Small Business Optimism Edges Lower in March

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell for a third consecutive month in March, ultimately dropping to its lowest level since 2012.

Sam Bullard, a senior economist, and Patrick Barley, an economic analyst, both for Wells Fargo Economics, said firms reported sharply lower sales expectations from the previous month, and a net 36 percent of respondents expect the economy to worsen in the next six months.

They also said:

* Price pressures and finding quality labor were the primary issues facing small businesses in March, although inflation has muscled its way back to being the foremost concern for most small businesses.

* The net percentage of small business owners raising prices jumped to 28 percent from 21 percent, the highest share since October 2023. The labor market continues to plow ahead, helped along by robust labor supply growth.

* Firms seem to be having an easier time finding workers as the share of firms reporting a difficult-to-fill position fell to its lowest level in just over three years. That said, hiring intentions continued to move lower in March, falling to their lowest level since October 2016 — not including the initial pandemic downturn.

* Small business optimism will likely remain suppressed going forward as firms continue to face difficulties stemming from rising prices, a strong labor market and uncertain demand outlook.

Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation Expands Associate Gift Match Program

The Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation announced expansion of its gift match program as part of the organization's ongoing commitment to serve the communities where Milliken associates live and work.

Inspired by the results of a 2023 project to better understand the needs and desire of Milliken's associate base, the expanded program increases the number of 501c3 organizations eligible for foundation grants and allows full-time company associates in the U.S. to support a wider range of causes they care about.

"Making a substantial positive impact is an essential part of Milliken's mission and purpose," said Halsey Cook, president and chief executive officer of Milliken & Company and chair of the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation.

He added, "Increasing community support for causes that matter most to our people is one of the ways Milliken makes good on our commitment to our associates to build a better future."

The original gift match program focused on providing support for public and private universities and private elementary, middle, and high schools.

Now, the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation will match every dollar an associate donates up to $2,500 for schools and up to $500 for other eligible organizations.

Spartanburg, South Carolina-based Milliken has a long-standing commitment to community engagement.

Building on that legacy, the company formally established the reconstituted Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation in November 2020 to continue growing positive contributions through charitable donations and philanthropic programming.

In addition to the expanded match program, the foundation's core programs include community gifts focused on nonprofits in Spartanburg, S.C., impact gifts to support long-term initiatives, dependent scholarships for children of full-time associates, and disaster relief.

Hartness Announces Sale of 200th Homesite

Hartness announced the sale of the community’s 200th homesite. 

“The sale of our 200th homesite is a significant achievement as well as a testament to Hartness’ dedicated sales team and the demand for an amenity-rich village where interconnectivity and seamless community living are paramount,” said Hartness Development CEO Sean Hartness.

Founded by the Hartness family and located on Greenville, South Carolina’s Eastside, the 482-acre urban village’s design by master planner and urbanist Lew Oliver adheres to the principles of Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) where neighbors connect with each other through scenic sidewalks, green spaces, a village center with access to daily conveniences, and amenities with intentional programming.

Essential to Hartness’ TND design is blend of homesites in proximity to the village’s amenities and that can accommodate a variety of home styles, types, and sizes to serve a range of homeowners in various stages of  life.

Nationally award-winning and home to 153 completed residences, and 19 homes under construction, Hartness sits on the sprawling Hartness family estate where the family has long envisioned creating a legacy community built to last for future generations.

Since breaking ground  in 2016, sales by Hartness Real Estate have increased year-over-year and the pedestrian-friendly village has experienced strategic growth to include land preservation, new neighborhoods, and natural and built amenities such as the Grand Lawn, a mixed-use village center, Hotel Hartness, The Hartness Farm, a Sports Garden, and a pool complex opening this summer.  

Those interested in learning more about Hartness can contact The Hartness Discovery Center at 864.920.0375. The center is located at 2000 Society Drive, Suite 102, in Greenville, S.C.

Celebrate Earth Day 2024 by Volunteering In Myrtle Beach, Lancaster County

Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful (KMMB) is calling on volunteers to help clean up and beautify Myrtle Beach’s Withers Swash Park on Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 2024, from 9 to 11 a.m.

Volunteers can check in at the registration booth located at the Withers Swash Park pavilion, 314 Withers Swash Drive in Myrtle Beach.

Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful will provide trash bags, safety vests, easy-reach grabbers, refreshments and complimentary t-shirts while supplies last.

Withers Swash is a tidal creek estuary where saltwater from the ocean and stormwater from impervious areas mix.

The swash runs from the Atlantic Ocean to U.S. Highway 501, running along 3rd Ave. South and includes several small inland tributaries and a small lake just north of Kings Highway.

The unique natural habitat includes several city parks and recreational areas, a boardwalk, open spaces and road easements — all of which will be swept for litter on Earth Day.

Anyone interested in volunteering can learn more and register in advance at KeepMyrtleBeachBeautiful.com.

Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful, a program of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, is an official affiliate of Palmetto Pride, Keep South Carolina Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.

The program focuses on three pillars: litter removal, recycling and beautification.

Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful aims to bring together the city of Myrtle Beach, community organizations and residents under one umbrella to focus on various efforts to keep Myrtle Beach clean and green.

Meanwhile, as part of Keep Lancaster County Beautiful’s ongoing commitment to  environmental stewardship, the Lancaster County community is invited to participate in the Earth Day Cleanup on April 20, 2024.

Officials said the event aims to beautify surroundings and promote a cleaner,  healthier environment for Lancaster County citizens. 

The cleanup will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at various locations across Lancaster County: 

Site 1: Builders Supply, 501 S. French St., Lancaster. Cleanup areas include Gay Street, Gillsbrook Road, York Street, and 15th Street.

Site 2: Restoration Church parking lot, 8365 Possum Hollow Road, Indian Land. Cleanup areas include Possum Hollow and 521 from the state line to 160.

Site 3: Cross Creek Road and Waxhaw Hwy intersection. 

Site 4: CLDSN, 1126 Camp Creek Road, Lancaster. Cleanup areas include Camp Creek Road from the Bypass to UPS.  

Site 5: Glorious Resurrection of Life Praise & Worship, 289 Brooklyn Ave., Lancaster. Cleanup areas include Brooklyn Avenue.

"We are encouraged by the increase in participation from the community in cleaning up the roadsides of  Lancaster County. We hope to see many more come out on our Earth Day Celebration Cleanup. Volunteers can clean up for an hour or two. Any help is appreciated," said event organizer, Mandy Catoe. 

Gloves, safety vests, garbage bags, and grabbers will be supplied to all volunteers.  

For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, use this link: https://forms.gle/vzSgKQNCXu85hP7CA or contact Mandy Catoe at [email protected]. 

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