We welcomed the following new members during March:

Abby Easterling

Mid-Carolina Lions Club

Cannon & Graves Auto Sales

Chapin We Care Center

Jessie Morris, Blue Cross Blue Shield

During March, the Leadership Newberry County class explored both Education and Government. The Education day included in-depth discussions on programs and supports available in our public school system, tours of the Newberry County Career Center and Boundary Street Elementary, the Newberry campus of Piedmont Technical College, and shared information from Newberry Academy Head of School Brian Fitzgerald.

The Government date included a tour of the State House, witnessing sessions in both the House and Senate, discussion about local government, and discussion on the class project. We cannot wait to present the project proposal of the 2017-2018 class!

We hosted a breakfast on March 15 entitled “Engaging the Untapped Workforce” and had an engaged nine attendees for this workshop.

The March Business After Hours was sponsored by and hosted at the Hampton Inn on March 20.

The Newberry County Young Professionals assisted in the cafeteria for the Second Annual Tom Perry Basketball Tournament hosted by the Newberry County Coalition on Underage Drinking on March 24.

It was a pleasure talking about the Chamber with Girl Scout Troop 990 in their journey for their business badge.

We look forward to the following events:

The Newberry County Young Professionals will host their monthly Civic Engagement Gathering on April 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Half Full at 1402 Main Street in downtown Newberry. The discussion will center around causes and targeted action. You are welcome to join this non-partisan, informal discussion. On April 26 they will host their quarterly membership meeting and social. Go ahead and save the date for their Legacy Gala on May 11 at the Newberry Firehouse Conference Center. You can dress in your finest attire and dine and dance the night away. For all details, contact us or follow them on Facebook at Newberry County Young Professionals.

Business at the Ballpark will take place Tuesday, April 10 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Whitaker Floor Coverings is sponsoring this event at the Newberry College’s Smith Road Complex. Join us as the Wolves baseball team takes on Augusta at 6:00 p.m. and enjoy this family-friendly evening of food, beverages, and baseball.

We look forward to hosting a Bunco Tournament in the evening of April 19. Sponsored by Uptown Pour, the event will take place in their storefront location at 1110 Main Street in downtown Newberry. The social will begin at 5:30 p.m., and play will begin at 6:00 p.m. We look forward to having veteran and new players participate in this fun event. There are three levels of participation available:

Table Sponsor: $250

Includes four (4) Bunco Player Spots

Table Sponsor

Recognition at Event

Friend of Bunco: $100

Includes Recognition at Event

Bunco Player: $30

The South Carolina Ag + Art Tour dates have been set. Newberry County will participate on June 23 and 24. Our committee has begun to meet, and we look forward to celebrating and showcasing our agricultural heritage and local artists for the second year.

Volunteer Spotlight

We have had some dedicated volunteers throughout the years here at the Chamber and Visitors Center. Recently we have had to bid farewell to three folks who have volunteered their time to open the Visitors Center on Saturdays. Margaret Epting and Jackie Columbo retired from their once a month posts, and we wish them the best in their latest retirement. Michael R. Tracey has been a mainstay here for all of the other Saturdays for several years and has now decided to retire as well. His devotion as a sharer of history and information about our community will be missed. If you see these folks around, wish them well and thank them for their service in helping promote Newberry County! If you are interested in coming in from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. some Saturdays to greet visitors and share information, please contact us.

Board Spotlight

There are 14 members of the Chamber board, and over the next few months, we would like to introduce them.

Austin Willingham, Secretary

Austin is a graduate of Newberry High School and Coastal Carolina and has worked at Willingham and Sons Inc for 11 years. He is in his fourth year as president of the Newberry County Touchdown Club after serving as Vice President for three years. He is a member of the Silverstreet Lutheran Men in Mission. He and Beth, his wife of eight years, are parents to Bryce, now six-years-old.

Our mission is to promote a positive business environment and to enhance the quality of life in Newberry County by supporting the state and county economic development efforts while meeting the needs of our communities and members. Please visit us at 1209 Caldwell Street on the first floor of Community Hall in downtown Newberry or call us at 803-276-4274 to discuss your business needs.

Chamber member DJ Trav (Travis Gilliam) played the tracks for the day.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_20180324_082054.jpgChamber member DJ Trav (Travis Gilliam) played the tracks for the day. Michelle Long | For The Newberry Observer

The Newberry County Young Professionals assisted in the cafeteria for the Second Annual Tom Perry Basketball Tournament hosted by the Newberry County Coalition on Underage Drinking.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_20180324_083953.jpgThe Newberry County Young Professionals assisted in the cafeteria for the Second Annual Tom Perry Basketball Tournament hosted by the Newberry County Coalition on Underage Drinking. Michelle Long | For The Newberry Observer

Chamber Board member Laura Kneece and her team getting ready to hit the court at the tournament.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_20180324_095053.jpgChamber Board member Laura Kneece and her team getting ready to hit the court at the tournament. Michelle Long | For The Newberry Observer

It was a pleasure talking about the Chamber with Girl Scout Troop 990 in their journey for their business badge.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_GS-Troop-990.jpgIt was a pleasure talking about the Chamber with Girl Scout Troop 990 in their journey for their business badge. Michelle Long | For The Newberry Observer

Senator Ronnie Cromer took us on a tour of the State House, including some behind-the-scenes areas.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_20180322_100529.jpgSenator Ronnie Cromer took us on a tour of the State House, including some behind-the-scenes areas. Michelle Long | For The Newberry Observer

Leadership Government Day.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_Leadership-Gov-State-House.jpgLeadership Government Day. Michelle Long | For The Newberry Observer

Business After Hours at Hampton Inn.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_BAH-HI2.jpgBusiness After Hours at Hampton Inn. Michelle Long | For The Newberry Observer

Leadership Education Day.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_20180307_092807.jpgLeadership Education Day. Michelle Long | For The Newberry Observer

We were recognized in both the House and the Senate.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_State-House-recognition.jpgWe were recognized in both the House and the Senate. Michelle Long | For The Newberry Observer

Michelle Long for The Newberry Observer