Business In Brief - August 29, 2007 | Rock Hill Herald

Ross Dress for Less leasing Fort Mill center

FORT MILL -- Lauth Property Group announced Tuesday that Ross Dress for Less will move into Transpoint One in Transpoint Business Park in Fort Mill.

The retailer will lease the entire 423,000-square-foot distribution building, which was constructed on speculation. The 68-acre business park is off Interstate 77 between Carowinds Boulevard and Gold Hill Road.

Ross operates a 1 million-plus square-foot distribution center at U.S. 21 and Flint Hill Road. The new building will allow it to consolidate from other leased facilities.

"This lease speaks to the encouraging growth of the region as a distribution hub," said Flint McNaughton, Southeast regional partner at Lauth.

Teddy Chapman and Lawrence Shaw of Clarus Properties represented Lauth, and Greg Copps also of Clarus represented Ross.

-- Doug Smith, The Charlotte Observer

Dale Loftis joins Keller Williams Realty

FORT MILL -- Dale Loftis is joining Keller Williams Realty team in the Baxter Village Market Center, according to a company statement.

Loftis, who previously was with Coldwell Banker United, has four years of experience. He has earned several awards for production and client service.

The Baxter Village Market Center, located at 1030 Assembly Drive, has 81 associates. For more information, call Jodi Detamore at (803) 835-2357 or visit www.kw.com.

Computer classes free for Springs employees

Free computer classes are being offered to employees of Springs Global by Panorama Computer Learning at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Basic Typing 101 will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 8; Microsoft Word 2003: Basic Level will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 15; and Microsoft Excel 2003: Basic Level will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 29.

To enroll, call Susan Woods, founder and president, at 324-3783. Identification will be required.

Panorama Computer Learning is located at 1642 Brandyhill Drive in Rock Hill.

Springs Global this week plans to close its Grace Finishing and Fabrication facilities in Lancaster County and the Close Plant in Chester County, cutting 750 jobs and ending 120 years of manufacturing in the state.

ATC instructor attends construction workshop

Charles Hailey, an instructor at Applied Technical Center in Rock Hill, recently attended a three-day continuing education workshop in Chicago for building trades instructors.

The workshop was conducted by USG and SkillsUSA. Hailey's session was held at the USG Research and Technology Innovation Center. The program focused on drywall installation and finishing skills.

SkillsUSA serves 285,000 high school and college students and instructors in training programs in trade, technical, skilled service and allied health occupations.

Earthlink to cut about half of work force

ATLANTA -- Internet service provider EarthLink said Tuesday that it would cut 900 jobs -- or about half its work force.

The company is struggling to generate revenues as dial-up access customers turn to high-speed alternatives from cable and phone companies.

More actions could be announced by the year's end but no more cuts are expected, said Rolla Huff, the Atlanta-based company's president and chief executive. As part of the plan, EarthLink also said it will repurchase $200 million of its stock.