Greenwood-based Community Capital Corp., the holding company for CapitalBank, announced today that has signed a merger agreement with Park Sterling Corp. of Charlotte. CapitalBank has been operating under heightened federal oversight since August.

Spartanburg-based HVM LLC, which manages Extended Stay Hotels across the country, will receive up to $4.7 million in state grants to relocate its headquarters from Spartanburg to Charlotte, according to the office of North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue.

Though federal agencies don’t expect to find hazardous levels of radiation, they have implemented more radiation screening procedures at U.S. ports of entry for those ships coming from or passing near Japan, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce hosted Opher Aviran, consul general of Israel to the Southeast, on Tuesday. South Carolina and Israel have undertaken an effort to increase business and academic collaborations with each other.

South Carolina’s public health agency is again sponsoring a program to encourage homeowners to swap their old gas-powered lawn mowers for electric-powered models.

The S.C. Department of Agriculture’s annual Southern Plant and Flower Festival will be April 7-10 at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market, 2513 W. Lucas Street in Florence.

Trident Technical College is hiring an occupational therapy assistant and academic program director in Charleston. The job requires a master’s degree in a related field plus certification as an occupational therapist or occupational therapist assistant, with S.C. licensure or the ability to obtain it. The program director teaches courses, develops curriculum, evaluates student performance, advises students and maintains accreditation. Learn more or apply here.