Upstate Business Brief: From Healthcare Advances to Community Milestones
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Upstate business and nonprofit community is buzzing this week with a series of major developments, ranging from advancements in cardiovascular education to significant philanthropic achievements.
Prisma Health Tackles Heart Failure
In an effort to improve patient outcomes, Prisma Health is hosting a free, virtual educational event titled, “Taking Control of Heart Failure: Advances in Care and Treatment,” scheduled for noon on August 26. Led by Dr. Eddie Rame of the Prisma Health Heart & Vascular Institute, the webinar aims to demystify heart failure by covering symptom recognition, treatment breakthroughs, and long-term management strategies. Interested participants are encouraged to register through the Prisma Health event portal.
Community Spirit on the Green
The Simpsonville Rotary Club has announced its annual fundraising golf tournament, set for September 14 at the Fox Run Country Club. Beyond the competition, the event serves as a platform for networking and a tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks. All proceeds from the tournament will support Rotary’s global and local humanitarian initiatives. Those interested in participating or sponsoring the event have until September 9 to secure their spot at simpsonvillerotary.org.
Growth and Recognition in the Corporate Sector
Several local entities are making waves in their respective industries:
- Ghost Brands: The Greenville-based creative agency has been named the Agency of Record for the 2026-27 season of the University of Georgia Ice Dawgs. The partnership will see the firm spearheading fan engagement, digital communications, and branding strategies.
- Brasfield & Gorrie: The construction giant has been named the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Southeast Contractor of the Year for the third time. With record-breaking revenues of $7.7 billion in 2025 and projections climbing to $10.2 billion for 2026, the firm continues to expand its complex project footprint across the Southeast.
- KDS Caine: The commercial real estate firm is bolstering its advisory team with the addition of Luke Jameson, a Clemson University graduate specializing in construction science and development.
Philanthropy and Workforce Development
Community impact remains a priority across the region. Mast General Store has reached a milestone with its Mountain Strong Fund, which has raised $238,000 for hurricane recovery in the High Country, most recently supporting the Foscoe Home Team and Barefoot Baby Foundation.
Meanwhile, Homes of Hope is celebrating a transformative success story: the graduation of its 348th program participant, Matt Jolley. Having successfully navigated the nonprofit’s residential workforce development program, Jolley is returning to the organization as a supervisor to mentor the next generation of interns.
In the education sector, Autobell Car Wash is investing in its workforce by awarding $150,000 in scholarships to 182 employees, continuing a tradition that has distributed over $2.6 million in financial aid since 2000. Additionally, Countybank Foundation has pledged $25,000 to the Piedmont Technical College Foundation to support the expansion of the Family Life & Conference Center in Greenwood.
Chamber Networking and Literature
The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce continues to foster local connections with two upcoming events:
- Aug. 25: A “Productivity v. Busyness” Lunch & Learn led by Jon Antonucci of SML Consultive.
- Aug. 27: A Business After Hours social hosted at The Wine Barn.
Finally, South Carolina native and global marketing expert Sloan H. Newman has launched his new book, “The Relationship Revolution: Mastering 1:1 Account-Based Management,” now available on Amazon. Drawing on his experience as a regional lead at NTT DATA, Newman offers a guide to personalized growth in the modern business landscape.
