VOLUME 15 NUMBER 10 COLUMBIABUSINESSREPORT.COM
Part of the
network
New partnership
University, medical center creating nursing center. Page 4
JULY 18-AUGUST 14, 2022 $2.25
Manufacturing organizations enter official partnership By Ross Norton
T
Landmark sale
Iconic Upstate property sold to investement group. Page 18
Making the grade SC Biz News names Best Places to Work for 2022. Page 6
Courts roundup
MOVING MILESTONE Pyramid Contracting celebrated the grand opening of its new Irmo headquarters June 22. (Photo/Melinda Waldrop)
Irmo contractor settles into new headquarters ahead of anniversary
Defendants sentenced in fraud, bribery cases. Page 8
By Melinda Waldrop
INSIDE
Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 4 In Focus: Commercial Real Estate ................................ 13 List: Commercial Real Estate Firms ................................ 19 Bonus List: Commercial Moving and Storage Companies........................ 20 At Work .............................. 21 Viewpoint ...........................23
A
mwaldrop@scbiznews.com
year shy of its 20th anniversary, Pyramid Contracting is celebrating a new home for its business. Company executives joined state representatives and city officials to cut the ribbon on Pyramid’s new corporate headquarters at 951 Western Lane in Irmo on June 22. Pyramid crews completely renovated the former Sea Ray Boats facility just off Interstate 26 as the company relocated from its former Irmo office on Lykes Lane. “I’m most proud that our employees put their hands on and self-performed so much of the work in this building,” Bobby Alex-
ander, Pyramid president, told SC Biz News after cutting the bright blue ribbon to a round of applause. “We’re very proud of it.” Alexander founded the company in April 2003 with one location and nine employees. Now, Pyramid has six locations in three states and employs 50. The contractor, which specializes in commercial, federal and defense construction, was the 2018 South Carolina 8(a) Construction Firm of the Year. Alexander credits joining that Small Business Administration program, which provides training and technical assistance to firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged See PYRAMID, Page 7
Speculative frenzy
Demand for spec buildings fueling strong industrial real estate market. Page 13
rnorton@scbiznews.com
wo organizations dedicated to supporting and growing the manufacturing industry and assisting manufacturing companies in the state have entered a formal partnership. The S.C. Manufacturers Alliance and the S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership have formalized their relationship after many years on working together on projects. A goal of the partnership is to collaborate formally on efforts to elevate industry and manufacturing statewide, according to a news release. SCMA has worked to ensure manufacturers have the right legislative climate and network to encourage growth and prosperity for the facilities operating in the state. SCMEP has a long history of providing a wide range of consulting and training services that helps small- to medium-sized manufacturers increase their competitiveness, the news release said. A primary aim of the partnership will focus on increased promotion of the services the two organizations provide, ensuring more companies are able to access their support and, in the process, further strengthening the state’s overall manufacturing environment. “The S.C. Manufacturers Alliance and our colleagues at the S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership have always worked toward the same goal — creating the most supportive manufacturing environment possible,” SCMA President and CEO Sara Hazzard said in the release. “By creating and committing to a more formal partnership, we will be better equipped to learn from each other, build on each other’s work and provide a comprehenSee SCMA, Page 9