In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits

Clemson Students Build Home, Hope During Homecoming

The Clemson University chapter of the Pickens County Habitat for Humanity is gearing up for its 31st annual Homecoming Build. Students construct an entire house during homecoming festivities.

Since its inception in 1993, the Clemson University Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter has mobilized over 10,000 student volunteers, constructed 31 homes for families in need, and raised substantial funds for affordable housing.

"The Homecoming Build isn't just about constructing a house; it's about building community, developing leadership skills, and making a tangible difference in people's lives," said Andrew Tuz, Chapter President.

The university’s Bowman Field will be a construction site through Sept. 28. Amid the homecoming floats, students will frame and weatherproof an entire house.

This year's presenting sponsor is the State Farm Youth Matching Grant program.

"The Clemson Homecoming Build embodies the spirit of community service that State Farm proudly supports,” said Daniel Webber, State Farm Insurance Agent and a board member for Pickens County Habitat for Humanity.

The building is restricted to students and Habitat volunteers, but the public is invited to the effort’s first celebration dinner. Blueprint for Hope, a Homecoming 2024 Celebration, will be at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Clemson United Methodist Church. Tickets are $60.

This event will feature a mocktail hour, barbecue, and a presentation about the community impact of the Homecoming Build. All proceeds support Pickens County Habitat for Humanity.

"Blueprint for Hope is more than just a celebration. It’s an opportunity for the wider community to be part of this transformative project," said Tamara Dourney, Executive Director of Pickens County Habitat for Humanity. "Every ticket purchased helps us build more homes, hope, and futures."

For information about Pickens Habitat or to purchase a ticket to the dinner, go to pickenshabitat.org .

Pickens County Habitat for Humanity partners with local families to build and improve affordable homes.

Greer Celebrates New Fire Station

The City of Greer was slated to open its newest fire station recently at S. Suber Road and Chick Springs Road.

Station 42 is a modern, two-bay premier firehouse with living quarters, a full kitchen, showers, a weight room, and office space. The new fire station will replace the current one on Hood Road.

“As we grow, we need to offer appropriate responses to all different types of emergencies and services,” Mayor Rick Danner said. “This is part of an overall strategy to continue to serve the citizens of the city and keep their safety at the top of our priority list.”

The new location will create faster response times, Danner said. The Hood Road Fire Station will become an updated training facility.

Community Manager Named At Judson Mill Innovation Hub

The Jud Hub, a collaborative social innovation hub and coworking space in the historic Judson Mill District, has appointed Wardell Sims Jr. as its new Community Manager.

Sims is a long-time Jud Hub tenant with 30 years of experience in business. For the past 10 years, Sims has led his company, WSJR Holding LLC, which helps businesses tailor their advertising to increase sales.

Since joining the Jud Hub as a tenant in 2022, Sims said he has developed a passion for creating resources to aid new business owners. He is also a member of NEXT and the Greenville Chamber.

In his new role as Jud Hub Community Manager, Sims will be responsible for creating resources, events, and programming to benefit social innovators in the 18,000-square-foot space and surrounding neighborhood. He will also be the main point of contact for those who want to lease office and meeting spaces.

“Wardell is a fantastic leader and partner, and we’re thrilled to welcome him into this new role,” said Matt Springer, a Judson Mill District partner and principal at Madrock Advisors.

“His passion for helping changemakers grow in the innovator space makes him a perfect candidate for community manager. We look forward to seeing him bring his expertise and ideas together to provide resources to our tenants and to support their success.”

Jud Hub is a collaborative, shared workspace offering resources and community connections to nonprofits, social entrepreneurs, and mission-driven companies. Jud Hub offers office leasing and coworking memberships.

Benefits include access to meeting rooms, special event space, professional assistance and programming. For information, go to www.judhub.com .

Judson Mill District is a mixed-use community where people live, work, and play on a 36-acre campus. For information about Judson Mill District, go to judsonmilldistrict.com .

Barbara Stone Foundation To Host Annual ‘CAN Talks’

The Barbara Stone Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Greenville that focuses on supporting creative programs for individuals with disabilities, will host CAN Talks on Oct. 22.

The fifth annual event will feature five Upstate residents with disabilities who will share their stories to spark conversations, challenge outdated stereotypes and broaden perspectives.

CAN (Collaborative Action Network) Talks will be held from 6:40 to 8:30 p.m. at Centre Stage, 501 River St. in downtown Greenville. Admission is $25; tickets can be purchased at www.GVLCANtalks.org . Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with a cocktail reception. Virtual tickets are available for $10.

“The level of commitment CAN Talks speakers make is extremely admirable,” said Lara Ceisel, Executive Director of the Barbara Stone Foundation.

The speeches come from “a place of vulnerability,” Ceisel said. “Speakers work for months, with the help of a coach, to craft a deeply personal speech.”

Winners of the Barbara Stone Foundation Fall Community Innovations Grants will be announced.

A sign language interpreter will be available; accommodations will be made for guests upon request. Seating for those who use a wheelchair is limited to eight individuals.

For information or tickets, contact Lara Ceisel at lara@barbarastonefoundation.org or call (864) 214-5798. For information about the Barbara Stone Foundation or to make a donation, go to barbarastonefoundation.org .

Since 1991, the Barbara Stone Foundation’s focus has been to influence community systems, policies, and culture to create equitable opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the Upstate.

Forestry Organization Wins Grant

The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities has received a $50,000 grant from Green Diamond Resource Company’s Impact Fund. The money will support workforce development and new markets for forest products.

Initiatives of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities span the nation. The organization is based in Greenville.

Green Diamond began supporting nonprofits in 2022. It supports organizations that value sustainability and align with issues that are important to its stakeholders.

The grant from Green Diamond Resource Company will help “attract and retain top talent for our sector,” said Alicia Cramer, Senior Vice President of the endowment.

Most of the grant, $40,000, will support the Forest and Wood Products Inclusion Council. The council fosters inclusive workplaces and empowers individuals to contribute to sustainable forestry practices.

The remaining $10,000 will go to a mass timber program to expand its marketplace.

"Community involvement is one of our core values," said Douglas Reed, President of Green Diamond. "We admire the endowment's commitment to innovative initiatives that revitalize forest-rich, rural communities. Their efforts ensure that working forests continue to thrive and deliver benefits."

The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity that advances systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health of working forests and forest-reliant communities.

Green Diamond Resource Co. is a privately held forest products company that owns working forest lands in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and California. It is a subsidiary of Green Diamond Management Co., which manages forests in the South and the West.

Flat Rock Playhouse Production Envisions Dr. King’s Last Hours

Flat Rock Playhouse will present The Mountaintop by Katori Hall from Oct. 4 to 13 as part of its Black Box Series. The play won the Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2010.

The production offers a vision of the last night of Dr. Martin Luther King, the night before he was assassinated on April 3, 1968. It is set entirely in Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.

The theater is reconfigured for the Black Box Series productions so that patrons can experience the production more intimately, said Artistic Director Lisa K. Bryant.

“Witnessing these plays up close and personal adds a visceral layer to the theater-going experience,” she said.

The production has adult language and content and the smoke of tobacco-free cigarettes. Parental discretion is advised.

The Mountaintop is presented by Joe & Hilda Ippolito, Victoria Flanagan, AAMFT Clinical Fellow for Trauma and Grief Counseling, and Blue Ridge Public Radio.

For information or tickets, go to flatrockplayhouse.org . Flat Rock Playhouse Leiman Mainstage is located at 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock.

New Community Manager Named At Flywheel Coworking

The Flywheel Coworking Community at the Crescent Innovation District has a new Community Manager, Reilly Dane Morin.

Olivia Evans, the previous manager, is relocating for personal reasons.

Morin will help accelerate the personal and professional development of Flywheel members and Flywheel’s mission to support entrepreneurship in the Upstate.

She is originally from Charleston and moved to Greenville about two years ago. Her background is in hospitality and tourism management.

“These days, getting to represent Greenville is my passion,” Morin said.

“Coming into Flywheel, I could not be more excited to be a part of this amazing team. I look forward to making connections with members each day and continuing to grow the Flywheel Coworking Community in Greenville.”

Community Day

Flywheel Coworking will host a Community Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at Crescent One, the first building in the Crescent Innovation District. Participants can tour the building, drink coffee, join others for a light lunch, and work from Flywheel for the rest of the day.

Flywheel is located at 25 Goldsmith St. To register, go to Community Day .

Flywheel Café

Flywheel Café will return to Greenville on Oct. 24. Flywheel Café is a gathering of founders, investors, entrepreneurs and others in the ecosystem. Participants can share a beer, share advice, and share questions.

The topic will be “Furman Innovation Lab at Crescent.” Guest speakers will be Bryan Davis, Executive Director of Furman's Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Garrett Stern, Executive Director of Furman's Center for Innovative Leadership.

Flywheel Café will be from 5 to 6 p.m. at Flywheel Coworking, 25 Goldsmith St. To register, go to Flywheel Cafe .

Entrepreneur in Residence

Tyler Senecal will join the Flywheel Coworking Community in Greenville as its inaugural Entrepreneur in Residence.

Senecal will be available to offer advice, resources, and connections to Flywheel members, partner accelerators, and programs.

"I've been impressed with Flywheel's dedication to cultivating inclusive and vibrant entrepreneurial communities,” he said.

“My career has focused on building companies and organizations that empower founders, and one of my greatest passions is supporting people through the early stages of launching a business. I look forward to meeting and helping more founders through this new role.”

Senecal is the founder and CEO of Sagacity, an AI-powered software company that provides portfolio insights to venture capital firms. Previously, he was the founding director of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Wofford College.

To schedule time with Senecal, go to schedule a meeting .

YMCA Greenville Prayer Breakfast Nov. 21

YMCA of Greenville will host its annual Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast on Nov. 21 to bring together business and community leaders to pause, reflect, and give thanks.

Breakfast will begin at 7 a.m. at the Greenville Convention Center. The program will start at 7:30 a.m.

The prayer breakfast will be presented by HomeTrust Bank. The keynote speaker will be Thomas C. Settles III, who is senior pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Athens, Georgia; campus director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the University of Georgia; and author of “Better Together: Fifteen Encouraging Messages from an Unforgettable 2021 Season.”

Settles’ message will be designed to unite the community in the spirit of service and gratitude.

Sam Franklin, incoming President and CEO of the YMCA of Greenville, prevailed upon community members to attend. “Our aim is to inspire leaders to use their platforms to make a positive impact, especially for those in need. Together, we can continue to build a stronger Greenville,” he said.

Gold-level sponsorships are $2,500; tables can be hosted for $1,700.

The mission of the YMCA of Greenville is to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. With a focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the Y offers programs that include after-school care, resident and day camps, aquatics, youth and adult sports, and health and wellness.

For sponsorships and information, go to ymcagreenville.org or call (864) 412-0288.

ARKU Opens In Spartanburg County

ARKU Inc., which conducts sheet metal leveling and deburring, has selected Spartanburg County for its first South Carolina operation. The multimillion-dollar investment will create approximately 10 jobs.

Founded in Germany in 1928, ARKU is a family-owned manufacturer of sheet metal levelers, deburring machines and coil lines. The company’s technologies and machines improve metal quality and increase reliability.

ARKU’s new operation will be located at 2740 S. Highway 14 in Greer. It will offer contract leveling for parts, sheets and plates, servicing sheet metal fabricators and automotive suppliers in the Southeast.

Weight Loss Program Re-Accredited At Bon Secours

The Bon Secours Surgical Weight Loss program at the St. Francis Eastside campus has been re-accredited for bariatric surgery and obesity medicine services.

The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program ensures that metabolic and bariatric patients receive multidisciplinary medical care, which improves patient outcomes. MBSAQIP-accredited centers offer preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for patients with obesity.

Bon Secours began offering robotic bariatric procedures in 2020. The technology allows physicians to have better visualization during surgery and provides shorter recovery time and less pain, according to a statement from the hospital.

To earn MBSAQIP accreditation, the St. Francis Surgical Weight Loss program met the criteria for staffing, training, infrastructure and patient care. After applying for accreditation, centers undergo a site visit by a bariatric surgeon.

Carolina Handling Named Modula Performer Of Year

Carolina Handling has been named the 2023 Top Performer of the Year by Modula Inc., a manufacturer of vertical lift modules and automated storage solutions.

An authorized Modula dealer since 2021, Carolina Handling sells, installs and services Modula’s products. The automated system reduces the need for storage space and enhances worker safety and job satisfaction, according to a prepared statement.

“Products like Modula enhance our broad portfolio of equipment and technologies,” said Carolina Handling Chief Operating Officer Joe Perkins.

In 2023, 13 technicians from Carolina Handling were certified to install and service the systems. Another 16 individuals are in the process of receiving certification. Carolina Handling stocks Modula parts and has installed a Modula unit for demonstrations in Greenville.

Founded in 1966, Carolina Handling is a material handling solutions provider and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and part of Florida.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits