Wedding & Event Venue Near Laurens, SC.

A supplier of automotive and industrial racking products will expand its S.C. footprint with new operations in Laurens County. Motor City Racks said in a news release from the S.C. Commerce Department that it will invest $26 million and create 88 new jobs.

is a full-service manufacturer and supplier that provides custom automotive and agriculture packing solutions, the news release said. The company also specializes in custom fabrication, design services and laser operations.

Motor City Racks also operates a facility in Cherokee County. The company is headquartered in Warren, Mich.

“The executive management team of Motor City Racks, consisting of Johan and Ben Enns, is extremely excited for new operations in Laurens,” Motor City Racks Controller Daniel Zavaros said in the news release. “The last nine years in South Carolina have been an incredible journey for Motor City Racks, and it would not have been possible without our outstanding South Carolina workforce.

Located at 366 Old Airport Road in Laurens, Motor City Racks’ new facility will be its first operation in Laurens County. The facility will accommodate additional production capacity and growth that can accommodate increased demand.

“During our expansion initiatives, we plan to execute effectively while continuing to leverage our 20 years of experience in custom weld fabrication, our strong ties to the South Carolina automotive industry and our relationship with the South Carolina Department of Commerce,” Zavaros said in the release. “We plan to create many long-term well-paying jobs, invest substantial capital, and grow our operations.” Operations are expected to be online by January 2023. Hiring started already.

“We are excited to have Motor City Racks expand their operation into Laurens County and fill an existing building,” Laurens County Council Chairman Brown Patterson said in the release. “There are great things going on in Laurens County, and this is just further testament to that. We wish Motor City Racks much success and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”

The S.C. Commerce Department’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project, the release said. The council also approved a $300,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Laurens County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stoner's Pizza Joint, a quick-service pizza franchise, announced it's a grand opening at a new location on January 4th at 909 East Main Street, Unit B, Laurens, SC 29360, 864-983-0707. The new location will bring Stoner's its 7^th location in the state of South Carolina. The hours of operation will be Sunday - Thursday 11 am to 11 pm and Friday – Saturday 11 am to 12 am. Dine in, takeout, and delivery will be offered.

"We are excited to bring an additional location to the state of South Carolina in Laurens! We believe the greater Greenville, SC market will continue to grow and provide an opportunity for additional Stoner's locations soon," said CEO and Owner, John Stetson.

Stoner's Pizza Joint is a delivery and takeout focused concept featuring fresh, high-quality food prepared in-house daily with minimal production time, including proprietary recipes for the pizza dough, sauce, and cheese blend. Menu items include a variety of specialty pizzas, calzones, strombolis, sandwiches, hickory-smoked chicken wings made daily in-house, freshly prepared salads, and freshly baked desserts.

About Stoner's Pizza Joint

Founded in 2013, Stoner's Pizza Joint launched its franchising program in late 2018 along with fresh new branding and a business model that has proven resilient to massive changes sweeping the food industry. For more information, visit https://www.stonerspizzajoint.com, or call 954-982-6618.

Stoner's Pizza Joint is currently seeking qualified franchisees to help the brand grow nationwide in college town markets, with a focus on the Southeast region. Prospective franchisees should have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The ideal candidate is a proven, multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry and has a strong knowledge of their market. Stoner's Pizza Joint's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) reveals an estimated initial investment range of $90,000 to $206,000 for the first location, including a franchise fee of $25,000.

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Stoner's Pizza Joint, contact the Stoner's Pizza Joint Franchise Development team, at scott@stonerspizzajoint.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:Scott Mobley // Stoner's Pizza Joint5613513777370746@email4pr.com

SOURCE Stoner's Pizza Joint

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stoner's Pizza Joint, a quick-service pizza franchise, announced it's a grand opening at a new location on January 4th at 909 East Main Street, Unit B, Laurens, SC 29360, 864-983-0707. The new location will bring Stoner's its 7^th location in the state of South Carolina. The hours of operation will be Sunday - Thursday 11 am to 11 pm and Friday – Saturday 11 am to 12 am. Dine in, takeout, and delivery will be offered.

"We are excited to bring an additional location to the state of South Carolina in Laurens! We believe the greater Greenville, SC market will continue to grow and provide an opportunity for additional Stoner's locations soon," said CEO and Owner, John Stetson.

Stoner's Pizza Joint is a delivery and takeout focused concept featuring fresh, high-quality food prepared in-house daily with minimal production time, including proprietary recipes for the pizza dough, sauce, and cheese blend. Menu items include a variety of specialty pizzas, calzones, strombolis, sandwiches, hickory-smoked chicken wings made daily in-house, freshly prepared salads, and freshly baked desserts.

About Stoner's Pizza Joint

Founded in 2013, Stoner's Pizza Joint launched its franchising program in late 2018 along with fresh new branding and a business model that has proven resilient to massive changes sweeping the food industry. For more information, visit https://www.stonerspizzajoint.com, or call 954-982-6618.

Stoner's Pizza Joint is currently seeking qualified franchisees to help the brand grow nationwide in college town markets, with a focus on the Southeast region. Prospective franchisees should have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The ideal candidate is a proven, multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry and has a strong knowledge of their market. Stoner's Pizza Joint's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) reveals an estimated initial investment range of $90,000 to $206,000 for the first location, including a franchise fee of $25,000.

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Stoner's Pizza Joint, contact the Stoner's Pizza Joint Franchise Development team, at scott@stonerspizzajoint.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:Scott Mobley // Stoner's Pizza Joint5613513777370746@email4pr.com

SOURCE Stoner's Pizza Joint

LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - While growth and development are happening all around us, one Upstate county is ensuring nature is preserved.

Laurens County is one step closer to a new 335-acre park near the Town of Joanna after County Council members approved the second reading of an ordinance for the project Monday evening.

“We want to see the rural areas be saved. Any opportunity we have to save what makes Laurens County what it is, we want to do what we can to save it,” Laurens County Parks and Recreation Director Andy Howard said.

The new park would provide miles of winding equestrian trails.

“It’s a unique recreational opportunity. You see a lot of trails for bikes, hiking, [and] even off-roading. But you don’t see equestrian trails that much,” Howard continued.

The park could also boost tourism in the area.

Becci Ambroe, an owner of the Kampgrounds of America in Kinards, agreed the park would be a welcome addition.

“Now is a great time to invest in the county and into things like trails because I have guests who come in here all the time. ‘Where can we go hiking? What’s fun to do around here?’ And so something like this would be a big boost for us,” Ambroe said.

The land purchase is part of a larger acquisition of 2,280 acres by the Nature Conservancy of South Carolina in Laurens County from Tyger Oak, LLC. Laurens County is buying 335 of the acres, which are valued at around $1 million. However, the county only has to pay $125,000 thanks to funding from the Nature Conservancy and SC Conservation Bank.

“$125,000 for 335 acres is quite a deal,” Howard remarked.

Howard emphasized the importance of conserving land in the area, especially as growth from Greenville moves towards Laurens County.

“What we have is beautiful, and everybody wants to be a part of that. So they are moving here, and they want to be in that rural area...We want to make sure we keep our natural area as natural as it can be,” he said.

Ambroe agreed.

“There is a lot of building, which is great. Growth is always great. But not at the expense of our parks. Not at the expense of nature,” she asserted.

Howard hopes to eventually connect the new county park to the Palmetto Trail. He also said the county intends to work with state experts to bring the flora and fauna back to their original state before developers arrive.

The third reading of the project ordinance, which will be open to public comment, is expected in April.

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The City of Laurens has announced that Bowling for Soup will be this year’s headline performers at its July 3 Freedom Fest concert.

Bowling for Soup is known for hits like “1985”, the Grammy-nominated “Girl All the Bad Guys Want,” and the theme from the popular Disney cartoon “Phineas and Ferb.” Their smash hit, “1985,” reached No. 5 on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 Chart. The band’s success made them a household name in the pop-punk scene, and their energetic live shows are not to be missed. Bowling for Soup’s performance will mark the second year in a row in which Laurens’ Freedom Fest has featured a chart-topping band.

Freedom Fest, an event which is free and open to the public, offers fun for the whole family. Alongside Bowling for Soup, the event will feature a lineup of live music, food and activities for all ages. The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. and continue throughout the evening, with a fireworks finale immediately following the conclusion of Bowling for Soup’s concert at 10:30 p.m.

Laurens’ Independence Day celebrations have attracted thousands of visitors each year. In 2021, the event welcomed 3,000 attendees. That number grew to approximately 5,000 in 2022. In 2023, data collected by the City of Laurens confirmed that approximately 10,000 people attended the festival. About half of last year’s attendees were residents of Laurens or Clinton. The rest were from across the Upstate and Western North Carolina.

“We’re excited to welcome Bowling for Soup to Freedom Fest this year,” said Mayor Nathan Senn. “Our team has sought out performers who bring something a little different than the events hosted by many of our neighbors, who have topped the charts, and who are fun to watch. I can’t wait to see fans, families, and friends come out to enjoy what I know will be a great Independence Day celebration.”

In addition to Bowling for Soup, the event will feature local musicians who recently performed at the City’s Homegrown Music Festival in February, including Jessica Ticko, Darby Wilcox & Catriona Sturton, and Hard Candy Paranoia.

No Independence Day celebration would be complete without traditional patriotic music. Laurens’ own Davidson Brass Band, a family of talented musicians who have become a familiar favorite at many city events, will perform. They will also take part in the City’s Salute to Veterans, a special part of the City’s celebrations that has become a moving highlight of the event each year.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available to businesses and organizations across Upstate South Carolina who would like to be featured at this year’s festival. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities and more information about Freedom Fest, please contact Special Events Coordinator Hunter Holmes.

“We want everyone in Laurens and all who visit to enjoy a fun, safe, and unforgettable Independence Day celebration,” said Mayor Senn. “We welcome you to join us on the night of July 3 to celebrate the America’s birthday.”