NEWS BRIEFS: Chamber recognizes community champions of 2020

Staff reports  |  Navigating the economic challenges of 2020 were tough, but some individuals and businesses learned ways to make it through and make big local differences in the area.  

Firefly Distillery in North Charleston was recognized by the chamber for its leadership. Photo via Charleston City Paper.

“Amongst the difficulties, there were many silver linings and champions that emerged,” said Bryan Derreberry, president and CEO of the Charleston Metro Chamber. “We want to honor and recognize those individuals and businesses that met obstacles face on, found success and lent a helping hand to those in need.”

Those honored during an April 22 social through the chamber’s Community Champions Awards included:

• The Rising Champion: Jaymes McCloud, CEO of J.H.W. Enterprises.  According to the chamber, McCloud “is focused on not only growing his business but helping others in our community, which is evident through his J.H.W. Cares initiative and his support of individuals who were struggling to pay rent during the pandemic.”
• The Champion Innovator: Firefly Distillery. “Firefly Distillery quickly pivoted during the pandemic to produce hand sanitizer, providing it to medical offices and first responders, along with selling it to consumers who couldn’t find it in stores. They also put their new space to work, creating an opportunity for people to get out of their homes and safely have fun through the Safe Sounds series. 
• “The Diversity Champion: Blackbaud, whose “vision to power an Ecosystem of Good that builds a better world demonstrates their commitment to continually evolve and grow to create both an inclusive workplace and equitable communities.”
• The Community Impact Champion: Parker’s Kitchen, which “created a $20 million community fund to support charitable causes across coastal Georgia and South Carolina. They plan to grow that fund to $100 million over the next 10 years.”
• The Small Business Champion: Hamby Catering, which “provided a convenient way to feed families with the expansion of The Market at Hamby and raised nearly $6,000 for our frontline healthcare workers through their partnership with Feeding Our Heroes SC.

In other recent news:

Clock winds down on legislature.  Time is running out for lawmakers who are trying to get pet issues finished before the regular legislative session ends in less than three weeks.  With the state Senate next week debating its plan to spend $11.4 billion in state revenues — an all-time high — time will be more precious for those pushing legalization of medical marijuana, an open carry gun law and punishment for hate crimes.  Meanwhile, the House continues to work on election reform and other issues, but those aren’t expected to come up until next year due to procedural rules.  Read more from the story from sister publication Statehouse Report.

Senate vote gives Santee Cooper room to breathe. South Carolina senators voted 44-1 Thursday to reform, not sell, Santee Cooper, the state’s utility.  Its plan contrasts with a House proposal to set up a panel to consider selling all or part of the generator, which has been mired in controversy since the $9 billion debacle in 2017 of a project to build nuclear reactors in Fairfield County.  Read more.

Moore introduces 911-abuse bill. Hanahan Democratic Rep. J.A. Moore has introduced a bill named the “Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies” act — or the CAREN Act. It seeks to curb racially motivated calls to 911. The bill seems to be a reference to the internet meme of being a “Karen,” a fictional woman who, among other things, calls the police on Black people who are simply doing human things. More:  Charleston City Paper

S.C. Senate OKs raises for teachers, state workers. The Senate Finance Committee set aside money for a 2 percent raise for state employees and a $1,000 raise for all teachers after a budget draft found the economic downturn in the wake of the pandemic was not as bad as feared. More:  AP News

Scott to deliver GOP rebuttal to Biden address. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, will deliver Republicans’ rebuttal to President Joe Biden’s joint address to Congress next week. More:  AP News

Cunningham eyes governor’s seat.  Former Democratic Congressman Joe Cunningham of Charleston upset the Republican grip on a congressional seat for only one term. Now, he’s looking at another Republican stronghold in the state: governor. He is expected to announce his bid today.  He filed preliminary paperwork for a run recently. More:  The Charlotte Observer