Categories
Press Release

BASF in South Carolina joins with Make-A-Wish to grant a local child’s wish

SENECA, SC — For the second consecutive year, BASF sites in South Carolina joined together with Make-A-Wish South Carolina to make one child’s wish come true.

Team members from BASF’s sites in Mauldin, White Stone (Spartanburg), Seneca, Central (Clemson), and Converse held a Wish Celebration for Grant, age 12, at Wild Hearts Equine Therapeutic Center in Seneca as he and his family prepare to embark on a true family adventure to a dude ranch in Colorado. Grant has bravely battled cancer, and his wish is to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime trip together with his family, creating joyful memories far from hospitals and treatment rooms.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Make-A-Wish South Carolina and bring joy to a local child’s life,” said Beth Coffman, site manager of BASF Corporation’s site in Seneca. “Our commitment to the community is at the heart of everything we do, and seeing the smiles and happiness this collaboration brings is truly rewarding.”

The trip was funded by a $7,500 charitable contribution made by the BASF sites through Make-A-Wish’s Corporate Wish Sponsorship.

“Every wish we grant is a chance to create hope, strength, and joy in the life of a child battling a critical illness,” said Kea Wade, Director of Corporate and Community Engagement for Make-A-Wish South Carolina. “We’re so thankful for BASF and the way their Upstate sites came together to make this wish come true. Their generosity and genuine heart for the community are what make these life-changing moments possible and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

“BASF sites in South Carolina each do a lot for the community individually, but for the past two years, partnering with Make-A-Wish South Carolina to grant one child’s wish has been a way for all the sites to come together,” said Elba Lizardi, site director for BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) in Seneca.

Categories
Press Release

GJFF SummerFest to feature three events this summer

GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Jewish Film Festival’s signature summer event is back, and we are kvelling (bursting with pride).
SummerFest 2025 invites you to celebrate in three locations, with three events, and three unique experiences:

· An unforgettable evening at the Sigal Music Museum, featuring live music by Zoe & Cloyd followed by a screening of the short documentary Days Between Rest.
· The South Carolina premiere of Welcome to Yiddishland, the acclaimed documentary exploring the global revival of Yiddish culture.
· A first-of-its-kind streaming presentation of The Muses of Bashevis Singer, serving as the grand finale film of our three‑day festival.
Tickets go on sale July 22.

“In terms of events and dates, this will be our biggest SummerFest yet,” said Helaine Meyers, co‑chair of The Greenville Jewish Film Festival. “As we’ve grown, we’ve discovered fresh ways to ignite audience excitement.”

The Festival kicks off Wednesday, August 20 at 7 p.m. at the Sigal Music Museum, 516 Buncombe Street, Greenville, with a celebration of Yiddish culture. The evening features:
• Live performance by acclaimed duo Zoe & Cloyd, blending bluegrass, klezmer, old‑time, and folk — renowned for their “soaring harmonies and heartfelt songwriting”
• A reception with mocktails and cultural desserts created by Project Host.
• The short film Days Between Rest: a portrait of Rachel Namudosi, a third‑generation Jewish Ugandan singer, exploring family, music, faith, and the Abayudaya community.
• Trailers for Welcome to Yiddishland and The Muses of Bashevis Singer.

This musical evening is sponsored by John and Susan Stewart.
The main event takes place Sunday, August 24 at 4 p.m., at Camelot Cinemas, 48 E. Antrim Drive, featuring a screening of Welcome to Yiddishland, sponsored by Thomas and Sandra Kester.

Categories
Press Release

Greenville Technical College

The Culinary Institute of the Carolinas at Greenville Technical College recently unveiled a refreshed brand identity that better reflects the program’s prestige, aligns with the college’s new brand and reinforces its position as a premier culinary destination in the Southeast.

The Culinary Institute of the Carolinas (CIC) delivers intensive, hands-on training that rivals what’s offered at some of the nation’s top culinary schools. At a fraction of the cost, students receive world-class instruction without the need to leave the Upstate.

“Our rebrand is more than a new look — it’s a reflection of who we are and the level of excellence we bring to culinary education,” said Chef Kristen Grissom, department head for the Culinary Institute of the Carolinas. “Our graduates go on to fuel Greenville’s vibrant food scene and make their mark in kitchens across the country and beyond, and we take pride in preparing them with the skills, discipline and creativity they need to thrive in a competitive industry.”

Known for producing some of the region’s top chefs, restaurant owners and culinary professionals, the CIC provides an immersive learning experience grounded in the fundamentals of culinary skills where creativity is encouraged and excellence is expected. The program’s graduates are highly sought after for their technical skills, professionalism and ability to innovate in the kitchen. CIC is accredited by the American Culinary Federation and maintains the highest standards in quality, sanitation and creativity to equip the hospitality sector with a well-trained workforce.

The program is housed at Greenville Tech’s Northwest Campus in a state-of-the-art facility designed to mirror real-world culinary environments, including restaurant kitchens, dining rooms and a banquet hall. With five fully equipped commercial-grade kitchens, students are immersed in a professional setting from day one.

Categories
Press Release

acac Greenville completes major revitalization of its fitness floor and tennis courts

GREENVILLE, S.C. — acac Fitness & Wellness’s Congaree Road site looks and feels a little different this week.

The 55,000 SF foot fitness center redid its fitness floor with 38 new pieces of strength training machines as well as 12 new cardio machines, said Sara Mozingo, General Manager with acac Greenville Fitness & Wellness. The strength machines are a mix of Technogym and Freemotion Fitness equipment, while the cardio is LIfeFitness and Matrix.

“Our goal is to make sure our members and guests are always excited about coming in for their workouts,” Mozingo said. “That commitment starts with our exemplary customer service and staff, but we know that upgraded equipment is always a draw.”

In addition to the fitness floor remodel, acac Fitness & Wellness did a $180,000 lighting upgrade for its 12 outdoor tennis courts, she said. The site now has complete court coverage thanks to the new LED lighting and fixtures. They also resurfaced all of the clay courts.

“Tennis is one of our hallmarks,” she said. “This is another way we are using the latest technology to make the experience here amazing.”

About acac Fitness & Wellness Centers:

Founded by Phil Wendel in 1984, acac Fitness & Wellness Centers has become the gold standard for health and wellness facilities. With 14 locations throughout Virginia, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, acac members and guests have access to a full spectrum of high-quality programs, services and equipment. acac’s mission is to provide a great fitness experience for members of all ages in a clean and safe environment. Its team members are dedicated to the integration of medicine and fitness to improve community health by focusing on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of lifestyle-related disease.

acac has three sites in Greenville County. Learn more at https://acac.com.

Categories
Press Release

DP3 Architects

DP3 Architects is currently working with Tri-County Technical College and Harper General Contractors to create New Pickens Hall, a central academic hub on the college’s Pendleton campus. Originally constructed in 1963, the previous 42,000 square-foot building is being replaced with a modern, two-story, 52,000 square-foot facility designed to support the college’s evolving academic mission.
New Pickens Hall will serve as home to the Business and Public Services, Academic and Career Foundations, Early Childhood Education, and Lifetime Fitness and Wellness programs. The building reflects Tri-County’s commitment to student success, accessibility, and collaboration and is incorporating new campus standards that create inviting, inclusive, and functional spaces for students, faculty, and staff.
The project includes important infrastructure upgrades such as integrating new new mechanical systems into the campus-wide Central Energy Plant. The design also introduces Tri-County’s new office and neighborhood space model and updated classroom standards as seen in the Oconee Hall Renovation project.
Site enhancements play a key role in this transformation. A new campus green will bridge the area between the new Pickens Hall and adjacent Anderson Hall and a revitalized campus spine improves pedestrian connectivity and encourages a more vibrant student experience.

Categories
Press Release

NHE adds new manager, promotes three

GREENVILLE, S.C. — To continue being one of the Southeast’s premier property management specialists, NHE, Inc. has brought on a new manager and promoted three team members

Todd Puhl has joined NHE as a Senior Regional Manager. Prior to joining NHE, he served as Regional Vice President for a national property management firm, overseeing six regional leaders and a portfolio of more than 100 senior and family communities across the Southeast. He brings extensive experience with properties supported by Section 8, USDA Rural Development, Section 42 Tax Credits, and HUD subsidies.

Puhl will lead a team of three Regional Property Managers in the Charlotte and Columbia markets. From financial performance to regulatory compliance, the team keeps focus on key performance indicators important to the properties’ owners.

“We’re excited to welcome Todd to the team,” said Taylor Davis, President of NHE. “I am confident he will help us continue raising the bar for our clients and communities.”

Sandy Hinson was promoted to Senior Regional Manager. Hinson joined NHE in 2013 after more than a decade of experience with Winn Residential and other regional organizations where she gained valuable experience as both a Property Manager and Training Manager for more than 1,650 units across South Carolina, primarily in the LIHTC, HUD, 42 Market, Elderly and Section 8 spaces. Hinson’s teams serve her communities with teamwork, teaching and leading, and are responsible for all facets of community operations, from finance to maintenance.

Joel Marrow was promoted to Senior Regional Manager. Marrow began working at NHE in 2023 after holding roles of progressive responsibility with various companies including Coordinated Services Management, DGA Residential and Community Management Corporation.

Categories
Press Release

Groundbreaking Launches Elegant, Affordable Downtown Development for Seniors

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Elected officials and affordable housing advocates gathered today to put the first shovels in the ground for Southernside East, a much-anticipated 93-unit affordable apartment development at the corner of West Washington and Hudson Streets, just north of Unity Park.

Low- and moderate-income renters aged 55+ will reside in two contemporary neighborhood-scale buildings designed by local architects McMillan Pazdan Smith. Each one- or two-bedroom apartment is outfitted with a balcony to encourage easy connection to the outdoors. Other amenities include in-unit laundry connections as well as a community laundry area, fitness, computer, and community gathering rooms, a mail center, a leasing office, and separate private storage rooms.

Development partners Greenville Housing Fund and Harmony Housing Affordable Development utilized SC Housing’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to complete the financing on the project. A portion of the land was donated by the City of Greenville.

“I can’t say enough about the importance of partnership in helping Southernside East come together. We are so grateful to SC Housing for their confidence in this project, and thankful for the Greenville Housing Authority’s work in securing 55 project-based housing vouchers, which will make these beautiful new apartments in this historic neighborhood available to even our lowest-income seniors,” said Bryan Brown, President and CEO of the Greenville Housing Fund.

Greenville City Council Member Lillian Brock Flemming told the crowd of over fifty onlookers that “Southernside East represents exactly the kind of intentional development our community needs. It creates safe, high-quality housing for our seniors while preserving affordability in one of the fastest-growing parts of Greenville. This is a critical step in ensuring that longtime residents can continue to call our city home.”

Categories
Press Release

Rock Hill sees affordable housing project via Homes of Home and Affordable Upstate

Greenville, SC – July 1, 2025 – In a collaborative effort to strengthen the landscape of affordable housing in South Carolina, Homes of Hope and Affordable Upstate have finalized the transfer of 18 single-family rental homes in Rock Hill. This partnership safeguards the affordability of the units while supporting the continued growth and mission-driven work of both organizations.

The project reflects a shared vision: ensuring that South Carolina families continue to have access to stable, affordable housing—even as the region faces escalating housing costs and a significant shortage of quality affordable units.

“This transaction will be transformational in its impact, and more importantly, incredibly stabilizing for the families living in these homes,” said Don Oglesby, President & CEO of Homes of Hope.

The homes will remain affordable under the stewardship of Affordable Upstate, whose mission is to preserve affordability through intentional ownership and community-centered housing solutions.

This strategic decision allows Homes of Hope, a leading provider of affordable housing and workforce development in South Carolina, to maximize its capital needs while ensuring the long-term affordability of these homes for families who need them most. The sale reflects a shared commitment to addressing the region’s deepening housing crisis through thoughtful collaboration and forward-looking solutions.

South Carolina faces a dire shortage of affordable housing, with thousands of families burdened by rising rents and limited housing options. By transitioning ownership of the Rock Hill properties to Affordable Upstate, Homes of Hope ensures continuity in affordability while preserving the integrity of its mission and positioning itself for continued impact in the years ahead.

Categories
Press Release

Signatures Apparel

Signatures Apparel, a leading provider of premium custom apparel, uniform programs, and branding solutions, is proud to announce the relocation of its office staff to a new, expanded workspace in the vibrant heart of downtown Greenville. The new location at 424 E Washington Street will officially open in late Summer bringing fresh energy and a creative presence to the local business community.
Founded on a commitment to continuous improvement, WOW level service, and high-quality craftsmanship, Signatures Apparel serves a wide range of clients—from small businesses to national brands—offering custom garment printing, embroidery, promotional products, ecommerce development, and marketing collateral.
“This move marks a new chapter for Signatures,” said Emily Smith, COO at Signatures Apparel. “Being in downtown Greenville places us closer to the community we serve and offers new opportunities for collaboration, growth, and deeper engagement with local businesses, schools, and organizations.”
The new location will feature a modern showroom and creative workspace, giving clients a hands-on look at the latest in branded apparel and promotional solutions. With a strong emphasis on local partnerships, Signatures aims to continue fostering Greenville’s thriving business ecosystem and support causes that matter to the Upstate community.
To celebrate the move, Signatures Apparel will host an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony later this year. More details will be announced.
About Signatures Apparel:
With over 30 years of experience, Signatures Apparel is the trusted source for custom branded merchandise. Known for blending innovation with exceptional service, the company helps businesses, schools, and organizations make their mark through personalized apparel, promotional items, and design.
Website: www.SignaturesApparel.com

Categories
Press Release

Southern Eye Associates

CLEMSON, S.C. – Southern Eye Associates, a leading and trusted ophthalmology practice with locations across Greenville, has opened a new office in Clemson. Located in Patrick Square, Southern Eye’s Clemson clinic can currently accommodate same-day appointments with an array of ophthalmology and optometry services, from routine eye exams and cataract surgery evaluations to complex eye diseases management and evaluations for PRK and LASIK surgery.

Respected throughout Greenville for its commitment to the patient experience, Southern Eye Associates combines expert, pioneering medical treatments with compassionate patient care, resulting in long-term patient relationships and satisfaction.

“Southern Eye serves to be a beacon of light and hope for patients,” shared Southern Eye Associates founding partner, Brad Williams, M.D. “We strive daily to protect and preserve each patient’s best eyesight outcome by bringing the latest in pioneering eye care to community members throughout the Upstate. We are honored to now bring that same unwavering commitment to patients in Clemson, Anderson and the surrounding areas.”

Patients can call (864) 269-3333 for same-day appointment availability or to schedule a routine eye exam. Walk-in appointments may also currently be accepted.

The Southern Eye Associates Clemson office is located at 161 Thomas Green Boulevard, Clemson, South Carolina, 29631.