Benjamin Hoadley|Greenville News
Safe Harbor To Expand Service To Domestic Abuse Survivors
A new shelter for victims of domestic violence is planned in Greenville. It will be operated by Safe Harbor.
Funding for the project will come from TD Bank and the TD Community Development Corp., which together provided $2 million in New Markets Tax Credits and a $5.99 million tax equity investment.
Additional funding came from the S.C. Community Loan Fund, which provided $10 million in New Markets Tax Credits; and The Innovate Fund, which provided $6.5 million in New Markets Tax Credits.
The M Peters Group is developing the 45,722-square-foot project, which will include a shelter and space for Safe Harbor's support services, currently located in buildings throughout the area.
The building will increase Safe Harbor's annual capacity from 275 to 375 individuals. Construction is expected to be completed in April 2025.
The construction will also create space for partner agencies that serve Safe Harbor clients, said Danny Varat, CEO of Safe Harbor.
"It will be the only operation of its kind in South Carolina and one of the few in the United States,” he said.
Safe Harbor is a nonprofit organization that offers services to survivors of domestic violence and their children in Greenville, Anderson, Pickens and Oconee counties. Its services include a 24/7 help line, emergency shelters, counseling, case management, transitional housing, parenting classes, group support and more.
"TD is proud to collaborate with other organizations to support the development of Safe Harbor's new facility for vulnerable community members," said Will Richter, Relationship Manager, TD Community Development Corp.
The New Markets Tax Credit provides an incentive for investment in low-income communities. The U.S. Department of the Treasury competitively allocates tax credit authority to entities that select investment projects.
TD Bank recently introduced a three-year, $20 billion Community Impact Plan to provide underserved communities and populations with banking products, services and support. One component of the plan is providing an estimated $7.5 billion in community development lending and investment.
The Innovate Fund is a community development entity that uses New Markets Tax Credits to create quality jobs and improve health and wellness for low-income residents.
The S.C. Community Loan Fund focuses on advancing equitable access to capital. Since 2004, the fund has provided more than $94.3 million in lending for community development.
For information about Safe Harbor, go tosafeharborsc.org.
Crawford Agency Taps Industry Veteran To Lead PR
Crawford, a marketing and creative agency in Greenville, has hired Colton Grace as its Senior Public Relations Account Director.
Grace is expected to use his experience to enhance Crawford’s PR capabilities.
“At Crawford, our people are the secret sauce that sets us apart,” said Andy Windham, agency President and Chief Strategy Officer. “Colton’s track record in public relations aligns perfectly with both the strategic vision of Crawford and the priority we place on sharing the amazing work of our clients with the world.”
Grace gained experience with national media as Press Secretary and advisor for a former South Carolina congressman and as Communications Director for a substance use policy think tank. He secured placements in “Newsweek,” “The New York Post” and “The Wall Street Journal.”
Most recently, he served as the Director of Strategic Communications for Spartanburg Community College.
Crawford provides PR opportunities to clients in the financial, health care, and higher education industries, as well as new clients like COOP Ale Works, a producer of craft beverages and hard seltzers.
The company also recently hired Rusty Broome as Group Creative Director. He has more than 17 years of experience working with clients such as Southwest Airlines. Last year, Bryant Lambert joined the agency as SVP of Client Relations. He has 13 years of experience in national brand leadership.
Additionally, Wendy McCarthy has become Director of Client Strategy, and Ted Rooke has become Director of Planning & Media.
"At Crawford, we are committed to fostering long-lasting client relationships built on understanding, agility and exceptional value,” said Marion Crawford, founder and Chief Executive Officer of the company.
Crawford provides branding, advertising, public relations, social and digital media services. The woman-owned company was founded 14 years ago; it was recently named a six-time Best Place to Work in South Carolina.
WOW! Locates In Mauldin, Gives $10,000 To Rebuild Upstate
WOW! Internet, TV & Phone, a provider of broadband services, has made a $10,000 donation to Rebuild Upstate following the launch of its service in Mauldin.
Rebuild Upstate is a nonprofit organization based in Greenville; its mission is to provide volunteers and materials to repair the homes of low-income, disabled and elderly residents, which preserves affordable homes by making them safer, healthier and more livable.
WOW! plans to make other investments in the community, according to a press release.
Jake Beaty, CEO of Rebuild Upstate, accepted the donation at the organization's volunteer build day.
The donation will help build a ramp with handrails for a Mauldin homeowner. WOW! employees participated in the project. WOW! also offered the homeowner a year of free internet services.
“Preserving housing is critical to the community, enabling homeowners to age in place, strengthening neighborhoods, and addressing the affordable housing crisis,” Beaty said.
“Strengthening community connections is integral to who we are; that shines through in our dedication to fostering connectivity with fast, reliable internet access and customer service,” said Dominick Silvio, Director of Operations for WOW!.
In addition to Mauldin, WOW! will serve Five Forks, Fountain Inn and Simpsonville.
WOW! offers mobile service powered by Reach, business solutions, and bundling options with YouTube TV. WOW! operates in 16 markets.
Rebuild Upstate focuses exclusively on repairing and improving existing homes. The nonprofit recently received the Greenville Chamber of Commerce Max Heller Award. For information, go torebuildupstate.org.
Flywheel Greenville To Open
Flywheel Coworking Greenville, the anchor tenant at Crescent Startup Community and Innovation District on Poinsett Highway, is scheduled to officially open on July 1.
The Greenville Community Manager is Olivia Evans.
The Flywheel space will include a conference center, coworking spaces, offices and suites. Amenities include the social commons, atrium, fitness center, and outdoor entertainment venue.
The property is located at 25 Goldsmith St. in Greenville.
For information about upcoming “Pitch-Space” and tech events sponsored by Flywheel Greenville, go towww.flywheelgreenvillesc.com/events/.
Women’s Network Hears From Credit Union, Crime Stoppers
The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Women's Impact Network will meet from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. July 9 at the chamber’s Prisma Health Conference Room, 105A W. Curtis St.
The monthly sponsor is MTC Federal Credit Union. The featured nonprofit is Crime Stoppers of Greenville.
The Women's Impact Network is a way to start the day with coffee, networking, and giving back to the community. Each event includes a short presentation from a monthly sponsor and an introduction to a local nonprofit organization. Time is available for networking.
To register, go tosimpsonvillechamber.com.
July Well Walkers Dates
Bon Secours St. Francis Health System and the Bon Secours Wellness Arena have announced dates for this month’s Well Walkers program. Dates are: July 2, July 9, July 11, July 16, July 18, July 23, and July 25.
On those dates, the arena concourse will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for anyone in the community who wants a temperature-controlled space to exercise. Each loop around the concourse is a quarter-mile. Well Walkers is a free event; no registration is required. Free parking for Well Walkers is available in the VIP lot at the arena, off Church Street.
ReWa Seeks Photo Submissions
Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) is inviting the community to participate in a photography contest and an opportunity to be featured in the utility’s 2025 calendar. The calendar will celebrate ReWa’s 100th anniversary.
ReWa is asking for photos that highlight the beauty and significance of water in Upstate.
“Our upcoming centennial is a milestone,” said Rebecca West, ReWa’s Chief Operating Officer. “We want to celebrate with the community. We aim to recognize the importance of water in our region and the artistry of our local talent."
The theme of the calendar is “Waterways of the Upstate" – including rivers, lakes, waterfalls, rain, reflections, and ReWa water structures. All ages and levels of experience are welcome. There is no fee to enter. The deadline is Aug. 13.
For information, go torewaonline.org. ReWa has provided wastewater treatment services to the Upstate since 1925.
Mast General, Cheerwine Partner
Mast General Store has collaborated with Cheerwine to create the Cheerwine Candy Bar, available at all Mast Store locations.
Cheerwine, with a signature cherry flavor, was first sold in North Carolina.
“After the success of the Over the MoonPie bar, I wanted to develop another uniquely Southern bar,” said Stefano Tringali, the Mast Store’s candy buyer.
Cheerwine has partnered with Krispy Kreme, Food Lion and Cackalacky to release doughnuts, ice cream and barbecue sauces.
“Cheerwine adds a unique twist to any recipe,” said Joy Ritchie Harper, Vice President of Marketing for Cheerwine and a fifth-generation founding family member. The soda can be used in marinades, savory dishes and desserts, she said.
Cheerwine’s signature color and flavor will be obvious in the new candy, Tringali said. “The fizzing candy is an extra detail to bring to mind Cheerwine’s bubbly bubbles.”
Mast General Store has 11 locations in 10 towns (including Greenville) across four states. The stores sell everything from old-fashioned candies to technical outdoor gear. The Mast Store is family- and employee-owned.
Cheerwine was created by L.D. Peeler. It is owned by the Carolina Beverage Corp. The 107-year-old company is privately owned and managed by the founding family. Cliff Ritchie is President and CEO.
Fathom Firm Celebrates 5 Years
Fathom Firm, a Greenville-based architecture firm with projects that include The People’s Tap, is celebrating its fifth anniversary.
“I’m thrilled that Fathom has crossed the five-year mark, a key milestone for any startup,” said founder Jamison Hupp. “This is just the beginning for us. We love the Upstate and the Southeast. We are committed to making it better through our design work.”
The firm designs and consults on all types of projects – primarily custom residential, bespoke commercial, renovations and adaptive reuse.
Fathom received awards for two projects at the American Institute of Architects awards ceremony in South Carolina:
The Merit Award for Interior Architecture was given for The People’s Tap, a women-owned taproom on the Swamp Rabbit Trail along downtown’s river walk. The jurors noted the design’s “refreshing deviation from the typical brewpub aesthetic.”
The People’s Tap also earned AIA Greenville’s Small Project Award. The team included Bartron Builders, general contractor; Studio Ghielmetti, design team; and Devita Engineers & Forma Structural Engineering.
The Robert Mills Residential Merit Award for New Construction over $1 million was given for Above the Park, a three-bedroom residential property in Falls Tower.
The interior needed privacy, sound work, and a transition from exterior to interior. The interior “emits a refreshing and calming softness,” the jurors said. Above the Park also earned AIA Greenville’s Merit Award for Interior Architecture.
The team included: Thomas Construction, general contractor, with construction management by Ridgeline Construction Group; interior design, InSite Designs; lighting, L+ARC Lighting Design; engineers, W.G. Bartlett Engineering Services, Randall Birch, & Jaffe Holden.
Fathom Firm also won a local competition to benefit Greenville County Animal Care. The event brought together designers, builders, and others to build doghouses and cat condominiums for auction.
Fathom partnered with The Heirloom Companies to design and build the Jake Frame, an A-frame doghouse named for a beloved pet. It sold for $1,000 and won Best in Show.
Hupp is President-Elect for AIA South Carolina and is an active member of the Custom Residential Architects Network in Greenville.
Bon Secours Earns Environmental Awards
For the third year in a row, Bon Secours St. Francis is being recognized for its commitment to programs and activities that protect the environment.
Practice Greenhealth, a sustainability organization for hospital networks, presented Partner for Change Awards to Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown Hospital and Bon Secours St. Francis Eastside Hospital.
“As a Catholic Healthcare Ministry, one of our core commitments is to be good stewards of resources given to us,” said Joseph Mazzawi, Vice President of Mission at Bon Secours St. Francis. “Access to health care is important, but so is promoting a healthy community by reducing pollution and being a good neighbor.”
The hospitals have minimized and recycled waste, addressed chemicals of concern, lowered energy and water consumption, and sourced food and products sustainably.
Other programs include gardening classes for the community, donating unused meals to Loaves and Fishes, adding stations on hospital campuses to refill water bottles, and hosting drug take-back events.
