Commercial Roof Repair in Walterboro, SC

(BPT) - We’ve spent the past year bookmarking the travel excursions of our dreams and now our next flight finally seems to be in sight. We’re all yearning for more spontaneity and adventure — to connect with the people we love while revisiting all the places we miss. This year we hope to lean into spontaneity like never before and embrace a change of scenery. Once we are ready to make plans and book trips, travel rewards cards like the new United Quest^SM Card help to earn miles on all our adventures along the way and provide travel perks that make getting to and from your destination even more enjoyable.

From exploring a new destination to creating adventures at home, there are plenty of ways to indulge your wanderlust and scratch that travel itch once again.

Travel Inspiration

Surprise your family or friends with an at-home movie experience like no other. Pick your top three travel-inspired movies on your favorite streaming service, order in foods that fit that destination and use inspiration from the film to decorate your living room. Then set the delivery time for just ahead of when you’re planning to hit “play.” Stack some pillows and blankets to craft a cozy alcove as your favorite movie transports you to another place or time.

Even though you’re not leaving your own four walls, your loved ones will appreciate the opportunity to enjoy each other through a unique and comfortable experience.

Try a Surprise Trip, Near or Far

The past year has given us a new appreciation for the people and businesses that operate right out of our own backyards. Exploring a new place or restaurant can quench your thirst for travel and bring about entirely new experiences.

Surprise your loved ones by booking a homestay nearby to see life from a new vantage point. Lock in a room with a view in the next town over or book a beachside condo to take in some new views, eats and adventures. This past year has completely redefined travel — but the feeling of trying something new and embracing spontaneity can spark the adventure we’ve all been missing.

Earn Rewards Today, for Future Travel

For those who are ready to take their next trip, and maybe even have something on the books, perhaps it’s time to elevate that experience into something entirely new. Travel rewards cards like the new United Quest Card offer unique opportunities to earn on travel and towards travel, transforming everyday experiences into stepping-stones to your next dream vacation.^[1]

When booking any travel with the United Quest Card, you can earn 3X miles for every $1 spent on United purchases, 2X miles for every $1 spent on all other travel, 2X miles for every $1 spent on dining and select streaming services and a $125 annual United purchase credit. And in the spirit of totally elevating the flight experience, the Quest Card offers two free checked bags, priority boarding, no blackout dates and more.

Travel is in the air — sometimes literally, sometimes metaphorically. One thing this past year has taught us is to embrace the places and people we love and appreciate the little adventures of every day.

[1] Accounts subject to credit approval. Restrictions and limitations apply. Offer subject to change. See UnitedQuestCard.com for pricing and rewards details. United credit cards are issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC

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(BPT) - It’s a well-known rule in marketing that if you’re a healthcare company you need to work with an advertising agency that lives and breathes healthcare.

But rules are made to be broken, and LevLane, a dark horse, full-service agency in Philadelphia, is showing that maybe that well-worn path so many have traveled is, well, worn out.

It’s a bold statement but rooted in real-world examples. Take a look at 10 random marketing campaigns in the pharmaceutical space right now and you’ll quickly sense a theme. They have the same bouncy music, the same format, the same look and feel. They might not be siblings, but they’re definitely close cousins.

For LevLane, an agency that’s been in business since 1984 and built its reputation leading campaigns for big consumer names like Taco Bell, Midas, Massage Envy and KFC, to name a few, when opportunities began to present themselves in the healthcare world, they were up for the challenge.

But how do you go from marketing chalupas and oil changes to birth control and dental insurance?

Easy — you do it with the right people who understand marketing, regardless of the vertical. And if awards are any indication of success, it appears that breaking out of the medical marketing box is working quite well.

In the years since the agency began its life sciences division, it has expanded its healthcare client portfolio to include pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic entities, major healthcare systems, payers, provider groups and most recently digital health organizations, all while racking up dozens of awards. In 2022, it reached another professional milestone: LevLane was named to the MM&M (Medical Marketing & Media) Top 100 Agencies for the 7th year in a row.

“Clients who have come to us from various healthcare segments are hungry for something innovative,” said Timmy Garde, Chief Innovation Leader, and Head of the Life Sciences Division at LevLane. “We bring a unique blend of integrated talent, a nimble structure where we can plug and play subject matter experts to the challenges at hand. In essence, we become an extension of our clients’ teams by leveraging all of our agency’s resources and then some.”

The transition from consumer-focused clients to traditional healthcare work, while not without its challenges, was more natural than most would imagine. The agency has always had a bespoke approach to client work, regardless of industry, so when it came to healthcare, they utilized the talent from their existing in-house disciplines and strategically partnered with medical, legal and regulatory experts to provide guidance without hindering creativity. That simple, but innovative, bolt-on model allowed the discipline teams to think as big as they do for consumer work while staying within the industry guardrails.

“We aren’t trying to be just another healthcare marketing agency. People come to us to get away from that,” said Kevin Dunn, SVP of Strategic Client Engagement for Life Sciences at LevLane. “We have all the same medical and regulatory resources available to us as a specialized agency, but our discipline teams are working on every client we have, which has been a real secret to our success in this space. The cross-pollination between industries allows us to bring much more creative, unique thinking to our clients because we’re not starting with regulation first — it’s always about reaching the audience with an authentic message. That’s our sweet spot.”

Seems that maybe consumer marketing may have something to teach the healthcare world after all.

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(BPT) - Have you been on a recent virtual date or job interview and just not felt the energy you might have in person? You’re not alone — as the pandemic has taken away the ease and safety of in-person meetups, “Zoom fatigue” has become a regular part of our vocabulary. Sometimes, trying to connect with someone through a webcam just doesn’t feel right, but the good news is that there are solutions.

Some people have mastered the Zoom life and have some tips to share about how to foster really meaningful personal interactions, even through a screen.

“You’ve got to let your curiosity fuel you,” says OZY CEO Carlos Watson. As host of the viral YouTube talk show sensation The Carlos Watson Show, Watson has created the warmest place on the internet, where his uniquely charming conversation style leads to some of the most intimate conversations with the world’s biggest names. “Don’t think of it like you’re miles away; appreciate the intimacy Zoom brings — you’re in each other's homes.” And while Watson has invited TV’s most diverse lineup to his virtual coffee table, boasting names from Ava DuVernay to Mark Cuban, John Legend to Megyn Kelly, here are his top tips for anyone trying to get past Zoom fatigue and create real relationships over calls:

Start in a place of mutual understanding

Having interviewed everyone from President Obama to Karl Rove, Tomi Lahren to Rep. Ilhan Omar, Watson knows he might not agree with every guest, but emphasizes the importance of finding common ground. “It feels like one of the most divisive times in history, but we need to remember that there’s more that connects us than divides us,” he says. Try to find something you do agree on or a mutual friend or favorite activity. Starting things off on the right foot will allow the rest of the conversation to go more smoothly.

Have an open mind and no expectations

Don’t approach a new conversation with expectations, because you may be disappointed if they’re not met. But an open mind allows conversations to take whatever serendipitous turn they might. Watson knows this, and covers a notable range of topics with the world’s top names. Let your conversations wander, because you never know where they might take you.

Surprise yourself with creative questions

Along with avoiding presuppositions of the conversation, avoid presupposing what your conversation-mate might be interested in talking about. In his show, Watson focuses on asking creative questions. He might talk about love with politicians, politics with musicians and music with athletes. Whether on a virtual date or job interview, the likelihood is the person you’re talking to is used to getting similar questions and doesn’t get to be creative with their answers. By thinking outside the box with the questions you ask, and pivoting from the norms, you can get the most genuine answers.

Hopefully you feel prepared to tackle that next Zoom interview or ask your Hinge date for a virtual coffee. And make sure to check out Carlos Watson’s expertly charming conversations on The Carlos Watson Show.

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PRESS RELEASE - WASHINGTON, August 25, 2022—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today awarded over $591,000 in Fiscal Year 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to South Carolina. This USDA grant will help the South Carolina Department of Agriculture fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state and support specialty crop growers through marketing, education, and research.

“USDA applauds South Carolina’s continued commitment to supporting our nation’s producers of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The projects funded will foster innovative research and new market opportunities within the specialty crop sector, while furthering USDA’s goals of creating a more fair and equitable food system and supporting local and regional producers.”

The SCBGP will fund 13 projects through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. Among the projects is more than $57,000 in funding allocated to Ace Basin Growers, a non-profit organization, which will work to enhance competitiveness of specialty crop growers in South Carolina through a collaborative multi-organizational project. Additionally, over $49,000 has been allocated to develop a novel preharvest spray program to improve the yield of marketable peaches at harvest. SCBGP funding will also be used to fund specialty crop focused research programs at Clemson University.

“Specialty Crop Block Grants allow us to help farmers across South Carolina realize their goals of increased production and market expansion,” said South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “Through targeted funding, we’re improving access to fresh, locally grown food for South Carolinians and helping open up opportunities for farms of all sizes.”

The funding to South Carolina is part of a total of $72.9 million in non-competitive FY 2022 SCBGP funding awarded to 55 states, territories and the District of Columbia. The SCBGP funding supports farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. USDA’s support will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets, ensuring an abundant, affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops, which are vital to the health and well-being of all Americans.

The funding for the SCBGP grants is authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and FY2022 funding is awarded for a three-year period beginning September 30, 2022. Since 2006, USDA has invested more than $953 million through the SCBGP to fund 11,331 projects that have increased the long-term successes of producers and broadened the market for specialty crops in the U.S. and abroad.

More information about these awards is available on this webpage: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/SCBGPDescriptionofFunds2022.pdf

https://www.ams.usda.gov/content/usda-announces-specialty-crop-block-grant-program-funding-awarded-south-carolina

USDA Contact Info: Public Affairs, PA@usda.gov, (202) 720-8998. SCDA Contact Info: Eva Moore, emoore@scda.sc.gov, 803-734-2196

Press Release

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.3 million grant to the city of Walterboro, South Carolina, for the construction of new sewer lines in support of economic growth in a region impacted by the declining use of coal. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan and EDA’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment.

This project will provide the wastewater infrastructure capacity needed to service a new manufacturing firm and to accommodate other existing and future business needs. The EDA investment will be matched with $814,375 in local funds and is expected to create 50 jobs and generate $1.9 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to supporting communities as they work to create economic opportunity and build a better America,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide the wastewater treatment capacity necessary for local businesses to create jobs and build economic resiliency in the region.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support Walterboro and its community as it works to grow the region’s economy,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will provide for modern water infrastructure to give the region a competitive advantage in attracting new businesses and jobs, making the local economy more resilient and better equipped to overcome future economic disruptions.”

“I am pleased the EDA is using American Rescue Plan funding to support communities like Walterboro that have been impacted by the closing of coal plants,” said Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06). “This investment in water infrastructure in the city will support new economic development needs and the creation of local jobs. It is a great example of federal investments addressing the needs of local communities.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Lowcountry Economic Development District (LEDD). EDA funds LEDD to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs.

EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment allocates $300 million of EDA’s $3 billion American Rescue Plan appropriation to support coal communities as they recover from the pandemic and to help them create new jobs and opportunities, including through the creation or expansion of a new industry sector. Specifically, EDA has dedicated $100 million of its Build Back Better Regional Challenge funds and $200 million of its Economic Adjustment Assistance funds to directly support coal communities. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov) The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.