Features

• 2017 Legislative Scorecard Released by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

  June 29, 2017

  This year, the Chamber’s scorecard focuses on votes including infrastructure, education, closing the state’s workforce skills gap, ex-offender workforce reintegration, agribusiness and rural job creation, protecting existing manufacturing facilities from frivolous lawsuits, and an attempt to repeal our Right to Work laws.

• BMW Group Pumping Hundreds of Millions More into South Carolina

  June 27, 2017

  “From 2018 to 2021 we will invest further 600 million US dollars in manufacturing infrastructure for future generations of the BMW X models,” said Harald Krüger. At present, the plant is getting ready for production of the all-new BMW X7, which will be launched onto the market in late 2018.

• S.C. Department of Commerce Awards $9.8 million in Community Development Block Grants

  June 26, 2017

  Fifteen communities from across South Carolina are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by more than $9.8 million in funds from the latest round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

• Analysis: Siemens Hopes to Boost Manufacturing Workforce with $628 million USC Donation

  June 23, 2017

  A lot of big numbers get thrown around in describing the "skills gap" that faces American industry. On Thursday, Siemens Corp. and the University of South Carolina decided to throw around a big number of their own.

• Six Percent Container Growth, $262.3 Million in Capital Expenditures Projected for SC Ports Authority in Fiscal Year 2018

  June 22, 2017

  The Board approved a $262.3 million capital plan, the largest in the SCPA’s history, with expenditures projected $14.3 million higher than FY2017.

• The Human Performance of Your Business

  June 21, 2017

  Corporate America could gain a huge edge on its competition, if it began to learn from the world of sport and fitness. How so? Simple. Your body is a machine and all machines have capabilities and limitations. Your toaster can toast bread, but not muffins.

• Elliott Davis Decosimo Achieves HITRUST CSF Assessor Designation to Bolster Risk Advisory Offerings

  June 20, 2017

  “Given the evolving cyber security concerns and increasingly stringent risk assessment and mitigation requirements, our clients will appreciate the ability to engage us to deliver assessment and assurance services that encompass compliance standards for HIPPA, PCI, ISO and NIST in one review,” said Jay Brietz, Shareholder overseeing the firm’s HITRUST CSF Practice.

• South Carolina’s Logistics Industry Cluster Creates Executive Forum

  June 16, 2017

  SC Logistics – an industry cluster initiative of the SC Council on Competitiveness and the SC Department of Commerce – has created an Executive Forum to identify strategic priorities that will advance the state’s logistics industry.

• Legal Perspective with Ed Tarver: Is Your Small Business Vulnerable to a Cyberattack?

  June 15, 2017

  More and more, small business owners are asking the question, can I be sued because I was a victim of a cybercrime? Approximately half of worldwide Internet attacks were reported against small businesses with less than 250 employees. Small businesses have become a much more enticing target for both hackers and civil plaintiffs. Why?

• Legislative Updates Provide Increased Protections for Consumers

  June 14, 2017

  Timeshare resale service providers are required to give consumers a written contract including a complete description of the services offered, the length of the contract, and SCDCA’s telephone and web address.

• UofSC Researchers Looking for Ways to Improve South Carolina Roads

  June 13, 2017

  “We are determined to help fix South Carolina’s roads,” said civil engineering professor Sarah Gassman. “To do this, we’re collecting and analyzing data on traffic volume and other wear factors while also looking at new materials that are available for road construction.”

• SC Ports on Pace for Highest-ever FY Container Volume

  June 12, 2017

  "The Port is on pace to achieve record volume of nearly 2.1 million twenty foot-equivalent units (TEU) when our current fiscal year ends on June 30." Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO.

• SCE&G Launches South Carolina’s Largest Community Solar Program

  June 09, 2017

  SCE&G chose Clean Energy Collective, a national leader in community solar programs, and their RooflessSolar product, to implement its program. SCE&G expects to interconnect the first two of three CEC-developed solar facilities by the end of this year.

• Palmetto Promise Institute Champions State Role in Education Choice in Letter to Devos

  June 08, 2017

  Palmetto Promise Institute (PPI) joined 12 other leading state and national organizations in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, outlining the importance of state-led efforts on education choice and emphasizing the need to remain true to the tenets of federalism - in particular, by moving education decision-making out of Washington to states, local school districts, and ultimately parents.

• Increase in Union Activity Detected Targeting the Construction Industry

  June 07, 2017

  According to Mark Stubley, Labor Attorney/Shareholder with Ogletree Deakins, contractors in NC and SC have recently confronted labor-front groups attempting to target their use of nonunion subcontractors.

• Renaissance Developer Releases Preliminary Renderings of Downtown Aiken Redevelopment

  June 06, 2017

  The Renaissance Developer unveiled preliminary renderings that will add more commercial space downtown and increase property tax revenue for the city.

• Cyber Academy of South Carolina to Hold Graduation Ceremony

  June 05, 2017

  Sixty-three high school seniors will graduate from CASC, which is open to all students who reside in South Carolina. CASC offers an individualized approach to learning, using engaging curriculum to ensure every student receives an exceptional learning experience.

• Bond Dickinson and Womble Carlyle Approve Transatlantic Combination

  June 02, 2017

  The partners of UK-based Bond Dickinson LLP and US-based Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP have voted to combine as equal members in a new entity under the name Womble Bond Dickinson. Womble Carlyle has a large presence in South Carolina and clients all over the state. Together, annual revenue is over $400 million.

• Retail Recruitment Strategies for South Carolina Cities: A Look at Florence with Bob Sager of the Florence Downtown Development Corp.

  May 30, 2017

  We met with Bob Sager, Retail Recruitment Consultant with the Florence Downtown Development Corporation. During our one-on-one, Sager highlights the ongoing revitalization efforts in downtown Florence and the role of recruiting retail businesses to fill historic districts.

• SC Ports Update: Pamela Lackey Named Chairman, COSCO, April Container Volumes, Inland Port, New Headquarters

  May 18, 2017

  SCPA welcomed the maiden call of the COSCO Development, the largest vessel ever to call the U.S. East Coast. The Port completed 2,910 crane moves on the vessel, the second-highest number of moves in SCPA history, before it sailed on Sunday evening.

• CAGC Sees Success in Long-Term, Sustainable Road Funding

  May 17, 2017

  Carolinas AGC (CAGC), the construction trade association for the Carolinas, celebrates big wins for the construction industry in South Carolina with recent successes regarding road funding.

• The State's 2017 Industry Impact Award Recipients Announced

  May 16, 2017

  "The secret to South Carolina's economic success is its people, and we will always honor the fine work they do," said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. "The state's Industry Appreciation events are a long-running tradition, and we're proud of this year's recipients."

• McNair Lawyer Explains the New South Carolina Gas Tax

  May 12, 2017

  South Carolina’s gas tax is one of the lowest in the country. The result is the deplorable condition of the state’s highway system and roads. South Carolina is a conservative state, politically, and any tax increase, gas or otherwise, is often seen as political suicide for our state’s elected officials.

• SC Ports Announces Strongest April on Record for Container Cargo

  May 10, 2017

  "The strength of April volumes on the heels of our all-time highest month in March puts SCPA in a good position to meet or exceed our planned fiscal year container volume increase of six percent," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO.

• CAGC: Legislators Hope for Enough Votes to Override Road Funding Veto

  May 09, 2017

  The proposal will generate roughly $640 million in recurring road funding and maintenance once fully funding in 2023. The conference report includes funding, tax reductions and reform; all issues that should help in garnering enough votes to override a veto by Gov. McMaster.

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