The Palmetto Business Association (PBA) is planning two events to be held in March. A scavenger hunt at local businesses will be held March 11 through March 25. Participants can visit PBA member businesses, look for a large “golden egg” that will be placed somewhere in the business. After finding the golden egg, simply ask one question about the business and have a special card stamped to show you were there. Participating businesses and hours will be posted online and in The Journal. Scavenger Hunt cards will be available at Cotton Duck Cafe in West Pelzer and Community First Bank in Williamston.
There will be prizes and a grand prize winner, who will be announced on Facebook live at 5 pm on March 26.
The next event will be the annual community Easter Egg Hunt which is planned for 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 23 in Mineral Spring Park. The event will be co-hosted with Alive Wesleyan Church. There will be inflatables and games in addition to the egg hunt which will include more than 7000 candy filled eggs. The event will take place near the Amphitheater stage in the park. A special egg hunt will be held for children with disabilities at the “Wedding Gazebo” area of the park.
PBA members met Tuesday at the O’Dell Community Center in West Pelzer. Ashley Milam, with Highland Mortgage, was the lunch sponsor.
During the meeting, President Carolann Newton said that the PBA approved a funding request from Erica Bruce for a Mentor program at Palmetto Middle School. A $500 donation from the PBA will cover costs for a luncheon for 60 to 70 boys who participate in the program.
The PBA also approved a request for a $500 donation to help cover the cost of training for a School Service Dog at Palmetto Elementary School. Fourth grade students at the school recently completed an extensive research project on the benefits of having a school therapy dog, Newton said. A dog has already been purchased and cost for training the dog is $4,500.
Newton said the PBA now has a funding request application on the PBA website.
Other community events the PBA is involved in includes Bobbers on Big Creek, a Back to School Drive, Spring Water Festival, fall golf tournament. They also sponsored free horse drawn carriage rides during the Winter Wonderland event.
The Palmetto Business Association currently has 64 members.
The PBA offers local businesses an opportunity to market themselves to the community and networking opportunities with other businesses.
The PBA is committed to helping the small/local business owners increase their revenue by bringing awareness to our communities to shop small and shop local before purchasing goods or services outside of our area.
One initiative of the PBA is to “Know Before You Go.” This is a campaign based on educating the community as to services and goods that are available locally. They use social media, print platforms and community engagement to spread awareness.
Membership is $150 per year and includes promotion of members as well as being spotlighted on social media.
Monthly meetings are held at 12 noon on the third Tuesday of each month at various locations. Two Business After Hours meetings are planned for 2024.
For more information on The Palmetto Business Association, call (864) 940-1690 or go to the PBA website at https://palmetto-business-association.business.site/
