Upstate Palmetto Pulse September

SPOTLIGHT

Hear Again America Opens New Greenville Location at Verdae Village

Hear Again America, at 101 Verdae Blvd. in Verdae Village, held a soft opening on Aug. 3, 2026, with an official grand opening and Greenville Chamber ribbon cutting on Aug. 10, 2026. The 1,225-square-foot practice offers comprehensive hearing care services, including hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and ongoing patient support. Owned and operated by Greenville-area franchisee Andreas Penninger, the practice was established to address a growing need for accessible, professional hearing care, particularly for families helping aging parents navigate hearing loss.

SPOTLIGHT

Next Phase of Downtown Spartanburg Revitalization Unveiled

The Johnson Group announced major milestones in the rejuvenation of downtown Spartanburg on the grounds of the future Morgan Hotel, a new Curio Collection by Hilton that's positioned to be the hub of downtown Spartanburg once open in the coming years. The hotel will feature ground-floor dining, a rooftop bar, and a 6,000-square-foot ballroom. Also announced was a forthcoming 181-unit apartment community offering amenities such as a clubhouse, a fitness center, a pool, and covered on-site parking. Together, these additions are projected to bring almost 1,000 additional daytime office workers, 300 new full-time residents at the apartment community, and 40,000 new hotel guests annually.

OFFICE EXPANSION

Goodwyn Mills Cawood Expands Greenville Office with New Annex at The Commons

Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), an architecture and engineering firm with an office at The Commons, announced plans to add more than 3,800 square feet to its Greenville office, increasing the space from approximately 10,000 to 13,800 square feet. The project will add approximately 30 workstations and collaborative space, creating room for future staff while enhancing how GMC's Greenville team works together. Construction is expected to begin in August 2026, with GMC planning to occupy the new space by January 2027. 

EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION

Carolinas' Construction Industry Honors Top Young Leaders

Carolinas AGC honored two of its Young Leaders at the CAGC Construction Summit & Expo in July. Neal Alvarez with Marsh McLennan and Emily Talbert with Reeves Construction Company both received a CAGC Top Young Leader Award, which recognizes individuals 45 years and younger who play critical roles in the community and professional arenas of the construction industry. Joining Reeves Construction in 2020, since 2024 Talbert has served as an account manager at the Blacksburg Quarry in South Carolina. Talbert is also the education committee chair for the South Carolina Aggregates Association and is a member of the executive committee for the Women of Asphalt South Carolina Branch.

COMMUNITY HEALTH

Mary Black Foundation Giving $6 Million to Vital Spartanburg

The Mary Black Foundation has committed $6 million in investments over the next five years to launch Vital Spartanburg, a new community-wide action plan for mental and behavioral health aiming to address the mental health crisis in the community through real action and coordination by bringing together health care providers, nonprofits, municipalities, and philanthropists. That initial investment has already helped to add $7 million more to the campaign from donors such as the Duke Endowment, United Way of the Piedmont, and others. The foundation’s support is a direct result of the unexpected $8 million gift from MacKenzie Scott in 2022.

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

2026-'27 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year

Carolina High and Academy government and economics teacher Mary Grace Carlson has been named the 2026-'27 GCS Teacher of the Year by Superintendent Burke Royster. Three runners-up were announced: 1.) Graham Garcia, eighth-grade math teacher at Lakeview Middle; 2.) Bill Twaler, culinary arts instructor at Enoree Career Center; and 3.) Jessica Yale, special education teacher at Travelers Rest High. Carlson said she believes the most powerful thing a teacher can do is help students find their voice and recognize their potential.

SPOTLIGHT

Auro Hotels to Bring First JW Marriott Hotel to Downtown Greenville

Auro Hotels announced plans on Aug. 6, 2026, to bring South Carolina's first JW Marriott hotel to downtown Greenville as part of the planned Falls Park Conference District, a six-acre, hotel-led mixed-use destination along the Reedy River. The 335-room hotel will blend the historic character of the Bowater Building with JW Marriott's design aesthetic and signature hospitality. Accommodations will include a fitness center, four food and beverage outlets, the brand’s signature JW Garden executive lounge, over 8,800 square feet of meeting and event spaces, and outdoor terraces overlooking the Reedy River. Upon opening, the hotel is expected to employ approximately 175 associates. Pending final approvals, construction is anticipated to begin in mid-2027, with an estimated construction timeline of 18 to 24 months. 

IT & INNOVATION

Spartanburg Community College Software Development Student Wins Development Challenge, Earns Professional Contract Opportunity

Spartanburg Community College Software Development student Aditya Patel has won a software development challenge and secured a professional contract with GetMoving100, a local health technology company whose founder, Quinton Harris, sponsored the competition. In recognition of his work, Patel received a $500 cash prize for developing the solution that best met the project's objectives while delivering the strongest overall user experience. Harris also offered Patel a contract position as a web developer with GetMoving100. In this role, Patel will continue enhancing and supporting the application, contributing to a technology solution designed to improve community health and wellness.

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Greenville Triumph Announces 2026 Theme Night Schedule at GE Vernova Park

The Greenville Triumph SC has announced its full 2026 theme night schedule at GE Vernova Park at BridgeWay Station, introducing a season-long lineup of match day experiences designed to reflect the Upstate communities the club represents and serves. 

2026 THEME NIGHT SCHEDULE

• Saturday, Sept. 12: Somos Upstate

• Wednesday, Sept. 16: STEM presented by AFL

• Saturday, Sept. 26: CESA Night presented by MTC Federal Credit Union

• Wednesday, Oct. 14: Upstate Networking

• Saturday, Oct. 17: Fan Appreciation presented by GE Vernova

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

Clemson Elementary Education Program Earns Top Marks in Report From the National Council on Teacher Quality

The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at Clemson University has earned an A+ from the National Council on Teacher Quality for preparing future educators to teach reading to elementary students. The grade applies specifically to the College of Education’s Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. The report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, published on June 9, spotlights Clemson University for meeting the literacy experts’ standards for coverage of the five most effective methods of reading instruction. These five components of scientifically based reading instruction include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

NAI Earle Furman Facilitates Sale of ±425 Acres in Cherokee County

NAI Earle Furman announces the sale of approximately 425 acres located at 998 Blacksburg Highway in Blacksburg, South Carolina. The seller was represented by Senior Associate Brian Hammond, Associate Scout Hammond, Associate Richard Heatly, and Associate Alec Moncini. The property will serve as the future home of USA Rare Earth, Inc.’s first South Carolina operation. USA Rare Earth is a global leader in rare earths, critical minerals, and advanced materials. According to announced plans, the project will represent an investment of approximately $1.2 billion and is expected to create about 490 jobs in Cherokee County.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Southpointe Senior Brings 90 Affordable Homes for Seniors to Greenville

Community leaders gathered on June 25 to welcome 90 new affordable homes in the Southpointe Senior Residences community. Located off of the Woodruff Road corridor, Southpointe Senior Residences features one- and two-bedroom apartments all reserved for low- and moderate-income renters over age 55. Greenville Housing Fund and Lowcountry Housing Communities collaborated on the project. Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) were used to help fund the development. The project will include 20 project-based vouchers through an award from The Greenville Housing Authority. 

RETAIL INVESTMENT

Ocean Bank Finances South Carolina Warehouse

Ocean Bank announced it provided $12.7 million to global clothing designer, distributor, and licensor Perry Ellis for a warehouse complex in Seneca. The borrower is Perry Ellis Real Estate, a division of Perry Ellis International, whose apparel portfolio includes more than two dozen brands and licensing trademarks. The property includes a 355,269-square-foot owner-occupied warehouse on a 35-acre parcel. Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager Miguel Montaner arranged the loan for the bank.

AT 12 GOT BOTH SPOTLIGHTS