Two Seasoned Veterans Join Greater Columbia Chamber Staff

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of Lee Catoe as vice president and special assistant to the CEO for community affairs and Susan Vaughan McPherson as director of governmental affairs and regionalism. The addition of Catoe and McPherson will aid the Columbia Chamber in its efforts to promote and support its members and the local business community.

In his new role, Catoe will lead the Columbia Chamber in promoting a new direction for small businesses, assist with local business growth and expansion, and facilitate building relationships and memberships within the small business sector.  Additionally, he will support the Chamber’s government relations efforts, and implement special projects as assigned by Ike McLeese, president and CEO of the Columbia Chamber.

Prior to joining the Columbia Chamber, Catoe served as the director of the SC Department of Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Services, as well as commissioner of the SC Workers Compensation Commission for seven years, two of which as chairman. He also worked as the executive assistant to Gov. Carroll Campbell and was accountable for the management of the health & human services and economic opportunity divisions. In addition, Catoe advised the governor on matters involving race and human relations.

As director of governmental affairs and regionalism, McPherson serves as a liaison to local government officials and their staffs – city and county council, and statewide offices – to advocate business friendly platforms on behalf of the Columbia Chamber and its members. She works with the MIDSTATE Chambers Coalition to create alliances among the 18 chambers in an 11 county region to build stronger representation for businesses, as well as opportunities for economic growth and the creation of new jobs.  McPherson will also serve as the Director of the Military Affairs Committee supporting all military related activities.

McPherson has more than 35 years of experience in the field of public, employee, media and government relations.  Most recently she worked with International Paper’s Eastover Mill for 28 years and is a former member of the Chamber Board of Directors and a graduate of Leadership Columbia and Leadership Sumter. She actively volunteers her time with the Palmetto Health Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“We welcome the addition of Lee and Susan to our staff,” McLeese said. “They both have a significant amount of knowledge and experience and I am confident they will help continue to move the Chamber forward in a positive direction.”

Task force meeting to protect SC military bases from spending cuts

via TheState.com
By JEFF WILKINSON – jwilkinson@thestate.com

The South Carolina Military Base Task Force is set to meet today to discuss ways to protect the state’s installations from deep cuts proposed by the Obama administration and the Defense Department, particularly to the Army and Marines.

It will be the first time the task force has met since Haley took office more than a year ago.

Critics claimed that Haley, who didn’t make appointments to the board until about three weeks ago, was tardy in building a plan to preserve the $13 billion that is pumped into South Carolina’s economy each year by its four major bases in Columbia, Charleston, Sumter and Beaufort.

But the appointments — which include heavy hitters such as Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt and SC Adjutant Gen. Bob Livingston, as well as mayors, chamber of commerce heads and county council chairs from the four military communities — now pave the way for a state-wide strategy, said Maj. Gen. William “Dutch” Holland, a former commander of the Ninth Air Force, the planning and logistical arm of Air Force air power in the Middle East and Southwest Asia.

“I think we’re OK,” said Holland, now executive director of the Shaw-Sumter Partnership for Progress and a member of the task force. “This is good impetus to get us all together, lock the door … and decide where we want to go on a united basis.”

SC Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom is chairman of the committee.

Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey said Haley will work with the state’s federal delegation and the task force to protect SC military bases from cuts.

“It’s time to speak with one voice as we move to protect all of our military bases and defense programs,” he said in a release.

A spokeswoman for Commerce said both Hitt and deputy commerce secretary George Patrick — a retired major general and former executive coordinator of the task force — will attend today’s meeting.

“Secretary Hitt is keenly aware of the impact that the military presence has on South Carolina’s overall economy,” spokeswoman Amy Love said in a release.

In January, Obama and the Defense Department mandated $487 billion in cuts to the U.S. military over the next 10 years — cuts that are expected to impact South Carolina’s major military installations. And they and the Pentagon have asked for two more rounds of base closings and realignments, called BRAC, in 2013 and 2015.

A mutual effort between the state and the military communities paid off in the last round of BRAC, in 2005, when Fort Jackson and Shaw Air Force Base gained missions, most notably the national Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson and Third Army at Shaw.

Ike McLeese, president and CEO of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, said that in addition to fending off losses and positioning the installations to gain missions, the task force also needs to develop strategies for caring for service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and finding employment for those forced to leave the service.

Among the priorities are:

•  Finding jobs with the state for those forced to leave the service because of draw downs

•  Ensuring that returning SC National Guard members and Reservists retain their jobs or find new ones after deployment

•  Establishing a state-wide network for attaining those goals

“In the past we’ve targeted issues that were mental or physical in nature,” said McLeese, a task force member. “Now the thing that has moved to the No. 1 priority is helping them find jobs.”

Member News | Feb. 20 – 24

NICK STOMSKI, SIOR OF NAI AVANT FACILITATES INDUSTRIAL LEASE TRANSACTION

IN NORTHEAST COLUMBIA, SC

Nick Stomski, SIOR, Industrial Specialist for NAI Avant, recently represented the landlord in an Industrial Lease to Optimal Physical Performance, LLC. The property is located at 720 Old Clemson Road inside the Forum II Business Park. The tenant will occupy over 9,700 square feet.

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 Global is the largest independent commercial real estate service provider worldwide and a wholly owned subsidiary of C-III Capital Partners. 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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CALL FOR ENTRIES: STRUT YOUR JUNK AT RUNAWAY RUNWAY

A Columbia Design League fundraiser

The Columbia Design League (CDL), a Columbia Museum of Art membership affiliate group, announces a Call for Entries for its fifth annual Runaway Runway: A Recycled Fashion Show. Entry is open to everyone and the entry fee is $10. Garments must be made from recycled materials and entrants are required to attend a rehearsal on Thursday, April 19 at 6:00 p.m. The registration deadline is April 6. Raid your trash bins, recycling containers, and closets and come Strut Your Junk!

Runaway Runway is a design competition that brings together talented designers to turn trash into sustainable fashion treasures. The event is Columbia’s premiere spring fashion show and highlights the value of recycling and living green. Be a part of this fun and funky event that attracts a wide audience – from the young, hip and creative to long time patrons of the arts in Columbia. All come together to marvel at what designers can create from such a variety of used materials such as coffee filters, bottle caps, empty containers, industrial scraps, newspapers and plastic bags.

Runaway Runway: A Recycled Fashion Show is on Saturday, April 21 at the Township Auditorium. The Presenting sponsor is Palmetto Clean Energy (PaCE). Additional sponsors are Companion Global Healthcare, 360 Vodka/Fetzer and Ben Arnold, Revente/Sid & Nancy, Rosso Trattoria Italia and the Abacus Planning Group.

Runaway Runway reinforces the recycling message in a festive style. Collect your garbage and get out your sewing needle! To enter, visit www.columbiadesignleague.org .

For inspiration, get up close and personal with outfits from the 2011 Runaway Runway fashion show and learn about the conceptual and construction process behind each outfit at the Meet the Designers: Runaway Runway community gallery installation at the Museum. From a bubble wrap gown to a Mad Hatter spin-off, these creations feature post-consumer materials, range in theme and materials and are wild eco-friendly fashions! The installation opens with a CDL reception on Friday, April 6 and is on view through May 13.

Since 1997 the Columbia Design League has brought speakers from around the nation and around the corner to engage, challenge and inspire us all to appreciate the impact of design on our lives.  Join the Columbia Design League and become part of Columbia’s dynamic community of citizens who are working for a brighter future by design.  For more information about the Design League, visit  www.columbiadesignleague.org.

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Every Third Grader in Richland School District One Visits

the Columbia Museum of Art

in partnership with the City of Columbia’s Together We Can Read Initiative

 
In partnership with the City of Columbia’s Together We Can Read initiative and in collaboration with Richland County Public Library, every third grader in Richland School District One came to the Columbia Museum of Art this winter to experience a special program based on the portraits in the installation, Our Time, Our Place: Photographs of the Black South by Richard Samuel Roberts.

All District One third grade teachers received a Teaching Kit designed for K-12 teachers and students across the curriculum, with emphasis on social studies and visual arts. The kit was designed to provide teachers with resources that reinforce key concepts and curriculum for arts integrated classroom learning. The kit included images and educational materials based on the exhibition Our Time, Our Place. To provide a complete lesson, primary sources were included to bring the people, time period, and geography to life. These resources range from reproductions of city directories, which listed people by name, job description and address, advertisements in The Palmetto Leader, an African-American newspaper, census records and photographs of Columbia in the early 20th century. This is the first time the Museum’s education team developed such an extensive teaching tool.

“The teaching kit was a good precursor to what was to come. It was great for the children to see the photographs before the visit,” Jim LeBlanc, third grade teacher at Horrell Hill Elementary, said. “The students really enjoyed the art project, which kept them constantly engaged.”

This three-part field trip program included a guided tour of Our Time, Our Place and portraiture in the Museum’s Collection. Students pondered over questions like, why did the subject choose to wear that outfit?  What does the outfit tell us about the person? What occasion is being celebrated in this picture?

“Seeing all the pictures and the portraits was my favorite part of the day,” Nekyra from Horrell Hill Elementary, said.

Following the tour, students created a story square, in the studios, using images from the installation.  This mixed media project required students to further dissect the image by adding words to their work to describe the subject and creating their own interpretation of Roberts’ portraits.  Each program concluded with award-winning, local author Dinah Johnson leading a storytelling session centered on her book, All Around Town, which features the photographs of Richard Samuel Roberts.

“Through this partnership, we have inspired nearly 2,000 third graders in Columbia to think creatively about local history,” Kerry Kuhlkin-Hornsby, director of education, said. “With connections to Columbia, African-American history and photography, students, educators and the community were engaged in this important subject and we hope it becomes part of their collective dialogue.”

Together We Can Read ends February 23, when the City of Columbia presents every third grader with an autographed copy of All Around Town to encourage them to continue reading and learning from the works of Richard Samuel Roberts.

Our Time, Our Place: Photographs of the Black South by Richard Samuel Roberts

Last December, the Columbia Museum of Art proudly unveiled an installation of 24 photographs selected by the board of the Museum membership affiliate group, Friends of African-American Art and Culture as well as members of the community, including Mayor Steve Benjamin. Our Time, Our Place: Photographs of the Black South by Richard Samuel Roberts features South Carolina photographer Richard Samuel Roberts, who captured some of the most realistic collective images of African-American life in the early 20th century, especially the rise of the economically secure middle class. Roberts’ photographs comprise a stunning visual history of the African-American community in Columbia. He frequently took his camera into the heart of the segregated Black District of Columbia and also to other towns and cities in the state. He photographed every facet of his community including bankers, teachers, social workers and even magicians. The images illustrate the richness and diversity of Roberts’ oeuvre and are just a fraction of the more than ten thousand images he is estimated to have made during his career. Our Time, Our Place is on view through April 29, 2012.

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AI AVANT BROKERS SALE OF TOWNHOMES IN THE PARKS AT RIVERS EDGE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC

David Ingle, Senior Broker with NAI Avant’s Charleston Office, recently brokered the sale of 20 Townhomes located on Weld Street in North Charleston, 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 Global is the largest independent commercial real estate service provider worldwide and a wholly owned subsidiary of C-III Capital Partners. 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.

News: Statement on Establishment of State Ports Authority Harbor Deepening Reserve Fund by House Ways and Means Committee

“We are most appreciative of the members of House Ways and Means Committee for recognizing the importance of our state’s harbors by establishing the State Ports Authority Harbor Deepening Reserve Fund. Modernizing our harbors is essential to meet the demands of global trade and to fulfill the Ports Authority’s mission of fostering economic activity and job creation in our state.

The Charleston Harbor Deepening Project offers the best value for a true post-Panamax harbor in the entire Southeast region, and we commend the Ways and Means Committee for their strong support for a deepened shipping channel in Charleston.”

Bill Stern, Chairman

Jim Newsome, President and CEO

South Carolina Ports Authority

Chamber’s Issue Committee Recap

The Chamber’s Issues Committee met on Tuesday, February 07, 2012 with 42 Chamber members in attendance.

The topics discussed were as follows:

The “Bill Wylie Entrepreneurship Act”  or SC Angel Tax Credit:  The Committee discussed this issue and will further discuss at the March meeting to determine the Committee’s level of support.  Currently the bill is in Senate Finance, H.3779; it was passed by the House last year.

The False Claims Act, Public Fraud Legislation:  The Committee voted to not support the bill as currently drafted.  The Chamber Executive Committee voted to “oppose” the bill to confirm that  this issue does not support our business friendly agenda.  S1003 and S1018 are both in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee. They have not been introduced in the House.

The SC Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act:  The Committee voted unanimously to support this bill when it is introduced.  The Chamber Executive Committee withheld approval pending a determination of the positions of the SC Chamber and building and commercial real estate associations. Ike McLeese informed Rep Smith of the Committee’s decision.

Ike McLeese reviewed the Base Realignment and Closure Report and highlighted local efforts to prepare for this round of review.

The next Chamber Issues Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 8am, Palmetto Room at the Chamber.  Contact Susan Vaughan McPherson, 733-1148 for additional information.

Member News | Feb. 13 – 17

MITSUBISHI CATERPILLAR FORKLIFT AMERICA INC. ANNOUNCES REPRESENTATION CHANGES FOR CAT® LIFT TRUCKS, MITSUBISHI FORKLIFT TRUCKS AND JUNGHEINRICH® MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA

Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA) announced today that it has appointed G&W Equipment, Inc. to represent its three flagship brands (Cat® lift trucks, Mitsubishi forklift trucks and Jungheinrich® warehouse products) in the western portion of North Carolina and South Carolina.

G&W Equipment, Inc. was founded in 1963 and has been under current ownership of the Mike Sabbagh family since 1988. They have been a Mitsubishi forklift truck dealer in this same territory since 1997, with facilities in Charlotte and Greensboro, North Carolina, and Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina.

“G&W Equipment has been a longstanding and reliable partner to MCFA for more than a decade,” said Kent Eudy, vice president for sales and marketing at MCFA. “Their experience with our Mitsubishi forklift truck brand of products allows for a seamless transition over to representation of Cat lift trucks and Jungheinrich brands.”

MCFA has awarded G&W Equipment their prestigious “Five Star Customer Service” award on numerous occasions. G&W is also a perennial “Dealer of Excellence”, having achieved ‘Dealer of the Year’ status multiple times in the past 15 years of service.

“Loyal users of Cat lift trucks and Jungheinrich forklifts can rest assured that the G&W team is well prepared to carry on the longstanding tradition of excellence and dependability they have come to expect from our products,” said Eudy.

 G&W Equipment, Inc. will immediately assume representation responsibilities for all MCFA brands in the western portion of North Carolina and South Carolina, while Gregory Poole Equipment Company continues their tradition of excellent representation for the brands in the eastern portion of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

About Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA)

Manufacturer of Industry-Leading Material Handling Equipment Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA) is a leading manufacturer of forklifts in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Latin America. Based in Houston, Texas, the company distributes three distinct brands – Mitsubishi forklift trucks, Cat® lift trucks and Jungheinrich® warehouse products. MCFA features the industry’s most extensive dealer network in North, Central and South America. The company provides customers with quality lift truck products that range from warehousing to industrial applications and are backed by industry-leading customer service. For more information about MCFA or any of the brands it manufactures and distributes, visit www.mcfa.com, www.cat-lift.com, www.jungheinrich-lift.com or www.mitlift.com.

About G&W Equipment, Inc.

Based in Charlotte, NC, G&W Equipment Inc. was founded in 1963 and has been under current ownership of the Mike Sabbagh family since 1988. In addition to representing MCFA brands of material handling equipment, G&W specializes in aftermarket replacement parts support and service for all makes and models of forklifts. With their experienced and well trained service technician team, G&W places particular emphasis on highly sophisticated systems installations and maintenance. For more information, visit their website at: www.gwequip.com.

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NAI AVANT REPORTS STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN COLUMBIA

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

For the sixth straight month employment showed positive growth in the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area. In December 2011, 348,500 persons were employed – 21,600 short of the peak in 2007, according to NAI Avant’s Columbia Commercial Real Estate Report. This positive trend was a contributing factor to the performance of Columbia’s commercial real estate market which ended the fourth quarter with positive net absorption in all market segments.

The Industrial market segment ended the fourth quarter 2011 with a net absorption of 792,756 square feet, representing the best quarterly performance of 2011, although the vacancy rate increased to 10.6 percent.

The office market ended the fourth quarter with an 8.9 percent vacancy rate, slightly down from the previous quarter. Net absorption was positive 134,496 square feet in the fourth quarter, compared to negative 56,609 square feet in the third quarter.

The retail market saw little change from the previous quarter. Vacancy edged to 6.5 percent in the fourth quarter compared to 6.4 percent in the third quarter. Net absorption was positive 41,778 square feet in the fourth quarter.

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 Global is the largest independent commercial real estate service provider worldwide and a wholly owned subsidiary of C-III Capital Partners. 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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CHARLESTON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEMONSTRATES BROAD BASED SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT

NAI Avant’s fourth quarter 2011 report notes broad based substantial improvement in industrial, office and retail markets.

The industrial market ended the year with an overall vacancy rate of 9.5 percent, down from the third, second and first quarters ending at 9.9 percent, 10.2 percent and 11 percent, respectively.  Net absorption was positive 520,100 square feet for the fourth quarter.

Overall vacancy rate for the Charleston office market was down 0.5 percent from the previous quarter, ending at 8.0 percent. Net absorption totaled positive 195,405 square feet, up from the third quarter at 83,547. Class A properties reported a slight decrease in vacancy rate ending at 9.7 percent and Class B properties reported a 9.6 percent vacancy also down from the previous quarter. The overall vacancy rate in downtown Charleston at the end of the fourth quarter decreased to 4.7 percent.

The retail sector vacancy rate decreased 0.2 percent from the third quarter, ending at 5.4 percent. Net absorption was strong in the fourth quarter totaling 208,817 square feet, up from the previous quarter of positive 131,094 square feet.

“The Charleston Metro Market has experienced employment growth for 18 consecutive months triggering a substantial decrease in all market segment vacancies. We anticipate this trend will continue throughout 2012 accelerating sales and leasing deal velocity,” said David Grubbs, Managing Principal and Broker-In-Charge of the NAI Avant Charleston Office.

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 Global is the largest independent commercial real estate service provider worldwide and a wholly owned subsidiary of C-III Capital Partners. 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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MAJOR GENERAL ABRAHAM TURNER TO PRESENT KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina announced today that Major General Abraham Turner, Executive Director of the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, will present the keynote address at the 2012 Goodwill Partners in the Power of Work luncheon on March 28, 2012 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Major General Abraham J. Turner was appointed to serve as the Executive Director of the SC Department of Employment and Workforce by Governor Nikki Haley in May 2011.  He is responsible for the overall administration and management of the Department.  One of his major focuses is, “putting South Carolinians back to work.”

Prior to his appointment, General Turner served as chief of staff of the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska.  From 2004 to 2005, he served as the commanding general at Fort Jackson, where he was responsible for training half of all soldiers entering the Army each year.  His experience also includes service as chief operations officer for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, Virginia; assistant division commander for operations for the 82^nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; chief and head of the Army Liaison Element for the U.S. House of Representatives; and adviser and special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State in Washington, D.C.

Partners in the Power of Work will honor Midlands Technical College, The United Way of the Midlands, and the Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina Office for the Study of Aging their dedication to helping thousands of South Carolina citizens achieve independence through employment each year.  Each of these organizations is a significant partner in Goodwill’s job training and placement programs in the Midlands and has contributed directly to the success of the individuals who have benefitted from Goodwill’s employment services.   They have shared their time, talents, and resources – both financial and educational – to help people in the Midlands change their lives through the Power of Work.

For additional information or to purchase tickets for the event, please visit www.goodwillsc.org/powerofwork.

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NAI AVANT CONSUMMATES LEASE TRANSACTION WITH MARINE ENGINEERING FIRM, AMEE BAY

NAI Avant’s Charleston office recently facilitated the lease transaction with Amee Bay, LLC, of Anchorage, Alaska. The marine engineering firm will occupy 40,000 square feet of space at 915 Commerce Circle in Hanahan, SC.

About Amme Bay

Amee Bay, LLC, provides customers with effective commercial and maritime engineering, while maximizing maintenance solutions. Amme Bay, LLC is headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, with an operational office in Charleston, SC. Other facilities are strategically located near maritime and naval activity including: Norfolk, VA; San Diego, CA; Mayport, FL and Wasilla, AK.

 

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 Global is the largest independent commercial real estate service provider worldwide and a wholly owned subsidiary of C-III Capital Partners. 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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NICK STOMSKI, SIOR ACHIEVES SIOR DESIGNATION FROM SOCIETY OF INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE REALTORS®

Nick Stomski, SIOR of NAI Avant has achieved the SIOR Industrial designation awarded by the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors®. SIOR is a Washington, DC – based international professional organization of more than 3,000 commercial real estate professionals, 2,800 of whom have earned the coveted SIOR designation.

To achieve the SIOR designation, Stomski, SIOR, completed at least five years of creditable experience in the highly specialized field of industrial real estate; met stringent education requirements; and demonstrated professional ability, competency, ethical conduct, and personal integrity.

Individuals who hold the SIOR designation are top producers in the commercial real estate field and are represented in more than 630 cities in 29 countries around the world. SIOR enforces a strict code of ethics and required designees to complete its ethics course within their first three years of membership.

Nick has been active in commercial real estate with NAI Avant for over five years and was named a 2010 Columbia Region Top Industrial Leasing Broker by the CoStar Group. In the last 36 months Nick has completed over 100 transactions and was named the Top Broker for NAI Avant this past quarter.

 

About Society of Industrial and Office Realtors®

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors® (SIOR) is a global professional organization that certifies commercial real estate service providers with the exclusive SIOR designation. Individuals who earn their SIOR designation adhere to the highest levels of accountability and ethical standards. Only the industry’s top professional qualify for the SIOR. Today, there are 3,000 SIOR members in 630 cities in 29 countries.

 

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 Global is the largest independent commercial real estate service provider worldwide and a wholly owned subsidiary of C-III Capital Partners. 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.

MIDSTATE Chambers Coalition Announces 2012 Initiatives at Legislative Luncheon

COLUMBIA, S.C. - More than 75 people gathered Wednesday for the MIDSTATE Chambers Coalition Legislators Luncheon to hear an overview of the organization’s 2012 legislative initiatives, as well as issues impacting the Midstate region.

Legislative members from 11 counties across the MIDSTATE attended the event to hear from Chamber presidents on key issues such as nuclear industry workforce development, military base support, transportation infrastructure, creating a business friendly region and our ports.

“It was remarkable to have 35 elected officials and 40 Chamber leaders in attendance at our first MIDSTATE Chambers Coalition luncheon,” said Randy Halfacre, President/CEO of the Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center. “Together, we can make a tremendous difference to bring about positive change that encourages growth and development, leading to job creation and enhanced quality of life. I am excited about our opportunities and the strength we share when we focus on common issues for the good of the region.”

The MIDSTATE Chambers Coalition comprises more than 1.3 million people and a labor force of over 520,000; more than 70,000 students attending 19 colleges and universities; home to 9 airports; four interstate highways; 3 major military bases whose presence contributes over $7.1 billion annually to the local economy; 8 full service hospitals with more than 2500 beds; 75 international companies and over 100 corporate headquarters. The MIDSTATE region is represented by one-fourth of the state House of Representatives and one-third of the state Senate.

“It is vitally important that the Chambers have come together for the good of the entire region”, remarked Representative Todd Atwater, House of Representatives, Lexington County.  “The MIDSTATE Coalition has hit the target by identifying the largest issues with potential to impact our region and developed strategic plans to work those areas to encourage economic growth, jobs creation and a business friendly climate.  I applaud the Chambers for coming together to make this a true effort on behalf of our region.”

The MIDSTATE Chambers Coalition is a collaboration of the Batesburg-Leesville Chamber of Commerce & Visitors’ Center, Edgefield County Chamber, Fairfield County Chamber, Greater Aiken Chamber, Greater Blythewood Chamber, Greater Chapin Chamber, Greater Columbia Chamber, Greater Irmo Chamber & Visitor’s Center, Greater Lexington Chamber & Visitors Center, Greater Sumter Chamber, Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, Lake Murray Chamber, Newberry County Chamber, Greater North Augusta Chamber, Orangeburg County Chamber, Saluda County Chamber, Tri-County Regional Chamber, Calhoun County Chamber, and the West Metro Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center.

For a full report on the topics discussed at the luncheon, click here.

For more information about the MIDSTATE Chambers Coalition, please visit www.midstatechamberscoalition.org or contact Susan Vaughan McPherson at 803.733.1148 or SMcPherson@Columbiachamber.com.

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Member News | Feb. 6 – 10

Columbia Business Monthly Names 50 Most Influential People of 2011

Columbia Business Monthly was delighted to host a reception to honor its 50 Most Influential People of 2011 on Thursday, February 2, 2012. The intimate, invitation-only event recognizes the hardworking men and women of the Midlands who have significantly impacted their organizations or communities during the past year.

Nominations for the honor were accepted from throughout the Midlands, and submissions were evaluated by an expert panel familiar with the Columbia business community. The choices acknowledge important work that was begun, continued, or completed in 2011 in the fields of business, government, education, and nonprofit service. When several people collaborated on a deal, project, initiative, or event, they were grouped as a single entry.

The reception – held at and catered by the Capital City Club in downtown Columbia – was supported by SCANA (presenting sponsor), Lexington Medical Center (gold sponsor), and Midlands Technical College (silver sponsor).

For more information on Columbia Business Monthly’s 50 Most Influential People, visit http://www.columbiabusinessmonthly.com/People/50-Most-Influential.aspx, call 803-731-7794, or email rhondahewson@columbiabusinessmonthly.com.

Those professionals honored as the Most Influential People of 2011 are as follows:

Nikki Haley – Governor of SC Bobby Hitt –SC Dept. of Commerce Duane Parrish – SCPRT Jenny Martin – Southern Savers Merritt McHaffie – Five Points Association Ric Luber – Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism Otis Rawl – SC Chamber of Commerce Randy Halfacre – Lexington Chamber of Commerce Cathy Novinger – Palmetto AgriBusiness Council Dick Wilkerson – Michelin North America Miriam Hair – Municipal Association of SC Paula Harper Bethea – SC Education Lottery Dr. Belinda Gergel –Columbia City Council Don Tomlin – Tomlin & Company, Inc. Matt Kennell, David Lockwood – City Center Partnership Neil McLean – EngenuitySC Derrik Huggins – USC Chief Justice Jean Toal – Supreme Court of SC Judy Davis – BlueCross BlueShield of SC Dr. Darrel Staat, Susan Pretulak – SC Technical College System Dr. Harris Pastides, Patricia Moore-Pastides – USC Darla Moore, Dr. Hildy Teegen – Moore School of Business Dr. Sonny White – Midlands Technical College Don Herriott – Innovista Steve Benjamin, DeAndrea Benjamin – City of Columbia Bill Mahoney, Dave McNamara – SCRA and SC Launch Terry Brown, Joe Edens – EDENS Mike Briggs, Jim Apple – Central SC Alliance Dave Clark – Amazon.com Steve Gantt, Teresa Wilson – City of Columbia Randy Horn, Kevin Marsh – Colonial Life & SCANA Harry Ott – SC House of Representatives Gregg Robinson, Chuck Whipple, Nelson Lindsay, John Truluck – County Economic Developers Wesley Donehue, Joel Sawyer – Political Consultants Kenny Bingham – SC House of Representatives Mick Zais – SC Dept. of Education Bakari Sellers – SC House of Representatives Chad Connelly, Dick Harpootlian – Political Party Chairs Bobby Harrell – SC House of Representatives Ike McLeese, Mike Brenan – Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Bill Kennedy, Lou Kennedy – Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. JoAnn Turnquist, Hagood Tighe – Central Carolina Community Foundation Jeffrey Graham, Charlene Herring – Camden and Ridgeway Michael Couick – Electric Cooperatives of SC George Fletcher – New Carolina Dr. Karen Woodward – Lexington School District One Mac Bennett, Jim Lehman, Sarena Burch – United Way of the Midlands George A. Zara – Providence Hospitals Charles D. Beaman, Jr. – Palmetto Health Michael J. Biediger – Lexington Medical Center

About Columbia Business Monthly

Columbia Business Monthly, a publication of Integrated Media Publishing, is the only Columbia monthly dedicated to delivering an insightful perspective on the business of our community. Our content introduces readers to local business leaders – people to watch and people making a difference – and takes them behind the scenes to learn about the businesses that sustain Columbia and move it forward. With the help of industry experts, we look at national trends and their local impact, revealing Columbia’s place in a changing business climate. For more information, visit www.columbiabusinessmonthly.com or contact Rhonda Hewson, CBM publisher, at 803-731-7794.

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Mashburn Construction Selected for Cross Hill Market Project, including the Midlands’ First Whole Foods Market

Mashburn Construction has been selected by EDENS for the Cross Hill Market project in Columbia, South Carolina. The new retail development will be approximately 75,000 SF and will feature the first Whole Foods Market in the area.

Mashburn’s scope includes renovation work of a former grocery store to prepare for the Whole Foods Market. The new construction phase includes 4 new buildings; 2 will be attached to the Whole Foods Market and 2 will be outparcel retail buildings. The center will feature a unique architectural style and will be a pedestrian friendly retail experience.

Mashburn’s Executive Vice President, Lee Mashburn commented, “We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting project for the Columbia area and its residents. This just goes to show how much Columbia is growing and how well our community supports high quality developments like Cross Hill Market.”

Chamber, city care for existing firms

Published in the Feb. 6, 2012 edition of the
Columbia Regional Business Report

By C. Grant Jackson
Senior Vice President/Community Development
Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce

On one of his very first business calls, John Mikula, senior vice president for existing business retention and expansion at the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, learned of a problem at Nucor Building Systems in Swansea. Then plant manager Al Behr told Mikula that he was having trouble hiring welders and CAD operators.

Mikula put Nucor together with MEBA, the Midlands Education and Business Alliance, and Midlands Technical College to create a program to fill the company’s labor pipeline.  MEBA would bring high school teachers to the plant to show them what manufacturing was really about. Nucor would send welders and CAD operators into high schools for a show and tell that would include students actually doing some welding. Midlands Tech would supply the programs to teach the skills.  Those skilled workers can make upwards of $80,000 a year.

Nucor now has an ongoing program to keep its pipeline full.

Taking care of existing businesses is critical to any community’s economic health. Multiple studies have shown that the majority of jobs in any community are created by existing businesses. A report compiled by the Lowe Foundation’s Institute for Exceptional Growth Companies found that existing businesses generated 71% more new jobs than startups between 1990 and 2008.

“Coordinating existing and future business growth requirements,” is one of the goals of the Navigating from Good to Great Foundation. Under the direction of the foundation, the Columbia chamber approached the City of Columbia in 2008 about collaborating on Business in Motion, an existing business retention and expansion program.

More than 300 businesses across the region have been interviewed using a standard questionnaire. The city paid for a database that is used to analyze results of those interviews. City economic development employee Ryan Coleman helped develop the program and handles the interviewing and data input and analysis along with Mikula. But note that businesses don’t have to be located within the city limits to be interviewed and have their answers entered into the database.  Kudos to the city.

“From the beginning we saw the value of a regional approach to the BR&E program, a vital part of our economic development strategy. The Chamber has proven to be a fantastic partner with its access to businesses throughout the community,” said Jim Gambrell, director of economic development for the city.

Coleman and Mikula have been able to uncover problems at individual businesses, such as the workforce issue at Nucor, and help find solutions. But the database analysis has led to problem-solving on a larger scale.  Reports based on data gathered in 2008 and in 2009 showed significant concern with business services, i.e. zoning, permitting, licensing, inspections, etc., in both Columbia and Richland County.

The result of those reports was to establish a Business Services Review Task Force, comprising three members each from the city of Columbia, Richland County and the chamber of commerce.

The task force, which is chaired by David Brandes of Genesis Consulting Group, hopes to release recommendations in a couple of months that will focus on improving customer service, overhauling some procedures and changing some regulations. Recommendations will be for both the city and county and will be aimed at making it easier to do business within each jurisdiction.

While continuing interviews with many businesses, Coleman and Mikula have taken on some targeted projects.

A Business in Motion analysis of the Columbia area’s insurance technology and services industry revealed a regional industry with 12,000 jobs at an average yearly salary of $62,000. The study was undertaken at the behest of iTs|SC Columbia’s insurance technology and services cluster to gather hard data on an industry segment that anecdotally we’ve always believed was quite impactful. But until the Business in Motion study, iTs|SC had no hard data to back up that claim.

Recently, Business in Motion has undertaken a study of the nuclear industry. Within 15 years $40 billion will be invested in nuclear power generation within 100 miles of Columbia. With SCANA’s construction of two reactors in Jenkinsville and the Westinghouse nuclear fuel production facility in Richland County, the region has a significant nuclear base.

The care and feeding of existing business is indeed a critical piece of our economic development puzzle. Solving real problems for businesses in our region means those businesses are much more likely to stay here and to grow here.

HIRING OUR HEROS COMES TO COLUMBIA MARCH 6

COLUMBIA, SC – The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to help sponsor the Hiring Our Heroes event on Tuesday, Mar. 6, 2012.  The one-of-a-kind FREE hiring fair will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MG Robert. B. Solomon Center located at 6510 Strom Thurmond Blvd., Fort Jackson. The event is for veteran job seekers, active duty military members, Guard and Reserve members and eligible spouses.

Employers and job seekers must pre-register for FREE at HoH.GreatJob.net. Job seekers attending the fair are urged to upload their resume prior to the event, as it will be distributed to employers the week of the hiring fair.

Hiring Our Heroes is being conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment & Training Service (DOL VETS), Fort Jackson, The Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP), South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce Veterans Services (SCDEW), South Carolina National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, South Carolina Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces, Army Community Services, FN Manufacturing, WACH Fox and the State Media Company.

If you’d like to learn more about the Hiring Our Heroes national program click here.

If you need assistance registering, please email hiringourheroes@uschamber.com.

To volunteer at the event visit the Columbia Chamber website.

To become a member or to learn more about the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, as well as its events, programs and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com. You can also visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ColumbiaChamber.

About the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, membership-driven organization comprised of 1,500 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its members and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its members through networking, professional development, advocacy and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.

To become a member or to learn more about the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, as well as its events, programs and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com.

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