News Archive 2008

Blue Laws Suspension Levels Playing Field for Local Retailers During Holiday Shopping Season In a move supported by the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Laurens County Council voted Tuesday night (October 28) to suspend the state Blue Laws in the unincorporated areas of the county. More.
Barbecue Festival Continues Phenomenal Growth In the not so distant past, when the foundation stones were being laid for Laurens' annual barbecue festival, no one would probably have imagined the growth the event would experience in its first seven years. But when more than 22,000 people crowded into the historic Court House Square on October 3rd and 4th, there was no denying Squealin' on the Square has grown into the most anticipated festival in the county. More.
Hill’s Service Company, Inc. Registers Laurens County’s First Apprenticeship Program Apprenticeship Carolina™, a division of the SC Technical College System, is pleased to announce that Hill’s Service Company, Inc. has joined the growing number of companies in the state establishing a federally recognized apprenticeship program. Hill’s Service Company, Inc. has been providing heating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) services in Laurens County for over 40 years. More.
2nd Annual Lakelands Challenge Shows Strength of Regionalism: The Laurens County and Greater Greenwood Chambers of Commerce enjoyed another successful regional golf tournament September 12 at The Patriot Golf Club at Grand Harbor on Lake Greenwood. Eighty golfers participated in the tournament under a powder blue Carolina sky. Read More About it.
Fond Farewell The staff and board of directors of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce presented a framed resolution of appreciation to outgoing president and CEO Rob Clapper at his final board meeting on September 8. Clapper left Laurens County to become the president and CEO of the Greensboro (NC) Chamber of Commerce. The 2008 ACCE National Chamber of the Year awards are pictured in front of Clapper and Board Chairman Jim Firmin.
Business Fellowship in August More than 130 Chamber members attended the August Business After Hours hosted by the Presbyterian College Office of Career Services at The Depot in downtown Clinton. Read More About it on our Networking page.
Celebrating Our Heritage Pioneer Day, an annual celebration of local heritage, was held September 13 in Owings in northern Laurens County. Dr. Rembert Owings, 101 year old grandson of the founder of the Owings community, served as the parade grand marshal. Read More and See the Photo Gallery

Words From Washington A crowd of nearly 200 was on hand August 21 at First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Laurens to hear Third District Congressman Gresham Barrett during the annual Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Congressional Luncheon sponsored by Duke Energy. At the conclusion of the luncheon, Congressman Barrett was presented the Spirit of Enterprise award by the United States Chamber of Commerce. The award is presented annually to a legislator whose votes have consistently represented the interests and preferences of the multi-million member national organization. Pictured with Congressman Barrett is, at right, Moore Hallmark of the United States Chamber of Commerce.
All Work and No Play The Chamber staff proved it's not all about work, even on business trips, when they attended the Pittsburgh Pirates-Colorado Rockies baseball game in Pittsburgh, PA in August. The baseball game was part of the entertainment during the annual ACCE Convention. The staff also attended the ACCE Tailgate Party at Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pictured from the left are Rob Clapper, Marlene Owings and Randall Frye.
Duke Energy Luncheon Duke Energy, a long-time Chamber member, recently treated the Chamber staff and leadership team to a luncheon celebrating the 2008 ACCE Chamber of the Year award. Pictured, from the left, are Marlene Owens (Vice-President of Finance), Keri Clapper, Rob Clapper (former Chamber president and CEO), Chip Cooper (president of the 100 Club), Jay Peay (Chairman-elect of the Chamber's board of directors), Randy Britton (Duke Energy), and Jim Firmin (Chairman of the board of directors). Randall Frye (Vice-President of Members Services) was the photographer.
Celebrate Rehabilitations Project A number of community leaders joined the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce and the management and staff of Boyd Management for a ribbon cutting and open house on August 6 to celebrate the completion of a $785,000 rehabilitation project at Countryside Apartments in Clinton. The apartment complex is part of a portfolio of 23 properties that obtained funds from the United States Department of Agriculture and the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority in order to rehabilitate the property. The project included installing new appliances, solid wood cabinets, countertops, sinks, faucets and dishwashers in each unit. New playground equipment was also installed. The project brought the property into full ADA compliance.

LCCC Named 2008 ACCE National Chamber of the Year The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce was presented the prestigious “National Chamber of the Year” award by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) at the group’s annual conference Friday evening in Pittsburgh. Chamber of the Year is the nation’s only award which recognizes the dual role chambers play in creating both leading businesses and communities.
Read More Here

Patsy Adams wins the 2007 Main Street South Carolina Hometown Hero Award Patsy Adams of Laurens was awarded the 2007 Main Street South Carolina Hometown Hero Award at the Municipal Association's 68th annual meeting in Charleston on July 19. Main Street South Carolina is a program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. Read More Here

Woods Edge Gifts in Laurens wins the 2007 Main Street South Carolina Master Merchant Award Woods Edge Gifts in Laurens was awarded the 2007 Main Street South Carolina Master Merchant Award at the Municipal Association’s 68th Annual Meeting in Charleston on July 19. Main Street South Carolina is a program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. Read More Here

Clapper Named President of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce After an energetic and fast paced two years and a highly successful reorganization Rob Clapper has announced his resignation as president and CEO of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce effective October 01, 2008 to assume new challenges as the President of the Greensboro, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce. He has served in his current position since 2006. Read More Here

Founders Celebrates Grand Opening Rob Clapper, far right, president and CEO of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, looks on as Jim Firmin, chairman of the Chamber's board of directors, and Bruce Brumfield, president and CEO of Founders Federal Credit Union cut the ribbon to officially open Founders' new location at 24543 Highway 76 East in Clinton on July 22. Nearly 400 Chamber and credit union members enjoyed the festivities that included a huge selection of food and beverages, music, and prize drawings for $250 and $500 VISA gift cards. Founders also has a Laurens branch located at 1307 West Main Street.

Farmer's Market Opens The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce joined Main Street Laurens for the official grand opening and ribbon cutting for the Laurens Farmer's Market on July 12. The market will open each Saturday morning at 8 a.m. through September on the Court House Square in downtown Laurens. Members of the Chamber's board of directors, Chamber Ambassadors, local government leaders and representatives from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture were on hand for the grand opening celebration.

New Attorney The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting at the law office of Laura Bardsley Houck on July 16. The office is located at 1027 West Main Street in Laurens in the Palmetto Heritage Real Estate building.

A Successful Summer Stroll More than 200 Chamber members and guests enjoyed the first ever Summer Stroll Business After Hours on the historic Court House Square in Laurens on June 19. The event was hosted by Holmes Photography, Picture This Frame Shop, The Artist's Coop and Thomason's Jewelers. More Photos Here

Presbyterian College Announces First Dean of New Pharmacy School The planned Presbyterian College school of pharmacy has its founding dean. Dr. Richard Stull, the dean of the school of pharmacy and assistant provost for graduate studies at the University of Charleston in Charleston, W. Va. has accepted the college's offer to become dean. He will lead the team that is charged with developing the first school of pharmacy in Upstate South Carolina. Read More Here

Grand Opening The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of Remax Property Professionals on June 20 with a ribbon cutting and open house. The offices are located in The Oaks Plaza on North Harper Street in Laurens. A large crowd was on hand for the event and were treated to an assortment of refreshments and tours of the office following the official ribbon cutting.

Ministry Hosts Open House The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce joined the leaders of Straight Street in Laurens on May 29 for an open house and ribbon cutting dedicating the new basketball courts at the facility. Founded nearly fourteen years ago by Mr. and Mrs. Dickie Martin and Mr. and Mrs. David Humphries, the program operates as a safe harbor for youth each Friday and Saturday night. More than 61% of the teenagers served through the ministry come from single parent families. The program offers recreational and fellowship opportunities as well as Bible study. Straight Street is located next door to First United Methodist Church on West Main Street in downtown Laurens. Wayne French is the program's executive director and is supported by an active board of directors.
Super Center in the Works In a much anticipated move, Wal-Mart began construction on a new super center in mid-May. The retail giant purchased land on East Main Street, directly across from its current Laurens location. Gilliam and Associates of Aiken is the general contractor for the project. They have located their offices in the former Parker Furniture store. The center will have entrances on East Main Street and Highway 127. The project, scheduled for completion in early 2009, is expected to spur further retail development in the area. Wal-Mart and the Wal-Mart Distribution Center have been supporting members of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce since both located in the county.

New Clinton Location The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce joined store manager Chris Teague and his staff for a ribbon cutting and cook-out at O'Reilly Auto Parts on May 28. Founded in Missouri in 1957, O'Reilly has grown to become one of the largest auto parts stores in the United States with 32 South Carolina locations and 1830 nationwide. The Clinton store, located at 802 South Broad Street, is the company's second Laurens County facility.

Small Business of the Quarter Holmes Photography of Laurens has been named the Small Business of the Quarter by the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce. Pictured at the award presentation are, from the left, Chamber board chairman Jim Firmin, Chamber president and CEO Rob Clapper, Holmes Photography owner Suellen Holmes, and Chamber chairman-elect Jay Peay. Read More Here

Ambassador of the Quarter Brad Hollon, third from left, has been named Ambassador of the Quarter by the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce. Pictured at the award presentation, from the left, are Chamber Board Chairman-Elect Jay Peay, Chamber president and CEO Rob Clapper, Hollon, and Chamber Board Chairman Jim Firmin. Read More Here

Small Business Celebration a Succcess A crowd of more than 115 Chamber members enjoyed the annual Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Celebration on May 22. The celebration enjoyed a beautiful Carolina spring evening at the Little River Amphitheater in Laurens after being rained out the previous week. The celebration was sponsored by GOS, SwaimBrown and Whiteford's Giant Burger of Laurens. Chamber members enjoyed grilled hamburgers, grilled chicken and hot wings while they danced to the sounds provided by S & D Mobile DJ Service of Greenville.
See All the Photos Here

Tourism Partners Visit Laurens County Randall Frye of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce hosted the Old 96 Tourism District quarterly partners' roundtable and tour on May 7. The quarterly meetings grew out of frequent meetings held across the district's five counties to now include a roundtable discussion and tour of local attractions. The familiarization tours help partners within the district to become more aware of the destinations, restaurants, hotels and events in each county. Following the roundtable idea and information exchange at the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, the group traveled to Gray Court for a delicious lunch at the Red Barn Restaurant that included their famous Southern Egg Rolls made with ham, black eyed peas and collard greens. The group then toured the Culbertson Backcountry Settlement in Gray Court and Musgrove Mill State Historic Site and The Clinton Museum in Clinton. The Old 96 Tourism District includes Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, and Laurens Counties and is headquartered on the historic Court House Square in downtown Laurens.

Grand Opening Celebration The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting as part of the grand opening celebration for the new location of Capital Bank in Clinton on May 14. The location is at 198 Jacobs Highway, part of one of the fastest growing retail, banking and professional centers in the community. The celebration included free hot dogs, family activities, and door prizes including a new gas grill.

Presbyterian College Celebrates 125th Commencement Exercises A beautiful spring day filled with equal parts pomp, humor, gratitude, hope, and remembrance marked Presbyterian College’s 125th commencement ceremonies May 10 on the West Plaza. Approximately 260 members of the Class of 2008 received the last words of wisdom they would hear as college students, including advice from a peer gathered by Outstanding Senior Cody Mitchell, a newly-commissioned second lieutenant from Bethune, S.C. Read More Here

Harris Springs Preserve Receives National Spotlight The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce was excited to learn this week that one of its members has been recognized for a prestigious national honor. Orvis, a pioneer in the mail order business in the United States, has named Harris Springs Sportsman’s Preserve in Waterloo as its Wingshooting Lodge of the Year. Read More Here

The LDHS Bands will give their Spring Performances on Tuesday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the Lecture Theatre. The evening will feature music prepared by the three ability-based ensembles. The highlights of each performance include work from the Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. All members of the community are invited. The cost will be $3 at the door of the LDHS Lecture Theater.

Celebrating a New LocationThe Laurens County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of the new location of Our Little Shop at 211 Fleming Street in Laurens on May 9. The thrift store helps raise funds for the Laurens County Safe Home, a non-profit organization that provides shelter and other services to victims of domestic abuse and their families. Founded as an outreach of the First United Methodist Church of Laurens nearly twenty years ago, the shop's new location offers expanded sales space. Staffed mainly by volunteers, the store offers clothing at reduced prices as well as children's items and small appliances. All funds raised through the thrift shop and donations from the community go to assist the Safe Home clients and their families. The shop also assists clients with getting back on their feet after escaping abusive relationships. The shop gladly accepts donations from the community to support their mission.

Chamber Celebrates 30th Anniversary in Style The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 30th anniversary on April 24 with a picnic and concert on the West Plaza of Presbyterian College campus in Clinton. The event drew more than 350 Chamber members for an evening of good food, fellowship, music and dancing. Emily Bailey, Augusta Dixon, John Faris and Virginia Vance were the honorary hosts for the celebration. Event sponsors were Carolina First Bank, Cooper Motor Company, Laurens County Health Care System, #1 Sign Designs, Presbyterian College, Printers Associates, and Sodexho Campus Services. Budweiser of Spartanburg and Spartanburg Coca Cola Bottling Company were the beverage sponsors. Chamber members enjoyed a traditional picnic menu of fried chicken and all the trimmings. An ice cream buffet was a big hit of the evening. The Laurens and Clinton Chambers of Commerce joined together in 1978 to form the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce.

Wake Hopes S.C. Town Can Teach How to Keep Teachers by Erin Coleman for WRAL.com; a story that places a positive light on Clinton and South Carolina. Our educators continue to work hard to make programs more and more successful in our Districts and they are obviously getting attention from their efforts.

The Hollywood Treatment The parking lot of Ryan's Steakhouse in Simpsonville resembled Oscar Night in Hollywood as more than 200 Laurens County students arrived April 23 for the Limos for Learning literacy celebration. Founded in Laurens four years ago as a non-profit organization by local entrepreneur Betsy Ross, the organization has grown tremendously from its beginnings with just 12 students and now reaches across the entire state. The program encourages lifelong reading as a part of a successful career path. The annual celebration rewards students who have met their reading goals during the school year.

Chamber Welcomes New Member The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newest member April 26 with a ribbon cutting and grand opening at Uptown Fitness Club in Laurens. Located at 243 Hillcrest Drive in the Food Lion Shopping Center, the club offers the latest in fitness equipment as well as personal training for members. Chamber president and CEO Rob Clapper and Laurens Mayor Sharon Brownlee were on hand to congratulate owner Bob Marchman.

Top 10 Small Towns in the South that Deserve a Second Look Laurens, SC is listed at the top in a recent issue of Southern Business and Development magazine. "As the midpoint between the upstate business center of Greenville and the state capital Columbia, Laurens SC is perfectly positioned to provide access to everything the state has to offer."

Laurens County Featured in National Magazine By: Amanda L. Capps Randall Frye, membership director for the Chamber of Commerce, is getting more telephone calls these days from people who want to know what it’s like to live in Laurens County. The added interest this month can be attributed to a feature story in a national magazine called "Where to Retire." Read the Article Here at GoLaurens.com.
Laurens County Leaders Say Cooperation is the Key By: Amanda L. Capps More than 150 of Laurens County’s business leaders and public officials gathered Friday to discuss the state of Laurens County. Read the Article Here at GoLaurens.com.
Homegrown Hero King Dixon, right, was recognized during the March meeting of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce. A long time member of the board, Dixon was recently honored as the Homegrown Hero for Laurens County during the recent South Carolina Department of Commerce’s Rural Summit in Clemson. The Homegrown Hero award is designed to acknowledge and applaud those individuals who have moved back to their hometown and have made an impact in the community after successful careers elsewhere. Pictured with Dixon is John Baggett of the Department of Commerce.

Congressional Visit U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett hosted a breakfast for constituents on March 17 at the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce. The congressman frequently hosts meetings with small groups across South Carolina’s Third Congressional District that gives residents a chance to meet face to face with their voice in Washington. The Laurens County group expressed their concerns on a number of issues including the war in Iraq, rising gas prices, and healthcare costs. Pictured above with Congressman Barrett, center, are Bill Baldwin of Laurens, left, and Chamber of Commerce board of directors chairman Jim Firmin.

The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Staff and Members Congratulate Angela Marlett Insurance Agency on your 10th Anniversary!

Firmin Ford Receives Company's Highest Honor Firmin Ford of Laurens got some great news in March as they received recognition as a winner of the coveted 2007 President’s Award. Read More Here

PC Trustees Vote to Start New Pharmacy School in S.C. Presbyterian College's board of trustees approved a proposal today to create a new pharmacy school in Upstate South Carolina. The pharmacy program will serve a total of 300 students and, pending accreditation, is expected to open in the fall of 2010. Read More Here

FAM Tour Visits Laurens County Representatives from each of South Carolina's nine Welcome Centers visited Laurens County as part of a familiarization tour the staff takes approximately every two years to the five counties that make up the Old 96 Tourism District. The tours allow the staff to learn more about the sites they help promote to tourist at the major entry points to the state. During their February 19 visit, the staff toured Musgrove Mill State Historic Site in Clinton and The Artist's Coop in Laurens. The group also did a driving tour of the Culbertson Backcountry Settlement in Gray Court and West Main, Irby and South Harper Streets in Laurens. The group was treated to lunch at The Vance House Restaurant in Owings by the Gray Court-Owings Historical Society. Pictured above with the group are Dianne Culbertson and Sarah Jane Armstrong, far left, of the historical society, and Randall Frye, far right, of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce.

Back to Their Roots Members of the Laurens County Master Gardeners Association met by the fireplace of the historic log cabin at the Joe Adair Outdoor Education Center in Laurens on a recent cold Thursday morning. The group enjoyed apple cider warmed in the fireplace as they planned decorations for the Spotlight on Agriculture banquet scheduled for March 13. The group is comprised of graduates of the Master Gardener program of the Clemson Extension Service.

Six in a Row The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors honored the Bell Street Middle School Science Olympiad program by declaring February 25 as "Bell Street Science Olympiad Day" in celebration of the team's sixth consecutive state championship. The team captured the state title on February 9 competing against teams from across South Carolina in the areas of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, problems solving, and technology. The team took first place in 14 of the 20 events at the competition. They were also recognized with the George Renwick Sportsmanship award. The team now advances to the national competition in May at George Washington University in Washington, DC. Pictured above, from the left, are Chamber president and CEO Rob Clapper, Chamber board chairman Jim Firmin, and Terry O'Shields and Kathy Davis representing Bell Street Middle School.

Chamber Ambassadors Honored Rhonda Cruickshanks, far right, a member of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and co-chairperson of the Chamber Development Committee, congratulates Zeke Benjamin and Deb Conrad who were recently honored for their volunteer service to the Chamber. Benjamin, a salesman at Firmin Ford in Laurens, was named Ambassador of the Third Quarter. Conrad, who was honored in the Second Quarter of the year, was named Ambassador of the Fourth Quarter. She is employed at BB&T CIC in Laurens.

Thornwell Receives $1 Million Foundation Gift Thornwell Home for Children President Robert W. Stansell, Jr. announced that the Cassels Family Foundation of Columbia has given a gift of $1 million to fund an endowment for Christian nurture. The Cassels’s gift will help to underwrite a comprehensive program of Christian nurture at Thornwell supporting worship, bible study, mission outreach, liturgical music and the arts, and summer Christian camps and conferences. Read More Here

LCDC Names New Executive Director The Laurens County Development Corporation (LCDC) has hired Marvin Moss as their new Executive Director. After discussing the personnel matter while in Executive Session, the motion was made to offer Marvin Moss the Executive Director position for the LCDC. Moss has been working as Senior Project Manager for LCDC and acting as Interim Executive Director since the inception of the organization. Read More Here

Non-Profit Event Proves Collaboration Works An overflow crowd for the first ever Laurens County non-profit board training proved the benefit of two leading county organizations filling a much needed niche. The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce and the Laurens County United Way worked together to organize the January 11 event at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Clinton. Board members from non-profits from as far away as Greenwood participated in the training facilitated by The Weathers Group of Columbia. More
Small Business Honors Martin Brothers Construction Company in Gray Court has been honored as the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Quarter for the Fourth Quarter of 2007. Started by James and Horace Martin, the company recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with the opening of their new headquarters on Interstate 385. The company is now eligible for the Robert M. Vance Small Business of the Year award which will be presented at the Chamber’s 30th anniversary membership dinner January 31 at Presbyterian College. Pictured above, from the left, are Rob Clapper, president and CEO of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, Phillip Martin and Jimmy Martin of Martin Brothers.

Small Business Award The Farmhouse at Bush River, an Irish Bed and Breakfast in Clinton, was recently honored as the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2007. Located on a working alpaca farm, the bed and breakfast offers beautiful rooms, gourmet meals, lovely gardens and scenic pastures for their many guests. The inn has been a supporting member of the Chamber since opening five years ago. They are listed as one of the best bed and breakfasts in the United States by USA Top 100. Pictured above are from the left, Chamber president and CEO Rob Clapper, Greg and Janet Henley, innkeepers, and Jay Peay, chairman-elect of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. As a quarterly winner, The Farmhouse is now a nominee for the Robert M. Vance Small Business of the Year award to be presented at the Chamber’s 30th anniversary membership dinner on January 31 at Presbyterian College.

Paying it Forward The Hospice of Laurens County Thrift Stores want to thank the community for their tremendous support. We are paying it forward in a "small" way by donating 2 baby baskets, one for a baby boy and one for a baby girl, to the Laurens County Healthcare System Maternity Department. The baskets are filled with blankets, onesies, bibs, stuffed animals, booties and all the other adorable necessities for newborns. The Obstetrics Staff will decide which new parents will benefit the most from this gift and deliver them to the patients’ rooms. Laurens County Thrift Store volunteers Audrey Abel and Carol Trammell were happy to hand these beautifully designed baskets to Jamie Adair, Marketing and Public Relations Director at LCHCS. If you would like to become a Hospice of Laurens County volunteer, please contact Maurice Wilkinson, Volunteer Coordinator, 864-833-6287.

Laurens County Literacy Recycling Program Here's How the Recycling Project Works: Save your empty inkjet and toner cartridges. The Literacy Council can earn as much as $6 per cartridge depending upon its size and popularity. (Smaller sizes earn more) Call the Literacy Council at 984-0466 when you have 5 or more cartridges to arrange pick-up or delivery. This is an ongoing project. Your participation will be greatly appreciated.

Laurens County Community Foundation Annual Meeting Thursday, January 24 at 5:30 PM, Higher Education Center (behind the hospital on Medical Ridge Road) Come to network with members of the community and learn about the funds that the Foundation has under its umbrella, and what the Foundation might do for you. Come, see displays provided by the various organizations and mingle with your friends and neighbors of Laurens County. Refreshments, including wine, will be provided by the Vance House Restaurant of Owings, accompanied by the Giocoso String Quartette of Laurens District 55 High School. For further information call Chairman, George Love at 984-2698.

Award Winners The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Staff recognize the following businesses for outstanding business service and faithful commitment to the Chamber mission. Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Quarter:

The Farmhouse at Bush River Bed and Breakfast; Third Quarter 2007

Martin Brothers Construction Company; Fourth Quarter 2007

Laurens County Non-Profit Board Member Training, Friday, January 11, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon, Hampton Inn & Suites, Clinton, South Carolina Facilitated by The Weathers Group of Columbia, this free training session is open to all board members of non-profit organizations in Laurens County. Learn the role of board members in supporting their respective organizations including carrying out mission statements and fundraising. For more information, call the Chamber at 864-833-2716.

Be Well Welcomes New Massage Therapist Elisabeth Ledford has joined Ann Blair and Brandy on the staff of Be Well in Laurens. Elisabeth will be seeing clients Monday-Friday and some Saturdays. Call her at 864-984-1018 or 200-9275 for an appointment. Visit Be Well on the web at www.Bewell.us.

Chamber of Commerce's Randall Frye Receives Recognition for Tourism Support The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce recently had one of its own named a Five Star Award Winner from the Old 96 Tourism Commission. Randall Frye, Vice President for Membership Services, has been named as one of the 2007-2008 Five Star Award Winners from the Tourism Commission whose mission is to support the counties of Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, and McCormick. More

Chamber President Graduates from Diversity Leaders Academy Rob Clapper, the President & CEO of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce recently was one of fifty members of the class of 2007 to graduate from The Diversity Leadership Academy. The Academy was launched in Greenville in 2003 and is housed in the Richard E. Riley Institute at Furman University, the academy equips leaders with the tools and skills to manage in an ever more diverse environment. More

Chamber Board Endorses South Carolina Chamber's 2008 Agenda The final meeting of the 2007 Chamber Board of Directors became another historic event when the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Board passed a Resolution supporting the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Legislative Agenda. Workforce Development, Tax Reform, Economic Development, Immigration Reform, Affordable Health Care, and Tourism Investment are among some of the key issues in which the Chamber seeks to address in 2008. More