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Greenville Business Magazine

The Business Narrative: The Best Places in SC for Retirees

Aug 26, 2022 01:21PM ● By Donna Walker

Greenville Tops List of South Carolina Cities for Retirees

Greenville was ranked No. 1 among South Carolina cities for retirees in a recent study by Clever, a real estate data company.

Rounding out the top five were Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island, Charleston, and Columbia.

The study looked at home values, cost of living, health care quality and accessibility, and local tax rates.

Greenville received a recreation score of 80 out of 100, and an average Yelp score of 3.24 out of 5 stars for local retirement homes, higher than the national average of 3.11 stars. In addition, Greenville’s property tax rate comes in at 0.62 percent, nearly half of the national average of 1.2 percent.

Myrtle Beach was recognized for its large community of retirees and its low property tax rate of 0.44 percent.

Hilton Head and Charleston were lauded for recreational opportunities and increase in home value over the past decade (97 percent for Hilton Head and 122 percent for Charleston).

Columbia was cited for its affordability and quality of health care.

South Carolina has the fifth-highest retiree net migration in the nation, according to 2020 U.S. Census data, and the study cited the state’s tax-friendly laws, reasonable home prices, and year-round “balmy weather.”


David Smith Named President of Milliken’s Textile Business

Diversified global manufacturer Milliken & Company has promoted David Smith to executive vice president and president of Milliken’s Textile Business.

Stepping into this new role after more than 40 years with Milliken, Smith will oversee the company’s diverse textile portfolio that helps the company make a positive impact for generations to come. He moves into the position formerly held by Chad McAllister, after McAllister announced his move to a new opportunity serving a local nonprofit.

“David is a seasoned veteran of the textile industry, bringing his signature values-based leadership to our largest company business,” says Halsey Cook, president and CEO for Milliken & Company. 

“We look forward to all he accomplishes in this new role. At the same time, we wish Chad our very best as he embarks upon a new career path.”

Having most recently served as the senior vice president of engineered performance products and nonwovens, Smith’s experience spans accounting, manufacturing, customer service, sales, marketing and strategic planning competencies.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in financial management from Clemson University and continued his education at leading institutions, including the Advanced Management Program and the Young Executive Institute in Professional Management Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flager Business School. Smith also serves on the board for the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Milliken’s board and senior leadership team for the vote of confidence,” Smith said.

“Leading Milliken’s Textile Business is an exciting challenge for me, and I will strive to excel in this role for the benefit of our global textile team.”

Milliken’s Textile Business encompasses seven main business lines and employs over 4,000 associates across the globe, including 27 manufacturing sites.


Columbia Chamber Accepting Applications for Minority Business Accelerator

The Columbia Chamber is accepting applications for the Midlands Minority Business Accelerator (MMBA) Class of 2023. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. September 30, 2022.

The Midlands Minority Business Accelerator (MMBA) is a program of the Columbia Chamber in partnership with the South Carolina Minority Business Accelerator. The South Carolina Minority Business Accelerator is a statewide initiative formed by the Greenville Chamber, Charleston Metro Chamber and Columbia Chamber.

Funded with a seed grant from Bank of America, the initiative was designed to advance economic inclusion across the state of South Carolina by helping to reduce the economic disparities experienced by minority-owned businesses.

The initiative provides opportunities for economic growth and prosperity for high-potential minority-owned firms. MMBA is a major economic development tool of the Columbia Chamber and is designed to make minority businesses more competitive.

For more information about the MMBA program, contact Henri Baskins at 803-733-1149 or visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com.


AKC Reunite Awards Grants to Seneca, Pickens Police Departments

AKC Reunite, the largest nonprofit pet microchip identification and recovery service provider in the United States, has awarded over $2 million in grants through its AKC Reunite Adopt A K-9 Cop matching grant program.

Two South Carolina law enforcement entities have received grants this year: Seneca Police Department and Pickens Police Department.

Funds were raised by contributions from AKC dog clubs and community members, with AKC Reunite matching donations at a three-to-one ratio.

“Thank you to the clubs who have helped us meet this milestone through their donations and sponsorship of the departments,” said Tom Sharp, AKC Reunite president and CEO.

“This is a significant achievement to help communities throughout the country.”

The most recent grant that helped Adopt A K-9 Cop reach the $2 million mark went to the Dakota County Sheriff’s Department in Minnesota.


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