Good news for South Carolina’s economy. Ours is among the top 10 states recovering from skyrocketing jobless rates due to covid-related shutdowns. South Carolina unemployment claims have dropped by 19% over the start of the year.

Claims since the start of covid-19 versus last year had risen over 1,642%.

Corona virus has wiped out all the job gains since the Great Recession, WalletHub data shows.

South Carolina’s is the 7th quickest economic recovery in the US.

Top place to work

First Reliance Bank was recently named as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina.

The 15th annual program was created by SC Biz News in partnership with the SC Chamber of Commerce and Best Companies Group.

First Reliance Bank has received the award every year since the program began.

Gold star volunteers

Mission Lexington is excited to highlight the following as August’s Church, Board and Volunteer of the Month for their contributions to Mission Lexington:

• Lexington Baptist is church of the month. LBC donates food to Mission Lexington’s Food Pantry, gives financial support and has served as the host site for Mission Lexington’s Volunteer Dinner for the past several years. LBC has also donated several lunches from the church during covid.

• Ken Prill is board member of the month. He serves at Mission Lexington Board Secretary from Boiling Springs United Methodist Church where he is in his 6th year serving as a pastor. He has consistently served 2 days each week working in the thrift store.

• Edna McKelvey is volunteer of the month. She serves Mission Lexington by organizing shoes, purses and books for the thrift store.

Publix closing GreenWise Markets

Publix is closing its Lexington GreenWise Market for good at 7 pm Saturday, Aug. 29.

The store is closing 8 months after it opened in December at 5336 Sunset Blvd. South Carolina’s 2nd location in Mount Pleasant will also close.

“We have made the difficult decision to close both,” Communications Director Maria Brous told ColaDaily.com.

“The locations have space constraints that will not fit our current vision.”

GreenWise offers a soup bar, freshly-made sandwiches, hot meals, sushi, organic products and a bar with locally roasted coffee, wine, beer, smoothies and fresh kombucha.

All store associates have been offered positions at neighboring Publix stores.

Nephron donates $50K to Red Cross

Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation has donated $50,0000 to the American Red Cross of South Carolina in order to offset the extraordinary challenges the organization faces amid the covid-19 pandemic.

The 2020 Hurricane Season has begun, and experts are predicting a very busy season with Hurricane Isaias already impacting our coast.

The Red Cross is facing fewer blood donations nationwide. In South Carolina, 32 hospitals depend on that lifesaving blood being on the shelves and available to meet the need across our communities.

If you are healthy and feeling well, please make an appointment to donate as soon as possible by visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org .

All donations are being tested for covid-19 antibodies.

Dermatologist closes unexpectedly

Dermatology of Lexington closed its doors suddenly last week without notice.

The clinic emailed patients announcing the Aug. 3 closure “due to unforeseen circumstances.”

The statement says the closure is permanent. Patients may contact the clinic in the next 30 days to arrange medication refills, assistance in finding a new provider and to transfer medical records.

Your money goes farther here

Residents in Lexington County are among the highest earners in South Carolina.

This is a finding of a recent analysis by New York financial technology company SmartAsset.

The analysis was completed as part of the company’s study on the places with the most purchasing power.

It showed Lexington County residents earned $57,482 on average compared to the $38,665 yearly cost of living.

Beaufort, York and Dorchester Counties topped the list.

Kinetic Derby Day cancelled

West Columbia has canceled its 3rd Annual Kinetic Derby Day due to the corona virus pandemic.

West Columbia’s Kinetic Derby Day planning committee will continue to actively work with schools, artists, and businesses to engage broad community participation for next year’s event.

Next year’s Kinetic Derby Day is scheduled for April 24, 2021.

For more information go to www.kineticderbyday.com .

Cayce to begin harvesting timber

The City of Cayce will begin harvesting city-owned timber in the Timmerman Trail area of the 12th Street Extension.

The city will partner with Epting Forestry.

Harvesting the mature, invasive pines will promote new growth, limit the spread of pests and disease, and provide a sanctuary for wildlife in the area, the City of Cayce released in a statement.

Special precautions have been established to limit the interference of the trails, protect the City’s historical sites and create large buffer zones in the area to preserve the natural, wooded atmosphere.

The City of Cayce expects the harvesting to be completed by the end of 2021.