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Greenville Business Magazine

The Business Narrative: Economic Development News in Cowpens

Oct 19, 2022 01:13PM ● By David Dykes

Pharmaceutical Manufacturer to Locate in Cherokee County

Niagara Pharmaceuticals, a manufacturer of eye health and safety products, announced plans to establish its first United States operation in Cherokee County. The company’s $9 million investment will create 45 jobs.

Based in Canada, Niagara Pharmaceuticals offers a variety of eye wash products including emergency wash, contact lens cleaner, self-contained eye wash station additive, and conditioner for portable wash units. The company’s brands are Health Saver and Pur-Wash.

Located at 1290 Mt. Olive Road in Cowpens, Niagara Pharmaceuticals’ Cherokee County facility will accommodate additional production capacity to meet increasing demand of the company’s products.

Operations are expected to begin in 2023.

“Companies from around the world in the life sciences industry are increasingly seeing South Carolina as an ideal place in which to do business,” said Gov. Henry McMaster.

“That Niagara Pharmaceuticals has decided to establish its first U.S. operation in Cherokee County is great news for the company, our state as a whole, and the local community, and we’re grateful for its commitment to our people.”

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project and awarded a $200,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Cherokee County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

Upstate Hospitality Award Winners Announced

The Upstate Chapters of the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association has announced the winners for the 10th Annual Upstate Hospitality Awards, celebrating the exceptional professionalism and outstanding service of top individuals in the industry.

The awards ceremony will be held Nov. 14 at the Hilton Greenville.

Nominations were accepted from SCRLA members in the Upstate, including Anderson, Greenville, Pickens and Spartanburg Counties.

“The talented employees and managers are the individuals who make the hospitality industry so special in Upstate South Carolina, not just the amazing menus and venues,” said Susan Cohen, president and CEO of the SCRLA.

“Each year, we are excited to hear the stories of professionalism, dedication, and the above-and-beyond service that create outstanding team and guest experiences.”

This year’s winners include:

  • Restaurant Front of the House Employee of the Year: James Davis, Greenville Country Club
  • Restaurant Heart of the House Employee of the Year: LaTiffany Cook, Willy Taco
  • Restaurant Bartender of the Year: Dana Lindsey, Ruth’s Chris Steak House
  • Pastry Chef of the Year: Kristyn Gizzi, Restaurant 17
  • Outstanding Chef of the Year: Hank Reinhold, Southern Pressed Juicery
  • Restaurant Manager of the Year: Baileigh Wilson, AC Hotel Greenville
  • Lodging Front of the House Employee of the Year: Rosintan Suryaningsih, Hilton Greenville
  • Lodging Heart of the House Employee of the Year: Josh Gatewood, Embassy Suites Golf Resort Greenville
  • Lodging Manager of the Year: Hannah Metzger, AC Hotel Greenville
  • Hotelier of the Year: Fabian Unterzaucher, Westin Poinsett Hotel
  • Hospitality Educator of the Year: Robert Hansen, Bob Jones University
  • Hospitality Supplier of the Year: Greg Googer, Coastal Development Partners
  • Outstanding Community Service Program: Alicia Long, Hilton Greenville, I Am My Sister’s Bra Foundation

Award winners have the potential to win a statewide SCRLA Stars of the South Carolina Hospitality Industry Award in 2023.

For more information about the Upstate Hospitality Awards and to purchase tickets, visit scrla.org/upstate_ awards.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport to Launch Hidden Disabilities Program

The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) said that beginning Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program will launch at CAE – a new in-terminal initiative for passengers with hidden disabilities.

Airport officials say the program offers a discreet way for those with a hidden disability to self-identify – alerting staff that they, or someone in their party, might need a little more time or extra help. 

Hidden disabilities could be physical, mental, or neurological conditions that could include, but are not limited to, cognitive dysfunction, mental disorders, speech/visual/hearing impairments, anxiety, PTSD or chronic conditions.

“Upon learning about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, we immediately wanted to be involved,” said Mike Gula, CAE executive director. “We do everything we can to ensure our passengers have a good experience while traveling through our airport. By adding this initiative for those who have a hidden disability is just another way we’re putting our passengers’ needs first.” 

Those who want to use the program (for themselves or someone in their traveling party) would simply go to the information desk in the main lobby and ask one of the volunteers for a lanyard or bracelet.

The items are free and don’t need to be returned.

“I am delighted that being part of the global Sunflower network means their passengers can be confident that they will receive the support they need as they travel through the airport,” said Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

Over the last few months, the CAE staff, public safety and security, concessionaires, tenants, and airline partners have participated in the necessary training that accompanies the Hidden Disability Sunflower Program.

The training videos, provided by the company, include best practices for those who engage with a person wearing a sunflower lanyard or bracelet and how to assist them.

Judson Mill District Celebrates Revitalization

Judson Mill District partners, community members and special guests gathered in the Hayne Hipp Community Room at Feed & Seed last week to celebrate the first phase of the revitalization of Judson Mill’s 36-acre site into a sustainable and vibrant mixed-use campus.

The Judson Mill District aims to provide affordable places to live, work, and play while creating connectivity for the surrounding neighborhood.

Five years in the making, the Judson Mill District is now home to offices, co-working space, retail, entertainment, and residential spaces and will soon boast a restaurant and brewery.

Co-developers Tom Taft, chairman and CEO of Taft Family Ventures, and Ken Reiter, president of Belmont Sayre, reflected on progress made on campus and shared details of what’s to come. Afterward, attendees toured the campus to explore the businesses that have opened and others that are under construction.

Belmont Sayre of Chapel Hill, N.C., purchased Judson Mill in 2017. Later joined by Taft Family Ventures of Greenville, N.C., the owners have executed on a vision to transform the historic 800,000 square-foot campus into a sustainable mixed-use community.

“There’s more than 100 years of history here,” Reiter said.

“Our goal has always been to find a modern version of this mill that preserves the spirit and features of the mill while knitting the neighborhood back together.”

The Judson Mill District is now home to tenants such as the Judson Mill Lofts, BlocHaven, Feed & Seed, Cowboy Up Music Venue, and the Jud Hub Social Innovation Center. Future additions to the historic campus include Stumpy’s Hatchet House, HRP, Magnetic South Brewery, River Falls Spa, SeamonWhiteside, High Spirits Hospitality, a restaurant, and athletic courts.

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