “We are delighted to offer our Active House model home as a venue for VELUX’s AIA workshop,” said Todd Usher, president of Addison Homes. “The home will be open for educational programs and tours for the next 12 months – any organization that promotes health, wellness, energy efficiency and/or smart living is welcome to inquire about utilizing this space.”

12 | INNOVATE |

UBJ

MOVERS, SHAKERS AND DISRUP TORS SHAPING OUR FUTURE

08.14.2015

Angel tax credits gaining momentum Two years after the High Growth Small Business Job Creation Act, the impact is real By MATT DUNBAR

managing director, Upstate Carolina Angel Network

June 14, 2013, marked an important day for entrepreneurs in South Carolina. On that day, Governor Haley signed into law the High Growth Small Business Job Creation Act of 2013. South Carolina joined the ranks of half the states in the union that have created an important tool for facilitating early-stage capital formation for local startup companies. Entrepreneurs notoriously have a difficult time finding risk-tolerant forms of capital in the early days of their ventures, and the challenge is even more acute in a state like South Carolina where traditional venture capital has been extremely scarce. Once their own personal resources and friends-and-family investments are exhausted, entrepreneurs have few places to turn for funding.

The primary sources of funding in that infamous early-stage capital gap are angel investors. Angels are individuals who meet income or net worth standards established by the Securities and Exchange Commission who are willing to invest their hard-earned capital in promising but risky early-stage ventures (that don’t fall into the friends-and-family category). Angel investing has been present in South Carolina for decades, but it hasn’t been prevalent or widespread. We can speculate on several reasons for that, but

surely one of those reasons is the inherently risky nature of startup invest-

ing since we know that at least half of those startups will fail. >>

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However, we also know that all net job growth in our economy comes from startups – not to mention a significant amount of innovation and wealth creation – so a risk-mitigation tool like an angel investor tax credit can be a significant lever in drawing more risk capital into the market. Hence the angel tax credit programs that have emerged across the country over the last 20 years – including the one enacted here in 2013. Now, two years later, we have some early data to begin evaluating the impact of the credit program – and the data indicate the tax credit is achieving its intended purpose. Of course, given that the credit was passed halfway through its inaugural year, we’d expect the 2014 numbers to significantly outpace the numbers from the first year of implementation – and in fact that’s just what happened. In 2013, 24 companies filed and received certification as qualified businesses (those qualified to accept investments that qualify for the tax credit). In 2014, that number more than doubled to 51. Its also important to note that qualified businesses came from only six counties in 2013, but 13 counties were represented by a qualified business in 2014. Across both years, Greenville County leads the way with 25 qualified businesses, Charleston is a close second with 23 and Spartanburg ranks third with eight. On the investment side, the numbers are even more encouraging. In 2013, 14 investor applications were approved for tax credits, while in 2014 that number grew by more than 500 percent to 91 approved credits. The

MOVERS, SHAKERS AND DISRUP TORS SHAPING OUR FUTURE

amount of credits approved more than doubled from $1.4 million in 2013 to $2.9 million last year. The tax credits represent 35 percent of the amount invested, which implies the credits represented nearly $4 million of invested capital in 2013 and more than $8 million in 2014 – a significant and welcome increase in the amount of funding for promising South Carolina startups. Roughly 30 percent of the invested capital came from out of state. The credit was designed to be transferable in order to attract needed capital from out-of-state angel investors – and it’s good to see startups here attracting attention and investment checks even beyond our borders. These trends are encouraging signs that more entrepreneurs are aware of the tax credit and putting it to good use creating high-growth-potential companies and more and better-paying jobs. The return on investment for the angel tax credit for investors, entrepreneurs and the state is strong. But there’s still more room to grow the impact of the credits. With a cap of $5 million in credits, an additional $2 million could be claimed – which would represent an additional $6 million in investments for entrepreneurs in South Carolina who are building the future. If you’re a potential angel investor interested in how to source and structure early stage investments – and take advantage of the South Carolina Angel Tax Credit, contact us at upstateangels.com or scangelnetwork.com.

| INNOVATE | 13

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14 | OPINION |

VIEWS FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

UBJ

08.14.2015

America’s tax code: Unfit for South Carolina businesses By WILLIAM TIMMONS Since March 2014, the unemployment rate in South Carolina has risen, growth has been stagnant, and everyday South Carolinians suffer from the ever-present burden of an overbearing tax system. Our elected officials, here in South Carolina and in Washington, D.C., have done little to ease that burden. Taxes on small businesses stymie growth in the areas we need it the most. And now, as presidential and congressional candidates deliver soaring rhetoric about everything from immigration to national defense, small businesses are

left wondering whether anyone will take action toward real, permanent tax reform. Our state’s small businesses are not corporate giants; we are entrepreneurs seeking greater opportunity and prosperity for our families and our communities. We need a tax system that helps us reach our “American Dream.” A dream that says “if you work hard, and innovate, you will be rewarded.” Today, that American Dream seems to be slipping further away each day as our nation’s tax code grows more punishing with every passing moment. In order to file our taxes and get through the >>

Our state’s small businesses are not corporate giants; we are entrepreneurs seeking greater opportunity and prosperity for our families and our communities. We need a tax system that helps us reach our “American Dream.”

08.14.2015

upstatebusinessjournal.com

complex codes that govern tax law, many of us have to hire accountants and attorneys to sort through the required paperwork. This is an unfair strain on scarce resources and valuable time. America’s current tax structure hinders real business growth. If you want to start a new business, the costs in money and time are everything but encouraging and helpful. The system does not serve the budding entrepreneur or the business owner who seeks to expand his venture. It does not serve the mom-and-pop stores who are losing money on Main Street. Our tax system simply does not function as it should. It does not promote growth and certainly is not business-friendly. As the owner of a CrossFit gym, every moment I spend preparing my taxes is time away from providing my customers the best experience possible. Every dollar I pay a tax professional to handle compliance headaches for me is a dollar I no longer have to pay my deserving coaches, purchase new equipment, or pay

utility bills. This is why we need tax reform now. America is supposed to be a beacon of economic opportunity and prosperity. It is time for Congress and every candidate vying for the Oval Office to call for an end to the oppressive tax regimes that stifle opportunity for investment and growth. Overall tax reform will not only make businesses more competitive domestically but will also offer boundless opportunities for overseas growth and competition. Not only would a flatter tax code promote fairness, it is necessary to spur sustainable growth in our economy. Now is the time to turn rhetoric into action, and pen comprehensive tax reform.

VIEWS FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

| OPINION | 15

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO RETIRE? WE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO TELL YOU.

William Timmons is the owner of Swamp Rabbit CrossFit and an assistant solicitor for the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office in Greenville. He can be reached at WmRTimmonsIV@gmail.com.

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UBJ

08.14.2015

THE DESIGN

WATCHDOGS SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com

The DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, PLANNING COMMISSION and BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS have the power to determine the future growth of Greenville. WHO ARE THEY?

As Greenville continues to grow and new development projects are announced on a seemingly weekly basis, questions are mounting about the pace of the change – and the unintended consequences these rapid transformations might bring. Is the city growing too fast? How do we make sure buildings don’t all look the same? How are we going to maintain the quality and character of our neighborhoods that made Greenville the award-winning community it is today? Many of those decisions are tasked to the city’s Design Review Board (divided into urban and neighborhood panels), the Planning Commission board and, to some degree, the Board of Zoning Appeals, which steps in when a project needs a zoning variance. These boards consist of citizens who volunteer their time and expertise, following guidelines handed down from the city and left to them to enforce the rules.

IT’S NOT EASY, BUT SOMEONE’S GOTTA DO IT “Architecture shapes our cities and neighborhoods, which in turn shape our lives,” said Jennifer Gosnell, an architect who served on the DRB since 2013 but chose not to reapply for another term. “Greenville is in the midst of creating its identity.” Serving on a board is not an easy task. Aside from the time commitment to attend meetings and review documents, sometimes decisions made by the boards are controversial. If a board member casts an unfavorable vote, will it hurt future business relations? Money and large deals are at stake. Emotions come into play when a project may affect your home or neighborhood, and everyone has an opinion about what is right for the community. “The development process is challenging,” said Barry Nocks, who serves as chair of the urban panel

The city of Greenville’s Planning Department recently acquired new 3-D rendering software to aid the Design Review and Planning Commission Boards in visualizing projects. The first project to utilize this technology is the new Camperdown project at the Greenville News site.

08.14.2015

COVER | 17

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of the DRB. Developers put a great deal of creativity, management, design and entrepreneurial spirit into a project, then have to relinquish control when they get in front of the DRB, while at the same balancing the need to move forward and balance budgets, he said. Projects that come before the DRB and PC boards have already undergone a review by city staff, often after several meetings, both informal and formal. All applications arrive with a city staff recommendation – but the decision is still the board’s to make.

“It’s good when meetings are efficient and productive with a reasonable outcome for all parties. Every delay has a cost. Interest rates, construction costs and supply implications can impact a project significantly,” said developer Phil Hughes. “Our process is lengthy and we have high standards, but we don’t apologize for that,” said City Councilwoman Amy Doyle. “It’s hard to see deals go away. We have to have some movement and flexibility. It’s a balance. We have really complex projects now.”

BINDING DECISIONS The stakes – and potential for discord – are high, because the decisions made by the citizen boards are binding. The only recourse for decisions by the DRB and BZA boards and subdivision decisions from the PC is Circuit Court. Appeals of Planning Commission for rezoning decisions go to City Council for an ordinance. WATCHDOGS continued on PAGE 18

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD PURPOSE: Acts on requests for exterior modifications to buildings/structures in Preservation Overlay Districts and the Central Business District and makes recommendations to City Council on new Preservation Overlay Districts.

WHO: Ten members serve two-year terms; no

member serves more than eight consecutive years. Five members serve on the Urban Panel and five members serve on the Neighborhood Panel. Each panel elects a chair and vice chair.

WHEN: Neighborhood Panel meets at 3 p.m.,

Urban Panel meets at 4 p.m., first Thursday of the month, City Hall.

REQUIREMENT: At least two members of each panel are from the planning or design professions, with one member of the Neighborhood Design Panel having architectural or planning expertise with an interest in preservation. Both panels should represent a cross-section of community interest, and neither should consist solely of design professionals. However, members shall have experience, training, or demonstrated interest in design, construction, preservation, or planning for buildings, site design or landscaping.

DRB URBAN PANEL

Barry Nocks (Chair)

Term: 8/1/2015 through 7/31/2017 Professor, Clemson University Member of the DRB for the last six years, formerly on the Planning Commission. Fellow of the American Institute of City Planners. Professor emeritus and former director of the Graduate Program in City and Regional Planning at Clemson University.

Todd Malo (Vice Chair)

Term: 8/1/2015 through 7/31/2017 Partner, Mavin Construction Current member in his second term. For the last 15 years, has managed large construction projects, performing business development and running company operations.

Carmella Cioffi

Mitch Lehde

Danielle Fontaine

Parks McLeod

Joel Patterson

Mike Mecklenburg

Term: 8/1/2015 through 7/31/2017 Architect, DP3 Architects Member of the Planning Commission for the past two years. Master of Architecture degree from Clemson, 2002. Joined DP3 Architects in 2014, and has spent more than 20 years in the architectural design field at a number of Greenville firms.

Term: 8/1/2014 through 7/31/2016 Residential design director, RDS-Ridgeline Design Studio Member of the Neighborhood DRB Panel for the past year. Previously cofounder of Group 1.6 Architects in Greenville. Holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Florida.

Term: 8/1/2015 through 7/31/2016 (one-year term) Artist Downtown resident and local artist. Attended the DRB meeting as an interested citizen for more than a year. Bachelor’s in architecture from McGill University; master’s in economics and politics from University of Oxford; master’s in creative writing from Queens University of Charlotte.

DRB NEIGHBORHOOD PANEL

Robert Benedict (Vice Chair)

Term: 8/1/2014 through 7/31/2016 Associate director, Real Estate Development Program, Clemson

John Edwards (Chair)

Term: 8/1/2014 through 7/31/2016 Architect, associate principal, LS3P Associates

Term: 8/1/2015 through 7/31/2017 Landscape architect, McLeod Landscape Architects

Term: 8/1/2014 through 7/31/2016 Owner, Petra Capital Company, commercial real estate development and investing firm

Term: 8/1/2015 through 7/31/2017 Project director, Restore, New York-based nonprofit for architectural conservation

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UBJ

WATCHDOGS continued from PAGE 17

Projects that are under-designed and under-specified are the biggest challenge, said Nocks. At least 90 percent of city development is performed by the private sector. The city has to guide the projects, but the developers put up the money and take the risk. Understandably, approvals are needed as quickly as possible, and sometimes a developer doesn’t want to work through the details. First drafts are problematic, but the city review boards “need to see a certain level of specificity,” Nocks said. “Sometimes we make some really tough decisions because of the [city] ordinance and sometimes the ordinance is crystal clear,” said David Keller, who sits on the PC board. “You just use your best judgement, follow the ordinance and try to do the right thing.” Nocks said the board is well aware their decisions might create a legal problem. “Our decisions last a long time. We try to make the right decision and be careful. Our job is not to design things or to be cost accountants for developers. We try to be as constructive and understanding as possible, and each of us has a professional opinion and informed application of the standards,” he said. Opposition at meetings can also be a factor when making decisions, said Keller. “When the neighborhood is against a project, we listen,” he said.

CHANGE IS NEEDED Most DRB and PC members agree that the zoning rules need reform. “Our zoning has some holes in it,” Gosnell said. “The city adopted a Sasaki Plan [in June 2008], but the zoning was never updated to match that.”

PLANNING COMMISSION BOARD

Michael Allen

Term: 9/22/2014 through 3/31/2016 Architect, project designer, McMillan Pazdan Smith

Matt Johnson (Chair)

Term: 4/1/2013 through 3/31/2017 Attorney, shareholder, Ogletree Deakins

08.14.2015

rameters (e.g., floor area ratio, dwellings per acre, Michael Kerski, the city’s planning and development manager, agrees. “The current design guidelines setbacks, parking ratios, traffic level of service), were written in 2006 for a much different downaccording to the Institute. town,” he said. Building setbacks from street or road are examples Changes to the infill ordinance, design code and of issues that come up frequently in Greenville that stormwater ordinances are all needed, Doyle said. would be addressed more adeptly via form-based Council is also considering appointing the zoning are setbacks, Gosnell said. Current zoning chairperson for each board with two to four-year laws have no verbiage that adequately addresses terms, she said. If meetings go off track, the city setbacks, she said. attorney should also make sure he is stepping in to Parking is another frequent cause of concern in get them back on course. Greenville, yet the city code has no parking requireGosnell said she would like to see the city adopt ments for C-4 zoning, which covers the central a form-based zoning code, similar to Spartanburg business district. “We cannot pay attention to and other cities across the country. “It’s more proparking. It’s not part of our charge,” said Nocks. gressive,” she said. Gentrification is another According to the Form-Based looming issue for Greenville Codes Institute (yes, there is such as development speeds an entity), form-based codes forward. address the relationship between “It’s important to not building facades and the public become over-gentrified,” said realm, the form and mass of Keller. “There is a constant buildings in relation to one tension between developers another, and the scale and types and allowing people to subof streets and blocks. The regula- “The C-4 district is intended to preserve divide residential lots and downtown Greenville as the city’s center, keeping it all under control. tions and standards in form-based accommodating a unique, high-intensity codes are presented in both words We need diversity.” and clearly drawn diagrams and mix of office, service, retail, entertain“The board is there to other visuals. They are keyed to a ment, cultural, government, civic, light support what the communiregulating plan that designates manufacturing and residential uses. ty is asking for,” Gosnell said. the appropriate form and scale Keller said he is looking The intent of the district is to preserve (and therefore character) of de- and encourage pedestrian-oriented forward to changes to the velopment, rather than only discurrent infill ordinance development…District uses and tinctions in land-use types. adopted last year. He’d like standards are also intended to This approach contrasts with to see stricter standards on encourage future development in a conventional zoning’s focus on the how property is subdivided micromanagement and segrega- manner compatible with the existing and more stringent design tion of land uses, and the control and historic built-environment and guidelines. “I also wish we with nearby residential areas.” of development intensity through would totally stop allowing abstract and uncoordinated pa- Source: Greenville County zoning classifications the clear-cutting of trees” in

WHAT IS C-4 ZONING?

PURPOSE: Makes recommendations to City Council on zoning and annexation issues; reviews and approves all new subdivisions; and is involved in comprehensive planning to improve the health and welfare of the public.

David Keller

Term: 4/1/2013 through 3/31/2017 Attorney, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete

Jonathan Pait

Term: 4/1/2012 through 3/31/2016 Owner, The Worthwhile Company, Internet development firm; manager, Bob Jones University Alumni Association

WHO: Seven members serve four-year terms;

no member serves more than eight consecutive years.

WHEN: 4 p.m., second Thursday of the month, City Hall.

Jason Tankersley

Term: 4/1/2015 through 3/31/2019 Project manager, Centennial American Properties

Kelli Wilder (Glaspie) (Vice Chair)

Term: 4/1/2015 through 3/31/2019 Lease administrator, World Acceptance Administration

Meg Terry

Term 8/1/2015 through 3/31/2019 Architect, DP3 Architects

08.14.2015

COVER | 19

upstatebusinessjournal.com

PURPOSE: Hears and decides where it is

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

Leah Buttry (Chair)

Term: 1/1/2015 through 12/31/2017 Firm administrator, Wyche PA

Valerie Chatman

Term: 1/1/2014 through 12/31/2016 Small business support, Lockheed Martin

alleged that there is an error of law in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the Zoning Administrator.

Frank Hammond (Vice Chair) Term: 2/11/2013 through 12/31/2015 Senior principal, Colliers International

Keith Jones

Term: 1/1/2015 through 12/31/2017 Broker, NAI Earle Furman

WHO: Seven members serve three-year terms. WHEN: 4 p.m., third Thursday of the month,

City Hall.

Christopher Price Term: 1/1/2015 through 12/31/2017 Civil engineer, partner, Bluewater Civil Design

Matt Tindall

Term: 1/1/2014 through 12/31/2016 Owner, Tindall Architecture Workshop

Seph Wunder

Term: 5/18/2015 through 12/31/2015 Special counsel, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd

subdivisions with a stronger tree ordinance, he said. “We also seem to do less long-term planning now than we have in the past.” Nocks said he would like to see more workshops for the DRB on understanding the guidelines it’s expected to enforce. General awareness of guidelines, integrated communication and more public conversation and awareness are also needed, he said. “Zoning and good architecture is important. It’s what builds a city and what makes you want to walk down Main Street,” Gosnell said.

A LOOK TO THE FUTURE Luckily, Greenville has a bevy of residents ready to take on the challenge of serving on one of these boards. Currently the city has 35 active applications for the DRB and 32 for the PC. Applications are maintained for two years, then the applicant is contacted asking if he she would like to keep the applications on file for another two years, and if updates are needed. “Seven years ago we had a hard time finding people to serve on boards,” said Doyle. “We needed more diversity, so we cleaned up our parameters, added training for board members and orientation for members.” Now, the city has stricter rules in place for board members, who cannot be absent more than 30 percent of the time, and City Council discusses board activity at least six times a year, Doyle said. Members cannot serve on another board that would pose a conflict of interest and applicants must undergo an interview process with City Council, board members and city staff, to determine how they would handle challenges and if they will be able to look at projects objectively. Each City Council member is tasked with recruiting people to various board positions, Doyle said. A recent shuffle in board membership that had been in the works for months took place at the end

A screenshot of the new Camperdown project using the city's new 3-D rendering software.

of July. “We felt moving some people around and using their expertise to balance out the boards was the right decision,” Doyle said. Another recent change made earlier this year is to allow applicants the ability to bring their projects in front of the DRB boards for an informal review before submitting formal plans for a vote. “Greenville has taken great care in what it has done and we need to maintain our investment,” Nocks said. “We’re not opposed to coolness. We’re opposed to garishness.” “We can learn from places like Charlotte and Atlanta, which have very visible failures in the architecture and not make the same mistakes,” Gosnell said. “It’s important for developers to adhere to the guideline. It’s worthless if they’re not upheld.” “Sometimes it feels like we’re dealing with forces that want unbridled growth, and we’re trying to manage that,” said Keller. “There is a finite amount of land, and we need to use it in the best way possible.”

Hughes said Greenville “has been very supportive of developers in the past with parking decks and rules allowing mixed-use in the CBD. By not having traditional zoning and mandated parking requirements, the city has been attracting new ideas and concepts. Freedom is always a good thing.” The city will be reviewing the infill ordinance at an Aug. 25 committee meeting. “We’ll make changes and it’ll be a public process,” said Kerski. The city has also procured new 3-D modeling software that maps out downtown. All projects coming before the DRB Urban Panel will utilize the new technology, allowing DRB members to see the height, scale and even shadowing of how a project will fit into the downtown landscape. As for the city design guidelines? Kerski said he would like to hire an urban design firm to provide direction on changes that need to be made, but the money is not in the city’s current budget. Doyle said that’s okay: A midyear appropriation can be made and will be discussed at the city’s upcoming council retreat.

20 | ON THE MOVE |

UBJ

PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS

HIRED

08.14.2015

Wendy Blye

Sara Thompson

Brian Hoddy

Barry Gorlitsky

Matthew Floyd

Named health care recruiter/ staffing specialist at Godshall Professional Recruiting and Staffing. Blye has more than 10 years of experience as a human resources professional. She also directed the HR department for a durable medical equipment company.

Named a professional recruiter with a focus on finance for Godshall Professional Recruiting and Staffing. Thompson has more than 15 years of experience in marketing and sales in the senior living and nonprofit industries.

Named manager of builder sales and marketing on the national accounts team of Progress Lighting. Hoddy will grow the company’s presence in the multifamily, residential and new development market segments.

New nephrologist at Carolina Nephrology. Gorlitsky completed his fellowship at the Yale-New Haven Medical Center and a residency at the University of Arizona. He received his medical doctorate from St. Georges University.

New nephrologist at Carolina Nephrology. Floyd served as a hospitalist at Baptist Inpatient Medicine Associates since August 2012. He completed a fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina, serving as chief fellow from 2014-15.

COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT

The Spartanburg Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) named Jennifer Evins, president and CEO of The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg Inc., and David Edwards Jr., president and CEO of the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District, to its board of advisors.

Thomas & Hutton hired Leila Miles as a full-time Designer I at its Greenville office. Miles previously served as a part-time Designer I in Columbia.

EDUCATION The Clemson University Foundation

board of directors elected officers and three new members. The board elected chairman Charles L. Sullivan Jr., retired executive vice president of Sonoco Products, for a second year and E. Mitchell Norville, owner of Atlantic South Development Inc., as vice chair, also for a second year. The three new members joining the board are

Cheryl R. Holland, founder and president of Abacus Planning Group Inc.; Jonathan P. Weitz, CEO of Avocet Hospitality Group; and Amy J. Yoder, CEO of Anuvia Plant Nutrients. Bob Jones University named three new assistant professors. Kathryn Wampole will serve as assistant professor of >>

Strong local knowledge and talent National perspective and resources The Greenville office of Jackson Lewis is highly regarded for its employment litigation practice, its prominent national ERISA practice, and its sophisticated wage and hour FLSA work. An integral member of the Jackson Lewis team is ELLISON MCCOY, who serves as the Litigation Manager for the Greenville office. Ellison has represented employers in litigation matters before state and federal administrative agencies and various state and federal trial and appellate courts. He devotes a significant amount of his practice to assisting employers with disability practice management, particularly issues arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Family and Medical Leave Act. In addition, he handles a wide-variety of employment matters involving claims such as discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, age and disability; sexual and racial harassment; wrongful discharge; retaliation; breach of contract; defamation; covenants not to compete and trade secret violations. Ellison also has extensive experience counseling clients on compliance issues and litigation avoidance strategies, and he regularly conducts management training programs on various employment-related topics. To learn more about the services we offer in Greenville, please contact Ellison McCoy or Office Managing Shareholder Stephanie Lewis at (864) 232-7000 or mccoyE@jacksonlewis.com; lewiss@jacksonlewis.com. With 800 attorneys practicing in major locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Jackson Lewis provides creative and strategic solutions to employers in every aspect of workplace law. To learn more about our services, visit www.jacksonlewis.com.

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08.14.2015

PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS

upstatebusinessjournal.com

>> nursing. Wampole previously served as a registered nurse at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Labor and Delivery and In-Patient Oncology and Palliative Care. John Nolan will serve as assistant professor of studio art. Nolan previously served as an adjunct professor at the university and will continue to serve as curator of the Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery and owner of Greenville History Tours. Melanie Schell will serve as assistant professor of nutrition. Schell previously served as an assistant location manager and nutrition coordinator for Aramark Food Services in the Dixon-McKenzie Dining Common at the university. RETAIL Vitamin Retailer Magazine named Garnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Natural Life as Retailer of the Year. The retailer is featured in the August issue of the magazine, which reaches more than 14,000 retail stores, sales representatives and companies. CORRECTION: Last week, UBJ incorrectly listed Jeanne Morrison and Shannon Rogers as interns at Infinity Marketing. Morrison was hired as a social media assistant and Rogers was hired as a marketing assistant.

VIP

David Edwards Jr. Named Director of the Year in the small airports category by Airport Revenue News (ARN). Edwards is president and CEO of GreenvilleSpartanburg International Airport (GSP). Edwards is leading GSP through a $125 million terminal improvement program called WINGSPAN. CONTRIBUTE: New hires, promotions & award winners may be featured in On the Move. Send information and photos to onthemove@upstatebusiness journal.com.

CLOSE MORE DEALS. Over 100,000 readers look to the UBJ every week to help them close more business.

DRINK UP!

| ON THE MOVE | 21

22 | THE FINE PRINT |

UBJ

BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS

DP3 adds commercial interior design company DP3 Architects Ltd. expanded by adding Dailey & Associates to support the firm’s new interior architecture/interiors studio. Meg Terry, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, principal, will lead the new interiors studio. Debra Dailey and Whitney Swafford, formerly of Dailey & Associates, will join the interiors studio and support the growth of the firm’s new service offerings. DP3 Architects is an architectural firm specializing in restaurant, higher education and community projects.

United Capital acquires S.C. firm United Capital Financial Advisers LLC, a financial life management firm, acquired the assets of McDonald, Cox & Klugh Inc. McDonald, Cox & Klugh serves investors through two locations, one in Seneca that was known as The Investment Center and the other in Anderson, which operated as McDonald, Cox & Klugh. The acquisition marks the first two offices for United Capital in South Carolina. Approximately $415 million in assets under management, and seven employees spread across the two offices, have joined United Capital. The company has 77 offices across the country and more than $15 billion in assets under advisement for people preparing for or already in retirement.

08.14.2015

SCRA surpasses $100M in investments SCRA has reached over $100 million in investment in South Carolina projects. Nearly $49 million of the investments are from SCRA Applied R&D and R&D Facilities Sectors, with approximately $51 million from SCRA Technology Ventures’ Emerging Technologies, SC Launch and Stage 2 Programs. “We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone as we continue to be the lead catalyst for developing our state’s technology-based economy,” SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney said in a release. “We are pleased that these investments are making a substantial impact throughout the state.” SCRA Applied R&D manages portfolios of R&D projects and develops technology for real-world applications. SCRA R&D Facilities provide wet labs, offices and advanced manufacturing facilities for technology-based companies. SCRA Technology Ventures’ programs sustain technology-based development in South Carolina. The programs support entrepreneurs, assist startup companies and commercialize research through mentoring, grant matching and investments.

Integrated Biometrics completes international certification audit Integrated Biometrics LLC, creator of FBI-compliant fingerprint sensors, completed its annual management systems audit, continuing its International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 certification. The annual audit of Integrated Biometrics included a review of the company’s quality, product management, document

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BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN'T MISS

| THE FINE PRINT | 23

control, purchasing and training procedures. “The ISO 9001 certification shows our customers and prospects that Integrated Biometrics not only has a sturdy management system in place but we also have the ability and resources to continue to improve processes for delivering the best products,” CEO Steve Thies said in a release. Integrated Biometrics services government agencies and commercial markets worldwide for issues related to homeland security, border patrol, law enforcement, background checks, military and defense, social services, national ID programs and elections.

Sandlapper adds California company Sandlapper Securities LLC added The Sherer Group to the company’s broker dealer network. “I have a broad base of high-net-worth clients that require dynamic products and strategies to achieve their financial goals,” Tim Sherer, principal owner of The Sherer Group, said in a release. “I need to be aligned with a firm that not only offers the right timely access, but who has the skills and experience to understand complex planning and modeling and can support what I am trying to accomplish with my clients.” Sandlapper affiliate Sandlapper Capital Investments LLC will design, construct, package and manage opportunistic investment programs along a broad spectrum of asset classes. Sherer is the principal owner of The Sherer Group and has been in the financial services industry since 1970. He is also the past president of the Silicon Valley Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Greenville Chamber wins $50K award The Greenville Chamber’s Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) won the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) second annual Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. Winners were announced recently at the White House Demo Day hosted by President Obama. Demo Day seeks to showcase the wide-ranging talents of innovators from across the country and inspire others to give every American the opportunity to pursue their bold, game-changing ideas. Each winning organization will receive $50,000 from the SBA. “It’s an honor to be recognized at a national level for the commitment our Chamber Ben Haskew said in a release. “We will certainly utilize these resources to continue advancing and building on the successes of our Minority Business Accelerator program.”

Clemson Eye expanding medical aesthetics division Clemson Eye is expanding its medical aesthetics division in Greenville to respond to growing demand. The firm, with five offices in the Upstate, has hired a second medical professional, and will be adding an aesthetics suite in its new Greenville facility, scheduled to open in December 2015. Janice Sasser, a nurse practitioner, has joined the staff in Greenville. She has been a nurse for more than 30 years, including 10 providing medical aesthetics services to clients in the Greenville area. Medical aesthetics is a developing clinical subspecialty that uses minimally invasive cosmetic treatments to enhance patients’ physical appearance as an alternative to plastic surgery. Treatments include laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, Hyaluronic injections and dermal fillers.

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24 | NEW TO THE STREET |

UBJ

THE FRESHEST FACES ON THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

08.14.2015

Open for business The Impact of Fast Growth on Employees

Businesses agree: Growth is Good! Growth means new clients and increased production. Ultimately, growth translates to increased profit. Employees may view growth differently. Growth can be scary. It can mean more work in less time. Employees may worry about additional hours, the impact of stress on their personal lives, and added potential to make mistakes. They may feel that they are overworked and need help, but that no one is listening. As business leaders, how do we maximize growth and manage employee morale? • Hire sooner rather than later. Businesses LEE YARBOROUGH often hire in a reactive manner. However, the most successful companies hire before the need arises. Personnel requirements should be constantly monitored and the candidate search should begin before the crisis point.

1. Carolina Mortgage Experts powered by Fairway Independent Mortgage recently opened at 300 E. Coffee St., Greenville. The company is a correspondent lender with over 30 years experience. For more information, call 864-915-9599 or visit carolinamortgageexperts.com.

• Manage the hiring process. Hiring and recruiting require a great deal of time and money. However, finding the right employees to grow your business is worth it. Take the time to update job descriptions, advertise effectively, work with recruiting firms and consider using employee assessments.

2. Mostly Made in the South recently opened at 161 Verdin Road, Greenville. The boutique specializes in handmade gifts and décor. For more information, call 864-263-0466 or visit mostlymadeinthesouth.com.

• Involve the team in the process of structuring new positions. Current employees may feel threatened by the possibility of new personnel. Ask for feedback from employees and keep communication open. Post jobs internally first. When recruiting from the outside, consider having key employees involved in the interview process. This will make them feel less threatened by new hires.

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• Create a training program. Whether formal or informal, a training program for new hires is crucial to your growth strategy. Focus the training on the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the job successfully as well as the cultural expectations of the job. • Evaluate current employees. Do you have the right people on your team to grow with you? You must make objective assessments of your current employees, in particular, the management. Additional training or resources may elevate current managers to the necessary level, but if not, you must be willing to make difficult decisions. • Plan for physical expansion. Can your current facility handle your expected growth? Can you make modifications to optimize your space and expand your timeline? Remember the three C’s: Coordinate, Communicate and Celebrate. Plan your growth strategy; be open to your staff; and celebrate your growth. Encourage everyone to work towards continued success. And most importantly, enjoy, this is when business becomes fun!

Great banking starts with great bankers.

South State is honored to welcome Katherine Odom to our Wealth team. Katherine will be servicing our upstate region and brings more than 14 years of wealth management and banking experience. Call Katherine to schedule a consultation today!

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

Katherine Odom / VP, Wealth Advisor / (864) 250-5762 200 East Broad Street / SouthStateBank.com

08.14.2015

upstatebusinessjournal.com

THE FRESHEST FACES ON THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

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SEPTEMBER 26. 2015