From left on front row are David Snyder (Merrill Lynch), Kelli McConnell, Kelly & Kandi Hunt, Libby Grayson, Jackie Roulette and Eric Carnell (BB&T). From left on back row are Janice Perry (Powdersville Water), Nancy Burgess (AXA Advisors), Kent Dykes (President Easley Chamber), Gordon Brush (Powdersville Water) and Tracy Woodruff (Certus).

The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors selected Kelly’s Family Pharmacy as Business of the Month for January. Kelly’s Family Pharmacy opened in 2008 at 704 Brushy Creek Road in Easley with a goal to provide a service that the customers want and need.

Kelly’s Family Pharmacy accepts all prescription drug insurance plans; offers free delivery to Easley residents and a small $3 charge outside Easley City limits and they have two drive-thru windows to speed pick up of prescriptions. Recently they have expanded their services to 1005 Grove Road in Greenville. Call them for more information at 343-0540.

Pictured from left areRyan Kouvolo(Max PT), Jim Wilson (EDI), Grace Gibson, Eric Carnell (BB&T), Alfred Robinson, Dorothy Boroughs, Steven Lambright (Miracle Hill), Pam Martin,Kent Dykes(President Easley Chamber) and David Snyder (Merrill Lynch)

The board of directors of the Easley Chamber of Commerce selected Robinson Company located at 215 W. Main Street in Easley to be the Business of the Month for December. Robinson’s is one of the oldest members of the Easley Chamber having helped start the Easley Chamber after WWII in 1947.   Mr. W.A. Robinson was a director on this first board and the chamber office was located in a room above Robinson’s.

Robinson Company is the #1 specialty store in North America for Jim’s Formal wear rentals.  Robinson’s was the sponsor for Hospice of the Upstate fashion show fundraiser held on November 9 atBrushyCreekBaptistChurch.   Robinson’s also contributed gift certificates for the recent Boy Scout auction fundraiser, as well as being a long time sponsor of the Easley Greenwave Program.

From left are David Snyder, Marilyn Bowers, Don Crews, Chris Bowers, Steven Lambright, Randy Bowers, Kent Dykes (President Easley Chamber) and Janice Perry

Bowers Services selected Business of the Month

The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors selected Bowers Services as Business of the Month for November 2011. Bowers Emergency Services, established in 1986, and Bowers Signature Services, established in July 2010, are very active in the Easley community as well as the upstate.

Bowers Emergency Services was a title sponsor for the Inaugural National Kidney Foundation Upstate Walk in May, 2011. Bowers is a sponsor for Easley Downtown events; donates transportation to the baseball teams during the Big League Baseball World Series; sponsor for the Baptist Easley Foundation Gala; involved with the delivery of Meals on Wheels and sponsored the conference room at Tri-County Tech to name a few of the contributions.

From left are Janice Perry (Powdersville Water), David Whittemore, Christy Campbell, Daniel Harrison, Melissa Harrison, Kent Dykes (President, Easley Chamber) and Steven Lambright (Miracle Hill)

The Board of Directors of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce selected McDonald’s as Business of the Month for October. McDonald’s has recently expanded their restaurant to a new “supersized” 7,000 sq. ft. location at 5634 Calhoun Memorial Hwy in Easley. McDonald’s has also increased their employment to 150 people. McDonald’s is a member of the Easley Chamber of Commerce and is actively involved in supporting community events by donating money through various activities at local schools, churches and the children sections of local hospitals.

Pictured from left: Brandon Bandy, Barbara Robinson, Staci Bradley, Bobby Roper, Janice Perry (Powdersville Water), Kent Dykes (President of Easley Chamber), and John Cutchin (owner).

The board of directors of the Easley Chamber of Commerce selected Palmetto Plating Company, Inc. located at 510 Saco Lowell Rd. in Easley to be the Business of the Month for September. This long-time standing member in the Easley Chamber of Commerce has been recognized for their superior capabilities and excellent customer service in a top industry publication: Metal Finishing.

John Cutchin founded Palmetto Plating in 1964 and they have been providing plating and finishing needs of all kinds since then. Cutchin comments, “We are constantly looking for new ways to better serve our customers by improving efficiency and investing in technology.” By having such a diverse customer base, the ability to meet the unique customer needs, and continually exploring new technology and processes, Palmetto Plating will surely remain an industry leader for years to come.

From left Alex Dye, Todd Merriss, Valerie Ison, Lisa Smith, Julia Ellenberg, Beverly Pressley, Carla Kay, Melissa Owen, Erin Mobley, Terressa Batson and Ernie Fortner

The Board of Directors of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce selected The Peoples National Bank as Business of the Month for August. The People Bank has been a long-standing active member in the Easley Chamber-contributing $25,000 to the Chamber’s capital campaign fund for their new location on East Main Street. This month The Peoples Bank has reached a milestone of 25 years of continuous service in Easley.

Numerous community outreach efforts by People’s staff include support via board memberships, volunteering time or direct fundraising for the United Way, Juvenile Diabetes Research, Habitat for Humanity, America Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, Prevent Child Abuse, Feed a Hungry Child, United Christian Ministries, Samaritan’s Health Clinic, Mary’s House, Miracle Hill Children’s Home, YMCA, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Baptist Easley Hospital Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Club & many more.

Pictured on front row L to R: Ryan Kouvolo-ambassador, Jim Daly- V.P. of Human Resources-Reliable Sprinkler, Michael Fee –V.P./Owner-Reliable Sprinkler, Bill Kirkpatrick-Senior V.P. Manufacturing- Reliable Sprinkler, Will Franks- V.P. Production-Reliable Sprinkler, Dr. Brian Swords-chamber director. Second row L to R: Roger Powell-Human Resources Mgr.-Reliable Sprinkler, Don Crews-ambassador, Steven Lambright-ambassadors, Joan Beal-ambassador, Terrie Albright-ambassador, Kent Dykes-chamber President.

The board of directors of the Easley Chamber of Commerce selected The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company, Inc. as the July Business of the Month.

The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company, Inc. is the largest manufacturing employer in Pickens County. They are also the largest privately owned fire sprinkler manufacturer in the world, according to Michael Fee, co-owner of the company. They were selected because of the many contributions given to local charities and specifically for the recent pledge of $50,000 over a five (5) year period to the Tri County Technical College.

The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company, Inc. is located in the Pickens County Commerce Park at 1470 Smith Grove Road, Liberty, SC 29657.

Pictured are employees of Walmart headed by Lee Jolly, General Manager, and Easley Chamber of Commerce Directors and Ambassadors

The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously to select Walmart as Business of the Month for June. Walmart Super Center held a grand opening April 13, 2011, in the new Easley Towne Center, increasing its employment by 200 to over 400 people from our community.

Walmart has donated back to the community since then with generous donations to local charities, schools and businesses. Some examples of the donations were to the following: SHINE, Dacusville Middle School, Easley High School, West End School, Pickens County Library System, City of Easley Fire Department, City of Easley Police Dept, Hospice of the Upstate, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County, United Way, March of Dimes, School Dist. of Pickens County and the Pickens County Humane Society to name a few.

Front row from left Eric Carnell (BB&T), Kent Dykes (Easley Chamber), Robin Gore, Suzanne Childs, Ann Wilson, Janice Perry, Terressa Batson. Back row from left Scott Dunn (First Citizens), Wayne Atkinson, Craig Williams (First Citizens), Gordon Brush, Tracy Wyatt, Dyke Spencer, Donnie Nabors, Chris Rasco, Ernest Evans

Powdersville Water District is Celebrating their 40th anniversary in May. Some of the recent statewide awards their employees have received are Justin Clemones (Compliance Specialist) received State Water Distribution Operator of the Year award from South Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association (SCAWWA) Powdersville Water District was the recipient of the Kelly Hunsucker award for backflow prevention from the South Carolina Section of the SCAWWA. Janice Perry received Office Manager of the Year Award from South Carolina Rural Water Association.

The Powdersville Water District also has had a positive impact on the community by starting the H20 (Help 2 Others) Program along with several other local public water companies. Through a partnership with Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM), PWD customers may elect to donate a small amount for this charitable cause by simply rounding up their bills to the nearest whole dollar amount.

Members of the water district serve the chambers of commerce. Gordon Brush is a member of the Board as well as past chairman of the Powdersville Business Council.
Janice Perry has been an Ambassador of the Month two times in the last year. Dyke Spencer is on the Board at the Anderson Chamber of Commerce.

Pictured are: Goodwill associates – Rosa Fraley, Art Hodge, Ronnie Brown, Patrick Pruitt, Raymond Hatley, Melanie Gearhart, Bailey Vinson – Miss Easley Teen, along with Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and Powdersville Business Council members.

The board of directors of the Easley Chamber of Commerce selected Goodwill Industries and their Job Connections branch in Powdersville as the April Business of the Month.

Since the Powdersville location opened on January 13^th, more than 1000 people have received guidance and support in their job search through the Goodwill Job Connection.  Of those, at least 221 have found employment, which will make a significant impact not only on their lives and the lives of their family members, but also on the Powdersville community as a whole.

Services available at the Goodwill Job Connection include assistance in creating resumes; posting of job leads, including OneStop postings, and referrals, assistance with the online application process, bi-weekly workshops focusing on resume writing, computer skills, job fair preparation, and interviewing skills; and referrals to other local community resources for other assistance.

All of these services are funded through the sale of gently-used merchandise donated by individuals and businesses in the community and purchased by shoppers in the new Goodwill retail store and Job Connection in Powdersville 3570 Highway 153.   Their website is www.goodwillsc.org.   Contact the store and job connection at 295 8650.