College plans business celebration, calls for nominations

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Spartanburg Community College has scheduled its annual Economic Visionaries Gala for March 21 at the Spartanburg Marriott. Four Upstate companies from Spartanburg, Union and Cherokee counties will be named economic visionaries at the event. Nominations are now being accepted. Winners will be based on contributions made in transforming the Upstate business community.

Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Tryon Equestrian Group LLC, which operates the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Springs, N.C., will give the keynote address at the event, according to a news release.

"The economic visionaries celebration is an opportunity for our community to recognize outstanding companies, both large and small, and the many contributions they bring to our area. We are fortunate to have many successful companies throughout the Upstate, each bringing economic stability to our area that allows us to live and work in a healthy and prosperous community," Spartanburg Community College President Henry C. Giles Jr. said in the release.

Four companies will be named economic visionaries in the following categories:

• Category 1: 1-50 employees
• Category 2: 51-150 employees
• Category 3: 151-400 employees
• Category 4: 401+ or more employees

Nominations can be made through Feb. 8 via the event website. Nominated companies will be considered based on their support in the development of employees and workforce, economic investment in the community, environmental awareness and initiatives, and innovation. Winners will be notified in early February and announced at the Economic Visionaries Gala.

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2019 event are available online, and individual tickets will be available for purchase beginning Feb. 1, the release said.