Palmetto Pulse Upstate for March 2026

CIVIC EXCELLENCE

ReWa receives WEASC Pretreatment Program Excellence Award

Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) has been awarded the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC) Pretreatment Program Excellence Award for 2025. The honor recognizes utilities that demonstrate outstanding performance in industrial pretreatment, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance. WEASC’s Industrial Committee presented the award during the organization’s Industrial Wastewater and Pretreatment Workshop in Columbia, South Carolina. ReWa’s pretreatment program, established in 1984, regulates industrial and commercial users through permitting, inspections and the monitoring of discharges.

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SBA SPOTLIGHT

Countybank Recognized by Small Business Administration as S.C.'s Top Loan Producer

Countybank has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as South Carolina’s top SBA loan producer among South Carolina-headquartered banks for fiscal year 2025, based on both the number of loans approved and total dollar volume of SBA loans made within the state of South Carolina. As an SBA Preferred Lender, Countybank can offer streamlined approvals, flexible financing options, and local decision-making.

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GLOBAL RECOGNITION

ScanSource Named a Fortune World’s Most Admired Company for 10 Consecutive Years

ScanSource, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCSC), a leading technology distributor uniquely positioned to address complex, converging technologies, has been named to the Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies 2026 List. ScanSource’s inclusion in this year’s list marks the 10th 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.

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Save A Lot Thanks Shoppers for Helping Spread Holiday Cheer in Pickens One Bag at a Time

The Save A Lot store in Pickens has donated more than 2,000 bags of food to several local charities including Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Life Church, Pickens School District, Pickens Police and Fire Departments, and the Church of God. Throughout the holiday season, each of these seven organizations was sponsored by the Pickens Save A Lot. Additionally, Save A Lot is donating an additional $1,000, gifting a total of $12,227 worth of food and financial contributions to Mt. Tabor Baptist Church.

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REAL ESTATE

Work to Start on The Alliance – Bringing 100 Affordable Housing Units to Nicholtown

Work will soon start on The Alliance, a $38 million project that will consist of two four-story buildings on 3.8 acres at 1200 Laurens Road, on the edge of the Nicholtown community. This project is being developed in partnership between NHE, Inc., HF Housing, Inc. (a nonprofit housing affiliate of Hollingsworth Fund), Jordon Development, and SCG Development, and will include 100 units that will be affordable for households earning 70 percent or below the area median income (AMI).

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RESTAURANT OPENING

Dave’s Hot Chicken Expands in Upstate South Carolina with New Anderson Location

Built Different Brands has announced that Dave’s Hot Chicken is continuing its expansion across South Carolina with the opening of a new location in Anderson, bringing its Nashville-style hot chicken and high-energy dining experience to the city. Fresh off being named the No. 1 Most Loved Brand for 2025 released by Yelp and located at 100 Fritz Drive in Anderson, Dave’s Hot Chicken officially opened its doors on Feb. 6.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Greenville County Secured $725 Million in New Investments and 1,293 New Jobs in 2025

The Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), the primary economic development agency in Greenville County, reports that it secured $725 million in new investments from nine organizations in 2025. These companies will provide 1,293 new job opportunities for Greenville County residents. Greenville County’s 2025 investments represent 8 percent of the state of South Carolina’s $9.15 billion in capital investments, and 16 percent of its 8,100 new jobs. Greenville County also saw $13 million in capital investments and the creation of 140 new jobs from confidential projects.

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Announcing Greenville Theatre's Season 101

Greenville Theatre is bringing back a one-night-only concert featuring ZOSO – The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience this summer (July 24) followed by the “Off-Broadway” regional premiere of the play, "The Shark is Broken" (July 31–Aug. 2). The first show in Season 101’s Broadway Series is represented in the theme “Sail On” with the Tony Award-winning best musical, "Titanic The Musical" (Sept. 11–27).  The next show of the season will be Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s "Murder on the Orient Express" (Oct. 16–Nov. 1). During the holiday season, Greenville Theatre will transport audiences “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in the classic musical, "The Wizard of Oz" (Dec. 4–20). The first show of 2027 is the new musical, "Big Fish" (Feb. 26–March 14, 2027) based on the Tim Burton film.  The final two shows are "To Kill a Mockingbird" (April 9–25, 2027) and the hit musical "Hairspray" (June 4–27, 2027).

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PHILANTHROPY

Countybank Donates Over $70,000 to Local United Way Chapters in the Upstate

Countybank employees and Countybank Foundation recently came together in support of local United Way organizations and raised $73,167 — exceeding their original goal of $56,500. In addition to sponsoring community events and raising funds for meaningful causes, Countybank employees collectively volunteer thousands of hours each year to activities that support a variety of local organizations. Countybank’s donation to United Way will help support initiatives focused on early childhood education, financial independence and stability, health services, and emergency needs.

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SPOTLIGHT, photo

Data-Driven Transformation: Converse Students Partner with Strategic Spartanburg

Converse University is introducing a new Quantitative Consulting class in partnership with Strategic Spartanburg for the 2026 spring semester. This nonprofit research organization leverages data and evidence to improve the quality of life in Spartanburg County, fostering community pride and a sense of shared progress. Prior clients for Converse’s Quantitative Consulting course include Bank of America and The Upstate Family Resource Center. The first two iterations of this course were made possible through a grant from the Preparation for Industrial Careers in Mathematical Sciences (PIC Math) program, which enables students to engage in meaningful work while providing data-driven solutions for nonprofits like Strategic Spartanburg.

EDUCATION

Erskine College Makes Changes to Academic Structure

During the 2025-‘26 school year, Erskine College began piloting a new academic structure which creates five distinct “schools” within the college: the School of Education, the School of Business, the School of Science and Mathematics, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Erskine Theological Seminary and School of Biblical Studies. The new structure, expected to yield numerous benefits for faculty and students, is set to be implemented this fall. 

PRE-MED SUPPORT

AnMed Foundation Receives Grant to Support Pre-Med Bootcamp Program

The AnMed Foundation has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Power:Ed, the philanthropic division of SC Student Loan Corporation, to support the Upstate Pre-Med Bootcamp program. Twenty-four college upperclassmen from across South Carolina will experience medical school for two weeks this May at the bootcamp, offered jointly by the MUSC AnMed Clinical Campus, Anderson University, AnMed, and Upstate AHEC. Students who complete the program receive ongoing career guidance and assistance paying for application costs, such as the MCAT.

MANUFACTURING

Coastal Precast Systems Announces Laurens County Operation

Coastal Precast Systems, LLC, a manufacturer of precast and prestressed concrete components for bridge and marine infrastructure, announced it has selected Laurens County for its first South Carolina operation. The company’s approximately $9 million investment will create about 70 jobs. The new facility, located at 308 Commerce Ave. in Clinton, will produce precast concrete components for infrastructure, utility, and commercial construction projects throughout the Southeast. Operations are expected to be online in the third quarter of 2026.

SPOTLIGHT

Ryder Junction Apartments Recognized as Overall Community of the Year

The Beach Company, a leader in residential and commercial real estate brokerage, development, and property management, announced that Ryder Junction Apartments has been recognized as Overall Community of the Year by Upper State Apartment Association (USAA) at the 2025 USAA Excellence Awards. The Upper State Apartment Association represents the Upstate region of South Carolina’s multifamily housing industry, encompassing more than 70,000 units through 397 apartment communities, 133 management companies, and 142 supplier members. Located in the city of Greer, South Carolina, Ryder Junction is a community featuring 264 newly built one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT

Bon Secours Wellness Arena Expansion

The Greenville County Council approved a request for $40 million in general obligation bonds to fund a renovation and expansion of Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The bonds were approved following a public hearing on Feb. 17, 2026. The $281 million proposed expansion would include additional square footage in areas of the arena, a new 10,000-square-foot lobby, a new exterior entrance, and an amphitheater that would seat up to 7,000 people.