The Payroll Protection Program loans were intended for businesses with 500 or fewer employees.

Restaurants and hotels were allowed to be counted as if they were separate companies, even if owned by the same owner.

That’s what allowed a massive chain like Shake Shack to get $10 million, drawing ire from many of the small businesses left behind.

Shake Shack has apologized and promised to give the money back.

Another beneficiary was the Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse chain which received $20 million.

Condor Hospitality Trust, a Marylandbased hotel company, applied for more than one loan.

Carrols Restaurant Group, which owns more than 1,000 Burger King restaurants in 23 states including South Carolina, received money, too.

Market at Icehouse to open

The Town of Lexington’s Market at Icehouse will open Saturday, May 9 from 9 am-noon.

Extra precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of everyone who attends and to encourage social distancing.

The Market at Icehouse will then open each Saturday through September, with the exception of July 4.

It is located at Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 W. Main Street in Lexington.

Interested vendors should email market@lexsc.com for more information.

4 join recovery board

The Courage Center, a Lexington-based Recovery Community Organization, has announced 4 new board members.

Gerry Coleman is Senior Territory Manager of The Carolinas for Boston Scientific.

Michael Couick is President and CEO of The Electric Cooperatives of SC, Inc., and holds degrees in English and Law from the University of South Carolina.

Mike Dennis is Executive Director of the Tri-County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Jody Rock is Program Manager for Behavioral Health Case and Disease Management with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

More $$ for Red Cross

The South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association is donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross.

The donation will help at this uniquely critical moment as the Red Cross is facing fewer blood donations nationwide.

Following the April 13 storms that hit South Carolina, the Red Cross:

• Continues to help over 480 people.

• Had over 2,000 overnight shelter stays in hotels across the state.

• Served over 8,000 meals and snacks.

• Made dozens of mental health contacts.

$1.3M district land purchase

Lexington 2 purchased 26.52 acres of contiguous property on Platt Springs Rd.

Lots 3028-3211 are about a half mile from the intersection of Platt Springs and Wattling roads. The district paid $1.3 million, $200,000 less than asking price.

The district purchased the Platt Springs property for long-range district plans. There are no immediate plans for it, district spokesperson Dawn Kujawa told the Chronicle.

“We felt fortunate to be able to locate a parcel of this size in our attendance area, as tracts large enough for school districts to build on are very difficult to find,” Kujawa said.

Restaurant feeds local heroes

O’Charley’s will be delivering free meals to staff at Lexington Medical center to show its appreciation for their hard work during this pandemic.

The free meals are part of O’Charley’s recently announced Hometown Heroes initiative - all about saying thank you to the brave men & women on the front lines fighting this virus across the country.

O’Charley’s has also added a 25% discount for healthcare workers and first responders in all their stores.

Who’s new

Clemson Cooperative Extension has a new 4-H Agent for Lexington County.

Erika Jones is a native of South Carolina from Columbia. She grew up involved in the Lexington County 4-H Horse Club and went on to serve on the South Carolina 4-H State Teen Council.

Erika is a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

4-H Youth Development uses a learnby-doing approach to help youth gain the knowledge and skills to be responsible, productive and contributing members of society.

A break on car insurance

Farm Bureau Insurance is distributing a one-time credit to all personal auto policyholders across the 6-state operation.

The credit is based on 15% of 2 months auto premium paid for each vehicle covered – an estimated value of about $30 million.

No action needs to be taken by customers to receive this special assistance. The credit will be applied automatically to customers’ billing statements after the program begins.

As of April 8, fees charged for insufficient funds, whether returned checks or electronic funds transfers, will be waived for all insureds.

Any premium adjustments made based on the number of insufficient funds will be waived until September 1, 2020.

Apply for college online – free

Despite campus closures, Midlands Education & Business Alliance admissions counselors are available to meet virtually.

They will meet 1-on-1 online, participate in previously scheduled virtual fairs or information sessions, or create a virtual event specifically for an organization.

They encourage those who aim to attend Midlands Tech to register for a Virtual Quick Start event.

Application fees are waived through May 15. Contact admissions@midlandstech.edu .