In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits
Euphoria Accepting Grant Applicants
Grant applications are being accepted for euphoria2024, a nonprofit food, wine and music festival that highlights Greenville’s culinary and music arts scene while funding projects for local charities.
Recipients of the grants must help fight hunger or provide sustenance to those in need; support music or performing arts; or help children.
Organizations can apply online; the deadline is 8 p.m. March 13.
Since euphoria was founded in 2006, the festival has funded projects for more than 50 local charities and helped Greenville’s hospitality and tourism industries and economic development.
Last year’s euphoria grants:
Giving Kitchen supplied $18,000 in emergency assistance to eight food service workers facing crisis.
Feed & Seed purchased kitchen equipment to increase efficiency.
Project Host sponsored a Cooking for Kids program for 552 children across Greenville County.
Walt’s Waltz held painting workshops to promote mental health for 900 students.
The Family Effect offered Kindermusik classes at Serenity Place for 100 women and children.
Greenville Technical College provided Culinary Camp scholarships.
Metropolitan Arts Council promoted the SmartARTS Program; 4,000 students and 50 teachers were served.
Tickets are on sale for euphoria’s A Southern Remedy, from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 22. All-inclusive tickets are $70.
The event will be presented by women chefs and include winter cocktails and music from the Jamie Wright Band.
State Achieves Record Investments
The S.C. Department of Commerce has announced industry recruitment with capital investments of $9.22 billion in 2023. The money represents 81 projects and 14,120 jobs, according to a press release.
It is the second-largest amount in state history.
“Once again, South Carolina has proven that it is among the best places in the world to do business,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “Recruitment … confirms the sustained interest for doing business here, but also signals to the global business community that South Carolina is a trusted partner for successful businesses.”
The $9.22 billion includes investments in automotive, electric vehicles and EV batteries, $4.3 billion; alternative energy and fuels, $1.56 billion; Scout Motors, Albemarle Corp. and QTS Data Centers invested $1 billion or more.
“Back-to-back years of strong industry recruitment reinforces South Carolina’s commitment to the success of our existing and new businesses,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III.
City Club Debuts Menu, Decor
The City Club of Greenville recently unveiled its revitalized brands, menus, program and décor.
The City Club of Greenville is located on the 17th floor at 55 Beattie Place. The club is a destination for dining, socializing and business networking. For information, go to www.cityclubgreenville.com.
Jewish Federation Events To Showcase Cooking, Heritage
The Greenville Jewish Federation is hosting three events on Jan. 28 that highlight the ways Jewish traditions have shaped Southern cooking.
A new cookbook by Rachel Gordon Barnett and Lyssa Klingman Harvey, “Kugels and Collards: Stories of Food, Family, and Tradition in Jewish South Carolina,” shares recipes and stories of Jewish food and heritage.
Barnett and Harvey started a blog called “Kugels and Collards” in 2016. The cookbook has more than 80 recipes, including brisket, potato latkes, challah, and more.
Barnett and Harvey will sign books and visit with attendees on Jan. 28.
Brunch and Learn, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at The Cook’s Station, 515 Buncombe Street, Greenville. The VIP experience will include brunch and an hour of demonstration and sampling. Seating is limited.
Book Signing, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Cook’s Station, 515 Buncombe Street, Greenville. Authors will sign books for those who have pre-ordered. A limited number of books will be available for purchase.
Book Signing and Tasting, 3 to 5 p.m. at Temple B’nai Israel, Heywood 146 Avenue, Spartanburg. The event features a question-and-answer session, sampling, and signing. Grandma Ida's Lokshen Kugel will be served. Books will be available for sale.
“Preserving the Southern Jewish table is so important for our state heritage,” said Courtney Tessler, CEO of the Greenville Jewish Federation. “We hope the community, Jewish or not, comes out to learn and taste some Jewish history.”
For tickets, go to https://greenvillejewishfederation.ticketspice.com/kugels-collards-upstate-events.
The Greenville Jewish Federation works to support educational programs, social services, cultural events, and advocacy efforts that promote Jewish values, heritage, and unity.
Countybank Wraps Up ‘Swipe To Donate’
Countybank completed its fourth annual “Swipe to Donate” campaign in December.
“We could not be more thankful to our customers for consistently using their debit cards during the holiday season to help us reach our goal,” said R. Thornwell Dunlap III, President and CEO of Countybank.
The bank was able to donate more than $150,000 last year to local nonprofit and charitable organizations, including:
Community initiatives
First Light
Habitat for Humanity
Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont
Salvation Army
Soup kitchens across the Upstate
United Way
Founded in 1933, Countybank has locations in Greenwood, Greenville, Greer, Simpsonville and Anderson.
Recovery Center Shares ‘Dry January’ Tips
Recovery Centers of America, a network of substance use disorder treatment facilities, has shared tips to help anyone who wants to try a “dry January” or start the year by refocusing health goals.
A treatment center recently opened in Greenville.
Some people use “dry January” to begin or continue a life of sobriety, said Brett Cohen, Chief Executive Officer at RCA.
“Recovery Centers of America offers tools and services – both inpatient and outpatient – that ease the path to recovery, and we aim to be part of a broader community that celebrates healthy living,” he said.
(Regular drinkers should consult their doctors before stopping the use of alcohol suddenly. Withdrawal can be fatal under some circumstances.)
Recovery Centers of America tips are:
Set goals, not resolutions, and identify steps toward meeting goals. Those in recovery can connect with others in recovery to maintain motivation.
Connect with family, friends and community. Connections keep people grounded. Commit to attending in-person or virtual meetings or staying connected to a support person.
Get back to basics. Get adequate sleep, drink water, and make healthy food choices.
Lean on an expert. Turn to a professional for advice, strategies, and an understanding of individual struggles.
Focus on physical and mental health and wellness. Exercise daily. Meditate. Manage stress.
Seek healthy activities and sober companions. Avoid activities that threaten sobriety.
“Now is the perfect time to focus on you,” Cohen said.
Recovery Centers of America has an inpatient facility in Greenville, as well as outpatient programs.
Simpsonville Chamber Names Board
The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce has named its new Board of Directors. Board members serve three-year terms and represent a variety of industries in Simpsonville and the Upstate.
Board members are:
Taft Osborne, First Reliance Bank, 2024 Board Chairman
Jason Klue, Klue Real Estate Advisors, 2024 Chairman-Elect
Josh Wiseman, Nest Realty, 2024 Treasurer
Brooks Derrick, Derrick Law Office, Immediate Past Chairman
L'Tonya Hopkins, Summit Media, Director
Casey Kozlov, PIP Marketing Signs Print, Director
Shaun Phillips, Weichert, Realtors - Shaun & Shari Group, Director
Kim Kegler, community volunteer, Director
Mike Giordano, Williams Wealth Management, Director
Almarina Olmeda, The Children's Museum of the Upstate, Director
Samantha Sanders, CommunityWorks, Director
Alex Williams, New York Life, Director
Drew Brashier, Paw & Order Dog Training, Director
Jennifer Rogers, Prisma Health, Director
Mark Shannon, Vision Office Systems of South Carolina, Director
Councilman Lou Hutchings, City of Simpsonville, Advisor
Councilman Butch Kirven, Greenville County, Advisor
Businesses Asked To Take Survey
The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce and the S.C. Chamber of Commerce are conducting their monthly Palmetto Business Barometer Survey that allows large and small businesses to share their opinions with state government leaders and policymakers. The survey is brief and easy to submit.
Owners or managers can fill out the survey. Answers are confidential. Go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HWZCHNN.
First Presbyterian Features ‘Mysterion’
The Galleries at First Presbyterian Church in Greenville will exhibit Mysterion, a collection of works by contemporary artist Makoto Fujimura. The exhibit will be on display through July 26.
Makoto Fujimura is a leading contemporary artist whose “slow art” was described by David Brooks of the New York Times as “a small rebellion against the quickening of time.” His bicultural arts education resulted in a fusion of fine art, abstract expressionism, and the traditional Japanese art of Nihonga and Kacho-ga (bird-and-flower painting tradition).
The gallery is located at 200 W. Washington Street.
FUEL Taking Applications For Help To Nonprofits
FUEL, a Greenville-based brand-building agency, is accepting applications until Jan. 17 for its FUEL for Good grant program.
As a community service, FUEL selects local nonprofits each year and provides pro bono marketing services, enabling organizations to further their missions and address needs in the community.
To qualify, applicants must be based in Greenville County, serve the local community, hold a valid 501(c)(3) certification, and have an identifiable need for marketing assistance.
The application can be completed online at www.fuelforbrands.com/fuel-grant.
In its fifth year, the FUEL for Good grant program allows the agency’s team to dedicate strategic marketing and branding expertise to help local nonprofits with specific marketing challenges. FUEL has awarded the grant to 14 local nonprofits and donated hundreds of hours of services ranging from refreshed logos and brands to social media campaigns and collateral.
FUEL will select the winner and begin work in February.
Founded in 2011, FUEL is made up of designers, writers and creators.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits
