AROUND TOWN

The District 1 Board of Trustees will begin scouting sites for a new Transportation Facility. This construction project is part of the district’s $365 million 5-year building plan voters approved in the Nov. 6 elections. The building plan also includes:

• Updated safety and security systems at all district schools and facilities.

• 3 new schools to replace old schools and increase student capacity.

• 2 new elementary schools.

• Renovations to 14 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 5 high schools, the district’s maintenance facility, technology center and community learning center.

• A new district transportation facility.

• Information technology equipment and furniture for classrooms.

Family Dollar to close nearly 400 stores

Family Dollar is the latest major chain to begin downsizing. The company, owned by Dollar Tree, Inc., will close 390 stores nationwide this year. They have not yet released which stores will close. Another 200 stores will be remodeled into Dollar Trees. Planned changes include stocking renovated stores with $1 Dollar Tree items, adding alcohol sales, and expanding cooler and freezer sections. Dollar Tree bought Family Dollar for $8.5 billion in 2015. Lexington County has 2 Dollar Trees and 7 Family Dollar stores.

Apply to Midlands Tech for free

Midlands Technical College is now accepting applicants for its Summer Semester. The college will host its Quick-Start Day March 16, from 9 - 11:30 am at the MTC Airport Campus Academic Center. There, prospective students can:

• Apply to MTC for free ($35 application fee waived).

• Learn about financial aid and veterans educational benefits.

• See if they qualify to exempt the MTC placement test.

• Schedule an advisement appointment. Register at www.midlandstech.edu/quickstart .

Can SCE&G help your small business?

SC Electric & Gas wants save your small business some money. The energy company’s Small Business Energy Solutions Program has provided more than $5.5 million in incentives since 2014. Key program benefits include:

• Free, on-site energy analysis of lighting or refrigeration usage.

• Cost-effective options and recommendations to help manage lighting or refrigeration-related expenses.

• Financial incentives that cover up to 80% of most lighting or refrigeration retrofit projects.

• Pre-qualified contractors. For information about how to participate, contact SCE&G’s program contractors at 877-784-7234 or visit www.sceg.com/smallbusiness .

County brewery takes gold, silver

Brewers and craft beer industry professionals from across the sate gathered in Charleston recently for the 2nd Annual South Carolina Brewer’s Guild Trade Show. Steel Hands Brewing was twice recognized at the SC Beer Awards. The Cayce brewery took home gold in the Munich-Style Helles category and silver in the Golden or Blonde Ale category. Steel Hands opened in December 2018 at 2350 Foreman Street.

PJs and Pearls brunch benefit

Put on your best pjs. The GFWC-SC Woman’s Society of Batesburg-Leesville will host a PJ’S & Pearls Brunch Saturday, Apr. 6. It will be from 10:30 am - noon at the Ponderosa Country Club, 190 Durango Drive, Batesburg-Leesville. Proceeds will benefit local Domestic Violence victims through the Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center in Lexington. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for ages 10 and under. Donations of toiletry items will be accepted for “Sistercare of Columbia.” For tickets and information call 803-413-2437 or e-mail loisblack@sc.rr.com .

Real estate

Airport Technologies Shopping Center, LLC has been sold. The center is located at 3303-3321 Platt Springs Road in West Columbia. Colliers International’s Tommy Tapp, CPM, assisted in selling the 12,000 sq. foot shopping center.

Got basketball?

The NCAA basketball tournament will be in Columbia March 21-24. The tournament is expected to draw 25,000 visitors to the Colonial Life arena and generate an estimated $9 million economic impact for the Columbia region. Lexington County residents may notice heavier traffic than normal on those dates.

Who’s new

Hussey Gay Bell has hired Riverbluff High School graduate Jake Corley. As a Survey Field Technician, he will be responsible for boundary surveys, topographic surveys, wetland surveys, route surveys, construction layout and additional types of surveys required by clients. Hussey Gay Bell is a design firm with 6 offices around the state, including Columbia.

Pay going up

Costco, Amazon, Target and Walmart plan to raise starting pay to $15 an hour. The reason? A tight labor market is driving fierce competition for hourly staffers, The Wall Street Journal reported. Costco has around 245,000 workers here and elsewhere and will raise pay for supervisors and offer paid parental leave for hourly employees.

Spring craft show

The Midlands Crafter’s Association will host a free event to benefit Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. The 2019 Step Into Spring Craft Show Extravaganza is Mar. 30 at Lexington Middle School, 702 N. Lake Drive, Lexington. From 9am - 2 pm, the school will host 100 vendors, crafters and local Lexington businesses from all over the Midlands.