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Jobs remain plentiful and hiring solid this fall.

While the labor market has cooled, it remains a source of strength for the economy.

The number of unfilled jobs declined to a seasonally adjusted 7.02 million at the end of September, the fewest available in 18 months.

The US Labor Department said openings still exceeded the number of unemployed Americans without work but actively looking by 1.26 million. Before 2018, openings had never exceeded unemployment since 2000.

Openings, down from 7.39 million a year earlier, have generally declined this year. But hiring held fairly steady in recent months.

For September, 5.93 million Americans were hired, up from 5.67 million a year earlier. The number of unemployed Americans has also edged lower.

In September, the unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, the lowest reading in 50 years, while the rate in October ticked up to 3.6%.

New workout space

Southern Lexington County residents have a new, locally-owned place to work out, thanks to the ambition of 2 friends.

Sandpit Strength & Fitness co-owners Todd Bolton and John McDonald welcomed customers to 6200 Edmund Hwy. with a grand opening event Nov. 9, Cola Daily’s Allen Wallace reported.

“We wanted to create an atmosphere where people would want to bring their families and just hang out as a community,” Bolton said.

“Ultimately, if you can culture a lifestyle change, then you can create a healthy atmosphere. You can educate people on choices to make, and if people that are together are making those same choices it becomes easy. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

The gym has no contracts or annual fees. Customers pay $25 each month for membership. Discounts for students, police officers, firefighters, other first responders, active military and veterans are available.

More information on Sandpit Strength & Fitness is available at https://www.facebook.com/SandpitStrengthandFitness/ .

Lights on Lake Murray

The Christmas Light Boat Parade on Lake Murray will be Dec. 7.

The boat parade will be viewable at the Lexington Park Site at the Lake Murray Dam.

There will be a viewers choice award with a $2,500 cash prize to the winner, sponsored by Nephron Pharmaceuticals.

For more information, visit LakeMurray-Country.com or call (803) 781-5940 x 6.

To register for the event, visi https://www.lakemurraycountry.com/f/16 .

Real estate

Chuck Salley, SIOR represented Crown Point Properties, Inc. in the lease of 64,039 square feet of industrial space at 150 Queen Parkway in West Columbia to Federal Express Corp.

Chuck Salley, SIOR, Dave Mathews, SIOR, Thomas Beard and John Peebles represented KWS Investments, LLC in the lease of 8,000 square feet of industrial space at 2500 Leaphart Road in West Columbia to D & L Parts Company, Inc.

Chuck Salley, SIOR, Dave Mathews, SIOR, Thomas Beard and John Peebles represented Reger Holdings LLC in the lease of 24,500 square feet of industrial space at 3430 Platt Springs Road in West Columbia to University of South Carolina’s Thomas Cooper Library.

Free legal advice

Some local businesses can get free legal advice on labor and employment law.

The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association launched their Labor Law Compliance Help Desk to provide quick answers to employment questions.

The SCRLA provides its members with 15 minutes of free labor and employment law consulting with attorneys licensed in South Carolina, including Law firm Jackson Lewis P.C.

Discounted rates are available to retain an attorney for additional services after an initial consultation.

For labor and employment law questions, visit www.scrla.org/page/Law_Help_Desk to submit an inquiry.

Woman of the year

United Way of the Midlands has selected Pamela Lackey as the 2019 Humanitarian of the Year.

The Humanitarian of the Year Award is given to individuals who clearly demonstrate extraordinary leadership in philanthropic and human services.

From 2009-2011, she led the role of co-chair for United Way’s Campaign Committee when she and her counterpart raised over $20 million.

Lackey will be honored at United Way’s annual Humanitarian of the Year Dinner and Award Ceremony Feb. 20, 2020 at the University of South Carolina Alumni Center. Ticket information will be available online at a later date at www.uway.org .

Volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed to help keep a free health clinic in Chapin running.

Good Samaritan Clinic Chapin provides free primary medical care for the uninsured and under-insured. No form of payment is ever accepted.

They are located at 1808 Chapin Road (the former green We Care building) and are currently open the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, with patient registration from 4-6 pm.

Beginning in January 2020, GSCC will be open every Thursday. More volunteers are needed including providers, nurses/ clinical, computer entry, interpreters, and administrative/clerical.

Please contact clinic director, Susan Bo-land at kdsboland@bellsouth.net or 803-528-6365. For more information, visit www.goodsamaritansc.org .

Chapin man named VP

TD Bank has named Mike Farmer as regional vice president for the Midlands market.

He will manage a team of commercial bankers to expand TD’s market share.

Farmer earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from the Moore School of Business at USC in Columbia.

He and his wife Carol Ann live in Chapin with their daughter Molly Morgan.