Business Bridge
Your connection to news, resources & more
| |
|
Happy Valentine's Day!
Take a moment to love your partner, children, friends, and furbabies a little extra today
Business Bridge will hit your inbox on Tuesdays. It will contain chamber events, community events, Business Highlights, member-to-member news, Federal and State legislative updates, and so much more.
If you have information, updates, or special promotions to share in the newsletter, please email the details to nramirez@easleychamber.org. And if applicable include links to websites or dedicated web pages, as well as attachments of promotional materials in pdf and jpeg/png format. Lastly, reading a newsletter a day helps you work, rest, and play so make this one your Tuesday newsletter.
| |
Upcoming Events & Socials | |
With a busy schedule, it's hard to add events as they come, so here is the 2023 Easley Chamber Calendar of Events. Make it a goal to attend at least one event to expand your network. It's at your choice- a luncheon, a social, or even a day away from the office in the Easley and Powdersville golf tournaments for PAR TEEs! | |
|
SAVE THE DATE & NEW TIME
We’re changing our Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration from an evening dinner to a business luncheon! Please save the event date & NEW time!
| |
|
Tuesday, March 21, 2022
11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
Tri-County Technical College (Easley Campus)
| |
Register NOW to join the celebration in recognizing the work of your chamber, as well as honoring our 2023 business and leadership award recipients. We encourage you to submit award nominations no later than March 8 for Small Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, and Pillar of the Community. | |
CANCELLATION POLICY: If notice of cancellation is not provided by 12:00 noon on Friday, March 17, registrants are responsible for the full registration fee. In addition, no-shows are also responsible for the full registration fee. | | |
|
|
Are you under 40 & interested in becoming more involved in the Easley-Powdersville area? Then look no further! We invite you to join us for our Young Professionals C3 Socials.
February's Social will be hosted at the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library. Coffee will be provided for you to start conversations and make connections! So come ready to socialize, asks questions, and share business cards. It'll be a great time!
| |
|
Friday, March 10, 2023
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library
304 Biltmore Road, Easley
| |
Interested in sponsoring a Young Professionals Social? Corporate Sponsorships are available at $300 and include: company highlighted on pre-event promotion on this e-newsletter, sponsor recognition on the day of the event, “Word from our Sponsor” remarks at the event, ability to distribute company promotional materials to the event attendees, and company logo & hyperlink on YP page of chamber’s website for the year. You can select the date of available socials. To start, please contact Neydi Ramirez at 859-2693 or email nramirez@easleychamber.org. | |
|
Ribbon Cuttings & Milestone Anniversaries
Celebrate With Us
| | |
|
|
Gracious Living Designs To Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Presentation at Chamber Office
Gracious Living Designs - Decorating Den Interiors invites you to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and interior design presentation at the Chamber Office on Friday, February 24 at 11:30 AM. A light meal will be served so take your lunch break with us...Read More
When: Friday, February 24 from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: 201 North First Street, Easley
| |
The Easley Chamber would love to celebrate your business milestone. Contact Neydi Ramirez at nramirez@easleychamber.org or at (864) 859-2693 to schedule a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the opening or renovations of your business. We also do Milestone Celebrations to celebrate your first year, second, and onward. | |
Every year, Leadership Pickens County (LPC) chooses a community service project as a way to give back to our community. The LPC Class of 22-23 has decided to help the Miracle Hill Children’s Home to make some much-needed improvements to the playground. To complete this project, they are raising funds to be able to purchase new equipment to do cosmetic improvements and add safety measures. To support the project, purchase tickets to an Applebee's Pancake Breakfast on February 25 or a carwash at Wave's Express. Corporate Sponsorships are also available. All support is greatly appreciated. For questions or additional information, email LPCPlayground@gmail.com. | |
The City of Easley is excited to host Spring Fling on Saturday, April 1 at Old Market Square from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. They are currently looking for vendor applications. If you would like to be considered as a vendor at the Spring Fling event, please follow this link. Vendor applications are due by Monday, March 6th. | |
That's Karma Consignment Celebrates 11th Years In Easley | | |
|
That’s Karma Consignment Boutique celebrated its 11th Milestone Anniversary with a presentation on Friday and a birthday party on Saturday which featured discounts, giveaways, refreshments, and so much more. That's Karma is owned by the Stone family and they have made it a great stop and destination in Easley at 203 West Main Street. Be sure to stop by with your family to check all that the consignment and unique crafts it has to offer. You can even check it out with your family and after you are done, sit down for some ice cream (there are many flavors to choose from)... Read More | |
Want to share special business highlights with chamber members?
The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce would love to share your business highlights in the Business Bridge Newsletter. Highlights can be awards, celebrations, certifications, recognitions, and more. Please let us know what you would like to share by contacting us at 864-859-2693 or nramirez@easleychamber.org. It's our business to share YOUR business!
| |
|
Pickens County: Valentine's Day Update from Ellie
Blind and separated from her puppies, Ellie was found shivering in fear last year when she was rescued from a puppy mill along with more than 150 other dogs. Through the joint rescue efforts of the Pickens County SC Animal Shelter, Pickens County Building Maintenance, Pickens County Sheriff's Office (SC) Animal Control, Anderson County PAWS, and several rescue organizations, she and the other rescued pets have since found their forever homes. Ellie joined the Benshoff family, who say she brings joy into their home and knows she’s a permanent part of their pack. Click on the link to read a heartwarming update from Ellie, just in time for Valentine’s Day...View Post
| |
|
Anderson County: Great Anderson County Cleanup 2023
Earth Day began as an environmental movement in 1970 to teach people about air and water pollution. It's estimated that over one billion people participate in Earth Day every year which makes it the largest secular observance in the world. To make a big impact, there will be The Great Anderson County Cleanup from April 17 to April 22. To participate, click here. For additional information, call (864) 260-1001...Event Page
| |
|
US Congress Confirms Committee Assignments
Committee assignments for the 118th US Congress were solidified last week, and the Upstate SC community is well represented across a variety of important House and Senate committees.
-
Senator Lindsey Graham will serve as the Ranking Member on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Additionally, the Senator will serve on the appropriations committee, environment and public works committee, and the budget committee.
-
Senator Tim Scott has been named to five committees for the 118th Congress, including the Committee on Banking Housing and Urban Affairs, where he will serve as ranking member. Additionally, Senator Scott will serve on the Committee on Foreign Relations, Committee on Finance, Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and the Special Committee on Aging.
-
Congressman Jeff Duncan has been named the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chairman on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. In this subcommittee, Congressman Duncan will help to shape the US energy policy including National energy policy, fossil energy, renewable energy and nuclear energy. Chairman Duncan is the highest-ranking South Carolinian to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee since Congressman Isaac Holmes chaired the committee in 1843. The Congressman will also serve on the subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
| |
|
Future Unkown for Non-Compete Agreements
Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a proposed rule that would ban employers from entering into non-compete agreements with workers. This rule would make it illegal for employers to enter into or maintain a non-compete agreement with a worker, represent to a worker that they are subject to a non-compete agreement, and require employers to rescind any existing non-compete agreements that they may have in place. If this rule goes into effect, critics argue it would allow the FTC to expand its authority and go after many common business practices, such as entering into exclusive contracts, loyalty rebates, and discount pricing. These practices are beneficial not only to businesses but to consumers as well.
The SC Chamber, along with 99 other business groups from across the country, signed a letter in January requesting that the FTC extend the comment period to the notice of proposed rulemaking for an additional 60 days. Given the scope of the rule and the significant portion of the economy that will be impacted, the regulated community should be given sufficient time to assess the potential consequences of the proposal and provide comments to the Commission.
What are your thoughts on non-compete agreements, and how do they affect your business? Please fill out this brief survey here.
| |
|
Judge Hill Elected to SC Supreme Court
Last week, Court of Appeals Judge Gary Hill was elected as the newest member of the South Carolina Supreme Court during a joint session of the SC General Assembly in a largely bipartisan vote of 140-8. In a break from tradition, the House Freedom Caucus forced a roll call vote, even though Judge Hill ran unopposed. Several members voted present or abstained, largely from the Senate's five women, and members of the House Freedom Caucus.
Hill will replace the SC Supreme Court's only female, Justice Kay Hearn, who retired this year after reaching the state-mandated retirement age of 72. With Hill's election, South Carolina becomes the only state without a woman on its supreme court.
| |
|
SC Legislative Update
Last week's legislative actions in the SC General Assembly include
-
Transparency and Integrity in Education Act (H.3728) – The House passed the “Transparency and Integrity in Education Act” which prohibits certain concepts from being included or promoted in a course of instruction, curriculum, assignment, or instructional material in South Carolina public schools. The legislation also provides parents the authority to review curriculum and other materials in their child’s school and bring suit against any school district found to be in violation of the Act. The bill now heads to the Senate.
-
Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act (S.474) – On Thursday, the Senate passed the “Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act” in response to the SC Supreme Court’s 3-2 January decision to strike down the 2021 Fetal Heartbeat bill. The bill now heads to the House which is set to begin debate on the “Human Life Protection Act” next week.
-
South Carolina Equine Advancement Act (S.303) – The Senate Family & Veterans’ Services Committee advanced legislation that would legalize advanced deposit betting on horse racing otherwise known as parimutuel wagering. Under the legislation, South Carolinians would be allowed to place wagers on horse races via mobile betting apps that are licensed by the South Carolina Equine Commission, which the bill establishes. Advocates for the bill estimate that the bill would net the state between $8 million and $14 million annually.
-
Blaine Amendment Repeal (H.3591) – A House Judiciary Committee subcommittee advanced a joint resolution that would propose a ballot question to South Carolina voters on whether Section 4, Article XI of the South Carolina Constitution, which prohibits state funds from being used for the direct benefit of any religious or other private educational institution, should be repealed. The bill now heads to the full House Judiciary Committee.
| |
You made it to the End of
Business Bridge
Sharing, connecting, and supporting each other...member to member!
Your Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce serves as an important connection between small businesses and resources & current information. And we're here to personally assist you with questions or concerns. Please contact us at 864-859-2693 or ecc@easleychamber.org. It's our business to support YOUR business!
| |
Annual Chamber Partner Sponsors | |
Our Company | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy |
| | | |
