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Tax Credit Marketplace, LLC Announces Closing of Largest Annual Fund in Firm History

South Carolina- based Tax Credit Marketplace, LLC (“TCM”)’s 2023 Fund closed December 31, 2023 generating over $31.1 million in South Carolina income tax credits, a 35% increase over 2022. The 2023 Fund invested in 19 qualifying rehabilitation projects in 10 counties across South Carolina (Anderson, Charleton, Clarendon, Greenville, Kershaw, Oconee, Orangeburg, Richland, Spartanburg, and York). The total development costs of the fund’s projects exceeded $163 million.

Each year, TCM establishes an annual fund to invest in tax credit-generating projects completed within the same year. The Fund provides developers a single source to monetize their tax credits. By purchasing limited ownership interest in the projects, the Fund is allocated all, or a portion, of the projects’ tax credits during the credit’s utilization period. The Fund investors can subscribe to the available tax credits to reduce their South Carolina state tax liability.

The 2023 Fund included projects from multiple asset classes, including retail, office, hospitality, multi-family, and mixed use. In addition to the Fund’s state abandoned building, historic, and textile credit projects, TCM placed $2.83 million in Federal Historic tax credits, $253,000 in Angel Investor credits, and consulted on a variety of development projects across the state.

“We assist developer partners in structuring their projects to fully leverage these tax credits.” says Josh Workman, CEO, Tax Credit Marketplace. “We work with their teams to review documents to ensure that the tax credits are generated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. These projects often generate more tax credits than a development team can utilize internally. TCM offers these developers a platform to monetize these excess tax credits, resulting in additional project cash flow that would otherwise be missed. We’re on track for future funds to be even larger based on developer momentum, consistent investor demand, continued job growth, and positive migration.”

About Tax Credit Marketplace, LLC:
Tax Credit Marketplace, LLC is South Carolina’s largest company specializing in monetizing Tax Credits. Through its various Funds, TCM invests in real estate projects that generate tax credits under one of the Revitalization Acts currently offered in South Carolina and at the Federal Level. These Credits are used by accredited investors, corporations, and institutions to reduce their State or Federal tax liability. To date, TCM and its principals have monetized over $140 million in Tax Credits.

 

 

40th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival Announces Details

The Charleston Restaurant Foundation (CRF) is pleased to announce the live music acts for the 40th annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival, happening February 4, 2024, at Boone Hall Plantation. Radio Bomb, including some members of the Blue Dogs, Uncle Mingo and the East Coast Party Band, will headline the event after Solid Country Gold takes the stage.

“For 40 years we’ve had the honor of celebrating one of our region’s most beloved traditions with thousands of our friends, family and visitors, creating one of the most popular culinary events in the country,” shares Charleston Restaurant Foundation President, Jonathan Kish. “The Charleston Restaurant Foundation is honored to continue to use this essential Charleston event filled with music, food and fun to give back to the community.”

Featuring over 50,000 pounds of oysters, highlights of this event include the legendary oyster shucking and oyster eating contests, beer, wine and cocktails and a variety of food options from local restaurants and food trucks. Kids can enjoy the elevated Pluff-a-Pallooza Children’s Area, offering activities such as bubble therapy, a climbing wall, a “noisy oyster percussion” play area, cookie decorating with “pluff-mudd” frosting, sweetgrass basket weaving, egg toss, juggling with Deena-Jungleena, stilt performers and much more. The schedule of events will take place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Lowcountry Oyster Festival is a charity fundraiser and donated over $124,000 to local causes as a result of the 2023 festival. The 2024 beneficiaries include Coastal Conservation Association, Pay It Forward, Hollings Cancer Center, Shriners’ Hospitals for Children, Ronald McDonald House, College of Charleston and The Culinary Institute of Charleston.

The festival is a rain or shine event. No pets, coolers or outside food and beverages will be allowed. Oyster knives and gloves will be available for purchase. Boone Hall Plantation is located at 1235 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464. There are two entrances into the event: the main Boone Hall entrance off Long Point Road and the entrance off Highway 17.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/4aSw29F.

Second Year Running: SEL4SC Brings Back Acclaimed Screenagers Film Series in 2024

Right now, record numbers of young people are dealing with unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and other mental health issues that can lead to negative — and often tragic — outcomes if not properly addressed.

With that in mind, the Social Emotional Learning Alliance for South Carolina (SEL4SC) held multiple public and private screenings of the documentary films Screenagers Next Chapter and Screenagers Under the Influence in 2023, and will continue to do so in 2024.

Filmmaker and physician Dr. Delaney Ruston takes the conversation around screens and teens to the next level with Screenagers Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience — a film that examines the science behind teen’s emotional challenges, the interplay of social media, and most importantly, what can be done in our schools and homes to help them build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age. The Screenagers: Under the Influence documentary addresses vaping, drugs in the digital age and examines how technology shapes substance use by teenagers.

The next screening is to be held at Lucy Beckham High School located at 1560 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. The film Under the Influence will be shown on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and pizza, snacks and drinks are available beginning at 5:00 p.m. There will be a chance to win some amazing door prizes as well.

“These films are invaluable tools in helping parents and children have meaningful discussions about crucial mental and emotional health issues,” says Wendy Methvin, executive director of SEL4SC. “We are honored to have an opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of families across South Carolina with this series.”

Screenagers uses a distribution model limited to community settings. This model brings parents, kids, teens, educators, and other professionals together to start a conversation about how the issues raised in the films impact their lives and what they can do about it. The films are primarily shown in schools, churches, synagogues, community centers, and other local settings. Parents are encouraged to bring their kids to the screenings. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A session with a panel of experts.

Parents, students, educators, PTAs, religious organizations, medical practices, and workplace groups in South Carolina can book their own screenings of Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER and Under the Influence by contacting Wendy Methvin, Executive Director of SEL4SC at wmethvin@sel4sc.org.

SEL4SC is a 501c3 non-profit organization dependent on donations. They are looking for partners and donors to join them in promoting high-quality life skills education across South Carolina. Visit SEL4SC.org or contact them at info@sel4sc.org to learn how you can invest in the future of our state.

Screenagers Under the Influence Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR7uxuFqatY

20th annual Mardi Crawl Coming February 24th

The Lowcountry Parrothead Club is hosting the 20th Annual Mardi Crawl on Historic Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Over the past 20 years, this annual event has fulfilled its mission to party with a purpose by raising over $200,000 for local charities. This year, proceeds will benefit Alzheimer’s, Pet Helpers, Carolina Children’s Charity, HALOS, Fisher House, Ronald McDonald House, and Toys for Tots.

On Friday, February 23, join us for our pre-party at Sunsets. Then starting at 1pm on Saturday, February 24, attendees will travel to each participating restaurant on foot or by free water taxi, where they can participate in interactive games, enjoy food and drink specials, and catch live entertainment before moving on to the next restaurant. After the crawl, Red’s will host an after-party with live music. Participating restaurants include Red’s Icehouse, Sunsets, Saltwater Cowboys, Vickery’s, and Water’s Edge.

Registration is $45 and is available now through February 3. It will include a T-shirt and a swag bag. Starting February 4 through the 22, online registration will be $30 and include a swag bag (but no t-shirt). There will be walk-up registration on the day of the event as well.

To register, go to LowcountryParrotheadClub.org.

Landshark Beer, Margaritaville Tequila, and Polaris Watersports are sponsors for this year’s event. The Mardi Crawl is a rain-or-shine event.

Former Charleston Stingrays Player Lawton Courtnall Joins Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty

Previously playing for the Charleston Stingrays, Lawton Courtnall brings a unique blend of skills and dedication to the area’s real estate market. His journey across two countries and seven states gives him a distinct perspective that enriches his skills in the Charleston property scene.

“Using both the resources of the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand and the local support of the brokerage, Lawton will firmly establish his presence in the Charleston real estate market,” Daniel Ravenel, Jr., Chief Operation Officer at Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty®, “His competitive edge and dedication make Lawton an exciting new asset to our brokerage.”

Courtnall’s history in high-pressure, competitive environments isn’t just impressive; it makes him stand out in real estate. He’s also honed his skills in interior design through his work with Paris Interiors on the West Coast, gaining a deeper understanding of what transforms a house into a home.

Courtnall channels his enthusiasm, commitment, and team-oriented approach to assist clients in finding their dream homes or navigating successful property sales. Born in Los Angeles and raised in various cities across the United States and Canada, Courtnall offers extensive knowledge in relocation services.

His educational background is just as impressive, having earned his degree from Western Michigan University on a full-ride Division 1 hockey scholarship. Now firmly established in Charleston, Lawton Courtnall is more than just a Realtor®; he’s a multifaceted professional, ready to navigate the real estate market with the same precision and passion that defined his hockey career.

Knowledge Capital Group Named to SCRA’s Startup Resources List

CHARLESTON – Knowledge Capital Group (KCG), a boutique business strategy and organizational transformation consulting firm has been added to the South Carolina Research Authority [SCRA] Startup Resources library. The SCRA Startup Resource library features tools and guidance for research and development, technology commercialization, and innovation across a range of services within the state. KCG demonstrates continued success in delivering innovative solutions to complex issues within hospital and health systems, and the firm’s addition to SCRA’s Resource List further promotes and contributes to the economic development of technology startups and academic R&D teams across South Carolina.

For more information on Knowledge Capital Group’s ability to transform your organization, click the link below!

Knowledge Capital Group

First Reliance Bank founder’s father leaves a legacy

Frederick (Freddie) R. Saunders, Sr.

Freddie Saunders, 86, of Florence, South Carolina, died peacefully on January 9, 2024, at the McLeod Health Hospice Care.

Freddie was born in Sumter, South Carolina, on May 24, 1937, to the late Carl Frasier Saunders, Sr., and Martha Gardner Saunders. He is survived by his brothers, Carl Frasier Saunders, Jr. and Jimmy Saunders, and his wife, Jane, both of Sumter, South Carolina.

He grew up in Sumter, South Carolina, and began a career with Suburban Propane Gas at the early age of 19, where he remained with the company in a management role until his retirement at the age of 62, working 43 years for the same company.

Believing retirement was the goal, he realized that having days without a sense of real purpose was not as enjoyable as he envisioned, so he launched an entirely new career. From age 63 until his passing at 86 (23 years), he helped his two sons build First Reliance Bank, a long-standing regional bank. Managing the company’s fixed assets across the Carolinas, he was an outstanding member of the First Reliance Team and a proud father.

He is survived by the mother of his children, Jane Humphries Lawton, and was later married to Rosanne Tolar Rivers Saunders of Florence, South Carolina, until his death. Moving several times with the gas company, he and Rosanne lived in Columbia, South Carolina, Statesville, North Carolina, and finally settled back in Florence, South Carolina.

He is survived by his sons, Rick Saunders and wife Tiffany, Paul Saunders and wife Kathy, all of Florence, South Carolina, and Mark Saunders, of Tucson, Arizona. Stepsons, Lee Rivers and wife Tere’, of Surfside Beach, South Carolina; Bryan Rivers and wife Beth, of Lexington, South Carolina; and David Rivers and wife Becky, of Tampa, Florida.

He leaves four grandchildren, Chris, Reagan, Reid, and Ryleigh Saunders; one great-grandchild, Chapman Saunders; nine step-grandchildren, Michael, Kara, William, Matthew, Daniel, Sophia, Olivia Rivers, Leighton Pohorilak and Kirsten Baxley; and two step-great-grandchildren, Ezra and Maezie Pohorilak.

During his lifetime, he served in the United States National Guard, the town council in Timmonsville, South Carolina, as a church deacon, and was always involved in community civic organizations. He was a long-standing member of the Florence Baptist Temple, where he set a great example by establishing a family culture rooted in our love for and pursuit of God.

Outside of his pets, his greatest passions were his family, particularly enjoying late afternoon barbeques or frequent rounds of golf with his sons and friends. He was a very strong man. Being forced into independence early on, he quickly learned the importance of character, integrity, courage, hard work, excellence in effort, and grit. He made it his life’s mission that his sons understood and exercised those principles, leaving a legacy that all his family will forever be proud of.

Funeral services will be held at the Florence Baptist Temple in Florence, South Carolina, on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Visitation will follow the service that will be officiated by Pastor Bill Monroe and Associate Pastor Kent Kendall and services directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home of Florence.

In lieu of flowers and should friends desire, contributions in his memory can be made to the Freddie Saunders Family Scholarship Fund, which will issue higher education scholarships to South Carolina students who are financially needy and are pursuing a business/finance-related degree, or to the Florence Area Humane Society. Visit https://gofund.me/5686ff14, to contribute.

Stantec expands Transportation team in South Carolina

CHARLESTON, SC – Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, welcomes Corinna Marsh as a Transportation Designer to its Charleston office.

Marsh is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Her experience includes roadway widening, pedestrian accommodations, drainage improvements, and construction administration.

About Stantec

Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That’s why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.

We care about the communities we serve—because they’re our communities too. This allows us to assess what’s needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what’s never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success.

We’re designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN. Visit us at stantec.com or find us on social media.

Charleston Stage Presents Broadway’s Hit New Comedy “Chicken & Biscuits”

What’s a Black funeral without a soloist with a voice only Jesus could love, a eulogy long enough to merit a nap, funeral attire fit for a night out at the club and enough laughter to fill every pew? Find out in Broadway’s GLAAD nominated “Chicken & Biscuits,” written by Douglas Lyons and presented by Charleston Stage at the Dock Street Theatre from Jan. 24 – Feb. 11.

The Jenkins are the first family of their African-American church, who believe in God, family and keeping skeletons (and relatives) in the closet. Watch as these over-the-top characters attempt to eulogize the family patriarch without coming to blows. Will this funeral end with a burial, a wedding or an all-out brawl? Join the congregation and watch as family bonds are tested and long-held secrets are revealed in this heartfelt modern comedy about good old-fashioned family drama.

Charleston Stage is thrilled to welcome back their former Resident Actor and director of last season’s “Once on This Island,” Crystin Gilmore, to direct “Chicken & Biscuits.” Audience members may also recognize Gilmore from past roles as Alberta “Pearl” Johnson in “Black Pearl Sings!,” Mrs. Ruby Cornwell in “The Seat of Justice”, Rosie in “Mamma Mia!”, and Motormouth Maybelle in “Hairspray.”

This production is recommended for ages 14 and above, and parents can view a content guide for this production at bit.ly/3Ha9P9u. Tickets are available at bit.ly/47qz9my (starting at $42.50/person).

Chicken & Biscuits description: bit.ly/3NRfrth
Charleston Stage Website: charlestonstage.com
Crystin Gilmore’s website: www.crystingilmore.com

HRMA-LLC: Voted Best High Risk Merchant Account Provider For 2024

Mark Sands, founder and CEO of High Risk Merchant Account, announced this morning that his company was voted the best high risk merchant account provider for 2024, by the California Business Journal. The company provides high risk merchant accounts and high risk credit card processing to small businesses, throughout the United States.

The founder stated this morning, “We are extremely honored that the California Business Journal has chosen us, as the best high risk merchant account provider for 2024. Our staff has worked very hard to make us the leader in the high risk merchant account space, and we are genuinely appreciative of their recognition.”

More Information From California Business Journal: https://calbizjournal.com/best-high-risk-merchant-account-providers-for-2024/

About HRMA-LLC:

High Risk Merchant Account, LLC (HRMA-LLC), specializes in high risk merchant accounts for small businesses throughout the United States.

Company Headquarters:

High Risk Merchant Account
915 Folly Rd #49, Charleston, SC 29412
(877) 493-4622
https://hrma-llc.com