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Palmetto Broadband Coalition Unites Providers to Shape Broadband Future

The Palmetto Broadband Coalition, a consortium of well-established, locally owned broadband providers, announced its launch on January 30. This alliance is the most recent collaboration among providers, some with over 120 years of history, who consistently unite to enhance connectivity and better serve their customers as technology advances.

The founding members of the Palmetto Broadband Coalition are Comporium of Rock Hill, Farmers Telephone Cooperative (FTC) of Kingstree, Home Telecom of Moncks Corner, Horry Telephone Cooperative (HTC) of Conway, Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative (PRTC) of Walterboro, Piedmont Rural Telephone Cooperative (PRTC) of Laurens, Sandhill Telephone Cooperative of Jefferson, TruVista of Chester and West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative (WCTEL) of Abbeville. Each brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to serving the people of South Carolina.

“Time and time again South Carolina’s local telecommunications and broadband providers have stepped up to the plate to serve our state,” said Speaker of the House Murrell Smith. “With the formation of the Palmetto Broadband Coalition, these homegrown companies are yet again putting their local communities first as we move forward in an ever more connected future.”

Each provider traces its roots to the early days of the telecommunications industry when the rural areas of South Carolina did not offer a viable market for the large telephone companies to establish operations and serve residents. Recognizing the growing need to connect homes, schools, businesses, and healthcare providers, independent telephone companies stepped up.

Fast forward to the 1980s when the same group of companies refused to let advancements in information technology and connectivity pass by South Carolina. They again came together and pooled their resources to best serve the needs of the state. The resulting product was a provider of fiber optic connectivity that traversed thousands of miles across South Carolina.

It is in this same vein that the Palmetto Broadband Coalition was founded. With South Carolina investing significant resources to ensure every home and business has access to high quality, affordable broadband, it is pivotal that the longtime experts and providers in connectivity that make up the Palmetto Broadband Coalition come together again in service to the people of the state, regardless of their location.

“Access to high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for education, healthcare, economic development and quality of life,” said Will Helmly, President & CEO of Home Telecom and Chair of the Palmetto Broadband Coalition. “Our coalition is dedicated to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that every corner of South Carolina is connected to the opportunities of the digital age.”

Key goals and initiatives of the Palmetto Broadband Coalition include:

Expanding Broadband Access: The coalition will work tirelessly to expand high-speed broadband access to underserved and unserved areas in South Carolina, ensuring that no community is left behind.

Advocating for Policy: The coalition will engage with policymakers at all levels to advocate for policies that encourage investment and innovation in the state’s broadband infrastructure.

Fostering Innovation: Through partnerships and collaboration, the coalition will support innovative solutions that leverage broadband technology to address local challenges and drive economic growth.

To stay updated on the Palmetto Broadband Coalition’s activities and initiatives, please visit our website at PalmettoBroadbandCoalition.com.

About the Palmetto Broadband Coalition:
The Palmetto Broadband Coalition is a collective effort of leading telecommunications and broadband providers in South Carolina. The Coalition is committed to shaping the state’s broadband future, while providing high quality, reliable broadband access, customer service, and community investment to South Carolina customers and communities so that they can be connected now and into the future.

FUEL Selects the Half a Sorrow Foundation as 1H24 Grant Recipient

Greenville, SC – FUEL – a Greenville, S.C.-based brand building agency – announced today that it has selected the Half a Sorrow Foundation as the FUEL for Good Grant recipient for 1H 2024. The Half a Sorrow Foundation was founded in 2020 to improve mental health for individuals and organizations by promoting real conversations.

“We are beyond ecstatic to be chosen by FUEL to be the recipient of their FUEL for Good Grant,” said Dennis Gillan, executive director of the Half a Sorrow Foundation. “This grant will truly help the Half a Sorrow Foundation get one of our key programs off the ground and into the hands of the folks that may be struggling with their mental health.”

FUEL created the FUEL for Good Grant program in 2020 as a tangible way to give back to its community and help local nonprofits. To date, FUEL has donated more than 1,000 hours of service with work ranging from video production and logo development to social media campaigns and marketing collateral.

“Our FUEL for Good Grant program is an important community service initiative and an integral part of the FUEL culture,” said Meredith Kinsey, president and COO of FUEL. “Millions of Americans experience symptoms of a mental health condition each year, and over one million adults attempt suicide each year. That’s astounding and frightening. Our team is looking forward to working with the Half a Sorrow Foundation to help promote real conversations around mental health.”

For more information about the Half a Sorrow Foundation, please visit https://halfasorrow.org/. More information about the FUEL for Good Grant program is available at https://www.fuelforbrands.com/fuel-grant/.

Greenville Technical College Libraries and Urban League of the Upstate present Black History Month Exhibit

Greenville Technical College Libraries and Urban League of the Upstate present “A Time for Reflection: Black History in the City of Greenville and the Upstate.” The exhibit, in honor of Black History Month, is a pictorial timeline of local black history and culture.

The exhibit will be available for viewing through February 29 at the Greenville Technical College Barton Campus Library, located on the third floor of building 105, at the college’s Barton Campus, 506 South Pleasantburg Drive.

The public is invited to attend an opening reception on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Barton Campus Library. Refreshments will be served.

Falkor Technologies Unleashes Lightning-Fast Wireless Internet Connectivity in Columbia, SC

Columbia, SC – Falkor Technologies, a local SC provider of cutting-edge colocation and hosting services and now offering wireless internet solutions, is thrilled to announce the expansion of its high-speed internet services to the vibrant city of Columbia, South Carolina. This development marks a significant milestone in Falkor Technologies commitment to delivering lightning-fast and reliable internet connectivity to underserved communities across South Carolina.

Falkor Technologies is dedicated to bridging the digital divide and providing seamless internet experiences to both residential and business customers. With the launch of their services in Columbia and surrounding areas, Falkor Technologies aims to enhance the digital landscape of the city and empower residents of Richland County and other areas with a robust and dependable internet connection.

Key Features of Falkor Technologies Wireless Internet:
Blazing Speeds: Falkor offers lightning-fast internet speeds of up to 200MBps, ensuring smooth streaming, quick downloads, and lag-free online experiences for residents and businesses alike.

Reliability: With state-of-the-art technology and a commitment to uptime, Falkor Technologies provides a reliable internet connection, minimizing disruptions and downtime.

Affordability: Falkor Technologies understands the importance of affordability, and our internet plans are designed to cater to Rural WiFi, making high-speed connectivity accessible at home and anywhere.

Residents and businesses in Columbia, SC can now experience the next level of internet connectivity with Falkor Technologies Wireless. Whether for work, education, entertainment, or staying connected with loved ones, Falkor Technologies is committed to providing a superior internet experience.

Falkor Technologies is also known for our colocation datacenter services in downtown Columbia, SC! We elevate connectivity in Downtown Columbia, SC with colocation, hosting and Internet services!

For more information, visit our website at Falkortech.io/internet

ScanSource Named to FORTUNE’s List of World’s Most Admired Companies for Eighth Consecutive Year

GREENVILLE, SC — ScanSource, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCSC), a leading hybrid distributor connecting devices to the cloud, has been named to FORTUNE’s 2024 list of World’s Most Admired Companies. ScanSource’s inclusion in this year’s list marks the eighth consecutive year the company has received the recognition. The annual survey, which is given to thousands of senior executives, directors and financial analysts from more than 600 global companies, identifies the organizations with the strongest reputations within their industries and across other industries.

“It is an honor to be named once again to FORTUNE’s World’s Most Admired Companies list and to be included among such highly regarded companies across the globe,” said Mike Baur, Chairman and CEO, ScanSource, Inc. “ScanSource strives to be a trusted partner for our customers and our suppliers, exceeding expectations and building strong relationships through transparency and consistency. I’m proud of our employees and their commitment, this recognition is a testament to their hard work.”

FORTUNE collaborated with their partner Korn Ferry on this survey of corporate reputation. They began with a universe of about 1,500 candidates: the 1,000 largest U.S. companies ranked by revenue, along with non-U.S. companies in the FORTUNE Global 500 database that have revenues of $10 billion or more. FORTUNE then winnowed the assortment to the highest-revenue companies in each industry, a total of 660 in 29 countries. The top-rated companies were picked from that pool; the executives who voted work at the companies in that group. To determine the best-regarded companies in 52 industries, Korn Ferry asked executives, directors, and analysts to rate enterprises in their own industry on nine criteria, from investment value and quality of management and products to social responsibility and ability to attract talent.

The 2024 World’s Most Admired Companies list can be found on Fortune.com.

About ScanSource, Inc.
ScanSource, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCSC) is a leading hybrid distributor connecting devices to the cloud and accelerating growth for customers across hardware, SaaS, connectivity and cloud. ScanSource enables customers to deliver solutions for their end users to address changing buying and consumption patterns. ScanSource sells through multiple, specialized routes-to-market with hardware, SaaS, connectivity and cloud services offerings from the world’s leading suppliers of point-of-sale (POS), payments, barcode, physical security, unified communications and collaboration, telecom and cloud services. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, ScanSource was named one of the 2023 Best Places to Work in South Carolina and on FORTUNE magazine’s 2024 List of World’s Most Admired Companies. ScanSource ranks #817 on the Fortune 1000. For more information, visit www.scansource.com.

Spartanburg Community College’s School of Business Creates Award-Winning Microsoft Office Specialists

In today’s digital world, proficiency in Microsoft Office is an essential skill for college students. Earning a specialist credential in Microsoft Office validates a student’s ability to use the software at an advanced level and can help students stand out from the competition in the job market.

During the recent Fall semester, Spartanburg Community College’s School of Business offered students Microsoft Office Specialist exams in MS Word, MS Excel and MS Outlook for select courses and a total of 57 students earned one or more specialist credentials!

Certiport, the nation’s leading credential provider, holds an annual U.S Championship for Microsoft Office Specialists, and two SCC students placed in the top ten for South Carolina in the Fall Qualifier Event!

Congratulations to Alyssa Mossburg for placing 9th and Conner McGowen for placing 2nd in the state in the Excel Office 365 fall qualifier event! Both students received a certificate of recognition from Certiport.

Finally, Crystal Smith, Program Director for Administrative Office Technology, was named an Outstanding Educator for the Fall Event by Certiport and also received a certificate from Certiport.

The School of Business will continue offering certification exams in AOT-260 Word (Word), AOT-261 Spreadsheets (Excel), MGT-206 Managerial Spreadsheets (Excel) and AOT-141 Office Procedures (Outlook).

Engenius Receives Silver w3 Award From The Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts

Greenville, S.C. – Engenius, a Greenville-based web design agency, was named a winner of the 18th Annual w3 Awards by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts for the development of their work on the Athens Technical College website. Receiving thousands of entries annually from across the globe, the w3 Awards honors outstanding websites, online marketing, web video, mobile sites and apps, social, podcasts, and emerging tech created by digital content creators across the industry.

Engenius won a Silver w3 award in the category of general websites-education for their design of Athens Tech’s new website. Athens Tech’s website showcases educational programs and services and spotlights the colleges traditional and distance education methods, which foster lifelong learning, facilitate workplace success, and promote economic development. Athens Tech campuses are in Walton, Elbert, and Greene counties in Georgia.

“Our team enjoyed working with Athens Tech to create an impactful online presence that is modern and engaging, while providing the user-friendly interface they needed,” said Chris Manley, CEO and co-founder of Engenius. “We are thrilled by the recognition of the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts.”

“Congratulations to the Engenius team on this recognition,” said Josh Paine, Athens Tech’s Executive Director, PR & Institutional Advancement. “Engenius has a great team who listens to and acts on their clients’ needs and are very helpful in keeping our site maintained!”

The w3 Awards are sanctioned by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, an invitation-only body of top-tier professionals from acclaimed media, interactive, advertising, and marketing organizations like Walt Disney Studios, Lippe Taylor, Meta, Publicis Sapient, Netflix, IBM, NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, LG, and Wired Magazine among many others.

Engenius, which also won a w3 Award in 2021 for their work on the Athens Humane Society website, has helped over 500 businesses revamp their online presence with web design and digital marketing services. For more information about Engenius, which is celebrating 16 years in business, visit www.engeniusweb.com.

About Engenius
Engenius is a website and digital marketing agency serving businesses through design, strategy, optimization, service and support, and by driving traffic for websites. Based in Greenville, SC, Engenius has over fifteen years of experience working with hundreds of businesses and organizations to build, optimize, and support their websites. Served by a team of passionate professionals, Engenius’ clients routinely point to the company’s responsiveness, proactivity, genuine care, systems-based approach, and personable nature as the reasons they work with Engenius long-term. Learn more by visiting engeniusweb.com.

TD Bank Targets $20 Billion to Spark Economic Opportunities for Low- and Moderate-Income, Diverse and Underserved Communities

Community Impact Plan continues TD’s local engagement with three-year roadmap

• $10B in support of residential lending for LMI and/or minority borrowers
• $7.5B in community lending and investment
• $2.8B in small business lending
• $70MM in CRA-related philanthropy

Jan. 24, 2024 – TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, today announced a three-year Community Impact Plan that will provide an estimated $20 billion supporting lending, philanthropy, banking access and other activities for the benefit of diverse and underserved communities. This strategy, developed with insight from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), will target communities across TD Bank’s U.S. presence in 15 states and Washington, D.C.

“At TD Bank, we know our success is tied directly to the people and communities we serve. When they flourish, we succeed,” said Leo Salom, President and CEO of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®. “One of our primary objectives as a purpose-driven bank is to help power economic opportunities that help low- and moderate-income (LMI), diverse and underserved communities achieve their financial goals. Our Community Impact Plan is designed to achieve that vital role as we build on TD’s long-term community focus.”

The Community Impact Plan expands TD’s mission to positively impact social and economic outcomes for all who live in the communities it serves and enhance financial inclusion for diverse and underserved individuals and businesses.

“I’m glad to see TD’s leadership demonstrate a continued commitment to the values and principles that have guided our conversations to date and look forward to more strong collaboration in future,” said Jesse Van Tol, NCRC President and CEO. “Every bank should set ambitious goals for supporting underserved communities. And we’re pleased to provide strategic insights to advance this strategy. Those efforts can only be effective if they are informed by the input of community leaders like NCRC and our members. TD listened and then delivered this new Community Impact Plan to help ensure its investments and programs are aligned to community needs.”

TD Bank’s Community Impact Plan comprises:

Mortgage Lending and Consumer Products
TD Bank will enable affordable home ownership by providing $10 billion in residential loans and liquidity to the residential lending market. This includes first-time homebuyer and home equity loans for LMI and minority borrowers, and in LMI and majority-minority census tracts, especially in the Boston, Baltimore, D.C., New York, Miami and Philadelphia markets. To support this goal, the bank will continue offering TD Home Access, a Special Purpose Credit Program, and other affordable residential lending products with low down payments and consumer-friendly terms.

The bank will continue offering and enhancing retail products and services designed to meet the needs of economically vulnerable consumers.

Small Business Support
The plan builds on TD’s ongoing commitment to support the critical role small businesses play in local economies by offering an estimated $2.8 billion in credit to businesses with less than $1 million in annual revenue, with a focus on minority- and women-owned businesses and those in LMI areas.

TD Bank will create a lending Special Purpose Credit Program for small businesses that are registered Minority Business, women-owned or veteran-owned enterprises.

Community Development Loans and Investment
TD Bank will provide $7.5 billion in community development loans and other investments to support economic development activities and affordable housing projects, such as special rental housing for veterans or LGBTQ seniors, within TD markets.

CRA-Related Philanthropy and Sponsorships
The TD Office of Charitable and Community Giving will direct $70 million in Community Reinvestment Act-related philanthropy over the next three years in addition to its annual giving, with 75% of all giving supporting diversely led organizations.

This commitment includes the TD Charitable Foundation’s first Capacity Building Fund for organizations with annual budgets of less than $2 million. The $1.75 million fund will support general-purpose operations and expenses to help non-profits remain open to serve their clients.

Banking Access
Consistent with TD’s goal to make banking accessible to all customers, the bank will seek to open approximately 15 locations in LMI and/or majority-minority markets, subject to any regulatory approvals. This includes creating additional community-centered stores, which feature dedicated space that can be used for financial education workshops or non-profit meetings.

Additional Highlights
• Continue support of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)/Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) through nearly $320 million in lending, investments and grants.
• Increase spending with certified diverse suppliers by 25%.
• Reach 54,000 participants through TD-led financial literacy and fraud prevention programs.
• Engage and support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through recruitment of students and alumni and enhancement of financial access.
• Establish a Community Advisory Board who will advise and provide oversight of TD’s activities in support of the strategy.

About TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S. by assets, providing over 10 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,100 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Auto Finance, a division of TD Bank, N.A., offers vehicle financing and dealer commercial services. TD Bank and its subsidiaries also offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth®. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.td.com/us. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/TDBank_US/.

TD Bank is a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank, a top 10 North American bank. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol “TD”. To learn more, visit www.td.com/us.

Habitat Greenville launches 12th CEO Build

GREENVILLE, S.C. – A group of Greenville business and community leaders pledged to help build a new Habitat for Humanity of Greenville home Wednesday afternoon.
The 12th Habitat Greenville CEO Build will include: Scott Weaver of Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union; Jane Harrison Fisher, chairwoman of the 2023 CEO Build as well as Chief Operating Officer with Coldwell Banker Caine; Bob Morris of the Community Foundation of Greenville; John Boyanoski of Complete PR; Stephen Davis of Davis and Floyd; Phil Howard of Ethox Chemicals; Chris Bailey of Greater Greenville Association of Realtors; Tommy Jenkins of Greenville Maintenance Services; Dr. Keith Miller of Greenville Technical College; Seabrook Marchant of Marchant Real Estate; Kerri Paulino of Meritage Homes; Hank McCullough of Piedmont Natural Gas; Josh Covington of QLM and Southern Harmony; Brian McKay of Spero Financial; Steve Spinks of Spinx; David Lominack of TD Bank; Randy Hunter of Terminix; Delisa English of The Blood Connection; Steve Magruder of Warehouse Services, Kirsten Zinkann of Kirsten Zinkann Real Estate; Mike Coggins of South State Bank; Douglas Deitz of The Reynolds Company, Walmart Distribution and John Castile of the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority.

Each participating CEO pledges company funding and staff volunteer hours to help build the project houses. They also work on-site personally during construction alongside their own team members, community volunteers, and future Habitat families to broaden their perspectives on issues of importance to our community.
The project house will be at 115 Sturtevant Street in the Bramlett community off of White Horse Road. A wall raising will take place on Tuesday, February 13 at the Bon Secours Wellness Center.

“Once again the business community of Greenville is rolling up its collective sleeves to help create more affordable housing in Greenville,” said Monroe Free, President and CEO of Habitat Greenville. “Each year is a new opportunity to strengthen our community and their support is fantastic.”

About Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County:
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County opened its doors in 1985 to bring families, community partners, and volunteers together to construct affordable, energy-efficient homes that help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance. As of May 2023, Habitat Greenville has completed the construction of 405 homes. Habitat Greenville received the 2017 Builder of the Year award from EarthCraft, and in recognition of financial health, accountability, and transparency, maintain a 4-Star Charity status by Charity Navigator. Habitat Greenville ReStores are located at 3033 Wade Hampton Boulevard, and 1818 Woodruff Road. Call 864-312-5016 for free donation pickups.
Learn more at www.habitatgreenville.org.

Rosenblum Coe Architects, Inc. Unveils New Name and Logo as Firm Leadership Evolves

Caplea Coe Architects, Inc. Logo

Rosenblum Coe Architects, Inc., a longtime Charleston-based architecture firm, announced its new name: Caplea Coe Architects, Inc. (CCA). This new name reflects the elevation of architect Josh Caplea, AIA to Vice President alongside current owner and President, Steve Coe, AIA. The firm has also unveiled a new logo to signify the growth and evolution of the leadership team.

Caplea has been working in the architectural field for over two decades, demonstrating technical expertise, dedication, and commitment to serving clients across South Carolina. He has previously served as a project architect and project manager at several architecture firms, where he specialized in K12 Education design. Since joining the firm, Caplea has played a crucial role in several successful projects, including the Charleston County School District Camp Road Middle School, Town of Mount Pleasant Fire Station No. 4, and Charleston County School District Morningside Middle School.

CCA was originally established by Jeffrey Rosenblum in 1978 as Rosenblum and Associates, a one-man firm in downtown Charleston. Steve Coe joined the firm in 1993, becoming a partner in 2001, and eventually took over ownership in 2014 after Rosenblum’s retirement. Today, CCA serves a diverse range of public and private sector clients, specializing in public safety, municipal, educational, and healthcare architecture. The firm is excited to embark on this new chapter and remains committed to providing exceptional design services to its clients.

For more information about CCA, please visit www.capleacoe.com, and connect with them on social media.