<em>Photo above: American Legion Beaufort Post 9 is striving to promote both patriotism and businesses in the Beaufort area by calling attention to those that proudly display the U.S. flag at their location. Post 9 presents those enterprises with a framed certificate thanking them. Here, Deborah Harper of Trask &amp; Lynn, CPA, accepts a certificate from Post Commander Chuck Lurey.</em>

<b>Business Expo to be </b><b>held Sept. 22</b>

A Local First Business Expo presented by The Technical College of the Lowcountry and hosted by the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, will be held Thursday, Sept. 22. The event will take place from 4-7 p.m. at the Beaufort Holiday Inn &amp; Suites at 2225 Boundary St. in Beaufort. The Local First Business Expo provides an opportunity for the community to come out and see some of the products and services available in the community. Supporting local businesses and buying local results in boosting the local economy, and celebrating the uniqueness of the Lowcountry. There will be several exhibits and lots of door prizes. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. There will also be a Business After Hours at the Expo from 5:30-7 p.m. at the expo hall.  All are welcome to attend; the event is free for chamber members and $5 for guests. For more information, visit www.BeaufortChamber.org. For those in interested in exhibiting, there are a limited number of booths available. Call LaNelle Fabian at 843-525-8537.

<b>Grayco celebrates </b><b>new building center</b>

A ribbon-cutting was held Sept. 14 to celebrate Grayco’s new building center in Bluffton. The new facility is located at 345 Buck Island Road. The Grayco Building Center has been locally owned and operated in the Lowcountry for almost 50 years. The owner, Richard Gray, started out as the owner of an auto parts store in downtown Beaufort in the 1960s.