2013 GSA Newsmakers by SC Biz News

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December 30, 2013 - January 12, 2014

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 30

2013

Publisher - Lisa Jones ljones@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 101 UPSTATE NEWSROOM Editor - Scott Miller smiller@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 102 Copy Editor - Don Fujiwara dfujiwara@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 106 Staff Writer - Bill Poovey bpoovey@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 104 Staff Writer - Ashley Boncimino ashleyb@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 103 Graphic Designer - Jean Piot jpiot@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 105 Graphic Designer - Mallory Baxter mbaxter@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 115 MIDLANDS NEWSROOM Editor - James T. Hammond jhammond@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7545 Staff Writer - Chuck Crumbo ccrumbo@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7542 Special Projects Editor - Licia Jackson ljackson@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7546 LOWCOUNTRY NEWSROOM Managing Editor - Andy Owens aowens@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3142 Senior Copy Editor - Beverly Barfield bbarfield@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3115 Staff Writer - Liz Segrist lsegrist@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3119 Staff Writer - Ashley Barker abarker@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3119 Editorial Assistant - Chris McCandlish chrism@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3119

FROM THE EDITOR

n 2013, GSA Business marked its 17th anniversary by packing up and leaving the old office on Washington Street for larger space near Haywood Road better suited to our growing staff and operations. We’ve launched new publications, improved existing products, expanded our events and hired additional staff to support future growth, too. That’s our abbreviated story for 2013. I’m sure each of you has yours. Choosing which news stories to include in this second edition of Newsmaker was no easy task. The Upstate’s business community is too large, too diverse and too successful to capture all the news from the year in one publication. We picked business news for this publication with an eye toward economic growth and trends for 2014 and beyond. We selected stories we felt most impacted the business community and reflected the Upstate’s culture. Remember, the entire Upstate business community has a role in the news that fills these pages, so here is your 2013 yearbook. The stories on these pages reflect abbreviated and updated versions of those that ran in GSA Business print publications earlier this year. An editor’s note complements each page to add context, spotlight a trend to watch, or just note a tidbit of information that might otherwise be overlooked. On behalf of the entire GSA Business staff, I hope you enjoy looking back at the past 12 months and archive this publication to chronicle Upstate business news through the years. Here’s to a prosperous 2014. Scott Miller, Editor

GSA Business

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The entire contents of this newspaper are copyright by SC Business Publications LLC with all rights reserved. Any reproduction or use of the content within this publication without permission is prohibited. SCBIZ and South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. ©2013 SC Business Publications LLC

NEWS MAKERS 2013

S.C.

ATTRACTS $2.88 BILLION

IN NEW CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN 2012

South Carolina began the year with economic momentum. These announcements from 2012 are bearing fruit in 2013, as the companies behind them are opening facilities or beginning construction.

MANUFACTURING

$2.729 BILLION

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY ACTIVITY MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION SERVICE

$2.729 BILLION $66 MILLION $81 MILLION

5,207 JOBS 864 JOBS 3,233 JOBS

TOP ANNOUNCEMENTS BY INDUSTRY SECTOR AUTOMOTIVE PLASTICS FOOD PROCESSING INFORMATION SERVICES CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTERS

$2.125 BILLION $123 MILLION $85 MILLION $12 MILLION $4 MILLION

Top10 Key

BMW MANUFACTURING CO.

BRITAX CHILD SAFETY INC.

SPARTANBURG

YORK

$14 million

$900 million

$26 million

279

1,000

243

NEXANS

PHYSICIANS CHOICE LABORATORY SERVICES LLC

ANDERSON, LEXINGTON

BERKELEY

YORK

$750 million

$85 million

$24.1 million

500

200

364

ROSS STORES INC.

SHUTTERFLY INC.

ANNOUNCED JOBS

$2.125 BILLION

GREENVILLE

MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA INC.

INVESTMENT

RED VENTURES

2,614 JOBS 417 JOBS 523 JOBS 1,110 JOBS 860 JOBS

AVX CORP.

for jobs

COUNTY

AUTOMOTIVE

WNS NORTH AMERICA INC.

LANCASTER

YORK

RICHLAND

not announced

$ 4.25 million

1,000

600

750

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

NEWS MAKERS 2013

Casting Shadows

Major development projects changing downtown Greenville’s skyline.

Downtown Greenville’s Office Market VACANCY RATES Class “A” vacancy: 13.4% Class “B” vacancy: 21.3% RENT Class “A”: $20.12 per square feet Class “B”: $16.40 per square feet

1 3

SOURCE: CBRE The Furman Co., data as of the third quarter 2013

Bank of America Plaza

Project One

Piazza Bergamo

Hughes Development Corp. and its investors purchased the building for $9.8 million with plans to upgrade it for future tenants. The 15-story, 196,000-square-foot building has three vacant office floors. An adjacent hotel also is planned.

Hughes Development’s mixed-use, two-tower development is nearly complete, with tenants including CertusBank, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, Clemson University, Anthropologie, Smith Moore Leathwood and Brooks Brothers.

The city of Greenville invested roughly $4 million in the transformation of this walkway into a gathering space. Denverbased Civitas developed a design with water features, moveable tables and chairs, landscaping and lighting, among other features.

enants have opened at Hughes Development’s Project One high-rise at Main and Washington streets in downtown Greenville. Plans are in the works for an adjacent Aloft Hotel and parking garage. North on Main, JHM Hotels opened its renovated Hyatt and outdoor NOMA Square and later purchased land at Spring and Washington streets. An apartment complex opened at Spring Street and East McBee. The U.S. government acquired land to build a federal courthouse across from the county courthouse on East

2 N. Main St. Windstream Corp. vacated 88,000 square feet and moved down the street into the Landmark Building earlier this year. Hughes Development, the building owner, may redevelopment the building. Small startups are using the space in the meantime.

Photos by Liz Segrist. SOURCE: City of Greenville, Hughes Development Corp., The Iron Yard, Windstream

North Street Charleston-based The Beach Co. plans a mixed-use development at the intersection of University Ridge and Church Street The Croft Co. Inc. plans to build an apartment complex at 121 Rhett St. Hughes Investments filed an application to build an eight-story apartment complex with ground-floor commercial space on Broad Street. These projects are reshaping Greenville’s continuously evolving core business district, and more development is in the works.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Construction momentum continues in downtown Greenville, with more hotels, apartments and mixed-use space on the way. The questions moving forward are at what point does the district reach its saturation point, particularly with hotels, and how far beyond Main Street will development go. February 11-24,

2013

Change comes to Poinsett Hi ghway T www.gsabusiness.co

Volume 16, No.

by Liz Segrist lsegrist@scbiznews.co m

Tire tracks Michelin announces the latest in a string sions. PAGE 3 of expan-

M&A tale

The sale of one Upstate “microcap” company could signal a larger trend. PAGE 11

CASTIN G

SHADOW S

SC Deals A listing of all M&A activity in South Carolina for the fourth quarter. PAGE 11

THE LIST Business Brokerage Firms PAGE 12

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Law Firms – M&A Specialists PAGE 16

INSIDE

Leading off ................ ...... 2 Around the state .............. 5 In Focus: Banking & Finance: Mergers and Acquisitions ................ ... 11 At Work ................ .......... 19 People in the news ........ News briefs ................ 20 Viewpoint ................ ... 22 ....... 23

New Class ‘A’ by Liz Segrist lsegrist@scbiznews.co m

Hughes’ Project Greenville. Hughes One, center, will add 385,000 also plans to revamp the Bank square feet of office space to downtown of America building, left. (Photo/Liz Segrist)

space shakes up

the downtow n office mark et

Greenville-based Hughes Developm Corp. continues ent Clemson University footprint, with to expand its downtown three office projects, announced ew Class “A” last year to a fourth, within plans relocate its MBA office possibly profession two city blocks. town Greenville space in downprogram and al developm “There is a is attracting ent services demand businesses to Bowater building, from the market and new downtown Greenville for office space in ing some local which sits adjacent the Falls Park, into caus- definitely , but the demand companies to to Hughes’ for higher-en offices for new abandon older d office space,” is opment at Washingto Project One develspace. Brian Reed, said vice n with the CBRE president of client services downtown Greenville and Main streets in . — The Fu Sm

8 • $2.00

is peppered with buildings. Graffitidilapidated and abandone d collide in and faded signs the communi so many ways. remind industrial, he Poinsett ty of many former Highway Corridor’ Power lines old commerci Old residential, old litter the skyline businesses. ture,” talization is s revi- sidewalks on the said Greenville al and old infrastrucand uneven line the streets. The corridor, horizon. County Councilm Butch Kirven. a former textile “The connects Greenvill “Yet an hub, long-neglearea we call Poinsett is door to Greenville for many, this is the e and Travelers actually the front cted place Rest and is an important and Greenville County. Greenville County where older elements This neighborhood of and the city for those that of Greenville work here, live here and pass through here.” see CHANGE, page 4

NEWS MAKERS 2013

STATE OF THE UNION UNIONS REACHING ACROSS SOUTHEAST, IS S.C. NEXT? H H H UNIONS HOLD FIVE S.C. ELECTIONS IN 2012 H H H There were five union elections held in South Carolina in 2012, according to the National Labor Relations Board. Four of the five elections were successful. H Alsco Inc., H H Little River H H H Employees: Employees: Drivers H H All drivers. and mechanics. H H Union: International H Union: International H Brotherhood of Teamsters Brotherhood H of Teamsters H Election held: H H Election held: April 5, 2012 H Jan. 6, 2012 H Results: Win, 6-1 H Results: Win, 30-24 H H H

Republic Services – Allied Waste Service, Fort Mill

H Durham School H H Services, Summerville H H Employees: H Drivers H H and monitors. H H H Union: International H Brotherhood H of Teamsters H H Election held: H H April 13, 2012 H H H Results: Win, 85-66 H H

H Intertape Polymer H H Group, Columbia H H Employees: H H Production H and maintenance H H employees. H H Union: United H Steelworkers H H H Election held: H April 27, 2012 H H H Results: Loss, 142-77 H H

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

Alsco Inc., Spartanburg Employees: Drivers and mechanics. Union: International Brotherhood of Teamsters Election held: Feb. 28, 2012 Results: Win, 7-0

SOURCE: National Labor Relations Board

ven as union membership de- several local labor attorneys and union clines, labor organizations representatives. The automotive and continue to march across the aviation clusters, particularly, continue Southeast, moving closer and closer to attract jobs and suppliers to the Palto South Carolina. metto State. Some experts expect unions Union activity was high in Alabama will ratchet up efforts in the state as it has last year, and in other parts of the United Auto Southeast. Workers are Inte r n at i on a l campaigning in Association of Mississippi. In South Carolina is clearly on the Machinists and Tennessee, Volk- map because of its automotive Aerospace Workswagen is coners, or IAM, began sidering ways its and aviation-related jobs. attempts in 2012 to union in Ger- LEWIS SMOAK organize the Boemany could inte- OGLETREE DEAKINS ing plant in North grate into its U.S. Charleston. operations. Faurecia and While elecJohnson Controls, tions remain sparse in the Palmetto State, both Cottondale, Ala.-based automotive unions see industrial growth in South suppliers, voted to join the UAW within Carolina as an opportunity, according to six months of one another in 2012. Also

in Alabama, the UAW represents workers at Johnson Controls’ plant; ZF Industries’ automotive parts manufacturing facility; and the Inteva plant. The UAW is campaigning at Nissan in Canton, Miss., too.

“The unions will finish working where they are and go somewhere else. South Carolina is clearly on the map because of its automotive and aviation-related jobs,” said attorney Lewis Smoak with Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak and Stewart.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Led by Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina’s right-to-work status remains an entrenched roadblock to any unionization efforts here. But, efforts to organize are worth monitoring, as unions make headway in other Southeastern states.

March 25 - April

www.gsabusiness.co

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

m Volume 16, No.

HHHHHH

Monkey busine

Zoo generates returns for communit y, plans expansion. PAGE 3

Deep water

Some question East Coast ports’ ability to handle massive ships. PAGE 8

App for that

Local businesses take advantage of new technologies. PAGE 11

THE LIST

7, 2013

IT Services & Networking Cos. PAGE 12 Software Cos. PAGE 16

INSIDE Leading off ................ ...... 2 Around the state .............. 5 People in the news ........ 20 News briefs ................ ... 22 Viewpoint ................ ....... 23

HHHHHH

STATE OF THE UNION UNIONS REACH ING

HHHHHH

ACROSS SOUTH EAST,

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H see UNIONS,

H H H UNION S HOLD FIVE

HHHHHH

.J. Rama was 30,000 feet up in the air, flying to California from Greenville , when it struck him — Noma Square. “I was playing with pen and scribbling constantly paper to find a name and fits the buzz that of what this Rama said of the North area means,” Main area in front of the Hyatt Regency “This reminds Greenville. me of a square where people come together in Europe drink, where to eat and they ten to live music can people watch, listrying to make and find amateur artists their mark on the world.”

IS S.C. NEXT?

H H

H Durham School and Little River g H H H H Services, H Intertape Polymer H locations Summerville H H Group, Columbia H H Employees: Drivers Employees: H H H and mechanics. Employees: H Drivers H H and monitors. Production H H H Union: Internationa H H and maintenanc H l e H Brotherhood of Teamsters H Union: Internationa H l H H employees. H Brotherhood H H Election held: H H Union: United of Teamsters H Spartanburg H /Feb. 28, 2012; H H H Steelworkers H H Little River/April H Election held: Results: Win, 5, 2012 H H H 30-24 H Election held: April 13, 2012 H Results: Spartanbur H H H H g win, H April 27, 2012 Results: Win, H 7-0; Little River win, H 85-66 H 6-1 H Results: Loss, H 142-77 H SOURCE: National H

“WE FELT THAT WE WERE HIS (FORMER MAYOR MAX HELLER’S) TRUSTEES OF THAT HOTEL.” D.J. Rama, JHM Hotels Inc. president

Fort Mill

Employees: H H All drivers. H H Union: Internationa H l Brotherhood of Teamsters Election held: Jan. 6, 2012

Labor Relations

Board

11 • $2.00

Rama breathes new life into Heller’s vision

by Liz Segrist lsegrist@scbiznews.co m

page H 6 H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

S.C. ELECTIONS There were five union elections IN 2012 H National Labor held Relations Board. in South Carolina in 2012, Four of the five according to the Republic Services H elections were – successful. Alsco Inc., Spartanbur Allied Waste Service, H H

This is the vision Rama, the president of Greenville -based has for the renovationJHM Hotels Inc., s of the Hyatt gency Greenville Reon North Main downtown Greenville Street in and the gathering space in front of it. The renovatio in 2012, called n plans, announced restaurant in for three tenants and a Noma restaurant opened Square. The Roost earlier this year. wins Chocolate Kilits first retail s and Ice Cream, will be tenant, with plans to open this summer. The other

NEWS MAKERS 2013

Magnolia blossoms Magnolia Park taking shape Cabela’s plans a spring 2014 opening at Magnolia Park, the site of the former Greenville Mall, which was demolished. The 66-acre retail park has added new construction and is now 90% occupied or committed. (Image/Provided) Existing structure

Planned development

he former site of the Greenville Mall had sat largely vacant since 2006. Magnolia Park continued to add big names as it nears full occupancy on Woodruff Road in Greenville.

It was not until recently that we got the traction we needed to develop. MARC YAVINSKY MENIN DEVELOPMENT INC.

Property owner Menin Development Inc. recently added national retailers Nordstrom Rack and Destination XL, along with national restaurant chains Yard House and Tucanos Brazilian Grill to the lineup at its mixed-used development.

The 800,000-squarefoot property is now 90% committed and will be fully opened and occupied before the end of 2014, according the Palm Beach, Fla.-based development group. Other businesses slated for opening include outdoor retailer Cabela’s, a Dave & Busters restaurant and entertainment complex, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar, Allen Tate Real Estate, Babaziki Mediterranean Grill and Beef Jerky Outlet. Costco, Regal Cinemas and Rooms To Go are already operating in Magnolia Park, alongside Toys R Us and Babies R Us, Cheddar’s, Select Comfort, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill and Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar. Magnolia Park is at the site of the former Greenville Mall, which was demolished last year.

Left: Greenville Mall is demolished. Right: Cabela’s under construction.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Magnolia Park illustrates Greenville’s ability to attract big-name retailers and perhaps signals that recessionary development lulls are in the past. But, the massive development could add traffic woes to one of the Upstate’s most congested corridors. April 22 - May

5, 2013 www.gsabusiness.co

Let’s play 2

Spanish manufactu rer plans second Upstate facility. PAGE 4

0 to 100 Upstate company takes product global to markets in just 100 two years. PAGE 11

Spring m

Mall site clea red for new deve lopment SEE STORY,

THE LIST Third-party logistics providers PAGE 12

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

PAGE 8

13 • $2.00

Caterpillar’s Ga. plant lures metal comp to Anderson Counanies ty

by Liz Segrist lsegrist@scbiznews.co m

aterpillar Inc.’s decision to move work from its Athens, Ga., plant in Japan to last year was ed to have a expectripple effect into South Carolina — and Anderson County some of the reaped benefits earlier this month.

EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

Two metal manufacture rs from Caterpillar’s home state announced plans within the same week to set up shop in Anderson County.

Localize

Manufacturers are looking to locate closer to customers. PAGE 14

Volume 16, No.

CLEANING

Foreign-owned companies PAGE 16

INSIDE Leading off ................ ...... 2 Around the state .............. 5 In Focus: Global Trade .... 11 People in the news ........ 20 News briefs ................ ... 22 Viewpoint ................ ....... 23

Crews demolish is being cleared the section of the Greenville for new developmen Mall t, including a that once was Montgomer y Ward. The Cabela’s retail site store. (Photo/S. Kevin Greene)

“WE ARE DE

Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpilla production of small tractors r moved hydraulic excavators and mini to Athens in because of part the ports in Savannah and Charleston. Caterpillar plans $200 million plant that will to build a employ 1,400 eventually people. Now, two of its are moving into Illinois-based suppliers the Moline, Ill.-basedUpstate. McLaughlin Co., a metal-com Body ponents and stations manufact operatorurer, and Ill.-based SMF Minonk, company, will Inc., a metal fabrication both establish duction operation new s in Anderson proty this year. Coun“I’ve been thinking about this expansion for the last Body Co. CEO 10 years,” McLaughlin the family-ow Tom McLaughlin said of ned nudged by Caterpillacompany. “We were r and it seemed the right time. like ” McLaughlin Body Co. supplier of is the first the in Georgia to new Caterpillar facility locate in South McLaughlin’s operations have Carolina. linois since 1902, been in Iland this will operation out of its home state. be its first see COMPANIE

S, page 10

NEWS MAKERS 2013 A Duke Energy substation (Photo/Duke Energy)

CHARGING UP ELECTRIC RATES

Competitive rate

Duke Energy Carolina, despite rate increases in recent years, maintains the lowest utility rates in the Southeast.

$10

A resident speaks at a public hearing on Duke Energy’s rate increase. (Photo/Bill Poovey)

uke Energy raised South Carolina electric rates for the third time in three years, as it invests heavily in upgraded utility infrastructure and energy-generation capabilities. But per a settlement agreement with several protesting parties, Duke will not return to state regulators with a rate hike request until 2015 at the earliest. The S.C. Public Service Commission approved a rate increase of $119 million, about half of what Duke initially proposed. The move allows Duke a return on common equity — the maximum profit margin — of 10.2%. The utility’s request for its third increase in three years prompted howls of opposition at a series of public hearings.

Average rate (cents per kilowatt hour)

$9 $8

8.83

$7 $6 $5

9.09

9.24

7.53 6.86*

$4 $3 $2 $1

About 1,700 people $0 registered with the PSC Duke (S.C.) Duke (N.C.) Tenn. Valley Alabama Power Knoxville Utilities Georgia Power Florida Power & SCE&G Authority (N.C.) Co. Board Co. Light Co. as opponents. *Rates for each utility are for 2011, the most recent year for which data was available. Duke also raised SOURCE: U.S. Energy Information Administration With the increased rates in South Carolina in 2012, bringing its average up 7.38, according to figures provided by the company. approved by PSC, customers will pay an average of 5.53% more the first year and 2.63% more starting in September 2014. In addition to the rate increase, the PSC directed Duke Energy to use $3.5 million at shareholder expense to provide $2.5 million for public-assistance Raising electricity rates has become a trend, as utilities invest heavily to upgrade programs, manufacturing competitivedated energy-generation facilities. Still, South Carolina utility costs rank low nationness grants, economic development ally and are attractive to industry moving to the market. and/or education-workforce training programs. Another $1 million will be allocated by the utility through the OfThe inlan fice of Regulatory Staff to support senior d port comes ash ore outreach and public education initiatives.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

May 6 - 19,

2013

www.gsabusiness.co

Volume 16, No.

SC Deals

A listing of South Carolina mergers and acquisitions during the first quarter. PAGE 13

Crowdfunding

JOBS Act could create new capital-rai sing opportunities, if would set the SEC rules. PAGE 18

SBA Lenders PAGE 16 Office Suppliers

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Hockey town

Road Warriors report increased home in first year underattendance new ownership. PAGE 4

THE LIST

10.22

9.89

9.61

Homes on Moore Street will be room near the razed to add rail. Acquiring raised the price the propertie s tag for the project, plan to double as did a the facility’s freight capacity. 10

Photo/Liz Segrist

Is Duke’s rate

Full story. Page

hike justified?

State regulat ors will the utility should attempt to answer that as some questio be allowed an n whether 11.25% profit by Bill Poovey margin, up from bpoovey@scbiznews 10.5% .com The

PAGE 22 request would 16.3% for residentia increase rates by uke Energy’s an average request to raise mercial customers l customers, 14% third time since for comrates for a and 14.4% for industrial users. average 15.1% 2010 — this time by an Duke’s South Carolina rates are among — has businesses in the Southeast, up. the lowest charged by Leading off ................ but rates are utilities’ profit determined “The public ...... 2 needs to rise Around the state At the proposed margins, or return on in part business owners,” up, residentia .............. 5 equities. rates, l and said Frank In Focus: and CEO of Knapp, president on equity of 11.25%, Duke is requesting a return the S.C. Small up from 10.5%. state’s utility Commerce, Business Chamber Banking & Finance The a Columbia ......... 13 of allow that regulator, must determine PSC, the than 5,000 members. -based group with People in the increased whether more news ........ 26 He Duke’s customers profit margin and decide to called Duke’s increase “unjustifie News briefs ................ proposed can what Public hearings afford. Duke Energy’s d.” Viewpoint ................ ... 29 are set filing for a $220 increase is set ....... 31 million annual burg Community College, for June 20 at Spartanfor a July 31 ville County June hearing before Public Service Council Chambers 24 at the GreenCommission the S.C. in Columbia and June 27 . at the

INSIDE

see DUKE ENERGY,

page 8

14 • $2.00

NEWS MAKERS 2013

Rooms available

The Candlewood Suites (Photo/Liz Segrist)

Hotel development swells, particularly in downtown Greenville

Booking in South Carolina A look at hotel occupancy and room rates in March 2013 compared with March 2012. Occupancy Rates 2013 57.9%

3.5%

68.0%

59.0%

3.0%

-5.3%

62.5%

63.7%

2.4%

0.4%

The planned Aloft Hotel. (Rendering/Provided)

ith occupancies around 60% and room rates at $78, some developers wouldn’t think hotel construction would be so hot. “With that kind of occupancy and rate, lenders won’t feel comfortable providing construction financing to build hotels. It will be very selective for those that meet true demand or meet a segment not being met,” said Greenville-based JHM Hotels Inc. President DJ Rama. “With that being said, downtown is booming and people are looking for a convenience factor to stay down there.” Downtown Greenville, particularly, is ripe with hotel development, including a planned Embassy Suites by Windsor Aughtry, a boutique Aloft Hotel, a Homes 2 Suites by Hilton and a yet-to-

be-branded hotel from Clemson-based development company Accente Group. JHM purchased land last year at Spring and Washington streets in downtown Greenville for future expansion, but there are no specific plans drawn for a hotel at this time. Still, the trend isn’t limited to downtown Greenville. Recently opened and planned projects include Candlewood Suites off Woodruff Road in Greenville; a Microtel Inn & Suites off Woodruff Road, within walking distance of Magnolia Park; a Marriott Courtyard in Clemson; the Holiday Inn Express in Clemson; and Hampton Inns in Easley and Seneca. Spartanburg-based Pinnacle Hospitality plans to develop a branded hotel at the Westgate Towncenter.

Anderson/ Clemson

Greenville

Spartanburg

South Carolina

United States

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Hotel construction is a good sign for the economy, but a surge in new activity creates questions about how much the market can bear. Additionally, older hotel properties may need to invest in renovations to compete.

May 20 - June

www.gsabusiness.co

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Change from w ithin Volume 16, No.

Insurance for sale

by Liz Segrist

lsegrist@scbiznews.c om

agged shards of from the brokenglass shine in the sunlight Mill, which has windows of the Plush RELATED stood vacant STORY way 123 in Greenville along for more than High- Residents hold on to Weeds climb 30 years. Sterling memories the exterior marked “men” .....6 walls. Doors and But when Dot “women” in peeling paint still Russell looks ling’s rebirth around the Plush stand. on Greenville Mill, she sees ’s West Side. The Sterling Sterto acquire the Land Trust, a group of residents 77,000-square-foot led mill and attract by Russell, wants a private developer see MILL, page 6

No vacancies

Rising occupancy rates build interest in development. hotel PAGE 11

THE LIST

Residential Real Estate Cos. PAGE 16

INSIDE

Aging S.C. inf rastructure a lia bility Dot Russell

leads an effort

to acquire and

renovate the

mill. (Photo/Liz

Segrist)

by Mike Hembre e news@scbiznews.com

15 • $2.00

The Sterling community hopes to revital neighborhood ize its through the renovation of Plush Mill, but the time is runnin g out.

Insurer opens Upstate retail store ahead of health care reform coverage mandates. PAGE 8

Commercial Real Estate Cos. PAGE 12

2, 2013

Sequester effect

Lockheed Martin could bring private commercial business back to Greenville. PAGE 2

EXECUTI

VE SUMMAR he trucks that tation Commissi Y DOT estimates Leading off ................ on task force, Creek Timber haul lumber for Log the of the state’s ...... 2 choked and limited loss to businesses from highway system the condition field, can weigh Co., based in EdgeIn Focus: Commercia access roads funding levels and the current and bridges at 80,000 pounds. $2.6 billion over l& The company projects foretell for repair and replaceme seven years. harvests timber Residential Real ties in the Savannah nt “a guarantee in 10 counEstate ... 11 system over d decline in River corridor. the next the cal distance from The typi- that People in the The task force, 20 years.” news ........ 20 are in disrepair, gusta, Newberry timber tracts to mills in chaired by DOT sioner Craig Au- to 15 detours typically or Eastover commisNews briefs ................ Forrest, concluded miles to each But the Log add 10 sequences Creek Timber is 50 to 80 miles. that the con... 22 This is one of trip. of failing to act is not “typical.” driver’s workday the costs of Viewpoint ................ include tion of Because loaded are not allowed ....... 23 timber trucks continuing problem with South Carolina’s safety, roads and bridges, reduced“deteriorato cross aging posting or highway infrahighway state bridges structure. According to traffic congestionclosing of bridges, increased a December prepared by , increased vehicle report an S.C. Departme nt of Transporupkeep see ROADS,

page 4

NEWS MAKERS 2013

GHS: NEW NAME, MORE EXPANSIONS

he century-old Greenville Health System continued its expansion in 2013 with a merger, new partnerships in research and academics, and a new name. GHS ditched the old Greenville Hospital System name and logo, as it looks to be known as more than a hospital. In 2012, GHS opened a new four-year medical school in partnership with the University of South Carolina, for example, along with a $60 million health sciences education building. It also acquired the assets of the Cancer Centers of the Carolinas, adding 10 offices, 26 doctors and 330 employees. Momentum continued in 2013 as GHS finalized its affiliation with Laurens County Health System, giving it a sixth medical campus and about 500 additional employees. Additionally, GHS expanded its clini-

cal research and academic capabilities through new partnerships with Clemson University, Furman University and the University of South Carolina. In November, GHS Cancer Institute and USC School of Medicine announced the creation of the nation’s first human performance lab to focus on cancer fatigue. These partnerships and expansion of medical education earned GHS the designation of academic health center this year by the association of Academic Health Centers. Only about 2% of health care systems in the U.S. are academic health centers, which are teaching hospitals that provide a range of care from routine to highly complex; develop new technologies and treatments; provide patients first-in-region access to clinical trials; conduct research and educate new health care providers.

A University of South Carolina medical school professor conducts tests for a new human-performance lab at Greenville Health System. (Photo/Provided)

About GHS 6 medical campuses 10,925 employees 623 physicians 189 resident physicians 114 medical students

EDITOR’S

NOTE

GHS followed up the construction of a $60 million health sciences education building and opening of a four-year medical school, with the merger of the Laurens County Health System and expansions in clinical research with university partnerships. What will the next big investment be? June 17 - 30,

2013

Grades are

CenterPoint Properties is the first to develop on airportowned land adjacent to the S.C. Inland Port in Greer. PAGE 10

Time or money

Federal legislation would let employees choose how to receive overtime compensation. PAGE 11

THE LIST

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Business Communica tion Cos. PAGE 16

www.gsabusiness.co

SOLDIERING ON AT HOME m

Volume 16, No.

the transition from active duty to the civilian be a difficult one; employe workforce can rs and others are trying to help

Front and center

Law Firms PAGE 12

National survey South Carolina grades on business friendliness. PAGE 2

by Liz Segrist lsegrist@scbiznews. com

ate Moore remembe rs the distinct whizzing past his head in Afghanist whistle of mortars He recalls an. trucks had detonated running to help his fellow soldiers two improvise He remember after d explosive devices, He remember s being knocked down; or IEDs. s his head pounding his vision rades pulled and ears ringing going white. him from as his com“You never forget beneath a truck. the sound of know where that mortar it will whistle. You combat engineer fall or where to run to, don’t ” said Moore, and team leader you’re hit, the a pain isn’t somethingof his infantry regiment.Marine moving.” “After you think about. You just keep Around 160 soldiers see VETS, page yearlong mobilizatio returned to South 8 n and deploymen Carolina earlier this month after t in Afghanista a n. (Photo/Liz Segrist)

New insurer set s

by Bill Poovey bpoovey@scbiznews .com

up as nonprofit

co-op

EXECUTIVE SUMMAR fledgling, federally Consumers’ Choice Y This new insurer insurer organized subsidized health government-organiz is vying for a spot used an $88 in a as a nonprofit million federal to open its doors ed marketpla co-op has offer subsidized loan ce that will Leading off ................ before enrollment likes of well-know jumped in line with under the Affordable Care for some small coverage in South Carolina .......2 the n competito Act begins Oct. BlueShield, businesses and rs BlueCross In Focus: Law 1. Cigna and whose incomes for individua .................11 UnitedHealthCare to start selling poverty level, are within 400% of the federalls People in the or when enrollmenpolicies in South Carolina as a co-op, its employees news .........20 family of four. up to a $90,000 income have spent the year promoting for a Act starts Oct. t for the Affordable News briefs ................ past their employer Care olina’s 1. “We are not as South Car....22 “only member-g Born from an Maxwell said. selling anything right now, $88 million overned, nonprofit” Viewpoint ................ health insurer. Consumers’ “We do let them ” ........23 Choice Health federal loan, the be an option for know we will “My team’s job offices in Greenville Plan has opened them.” Starting ible, that people is to make sure we are and North with a total of vis- ance sold in January, most health understand about 28 employees Charleston Anita to individua who we are, insurMaxwell, the . Organized ls ” will have and munity relations, co-op’s director of minimum coveragesmall businesses said in the Greenville comrequirements, office.

INSIDE

17 • $2.00

NEWS MAKERS 2013

BMW sued Expanding Upstate employer becomes focus of government’s charge against discrimination

What employers should know ▶ A blanket policy prohibiting the hiring of people with criminal records is discriminatory. ▶ Employers must demonstrate why a specific conviction hinders an applicant from performing specific job duties. ▶ Arrests do not mean criminal conduct occurred; some could have been acquitted. ▶ Employers could face damages based on lost earnings or even future earnings. Punitive damages could be added to the judgment as well. SOURCE: Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd

(Photo/BMW Manufacturing Co.)

mid expanding production, prepping to build a new model and hiring hundreds of people, BMW Manufacturing Co. was hit with a racial discrimination lawsuit by the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission. The case is pending, and the outcome could impact not just BMW, but all employers. The EEOC issued a reminder in 2012 that some criminal background checks of prospective employees are considered racial discrimination. While the laws on hiring and discrimination did not change, the EEOC’s guidance served as notice that it would enforce those laws more strictly. BMW was the first employer sued since that guidance was issued, along with discount retailer Dollar General. The government suits contend the companies violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race and national origin. The EEOC has taken the position that indiscriminate use of arrest and conviction records to bar employ-

ment has a disparate impact on blacks and Hispanics. BMW has denied any wrongdoing and noted that it has a highly diverse workforce. Chris Gantt-Sorenson, an employment attorney with Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd in Greenville, said employers need to be aware of the EEOC’s new interpretation, which “says when you have a blanket policy against hiring an applicant

with a prior record, that is going to violate longstanding Title VII statutes.” She said EEOC’s change places on employers the burden “to explain how a conviction is going to be job related and consistent with business necessity.” She said employers should not ask about criminal records on applications without some caveat that says the response will not determine the employer’s hiring decision.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

BMW hiring practices may be under the microscope, but all employers should watch this case. The lawsuit serves as notice that the EEOC will more aggressively investigate and prosecute employers if it suspects they have blanket policies that prohibit employment based on criminal backgrounds. July 8 - 21, 2013

EEOC’s new anti -discrimination charge begins at BMW www.gsabusiness.co

All aboard New passenger rail line could connect Upstate to Charlotte and Atlanta. PAGE 9

Merging for health

The chairman of the S.C. Hospital Associatio n predicts a flurry of hospitals merging and affiliating as a matter of surviving. PAGE 4

Volume 16, No. 18 • $2.00 by Bill Poovey bpoovey@scbiznews .com not change, but in April 2012 the EEOC’s guidance issued he U.S. Equal served as notice enforce them Employment that it would discount retailer Dollar nity Commiss more Opportuleging the companie General in June, ion issued a In June, BMW strictly. allast year s’ policies on reminder Manufacturing background became criminal Co. checks ground checks that some criminal back- warning one of the first to be sued in Greer against minorities for hiring discrimin considered racialof prospective employee ated was issued. since the berly . EEOC spokeswo s are discrimination. Smith-Brown man The EEOC The laws on said in an email Kimfederal hiring and discrimin suits against filed separate discrimin ation the newlawsuits are the “first ones that the BMW in Spartanbu ation did Chicago filed since enforcement rg and against Goodletts guidance was ville, Tenn.-bas in in April 2012.” approved ed

see BMW, page

Bankrupt and

Greenville company sold was pushed into bankruptcy after an employee embezzled funds. PAGE 7

THE LIST Utility Providers PAGE 12

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Security System Cos. PAGE 16

INSIDE Leading off ................ ...... 2 In Focus: Energy ............ 11 People in the news ........ 20 News briefs ................ ... 22 Viewpoint ................ ...... 23

Farm to table Local restauran ts, to promote localgrocers, farmers work

Top: Swamp

Rabbit Cafe.

Right: Farmer

ly produced

Jeff Isbell (Photos/firn

Foto)

goods

see STORY, page

NEWS MAKERS 2013

Port moves inland

“We have seen interest from people I’ve never thought and segments I’ve never thought. I think we’re going to look back on this as a really great idea.” Jim Newsome, S.C. State Ports Authority

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Will businesses follow?

conomic development officials have called the S.C. Inland Port a game-changer for the Upstate. In Virginia, officials credit the development of an inland port with attracting 39 companies, $748 million in private investment and 8,000 jobs. That facility was built two decades ago, but the S.C. State Ports Authority has similar aspirations. So far, though, BMW Manufacturing and Adidas are the only known customers, though Eastman Chemical and John Deere in Tennessee are interested. The inland port, which opened in October, was built within a few miles of the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Interstate 85 and BMW Manufacturing. More than 250 acres of private land is available for purchase surrounding these entities, according to a list from several Upstate real estate firms. Additionally, the airport is unlocking around 1,500 acres of its land for private development, including a large tract that abuts the port’s land. “We are actively recruiting other companies,” S.C. Ports Authority CEO Jim Newsome said in October, as he and Gov. Nikki Haley received a tour of the fledgling operation. The inland port is intended to speed international cargo shipments between the Port of Charleston, the Upstate and neighboring states. Norfolk-Southern is expected to initially move about 40,000 containers by rail through the inland port annually, and Newsome said he expects the intermodal facility will handle 100,000 lifts annually within five years. Newsome said opening the port with BMW as its only customer is not a surprise and allows the authority to “make sure the operation works right.” Newsome also said prospective customers want to see it operating before signing on.

AMONG THE NATION’S TOP EXPORT MARKETS Stats are for the Greenville metropolitan area in 2012 $12.3 billion merchandise value exported 4.7% increase from 2011 27th largest export market in the U.S. 51% of S.C. exports originated in the Upstate Top destinations for Upstate exports: China, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom and German. Top exports for the Greenville metro area: Plastics and rubber products, machinery, computer and electronic products, chemicals and transportation equipment. SOURCE: International Trade Administration

Top 5 countries exporting to S.C., 2012 Germany $7.099B China $5.450B Mexico $2.784B Canada $2.618B Japan $1.426B Source: U.S. Census

EDITOR’S

NOTE

The S.C. Inland Port is expected to attract industrial customers and warehouse and distribution centers, and the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is marketing around 1,500 acres for development right near the port facility. BMW and Adidas are the only known customers at the inland port so far, however. August 12 -

25, 2013

S.C. tourism vow s

www.gsabusiness.co

by Bill Poovey

A Norfolk Southern train at the S.C. Inland Port. (Photo/Bill Poovey)

No. 81 Spartanburg jumped spots in a national 217 of the best cities ranking for job growth. PAGE 2

to collect from

Geared up

ZF Transmiss ions’ grand opening ended with another expansion announcem ent. PAGE 3

A quarterly recap activity in South of M&A Carolina. PAGE 13

THE LIST

INSIDE

In Focus:

...... 2

Banking & Finance ......... 13 People in the news ........ 20 News briefs ................ ... 22 Viewpoint ................ ....... 23

20 • $2.00

PAGES 6-12

Contrasting views on Haywood Road

by Bill Poovey bpoovey@scbiznews .com

Banks PAGE 14 Credit Unions PAGE 17

Leading off ................

Volume 16, No.

Bounce Agency

bpoovey@scbiznew s.com Carlos Jimenez, said he no personally obligated longer he Bounce to pay the debt feels does not have Agency Inc., agreed to in the resources as he state 2012. Greenville-based a defunct to repay the Department “To go back advertising of Parks, that held to that would firm be so painful,” Tourism, or PRT. Jimenez Recreation and tourism marketinSouth Carolina’s national Jimenez said. “It’s basically in ist and is doing said he is an g account for No, I don’t 30 years, has the books. artfeel responsib more than said PRT might some freelance work. filed for bankrupt le for it. bad. We returned ing $366,000 He be able to collect cy still owlike $1.7 millionI did feel to the state when I die.” didn’t have.” “someday tourism agency. The firm’s that we lone sharehold “When I said Jimenez, 64, er and CEO, I hope it goes those comment later said he regretted I did mean that,” he said. away, s but added that he “I’m a see BOUNCE, page 4

Workers renovate near Haywood the Crosspointe Plaza Road. (Photo/Bi shops ll Poovey)

ome business owners in the wood Road Hayarea describe what they see outside town-like, with their doors as ghost parking spaces huge swaths of empty and Looking just lifeless storefronts. across and road, this perennial down the frontrunner Greenville retail sectors is bustling.among Annual surveys dors’ performan of the city retail corriand Woodruff ces show Haywood Road Road as No. 1, far ahead going back and forth was on top with of the others. Haywood more than $650 in gross sales million in to Woodruff 2011, but finished second ’s more than $700 million 2012. in The Haywood Road corridor minutes from five downtown is anchored

NEWS MAKERS 2013

Restaurants going mobile

Mobile e7nville

re The city of G seven has licensed foodtrucks Asada e te Moos Chocola kers Fuddruc auler Hog H Henry’s Kona Ice uthern Neue So hfare Thoroug

n response to the popularity of food cles, operate in the city of Greentrucks in Greenville, the city stream- ville.” lined the permitting process, enThe new ordinance also enabling food truck vendors to pay a $500 ables truck vendors to do business annual permit to operate, rather than within 250 feet of a brick-andrequiring them to mortar resapply for specialtaurant on event permits and private property. pay $25 each time In order to park they set up shop. any closer, food It’s a win-win ... if we could “Our current trucks would have ordinances pre- get something working for to receive written date the rise in them to be allowed on public permission from the success of the restaurant. property. food trucks across “It’s a win-win the country,” ac- AMY RYBERG DOYLE, for the food truck cording to the GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL business and the ordinance. “Recparks if we could ognizing their get something popularity, it is important to provide a working for them to be allowed on pubmechanism that gives reasonable struc- lic property,” Greenville City Councilture to how they, and other mobile vehi- woman Amy Ryberg Doyle said.

Cooks prepare food in the Asada food truck. (Photos/File)

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Food trucks could be another piece to the puzzle that makes Greenville a special place to live, but the city of Greenville’s new ordinance still does not allow food trucks to operate in public spaces without special-events permits. There are limited food truck options as a result. July 8 - 21, 2013

EEOC’s new anti -discrimination charge begins at BMW www.gsabusiness.co

All aboard New passenger rail line could connect Upstate to Charlotte and Atlanta. PAGE 9

Merging for health

The chairman of the S.C. Hospital Associatio n predicts a flurry of hospitals merging and affiliating as a matter of surviving. PAGE 4

see BMW, page

Bankrupt and

Greenville company sold was pushed into bankruptcy after an employee embezzled funds. PAGE 7

THE LIST Utility Providers PAGE 12

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Security System Cos. PAGE 16

INSIDE Leading off ................ ...... 2 In Focus: Energy ............ 11 People in the news ........ 20 News briefs ................ ... 22 Viewpoint ................ ...... 23

Farm to table Local restauran ts, to promote localgrocers, farmers work

Top: Swamp

Rabbit Cafe.

Right: Farmer

ly produced

Jeff Isbell (Photos/firn

Foto)

goods

see STORY, page

NEWS MAKERS 2013 Bikers on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. (Photo/Mallory Baxter)

HOT on the Trail A

second-year study of the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail shows the trail is attracting tourists to Greenville County and is a catalyst for new business development. More than 400,000 people used the trail during year two, up from nearly 360,000 in the first year. Five new businesses also opened or relocated near the trail.

The study found that businesses that relocated near the Swamp Rabbit Trail reported a 30% to 50% increase in sales in year two. Annual revenue from trail users ranged from $50,000 to $400,000, according to managers and owners surveyed. The news comes as Greenville County has discussed expanding the trail. The city of Simpsonville has expressed ex-

tending the trail into the Golden Strip. Additionally, city officials in Easley and Pickens approved a joint purchase of an 8.5-mile stretch of railroad to be developed into a recreational trail between the towns. Each city intends to pay $250,000 to acquire the old PickensDoodle rail line. Additional investments will be needed to build a recreational trail — grants are being sought.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Trail projects like the Swamp Rabbit have proven to be fruitful for business. A study by Furman University found that businesses that relocated near the Swamp Rabbit Trail reported a 30% to 50% increase in sales. Look for the cities of Pickens and Easley to move forward on the development of a similar trail project in 2014. July 22 - Aug.

11, 2013

Truckers play waiting www.gsabusiness.co

Done deal

Greenville developer Hughes cleared to renovate Columbia’s Bull Street property. PAGE 5

Rebate check

Insurers owe South ians $6.2 million Carolinin rebates. PAGE 8

Settlement

deal Duke Energy is open to lowering its rate hike request.

PAGE 10

by Bill Poovey bpoovey@scbiznews .com

deals

game over inla nd port Volume 16, No.

HonOtheT Trail

THE LIST Largest Employers PAGE 12

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Automotive Industry Manufacturers PAGE 16

INSIDE

Leading off ................ .......2 In Focus: Mid-Year Economic Forecast ................ .........11 People in the news .........20 News briefs ................ ....22 Viewpoint ................ ........23

19 • $2.00

are their customers being offered from trucks to to switch rucking companie Norfolk Southern, petitor given their rail com- land port with hopes of landing s have heard exclusive access predictions: the Who will S.C. business there. There get the new port to the new facility? Chief Trucking Associatio operating around will be more trucks n President business? Associate Rick Truckers say the S.C. State Authority’s and Todd said there that for them, intermoda Ports will is a lot of determine the those answers uncertainty about what it opens in October l container yard the new rail winners and when for the industry at Greer and “That seems losers. will be hauling that the organizati yard means fewer big rigs to be the most intermodal containers in the on he leads secretive thing has represented since the Charleston and between Cliftonworld,” said G&P Trucking 1930s. the “For the truck Co. President Parker, who What truckers Upstate. lines that have said he been say they are not historically hearing: What new opportunities the port is optimistic about that doing a longer dray from point along Interstate Charleston will Parker’s company offer. 85 or back this to acquired land near the inwill see TRUCKS,

he Greenville -Spartanburg national Airport’s Interfirst land-lease venture near

the S.C. Inland will generate Port about $140,000 and land rental annually, acreage near income from GSP’s other the could total another rail-truck exchange $420,000 a year developed. once Centerpoint Properties in extendable land-lease a 30-year, airport is developin agreement with the g a 417,000-s foot distributio quaren center on Interstate 85. 45 acres near Centerpoint is not identifying the tenant but Michael Oak Brook, Murphy, Ill.-based company’s the development chief officer, said the project will see DEVELOPM

ENT, page 6

Pickens and old railway, Easley may develop a trail to count its as the Swamp Rabbit Trail along an successes in continues Greenville County. Page

page 7

Airport prepping for development

by Bill Poovey bpoovey@scbiznews .com

2 A sign

NEWS MAKERS 2013

FOLLOWING THE MONEY IN GREENVILLE The graphic tracks gross sales for 2012 in the major commercial corridors within the city of Greenville. Figures include gross sales for all types of business licenses — retailers, restaurants, hotels, services, offices and others. Figures provided by the city of Greenville.

DOWNTOWN

$1,182 MILLION Construction continues downtown, bringing new office and retail tenants, including consumer destinations such as Anthropologie and Tupelo Honey Cafe and large employers like CertusBank, Clemson University, Smith Moore Leatherwood and Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd.

WADE HAMPTON BOULEVARD

RUTHERFORD ROAD

HAYWOOD ROAD

$582 MILLION Haywood Mall remains the anchor, but two large retailers have left the Haywood Road corridor — Toys R Us and Babies R Us moved to Woodruff Road. TJ Maxx is replacing Toys R Us, but the former Babies R Us remains vacant.

$88

$14

MILLION

STONE AVENUE

$60

MILLION

WOODRUFF ROAD

$712 MILLION

A new Cabela’s store should boost spending even more on Woodruff Road as the long-vacant site of the Greenville Mall gets a makeover, with Dave & Busters and other retailers and restaurants moving to the area.

LAURENS ROAD NORTH

$182 MILLION

PENDLETON STREET

$23

PLEASANTBURG DRIVE

MILLION

$433

AUGUSTA STREET

MILLION

$117 MILLION

LAURENS ROAD SOUTH

$534 MILLION

Several auto dealerships have renovated their massive showrooms on Greenville’s Motor Mile in recent years, including Sitton Buick GMC, Fairway Subaru and Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep.

EDITOR’S FAIRFOREST WAY/ MAULDIN ROAD

$489

MILLION

NOTE

The city’s major commercial corridors continue to attract investment for new office and retail construction, particulary downtown Greenville and Woodruff Road, so look for spending figures to increase for these corridors next year.

Aug. 26 - Sept.

8, 2013 www.gsabusiness.co

Nuclear waste

Court ruling could way for removal pave waste in South of nuclear Carolin PAGE 3

Illustration/Mallory Baxter

Clean investm

ent

S.C. laws hinder in clean energy investment projects PAGE 4

GREENVILLE’$ MON

Career ready

Community leaders discuss the transformation of education PAGE 9

Executive Recruiters PAGE 16

JOB PLACEMEN T

Jobs at S.C. placemen t agencies

INSIDE

Leading off ................ ...... 2 In Focus: Education & Workforce Developme nt ... 9 People in the news ........ 20 News briefs ................ ... 22 Viewpoint ................ ....... 23

xecutives at employment ment agencies placein the Upstate uncertain financial see times as good times. They are cashing in on uncertain ty about fluctuatio ns in product and employee demand health “We are growing. care costs. I’ve opened new offices in the last 30 days, up three ing Consultan ” said Staffts Tommy Keef. Executive Vice President

Staffing Consultan ts recently its headquart moved ers and has opened from Asheville to Easley offices in Anderson Charleston. and Keef said there about employee are lingering questions Affordable Care health care costs as the Act plays out. “Right now everythin g is up in the because of air not acare’ is going knowing what ‘Obamdon’t know how to do,” Keef said. “They to regulate it. ” Temporary staffing firms pay the ries and benefits salaof employees they place see TEMP, page 6

THE LIST

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

21 • $2.00

EY DISTRICT E

Gross sales topped $1 billion year. See how in much spending downtown Greenville last other commer was reported cial corridor in Greenville's s.

Page 8

Computer Training Cos. PAGE 12

Volume 16, No.

Times are good to be a tempstaffing firm

by Bill Poovey bpoovey@scbiznews .com

57,473 59,675 49,510 Photo/Mallory Baxter

NEWS MAKERS 2013

AN R&D MILESTONE New Greenwood research center viewed as key to growing bioscience sector

The Biopharmaceutical Industry In S.C. Supported more than

18,000 jobs in 2011

Directly employed 4,800 people Paid an average salary of about $73,000

his summer Clemson Universi- pharmaceutical research and producty and the Greenwood Genetic tion. Center announced plans for a This new Clemson project is an imnew 17,000-square-foot genetics re- portant milepost in the two entities’ search center to be eight years of cobuilt in the Greenoperation, said wood Research Steven A. SkinPark. The park ner, director of features 165 acres This is a major, big step for us. the Greenwood available for reGenetic Center. search and devel- We hope this is the key that While the new opment projects will start bringing in partnerfacilities won’t be related to medi- ships. a huge building, cine and genetics. it’s a big move The genetics Steven A. Skinner, forward in colexpertise of the Greenwood Genetics Center laboration. center and Clem“This is a mason’s presence as jor, big step for us,” a major research university gives the Skinner said. “We hope this is the key that park what should prove to be an at- will start bringing in partnerships.” tractive combination for corporate An opening date for the new buildpartners in the fields of genetics and ing has not been set.

Generated $2.4 billion in economic output

Lynn Rimsky, a research laboratory technologist at Greenwood Genetic Center, prepares to load a sample to analyze gene expression. (Photo/Greenwood Genetic Center)

Supported an additional $1.8 billion in products and services SOURCE: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Names of private-sector partners for the new research campus have not been released and the hope was that those business relationships would be nailed down quickly, so look for news on that in 2014.

September 9

- 22, 2013 www.gsabusiness.co

m Volume 16, No.

South Carolina-b banks outpacing ased in earnings gains the nation PAGE 2

by Bill Poovey bpoovey@scbiznews

National attentio

Upstate firms make nation’s fastest-gro list of wing businesses. PAGE 3

22 • $2.00

Pickens build ing a ‘dynasty’ in mechatronics

In the bank

.com

hey are part of a long championship run in mechatro nics. These sign, program ambitious students detrols and other and build robotic conhigh-tech gadgets Upstate classroom in an ing in an environm-laborator y. Learnent that sometime requires safety s goggles, their skills have see ROBO, page

Teeing off

AN R&D MILESTONE

BMW Charity Pro-Am making big impact on Upstate philanthropy, economy PAGE 4

THE LIST

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Innovative Companies PAGE 12 Law Firms – Intellectual Property Law PAGE 14

INSIDE

Leading off ................ ...... 2 In Focus: Research & Innovation .................... 9 People in the news ........ 16 News briefs ................ ... 18 Viewpoint ................ ....... 19

New Greenwood growing biosc research center viewe ience sector Page d as key to 9

Laboratory technologist

Ken Barmore

conducts research at the DNA isolation (Photo/Greenwood lab at the Greenwood Genetics Center) Genetics Center.

Anderson’s down town getting a splash of green

by Bill Poovey bpoovey@scbiznews .com

terraced, 1-acre fountains for park with spray children, a wall cascading water, of a stage for entertainers and plenty of green and relax is about to open space to sit in downtown Anderson.

The $2.8 million green project oped by Trehel Corp. is expected develto the public to open Sept. Anderson Mayor21. Terence Roberts other officials and attended a reception Friday $25-a-person where the Wren Park was Carolina the park after publicly named. Naming South Carolina’s is linked to state bird a promotion of dren’s book commissioned a new chil“Little Wren by the city: Lost and the Teakettle Call. Roberts said ” ly for the public the park will be open daiand will also be available see PARK, page

NEWS MAKERS 2013

INDUSTRIAL Magnet School

Doug Wilson of Bosch-Rexroth demonstrates training equpment that will be used at Greenville Tech’s Center for Manufacturing Innovation. (Photo/Bill Poovey)

New Greenville Tech campus may attract industry, bridge educational levels

he economic development community expects Greenville Technical College’s new campus to attract industrial employers, and Greenville County Council approved a $25 million bond issue for the campus with that mind. Students from Greenville County high schools will be considered key recruits when Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI) starts training prospects for advanced manufacturing jobs. Clemson University students could use the new Greenville Technical College campus as well, likely for research. CMI, announced in 2013, will provide industrial training, R&D labs and space for startup manufacturers. Greenville Tech and Clemson announced that with Greenville County

schools as a partner they “plan to integrate K-20 students” in innovative models of training, coupled with traditional dual enrollment programs, tours and camps when CMI opens in 2015. One goal is to provide students a bridge between certificate-level programs, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees. CMI will also offer space to accommodate fledgling companies and for manufacturers to create prototypes. Hydraulic equipment manufacturer Bosch Rexroth is among companies that have made financial commitments to the project. The company has already made a donation of equipment valued at more than $400,000 that will eventually be used at CMI. Mike McCormick, Bosch-Rexroth’s vice president and technical plant man-

ager, said in an email statement that the agreement between Greenville Tech and Clemson “starts the process to bridge the longstanding silos in our STEM ed-

ucational system.” STEM, the acronym of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, combines rigorous academic concepts with real-world lessons.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Workforce-training initiatives are becoming increasingly important as the Upstate’s economic development community tries to recruit employers to the region. Greenville County made a big public investment, $25 million, in Greenville Tech’s new campus. Sept. 23 - Oct.

Brighter Outloo

Eating Out

Hospitality tax collections rise a surprising 10% PAGE 9

Medical Milestones

Clinical trials pump billions into S.C. PAGE 16

THE LIST

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Economist predicts rising GDP growth PAGE 3

Composite Manufactu rers PAGE 26

6, 2013

Healthcare Roundtabl

e Experts offer tips navigate Obamacato Pullout section re inside

Proterra grow s as clients cash in on federal mon ey www.gsabusiness.co

THE $25M

MAGNET

Major public investment in lure new busines industrial training s, but project expected to details remain private. Page 13

Industrial Staffing Agencies PAGE 28-29

INSIDE

Leading off ................ In Focus:

...... 2

Manufacturing ..................19 People in the news ........ 32 News briefs ................ ... 34 Viewpoint ................ ....... 35

Volume 16, No. 23 • $2.00 by Bill Poovey bpoovey@scbiznews on clean-air .com grants. Garrett Mikita, n a manufact the company’ “We expect uring sector and CEO, said s president sustained growth government increases money, electric flush with idly escalating demand for the buses as our fleet Proterra Inc. is rap- perience and more transit agencies bus maker and stems from has customer company’s with our product,” gain exback for more. proven technolog the 9-year-old s coming Mikita said. In 2011, y, “significan each — twice Even at almost $1 million fuel savings, more Proterra’s t predictable as battery-powered operating ex- EcoRide became the and gas-powe much as traditional diesel- penses and reduced first heavy-du tric transit bus red “Our company maintenance costs.” ty elecbased company rides — the Greenvill to complete has quired the e’s grown EcoRide federally accommodate durability and significantly snapped up buses this increasing reliability testing reto by transit companie are getting bling demand, dou- Bus Research and Testing our number at the s cashing in Center in Altoona, Pa. second productio of employees and adding a n line,” Mikita said.

(Photo/Bill Poovey)

see PROTERRA

, page 15

NEWS MAKERS 2013

FIGHTING FOR

Main Street

Looking down Main Street in Spartanburg. (Photo/Scott Miller)

hree new retailers won spots on Spartanburg’s Main Street as part of the city’s effort to fill vacant storefronts by subsidizing rents. Nearly 60 hopeful businesses entered into Spartanburg’s Main Street Challenge. Seven finalists were selected to pitch their business concept to an audience of roughly 270 people at the Hub-Bub Showroom

in downtown Spartanburg. The winners each received a cash incentive of $12,000 provided by the city to be used as rent assistance. Additional in-kind incentives such as marketing assistance, printing, accounting and tax preparation will be provided by local businesses. The competition’s selection committee,

consisting of local business people and educators, announced the Local Hiker, Motte & Sons Bootlegging Co. and Haute Mama as the winners this year. Local Hiker and Haute Mama are operating, with Motte & Sons planning to open in early 2014. The selection committee reviewed the finalists’ business plans, considering sustainability, financial backing and fit within

the available spaces. “We decided to think out of the box,” said Patty Bock, the city of Spartanburg’s economic development director who spearheaded much of the competition. “We want to fill empty storefronts with retail businesses, generate more sales revenue downtown and create more consumer traffic.”

Main Street Challenge Winners

»Sara McClean Riddle received

»Michael Motte, his wife, Eugenia,

»Michael and Kathy Silverman

funding to open Haute Mama, a retail store offering maternity clothing, educational resources and exercise classes for expectant mothers.

Comparing downtowns

Figures are for retail space in downtowns Greenville and Spartanburg. Vacancy

Rent per square foot

Spartanburg

10.7%

$11.31

Greenville

4.2%

$13.96

and 21-year-old son, John, received funding to open a family-owned moonshine and rum distillery in downtown Spartanburg.

received funding to open the Local Hiker, an outdoor equipment store offering products for camping and backpacking.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Spartanburg joins Fountain Inn, Travelers Rest, Anderson and Greer among numerous Upstate cities to invest in downtown revitalization projects, and Mauldin has created a plan to develop a downtown district it doesn’t currently have. June 3 - 16,

2013

The dirt www.gsabusiness.co

Interpreting fairness Sens.

Graham and disagree on the Scott place Fairness MarketAct, which would allow states to tax online sales. PAGE 2

Free rent

SOURCE: CBRE The Furman Co.

City of Spartanbu rent subsidies rg awards to lure three businesses downtown . PAGE 4

Launchpad

Clemson University gram helps studentsMBA prolaunch business after graduation. PAGE 10

Biotech/

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

behairin quald ity

Stricter ozone inspections, standards could result in a moratorium vehicle restrictions on spending on building permits and federal highw by Bill Poovey ay money. bpoovey@scbiznews

THE LIST

Biomedical Manufactu rers PAGE 25

INSIDE Leading off ................ In Focus: Health Care Heros

...... 2

.......... 11 People in the news ........ 28 News briefs ................ ... 30 Viewpoint ................ ....... 31

.com

ith all but a small Carolina complyin edge of South ozone standards g with federal contentedly , the state could sit back and take a deep breath. Instead, some state officials nity leaders and commusay they smell with the summerti trouble coming The director me pollutant. of Health and of the state’s Departme nt warned that Environmental Control has the Environm Agency may ental change air quality Protection put most of standards to the Upstate among 25 counties at risk of becoming ozone “attainment” lators. In addition vioto health and concerns, a environmental nonattain Dean Hybl, executive economic developm ment label would director carry Top, discusses the impact of of Ten at the DHEC Director ent repercussions. ozone levels. vehicle idling TATT on to state senators Catherine Templeton tion of businesses is leading a collabora’s letter said all of South cept a small improve air qualityand other organizatio Carolina, ns part of York exstricter standards before the EPA adopts to County that has linked to the EPA that could hinder Charlotte’s nonattain development. economic complies with (Photo/Bill Poovey) the ozone standard ment area, The letter said set in 2008. that with a stricter ozone stansee AIR, page

Volume 16, No.

16 • $2.00

Medical clinic bypasses FDA at foreign site

by Bill Poovey bpoovey@scbiznews .com

Greenvil le biomedi cal researcher who has worked for years developin tion- and chemothe g a radiarapy-free cancer treatment has Cayman Islands.opened a clinic in the Thomas Wagner, Ph.D., said offshore location the is the best option while the Food and available ministration Drug Addecides if his regimen will treatment be United States. approved for use in the Wagner said the clinic, more than which is 1,000 miles away from Greenville, is open notherapy treatmentbecause his immuis a lifesaver can benefit and patients now. He said the FDA’s responses cal trials have to his series of clinihe predicts a been encouraging but final decision is still years away. Stephen King, a spokesman FDA’s center for the for drug evaluation research, said and in an email that is “unable to the FDA discuss any drug applications that may before the Foodor may not be pending tion or regardingand Drug Administraclinical Wagner’s treatment trials.” at the clinic, Perseus PCI — or Personaliz ed Cancer see CLINIC, page 6

“Cancer starts in all of us about 10 times a day.” Thomas Wagner

creator of Perseus

PCI

NEWS MAKERS 2013

BYE BYE BI-LO; Bonjour Bon Secours

wellness arena by the numbers The Bi-Lo Center is now The Well. (Rendering/Provided)

fter 15 years, the Bi-Lo Center ing shows, monster-truck rallies and is no longer the Bi-Lo Center. other events. At a cost of $4.5 million, Mark Nantz, CEO of the nonprofit Bon Secours St. Francis Health System Catholic health system sponsored by has acquired the naming rights to the Bon Secours Ministries, said at the Separena. For the next 10 years, the 15,000- tember announcement that the arena seat athletic, entertainment, education- will be a big part of the system’s commual, convention and cultural center will be nity wellness outreach. the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, or The “We think our job is to help our comWell. The change was effective Oct. 1. munity be well,” Nantz said. A study showed He said the that events at the health system’s 15-year-old arena new partnership generated about with the arena is $57 million annu- We think our job is to help our a way to use marally for the local keting dollars “to economy in fiscal community be well. touch people.” 2010-2011. Greenville AreBi-Lo acquired MARK NANTZ na District Board the naming rights BON SECOURS ST. FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM Chairman Jeff for $3 million Gilstrap said in a when the center statement that the first opened in agreement with 1998. Its contract expired Oct. 1 and the health system “will expand the fithe grocery chain had right of refusal to nancial capacity of the arena and will extend it. The grocery chain, formerly improve our financial situation.” headquartered in Mauldin, relocated A three-year, almost $15 million its corporate offices to Jacksonville, Fla., renovation of the arena includes a new last year following its acquisition of curtain system, a ribbon board, roomier Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. seating along the front rows, suite upThe arena is home of the Greenville grades and digital displays in the conRoad Warriors hockey team and also course area. City and county officials hosts national music acts, the circus, provided $13.1 million for the renovaprofessional wresting events, ice-danc- tions.

1998

15,000

$63 million

$57 million

opening date

seats

development cost

annual economic impact

$4.5 million

$3 million

amount Bon Secours St. Francis Health System paid for naming rights

amount Bi-Lo paid for naming rights 15 years ago

EDITOR’S

NOTE

This is a high-profile exit for Bi-Lo, which relocated its headquarters from Mauldin to Jacksonville, Fla. At the same time, it’s a big marketing move for Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, which faces stiff competition in an evolving health care industry. October 7 -

20, 2013

Healthcare Roundtable

Experts offer tips navigate Obamacato Pullout section re inside

Now open

S.C. Inland Port opens this month in Greer. PAGE 4

Diminishing lot inventory coul Boncimino d increase www.gsabusiness.co

by Ashley

Rebranded

After 15 years, the Bi-Lo Center is no longer the Bi-Lo Center PAGE 2

Top gear

CU-ICAR chief says driverless vehicles coming fast PAGE 8

THE LIST

Upstate locals use entrepreneurial experience to industry hop with style at Greenville-based Coast Apparel. PAGE 7

Retirement Communit ies PAGE 12

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Home Health Care Agencies PAGE 14

INSIDE

Leading off ................ ...... 2 In Focus: Health Care ....... 9 People in the news ........ 16 News briefs ................ ... 18 Viewpoint ................ ....... 19

Volume 16, No.

24 • $2.00

housing prices

aboncimino@scbizne ws.com future lot shortage that could inflate prices. housing ing espite selling to start driving more It seems the oping on long-idlehomes and develtime of the cheap developing costs land prices up and driving lot may be single-fam lots, those up,” said Verdae the industry in unfinished at an end. Decreasing inventory ily ment Inc. President report little groundbreaking lots may cause to no new and COO Rick Developof “It becomes on new subdivisio real estate market, a shortage Sumerel. classic law of single-family ns for buyers affecting homebuild in the supply and demand.” detached homes. Data from Market alike when it This, combined Opportunity comes to pricingers and Enterprises shows with a decreasing Greenville, Research foreclosed or in Spartanburg an increase supply of gions. bank-held lots, in the numand Anderson the ber of single-family may equate residential re- at decreasing to a “If there’s a severe average prices lots sold while shortage, then in the recent that’s gosee LOT SALES, page 6

Coast Apparel

executives Blayne

Henderson,

left, and Chad

Odom. Photo/Ash ley Boncimino

CONTINUING PARTNERS PA REGIONAL REGIONA L VISIONAR VISIONARY O ARY RY

NEWS MAKERS 2013

Industrial expansion continues

Calculating business expansion Figures represent job announcements from Upstate economic development groups.

Michelin NA Chairman and President Pete Selleck, center, speaks with former S.C. Gov Richard Riley, left, and former U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins. (Photo/Ashley Boncimino)

ichelin North America wrapped up 2013 by opening a new tire plant in Anderson County and eyeing its next move, possibly an expansion in Greenville County. The tiremaker spotlights a growing list of expanding industrial companies in the Upstate, along with ZF Transmissions, Colgate-Palmolive, Carbures, BorgWarner and many others. In December 2012, Greenville County Council approved tax incentives aimed at a Michelin expansion. The measure, which would reduce the company’s tax assessment ratio from 10.5% to 4% as part of a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, would require Michelin to invest at least $200 million and create at least 125 new

full-time jobs. Nothing has happened since that measure was approved. Michelin NA Chairman and President Pete Selleck, however, said in December 2013 that he has been in contact with the county recently. He said expansion announcements could be made in 2014. The new 80,000-square-foot Anderson facility is part of a $750 million investment that included an expansion of the company’s Lexington plant as well. The Anderson County plant will produce the world’s largest tires for more than 1,300 mining operations around the world. The facility was completed in 17 months, making it the fastest greenfield construction in Michelin’s history.

Announcements New jobs Capital investment 2009 55 3,906 $483.6 million 2010 49 6,319 $1.87 billion 2011 53 5,411 $805.3 million 2012 66 4,117 $2.30 billion 2013 45 3,058 $873.9 million SOURCE: Upstate SC Alliance

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Capital investment seems down in 2013, but 2012 figures were inflated by $550 million and $900 million Upstate investments by Michelin and BMW, respectively. Look for BMW to continue hiring throughout the year as it completes its expansion, and potentially, look for another announcement from Michelin. November 4

- 17, 2013 www.gsabusiness.co

Fall for Greenville festival sets record for ticket sales PAGE 2

Roaring Twenti

Two Greenville firms top the list of the state’s fastestgrowing companies PAGE 3

Now recruit

ing

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Boncimino

Setting a

Newly opened S.C. Inland Port eyes additional customers PAGE 7

THE LIST Foundations PAGE 14

South Carolin a, U.S. set for a natural gas boo m

by Ashley

26 • $2.00

see GAS BOOST,

standard

Upstate Colleges and Universities PAGE 16

INSIDE

Leading off ................ ...... 2 In Focus: Philanthrop y .... 13 People in the news ........ 20 News briefs ................ ... 22 Viewpoint ................ ....... 23

Volume 16, No.

ashleyb@scbiznews. com natural gas is poised to be the in power. One ight now, South indicator? Big next big thing reliable Upstate like GE, companies in with the technolog Carolina is nuclear, but the vanced all about Gas Duke Energy y now, with the that could gas and & Power are adFor years, natural change. investing heavily Sempra U.S. market now.turbines that are coming “Our customers into the ” in second choice gas are leaning more it. when it comes has been a on that Nuclear power energy, but with natural gas,” and more to power and plants still supply said David Williams, the state’s president North America, the explosion of shale vice according net electricity generation 51% of gas in signing of sales at Fluor Corp., in 2011, to the U.S. Energy which is dethe cavernous advances in technolog and building y and the price gap between world. “It’s cleaner.power projects around ministration. But the recent Information Adgas prices and U.S. natural ural gas — down glut of cheap those in the rest of the world, companies very quickly. You can build those natto $3.62 in an average of They’re pensive than $8.86 per millionSeptember from the other options. far less exBritish thermal They’re more

Tasty tickets

BMW's energy standard that manager is calling for the would require state to adopt solar and other utilities a renewable sources, to sell power generateportfolio d from but political obstacles remain. wind, Page 8

Photo/Bill Poovey

page 9

NEWS MAKERS 2013

Changes in the C-Suite

Some of the Upstate’s largest businesses and organizations announced key changes in the corner office in 2013. After leading BMW’s Upstate manufacturing plant though major expansions the past six years, Josef Kerscher was promoted to a BMW plant in Germany. Kerscher

DeMint

Manfred Erlacher, a 29-year BMW veteran, has moved from Germany to succeed Kerscher as the plant is in the midst of another expansion.

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint resigned his seat to become head of The Heritage Foundation, a conservation think tank in Washington, D.C. DeMint was first elected to the Senate in 2004.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott was named DeMint’s successor until the general election in 2014. Scott intends to run for re-election. Erlacher

James Barker retired after 14 years as the president of Clemson University, a tenure that included the launch of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive ReBarker search in Greenville, the Clemson University Restoration Institute in North Charleston and the Advanced Materials Center in Anderson County. West Virginia University President James Clements will succeed Barker. Under his leadership, West Virginia University has set records in private fundraising, enrollment and research funding.

Scott

Lynn Harton, who led The South Financial Group through its sale to TD Bank, is now leading the expansion of United Community Banks into Greenville as COO.

Hal Johnson resigned after eight years as CEO of the Upstate SC Alliance to join NAI Earle Furman as director of business development. Johnson

NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

Harton

Batchelor

Michelle Seaver was named president of United Community Bank-Greenville.

Miller

Wofford College trustees elected Nayef H. Samhat as president to succeed Benjamin B. Dunlap, who retired after leading the college since 2000. Smolla

Carl Kohrt, a 1965 Furman graduate and former board chairman, will serve as interim president as the search for Smolla’s successor continues. Kohrt

Garrett E. Mikita, who recently worked as a Honeywell Aerospace unit president, became president and CEO of electric bus maker Proterra Inc. Mikita

Furman University President Rod Smolla resigned for personal reasons. He had served as the university’s president since 2010.

Also in economic development, Jerry Howard resigned as executive director of the Greenville Area Development Corp. after a 12-year tenure.

Clements

Nunez

Dr. Anselmo Nunez became CEO of Bon Secours Medical Group, a St. Francis Health System-affiliated network of more than 250 physicians in more than 50 Upstate locations.

Michael L. Batchelor, the former president of Greenville Hospital System’s North Greenville Medical Campus, became CEO of Baptist Easley Hospital.

Seaver

Jennifer Miller, the Alliance’s vice president of marketing, was named interim CEO of the Upstate SC Alliance as the organization seeks a successor to Johnson.

Howard

Landmesser

Kevin Landmesser, who’s been with GADC since its inception since 2001, was named interim CEO while a search continues for Howard’s successor.

Samhat

Follow the business news in 2014 at www.gsabusiness.com.