Month: March 2026

Eastwood Homes is proud to announce the expansion of its Charleston Division into the Beaufort and Bluffton markets, further strengthening the company’s presence across the South Carolina Lowcountry.

The expansion includes two new communities: Academy Park in Beaufort and New Riverside Village in Bluffton.

In Beaufort, Eastwood Homes is now building in Academy Park, an intimate community featuring 13 thoughtfully designed homes. Each home includes a two-car front-load garage and slab foundation construction. Located next to Beaufort Academy, Academy Park offers incredible upscale designs with luxury craftsmanship in homes created for the modern lifestyle. Just 10 minutes from beautiful downtown Beaufort, homeowners will enjoy convenient access to the area’s best restaurants, shops, parks, and breathtaking coastal scenery. Pristine beaches are only a short drive away, and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is nearby.

In Bluffton, Eastwood Homes is introducing 58 luxurious townhomes in New Riverside Village, each featuring a one-car garage. These townhomes offer the perfect blend of Lowcountry charm and modern convenience. Nestled within the vibrant New Riverside Village community, homeowners will enjoy walkable access to shops, dining, parks, and gathering spaces centered around a lively town center. Located just minutes from historic Old Town Bluffton, a short drive to Hilton Head Island’s pristine beaches, and less than 20 miles from Savannah, Georgia, this community embodies the ideal “lock and leave” lifestyle.

“We are so thrilled to be expanding our operations to Beaufort and Bluffton,” said Lindy Sfirlea, Vice President of Sales for Eastwood Homes’ Charleston Division. “These markets represent incredible opportunities for growth, and we’re excited to bring our craftsmanship, thoughtful designs, and commitment to customer experience to even more Lowcountry homebuyers.”

The homebuilder also shared that it will be opening an additional community in Ridgeland in the Third Quarter of 2026. Bees Creek Pines will be a community of single family ranch-style and two-story homes on larger homesites. This established neighborhood features ponds and trees and will be an excellent addition to the community line-up for the Charleston division, Sfirlea said.

This expansion reflects Eastwood Homes’ continued growth and dedication to building high-quality homes in desirable markets throughout the Southeast.

About Eastwood Homes
Eastwood Homes is a privately held residential homebuilder dedicated to building homes of exceptional value and outstanding craftsmanship throughout the Southeast. Eastwood Homes operations include its headquarters in Charlotte, as well as division offices in the Raleigh/Durham and Greensboro markets of North Carolina; Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia markets of South Carolina; the greater Richmond and Hampton Roads markets of Virginia; and the greater Atlanta market of Georgia. Eastwood’s builds in more than 140 communities throughout the Southeast United States with the option to “Build on Your Lot” in the Charlotte, Raleigh, Greenville, and Charleston markets. For more information, visit www.eastwoodhomes.com.

SOURCE Eastwood Homes

Stay connected and subscribe to Charleston Daily.

By Mark A. Leon

Coming Soon: Sportyard – A 15,000 sq ft indoor sports challenge arena on James Island — built for kids, teens, adults, and families who want movement to feel like sport, not a workout. The new spot will be located at 1750 Signal Point Road, Suite 920, James Island, SC.

Hours of operation will be Monday-Thursday: 2pm-9pm / Friday-Saturday: 10am-9pm /Sunday: 10am-7pm

This new state of the art indoor sports arena will offer:

• Trick shots: 40+ YouTube-inspired challenges plus skills development for basketball, soccer, baseball, football & more
• Drop-in fun: Open facility for anyone to come test their trick shot skills or hone their abilities with our sport challenges
• Classes and Leagues: Regular classes and competitive leagues available across basketball, soccer, baseball, football, and more
• Summer Camps
• Basketball and Volleyball Leagues
• Membership options

Click HERE to learn about offerings and memberships

Photo Credit: KW Designs

Stay connected and subscribe to Charleston Daily.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster, the South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) and South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) today announced that the state’s 2025 export sales grew 1.5%, reaching $38.5 billion — the highest value in seven years — as reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

The 2025 export sales underscore the continued global demand for South Carolina-made products. South Carolina was again the nation’s top exporter of both completed passenger vehicles and tires. The state also ranked second nationally in the export of ball/roller bearings, commonly used in the automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery and energy sectors.

Motor vehicles and parts, aircraft and parts, and machinery and parts were South Carolina’s most exported commodities in 2025. Aircraft and parts’ market share rose 31% from 2024, while completed passenger vehicles generated the most significant share of export sales revenue, totaling $11.8 billion.

South Carolina’s top five exported commodities in 2025, by percentage share, were:

1. Motor vehicles and parts
2. Aircraft and parts
3. Machinery and parts
4. Plastics
5. Tires

South Carolina exported goods to countries across Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.

South Carolina companies looking to expand their global markets can explore S.C. Commerce’s export incentives or contact the international trade team.

“South Carolina once again led the country in the export of passenger vehicles and tires, reflecting the strength of our manufacturing industry. Reaching the highest export value in seven years is the result of a skilled workforce and the confidence global markets place in products made in our state.”
-Gov. Henry McMaster 

“South Carolina’s strong export sales last year demonstrate the strength of our economy and the power of our advanced manufacturing sector. International trade remains a cornerstone of the state’s growth and development, providing opportunities for long-term success.”
-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“More than 70% of cargo exported through South Carolina Ports’ facilities originates from companies in South Carolina, higher than any other major container port on the East Coast. South Carolina’s advanced manufacturers, agricultural producers and businesses rely on SC Ports’ efficient operations to remain competitive, and reach the global markets that demand their products.”
-SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace

Source: South Carolina Department of Commerce

Stay connected and subscribe to Charleston Daily.

By Austin Edwards

Given the climate and sheer number of people of all ages moving to the Palmetto State, it has been somewhat surprising — not to mention, disappointing (to me, at least) — that South Carolina has been so late to the game when it comes to padel.

Granted, the state was initially an early adopter of padel, with its first court (which I actually had a hand in helping to make happen) opening at the Columbia Racquet Club all the way back in December 2022.

However, until very recently the only other court in the state was a single temporary court here in Charleston at the LTP Daniel Island tennis complex that hosts the women’s pro tennis tournament known as the Credit One Charleston Open.

Yet, all of the sudden, padel is now starting to explode across the state…

This is thanks to:

• The two outdoor courts that were recently opened at the Roy Barth Tennis Center at the Kiawah Island Resort, about 25 miles southwest of Charleston…
• Two more outdoor courts being added at LTP Daniel Island (bringing the total there to three)…
• An additional two outdoor courts being added to the private Daniel Island Club just across the street from LTP Daniel Island later this year…
• The opening of 40Forty Padel Club, a two-court outdoor venue in Mauldin, SC, just outside of Greenville…
• Two private outdoor courts recently being added to The Cliffs at Mountain Park residences in Marietta, SC…
• A third location of pATL opening in Mt. Pleasant, SC, (just across the Ravenel Bridge from Charleston) with six indoor courts plus a stadium court…
• At least one outdoor court reportedly being added to Snee Farm Country Club, also in Mt. Pleasant…
• A two-court club known as The Point Racket and Social Club set to open in the spring of 2026 on Johns Island, SC, and…
• Two outdoor courts set to be added to the Charleston Racquet Club sometime in late 2026 (along with more singles and doubles squash courts and even one of only about a dozen real-tennis courts in the U.S.).

Add it all up, and you’ll discover that in the space of less than a year, the number of padel courts in the Palmetto State is set to soar from just two to more than two dozen.

Of this incredible — and rather sudden — growth, Nick Saltmarsh, a former college tennis player turned padel addict and entrepreneur (who is preparing to open The Point Racket and Social Club mentioned above) tells me:

“Charleston’s combination of year-round playable climate and deeply rooted racquet sports culture creates an ideal environment for padel’s introduction to the Lowcountry.

The region’s active, health-conscious population, with a median age of 36, is already seeking the next evolution in social racket sports. With the metro area growing three times faster than the national average and Charleston’s emphasis on community-oriented recreation, padel fills a clear gap between the accessibility of pickleball and the heritage of tennis.”

He also proudly adds, “The Point Racket and Social Club will serve as a hub for this emerging sport, offering a premium yet welcoming space where the region’s vibrant social culture can thrive on court.”

Catching up — and pushing ahead…

While two-dozen-plus padel courts is admittedly still just a drop in the bucket compared to other warm-weather states like California, Texas, and Florida, it will actually catapult South Carolina ahead of states like Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Nevada, and Virginia when it comes to total court count.

Of course, from the look of things, all those states will continue to add more courts and clubs as well. But, for now, it’s just nice to see my home state of South Carolina claiming its place on the padel map.

Harry Miley, the founder and owner of the Columbia Racquet Club (where S.C.’s first court was built) shares my enthusiasm, telling me:

“I’m not surprised at all at that pace of growth we’re starting to see… padel is addictive! Less than an hour after setting foot on a padel court for the first time at the Kinetic Club in Florida, I said, ‘we’re going to build one of these’ — and we did. I’m just so happy to finally see the addictive powers of padel start to spread across North and South Carolina three years after we built ours.”

Source: Padel Nation

Stay connected and subscribe to Charleston Daily.

Under new leadership, the Fund is poised for accelerated impact to connect nonprofits to generous donors 

Charleston, S.C. (March 2, 2026) – The Blackbaud Giving Fund^Ⓡ,  a nonprofit that brings supporters and nonprofits together to advance the state of giving, today announced the appointment of Catherine LaCour as its new CEO and executive director, effective immediately. In this role, LaCour will help nonprofits access charitable funds with greater confidence and clarity through the Fund’s secure and efficient giving programs. Since its inception in 2020, the Fund has disbursed $2.75 billion from generous donors to over 286,000 nonprofits worldwide. 

LaCour will lead the Fund’s strategy, oversee governance and regulatory compliance, and steward its partnerships with Blackbaud and other social impact partners to unlock new streams of generosity. LaCour, who recently retired from her role as Blackbaud’s chief marketing officer, succeeds former executive director Matt Nash, who helped establish and build the organization for five years and successfully strengthened its national profile, expanded nonprofit engagement, and deepened its role as a trusted partner in charitable giving. 

“We are thrilled to see Catherine enter this role,” said Dan Aptor, board chair. “She brings a deep understanding of the philanthropic landscape, a strong commitment to nonprofit partners, and the strategic clarity needed to guide The Blackbaud Giving Fund into its next chapter. Her experience and values are a natural fit for our mission, and the board has full confidence in her ability to strengthen our impact for nonprofits, donors, and corporate partners.”

LaCour brings over 25 years of experience leading growth, engagement, and innovation across public, private, and nonprofit organizations, as well as deep expertise in building trusted systems that connect people, organizations, and purpose. Her background spans charitable funds distribution, technology-enabled engagement, and sector leadership, positioning her to help expand the Fund’s role within the social impact ecosystem.

“The Blackbaud Giving Fund exists to make giving faster, more transparent, and more effective for nonprofits and the donors who support them,” said LaCour. “By helping corporate employees move their gifts from intention to impact in days rather than weeks, and by reducing the friction and cost often associated with distribution, we’re strengthening trust in the entire giving process. I’m excited to lead the Fund at a time when the work nonprofits are doing is even more critical, and as trust and transparency become even more important.”

As CEO and executive director, LaCour will work closely with the Fund’s board of directors to define priorities, guide policy, and ensure accountability. She will also partner with Blackbaud leadership to explore opportunities for new giving channels, partnerships, and innovations. In partnership with Blackbaud and its YourCause® solution built for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement, The Blackbaud Giving Fund helps power a connected platform that links donors and nonprofits through trusted technology and responsible stewardship to accelerate giving and create a network effect. The Fund eliminates the friction of connecting around shared purpose, powerfully linking individuals, organizations, and systems so resources can be unleashed at the speed of need and impact can grow exponentially. Under her leadership, The Blackbaud Giving Fund will continue to strengthen its role as a connector between donors and nonprofits, while supporting the sector with resources, education, and trusted infrastructure for charitable giving.

For nonprofit resources and tips, visit The Blackbaud Giving Fund’s blog.

For more information about The Blackbaud Giving Fund, visit blackbaudgivingfund.org or follow the organization on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagramfor updates, news, and more. 

About The Blackbaud Giving Fund

Facilitating $2.75 billion in charitable contributions to more than 286,000 nonprofits worldwide since 2020, The Blackbaud Giving Fund is the bridge between corporate giving initiatives and nonprofit organizations, bringing supporters and nonprofits together to advance the state of giving. The Fund simplifies the giving experience by offering companies and individuals a secure, efficient way to give to vetted nonprofits, and it delivers contributions directly to those nonprofits. Beyond disbursing all funds quickly to nonprofits, the Fund offers free resources to organizations, including receipting, a donor communication platform, statistics, reports, ACH payments, and more. 

The Blackbaud Giving Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) public charity and grant-making organization that was organized and operates exclusively for charitable purposes. It is not controlled by and is not a program or activity of Blackbaud, Inc. The Blackbaud Giving Fund’s mission is to unleash generosity by connecting people to causes they care about around the world. 

Stay connected and subscribe to Charleston Daily.