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South Carolina has finished a year of robust economic growth with record-breaking workforce numbers.

In 2019, SC:

• Set a new record for the number of people working: 2,329,639. That is an increase of 70,000 for the year.

• Set a new record for the unemployment rate at 2.3%. That is a decrease of 28% for the year.

• Decreased the number of unemployed people by almost 20,000.

“Despite these records, our business community has approximately 60,000 job postings. These businesses need qualified workers so they can expand and prosper,” said Dan Ellzey, executive director of the SC Department of Employment and Workforce.

Sierra Club awards

The South Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club honored legislators and volunteer conservation leaders at its 11th Annual Awards Ceremony last week.

United States Congressman Joe Cunningham received the Conservationist of the Year award.

Cunningham sponsored a bipartisan House bill to ban offshore drilling.

Representative Micah Caskey, who represents West Columbia, received the State (House) Legislator of the Year Award.

Senator Tom Davis, who represents Beaufort County, received the State (Senate) Legislator of the Year Award.

A dedicated tribute was made to Representative (Judge) Gary Clary, who received the Environmental Advocate Award, for his years of service and commitment to conservation.

Leadership training

Dr. John Maxwell will host a Leadership Forum at Columbia International University on March 17.

The forum includes an exclusive VIP Luncheon with John Maxwell for event sponsors from 11:45 am to 1:15 pm. An afternoon training session from 1:30-3:30 is open to the public.

Maxwell is one of the most influential leadership experts in the world and a #1 New York Times bestselling author, coach, and speaker who has sold more than 26 million books in 50 languages.

He has been identified as the #1 leader in business by the American Management Association and the most influential leadership expert in the world by Business Insider and Inc. Magazine.

For more information and registration, visit www.CIU.edu/Maxwell .

University financial transparency

Midlands Technical College has been recognized for its accounting and financial reporting.

The Government Finance Officers Association has awarded MTC the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for fiscal year 2018-2019.

The certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a public college or university.

The GFOA reviews member reports to determine compliance with both generally accepted accounting principles and program policy.

This is the 23rd consecutive year Midlands Technical College has received the prestigious national award.

Giving back

A Lexington County business donated more 6,200 hours of community service last year.

Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, participated in more than 94 projects in 2019 as part of the “Southeastern Serves” program.

Southeastern Serves is a program dedicated to giving back to communities across Southeastern’s footprint by having associates of all levels get involved with providing for the less fortunate.

The Southeastern sales and marketing associates from Lexington partnered with Providence Home to help give a Christmas devotion, serve desserts and fellowship with residents. They also left gifts for the residents to enjoy on Christmas morning.

Providence Home helps stabilize living conditions for dislocated men and encourages self-sufficient living through progressive, spiritually dynamic ministry.

This is the eighth year for the Southeastern Serves program.

Taste on the River

The West Columbia Beautification Foundation’s 4th Annual “Taste on the River” will be Feb. 25.

The event will be from 6-9 pm at Stone River, 121 Alexander Road, West Columbia.

Restaurants from West Columbia and Columbia are coming together for a fun evening to showcase their cuisine to help beautify West Columbia.

Tour the multiple tasting stations throughout the event and browse the silent auction for thrills and deals.

Tickets are $50 per person and include two drink tickets, restaurant samples, and a silent auction. They can be purchased at https://www.silentauctionpro.com/onlineticketpurchase.php?groupId=1155 or by calling Colleen Otte at 803-622-8598.

Strawberry is celebrity speaker

Former Major League Baseball All-Star and 4-time World Series champion Darryl Strawberry will speak at The Courage Center’s 3rd annual Valentine’s Day Celebrity Breakfast.

The event will take place at 7:30 am Friday at Mount Horeb United Methodist Church at 1205 Old Cherokee Road in Lexington.

Strawberry will be speaking alongside other honored guests and recovery advocates with The Courage Center, an organization helping those struggling with addiction and substance abuse with support groups, coaching, education and outreach.

The breakfast will focus on the need for more peer-to-peer recovery support for youth and families in the Midlands.

Tickets are $75 per individual and $750 for a table of 8. Very few tickets are available and they can be purchased by visiting http://bit.ly/2uFQ8EA .

All proceeds will benefit The Courage Center and its supported families.