Easley Chamber of Commerce

Signature Pointe Apartment Homes hosts June 2010 Business after Hours

Pictured are: Michelle Gray, Signature Pointe Apartments presenting the door prize for business card drawing to Terrie Albright, Albright Associates

Signature Pointe Apartment Homes was the host for the June Business after Hours gathering of the Easley Chamber of Commerce. Signature Pointe Apartment Homes is 195 apartments located in nearby Piedmont SC. Michelle Gray, General Manager reported to the group of chamber members that they were 90% occupied with great tenants. A meal was provided by Bucky’s BBQ located in Donaldson Center. There were many first time attendees at this business after hours. Michelle offered tours to the model apartment and many chamber members went. It was announced that the next chamber business after hours would be July 8 and will be a speed networking event at First Citizens Bank on Calhoun Memorial Hwy.

Powdersville Council participates in 2010 Saluda River Rally

Pictured in Powdersville Council Tent: Sean Thornton, Cynthia Smoak, Celia Thompson with participating children.

The Powdersville Council of the Easley Chamber of Commerce had a good showing at the first Saluda River Kayak Rally in June. A fleet of Grady’s kayaks were on hand to welcome those new to the water sport. Sponsored by Anderson County Parks and Recreation, there was no cost for the event.

On Saturday, June 5th, they transported individuals 2.6 miles upstream and put in a the Saluda River Kayak club entrance and participants paddled and floated downstream to be taken out at the Dolly Cooper Sports Complex. On Sunday, kayakers paddled 9.2 miles from Dolly Cooper to the Town of Piedmont. The event offered early exposure to 12 miles of a 43 mile corridor development plan. Approximately 150 people participated in kayaks during the event.

Eight booths were on site at the Dolly Cooper Park with the Powdersville Council booth giving away bottled water, koozies, cookies/crackers, and chamber literature to attending kayakers. Powdersville council members also participated in the kayak run.

June 2010 Chamber Notes

CLICK HERE to download the entire June 2010 CHAMBER NOTES as a PDF file 

17th Annual Easley Chamber Golf Tournament a success!

With nineteen (19) teams and ten (10) sponsors on the tee boxes, participation was great for the 17th Annual Easley Chamber of Commerce golf tournament and business expo held at Smithfields Country Club on May 4. Lunch was provided by Bellacino’s and the steak dinner was prepared by Applebee’s.

Miss South Carolina, Kelly Sloan, Miss South Carolina Teen, Ali Rogers, and Miss Easley, Maegan Garner helped in the awards presentation as well as having photographs with each team.

For the first time, each team was professionally photographed by Southern Wesleyan University and quickly developed by Wal-Mart of Easley and the framed photography given to the team members at the awards banquet.

Southern Wesleyan University had four (4) of their golf team members on hole #5. Tournament players could purchase a drive from the SWU team member. They were routinely driving 290 yards.

Winning teams were:

Professional Flooring: Left to right: Kevin Chappell, Maegan Garner- Miss Easley, Ken Palmer, Wade Dodgens, Eric Chappell, Kelly Sloan-Miss SC

First Place: Professional Flooring – Kevin Chappell, Eric Chappell, Wade Dodgens, Ken Palmer
 

Second Award: TriCounty Technical College – John Lummus, Chase Christopher, Joe Hooper, John Powell

Third Award: Duke Energy – Emily DeRoberts, Mike Wilson, Scott Miller, Mike Panasko

Closest to pin given by CommunitySouth Bank: Ken Palmer
Longest driven given by SC Telco Federal Credit Union: Matt Porter

The 33 Tournament sponsors were:

17th annual golf tournament sponsors: Left: Ali Rogers, Miss SC Teen, right: Kelly Sloan, Miss South Carolina

Platinum Level

• Sulzer Process Pumps
• CPM Federal Credit Union
• Carlton Motorcars
• Signature Point Apartment Homes
• TriCounty Technical College
• Servpro
• City of Easley
• Duke Energy
• Easley Combined Utilities
• Baptist Easley Hospital
• Easley Living Center

Gold Level

• Greenwave Travel
• Southern Wesleyan University
• The People’s National Bank
• Garrison Tax and Business Service
• SunTrust Bank
• Wal-Mart
• Sardi’s Den
• Charter Business
• BB&T
• Dixie Lumber
• Sweet Creations
• Coca Cola
• Bilo
• Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet
• Verdae Green Golf Club
• Brights Creek Golf Club
• Sharp Business Solutions
• Techtronic Industries
• Land Rover of Greenville
• Allstate – Michael Dent agency
• CommunitySouth Bank
• SC Telco Federal Credit Union

CPM – “Anchor Team”: Left to right: Marc Metcalf, Drew Posta, Bill Billingham, Abe Emory

VIEW ALL 2010 GOLF PHOTOS>>> 

In this issue…

• Page 2: President’s Corner, June Calendar of Events, Business of the Month
• Page 3: Welcome New Members, Member Renewals, Business After Hours Scheduled, Ambassador of the Month
• Page 4: 3rd Thursday Luncheon, United Way Day of Action
• Page 6: Spotlight on… Easley Periodontics, Business After Hours, Valentin Occasions opens, Washington Issues Forum
• Page 7: Kevin Hill Allstate Agency Joins Easley Chamber, Meals on Wheels Holds Ribbon Cutting 

Coming Soon: the NEW 2010-2011 Easley Living Magazine

The EASLEY LIVING chamber magazine and membership directory is in the process of updating for 2010-2011. Our goal is to continuously improve this magazine. We will have new articles and photographs about the Easley and the Powdersville area that will be timely and attractive.

Many things will be happening in June in preparation for magazine delivery late August.

1. You may receive a call or visit from Gaela McGinnis, sales representative for Gannett Publishing, selling advertisements for our chamber annual business directory and magazine. Give Gaela your time and attention. Her phone number is 298-4288 if you want to contact her. Gaela will be aided by Stephanie Dachman, who may call you as well.
2. You should also go to the chamber’s website to the membership directory http://easleychamber.net/members/
   Look closely at your business entry on this website for accuracy. This will be in the EASLEY LIVING exactly as it is unless you correct to Fran Cape by June 21. Call Fran 859-2693 or email ecc@easleychamber.org.

Spotlight on Easley Periodontics

From left are Charles King, Jr., DMD, Wendy Roach, Bethany James and Maria Exposito.

Easley Periodontics located at 803 Brushy Creek Road, Easley, was established six years ago and is the first full time periodontal practice in Easley. As a native of Easley, Dr. King was pleased to be able to come back home to practice. The community has supported them very well and has demonstrated the need for a full time periodontal practice.

Easley Periodontics specializes in the treatment of all types of gum diseases, cosmetic gum procedures, and the surgical placement of dental implants. “The implant portion of the practice is where we spend the majority of our time because there is such a need for tooth replacement. We place implants for the single missing tooth all the way to multiple implants for full mouth rehabilitation. Our practice also spends a great deal of time getting patients ready for implants through extractions and bone grafting procedures. These procedures create better areas for implant placement. Most people do not realize how simple it can be to replace missing teeth or to stabilize a denture with dental implants,” stated Dr. King.

Easley Periodontics has a great staff consisting of a surgical assistant, dental hygienist, and office manager/insurance specialist that are extremely pleasant to work with and up to date in their respective areas. For further information contact the office at (864)855-2793 or visit www.easleyperiodontics.com.

Easley is a great place to live, work, and play and we appreciate all the support that our practice has been shown by the community and the local dentists.

June 2010 Ambassador of the Month

Pam Bridges

Pam Bridges has been selected as Ambassador of the Month for the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce. This award was earned through her attendance at various Chamber events and her efforts to contact new and/or existing Chamber members. She grew up in the Upstate and is married to Michael Bridges. They both live and work in Powdersville. She has two children, Valerie and Will, as well as three step-children, Wesley, Kayla and Hunter. They also have four grandchildren. Her hobbies include collecting antique cars and attending car shows with her husband.

Pam is a Personal Banker with First Citizens Bank and Trust and has served the past seven years in their office at 11063 Anderson Road in Powdersville and can be contacted at (864) 255-3701. She enjoys her job and looks forward to assisting her customers with their financial needs.

June 2010 President’s Corner

Economic Development

In recent weeks we have participated in two announcements of manufacturing coming to our area. Pickens County today announced that Allegro Industries will locate its new manufacturing facility in the Commerce Park. The $4.53 million investment is expected to generate 45 new jobs. The company will begin hiring for the positions in the fi rst quarter of 2011, which will include assemblers, packagers, technicians and offi ce staff. Allegro Industries will work with the Workforce One-Stop in Pickens County when the hiring process starts.

First quarter 2011 will also be the beginning of the new Easley Towne Center shopping center on highway 123. This $82 million project is expected to bring 900 new jobs to Easley. We all see the progress on the highway construction at the entrance to the Town Center.

The largest economic development investment in Anderson County recently was announced for a $1 billion First Quality Enterprises plant that is expected to bring up to 1,000 jobs in the next 10 years. First Quality produces paper products. The plant will be at the former BASF-Shaw Industries building in Anderson. This will have a positive effect on our Powdersville area as well as in our local economy.

I am seeing more jobs created in small businesses and more real estate and restaurant activity. We are not where we need to be in employment but the economy is slowly recovering and I remain optimistic for the economic future of our Greater Easley area.

Powdersville Self Storage holds Ribbon Cutting

From left are Janice Perry (Powdersville Water), Sophrona Chapman-manager, Dave Catlin, resident manager, Kent Dykes (Easley Chamber) and not shown Gina Sayegh, manager.

Powdersville Self Storage held a Ribbon Cutting ceremony with the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the completion of phase 2 of its expansion program, making it one of the largest operations in the upstate. Powdersville Self Storage is located at 11411 Anderson Road in Powdersville.

Co-manager Sophrona Chapman said that “the new building was a response to the business community’s request for larger units with higher and wider doors, so that’s what we have done”. According to Gina Sayegh another co-manager, the response has been very positive, with over 30% of the units rented before completion, mostly by local businesses who want to take advantage of our unique package. Resident manager David Caitlin added “this new building underscores our selection as the best self storage facility in the upstate for the last three years in a row as voted by the readers of the Greenville News, and we have a consistent five star rating from E-move, a nationwide reservation system.”

Office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday-Friday and Saturday 9am to 2pm. Clients have 24-7 access through keypad entry. For more information call 864-220-1898.

May 2010 Powdersville Council Luncheon

From left are Captain Darrell Hill and Sheriff John Skipper

The Powdersville Council Luncheon of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce held their monthly luncheon on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the Powdersville Library. The Luncheon was sponsored by Babb & Brown Law Firm located in Powdersville at 153 Commons Office Park, Suite B. Sheriff of Anderson County, John Skipper, was the guest speaker along with Captain Darrell Hill. Elected as Sheriff again in 2009, Mr. Skipper talked about dividing Anderson County into four regions, with a Captain over each region; 911 dispatchers now in the department of the sheriff; budget for 2011 & various expenditures; and gangs & organized crime. Question and answer period followed.

May 2010 – 3rd Thursday Luncheon

From left are Terry Harrington (SC Telco) and Coach Brad Brownell

The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce held the 3rd Thursday Luncheon meeting on May 20, 2010 at Dunburks Premier Events in downtown Easley. Babb & Brown Attorneys at law sponsored the event. There was a much larger turn out than usual, due to the fact that Clemson’s new Basketball coach Brad Brownell was the speaker. Coach Brownell recently moved to Clemson from Wright State in Dayton Ohio, where he had an impressive record. Coach Brownell said, “I want to be here at Clemson. It’s a dream come true for me. Something I’ve always wanted to do.” Not only does he want to win games, he realizes the importance of having a good education. 100% of his past players have graduated.

Terry Harrington (SC Telco) won the business card drawing at the luncheon and was the proud recipient of an autographed Clemson basketball by Coach Brad Brownell.