Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Almost every seat was filled at the monthly meeting of the Blackville Town Council on November 21 to discuss new jobs and town happenings.
Blackville recreational cheerleading team, football team, and volleyball team were all recognized for their hard work and commitment this past season at the town’s monthly meeting. Athletes listed were applauded as they sat in the bleachers of the Blackville Community Center.
Every seat was filled at the November 21 Blackville Town Council meeting to learn about new jobs, discuss upcoming opportunities, and recognize recreational athletes.
TIVA Hiring
TIVA Building Products is setting up operations in Blackville and is in need of employees.
Two representatives from Ōnin Staffing attended the meeting to detail how interested job seekers can find employment with TIVA.
With offices across the nation but closely in Columbia and Augusta, Ōnin Staffing was hired by TIVA to staff their facilities. TIVA is a Canadian-based company and is exploring new ground with operations in South Carolina and therefore needs a staffing service.
Ōnin Staffing will be responsible for staffing in three phases and for a variety of jobs such as raw materials technicians, quality assurance coordinators, and shipping and receiving associates.
Ōnin Staffing is looking to fill TIVA factories with individuals looking for a long-term career with the company. The representatives explained job longevity is a key factor they will be looking for among applicants and ‘job hoppers’ will be considered for positions last.
Machines at TIVA are continuously running, which calls for 12-hour shifts. Starting pay is $17 to $25 per hour.
When staffed through Ōnin Staffing, employees are able to participate in the Teammate Benefits program which ensures life, vision, and dental coverage along with a 401K plan, scholarship opportunities, vacation/holiday pay, and much more. These benefits begin 30 days after starting the job, according to Ōnin Staffing’s website.
Although this is Ōnin Staffing’s first time working in Blackville, the company staffed Denmark Technical College allowing representatives to be somewhat familiar with the area.
There are currently jobs available in custodial, administrative, technical, and clerical positions, and there will be more positions available as the plant continues to be developed.
To apply or for more information on the hiring process or benefits through Ōnin Staffing, visit oninjobs.com/tivalanding or call (803) 667-4676.
Recreation
Before recognizing Blackville’s recreational cheerleading, volleyball, and football teams, recreation director Tykesha Jenkins first thanked parents for their support throughout the season.
Athletes sat in the bleachers at the Blackville Community Center as they were honored for their accomplishments and applauded by proud parents and community members.
Mayor Ronnie Pernell stated this had been an “outstanding season,” and the successes of Blackville’s youth motivates him for the future of the town.
Jenkins also recognized each coach who volunteered to guide teams throughout the season and explained how important their dedication and continued passion is to her, the athletes, and the community.
Aside from the sports currently offered, Jenkins explained there are active conversations around forming a soccer team in conjunction with First Baptist Church in Blackville as well as a partnership with Save the Children prepping for a basketball team.
The Town of Blackville is also looking to establish softball and baseball programs.
Pickleball courts are still set to come to Blackville through a grant from Axis I Center. Due to the location of the soon-to-be pickleball courts on the property of Blackville-Hilda High School, their construction is the responsibility of the school.
Jenkins detailed the school plans to continue with this project and the courts will be open for community use.
Opportunities & Events
At the meeting Mayor Pernell told residents to expect the fountain in the middle of downtown to soon be flowing in time for Christmas activities.
Pictures with Santa, a community concert followed by soup and cornbread, a Christmas parade, a tree lighting, a toy giveaway, caroling, and a movie night are all scheduled to kick off the holiday season in Blackville.
The town’s activity coordinator Fonda Patrick detailed each of these events beginning on December 3. Information about these events can be found on the Blackville Wire Facebook page or on the calendar page of The People-Sentinel.
Mayor Pernell also told residents to keep an eye out for new street signs coming to Blackville paid for through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
The Blackville Branch Library and the Community Center are both set to undergo renovations using this funding; the library is nearly completed and the Community Center is planned to be finished by March 2023.
Music & Arts Festival
Unless the funding can come from outside sources, the annual Blackville Music & Arts Festival will not happen in 2023.
While the town has provided financial support and police presence in previous years, this year it was not budgeted for due to a lack of funds in total, according to Mayor Pernell.
Mayor Pernell explained the Blackville Music & Arts Festival operates as a non-profit and is not under the umbrella of the Town of Blackville.
The Blackville Music & Arts Festival is headed by Terrance Washington and his mother, Ethel Washington, who have brought the festival to the town for a number of years.
Mayor Pernell along with council members are hopeful funding will come from grants or personal donations to keep the festival running; however, the town cannot swing it this year.
During public comment, Terrance Washington expressed his discontent with this decision and hopes the town will have open communication with local non-profits in the future.
Washington also detailed the organization's music and arts scholarship open to students interested in a career in a creative field. For more information on this scholarship or the Blackville Music and Arts Festival, visit http://www.bmafestival.com/.
Data Max Business License Agreement
At the meeting, the council voted to enter an agreement with DataMax to ultimately increase the town’s revenue.
DataMax is a company based in Winston-Salem, N.C. that works with business and local governments to identify revenue streams and capitalize on them.
DataMax refers to the company on their website as the “revenue identifications and recovery specialists.”
In a report detailed by Mayor Pernell, $36 million is leaving Blackville each year between residents and businesses traveling for work, shopping, and pleasure. He and the council hope to fix this promptly.
Mayor Pernell explained all operations entering Blackville, such as a bread delivery truck, must have a business license with the town. Currently many do not, which hinders the economic development of Blackville. This is one project being tackled by DataMax to increase revenue into the town.
