Lexington County native and SC Comptroller Richard Eckstrom is new president of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers.

The group promotes high standards of government financial management, provides training and technical support to its members and monitors federal laws and regulations that impact state governments.

Eckstrom has championed online spending transparency for taxpayers. He said he will use this national position to promote the importance of increased government transparency, accountability, and integrity.

New agriculture chief

Ben Skelley of Lexington has been named president of the Agriculture Alumni Board of Directors of Clemson’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences for 2 years.

Skelley, a senior vice president of Ag-South Farm Credit, ACA, serves as director of corporate lending and capital markets in Batesburg-Leesville. He and his wife, the former Becky Bryant, attend Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church with their children Grant and Gracie.

Hotels bouncing back

Leisure and business travelers helped boost local and state hotel bookings beyond expected recovery numbers.

A high-volume is expected to continue through the summer as families travel throughout South Carolina.

Our state is a healthy market for hotels as evidenced by stability during the pandemic. Staffing was the biggest challenge in this year’s 2nd quarter for hoteliers who find it difficult to meet immense demands.

Investors challenged

Single tenant investment demand is high but available properties to buy are low.

Colliers International researcher Crystal Baker reported rates remain compressed with a small change in single tenant leasing.

Demand for quality investment properties has remained high while supply has continued to be a challenge for investors.

As the US continues to open up we will see increased volume, especially in retail, gyms and movie theaters, she said.

Local attorney honored

Joseph Dickey, Jr., managing partner of the Dickey Law Group, has been selected for the Best Lawyers in America® in 2022. He was chosen because of his experience working with clients in employment law.

Help for new homes

Lexington garden center Wingard’s Market is donating plants, flowers and landscaping to 6 new homes built by SC Habitat for Humanity here.

“Not every plant is going to make it in every type of soil,” co-owner Wally Steinhauser said. “We want these homeowners to experience happiness.”

What’s new in Gilbert

Gilbert Self Storage at 3830-D Augusta Hwy. has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to rent trucks, trailers, towing equipment, moving supplies and in-store pickup for boxes.

Business news wanted

The Chronicle’s online and print editions feature small business, corporate, industry, non-profit, professional practice and other financial news each week on this page.

You may email your news to our editor at JerryBellune@yahoo.com