Posts by acooper1961
Living above our feelings
January 20, 2025By Jeff Becraft Over the years, when our kids were younger, they would go with me on most of the camps and retreats, and one of those camps was…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Entrepreneur Minute – Jon Sears, No Name Deli
January 16, 2025The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. In this series you will see a diverse group…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, podcast, restaurant, retail
Richland Library welcomes new artist-in-residence, Brittany Watkins
January 16, 2025Richland Library is dedicated to providing unrestricted access to programming, services, and resources, encompassing support for mental health and mindfulness. Please join us in welcoming the newest addition to the residency program,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move, the-arts
South Carolina sledding
January 16, 2025By Jeff Becraft Years ago, one Sunday morning, there were some snow flurries. A member of our church called us up and said, “We’re not going to be meeting…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
USC’s economic impact continues growing across SC, new study finds
January 16, 2025The University of South Carolina system has a $7.4 billion annual impact on the state’s economy, a new study released Thursday (Jan. 16) found. The study, conducted by the Darla…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, headlines, on-the-move
Founders President and CEO announces retirement date, names successor
January 15, 2025After more than 20 distinguished years as President and CEO of Founders Federal Credit Union, Bruce Brumfield has announced his upcoming retirement effective December 31, 2025. This announcement comes after…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: banking-and-finance, headlines, on-the-move
Cardiff Products Corporation selects Lexington County for first South Carolina operation
January 15, 2025Cardiff Products Corporation (Cardiff Products), a beverage manufacturer, today announced it selects Lexington County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation. The $99.6 million investment will create 94 new jobs. Founded…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: economic-development, headlines, manufacturing, on-the-move
City of Columbia receives $204 million in federal funding for Assembly Street Railroad Project
January 14, 2025On Friday, January 10, 2025 Congressman James E. Clyburn of South Carolina announced $204,200,000 for the Assembly Street Railroad in Columbia. This project was funded by the U.S. Department of…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, headlines, on-the-move, transportation
The ladder
January 9, 2025By Jeff Becraft Recently on New Year’s Day, I got to use the ladder. Now this is the ladder. This is the ladder I got the Friday after Thanksgiving on a…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Fluffy overused words are the drunk party crashers of writing
January 9, 2025By Reba Hull Campbell It’s National Word Nerd Day, the perfect excuse to call out fluffy, pet peeve words that are a writer’s equivalent of drunk party crashers. These drunk…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
SCRA announces new member companies and grant funding
January 7, 2025myMechanic, The After Cancer, and Volare Boats were accepted as South Carolina Research Authority Member Companies. Brokerbase, NovaVia Spine & Biologics, Rapid Title, and Zitles received new grant funding. All…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, entrepreneurship, on-the-move
Maynard Nexsen elevates nine attorneys to Shareholder
January 7, 2025Maynard Nexsen, a full-service law firm with 24 offices across the United States, announced the promotion of nine attorneys to Shareholder, effective January 1, 2025. The Firm’s new shareholders include…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, law, on-the-move
Section of Saluda Riverwalk behind Riverbanks Zoo & Garden closed for construction from January 6 through January 13
January 6, 2025The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department will close a portion of the Saluda Riverwalk trail on January 6, 2025 for public safety during heavy construction being undertaken by…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move
South Carolina industry recruitment reaches $8.19 billion in 2024
January 6, 2025Capital investment by existing industry excels, accounting for $5.38 billion The South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) today released its 2024 industry recruitment results, with an announced total capital…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: economic-development, government, headlines, on-the-move
Play the ball; don’t let the ball play you
December 19, 2024By Jeff Becraft They say in baseball, “Play the ball; don’t let the ball play you.” That means on a ground ball, you want to field the ball where…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
SCDOT begins clearing and grubbing phase at Carolina Crossroads
December 19, 2024The South Carolina Department of Transportation has begun clearing and grubbing activities as part of Phase 3B of the Carolina Crossroads Project in Richland and Lexington counties. This work is…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move, transportation
Inland Port Greer expansion progressing to meet market demands
December 17, 2024South Carolina Ports is enhancing its intermodal connections in South Carolina with the ongoing expansion of Inland Port Greer and construction of the Navy Base Intermodal Facility. SC Ports is…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, transportation
Hood Construction welcomes new Project Managers
December 17, 2024Hood Construction is eager to welcome two new additions to our Project Management team: Chris Sinclair & Matt Wolfe. Chris Sinclair has taken the position of Project Manager with Matt…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: construction, on-the-move
Clemson Architecture students win awards from the Society of American Registered Architects
December 17, 2024Six Clemson University Master of Architecture (M.Arch) students have been named among the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) 2024 Student National Design Awards winners. The award winners were announced in New…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: architecture, on-the-move
Boeing commits to expand Charleston County operations
December 16, 2024Boeing (NYSE:BA) announced it plans to expand its operations in Charleston County. The company plans to invest $1 billion in infrastructure upgrades at its existing site and create 500 new…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, manufacturing, on-the-move
University of South Carolina releases economic forecast for 2025
December 16, 2024The University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business, in partnership with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, released the 2025 economic forecast at the 44th annual Economic Outlook…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move
Drew Clawson of Kinard Consulting to join Maynard Nexsen Government Solutions Team
December 16, 2024Drew Clawson of Kinard Consulting will join the Government Solutions Team at Maynard Nexsen on December 30. Drew joined Kinard Consulting, LLC in 2016. Since taking over the firm in…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: law, on-the-move
Credit One Charleston Open named Tournament of the Year
December 16, 2024The Credit One Charleston Open, North America’s largest women’s-only tennis tournament and the official clay season kickoff on the Hologic WTA Tour, has been named ‘WTA 500 Tournament of the Year’…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, sports
LaserForm & Machine, Inc. expanding Kershaw County operations
December 12, 2024LaserForm & Machine, Inc. (LaserForm & Machine), a metal fabrication and machine shop, announced it is expanding its operations in Kershaw County. The company’s $16 million investment will create 32 new…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: economic-development, manufacturing, on-the-move
Congaree Land Trust and partners announce collaborative conservation of land for expansion of Lee State Park
December 12, 2024Congaree Land Trust and The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism are celebrating the conservation of more than 135 acres of land that will be added to Lee…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: banking-and-finance, environmental, government, non-profit, on-the-move
The Price of Going Higher: A Tale of Ladders, Effort, and Perspective
December 12, 2024By Jeff Becraft I used to own just one ladder. It’s an aluminum extension ladder and it lives in our garage. It doesn’t just hang on a wall… it’s…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Harold K. Johnson named principal of Pontiac Elementary School
December 11, 2024Richland School District Two announced Harold K. Johnson as the new principal of Pontiac Elementary School, effective January 1, 2025. With a proven track record of educational leadership, innovation, and…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, on-the-move
Grand re-opening and ribbon cutting for Papa Jazz Record Shoppe
December 10, 2024The City of Columbia celebrated the grand re-opening of Papa Jazz Record Shoppe today, (December 10), a fixture of the Five Points community since 1982. Owned by Tim Smith, the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: music, on-the-move, retail
Entrepreneur Minute – Larry Schneeberger, Farmers Market Xchange
December 10, 2024The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. In this series you will see a diverse group…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: agriculture, entrepreneurship, on-the-move, podcast, retail
Florence Realtor® Keon Aldrich named SC REALTORS® first black president of association
December 9, 2024Florence Realtor® and broker of Pee Dee Elite Realty, Keon Aldrich, has been named 2025 president of South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR). The historic nomination marks the first time a black…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, residential-real-estate
GSSM establishes new scholarship fund
December 6, 2024A fund has been established in honor of the late Dr. Bhuvana Parameswaran by an alum, a faculty member & a staff member of the South Carolina Governor’s School for…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move
Donati named new Gamecocks Director of Athletics
December 5, 2024Jeremiah Donati has been named the University of South Carolina’s 31st Director of Athletics, President Michael Amiridis announced today (Dec.5) following a meeting of the school’s Board of Trustees. Donati comes…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, headlines, on-the-move
City of Columbia approves parking rate ordinance
December 5, 2024During the City Council Meeting on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Columbia City Council amended and approved the new parking rate ordinance. Based on public feedback and extended discussions during the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move
The best things are priceless
December 4, 2024By Jeff Becraft For this past Thanksgiving, our daughter and her family came in from Texas with the two grandkids. And then our son came in Tuesday night with…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Entrepreneur Minute – Melanie Huggins, Richland Library
December 2, 2024The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. In this series you will see a diverse group…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entrepreneurship, non-profit, on-the-move, podcast
Raines breaks ground on The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista in Columbia
December 2, 2024Raines, a leading hospitality management, development, and investment organization, announced the groundbreaking of The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista in Columbia, SC. Developed and managed by Raines, this will be the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, economic-development, headlines, hotels, on-the-move
Office of Business Opportunities to host two entrepreneurial training programs
December 2, 2024The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities is now accepting applications for the 2025 NxLevel For Micro Entrepreneurs and 2025 FastTrac Growth Venture courses taking place from January to…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entrepreneurship, government, on-the-move
2024-25 South Carolina Annual Educator Supply & Demand Report
November 25, 2024The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA) has released its 2024-25 Annual Educator Supply and Demand Report. For the first time since 2019-20, districts reported a decrease in…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, government, non-profit, on-the-move
City of Columbia Parking Services to offer complimentary parking for Thanksgiving
November 25, 2024Parking Services once again is excited to support our local businesses & community by offering complimentary parking over the Thanksgiving Holiday! On-street meter operations Wednesday November 27th – enforcement until 6:00pm…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move
Dominion Energy offers limited-time offer of 100% payout for qualifying home energy efficiency upgrades
November 25, 2024For a limited-time, qualifying Dominion Energy residential electric customers can receive a 100% payout—up to $3,200—for making eligible energy-saving upgrades to their homes through the Home Energy Check-up Plus program…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz Category: energy, on-the-move
Entrepreneur Minute – Sara Fawcett, United Way of the Midlands
November 21, 2024The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. In this series you will see a diverse group…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entrepreneurship, non-profit, on-the-move, podcast, residential-real-estate
AliSan’s Luxury Collection & Consignment to celebrate grand opening in downtown Columbia
November 21, 2024The City of Columbia will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 22, to celebrate the grand opening of AliSan’s Luxury Collection & Consignment, a new addition to the Main…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, retail
357 Brewers establishing operations in Horry County
November 21, 2024357 Brewers, a craft brewery, announced it is establishing operations in Horry County. The company’s $6.4 million investment will create 35 new jobs. 357 Brewers’ new 10,000-square-foot facility, located at…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: economic-development, manufacturing, on-the-move
There’s just something about working together
November 20, 2024By Jeff Becraft There is a real camaraderie that happens when you work together, when you work side by side with others, shoulder to shoulder. Something happens in a relationship…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Richland County becoming a leader in South Carolina’s manufacturing surge
November 19, 2024By Jeff Ruble Director, Richland County Economic Development Office Located in one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation, Richland County is in the midst of an economic surge marked…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: economic-development, manufacturing, on-the-move, op-ed
Low-cost carrier, Allegiant, announces the start of service at CAE
November 19, 2024The Airline Offers New Low-Cost Travel Options as low as $39.* Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) announced 44 new nonstop routes, including eleven routes to three new cities: Gulf Shores,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: headlines, on-the-move, transportation
40th Annual Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive kicks off Monday
November 18, 2024A week before the two rivals meet on the football field, the two fanbases–including students, faculty, staff and community members–compete in something much more important: saving lives. The annual blood…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, health-care
Through the fog
November 14, 2024By Jeff Becraft Recently, I have talked to our son and a couple other people who live in the western North Carolina area. Our son described taking his daughter…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
USC awarded $35 million federal grant to boost state’s college and career readiness
November 14, 2024The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the University of South Carolina a $35 million grant to improve college and career readiness among disadvantaged students in South Carolina. USC is…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, headlines, on-the-move
C.H.U.G.S. Winter Donation Drive
November 12, 2024City of Columbia Homeless Services and the Office of Violent Crime Prevention are teaming up for a winter donation drive taking place from November 11, 2024 – December 31, 2024.…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move





