In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits
Spinx Gives $120,000 To Charity
The Spinx Co., the Greenville-based fuel and convenience retail company with more than 80 locations and 50 car washes across the Carolinas, donated $120,000 to four local charities: the American Red Cross, Greenville Free Medical Clinic, Loaves and Fishes, and Safe Harbor.
The money was raised during the company’s annual Charity Classic Golf Tournament in May at Greenville Country Club and Green Valley Country Club.
The checks were presented at “Spinx Night” at the Greenville Drive game.
“Since 1972 when our first location opened, Spinx has been dedicated to providing support to local organizations that are a vital part of the Upstate community,” said founder Stewart Spinks.
Spinx chose beneficiaries aligned with its corporate charitable mission, “Spinx & Kids: Mind, Body, Spirit. Growing healthy kids where we live, work and play.”
TD SYNNEX: ‘Great Place to Work’
TD SYNNEX, a global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem, has received its second-consecutive annual recognition as a certified “Great Place to Work.”
The award is based on a survey of current employees at TD SYNNEX. The company has more than 1,000 employees in Greenville.
Great Place To Work examines workplace culture, employee experience, leadership proven to deliver market-leading results, employee retention, and increased innovation.
More than 74% of TD SYNNEX employees reported the company as a great place to work, compared to an average of 57% of employees nationwide.
“Our business is about creating connections to help our co-workers be at their best for our customers, our vendors, our communities and each other,” said Beth Simonetti, Chief Human Resources Officer at TD SYNNEX.
TD SYNNEX provides professional development programs, staff recognition, comprehensive benefits support, and an increased focus on corporate citizenship efforts covering diversity, equity and inclusion, community engagement, and environmental responsibility.
TD SYNNEX is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, and Fremont, California.
Simpsonville Arts Center Gets Economic Development Award
The Simpsonville Arts Center has been recognized by the Municipal Association of South Carolina for its impact on economic development in the state.
The City of Simpsonville received the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Award as part of the Municipal Association 2023 Achievement Awards. The award was given for the Arts Center renovation project.
“It validates our mission of being a vibrant performing and visual arts scene and a great venue for art education and exploration -- under one roof," said Melissa Sturgis, who was hired in May 2022 to manage the Arts Center and oversee its programming. “I am grateful I could be part of the fulfillment of that mission.”
The building on Academy Street had been mostly unused for two decades. It once housed Simpsonville Elementary School and was renovated in 2021. The auditorium was updated with a new stage and seating, lighting and sound systems, a green room, windows and doors. The project totaled $2.5 million.
City Administrator Dianna Gracely said she is gratified by the statewide recognition.
“We knew that the time, effort and resources that the city invested would be returned tenfold,” Gracely said. “The Joseph P. Riley Jr. Award marks a special chapter in the continuing story of the revitalization of downtown Simpsonville.”
The arts result in an annual economic impact of $9.7 billion and 115,000 jobs in South Carolina, according to the S.C. Arts Commission. The anticipated annual economic impact of the Arts Center on Simpsonville is $1 million, based on projected ticket sales by the in-residence theater group, Mill Town Players.
In addition to performances by Mill Town Players, the Arts Center has art exhibitions and openings, classes for youths and adults, ballet, the Greenville Chautauqua project, and six studio artists.
“Transforming an underutilized but beloved building into a thriving hub for arts and culture is the exact kind of project that local governments should pursue to better their cities,” said Simpsonville Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell.
Greenville Theatre Opens Season With ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’
Greenville Theatre will open its 98th season with “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” which won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical.
This satire tells the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they search for the Holy Grail. It is based on the classic comedic movie, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” and is written by original Monty Python member, Eric Idle.
The show features The Lady of the Lake, a dancing ensemble of misfits.
This cast is led by Evan Harris as King Arthur, Kimberly Camacho as The Lady of the Lake, and features Carter Allen, Andrew Anderson, Rick Connor, John Garrison and Craig Smith as Knights. Greenville Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director, Max Quinlan, will direct. Elyn Collier, based in New York, is the choreographer.
Tickets are on sale. Prices are $40 for adults and $38 for seniors and veterans. Student rush tickets are available the day of the show for $20. This production is rated 16+ for language and content. “Spamalot” opens Sept. 7 and continues through Sept. 24. For dates, times and information or to purchase tickets, go to www.greenvilletheatre.org or call the box office at (864) 233-6238.
Marlboro Real Estate Developer Names Member to NC Association
Marlboro Development Team Inc., with offices in Spartanburg and Bennettsville, has elected Julie Pruett to the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Economic Development Association.
Pruett’s three-year appointment to the volunteer board began July 1.
Marlboro Development Team is a South Carolina-based real estate developer focused on single-tenant build-to-suits, value-add acquisitions, and strategic investments throughout the United States. Marlboro has delivered 13 million square feet of development industrial, retail, and commercial projects.
Pruett has been in economic and industrial development for 26 years in the Charlotte area.
“I appreciate the support from my MDT family and my colleagues across the state, particularly the NCEDA past presidents, who endorsed me for this appointment,” she said.
The North Carolina Economic Development Association is composed of 850 professional economic developers at the state, regional, municipal, and county levels, as well as educators, engineers, transportation experts, utility industry leaders, attorneys, and other professionals.
Cliffs Interns Help At ReStore
The Cliffs’ first interns from the Visa Exchange Visitor Program volunteered at Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Taylors recently as part of the nationwide Exchange Day, created to bring exchange visitors together for service projects to celebrate and share cultural diversity, give back to communities, and have fun.
This is the first year The Cliffs has participated in the J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program. Currently 19 interns – from India, South Africa, Nepal, and the Philippines – work at The Cliffs at Keowee Springs, The Cliffs at Keowee Falls, The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, The Cliffs at Mountain Park, The Cliffs at Glassy and The Cliffs Valley.
The interns joined the team at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore to move furniture and building supplies, clean appliances and stock shelves. ReStores are resale stores operated by Habitat for Humanity. The receipts help Habitat partner with families to build, rehabilitate and repair safe and affordable homes.
The Cliffs anticipates hosting 39 J-1 interns from six countries by the end of September.
The J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program lasts one year and is usually for education. The interns at The Cliffs learn about the culture in the United States, as well as the food and beverage industry, which they are also studying in their home countries.
The Cliffs started a housing and transportation department so that the interns can get to and from the airport, their apartments and their jobs.
The Cliffs is a collection of seven private, luxury residential mountain and lake club communities.
Avison Young Brokers $3.5M Sale
Avison Young of Greenville has arranged the sale of a 92,340-square-foot warehouse/manufacturing facility at 212 National Avenue in Spartanburg to National 212 LLC for $3.5 million.
Pinnacle Coating and Converting was the seller. PCC is the current tenant and manufactures specialty, high-performance industrial inks and coatings. The property was built in 1973.
HOA Management Firm Expands into Charlotte
NHE, a 50-year-old HOA management firm in the Southeast, has established a new office to serve homeowner and condominium associations in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.
Leading the operation will be Martin Stinson, who has worked in HOAs and real estate finance in the Charlotte area for 25 years. The office is at 6201 Fairview Road, Suite 200 in Charlotte.
Businesses Asked To Take Survey
People who own or manage a business are asked to fill out a survey for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. The short survey is called the Palmetto Business Barometer. Data will be posted. Individual survey answers will be kept confidential. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AugustPBBSurvey.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits
