Debt isn’t the problem — How you structure it is
May 5, 2026
By Chris Cykoski | Principal, Cykoski Ventures Borrowing with the Tides, Not Against Them In the first two columns, we focused on timing—first in cash flow, then in planning. Cash…
Read MorePosted in: georgetown-sc-gazette Category: advice, banking-and-finance, entrepreneurship, financial-advisors, headlines, on-the-move
Westinghouse donates $80,000 to support Richland One schools
May 5, 2026Continuation of a longstanding partnership committed to ensuring a bright future for Richland County Westinghouse Electric Company, through its Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF), has expanded its longtime partnership with…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, energy, headlines, on-the-move
A Conversation with Ellis O’Tuel, CRPC® with Hammock Wealth Management
May 5, 2026
By Karen Owens, Publisher Ellis O’Tuel is a principal with Hammock Wealth Management in Pawleys Island. I recently sat down with him to learn more about his 20 years as…
Read MorePosted in: georgetown-sc-gazette Category: advice, banking-and-finance, entrepreneurship, financial-advisors, headlines, on-the-move
National Small Business Month, Part 1: Every Month Is a Good Month to Show Up for the Businesses That Show Up for Laurens County
May 4, 2026
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Laurens County Buzz lands in the inboxes of thousands of residents with one purpose: to share the good news of Laurens County. And some of…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, on-the-move
Bridgeway Station Expands Parking Capacity Amid Rapid Growth
May 4, 2026
As the mixed-use development at BridgeWay Station continues to evolve into a regional hub for dining, retail, and entertainment, developers have announced a significant infrastructure expansion to keep pace with…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: headlines, on-the-move, transportation
Thornwell Highlights Urgent Need for Foster Families During Foster Care Awareness Month
May 4, 2026
Innovative Foster Care Village Model Aims to Keep Siblings Together This May, in recognition of Foster Care Awareness Month, Thornwell, a 150-year-old non-profit ministry serving FL, GA, and SC, is…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, non-profit, on-the-move
New SC811 Law Brings Changes to Excavation Safety Requirements
May 3, 2026
Important updates to South Carolina’s Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act take effect May 22, 2026, and local utility providers want residents, contractors, and businesses to be prepared. The changes, outlined…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news, laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, on-the-move
Shop, Sip, and Share: Fountain Inn Chamber Rolls Out May Small Business Month Roadmap
May 3, 2026
As the calendar turns to May, the Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce is calling on residents to “shop, sip, and share” in celebration of National Small Business Month. The Chamber…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: chamber, headlines, on-the-move, retail
Pioneer Day Offers Rare Immersive History Experience for Laurens County Families
April 29, 2026
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, history won’t just be something you read about — it will be something you can touch, hear, and step inside. The Gray Court-Owings Historical Society…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: education, festivals-special-events, headlines, on-the-move
Trustus Theatre announces Kelsey Mesa as incoming Executive Artistic Director
April 29, 2026
Trustus Theatre announced the appointment of Kelsey Mesa as its next Executive Artistic Director. A dynamic leader, director, and educator, Mesa brings a wealth of experience from her tenure at…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: headlines, on-the-move, the-arts
Pebbles Ice Cream Opens in Clinton with a Mission Bigger Than a Scoop
April 29, 2026
New shop on West Main Street offers sensory-friendly environment, job training for individuals with special needs A new ice cream shop has arrived in downtown Clinton, and the story behind…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: food, headlines, on-the-move
Stewart Jones, Former SC House District 14 Representative, Endorses Rick Shealy for SC House Seat
April 29, 2026
Stewart Jones, who served six years as South Carolina House District 14 Representative and built a record of unwavering commitment to limited government and constitutional principles, has thrown his full…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, on-the-move, politics
Laurens County Chorale Brings ‘Voices of America’ to Clinton and Laurens this Weekend
April 29, 2026
The Laurens County Chorale will present its spring concert, “Voices of America,” this Friday and Sunday, offering the community two opportunities to experience a musical celebration of 250 years of…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, on-the-move, the-arts
Historic Charleston Foundation announces the 2026 Charter Day Award winners, honoring excellence in stewardship, craft, and advocacy
April 28, 2026
Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) announced the 2026 Charter Day award winners, recognizing outstanding achievements in the protection, restoration, and interpretation of Charleston’s historic built environment. This year’s honorees represent a…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: architecture, construction, headlines, non-profit, on-the-move
Love Like Maddie Foundation Invites Laurens County to 3rd Annual Family Fun Day at Lake Rabon
April 27, 2026
The Love Like Maddie (LLM) Foundation is bringing its 3rd Annual Family Fun Day back to Lake Rabon Park in Laurens on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 2…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: entertainment, festivals-special-events, headlines, on-the-move
M. Judson Booksellers to Open Second Location in Fountain Inn in June
April 27, 2026
One of the Upstate’s most celebrated independent bookstores is expanding its story. M. Judson Booksellers, the literary landmark that has called downtown Greenville home since 2015, will open a second…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news, laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, on-the-move
Presbyterian College Choir Delivers Stunning ‘America’s Anthem’ Concert in Clinton
April 27, 2026
In a week that has already seen a remarkable string of musical performances at Presbyterian College, the Presbyterian College Choir and PC Vocal Select brought the season to a breathtaking…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts
Why It’s Called the Golden Strip: The Story Behind the Name—and the Region It Represents
April 27, 2026
The name Golden Strip is everywhere now—used in business, media, and everyday conversation across the Upstate. But where did it come from, and why has it endured? The answer lies…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: education, headlines, on-the-move
New Seating Restrictions Announced for CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
April 27, 2026
Music fans heading to Simpsonville for the 2026 concert season will need to leave their favorite lawn chairs at home. The CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park has officially updated its…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news, laurenscountybuzz Category: festivals-special-events, headlines, on-the-move
It takes a community: Sustaining a mission when the need keeps growing
April 26, 2026
By Karen Owens, Publisher This is the final installment of three‑part series on St. Christopher’s Children that has explored the organization’s mission and origins and the resale store that helps…
Read MorePosted in: georgetown-sc-gazette Category: headlines, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy
Mauldin Business License Renewal Deadline is this Thursday, April 30
April 26, 2026
Business owners in Mauldin are reminded that the deadline to renew their 2026 business license is this Thursday, April 30. The City of Mauldin is encouraging all business owners to…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: government, headlines, on-the-move
HGTC President Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore to retire after 51 years of service
April 23, 2026
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) President Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore has announced her retirement after 51 years of service to the College, effective July 31, 2026. Dr. Fore has served as…
Read MorePosted in: georgetown-sc-gazette Category: education, government, headlines, on-the-move
Aptiv Brings $120.8 Million Investment and 277 Jobs to Connexial Center in Gray Court
April 22, 2026
Global automotive supplier Aptiv Services US, LLC is the latest company to select the Connexial Center Industrial Park in Gray Court as home, bringing with it a $120.8 million investment…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: economic-development, headlines, on-the-move
Clinton Is the Place to Be This Saturday — Two Big Events, One Amazing Day
April 22, 2026
Saturday, April 25 is shaping up to be a full day worth circling on the calendar, with two community events offering residents and visitors plenty of reasons to get out…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: entertainment, festivals-special-events, headlines, on-the-move
Amazon to establish delivery facility in Ninety Six Business Park
April 22, 2026
Greenwood County has announced that Amazon, previously identified during the recruitment process as Project Piranha, is planning to build an operations facility at the Ninety Six Business Park, creating new…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: economic-development, headlines, manufacturing, on-the-move
Buzz Publisher Expands into Golden Strip with New Website and Newsletter Launch
April 22, 2026
Readers of Laurens County Buzz now have a new way to stay connected beyond county lines. A new digital news source, Golden Strip News, has officially launched both its website…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, media, on-the-move
Ferrara Candy Company selects Orangeburg County for first South Carolina operation
April 22, 2026
Ferrara Candy Company (Ferrara), a leading sugar confectioner in the United States, Brazil and Europe, announced plans to establish its first South Carolina operation in Orangeburg County. The company’s $675…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: economic-development, government, headlines, manufacturing, on-the-move
Clemson’s Next Generation of Leaders Explore Fountain Inn’s Economic Blueprint
April 22, 2026
The City of Fountain Inn recently served as a real-world classroom for some of the state’s brightest academic minds. Mayor GP McLeer and city officials welcomed a cohort of students…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: education, headlines, on-the-move
Six GOP Contenders for Governor Faced Off in Charleston Primary Debate
April 22, 2026
The race to succeed term-limited Governor Henry McMaster intensified on Tuesday evening as six Republican candidates took the stage for a pivotal televised debate. The event, held at the Sottille…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: government, headlines, on-the-move
Center for Community Services Challenges Local Churches to “Host a Food Drive” This Summer
April 22, 2026
As local congregations begin their summer countdowns, the Center for Community Services (CCS) is issuing a call to action to make this year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) more impactful than…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: churches, headlines, on-the-move, philanthropy
First Citizens appoints new Executive Vice President for its South Region
April 21, 2026
Career banker, Holt Chetwood from Columbia, takes on expanded leadership role First Citizens Bank, a top 20 U.S. super regional, has named Holt Chetwood as Regional Executive Vice President in an…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz Category: banking-and-finance, headlines, on-the-move
Scout Motors and readySC open new training center in Blythewood
April 20, 2026The $25 million facility on the site of Scout Motors’ Production Center marks a major investment in South Carolina’s workforce and the future of American manufacturing …
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, headlines, manufacturing, on-the-move
Community Rallies Behind Post 25, Raising More than $6,500 to Support Post 25 Members Jim Peterson and Jim Massey
April 20, 2026
American Legion Post 25 hosted a fundraiser on Saturday that drew riders from across the state, neighbors, and local businesses together for a cause close to home. By the end…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, on-the-move, social-scene, veterans
From Timber to Trailblazing: Stony Creeks Farm Pioneers Hay Pellet Production in South Carolina
April 20, 2026
In the rural community of Cross Hill, where farmland and forestry shape both landscape and livelihood, Stony Creeks Farm stands as a powerful example of how innovation can grow from…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: agriculture, headlines, on-the-move, social-scene
Presbyterian College Bands Deliver Powerful Tribute to the American Spirit in “250 Years in the Making” Concert
April 20, 2026
The Presbyterian College Bands delivered a moving and masterfully executed performance Thursday evening, bringing the audience to its feet with a patriotic program titled “America: 250 Years in the Making.”…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: education, headlines, on-the-move, the-arts
Pinnacle Bank Celebrates Grand Opening of New Mauldin Office with Community Focus
April 20, 2026
Pinnacle Financial Partners officially opened the doors to its new Mauldin office this week, welcoming community leaders, clients, and partners for a ribbon-cutting celebration that highlighted both growth and a…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: banking-and-finance, chamber, headlines, on-the-move
Moultrie Southern Cuisine & Spirits to Take Center Stage at Taste of the Upstate
April 19, 2026
One of Laurens’ own restaurants is stepping into the spotlight as Moultrie Southern Cuisine & Spirits joins the lineup for the highly anticipated Taste of the Upstate. Chef Zackary Owens,…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: food, headlines, on-the-move
Mother’s Day in the Golden Strip: A Guide to Local Celebrations
April 18, 2026
From the charming storefronts of Main Street to the budding greenhouses across the region, Mother’s Day 2026 is shaping up to be a community-wide celebration. Simpsonville, Mauldin, and Fountain Inn…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: entertainment, festivals-special-events, food, headlines, on-the-move, retail
SC Forestry Commission Issues Statewide Burning Ban
April 16, 2026
The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 7 a.m. Friday, April 17. A State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits all outdoor…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: government, headlines, on-the-move
SC Forestry Commission Issues Statewide Burning Ban
April 16, 2026
The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 7 a.m. Friday, April 17. A State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits all outdoor…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: government, headlines, on-the-move
Mauldin High Cadet Annika Hoag Named Navy JROTC Commanding Officer for 2026-27 School Year
April 15, 2026
Mauldin High School has announced that Cadet Annika Hoag has been selected to serve as the Cadet Commanding Officer for the school’s Navy JROTC unit for the 2026-27 academic year.…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: education, headlines, military, on-the-move
From Soil to Supper: Farmers Markets Prepare for 2026 Season in the Golden Strip
April 14, 2026
As the Upstate landscape bursts into spring color, the communities of the Golden Strip are preparing for the return of one of their most beloved seasonal traditions. From Mauldin to…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: entertainment, festivals-special-events, food, headlines, on-the-move, retail
Laurens County School District 56 Child Nutrition Director Cindy Jacobs Named 2026 Director of the Year
April 14, 2026
Laurens County School District 56 is celebrating one of its own after Cindy Jacobs, Child Nutrition Director for District 56, was named the 2026 Director of the Year by the…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: education, headlines, on-the-move
Experts Warn Job Seekers About Sophisticated New Phishing Scam Using Google AppSheet
April 14, 2026
Cybersecurity experts are warning job seekers to stay alert after scammers began exploiting Google’s AppSheet platform to send highly convincing phishing emails disguised as employment opportunities. According to cybersecurity officials,…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, hi-tech-information-tech, on-the-move
Experts Warn Job Seekers About Sophisticated New Phishing Scam Using Google AppSheet
April 14, 2026
Cybersecurity experts are warning job seekers to stay alert after scammers began exploiting Google’s AppSheet platform to send highly convincing phishing emails disguised as employment opportunities. According to cybersecurity officials,…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: headlines, hi-tech-information-tech, on-the-move
Bell’s Crossing Fifth Grader Named Governor’s Art Contest Finalist for Litter Prevention Artwork
April 14, 2026
A Simpsonville student is being recognized at the state level for using her artistic talents to promote environmental stewardship. PalmettoPride announced the finalists for the 2026 Governor’s Art Contest on…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: education, headlines, on-the-move, the-arts
Suniva, Inc. Selects Laurens County for First South Carolina Manufacturing Facility
April 14, 2026
$350 million investment will create 564 new jobs Suniva, Inc. (Suniva), a U.S.-owned and -operated solar cell manufacturer, today announced it selects Laurens County for its first South Carolina manufacturing…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: economic-development, employment, headlines, on-the-move
Suniva, Inc. selects Laurens County for first South Carolina manufacturing facility
April 14, 2026
Suniva, Inc. (Suniva), a U.S.-owned and -operated solar cell manufacturer, has selected Laurens County for its first South Carolina manufacturing facility. The company’s $350 million investment is expected to create…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: headlines
Laurens County Resident Lt. Col. Karla Evans Retires After 22 Years of Distinguished Military Service
April 13, 2026
After more than two decades of honorable service to state and nation, Laurens County resident Lt. Col. Karla N. Evans officially retired from the South Carolina Army National Guard during…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, military, on-the-move, social-scene
Quick-Thinking FedEx Driver Prevents Potential Accident at Clinton Soup Kitchen
April 13, 2026
What could have been a serious accident turned into a moment of gratitude last week thanks to the swift actions of a FedEx driver passing by the soup kitchen operated…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, on-the-move
