AROUND TOWN

Is your business struggling? Maybe not making the profit margins you desire? Take heart. You could be in the milk business. That gallon of milk you paid $3.50 for today has risen from $1.07 in 1968. That’s over 300% and may seem like a lot. Think of it this way: The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index shows prices today are 604.4% higher than they were in 1968. That’s almost twice what milk prices have done and indicates how inflation was shrunken your money’s value. If you live 50 years, your money may buy only 1/6th of what it buys today Think of the poor dairy farmer. The demand for milk has fallen. We drink less whole, 2%, 1% and fat free milk. They have competition, too, from soy, almond and other milk substitutes. Dairy farmers and distributors need to reverse this trend. Maybe they ought to quit thinking they sell milk and think of selling beverages with milk in them. Look at what Starbucks and Dunkin’ (minus the Donuts) are doing with new offerings in the beverage industry.

County selling 2 acres in Red Bank

Lexington County is seeking a buyer for 2 acres at 1633 South Lake Dr. The property was used for a collection and recycling center. It has an asphalt parking lot but no buildings or equipment. It is zoned ID, for Intensive Development. The property became surplus when the collection center was relocated and is no longer needed, said county spokesman Harrison Cahill. A sales price is negotiable.

Top charities named

2 midlands charities made the Secretary of State’s Angels of 2018 list. To be selected as an Angel, the charity must: have devoted 80% or more of its total expenditures to charitable programs; have been in existence for at least 3 years; make good use of volunteer services; receive minimal funding from grants; be in compliance with the South Carolina Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act. The 2 charities recognized are:

• Central Carolina Community Foundation, Columbia: 93.6%

• Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services P.A.A.L.S, Columbia: 91.2% Charitable donors may research charities registered in South Carolina by visiting the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.sc.gov .

New factory to bring jobs

Domino’s has announced plans to open a new processing facility in Lexington County. The company’s new project is slated to create 75 jobs. Domino’s had global retail sales of more than $12.2 billion in 2017. The company plans to construct a 67,000-square-foot processing facility in West Columbia. Hiring is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Who’s new

• MSG (Ret.) Jesse Yandell joined Boyer Construction as a Project Site Superintendent. Yandell retired after serving 20+ years in the Army.

• Candace N. Prince, DO, and Joshua Prince, DO, have joined Lexington Family Medicine, the newest physician practice in LMC’s network of care. The practice provides comprehensive family medical care to patients of all ages. They are accepting new patients.

• Robert L. Deters, MD, has joined Lexington Brain and Spine Institute, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice that specializes in disorders of the spine and surrounding nerves. He is accepting new patients.

Frank’s Car Wash growing fast

Locally owned Frank’s Car Wash is celebrating its 46th year anniversary this year. Owner Mike Hutchins of Lexington said they are opening another new location while breaking ground on a 2nd one in another town. The newest location is in Orangeburg on Hwy 178 near Lowes. This is Frank’s 2nd location in Orangeburg, an Express location with free vacuums. It will compliment their full service location down town on John C Calhoun Dr. On Dec. 1, they will break ground on their 18th location on US 1 near Lexington High.