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Greenville Business Magazine

The Business Narrative: More SEC Hoops for Greenville

Oct 18, 2024 02:53PM ● By Donna Walker

SEC Announces Extension With Greenville as Site for Women's Basketball Tournament

(123rf.com Image)

 

The Southeastern Conference announced a three-year extension with Greenville, South Carolina, to host the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament in 2026, 2027 and 2028 Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Oct. 16, 2024.

 

Greenville previously hosted the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament in 2005, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 and will host it in 2025. 

 

The tournament is played in the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, a sports and entertainment venue. 

 

“The city of Greenville and Bon Secours Wellness Arena have proven to be successful hosts of the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament, and we are pleased to call Greenville home for three additional years,” Sankey said.

 

Sankey added, “The city’s hospitality and organization combined with the quality of the arena make Greenville an ideal location to provide a memorable experience for SEC women’s basketball student-athletes, coaches and fans.” 

 

“Every March since 2017, we have welcomed the Southeastern Conference to Greenville for the Women’s Basketball Tournament, and we are thrilled to announce the extension of our partnership to host the Tournament through 2028, “said Bon Secours Wellness Arena General Manager Beth Paul.

 

She added, “The tournament’s impact on our region is tremendous, bringing in thousands of visitors and fostering a vibrant atmosphere for local businesses.” 

 

VisitGreenvilleSC, the destination marketing organization for the community, works with the Greenville Arena District to bring the event to the city of Greenville. 

 

In the women’s tournament's history, 14 cities have hosted: Albany, Ga. (1987-1992); Athens, Ga. (1984, 1986); Baton Rouge, La.  (1981); Chattanooga, Tenn. (1993-1997, 1999-2000); Columbus, Ga. (1998); Duluth, Ga. (2007, 2010, 2013, 2014); Greenville, S.C. (2005, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024); Jacksonville, Fla. (2016); Knoxville, Tenn. (1980, 1983); Lexington, Ky. (1982); Oxford,  Miss. (1985); Memphis, Tenn. (2001); Nashville, Tenn. (2002, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2022); and North Little Rock, Ark. (2003,  2006, 2009, 2015). 

BMW Group In U.S. Donates $1 Million To American Red Cross For Hurricane Relief

The BMW Group in the U.S. has pledged a donation of $1 million to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to support in the recovery efforts after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

 

“This donation will help the Red Cross give assistance to many in the Carolinas who are in need, including some of our own associates,” said Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing.

 

He added, “Thousands of our BMW family lost power, many had their homes damaged by falling trees, and some had their homes swept away by floods. We offer our thanks and support to the Red Cross and many volunteers who are working so hard on the recovery effort.”

 

BMW Manufacturing is located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, where it employs more than 11,000 people and supports thousands of additional jobs through its supplier network, which includes the Carolinas and Georgia.

Smithey Ironware Company Expands Charleston County Operations

 Smithey Ironware Company, a cookware designer and manufacturer, announced the expansion of its operations in Charleston County.

 

The company’s $3.1 million investment will create 16 jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office.

 

Founded in Charleston in 2015, Smithey designs, markets, and manufactures premium cast iron and carbon steel cookware.

 

The company offers a full range of industry-leading, American-made skillets, roasters, Dutch ovens and more.


Smithey recently expanded into a new headquarters at 1061 Everglades Ave. in North Charleston, which houses administration teams and includes a public showroom.

 

The company also opened a new distribution warehouse at 2060 North Hobson Ave. in North Charleston, to support expanded fulfillment operations and higher production volumes.

 

The new distribution facility will be home to Smithey’s expanded custom engraving operations, allowing customers to add personalized messages to their cast iron and carbon steel cookware.


Operations are online. Those interested in joining the Smithey team should go to the company’s careers page.

McMillan Pazdan Smith Announces Partnership With Providus Capital Partners

McMillan Pazdan Smith, LLC, a leading architecture and planning firm, announced Oct. 15, 2024, that it has partnered with Providus Capital Partners LLC, a growth-oriented equity partner for the architecture and engineering industry.

 

Financial terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed.

 

Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, MPS offers a range of architecture, advisory, planning, and interior design services to a diverse group of public and private clients in the higher education, K-12, health care, civic and cultural, commercial, industrial, and living markets.

 

Today, MPS has over 300 team members across eight offices in the Southeast.

 

Officials said the partnership enables MPS to accelerate the execution of its growth strategy, while creating additional opportunities for staff and clients.

 

"Providus is the ideal partner for MPS as we embark on our next phase of growth," said Chad Cousins, CEO of McMillan Pazdan Smith, who will continue to lead the company. "Their proven success in collaborating with management teams and building highly successful, people-first businesses made this an easy decision for us.”

 

Cousins added, “We look forward to working together to expand our service capabilities, enter new markets, and create opportunities for our team to better serve our clients and positively impact the communities where we live."

 

Said Norm Scherr, managing director at Providus Capital Partners: "MPS is well positioned to capitalize on the robust demand for architectural services that are needed to support growing population centers throughout the Southeast and we look forward to building upon the team’s impressive trajectory with additional investments in organic and acquisition initiatives."

 

AEC Advisors (www.aecadvisors.com), through its registered broker-dealer affiliate AEC Transaction Services LLC, advised McMillan Pazdan Smith.

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