Columbia Chamber Signs Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve

The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce reaffirmed its support for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve today by signing an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support.

Gen. John L. Finan, EIP director for the South Carolina Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve; Gen. John V. Green, state chair for the South Carolina Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve; Ike McLeese, president & CEO of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) George Goldsmith.

The National Guard and Reserve make up nearly half of the military force of the United States. Because of this, the men and women of the Guard and Reserve play a key role in our national defense here at home and around the world. The men and women of the National Guard and Reserve cannot successfully accomplish their mission without the continued support of employers who recognize the importance of the Reserve Components in the defense of our nation.

The Statement of Support confirms that the Columbia Chamber joins other employers in pledging that:

• We fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).

•  We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

Approximately 4,500 volunteers serve on local ESGR Field Committees across the nation. The 56 ESGR Field Committees conduct employer support programs, including informational briefings, mediation and recognition of employers whose policies support or encourage participation in the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR is the lead advocate within the Department of Defense for Reserve Component employers. For more information on ESGR, visit http://www.esgr.mil/site/.

 

Member News | Dec. 5 – Dec.9

Salsartia’s Opens Their Doors in the Vista

Congrats to Chamber member Salsarita’s on their Vista location grand opening!

Salsarita’s celebrated it’s Grand Opening with a Ribbon Cutting on Friday, December 9th.  Salsarita’s is in the Vista at 916 Gervais Street. Phone number is 803 665-0060.  Pictured are Chris Miller Suki Patel, Bhavna Patel, Priti Patel, Amanda Justice, Neesh Patel and Rick Rentz.

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SOLD: DUPONT TEIJIN FILMS, FLORENCE, SC

Columbia, SC (December 8, 2011) NAI Avant Brokers, Nick Stomski and Tom Milliken, recently successfully completed the sale of the improvements at DuPont Teijin Films in Florence, South Carolina. The purchaser, Florence Development, LLC, of Niagara, Wisconsin, plans to utilize a portion of the improvements to the existing buildings for PET warehousing and other ancillary work. Florence Development, LLC, also has under contract the approximately 900 acres of land yet to close.

The 32 buildings comprise approximately 1,200,000 square feet of space with the largest facility totaling 550,000 square feet on the first floor. The transaction was valued at approximately $4,500,000.

About NAI Avant
NAI Avant’s commercial real estate business is one of the largest in the Southeast.  With over 65 professionals, the firm provides comprehensive brokerage, leasing, development, property and project management services.  For nearly three consecutive decades, the group has had more of its brokerage professionals recognized as top producers or recipients of the top awards than any other firm in South Carolina. As a member of the NAI Global Network, NAI Avant is affiliated with over 350 offices and 5,000 professionals in 55 countries across the globe.  NAI Avant’s Property and Project Management Group currently manages a multi-million square foot portfolio of properties across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Through its Avant Healthcare Division, the firm provides comprehensive services to hospitals, clinics, and physician groups. NAI Avant, founded in 1966, is headquartered in Columbia, SC with an office in Charleston, SC. Find out more about NAI Avant and its services at www.naiavant.com. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @NAI Avant and like us on Facebook.

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New Employees and Appointment within Community for Mashburn Construction

Columbia, SC…Mashburn Construction welcomes two new team members and is pleased to announce a local appointment of a third employee.

Lee Gaymon has joined the Mashburn Construction team as a project engineer. Lee studied business administration at The Citadel and is located in our Charleston office. He is currently working on two projects at the College of Charleston.

Brian Miner has joined Mashburn Construction as a project engineer in our Charleston office. Brian is a graduate of The Citadel with a BS in Business Administration and brings 14 years of experience to the team.

Jeff Griffin, Business Development, has been appointed to the CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy) Committee of CMCOG (Central Midlands Council of Governments).  CMCOG is undertaking long range economic development planning and securing grants to stimulate capital investment and job growth in their four county areas – Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland. The committee meets quarterly to gather input and present findings to the Council.

Mashburn Construction is a full-service construction company providing construction management, design/build and general contracting. Mashburn is celebrating their 35th anniversary; the company prides itself on building with integrity by providing superior service and quality to a diverse client list across many markets. Their offices are located in Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach, SC. For more information, please visit www.mashburnconstruction.com.

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Maaco Collison Repair Opens its Doors at 2465 Decker Blvd.

Congrats to family owned and operated Maaco Collision Repair and Auto Painting Shop on its ribbon cutting ceremony!

Photo includes: Russell and Carrie Lewandowski with their children and Maaco Sales Manager, Raymond Hillman Jr.

Make sure to stop by and give them a big Chamber welcome!

COR Unveils Official Columbia Christmas Tree at Mingle & Jingle on Main Street

COR | Columbia Opportunity Resource, City Center Partnership and the City of Columbia unveiled the official Columbia Christmas Tree Thursday, December 1 at Mingle and Jingle on Main Street. Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine, COR Executive Director Katherine Swartz and Frame of Mind Owner Mark Plessinger led the tree lighting celebration.

The tree, which will be on display at Columbia Museum of Art’s Boyd Plaza through December, is a live deodar cedar covered in 2,600 LED lights, jingle bells and artistic ornaments. The tree will be planted in the Earlewood neighborhood after the holiday season.

COR and Frame of Mind coordinated the tree installation, including donors and volunteers: Earlewood Community Citizens Organization (ECCO), Billy Guess with Fine Gardening, Blue Moon Landscaping and Reese’s Plants.

About COR
COR Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) connects young, talented professionals in the greater Columbia area to diverse and meaningful networks for leadership, service and fun. Our vision is an innovative, energized and successful Columbia community that attracts, inspires, develops and retains the best talent in the world. Find your place to make a difference: www.ourcor.org or 803.733.1123.

Total Resource Campaign Reaches $1.1 Million Goal

The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Total Resource Campaign, led by the 2011-2012 chair, Helen Baldwin of NAI Avant,  reached its goal last week by coming in at $1.1 million.

Thank you to all the volunteers that participated over the last 12 weeks.  Check out photos from the celebration on our Facebook page.

 

Congrats to the Top 5 Volunteers!

#1 TARA WILLIAMS

#2 LAKELAND FENNELL

#3 KIKI WOOLEY

#4 STEPHEN ROSS

#5 RHONDA HUGHEY

 

Congrats to the Top 5 Teams

#1 DIPLOMATS-TEAM CAPTAIN-RHE ADAMS 

#2 CAROLINA BUSINESS PARTNERS -TEAM CAPTAIN – TARA WILLIAMS

#3 COMFORT SERVICES-TEAM CAPTAIN-TODD WAGSTAFF

#4 NILSON VAN LINES-TEAM CAPTAIN-LAKELAND FENNELL

#5 NAI AVANT-TEAM CAPTAIN-JOHN CRIMINGER

 

Member News | Nov. 28 – Dec. 2

Palmetto Health “Linking Business to Business”

You are cordially invited to participate in the Palmetto Health’s Diversity Conference on December 9, 2011. Please Bring Your Origination Business Opportunities. We have invited 200 Vendors. Have your Organization Recognized. For Space, please contact Erle Coleman at erle.coleman@palmettohealth.org or 803-296-2321.

8:30 A.M. Registration
9:00 A.M. Welcome & General Session
9:15 A.M.  – 11:15 A.M. Palmetto Health Linking Business to Business
11:15 A.M. Closing Remarks

This conference will be held at the Palmetto Health Baptist Auditorium located at:
1501 Sumter Street
Columbia, South Carolina

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NAI AVANT BROKERS SALE OF LAND PARCEL TO BOJANGLES IN LEXINGTON, SC

Walter Monteith, a member of NAI Avant’s Retail Brokerage Team, recently brokered the sale of 1.4 acres to Bojangles, Inc. The property is located on U.S. Highway 1 at I-20 in Lexington, SC. The transaction was valued at approximately $750,000.

About NAI Avant

NAI Avant’s commercial real estate business is one of the largest in the Southeast.  With over 65 professionals, the firm provides comprehensive brokerage, leasing, development, property and project management services.  For nearly three consecutive decades, the group has had more of its brokerage professionals recognized as top producers or recipients of the top awards than any other firm in South Carolina. As a member of the NAI Global Network, NAI Avant is affiliated with over 350 offices and 5,000 professionals in 55 countries across the globe.  NAI Avant’s Property and Project Management Group currently manages a multi-million square foot portfolio of properties across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Through its Avant Healthcare Division, the firm provides comprehensive services to hospitals, clinics, and physician groups. NAI Avant, founded in 1966, is headquartered in Columbia, SC with an office in Charleston, SC. Find out more about NAI Avant and its services at www.naiavant.com. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @NAI Avant and like us on Facebook.

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Mark your calendar to

shop locally this holiday at Columbia’s

“A Devine Night Out”

Mark your calendar for Columbia’s BEST, FREE holiday shopping event!

“A Devine Night Out” is Columbia’s PREMIER holiday event. More than 50 stores and restaurants on Devine Street in Columbia will welcome guests from 5 – 8 p.m. on December 8^th for an evening of shopping, socializing and festive cheer. The celebrations continue from 8 – 10 p.m. with a fabulous FREE After Party at Henry’s (2865 Devine Street), featuring live entertainment and an assortment of complimentary food beverages.

Grab a friend. Book the sitter. Enjoy shopping and dining on the most fabulous mile of locally-owned businesses in Columbia. Walk the event or catch a ride on the FREE limo service and pedi cabs to get from one end of Devine Street to the other.

Red-clad tables staffed by volunteers from the American Red Cross will line the street in front of participating businesses. These volunteers will take donations and will be conducting their annual “Holiday Mail for Heroes” campaign.

You don’t want to miss the chance to experience the wonderful entertainment, food and door prizes which include $2,000 worth of shopping sprees along Devine Street!

Presented by the Devine Street Association and the City of Columbia. For more information, visit www.devinestreetcolumbiasc.com.

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NAI AVANT BROKERS SALE OF LAND PARCEL TO GOLD’S GYM IN COLUMBIA, SC

Ben Kelly, CCIM, and Patrick Chambers, both members of NAI Avant’s Brokerage Team, recently brokered the sale of 5.4 acres to Gold’s Gym. The property is located on W. Killian Road off I-77 in Columbia, SC. Kelly and Chambers represented the seller, I-77, LLC, in the transaction valued at $1,500,000. The purchaser, The Burriss Corporation, of Columbia, SC began construction a few weeks ago.

 

About NAI Avant

NAI Avant’s commercial real estate business is one of the largest in the Southeast.  With over 65 professionals, the firm provides comprehensive brokerage, leasing, development, property and project management services.  For nearly three consecutive decades, the group has had more of its brokerage professionals recognized as top producers or recipients of the top awards than any other firm in South Carolina. As a member of the NAI Global Network, NAI Avant is affiliated with over 350 offices and 5,000 professionals in 55 countries across the globe.  NAI Avant’s Property and Project Management Group currently manages a multi-million square foot portfolio of properties across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Through its Avant Healthcare Division, the firm provides comprehensive services to hospitals, clinics, and physician groups. NAI Avant, founded in 1966, is headquartered in Columbia, SC with an office in Charleston, SC. Find out more about NAI Avant and its services at www.naiavant.com. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @NAI Avant and like us on Facebook.