Archive for October 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 25, 2019

B.A.S.S. Announces 2020 Schedules For College And High School Circuits

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Young anglers across the country can officially start marking their calendars after B.A.S.S. officials announced the 2020 schedules for the organization’s college and high school series Friday. 

The ground-breaking youth circuits, which have helped reshape the direction of competitive angling for the better part of a decade, will each include four regular-season events, plus a season-ending championship.

Due to the soaring popularity of the trails, the field size will again be capped at 250 boats for both college and high school. Each high school event will also include a field of up to 50 Junior boats for competitors ranging from second to eighth grade.

“When you consider that we’ve had to cap the field size to keep the tournaments from being too big, that tells you all you need to know about the popularity of fishing at the college and high school levels,” said Hank Weldon, Tournament Director for B.A.S.S.’s College, High School and Junior Series. “There are thousands of young anglers who are hungry to compete — and as we’ve seen with so many former college and high school anglers now competing at the highest levels of bass fishing, it’s changing the sport from top to bottom.”

The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops will begin Jan. 23-25 on Toledo Bend Reservoir in Many, La. It will then include three more springtime events on Smith Lake in Cullman, Ala. (Feb. 27-29), Lake Hartwell in Anderson S.C. (March 26-28) and Lake Cumberland in Russell County, Ky. (May 6-8).

The trail’s championship will be a summertime event on a northern fishery, but the exact date and location will not be announced until a later date. The Top 4 teams in the championship advance to the College Classic Bracket for an opportunity to earn a berth in the 2021 Bassmaster Classic.

Evidence of college fishing’s effect on the upper reaches of professional angling were evident this year with Brandon Cobb, a former member of the Clemson University fishing team, winning two Bassmaster Elite Series events. Also, 15 of the 2019 season’s 75 Elite Series pros fished for college programs.

“That’s one of the many benefits of the College Series,” Weldon said. “Anglers who want to fish professionally get to see a lot of different lakes under a lot of different conditions — and do it all while fishing against the best competition out there.

“Success on the college level is the perfect next step toward becoming a pro.”

The Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors will also include four regular-season events. The one-day events will be Jan. 26 on Toledo Bend Reservoir, March 1 on Smith Lake, May 9 on Lake Cumberland and June 20 on a northern fishery to be announced soon.

The college and high school events on Smith Lake will help kickoff festivities for the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk on Lake Guntersville, Ala., which is scheduled for March 6-8 with weigh-ins in Birmingham. The 2020 Bassmaster Classic, the 50th, will see 2019 College Classic Bracket champion Cody Huff of Bethel University competing against qualifiers from the Elite Series as well as Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens, Bassmaster Team and TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation champions.

“We are excited to welcome back the B.A.S.S. College series to Smith Lake for 2020,” said Roger Steele, Director of Tourism for the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. “We’re also thrilled to welcome for the first time the B.A.S.S. High School series to our area and look forward to introducing this group of students to the hospitality of Cullman County.

“Our community was so impressed by the friendliness and professionalism of the B.A.S.S. staff and participating anglers from last year’s event that we are more than happy to welcome everyone back for an even better year in 2020.”

The date and location for the High School Championship will be announced at a later time.

“We couldn’t be happier with the schedule we’ve put together,” Weldon said. “From Day 1, the Junior, High School and College Series have been about opportunity — and this schedule gives young anglers a chance to experience some of the best fisheries in the country.”

Online registration for the High School and Junior Series will open Nov. 12. Registration for the College Series will open Nov. 19. For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.

2020 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops

Jan. 23-25, Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many, La.
Feb. 27-29, Smith Lake, Cullman, Ala.
March 26-28, Lake Hartwell, Anderson, S.C.
May 6-8, Lake Cumberland, Russell County, Ky.

2020 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

Jan. 26, Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many, La.
March 1, Smith Lake, Cullman, Ala.
May 9, Lake Cumberland, Russell County, Ky.
June 20, TBD
 

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

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Media Contact: Emily Harley, B.A.S.S. Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, eharley@bassmaster.com

Anderson County, S.C. (October 24, 2019) Senator Richard Cash announced today that he has organized three town hall meetings that will be open to all who wish to attend:

• November 4th at 7:00 pm at Powdersville Fire Department (10600 Anderson Road Easley, SC 29642)
• November 5th at 7:00 pm at Pendleton Fire Department (108 N. Depot Street Pendleton, SC 29670)
• November 7th at 7:00 pm at Centerville Fire Department (196 Sullivan Road Anderson, SC 29625)

If you have any questions, please contact the Anderson County Legislative Delegation Office at 864-260-4025.

Media Contact:

Caroline Piasio, Legislative Delegation Assistant

864.260.4025

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Denver Downs Farm to feature Spookley the Square Pumpkin in farm-based activities
throughout National Bullying Prevention Month in October

Anderson, SC— 10/22/2019 — October is National Bullying Prevention Month and Denver Downs Farm is partnering with Spookley the Square Pumpkin, the Official Spokes-Pumpkin for National Bullying Prevention Month, to raise awareness for bullying prevention.  Denver Downs Farm, an agritourism destination in Anderson, SC, will be featuring Spookley the Square Pumpkin in farm-based events (Monday- Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday & Saturdays 10am-10pm, and Sundays 1pm-6pm) throughout October and November to help its younger visitors understand the importance of being tolerant and kind.  

Spookley was first introduced to millions of children in the book The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, in which he is shunned by all of the round pumpkins until a mighty storm threatens to destroy the entire pumpkin patch and only Spookley, with his unique shape, can save the day.  This fall Spookley is returning as the Official Spokes-Pumpkin for PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, which sponsors National Bullying Prevention Month activities at PACER.org/Bullying.  “The culture of bullying won’t end until people across the country take action and show children and teens that they care,” says Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, which is a division of PACER Center, a national organization.  “We love the way Spookley touches the heart and the mind with his message of tolerance and acceptance.”

 Denver Downs is one of many family farms across North America that will be embracing Spookley and his story with visitors throughout the fall.  “Spookley is an adorable character with a wonderful message,” says Catherine Garrison Davis, Special Events Director and a Farm Co-owner.  “We are delighted to share Spookley with our visitors to raise awareness for National Bullying Prevention Month.”  Denver Downs will be opened to the public now through Nov. 17 and will feature Spookley Story Book Trail and Spookley Photo area and their times  

For more information about  Denver Downs please contact Catherine Garrison Davis, Catherine@DenverDownsFarm.com, 843-297-0140.

About Spookley the Square Pumpkin:

Spookley the Square Pumpkin is a beloved children’s character created by author and lyricist Joe Troiano.  For more information about Spookley, please visit www.spookley.com.      

About PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center:

PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center offers educators, students, families, and individuals the tools they need to address bullying in schools, recreational programs or community organizations. For more information, visit www.PACER.org/Bullying or call 952-838-9000.

Senator Michael W. Gambrell, Chairman of the Anderson County Legislative Delegation has called a Delegation Meeting to be held on Thursday, December 12, 2019, 6:00 P.M., in Courtroom One in Summary Court, First Floor of the Ronald P. Townsend Government Building, 2404 North Main Street, Anderson, S.C.

In addition to Old Business, New Business, and PARD considerations, the purpose of this meeting will include:

1. Make appointments to the following boards and commissions:

• Anderson County Disabilities and Special Needs Board (Two Seats)
• Anderson County Transportation Committee (Four Seats)
• Powdersville Water District Board (Three Seats)
• Sandy Springs Water District Board (Three Seats)
• Starr-Iva Water District Board (Four Seats)
• West Anderson Water District Board (Three Seats)

Anyone interested in applying for appointment to any of the above-mentioned boards or commissions, please contact the Anderson County Legislative Delegation Office at 864-260-4025 immediately for an application or go online to www.andersoncountysc.org, select Departments, then select Legislative Delegation and click the + for the application.  These applications must be completed and returned to the Delegation Office (Post Office Box 8002, Anderson, SC  29622) no later than Thursday, November 14, 2019.

The Anderson County Legislative Delegation extends a cordial invitation to the general public and welcomes their attendance.

ANDERSON COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REACHES RECORD LOW

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (October 21, 2019) – Anderson County achieved a record-low unemployment rate of 1.7 percent in September 2019, according to local area unemployment statistic (LAUS) data released today by the SC Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW).

“Anderson County’s status as a major regional economic development force can never again be called into question” said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn.  “For more than a decade the Anderson County Council has supported policies meant to attract and sustain quality job opportunities for our citizens, and today’s milestone achievement gives us cause for celebration and gratitude—our community has been blessed.”

12-MONTH JOB GROWTH NEARS 3,000

The September LAUS report shows that 2,975 more Anderson County residents are employed now than in September 2018. The report also indicates that employment grew by 366 during the period from August to September of this year.  The total county labor force has grown by 2% over the last twelve months.

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MEDIA CONTACT:                Steve Newton, Governmental Affairs Liaison

                                                (864)260-1010

Strategy Plastics, LLC expanding operations to Anderson County

More than $3.4 million investment to create 81 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Strategy Plastics, LLC, a full-service plastic injection molding company, today announced plans to expand to Anderson County. The company’s more than $3.4 million investment is projected to create 81 new jobs.

In addition to injection molding, Strategy Plastics, LLC also provides custom molding, engineering, project management, parts assembly, testing, dimensional analysis and off-shore tooling.

To allow for more growth, the company has relocated its operations into a larger facility located at 107 Twenty Nine Court in Williamston, S.C.

New operations are already online, and the company plans to continue expanding until fully staffed. Individuals looking to join the Strategy Plastics, LLC team should visit http://www.strategyplastics.com/contact-2/.

QUOTES

“After completing extensive due diligence on several potential new locations for our operations, we chose Anderson County because of their quick response, support and everything the county had to offer for both our company and employees. This transition is a testament to our hard-working team and loyal customers, and it will allow Strategy Plastics, LLC to continue to grow and achieve greater efficiency, along with diversify its current customer base. As a company that’s proud to hire locally, this transition will have a positive impact on the local economy. We thank our local and state partners for their continued support, and we look forward to joining the Anderson County business community.” – Strategy Plastics, LLC Owner Chad Giles

“Expansions of companies already doing business in South Carolina continue to be a driving force behind our state’s strong and growing economy. Today we celebrate yet another expansion as Strategy Plastics, LLC is investing more than $3.4 million to expand and create 81 new jobs, and proving once again that our economic development efforts within this great state are on the right track.” –Gov. Henry McMaster

“South Carolina has emerged as a leader in advanced manufacturing. This announcement by Strategy Plastics, LLC is another indication that South Carolina is not only just right for business, but also just right for growth.” –Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

“We are very thankful for the confidence and trust that Strategy Plastics has placed in Anderson County for their next manufacturing operation. This, once again, is proof of the business friendly attitude of our community and solidifies the statement, ‘Anderson County is open for business!’” -Anderson County Councilwoman M. Cindy Wilson

FIVE FAST FACTS

• Strategy Plastics, LLC is expanding to Anderson County.
• The company’s more than $3.4 million investment is projected to create 81 new jobs.
• The company provides injection molding, engineering, project management, parts assembly, testing, dimensional analysis and off-shore tooling.
• The company’s new facility will be located at 107 Twenty Nine Court in Williamston, S.C.
• Individuals looking to join the Strategy Plastics, LLC team should visithttp://www.strategyplastics.com/contact-2/.

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MEDIA CONTACT:  Burriss Nelson, Anderson County Economic Director

                                    864-314.3971, bnelson@andersoncountysc.org

The 2019/20 Palmetto Boat Center High School Tournament Trail will visit Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC on Saturday, October 19, 2019.  Blast off will be approximately 7:20 am.  Weigh in for middle school teams will begin at 1:30 pm.  High School teams will start at 3:00 pm.  The event will be held at the Green Pond Landing & Event Center, which is located at 470 Old Green Pond Road, Anderson, SC 29625. The event is free to the public.

“We are expecting 200 boats for this weekend’s tournament, which equates to 400 students and 200 volunteer adult captains” said Marty Walker, Tournament Director and owner of Palmetto Boat Center. “This is the second tournament of the new season for our student anglers, and the growth of our trail has simply been unimaginable.  For this season, we divided our trail into two divisions to accommodate the growth we have experienced.  Last season we had 375 unique teams that fished the trail.  We are easily the largest tournament trail in the state of South Carolina, and one of the largest student trails in the country.”  

The student anglers will be competing for the heaviest five bass limit, and for an array of prizes, including a $2,000 scholarship to the winning team.  This scholarship is sponsored by the Lake Hartwell Outdoor Center located at 5503 SC-24, Anderson, SC 29625.  Joey Bagwell, owner of Lake Hartwell Outdoor Center, said “It is great to see these kids out on the lake fishing, and spending time outdoors.”

The event is sponsored by Palmetto Boat Center, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Shimano Fishing, Nitro Performance Bass Boats, Phoenix Bass Boats, Tracker Off Road, Mercury Marine, Visit Anderson, Anderson County Parks & Recreation Department, and the Lake Hartwell Outdoor Center.  Hosting this weekend’s event are Dorman High School and Pickens High School.

“These student anglers are the future of our sport,” said Walker.  “It’s amazing how this trail continues to grow.  We see new students participating each year.  We have teams from all over the upstate.” 

Participants from the trail have advanced to college competition with schools such as Lander, Clemson, USC, and Emmanuel just to name a few.

The Palmetto Boat Center High School Tournament Trail was established in the fall of 2015 to create a large scale competitive environment for the high school fishing teams and clubs in South Carolina.  The trail filled the need for central coordination and operation of high school tournaments.  Too many times, teams were scheduling tournaments at the same time as another school, which reduced participation.  In our first full season we held seven tournaments, averaging 125 boats from over 25 high schools in South Carolina.  

Now in our fifth full season, the trail consists of eight regular season tournaments, four each in two divisions.  A middle school division exists to encourage participation from younger competitors.  The teams compete for points in each tournament to determine the Anglers of the Year and the School of the Year.  The top teams from each division also have the opportunity to qualify for the end of season three day “Classic” tournament which is an invitational event.  

Our regular season events are all sanctioned tournaments by South Carolina BASS Nation, as qualifying points events towards the BASS Nation High School National Championship.  In the summer of 2019, the trail sent seven teams to participate in the National Championship.

For more information on the tournament trail, contact Marty Walker at 864-561-2026, martyw@palmettoboatcenter.com.

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Media Contact:    Neil Paul, Executive Director

Visit Anderson

O. (864)716-3660 M. (864)353-9819

neil@visitanderson.com

Duke Energy Carolinas partners with Anderson County, S.C., on major battery storage project

• Project will improve grid reliability and provide Anderson Civic Center at least 30 hours of backup power during emergencies
• Battery storage joins solar, electric vehicles, microgrids as part of company’s plans to modernize energy infrastructure across Carolinas

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Duke Energy Carolinas is partnering with Anderson County, S.C., to build an energy storage project at the Anderson Civic Center that will be part of the company’s long-term strategy to integrate battery technology into the smart-thinking grid it is building in the Carolinas.

The battery project will also provide power to a facility that is critical during emergency situations, such as being the site of a hurricane evacuation shelter.

This project is part of the company’s ongoing plans to invest $500 million in battery storage projects across the Carolinas over the next 15 years.

“Through projects like this, we’re transforming the state’s energy infrastructure to support the two-way flow of electricity and significantly improve reliability for our customers,” said Michael Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president. “The added benefit of this project is that – in the case of a power outage – the storage system can be dedicated to the Anderson Civic Center so this critical emergency facility will be able to support residents and evacuees in time of crisis.”

The 5-megawatt lithium ion battery will be grid-tied and available for use by Duke Energy Carolinas grid operators. The battery storage system will benefit all Duke Energy Carolinas customers by helping grid operators more efficiently manage the grid, providing additional energy options and improving grid stability during periods of peak customer demand.

The battery storage project – the first of its kind for Duke Energy in the state – will be located on land adjacent to the Anderson Civic Center and will also serve as back-up power for the facility. The battery will be able to power the Civic Center in the event of an outage for at least 30 hours based on the facility’s normal usage.

“Anderson County depends greatly on reliable power at the Civic Center; especially, while it’s operating as an emergency shelter,” said Tommy Dunn, Anderson County Council chairman. “Power is critical at the Civic Center when our facility is being utilized as a command post for service providers and shelter to citizens who have been displaced. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Duke Energy on this project that will benefit our community during times of disaster.”

The company recently submitted a request to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina to approve a provision of the lease agreement for the land from Anderson County. Once the final engineering study for connection to the power grid is complete later this year, the project will go through a competitive bidding process for construction and is expected to be in service in early 2021.

Duke Energy Carolinas serves about 591,000 customers in the Upstate region of South Carolina, including Anderson, Greenville, Spartanburg, Lancaster and York counties.

Duke Energy Carolinas

Duke Energy Carolinas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns nuclear, coal, natural gas, renewables and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides approximately 20,200 megawatts of owned electric capacity to about 2.6 million customers in a 24,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit’s regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2019 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, and Forbes’ 2019 “America’s Best Employers” list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. TheDuke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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Anderson County, S.C. (October 14, 2019) – The Belton Gun Club will host the Battle of Belton, South Carolina State Championship International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) Match on Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19. The IDPA State Championship Match, sponsored locally by Sportsman’s Warehouse, will feature 200 participants from 16 states and three countries.

IDPA is the use of practical equipment in simulated real-world self-defense scenarios using everyday carry handguns and holsters that are suitable for self-defense use. The main goal is to test the skill and ability of an individual shooter.

Belton Gun Club holds an IDPA match every month on the third Saturday and Matches are open to anyone who can legally own a handgun.

The Battle of Belton is the South Carolina IDPA State Championship and is a Tier Level 3 IDPA match. The event will feature 10 stages and each stage simulates a different real-world scenario. Using walls and barrels for cover, shooters will engage both moving and non-moving paper targets and scored on time and accuracy.

Shooters are divided into divisions based on type of firearm and class based on skill level with that firearm. Trophies are awarded by division and class.

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Media Contact:      

Neil Paul, Visit Anderson Executive Director

(864) 716-3660

M. (864) 353-9819

neil@visitanderson.com

Anderson County, S.C. (October 10, 2019) – Anderson County Councilmember Gracie Floyd will be hosting two Kickoff Meetings for the new South Anderson Community Development Planning Initiative.  The initiative will guide priorities and strategies for potential community development activities in the unincorporated area south of the Anderson city limits.

The Kickoff Meetings are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22 – 6:00 PM

SOUTH FANT EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

1700 S Fant St, Anderson, SC 29624

Discussing the Morningside and Orr Mill neighborhoods

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28 – 6:00 PM

HOMELAND PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL

3519 Wilmont St, Anderson, SC 29624

Concerning the Homeland Park community

Community residents are asked to attend the meeting in their neighborhood.  Food will be provided. 

For further information, please call Anderson County at (864)260-1010.

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