LINDA SAuLS & ChuCk MCCurry

The Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center honored local businesses and professionals at its Chamber Awards Luncheon at Lexington Church of Christ. The winners were:

• Austin McVay – Young Professional of the Year Award.

• Floor Pro – Small Business of the Year Award.

• Burkett Burkett & Burkett CPAs – Large Business of the Year Award.

• Joel Merrill – Ambassador of the Year Award.

• Shelley Metropol – Mike Till Award. For information about future events hosted by the Chamber including Dining On The Dam and the 2019 Business Lexpo, visit www.lexingtonsc.org .

3rd Lexington 7-Eleven now open

Another 7-Eleven convenience store has opened at 784 US 378 in Lexington. This is the third 7-Eleven, partnering with Applegreen USA, that has opened in the area since December. There will be one more store set to open in Lexington this year, along with additional locations in Columbia.

Home & Garden Show March 8 – 10

The 53rd Carolina Classic Home & Garden Show will be at the State Fairgrounds March 8 - 10. The show is the largest home and garden exhibition in the Midlands. More than 200 construction, home improvement, and outdoor products exhibits will fill the Cantey, Goodman and Ellison Buildings, plus outdoor areas. Opening day of the show is 55+ Free Friday. Everyone age 55 and older is invited to attend at no charge from 11 am to 8 pm. On Saturday and Sunday of the show the West Columbia Jaycee’s bring fun activities for the kids to the Great Southern Homes Special Events Area. Play games, color, get face-painted and more on Saturday and Sunday at the show. Kids 14 and under enter free every day. For more information visit www.BIAof-CentralSC.com or call (803) 256-6238.

2 banks to merge

BB&T and Sun Trust banks plan to combine in a merger of equals at the end of 2019. The combined companies will operate under a new name and brand which is not yet determined. Customers should continue to bank as they normally do.

MTC helps students with disabilities

Midlands Technical College’s Building Occupational Opportunities in the Midlands program was named the best collaborative and innovative program at any of South Carolina’s technical colleges. BOOM is MTC’s construction job-training program for high school students with disabilities. MTC Program Directors Vince Earls and Becky Garnett work with local school districts and member companies of the Builders Industry Association of Central SC. The program enables students to learn skills while still in high school and find employment with local homebuilders. After completing the program, high functioning high school students with disabilities earned a 10-hour OSHA Construction Credential and a Certificate in Building Construction from MTC.

1st woman elected to charity board

Bank of America Assistant Vice President Erinn Rowe of Columbia will serve as the first female board chair for Harvest Hope Food Bank. Rowe has served on the Harvest Hope board since 2016. Also joining the board are: Catherine Brazell of Bank of America, Jada Willis of Willis HR, and Sam Johnson of Nexsen Pruet.

USC business expo

The University of South Carolina Purchasing Department and South Carolina Airports invite owners of small and minority businesses to the “2019 Ultimate Business Expo.” The event will be Tuesday, March 26, from 9 am - 2:30 pm at the Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene Street, Columbia. Small and minority business owners are invited to register at http://bit.ly/2019UofSCBizExpo . This event is free to the public.