[caption id="attachment_31532" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/alvinords.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-31532"><img class="size-full wp-image-31532" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/alvinords.jpg" alt="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  1st Vice Commander Bob Shields thanks Marie Lewis, owner of Alvin Ord's Sandwich Shop, for showing the flag." width="1024" height="768"></a> 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<br>1st Vice Commander Bob Shields thanks Marie Lewis, owner of Alvin Ord's Sandwich Shop, for showing the flag.[/caption]

<b>Leadership program&nbsp;</b><b>explores economy</b>

[caption id="attachment_31533" align="aligncenter" width="5184"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/economy.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-31533"><img class="size-full wp-image-31533" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/economy.jpg" alt="Marilyn Harcharik, Beaufort County Senior Leadership participant, listens to small business presenters as they discuss their experience running a business in Beaufort County. Photo by Steve Brown." width="5184" height="3456"></a> Marilyn Harcharik, Beaufort County Senior Leadership participant, listens to small business presenters as they discuss their experience running a business in Beaufort County. Photo by Steve Brown.[/caption]

Participants in the 2017 Beaufort County Senior Leadership program recently explored economic development in the county with local business owners, incubators and representatives of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and two local colleges.

David Nelems, CEO of the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, and Blakely Williams, of the Beaufort Regional Chamber, outlined actions to foster business development and job growth, while Dr. Lynn McGee, of USCB, and Dr. Gina Mounfield, of TCL, touted educational initiatives targeting career development.

BCSL class members heard firsthand about business opportunities and challenges from local business owners John Harris, of Harris Pillow Supply, Kirsten Hotchkiss, of My Life’s Message, Frank Lesesne, of Anchorage 1770, Mary Mack, of Red Piano Too, and Craig Reaves, of Sea Eagle Market. &nbsp;

<b>Fridays @ the Corridor&nbsp;</b><b>to tap into technology</b>

An upcoming event, Fridays @ the Corridor, will explore the various technology available at local libraries.

Beaufort County Library Director Ray McBride will showcase the array of free technology tools and technical solutions that are available.

This one-hour interactive forum, meant to engage and inform Beaufort's knowledge-based community, will be held at 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 10.

Attendance is limited to 25 guests, with priority seating for Digital Corridor members. The nonmember fee is $10 and can be paid by cash or check at the door.

RSVP to fridays@beaufortdigital.com.

<b>Job fair coming&nbsp;</b><b>to Beaufort County</b>

The 2017 Lowcountry Job Fair will be held from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, at the Beaufort National Guard Readiness Center (1 Cavalry Lane).&nbsp;The public is welcome.