Business Bridge
Your connection to news, resources & more
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It's National Pancake Day!
In honor of today, have pancakes at Meals on Wheels on March 18 (click here for tickets).
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 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.
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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! | |
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Tuesday, March 21, 2022
11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
Tri-County Technical College (Easley Campus)
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Join us in the celebration of 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. | | |
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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. Fort Hill Natual Gas Authority will sponsor breakfast treats and coffee for you to start conversations and connections! So come ready to socialize, asks questions, and share business cards. It'll be a great time!
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Friday, March 10, 2023
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library
304 Biltmore Road, Easley
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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. | |
Executive's Circle Partner Sponsor | |
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Ribbon Cuttings & Milestone Anniversaries
Celebrate With Us
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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/renovations of your business or organize a Milestone Celebration to recognize your first year of business or the second...and onward. | |
Starting this Saturday, the Pickens County Museum will have updated business hours which will now include Saturday! The updated hours are Wednesday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. To stay updated with the latest news of the Museum, follow their Facebook Page. The museum is located at 307 Johnson Street, Pickens SC. | |
You are invited to the opening day of Easley Little League on Saturday, March 18 at JB Owens Sports Complex in Easley from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Go and support the team at their home game and wear green. Go, Easley!! In addition, Easley Little League is looking for Boards of Director Nominations. Follow this link to nominate yourself or share it with someone you believe is a good fit. Nominations are due March 7. Members (parents of current registered players) of ELL will then vote on nominees. | | |
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Join the Samaritan Health Clinic at Arran Farms in your best derby attire to experience the excitement of this year’s event. You will enjoy delicious food and drink with friends as you watch the race live. There will be plenty of activities, making it a fun-filled evening with no gambling. Don’t miss out on the chance to celebrate the Samaritan Health Clinic in style all while supporting Pickens County Residents who are uninsured and underinsured. | |
Good Life Catering is pleased to announce its new Lunchbox Café Service so customers can now enjoy their incredible menu in a dine-in setting! Café hours are Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at their 743 Congaree Road, Suite 10 location in Greenville. In addition, free local delivery is available within a 1.5-mile radius for orders over $20. Click here to view the Lunchbox Café menu. Vegan options are also available upon request. For questions or more details about the Café, please contact them at 864-346-9341 or jamesbglc@gmail.com. And if you need catering for an upcoming event (professional or personal), please contact Good Life Catering to develop the perfect menu to meet your event needs. As a full-service catering company, their expert chefs, service staff members, and catering sales team are dedicated to client satisfaction and strive to exceed expectations. To view all of their catering menus, please click here. | |
Ambassador's Circle Partner Sponsor | |
Gracious Living Design Celebrates Ribbon Cutting | | |
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On Friday, February 24, Grace Shetrompf celebrated the ribbon cutting of Gracious Living Design with her family, friends, and guest at the Easley Chamber office. As a franchisee of Decorating Den Interiors, she has direct connections with vendors and continuous training. Through this, she is able to receive huge discounts, which in turn allow her to work with extensive budgets and lifestyles. Contact Grace today for a personalized service to get the kitchen of your dreams, the living room, or the whole house with the initial consultation complementary. From there, she takes care of it all from beginning to end so that everything is fitted to your vision and budget. To get started, call (864) 660-2046 or email graciouslivingdesign@decoratingden.com...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!
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Pickens County Museum of Art & History Now Open On Weekends
Have you had a chance to check out the Pickens County Museum? Worry not! Starting tomorrow, March 1, the Pickens County Museum will have updated business hours which will now include Saturday! The updated hours are Wednesday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. To stay updated with the latest news at the Museum...Pickens County Museum Page
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Anderson County: Powdersville to host PUP Day on April 22
The Powdersville Business Council is excited to host another Pick-Up Powdersville (PUP) Day on Saturday, April 22 from 8 to 11 AM. Check-in is at 8:00 AM at the Walmart parking lot at 11410 Anderson Road. So come with friends, family, and groups to celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up litter on Highway 153 in Powdersville and spread the word...Event Page
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Connected SC: Big Broadband Announcement
Last week, South Carolina launched the “Get Connected SC” campaign with the goal of granting access to high-speed internet across the state. This campaign is the next phase of South Carolina’s broadband expansion initiative, which is aimed at closing gaps, educating people about what’s available, and helping them access these services. This initiative was jointly announced at the State House by Governor Henry McMaster, U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn, and Director of the Office of Regulatory Staff Nanette Edwards.
The campaign will involve a listening tour with stops in 26 locations statewide and a survey all South Carolinians are encouraged to complete. State agencies will then use this information to develop a five-year plan to help get more South Carolinians online, which is necessary to access additional federal money approved by Congress. They intend to submit this plan in August, and once it’s approved, the state will receive at least $100 million more toward broadband investments. Currently, about 137,000 homes across South Carolina are still without broadband access. However, this number is down from nearly 222,000 homes in Fall 2021.
All information regarding the broadband expansion in South Carolina can be found on the state’s website, which includes resources and contact information for any questions or concerns residents may have. The events tab will include the dates and location details for the listening tour, and the site also contains news relating to the project, so you may stay up to date with the latest announcements from the campaign.
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SC Legislative Update
Last week's legislative actions in the SC General Assembly include:
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FY2023-24 Budget – Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee released its $13.8 billion FY2023-24 budget proposal. The full House is expected to begin debate on the budget the week of March 13. Many SC Chamber priorities were included in the Ways and Means Committee’s proposal including:
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$100 million in technical college scholarships for critical-needs jobs through the SC Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship Program (SCWINS).
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$200 million for acceleration of bridge infrastructure improvements throughout the state.
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$200 million for strategic economic development infrastructure projects.
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$96 million to fund first phased-in reduction of individual income tax rate from 6.5% to 6.4%.
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$3.5 million for creation of the Carolina Internship Pilot Program via the USC system to partner with private industry to provide students with structured, internship opportunities.
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$250,000 in recurring operational funds for the Be Pro Be Proud program.
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$2,500 increase in starting teacher pay, and additional funding for certain teacher pay increases.
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Statewide Education & Workforce Development Act (H.3726) – A House Labor, Commerce and Industry (LCI) Committee subcommittee advanced the “Statewide Education & Workforce Development Act”. The bill, which was the first bill this session introduced by members of the Ad-Hoc Economic Development & Utility Modernization Committee, would streamline and centralize all workforce development efforts throughout the state; provide employers, state agencies, and lawmakers with data about the strength and weaknesses of the state’s workforce; and provide students, parents, and job-seekers with information about high-paying careers and the skills needed to secure them.
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Penalty Enhancements for Hate Crimes – Last week, legislation was re-introduced and received a favorable report in a House Judiciary Subcommittee. The legislation would allow prosecutors to give a jury the option to add a penalty enhancement for Hate Crimes, after a person is convicted of a violent crime. The crime must be committed against an individual of a federally protected class, and again, must be a violent crime. As in the 2021 version of the bill, this does not create a new crime, but instead creates an additional penalty that juries and judges can use in sentencing.
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Occupational Licensing Reform for Previously Incarcerated Individuals (H.3605) – The Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee advanced a bill to modernize South Carolina’s occupational licensure laws to mirror our neighboring states and remove barriers to entry for previously incarcerated individuals who want to join the state’s workforce. The committee had previously advanced similar legislation, S.165, and amended H.3605 to include language that will provide an easier pathway to licensure for registered apprentices. The bill now heads to the Senate floor.
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Noncertified Teacher Pilot Program (S.124) – The Senate Education Committee advanced a proposal that would a establish a pilot program within the Department of Education to allow qualified schools to hire noncertified teachers in a ratio of up to 10 percent of its staff. The program is completely voluntary for qualified schools and noncertified teachers must (1) possess a related degree in the subject they are teaching along with at least five years of relevant work experience and (2) demonstrate enrollment in a certification program within three years of employment. The bill now heads to the Senate floor.
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S.C. Constitutional Carry Act of 2023 (H.3594) – Last week, the House passed the “S.C. Constitutional Carry Act of 2023” which would allow individuals aged 18 and older to carry a handgun, whether openly or concealed, without any type of permit. It also included new language to prevent anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison from owning guns or ammunitions. The bill now heads to the Senate.
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One-Time Fee for New S.C. Residents (S.208) – The Senate Finance Committee advanced a bill that would give county governments the authority to impose at least a one-time $250 motor vehicle registration or driver’s license fee for new South Carolina residents, subject to a successful referendum as decided by the county’s voters. Individuals could ultimately be charged $500 if a county proposes both a motor vehicle registration and driver’s license fee that is supported by voters. The bill now heads to the Senate floor.
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Apprentice Income Tax Credit Increase (S.557) – Legislation filed last week by Sen. Michael Johnson (R-York) would increase the amount of credit a corporate taxpayer can claim against its income tax for employing a registered apprentice from $1,000 per apprentice to a maximum of $4,000 or $6,000 for a youth apprentice. If the apprentice completes the apprenticeship and remains a full-time employee of the taxpayer, the taxpayer can claim a $1,000 tax credit for up to three additional years.
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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!
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