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Call for Applications: Riggs Partners’ CreateAthon 2024 Offers Pro Bono Marketing to Nonprofits

Riggs Partners will hold its 26th annual CreateAthon event to benefit Midlands- and Upstate-area nonprofits on March 7-8, 2024. CreateAthon is a 24-hour creative marathon during which professionals provide marketing services to nonprofit organizations on a pro bono basis.

Riggs Partners encourages South Carolina’s Midlands and Upstate nonprofits to submit a CreateAthon application by January 19. As part of the application, nonprofits can submit a video sharing how they feel CreateAthon can best serve their organization. Application details are available at www.riggspartners.com, and selected nonprofits will be notified in February 2024.

“We’re always happy to see CreateAthon season come, and this year is no different,” said Teresa Coles, President of Riggs Partners. “We learn so much from the nonprofit leaders we work with, especially how the social issues they address are evolving and becoming more pervasive. We feel the urgency behind the work we do through CreateAthon now more than ever, and it’s a privilege to meet and support so many people who work tirelessly to make a difference on these issues.”

CreateAthon began as Riggs Partners’ local community service program in 1998 and is now a national 501(c)(3) organization that has recruited more than 100 marketing and communications agencies, universities, professional organizations and corporate marketing teams as CreateAthon partners. This partner network has cumulatively served 2,000+ nonprofit organizations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom and Romania; produced 3,800+ pro bono marketing projects; and delivered pro bono marketing and communications work valued at more than $30 million. Riggs Partners has served more than 200 South Carolina nonprofits since the program’s inception.

About Riggs Partners
Riggs Partners is a creative marketing consultancy that specializes in helping clients build Responsible Brands, aligning organizational health, business strategy and brand marketing. For more information, visit www.riggspartners.com.

City of West Columbia Receives Highest Recognition for Financial Reporting for the 32nd Year

West Columbia, SC – For the 32nd consecutive year, the City of West Columbia has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Mayor Tem Miles said, “We are proud to receive the GFOA nationally recognized financial reporting award for the 32nd consecutive year. The repeated designation is evidence of the excellent management of our financial affairs by city management and staff.”

City Treasurer and Assistant Senior City Administrator Justin R. Black, CPA, said, “GFOA sets the standards in financial reporting for all governmental agencies. This is the highest form of recognition that we can receive in financial reporting as a local government. This being the 32nd year in a row in receiving this award, speaks to the tradition of financial reporting excellence. The only way this is possible is through the hard work and dedication of our finance team, the leadership of City administration, and the direction of City Council.”

The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.

Local Architecture Firm LS3P Wins IIDA Awards For SLED Forensics Lab

LS3P Columbia office was honored with two design awards from the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Carolinas Chapter at the annual DesignWorks Awards event held in Charlotte, NC December 8th. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Forensic Services Laboratory won top prize in the Flooring Design Category and received Honorable Mention in the Government/Institutional category.

The SLED Forensic Lab, designed by LS3P and specialty consultant MWL, is a three-story, 120,000 state-of-the-art facility that impressively personifies progressive civic architecture. The design incorporates interior viewing windows, allowing natural light to permeate throughout the building and tours to operate without risk of contamination. LS3P also provided interior design services and assisted with the furniture specifications to help formulate a cohesive, inspiring aesthetic.

“As far as [flooring] pattern and design, we really took inspiration from DNA, the shape of molecular structures and patterns,” said project interior designer Beth Florance, IIDA, NCIDQ, EDAC. “We used heat-welded sheet vinyl throughout all the lab spaces for the infection control and carpet in all of the offices, incorporating the same shapes and colors for a cohesive design. Both the flooring and lighting have an abstract hexagonal theme.”

The Lab is comprised of multiple forensic disciplines to include Firearms (with indoor firing range/ballistics testing), DNA Casework, Computer Crimes, Toxicology, and additional specialties that support SLED investigations and other law enforcement entities across the state. SLED Chief Mark Keel calls the new lab a “milestone” for the state and says the space will empower the agency to increase employment and process a higher volume of evidence.

About LS3P: Founded in 1963, LS3P is an architecture, interiors, and planning firm with regional roots and national reach. Operating from its nine offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, Atlanta, and Savannah, LS3P is deeply committed to the communities in which it serves, and has been honored with over 600 design awards in diverse practice areas. For more information on LS3P, visit www.ls3p.com.

Genesis Healthcare, Inc. Receives Prestigious HRSA Health Center Quality Leader Award for the Fourth Consecutive Year

Genesis Healthcare, a leading provider of healthcare services in South Carolina, proudly announces its receipt of the Gold Level Health Center Quality Leader Award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for 2023.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that Genesis Healthcare has been recognized for its unwavering commitment to providing high-quality healthcare to the communities it serves. In 2020 and 2021, Genesis received the Silver Level Award, and in 2022 received the Gold Level Award, which is awarded to the top 10 percent of health centers in the nation.

The HRSA Health Center Quality Leader Awards are a testament to Genesis Healthcare’s dedication to delivering exceptional patient care and maintaining the highest standards of quality in health services. The Gold Level designation highlights Genesis Healthcare’s consistent excellence in patient care outcomes, patient satisfaction, and overall operational performance.

“We are honored and thrilled to receive the Health Center Quality Leader Award from HRSA for the fourth consecutive year,” said Dr. Alexander Cohen, Chief Medical Officer at Genesis Healthcare. “This recognition is a reflection of our team’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare to our community. It reaffirms our mission to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of the individuals and families we serve.”

Dr. Priscilla Welch, Genesis Healthcare’s Medical Director, added, “Our focus is bigger than just treating patients’ immediate health concerns, we continue to emphasize preventive care, education, and removing as many barriers as possible to promoting access to quality healthcare.”

HRSA’s Health Center Program aims to improve the health of underserved and vulnerable populations by ensuring access to comprehensive, patient-centered, and high-quality primary healthcare services. The Gold Level Health Center Quality Leader Award acknowledges health centers that consistently meet or exceed national clinical quality benchmarks and demonstrate a commitment to advancing health equity.

Genesis Healthcare’s continuous recognition by HRSA underscores its role as a healthcare leader dedicated to fostering healthier communities. The organization remains steadfast in its mission to provide timely, compassionate, and high-quality primary and preventive medical care and pharmaceutical services to the economically and culturally diverse communities of South Carolina.

For more information about Genesis Healthcare and its commitment to quality healthcare, please visit genesisfqhc.org or contact Cheri Fowler, Chief Communications Officer at cherif@genesisfqhc.org.

About Genesis Healthcare:
Genesis Healthcare is a nationally recognized healthcare provider committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and affordable care to the communities of Darlington, Florence, Lamar, Olanta, Goose Creek and Walterboro. With a focus on accessibility, excellence, and innovation, Genesis Healthcare strives to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of individuals and families.

NAI Columbia’s Bobby Balboni, CCIM and Patrick Palmer, CCIM Execute Sale of Prime Development Site

Columbia, SC – NAI Columbia is pleased to announce the facilitation of the sale
of a large parcel of undeveloped land at 310 Killian Road by Bobby Balboni,
CCIM and Patrick Palmer, CCIM. Less than eight miles from Scout Motors
development, the property is located in the northeast of Richland County along I-77.

Inspired by Richland County’s evolution over the years, long-time owner Deborah
Dillon of Phoenix Family Partners enlisted Balboni and Palmer to craft and
implement a land use strategy aligning with the community’s current needs,
leading to the execution of the sale.

“Palmer and Balboni worked for several years to study the market, develop a
plan, secure the needed zoning and overcome other challenges to ultimately find
the right buyer for the property,” said Dillon.

Spanning ± 161.81 acres in total, the expansive site holds potential mixed-use
development. This future development has the capacity to not only enhance the
community but also contribute to the area’s already surging popularity.

Recently Released Stories Preserve South Carolina History

–The Liberty Trail today released seven inspiring conversations with people who care deeply about history, preservation and education, bringing history to life and honoring the impacts of those who have come before us as we approach our country’s 250th anniversary. The recordings are permanently housed in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

“In this StoryCorps series, we captured reflections from a diversity of South Carolinians and individuals from across the US,” commented Rick Wise, interim executive director, South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust. “Their accounts of these individuals in the Revolutionary War and their influence on our current lives helps to build connections to this important part of our past.”

Interviews feature conversations between Dr. Tonya Matthews, CEO of the International African American Museum and author John Rees; Raleigh West, Executive Director of the South Carolina Conservation Bank along with Lowcountry conservationist, Charles Lane; historian Brooke Bauer and her cousin, spiritual leader William “Monty” Branham; archaeology colleagues Steve Smith and John Allison; Governor Henry McMaster and former State Senator Vincent Sheheen, the late Doug Bostick of the South Carolina Battleground Trust and Catherine Noyes of the American Battleground Trust; and historian, author, and radio host Walter Edgar and the late Doug Bostick of the South Carolina Battleground, and can be accessed via The Liberty Trail website and American Battlefield Trust’s YouTube channel.

“The Liberty Trail offers us the unique opportunity to bring history to life through multiple means, all in concert. Land preservation, traditional interpretation, digital experiences, and powerful storytelling all work together to enrich our understanding of the past,” commented David Duncan, president, American Battlefield Trust.

The Liberty Trail is a partnership of the South Carolina Battleground Trust and the American Battlefield Trust.

Texas Based Company Acquires Sloan Appliance Service in Cayce

COLUMBIA, SC – Sunbelt Business Brokers is proud to announce the sale of Sloan Appliance Carolinas, Inc., operating as Sloan Appliance Service, based in Cayce, South Carolina to D3S Service LLC of Houston, Texas. The company will continue to do business as Sloan Appliance.

Sloan Appliance Service has been a trusted provider of appliance repair services since 1958. Under the leadership of former President Fred Holbrook, the company has consistently upheld its commitment to excellence, integrity, and customer satisfaction. Holbrook also played a pivotal role in expanding its reach to Aiken and Charleston.

Holbrook expressed his gratitude and optimism about the acquisition, saying, “It has been an incredible journey building Sloan Appliance Service into what it is today. I am confident that the company will continue to thrive and exceed customer expectations under its new leadership.”

Scott and Debbie Klintworth, of D3S Service LLC, will now lead Sloan Appliance Service. The Klintworths bring leadership and operations management experience to the company, working in in appliance repair service industry for over 20 years. This will be their first expansion to the East Coast.

Scott Klintworth expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, saying, “The opportunity to lead Sloan Appliance Service into its next chapter is a privilege. We are dedicated to upholding the legacy of quality service that the company has established while also exploring opportunities for growth and innovation in the field.”

David Yezbak, a seasoned business broker with over 20 years of experience in the industry, facilitated the transaction through Sunbelt Business Brokers in Columbia. Yezbak expressed his pleasure in working with both the previous and new owner to ensure a smooth transition of ownership.

About Sunbelt and Sunbelt Business Brokers of the Carolinas
For over 40 years, Sunbelt Business Brokers has been facilitating the purchase and sale of existing businesses. Sunbelt’s professionally trained business brokers assist individuals and companies through every step of selling their business. For more information about Sunbelt Business Brokers or to inquire about buying or selling a business, please visit columbiasc.sunbeltnetwork.com.

McCormick County 250 Project

We will soon commemorate the 250th Anniversary of America!! What an exciting time!

South Carolina played a tremendous role in the American Revolution. As part of a larger South Carolina State 250 Project, the McCormick County 250 Project (MC250) will highlight Revolutionary War era events, people and places in McCormick County. The goal is to promote and celebrate McCormick County’s role in the American Revolution as well as to expand area tourism.

A large gateway sign is to be in Willington to point out the many other relevant sites, people and events in McCormick County that were part of a greater effort to win our independence from Britain. Other sites to be identified and enhanced are the Fort Charlotte site, Battle of Long Cane, New Bordeaux, Guillebeau House, Guillebeau Cemetery, and Fort Boone among others.

The MC250 project is in its early stages. Tasks at hand for the MC250 committee include coordination with local, state and federal agencies, historical research, grant applications, funding for installation of historic signs, artwork design and text for graphic depictions, printing, securing adequate cell service for use of QR codes, and a whole host of other related assignments.

MC250 is the county affiliate of the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250). MC250 is a community project that requires skills and talents of every nature. The scope of the project is quite large and diverse. If you have an interest in volunteering your expertise or even helping with legwork as needed, your participation is most welcome. We are also seeking additional historical information/maps, volunteers, private and corporate donations to bring the project to a successful conclusion in time to celebrate July 4th, 2026, and beyond. If interested, please contact MC250 Committee Chair, Charlotte Tallent, at ctallent@mccormickscchamber.org.

Aging Animals Thrive at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Columbia, S.C. – While Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is buzzing with excitement about the all-new Wild Lights illuminated wildlife safari and Bridge to the Wild vision for the future, the Zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams continue to remain focused every day on the outstanding care of more than 3,000 animals in every phase of life. Many of the Zoo’s large cats, primates and other animals are advancing in age and require geriatric care. In observation of American Diabetes Month, Riverbanks would like to introduce you to one of our aging residents that is being treated for this disease that also affects more than 37 million people in the United States.

Imi is a 25-year-old (geriatric) female Hamadryas baboon. During one of her routine exams, the veterinary team found that she had high levels of glucose in her blood. Further testing revealed that she has non-insulin-dependent diabetes (Type 2 diabetes). Much like a human she was immediately treated with a carefully controlled diet and an oral medication in an attempt to control her blood glucose levels.

The team at Riverbanks is passionate and committed to ensuring the animals live their best lives. Dr. Martha Weber, Riverbanks’ director of animal health, explains, “Each animal at Riverbanks receives an individualized care plan based on routine exams and any specific issues that arise. In partnership with the animal care team, we take a holistic approach to health care.”

Over the past year, keepers have been training Imi to urinate on command to monitor glucose in her urine and to voluntarily accept being poked with a lancet to monitor her blood glucose levels. Weber continues, “We would love to try one of the wearable glucose monitors that people can use, but we’re pretty sure baboon fingers would quickly pry one of those off.” On November 16th, Imi underwent more testing to dig a little more deeply into any underlying causes for the insulin resistance, and Dr. Weber is also looking at some of the newer human medications for managing Type 2 diabetes.

Advancements in veterinary medicine, nutrition, and husbandry techniques are helping animals live longer in zoos and aquariums around the U.S. As a result, animal care professionals are developing creative and innovative plans to address the unique needs of geriatric animals. The team at Riverbanks is leading the way in providing this specialized and compassionate care to ensure the longevity and well-being of all the animals in their protection.

USC Moore School 43rd annual Economic Outlook Conference

The University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business will hold its annual conference on Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 11:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., with state economic experts.

These speakers include:
Joey Von Nessen (‘09 Ph.D. in economics), Research Economist at the Darla Moore School of Business
Doug Woodward, Director of Research at the Darla Moore School of Business

The event will address how 2024 will be pivotal for the national and state economy. Speakers will address how the election next year will take place against a backdrop of rising concerns about a looming recession, as the Federal Reserve attempts to rein in inflation with tight money and high interest rates.

The conference speakers will also examine how the huge expansion of electric vehicle production will fundamentally transform the South Carolina economy over the next decade, focusing on Scout’s massive investment in the Midlands.

Speakers for the panel discussion: The Coming Infrastructure Expansion and its Role in South Carolina’s Long-Run Economic Competitiveness include:
Bonnie Ammons, South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority
South Carolina Rep. Gary S. Brewer Jr.
Justin Powell, South Carolina Department of Transportation
Matt Reiffer, American Council of Engineering Companies

The event will be interactive and will include several opportunities for Q&As. In-person and virtual options available.

Register: sc.edu/moore/eoc