A FAMILY
By Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com
From
Along with the lights, rides and food of the midway, a main attraction for many fair attendees is the competitive exhibits, ranging from owers to swine. ousands of S.C. farmers, artists and makers enter their works each year in hopes of winning cash prizes and peer recognition, and for the fun of seeing their work
Blue lagoon
12-23.e
INSIDE Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs 3 In Focus: Made in SC 13 List: Manufacturers 19 At Work 21 Viewpoint 23
See NEPHRON, Page 5
the fair as a big picture of everything that South Carolina has to o er.”Some parts of that picture have been contributing to the fair for four decades, such as Columbia resident and baking and cra champion Patty Wentworth. For others, like the Harman clan from Leesville, the fair is a family a air, with sisters and friends showing their prize cattle.“Family is a word that describes the fair, because we have generations of people that have entered in the fair,” Smith said.“I can recall, years ago, in the
Iconic downtown Columbia bar going dark after 17 years Page 7 See STATE FAIR, Page 16 VOLUME 15 NUMBER 12 ■ COLUMBIABUSINESSREPORT.COM SEPTEMBER 12-SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 ■ $2.25Part of the network Monumental honor Claflin University recognizes female alumnae for service. Page 10 SC
about everything in place now.”
Anshowcased.averageof 3,500 individual exhibitors submit around 15,500 entries each year, Smith said.“I think they are really the heart of the fair,” Smith said. “We have representation from every county throughout the state of South Carolina. I like to look at
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
ephron Nitrile is one step closer to starting production of nitrile rubber gloves, an important component of personal protective equipment, in West Columbia.
“We are excited for the arrival of this critical equipment but more than that, we are grateful for the partnerships — from South Korea to South Carolina — that have allowed us to make e cient progress over the last year,” Kennedy said. “Now it is time to start making invaluable gloves right here in Lexington County.”eequipment arrived on what airport o cials said was one of the largest airplanes to ever land at CAE: a Boeing B747-8 air freighter own by cargo
N
Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. launched the glove company in July 2021 to help the e ort to boost domestic production of critical PPE for U.S. health care workers.
New recreation concept planned for Columbia. Page
Gov. Henry McMaster and other state and local o cials joined Nephron owner and CEO Lou Kennedy to celebrate the shipment’s arrival. Also present was a contingent of business leaders from South Korea, celebrating the country’s technology-sharing agreement with Nephron in getting the plant up and running.Kennedy said the shipment marked a critical milestone for Nephron Nitrile.
Closing time State Fair has provided showcase for makers since 1869
Hurdle4
cleared Vista hotel receives approval from planning commission. Page Changes8 afoot Openings and closings abound in Forest Acres. Page 8 You packed what? TSA reminds travelers what not to stuff in their luggage. Page 9
On Aug. 29, the rst glove production equipment from South Korea arrived at Columbia Metropolitan Airport. e shipment included manufacturing lines and will help Nephron Nitrile begin production of the gloves within a few weeks.S.C.
“ is year we’re moving forward, more in our regular frame,” Smith said. “We have just
cows to cheesecake, the best of South Carolina crafts, agriculture and art will be on display at the S.C. State Fair, coming to the State Fairgrounds in Columbia Oct.
A father and daughter enjoy the carousel at the South Carolina State Fair. The 153rd state fair begins Oct. 12 at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia. (Photo/Forrest Clonts) AFFAIR
Nitrile tonowproductionglovestepcloserreality
annual harbinger of fall is in its 153rd year and its second in-person event a er COVID19 forced a drive-through edition in 2020, and general manager Nancy Smith is eager to see attendance and exhibitor numbers continue to bounce back.
Palmetto
A majority of the 102 workplace fatalities in south Carolina were a results of transportation-related incidents in 2020, federal data show.
— Nancy Smith, S.C. State Fair general manager
State workplace injuries fall to 20-year low 11.8% exposureSubstance 41.2% Transportation 16.6% Other 15.7% equipmentsObjects, 14.7% andFalls,slipstrips
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Carolina business and industry saw a double-digit decline in workplace injuries and illnesses in 2020. The number of injuries reported in the Palmetto State fell below 40,000 for the first time in 20 years, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show. South Carolina wasn’t alone. Many states, including most Southeastern states, saw a significant drop in workplace injuries, but with a 13.26% decline from 2019 to 2020, South Carolina saw the largest drop among states reporting data in the Southeast. Workplace fatalities stayed at about the same rate as the previous three years at 102 for the year in South Carolina, federal data show.
Causes of workplace fatalities in SC
Even more employees, nearly 20,000, had restrictions on what they were able to do after an injury even if they were able to return to work, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Thousands of trips, slips, falls, getting stuck and getting struck still occurred in South Carolina, but the significant reduction indicates that COVID-19 and the move to remote work and hybrid o ice settings for many companies and employees had an impact on accidents and incidents during the worst of the pandemic.
Companies consider how to adjust to a new o ice environment with fewer COVID restrictions, some of the choices about remote work could further impact workplace safety and time away from the job because of illness and injury going forward.
“We have representation from every county throughout the state of South Carolina. I like to look at the fair as a big picture of everything that South Carolina has to o er.”
South
Each year, nonfatal workplace injuries costs businesses and insurance companies billions of dollars a year across the U.S. and cause financial and family hardships for millions of workers. In South Carolina, 12,300 of the 38,600 workplace injuries in 2020 resulted in time away from work.
e developers say the property will be the city’s rst high-design, extended-stay hotel concept blending the comfort and practicality of an apartment with the amenities and design of a boutique hotel, creating a temporary living environment for a long-term stay.
GSABusinessReport.com With publications in the Upstate, Columbia and Charleston, as well as a statewide magazine, SC Biz News covers the pulse of business across South Carolina. Above are excerpts from our other publications. CharlestonBusiness.com SCBIZmag.com FORT Y W“Thisman told me not too long ago that women finding success the wine indus simply not lot people the indus SC women making mark in wine industry Heritage tourism Mayoral moment Key financing Forty Under 40 FROM GRAPES TO GLASS S highway speeds. One company found Committee, which played wants bring new technology the betterINSIDE $10M gift for gloves gets closer THE OPEN ROAD Mile-long straightaway brings autonomy research to SCTAC The Roost Apartment Hotel in downtown Charleston is expected to open in 2024. (Image/Provided) SEPTEMBER 26 RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE List: Residential Real Estate Firms Bonus List: Independent Insurance Cos Advertising Deadline: September 12 OCTOBER 10 EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENTWORKFORCE List: Postgraduate Degree Programs Bonus List: Private Schools Advertising Deadline: September 26 OCTOBER 24 ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION (AEC) List: General Contractors Advertising Deadline: October 10 NOVEMBER 14 BANKING & FINANCE List: Financial Brokerage Firms Advertising Deadline: October 31 For advertising information, call Rick Jenkins at 864.720.1224 Target your market in an upcoming issue of the Columbia Regional Business Report
Hall Structured Finance has originated a new first lien construction loan totaling $38.7 million to finance the development of the Roost Apartment Hotel in Charleston.
“We are thrilled to break ground on our rst Roost Apartment Hotel in South Carolina and our second project in the city of Charleston,” David Grasso, president and co-founder of Method Co., said in the release. “Roost will o er guests in Charleston a comfortable stay in a beautifully designed apartment that feels like a home and the exibility to stay a few nights or a few months. e building’s design by Morris Adjmi Architects is outstanding; it will be a tting complement to the classic architectural charm of Charleston.”
Company originates $38.7 million construction loan for Roost project
www.columbiabusinessreport.com 3September 12-September 25, 2022 SC Biz News Briefs
Dallas-based
“ is apartment hotel presented an exciting opportunity to provide nancing for a unique hotel experience that will blend a luxury boutique setting with an extended-stay lodging o ering,” Donald Braun, president of HSF, said in a news release. “We believe that this hotel will be a great addition to the Charleston historic district, one of the nation’s most coveted tourism destinations.”
e $61 million project was designed by Morris Adjmi Architects. Capital Square and Method Co. observed the beginning of construction on the King Street hotel in July.Capital Square is a sponsor of tax-advantaged real estate investments and a developer of multifamily communities.
Roost has three locations in Philadelphia, one in Cleveland and one in Tampa, Fla., with another opening soon in Detroit. e Upper King Street neighborhood was attractive for the next Roost because of its status as a tourist destination, but also because the neighborhood supports a burgeoning tech and start-up scene, a generator for higher-end residential and hotel development, the news release said.
CHARLESTON Charleston Regional Business Journal
e extended-stay, boutique apartment hotel will be operated by Philadelphia-based Method Co., a real estate management, development and design company rooted in hospitality. e property is scheduled to open in early 2024.
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Crystal Lagoons amenities are sustainable and eco-friendly, using a minimum amount of additives and energy. ey use up to 100 times fewer chemicals and only consume 2% of the energy needed by a conventional swimming pool, according to the release. Additionally, the lagoons can use any type of water, are only lled once and operate in a closed circuit.
“ e options are endless to make this a destination everyone can enjoy,” said Joseph Baldassarra, president of Broadstreet Inc. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to be a part of something very special.”
Amanda multimediaAlford,account executive
Partnership to bring lagoon-style resort to SC
e private equity backing will go toward bringing the rst state-of-theart Crystal Lagoons amenity to Columbia, according to a press release. Crystal Lagoons technology allows developers to build and maintain crystalline lagoons of unlimited size at low cost, creating a beach-like environment.
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By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbizews.com
“Imagine living near a beautiful, crystal-clear water lagoon surrounded by white sandy beaches without actually having to travel to the beach,” David Feingold, CEO of Broadstreet Inc., said in the
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e principals of Blue Lagoons are Ford Elliott and Josh Howard.
release. “We are excited to bring this innovative amenity to South Carolina.”
Columbia and other S.C. cities could soon see the development of large lagoons for recreation through a new partnership. (Image/Provided)
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Broadstreet has achieved approximately $3 billion in transactions and employs more than 600 people, according to the release.Broadstreet and its development partners plan to locate the rst lagoon in Columbia near an undisclosed residential housing development. Similar projects around the country o er more than just sunbathing and swimming, with the opportunity for shopping, entertainment, restaurants and hotels located around the lagoon.e land the Columbia lagoon will be located on has been pre-approved for commercial construction and zoning has already been approved, but no speci c location information is available at this time, a spokesperson for Broadstreet Inc. told SC Biz News. e site should be nalized by the end of this year, with construction starting at the beginning of 2023 and completed by the end of 2023.
Crystal Lagoons, based in the U.S., has o ces in ve continents with a portfolio of more than 2,000 patents in 190 countries, according to its website. In 2022, the company won the carbon reduction category at the Green World Awards.
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and other S.C. cities could soon see the development of large lagoons for recreation and swimming through a new funding relationship between Greenville-based private equity firm Broadstreet Inc. and Blue Lagoon Development LLC.
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e team has the option to develop three lagoon projects in the state.
“At the height of the pandemic nobody had enough gloves — nurses, clinicians, food workers,” Kennedy said. “ at’s when we decided we needed to do something to bolster the U.S. supply.”
specialist Atlas Air. e ight arrived in Columbia at 6:40 a.m. a er having made the trip via the South Korean city of Incheon and Anchorage, Alaska.
South Carolina farmers who grow specialty crops will benefit from a grant of more than $591,000 the state received last month from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural MarketingFundingService.from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for scal year 2022 will help the S.C. Department of Agriculture fund projects that enhance the com-
Kennedy said the goal is to have the rst line of gloves completed and ready for testing by the end of this month, and then to receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration by the end of November.
Funds will also go toward specialty crop research programs at Clemson University.“Specialty crop block grants allow us to help farmers across South Carolina realize their goals of increased production and market expansion,” said S.C.
Business Developer (803) 726-0477 Protecting your most valuable resources. | On-site rapid COVID-19 testing | On-site biometrics and flu shots Call today to inquire about on-site wellness solutions. 54 Locations in South Carolina for Occ Med Services Doctors EmployerCareHealth Services | DOT Physicals | Drug Screens | Injury Care | Workers’ Compensation | Occupational Medicine | On-site Medical Centers
Kennedy said the pandemic made her passionate about helping to reduce U.S.
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
25, 2022 www.columbiabusinessreport.com 5September 12-September 25, 2022
CLIA-certi ed lab, which conducted COVID-19 testing for its employees and workers at neighboring businesses, ran low on PPE as the pandemic disrupted global supply chains.
e short supply of gloves also drove the prices up drastically, causing a box of gloves that regularly sold for only about $3 a box to go up to $30, Kennedy said.
from Page 1
Molding forms for the gloves are made by CeramTec, a ceramic and medical technology company with North American headquarters in Laurens.
decided to begin manufacturing nitrile gloves because the gloves were universally needed across many industries.
NEPHRON,
dependence on foreign sources for PPE and other health equipment.
e funding for South Carolina is part of a total of $72.9 million in noncompetitive specialty crop block grants awarded to 55 states, territories and the District of Columbia. e program supports farmers growing specialty crops including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery Pent
Kennedy and other company o cials
Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy speaks after the first shipment of equipment for Nephron Nitrile arrived at Columbia Metropolitan Airport on Aug. 29. (Photo/Christina Lee Knauss)
Kennedy said the successful shipment was the result of collaboration from UPS and CAE o cials who helped work out the logistics of bringing such a large plane into NephronColumbia.Nitrile will produce the gloves at the Kennedy Innovation Complex, Nephron’s facility in the Saxe Gotha Industrial Park.
petitiveness of specialty crops in the state and support growers through marketing, education and research, according to a news erelease.grant will fund 13 projects. More than $57,000 will be allocated to Ace Basin Growers, a nonpro t which will work to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop growers through a collaborative project. Also, more than $49 million will be used to develop a new preharvest spray program to improve the yield of marketable peaches at harvest.
Nephron Pharmaceuticals produces and manufactures generic inhalation solutions and pre- lled, sterile syringes through its 503B Outsourcing Facility. Its
Once Nephron Nitrile is up and running, the plant will produce an estimated three billion nitrile gloves a year.
SC receives USDA grant to promote growth of specialty crops (888) 845-6887 | Sales@DoctorsCare.comEmployers.DoctorsCare.com Jonathan
• JE Dunn Construction
Winner: Floyd Lee Locums
• Spero Financial
• Rhythmlink International LLC
• NaturChem Inc. dba Opterra Solutions
• Samet Corporation
• South Carolina Research Authority
• Greenville Federal Credit Union
• Southern Diversi ed Distributors
• NHE
• Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc.
• Cognito Forms
• RingoFire
• Marsh Bell Construction Co.
• Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc.
• Custom Recycling LLC
• CUI
• Arnold Companies
• Privilege Underwriters Inc.
• CF Evans Construction
• Premier Nationwide Lending
• Clayton Construction Co. Inc.
Winner: e Spinx Co.
• AMBAC
• SIOS Technology Corp.
• Mount Pleasant Waterworks
• Connectivity Point Design & Installation
• Advanced Technology International
• Marsh McLennan Agency – Greenville
• Palmetto Electric Cooperative Inc.
• SpinSys
• Colliers International South Carolina Inc.
• Terminix Service Inc.
• Travel Nurse Across America
• Recruiting Solutions
• CPM Federal Credit Union
• Quality Business Solutions Inc.
• Edward Jones
• Total Beverage Solution
• Trehel Corp.
• Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union
• Swampfox
• Langston Construction Co. of Piedmont LLC
• Koops Inc.
• FUEL
• So docs
• Atlas Technologies Inc.
By Jason Thomas jthomas@scbinews.com
• Air Compressor Services
• McCrory Construction
• Frampton Construction
• Henry J. Lee Distributors
• Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering
• Colonial Life
Winner: THS Constructors
Other honorees, in order of ranking:
• Sentar
Small employers
• INDUS Technology Inc.
• Find Great People
• KeyMark
• CarolinaPower Inc.
• Mankiewicz Coatings
Other honorees, in order of ranking:
SC Biz names Best Places to Work winners 2022 Join SC Biz News in Columbia for a fast-paced countdown revealing the top 20 small and top 20 large high-growth companies in South Carolina. October 6, 2022 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. • DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia For sponsorship information, contact Rick Jenkins at 864.720.1224 or rjenkins@scbiznews.com Presented By: Sponsored By: Tickets: bit.ly/scbiz22roar20tix
• Berkley Electric Cooperative
• Bras eld & Gorrie
• ScanSource
• NCEES
• Wasserman
• TPM Inc.
• Worthwhile
• J.M. Cope Construction
Medium employers
6 www.columbiabusinessreport.com September 12-September 25, 2022
• Mavin Construction
• York Electric Cooperative Inc.
• AMAROK
• McAngus Goudelock & Courie
• First Reliance Bank
• Landmark Builders of South Carolina LLC
• Bunnell Lammons Engineering
• Ingram Micro
• T-Mobile USA Inc.
• Ingevity
Other honorees, in order of ranking:
• Hudson Management Group
• New South Construction Supply LLC
• Hire Dynamics
• Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
• Life Cycle Engineering
• LimRic Plumbing Heating and Air
• South Carolina Student Loan Corp.
• CNT Foundations LLC
• SouthState
• ERS Inc.
• Parrish & Partners
• Palmetto Technology Group
• Charleston Water System
• DPR Construction
• Sonepar Management Group
Biz News celebrated its Best Places to Work honorees during an awards event Aug. 18 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. More than 800 people gathered to honor 119 companies in three categories chosen in partnership with SC Biz News and the Best Companies Group for the 17th consecutive year.
• Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative
• TD SYNNEX
• Cameron Ashley Building Products
• Hall Booth Smith
• Kopis
• omas & Hutton
• Pulte Group
• e Brand Leader
• Green Energy Biofuel
• South Carolina Federal Credit Union
• Marabu North America
• Burns & McDonnell
• Crawford Strategy LLC
• JEAR Logistics
• Young O ce
• Select Health of South Carolina
• Total Quality Logistics
• Sargent Metal
• Hudson Mann Inc.
Here’s a complete list of honorees, by category and ranking:
• PhishLabs by HelpSystems
• Lexington Medical Center
SC
• New Life Chemical & Equipment
Large employers
• e Brandon Agency
• Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A.
• In nity Marketing
• DP3 Architects
Museum of Art.
The
Blair is already being asked if the owners would consider relocating e Whig to another spot downtown. Both are willing to make a move, but nothing is on the table at this point. “It’s a possibility, but a lot would have to fall into place to make it happen,” Blair said. “It certainly would be ideal and something we would want to do, but that’s way easier said than done. Right now, everything is happening very quickly and very slowly at the same time, so we’ll just have to see what happens.”
Iconic downtown bar to close after 17 years
“ ere wasn’t anything going on down there at all when we opened, but the business has grown and developed a following, and so has Main Street,” he said. “I think we’re really seeing growth down here come to a critical point. It’s busy all the time and it’s really become a place where people like to go.”
become a favorite with a diverse crowd of locals and visitors but also to see the evolution of Main Street.
25, 2022 www.columbiabusinessreport.com 7September 12-September 25, 2022
“We kept the menu pretty much the same for as long as most of our customers can remember, only adding a few new things here and there,” Blair said. “We really wanted to provide the items people wanted and made sure we were doing them the same way the customers always liked them.”
e Whig over the years became instrumental in organizing popular downtown events like First ursdays and Arts and Draughts at the Columbia
e popular bar gained a wide following over the years because of its unique, darkened underground atmosphere, wide selection of beer and other drinks, and a menu that many locals said was among the best bar food in the Mid-
Blair started working at e Whig when it rst opened in 2005 and became an owner in 2006. Since then, he said it’s been a joy to not only watch the bar
Whig, the iconic subterranean bar located at the intersection of Main and Gervais streets in downtown Columbia, will close later this year after a 17-year run.
have announced plans to build a hotel in the century-old building at 1200 Main St. where the Whig is located, and the massive construction project planned will make it impossible for business at the popular spot to go on, the owners say.
The Whig, a subterranean bar that has served customers at the intersection of Main and Gervais streets for 17 years, will close later this year because its lease was not renewed. (Photo/Melinda Waldrop)
“We’ve been doing great business lately, and that is, honestly, the sore, sad spot in all of this,” Blair told SC Biz News. “ e Whig is busier than it’s ever been, and we have to look at pumping the brakes on it.”
“ at was always our main thing and how we directed our service,” Blair said. “We drill into everybody’s head who works here that they need to greet everyone and make them welcome. ere needs to be a place like that. Nobody should ever feel excluded from here as long as they are on that same wavelength.”eWhig’s lease runs out at the end of November, and the owners hope to keep things running at least until then.
“We love the holidays, and Halloween is always a big party for us, so we hope to still be able to do that,” he said.
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
lands. Signature items include a variety of sandwiches, smoked gouda mac-andcheese and gravy fries.
Richland County property tax records indicate that the property at 1200 Main St. was purchased by State Capitol Hotel LLC in June.
Blair and Green also own WECO Bottle and Biergarten in West Columbia, which will remain open.
Owners Phill Blair and Will Green announced on Aug. 11 that the bar will be closing because its lease has not been renewed.Developers
One thing that also turned the Whig into such a downtown icon was its welcoming atmosphere.
Baker, public information director for the City of Forest Acres.
Restaurant closes Forest Drive location, will be replaced
Poogan’s Southern Kitchen is currently hiring for all positions. For employment information, visit pooganskitchen.com/ careers.
3rd retailer planned for plaza
company has three other locations in the Midlands at Columbia Place Mall on Two Notch Road, Columbiana Centre Mall in Harbison and the Village at Sandhills in northeastOhio-basedColumbia.Bath & Body Works was founded in 1990 and has since become a staple at shopping malls with 1,700 stores in
Commission greenlights Vista hotel
North America and 300 worldwide.
Restaurant open at Cardinal Crossing
Bath & Body Works, known for its soaps, lotions, fragrances and candles, will be the third store to go into retail space vacated by Stein Mart in 2020, according to Lynnsey
Poogan’s Hospitality Group announced their entrance into the Columbia market back in December. e group has operated Poogan’s Porch in downtown Charleston since 1976 and also operates Charleston locations Poogan’s Smokehouse and Poogan’s Courtyard, as well as a Poogan’s Southern Kitchen in Summerville.
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
e commission approved plans for construction of a combined Homewood Suites and Tru Hotel, designed by Lexington-based architect Craig Otto. e 249-room hotel will occupy an L-shaped lot at Gervais and Williams streets in the Vista. e property would include outdoor patio space with a kitchen, re pits and seating areas, as well as a 430-space parking lot with ground- oor space for artists’Constructionstudios. of the project will be
done by Florence-based Naman Hotels. Approval came despite signi cant public opposition, including comments
Plans for a seven-story hotel in the Vista received the green light from the city of Columbia’s Planning Commission at its Aug. 11 meeting.
Reach Christina Lee Knauss at 803-753-4327.
A third popular national retailer is coming to Trenholm Plaza in Forest Acres.
In July, the project received approval from the city’s Design/Development Review Commission.
Cava is a fast-casual Mediterranean chain with a menu centered around customizable bowls that start with a base of salad, grains or pita and then allow customers to add layered dips, meats and vegetables. Cava also sells a line of dips and spreads at Whole Foods and other specialty grocery stores.
LMC purchases pair of properties
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
from residents of the nearby City Club Townhomes who voiced concerns about tra c and safety, and fears that the new
e building will house a family practice o ce and an obstetrics and gynecology practice.Columbia architectural rm LS3P is working on design for the project, which should be complete by the end of 2023.
Cava Group, based in Washington, D.C., acquired the Texas-based Zoe’s chain in 2018, and has slowly been converting some Zoe’s locations into Cava, according to information on the Zoe’s Kitchen website.
Zoe’s has three other locations in the Midlands that are remaining open: 5166 Sunset Blvd, Suite A in Lexington; 952 Lake Murray Blvd., Suite Z in Irmo; and 10296 Two Notch Rd., Suite 1 in northeast Columbia.
e two others moving into the space are home furnishings and accessories retailer Home Goods and Sephora, which specializes in beauty products. Construction is underway on those projects.
It will be replaced by a Cava restaurant, according to Lynnsey Baker, public information o cer for Forest Acres. Baker said Cava has applied for a construction permit from the City of Forest Acres and received approval, but no speci c opening date for the new eatery has been set.
e rst 50 guests for the inaugural brunch at 10 a.m. Aug. 22 received an exclusive key tag valid for 10% o their bill for up to one year. e rst 50 guests for the inaugural dinner beginning at 3 p.m. also received a key tag.
“Our neighbors in Forest Acres and Columbia have been tremendously supportive of our upcoming opening, and we couldn’t be more delighted to open our doors to this warm and welcoming com-
Baker said construction plans for Bath & Body Works have been led with the city, but there is no currently no speci c time table for when actual construction will
“ is project is going to bring more people into that area of Gervais Street, and I think will increase the dynamism of the Vista as a whole,” said Hal Stevenson, president of the Congaree Vista Commercial Property Owners’ Association.
Lexington Medical Center has purchased two properties, 5133 and 5143 Forest Drive, that formerly held e Turning Pointe and e Marlboro Inn.
e Turning Pointe, a dance supply store, occupied the Forest Drive store for 38 years until it relocated to 1030 Harden St. in Five Points in May.
development will overwhelm the area. Other residents claimed the proposed hotel does not meet guidelines for the Vista and Innovista districts.
Another national tenant has been announced for the former Stein Mart location at Trenholm Plaza. Bath & Body Works will join Home Goods and Sephora in the shopping center. (Photo/Christina Lee Knauss)
Zoe’s
e hospital network plans to demolish both buildings and build a two-story medical building with approximately 20,000 square feet of o ce space, according to a statement from Lexington Medical Center.
e new restaurant is located in Cardinal Crossing’s southwest corner, adjacent to Forest Drive and across the parking lot from Big Daddy’s Burger Bar.
Zoe’s opened in Forest Acres in 2012 and has become popular in the area for its wide variety of Mediterranean dishes and signature chicken salad.
munity,” said Cameron O’Toole, marketing director for Poogan’s Hospitality Group.
Columbia’s Planning Commission approved plans for a seven-story hotel in the Vista. (Rendering/Provided)
8 www.columbiabusinessreport.com September 12-September 25, 2022
begin.e
Poogan’s Southern Kitchen opened Aug. 22 in the Cardinal Crossing Community at 4605 Forest Drive in Forest Acres.
Kitchen, a long-time favorite for Mediterranean food lovers in Forest Acres, is closing its location at 4855 Forest Drive.
Poogan’s Southern Kitchen aims to bring a comfortable Southern dining experience to Forest Acres. e restaurant occupies 6,600 square feet, which includes banquette seating, a private dining room for events, full bar, state-of-the-art kitchen and a heated outdoor patio, set to be completed in September. Per Poogan’s tradition, the outdoor dining space will be pet friendly.
e project received support from members of the tourism and hospitality sector, who said it will help attract visitors and bring new jobs to the Vista.
Mark Howell, TSA spokesperson, displays items prohibited in carry-on luggage. (Photo/Christina Lee Knauss)
IT’S TIME TO BINGE BUSINESS With nearly 150 videos (and counting), our YouTube channel features a wide variety of business-related content. Our playlists have something for everyone. Subscribe to SCBIZtv and stay in tune with what’s happening across South https://www.youtube.com/scbiztvCarolina. What’s New and What’s Hot! Coffee With Coping with COVIDRecognition Events Robinson Gray is proud to announce our move to WestLawn, a cornerstone of the reinvigorated BullStreet District. The WestLawn building offers a sustainable, modern space to uphold our standard of excellent service for clients, while becoming a part of Columbia’s dynamic future. To learn more about our new home, robinsongray.com.visit Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC 2151 Pickens St., Suite 500 | PO Box 11449 | Columbia, SC | 803.929.1400 robinsongray.com An innovative new chapter.
Liquids, gels and aerosols are by far some of the most common items that make it into carry-ons by mistake, said Mark Howell, regional spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration. He reminds travelers to follow the
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
A homemade glove with blades for ngers, like the one worn by Kreuger of 1980s horror movie fame, was one of the items on display at Columbia Metropolitan Airport on Aug. 23 as regional TSA o cials held an information session to remind travelers what not to pack in carry-onebags.glove
McMahon reminds travelers that as more and more people return to traveling a er the pandemic, any prohibited item in a carry-on is going to slow down the line at a security checkpoint. Firearms will especially tie things up because if one is found in a carry-on, that entire screening lane shuts down, he said.
“3-1-1 Rule” — travel-sized containers (3.4 ounces or less) of these items packed in a quart-sized resealable bag are allowed in a carry-on, while larger sized liquids and gels should go in checked bags.
TSA reminds travelers to leave odd items at home
Of the six airports with TSA screening in South Carolina, the largest number of guns was found at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, McMahon said.
— part of a passenger’s homemade costume — was by far the strangest item on display, followed by a bright orange cattle prod.
McMahon is asking travelers to be more aware of what they are carrying with them.
“We really need to get people with rearms to think about what’s in their bag, even if it means taking a few extra minutes to check and re-check that bag,” McMahon said. “We have to keep safety and security of all of our passengers in mind.”
25, 2022 www.columbiabusinessreport.com 9September 12-September 25, 2022
“ e main response we get from people when a gun is discovered is ‘I forgot,’” he said. “A lot of travelers get anxious in planning for a trip and don’t fully think through what they have in their bags.
Transportation Security Administration has some advice for travelers as Halloween approaches — leave the Freddy Krueger gloves out of your carry-on bags.
SouthHowellCarolina.saidstatistics released this week show 3,700 guns — mainly handguns — have been found in carry-ons nationwide so far this year. Eleven guns have been found in carry-ons this year at CAE alone, the same number as found in all of 2021.
The
Other items prohibited from carry-ons include sharp items like scissors, knives and certain tools, self-defense items such as pepper spray and Mace, and anything that could be used as a bludgeon, such as a billy club. e display included a bowling pin, which under TSA guidelines could also qualify under the bludgeon category.
While pocketknives and wrong-size liquids are an ongoing problem, TSA ocials are especially concerned with the number of passengers that still are trying to go through security with rearms in their“We’vecarry-ons.gota rising number of rearms being discovered in carry-ons,” said David McMahon, federal security director for
at’s why we ask people to empty out a bag they’re going to be taking on the plane with them, especially if it’s one they carry with them o en or take somewhere like the shooting range, and then pack it again.”TSA regulations require rearms to be secured in checked baggage.
Some items which are potentially ammable, like lithium batteries and e-cigarettes, should go in carry-ons rather than in checked baggage, Howell said.
Reach Christina Lee Knauss at 803-753-4327.
She presently serves in the executive-in-residence program at Bowie State University in Maryland. e program encourages leaders to support students and the mission of the university.
“Employers look for students to have an ABET-accredited degree because it gives them con dence that they are well-prepared for a career in environmental engineering.”
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
“ABET accreditation is the recognized seal of approval that validates that our environmental engineering program meets the highest standards and positions
Reach Christina Lee Knauss at 803-753-4327.
Claflin
Claflin University recently unveiled a monument to women graduates of the university who served in the military. (Photo/Provided)
Typically, students take internships during the summer with environmental engineering-related rms or in research labs at Benedict College and other schools. During this time, they complete a senior design project in partnership with local engineering rms or the City of Columbia.“ABET accreditation is game-changing for Benedict’s environmental engineering program in terms of recruiting and the opportunities available to our students a er they graduate,” said Jessica Furrer, program head and ABET coordinator.
Benedict College is now the first historically Black college or university in South Carolina to offer an accredited environmental engineering program.ecollege’s Environmental Engineering program recently received its initial accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the national organization that accredits undergraduate programs in engineering, engineering technology and computer science.Benedict is one of only two HBCUs in the state to o er a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering, according to a news release from the college. e only other accredited program in South Carolina is at Clemson University.
our graduates to pursue careers as licensed engineers,” said Roslyn Clark Artis, president and CEO of Benedict College. e program’s 2022 graduating class
Claflin honors women veterans with new monument
Since Benedict’s program started in 2012, enrollment has more than doubled, according to information released by Benedict.
Young told attendees at the ceremony that she was honored to represent the 46 women veterans from Cla in honored along with her on the monument.
e monument is a tribute to women who graduated from Cla in and also served in the U.S. military. It stands near the James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel and shares an area with Cla in’s Veterans Monument.Attheunveiling ceremony on Aug. 26, the university also honored retired Brig. Gen. Twanda E. Young, a 1989 Cla in graduate. She retired from the U.S. Army in June 2020 a er more than 30 years of service and was the rst woman commissioned from the ROTC cross-enrollment program at South Carolina State University’s Bulldog Battalion to earn the rank of brigadier general.
University recently unveiled its Veteran Women Monument, the first of its kind at a historically Black college or university.
“My story is not that di erent from other women veterans who have served or continue to serve their country with pride, perseverance, commitment and distinction,” Young said. “We all have compelling stories. We all have stood with our right hand raised and spoke those indelible 72 words as we swore to support and protect thisYoungconstitution.”hasserved in command and sta positions around the country with the Joint Forces Command and the U.S. Army Reserve Command, and in Afghanistan
with NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. Her other key assignments have included U.S. Army Reserve Command, Commander, eater Support
Benedict’s environmental engineering program receives accreditation
Group-Paci c and Executive Training Ocer, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Division. Young’s long military career led to her induction into the Cla in University Hall of Fame in 2018.
Jessica Furrer (center) head of the Environmental Engineering program at Benedict College, works with students (from left) Isaiah Teasley, Ahmed El-Qaouaq and Ashleigh Reeves. (Photo/Provided)
had a 100% hiring rate. e program prepares students for careers in water and wastewater treatment, solid waste management, remediation of polluted sites and air quality engineering.
10 www.columbiabusinessreport.com September 12-September 25, 2022
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25, 2022 www.columbiabusinessreport.com 11September 12-September 25, 2022
22-2011
12 www.columbiabusinessreport.com September 12-September 25, 2022 2022 | SO UTH CAROLINA MA NUFACTURIN G CONFERENCE AND EX PO GREENVILLE CONVENTION CENTER | GREENVILLE, SC To view the agenda and to register, visit www.scmanufacturingconference.com SAVE THE DATE: NOV. 3 - NOV. 4 Join Manufacturing suppliers and innovators across all industry verticals at South Carolina’s most significant manufacturing event of the year. The 2022 conference will include: • An exhibit hall the equivalent of three football fields • Implementing Industry 4.0 Technology • 2023 Economic Outlook: Auto, Aerospace, Biotech • Women in Manufacturing: Leaders and Influencers • SCMEP Manufacturing Excellence Awards • The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP) will conduct training courses PRESENTED BY: PRESENTING SPONSORS: For questions about exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rick Jenkins at (864) 720-1224 or rjenkins@scbiznews.com Visit scmanufacturingconference.com for the latest updates.
W
North Carolina-based winemaker Lindsey Williams is breaking ground in two ways. Not only is she a woman, but she also is one of the less than 1% of American winemakers who are African American.Williams opened her rst winery, the successful Davidson Wine Co., in
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
Lowcountry history
In Focus
See WINERIES, Page 14
La Belle Amie Winery in Little River, owned by Vicki Weigle, is a pioneer in South Carolina’s wine industry and one of several woman-owned wineries in the state. (Photo/Provided)
Charlotte, in 2019. She expanded her business to Charleston earlier this year, opening Charleston Wine Co. at 63 S. Market St. in February.
With her success at La Belle Amie, Weigle is part of a small but growing number of women nding success in the wine industry nationwide and in the Southeast. In South Carolina, a diverse group of women are getting involved in the industry at all levels, from winemaking to distribution.
Recently, one of those nay-sayers stopped by her thriving business, La Belle Amie Winery at 1120 St. Joseph Road in Little River, and admitted he was wrong.
hen Vicki Weigle set out to develop a vineyard and winery on the grounds of a former tobacco farm in Horry County nearly 30 years ago, many local farmers thought she was making a big mistake.
NEXT ISSUE’S FOCUS: Residential Real Estate
“ is man told me not too long ago that he used to tell everybody ‘ at woman is out of her mind,’ and now he realizes how wrong he was,” Weigle
Williams
What Weigle did was to convert elds on the tobacco farm that was her mother’s birthplace into vineyards of muscadine grapes that have now become a wide variety of wines she sells under the Twisted Sisters label. Each year La Belle Amie produces about 5,000 cases of wine. It also plays host to thousands of visitors who come to wine tastings, shop in the gi shop and enjoy live music twice a week.
“When I rst opened Davidson Wine, I think there was skepticism, both because the Carolinas are not generally a well-known place for wine, and because there are simply not a lot of people in the industry who look like me,” Williams said.
said. “He said he just wanted me to know that he admires what I’ve done.”
25, 2022
“However, I’ve received a lot of support not only from other women in the industry but from members of the African American Vintners Association and others. And we’ve received great
SC women making mark in wine industry FROM GRAPES TO GLASS
LISTS: Manufacturers, Page 19
MADE IN SC
Reaping the rewards
La Belle Amie Vineyard , 1120 Saint Joseph Road, Little River. (843) 399-9463. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Live music offered both days. Admission for “Wine Wednesdays” is $3, or $10 with wine tasting. Saturday concert admission $10 or $17 with wine tasting. Wine and gift shop open both days. La Belle Amie is home of the Twisted Sisters label, including traditional red and white wines as well as muscadine and fruit wines.
make my own,” she said.
14 www.columbiabusinessreport.com September 12-September 25, 2022IN FOCUS: : MADE IN SC
One of the big challenges is climate. South Carolina weather is simply not conducive to growing most traditional wine grapes. However, sweet grapes like scuppernongs and muscadines thrive here, which is why Weigle grows them at her Little River location and at another vineyard in North Carolina. Williams, meanwhile, sources her grapes from California, the Paci c Northwest and sometimes from overseas.
native of Venezuela who has lived in the Carolinas for more than 20 years, launched Partners and Grapes wine company in Fort Mill in 2021. e company specializes in distributing organic, vegan wines made from grapes grown at a woman-owned vineyard in the Panedes region of Spain.
“I’ve always loved wine, but every time I had more than one glass I would get a horrible headache, and I stopped drinking wine for a while because of that,” Ossa said.
“ ere was a lot of learning involved, but this whole experience has been the dream I didn’t know I had,” Ossa said.
All three women have advice for others like them who are looking to get into the wine
A taste of Spain
“Owing a winery is not the only way women can be involved,” she said. Distribution, sales and marketing are other segments of the industry where women are active, she said.
Years ago, she had ambitions of distributing her wines around the region, but soon discovered that distributors wanted her to make the rounds of restaurants and wine stores in the Carolinas and beyond to host wine tastings
Ossa hopes to use her company as a way to reach out and support other women entrepreneurs in the wine industry and beyond. e key to a successful career in wine or anything else, she said, is courage.
What followed was a long process of training in a winery in 2018 to learn every facet of the process.
Charleston Wine Co. opened at 63 S. Market St. in February. (Photo/Provided)
Williamsbusiness.urges women with an interest in wine to educate themselves about all levels of the industry and gure out
“It’s actually a very tedious and strenuous process – I think everybody envisions it as somebody stomping on grapes, and that’s not anywhere close,” Williams said. “Actually, cleaning is the biggest part of it. Keeping everything sterile and clean throughout the process is one of the biggest challenges. And you have to learn all the di erent varietals, the various regions where grapes are grown, and the di erent kinds of wine.
what sector interests them most.
“ ere are lots of nuts and bolts to making wine.”
Patrons enjoy a taste of wine and a laugh at La Belle Amie in Little River. (Photo/Provided)
While on a visit to Spain to see her best friend from college in early 2020, Ossa had a couple of glasses of wine and, as expected, had a bad headache the next day.
response from wine lovers. At both locations, we meet people who travel from far away to try our wines.”
She urges women to do all the research they can about the eld, get some work experience at a winery, and gure out what level of stress they are willing to accept.
“I decided I’d be happy with our 5,000 cases a year we sell from here,” she said. “I will never be rich, but I can lead a nice life here and enjoy what I do. It’s worked out very well in the long run.”
Charleston Wine Co. , 63 S. Market St., Charleston. (843) 640-3731. Noon to 9 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, noon to 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. A wide selection of locally made wines are available in-store or online, many with South Carolina and Charleston-related names like Gullah Geechee (California Viognier), Sweetgrass (California Riesling) and 843 (Cabernet Sauvignon.)
Williams came to the industry from a career as a corporate lawyer. She loved wine and would visit vineyards wherever she traveled. She got interested in the business a er staying at a vineyard during a trip to Italy.
at hectic travel schedule was not for her. Plus, she said, it took her away too o en from the land in Little River that she loves best.
e two women then started researching the ingredients of wine and discovered that it is o en the sugars, sul tes and tannins added to mass-produced wines that causes headaches.
“Once you make the decision to start a business and take that rst step, you’re halfway there,” she said.
and other events.
ey then sampled some organic wine which resulted in no headaches, and Ossa decided to get into the business.“I realized I’m not the only one looking for this type of wine, and instead of having to go home and nd stores that carry these organic wines, I decided to
It was the search for a headache-free glass of wine that drew Fort Mill resident Mary Anna Ossa into the wine business.Ossa,a
Ossa’s background in sales and marketing helped her to navigate the challenges of launching a wine company, but she admits there were some daunting challenges at the beginning, including learning about all the regulations involving the sale and distribution of wine.
WINERIES, from Page 13
Partners and Grapes, 4577 Fox Ridge Lane, Indian Land. Organic wines sourced from Penedes region of Spain, with no added sugars or sulfites. White and red blends available as well as a rose to be released soon. Wines available in stores in Fort Mill, Rock Hill and Indian Land, with distribution coming soon in Columbia, Greenville and Charleston. Wines can also be ordered online.
Weigle said happiness is one of the keys to running a successful winery.
outpaces traditional forms of leverage, while strong cash flows provide creditors comfort in future repayment. On the other hand, companies with stringent bonding requirements (e.g., construction) and other enterprises with volatility in profitability (e.g., project-based revenues) may give creditors pause, making them less likely candidates. It’s also important to consider the amount of debt currently underwritten towards a business. Lenders will want to understand the use of their capital and why traditional financing solutions aren’t being sought out, though this will not necessarily provide a barrier to entry. For example, a rapidly growing manufacturer of consumable widgets has exhausted its senior loan base to acquire the inputs it needs.
with
A
However, unlike a typical loan, amortization tends to be minimal, with early prepayment actually tending to incur a penalty for the borrower. Additionally, this capital solution is primarily unsecured, meaning there is no collateral for the lender (e.g., small business investment companies, BDCs, private funds, etc.) to seize in the event of default. Junior debt is often structured around a company’s historical and projected cash flow and, as a result, tends to involve a higher level of structuring complexity in crafting each solution. Pricing is determined by both observing the current interest rate environment and accounting for the equity options present in the instrument, which provide a lender with the ability to realize upside (in exchange for the subordinated position) beyond the fixed interest rate charged. From a legal perspective, documentation of the transaction is not nearly as straightforward, as there are generally multiple creditors involved, each of whom have different minimum criteria based on the financial and operational performance of the business, otherwise referred to as covenants. The covenants employed by junior debt creditors can be far less stringent than those required by traditional banks, especially when considering the lowered scrutiny by each party’s regulatory bodies.
decades, is mezzanine debt, a hybrid form of financing that includes both subordinated debt and equity options (most commonly in the form of warrants). We have found that mezzanine debt is by far one of the most underutilized financing solutions in the world of small business today, likely a symptom of the lack of widespread familiarity. By leveraging this form of subordinated debt, business owners can solve short-term capitalization issues while maintaining long-term flexibility and minimizing (or eliminating) possible dilution.Mezzanine
25, 2022 www.columbiabusinessreport.com 15September 12-September 25, 2022 IN FOCUS: MADE IN SC
However, it still needs more capital to implement its growth initiatives. This business would be an ideal candidate for mezzanine debt because of its growing cash flow base, the need driving the request for capital and generally predictable industry dynamics. Admittedly, this is just one illustrative example, as mezzanine financing can be applied to most industries (manufacturing to e-commerce) with some level of scale (at least $5 million in desired investment) and any ownership dynamic (entrepreneur-owned to institutionally owned).
This article is presented for informational purposes only by Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. and MCMG Capital Advisors, Inc. (“Matrix”), and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation to purchase securities. Matrix believes the information presented is accurate, it is provided “AS IS” and without warranty of any kind. Matrix assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in or linked to this article. Any recipient of this article is expressly responsible to seek professional advice respect the information
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE www.matrixcmg.com William J. O’Flaherty wo 804.591.2053aherty@matrixcmg.com senior loan base to acquire the inputs it needs.
Founded in 1988, Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. is an independent, advisory focused, privately-held investment bank headquartered in Richmond, VA, with an additional office in Baltimore, MD. Matrix provides merger & acquisition and financial advisory services for privatelyheld, private-equity owned, not-for-profit and publicly traded companies. Matrix’s advisory services include company sales, recapitalizations, capital raises of debt & equity, corporate carve outs, special situations, management buyouts, corporate valuations and fairness opinions. Matrix serves clients in a wide range of industries, including automotive aftermarket, building products, business services, consumer products, convenience retail, downstream energy, healthcare and industrial products.
William J. O’Flaherty Director
referenced. AIMING FOR THE MIDDLE: AN EXPLANATION OF MEZZANINE FINANCING AND ITS APPLICATIONS M&A INSIGHTS BY MATRIX CAPITAL MARKETS GROUP
midst a high inflationary environment, rising interest rates, and widespread recession concerns, private and public business owners alike are keeping capital availability top of mind, be it to weather the possible storm ahead or to fuel strong growth trajectories. With the rise in availability of capital over the past several years, customization of financing solutions has become even more commonplace. One alternative, which has been around for
Given the relative complexity that exists around mezzanine debt, it comes as no surprise that the everyday business owner may be deterred from pursuing the concept further. An experienced financial or M&A advisor can nevertheless articulate the merits and considerations for each, highly customizable capital tranche and its relative suitability for each unique business and situation. For more information, please visit: matrixcmg.com/research-insights. The November 2021 issue of Capital Markets Perspective articulates the various capital alternatives in even more detail.
debt, often referred to as junior debt, acts as a bridge between senior debt (e.g., lines of credit and term loans) and equity (e.g., common and preferred shares). Similar to typical senior loans, the average term of this form of financing tends to be approximately five years.
David W. Shoulders Head of Consumer & Industrial Investment Banking
Beyond the definitions outlined above, it is equally important to consider the right situations in which to employ mezzanine financing. Typically, business owners will look to deploy this form of capital in one of three situations: i) sustaining current and future growth, ii) acquiring another company while preserving cash flow, and iii) conducting a recapitalization as current owners look to “take some chips off the table” and lower their exposure to the business. Highly profitable, growing businesses with recurring or reoccurring cash flows are often strong candidates for mezzanine investment as the growth oftentimes
to
David W. 804.591.2034dshoulders@matrixcmg.comShoulders
out the years, including a calf named Mufn who won lots of awards last year. Her most memorable fair experience came in 2018, when, a er years of cultivating her showmanship skills while the family farm worked on breeding more impressive animals, she at last took home a coveted banner as reserve champion of the junior show.“
Ellie Harman, 17, of Leesville shows a calf during a recent competition. (Photo/Provided)
Ellie Harman isn’t yet 18, but she’s already learned some valuable lessons that some take much longer to comprehend.
FAIR, from Page 1
“It was like a family a air,” she said. “We always had something going on.”
“I’m not usually a very patient person, but when you’re working with a 1,000-pound animal that does not want to do something, it’s kind of hard for you to just make them do it. I think that’s been pretty good for me, just trying to build relationships with animals. I think it’s translated to my personal relationships as well.”
Smith also has family experience in the exhibit arena. Her sisters have entered categories before and will be submitting some jellies this year, she said, in honor of their mother, a great cook who died in 2021 at the age of 104. Smith’s niece Jennifer also contributes cra s, such as a replica of the fairgrounds’ iconic rocket made out of a paper towel holder.
“Showing and working with these animals has really taught me a lot about patience and teamwork, which aren’t really my highest attributes, I would say,” she said.
The 153rd S.C.
Wentworth’s talents were evident early. In second grade, she won a local art contest with a painting of a woodpecker that was displayed in a local bank in Kannapolis, N.C. “I’ve always had that gi and that talent. I’ve always loved to make things,” she said. “I think I was born with a crayon in my hand.”
with several others, in a section of the Harman home known as the Hall of Fame.
“I just did the best I could with it, and it
The 153rd S.C. State Fair will return to the State Fairgrounds in Columbia in October. The fair is in its second in-person year after switching to a drive-through model in 2020. (Photo/Forrest Clonts) Columbia resident entering her
Harman’s show career has also earned her some scholarships, including a $2,500 one from the S.C. State Fair last year — though her father, Al, joked that he would’ve been better o saving that money, given the expense and e ort the family puts into showing cattle. Being in the show ring has also taught Ellie, the Gilbert High School FFA chapter president, the importance of advocating for agriculture.
Crafty by nature
STATE
Harman has been showing cattle at the S.C. State Fair and throughout the Southeast since she was a young child, following in the footsteps of her older sister Allison and absorbing a few fundamental truths.
Wentworth is a proli c baker, entering cookies, cakes and pies while also contributing “everything from A to Z cra -wise.” She’s won the sweepstakes, or rst place overall in the fair’s many categories, three times: with her biscuits, her candy and a Halloween door decoration.
“Onerecipe.year I was trying a new recipe. I waited till the last minute,” she said.
16 www.columbiabusinessreport.com September 12-September 25, 2022IN FOCUS: : MADE IN SC
at includes everything, even special ingredients she may add, unlike others who may withhold that crucial information. “ at’s a terrible thing to do — then people think they’ve done something wrong,” Wentworth said. “I would want it to be as good as when I made it.”
“I have never really counted my ribbons,” she said. “It’s not that important to me. I love the process. I love competing. It’s a lot of fun. Over all these years, I’ve made a lot of good friends at the fair.”
Halfway through, she realized the cake recipe called for an unlisted ingredient she didn’t have.
“I like to share. Some people do and some people don’t,” she said. “If you make something and somebody compliments you on it and would like the recipe, then I’m happy to share.”
home and cra department, there was a third-generation pickled peach person. We had pictures of three generations of people that had entered their pickled peaches.”
See STATE FAIR, Page 17
at banner is now on display, along
A er moving to Columbia in 1972, Wentworth would visit the state fair and view the exhibits with interest, though she didn’t enter anything until befriending a frequent contributor whose son played Little League with her son. Now, she’s known by name by the sta members who help check in exhibitors, and they get excited when she wins something, she said.
Always cra y, Wentworth grew up as one of ve children. Her mother made a lot of her clothes as well as Christmas decorations and “the best biscuits in the world.” Her grandparents and two aunts lived two doors down and o en created things together.
Wentworth, a self-professed procrastinator, isn’t yet sure what she’ll contribute this year, though a tried-and-true standby in her microwave fudge. She usually follows a recipe, she said, and has no problem sharing winning recipes with others.
ey give those nice banners when you win — grand or reserve champion — and you get ribbons when you don’t,” Al Harman said. “None of us had show experience. We were trying to learn, and there’s just so much to it. We did not win our rst banner at the state fair until we had gone over there for 10 years. We went and got beat and we went and got beat, over and over and over again.”
Patty Wentworth hesitates to guess how many ribbons she’s won at the S.C. State Fair since she began entering competitions more than 40 years ago — “longer than the fair has kept electronic records,” she said. She thinks the total is nearing 300, but she worries she may be overestimating.
She can’t, however, share one blue-ribbon
Livestock lessons
Ellie, described by one judge as having a swagger in the show ring, said she’s also made some of her best friends there, and her father sometimes looks back through competition photos to help keep track of the last 10 “Teenagersyears.change so fast,” Al said. “You can really see them change and develop. … It is fascinating to watch them grow and develop their knowledge base. While we haven’t always had the best cattle, our kids have done really well in the competitions, and we’ve been proud of that.”
Ellie, who has applied to Clemson University to study wildlife and sheries, said she’s had several favorite animals through-
“It’s important to know where your food comes from. I’s important to appreciate the people who get it to you,” she said.
Smith, who became the rst female general manager in the fair’s history in 2017 a er working for the nonpro t for more than 30 years, also sees the tangible fruits of exhibitors’ e orts in ways that transcend ribbons. With her own fair career beginning in the fair’s home and cra department in 1983, Smith’s involvement with 4H clubs as well as the Future Farmers of America has given her a closeup lens on “the positive di erence that the e ects of those organizations have had on their lives,” she said. “I’ve also had the opportunity to help judge some scholarship recipients. If they don’t win the rst year, maybe they come back a erwards for the next year. It is just amazing to see the growth in those young people. at’s the future of our fair. We need to remember that we have to keep looking for new ways to involve the young folks to keep the heart of the fair alive with that.”
“It was such an emotional thing,” Ellie said. “I don’t really know why. It really wasn’t that big of a deal, but we had just been wanting one of those state fair banners for so many years.”
Haw eld, who works part-time designing exhibits at the S.C. State Museum, will also contribute some dresses she sewed for her daughter this year, and perhaps some woodworking. Elowen plans to enter a photo and some cra s, Haw eld said — once her mom reassured her that the fair would return her creations.
Our onboarding process was strained
THE SOLUTION
“I could not make it again because I have no idea what I did. at was the one andWentworth’sonly.” lengthy fair tradition is being passed down. One daughter entered artwork in the fair, and granddaughter Quinn has entered Christmas ornaments and won a prize for a photograph.
was the biggest op. It was terrible. It was very gooey. I turned it into candy. I just rolled into balls and made it into candy, and I won a blue ribbon on that. I was in shock. But coming from a family that had ve children, I don’t waste things.
It makes the fair so eclectic and unique and such a fun opportunity for people who don’t necessarily have an outlet to display things like that. Maybe they don’t do it as a business but it’s a hobby that they enjoy and they want to share it. e fair is such a great place to do that.”
STATE FAIR, from Page 16
25, 2022 www.columbiabusinessreport.com 17September 12-September 25, 2022 IN FOCUS: MADE IN SC
Heather Haw eld is also making the S.C. State Fair a family tradition. Haw eld, a Columbia resident with a master’s in theater set design from the University of South Carolina, and daughter Elowen will both have their handiwork on display this year.Haw eld is a decorated sewer, a hobby that became a passion when she started making clothes for Elowen. She also creates miniature cra s, including a model of the fair featured in commercials for the event, and plans to enter the fairy garden section of the ower category this year.
“I’ve been making little tiny houses out of bark and other found objects. I’ve made some little pots that I’m going to put plants in. I’ve saved some cicadas
that I found and I’m going to use their wings to make fairies,” she said.
Columbia resident Patty Wentworth (above) has won hundreds of ribbons in the 40 or so years she’s been entering her baked goods and craft projects in the S.C. State Fair. (Photo/Provided)
The 153rd S.C. State Fair returns to the State Fairgrounds in Columbia next month. (Photo/Forrest Clonts)
Direct results included: • $48,000 new investment in workforce practices • 2 new jobs • 35 retained jobs SCMEP is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization affiliated with The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a network of 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Visit SCMEP.org/help-my-business Call 864.288.5687 Email info@scmep.org Elevate your company and workforce with our free one-day Competitiveness Review: SCMEP-Charleston Regional Business Report Ads-v2b.indd 1 8/4/22 10:33 AM
Unusual projects such as that one, inspired a few years ago by Elowen’s discovery of a solitary cicada wing that she attributed to a suddenly bere fairy, is one reason Haw eld enjoys contributing to the fair. “Anyone from South Carolina can submit anything. ere are so many categories,” she said. “And even if there’s not really a category for what you make, almost every section has ‘any other item.’
“It’s all part of that excitement that you feel when you come into the fairgrounds,” Smith said. “You can hear the music of the rides. You can smell all of those tantalizing scents from all the food around. In addition to that, you get to see all the talents of the people of South Carolina.”
SCMEP implemented the highly effective Training Within Industry program and developed a plan to integrate TWI activities throughout Constantia Flexibles’ facility. Employees learned skills that built a culture of trust and sharing of knowledge creating cohesiveness.
Bosch
If that sounds like the future, it is, says Christian Kolzem, senior vice president and technical plant manager for Bosch.
By Ross Norton rnorton@scbiznews.com
developed expertise in producing electronics and sensors, competencies that are very applicable to the fuel cell stack.”
“In the fuel-cell domain, Bosch already has a strong hand, and the alliance with Powercell makes it even stronger,” Stefan Hartung, member of the Bosch board of management and chairman of the Mobility Solutions business sector, said in the news release. “Commercializing technology is one of our strengths. We are now going to take on this task with determination and develop this market. Over the long term, the mobile fuel-cell business is potentially worth billions of euros for Bosch.”e
“ e technology is taking o right now, not just in the U.S. with Nikola but it’s also taking o in Germany” and China, Kolzem said. “So it’s not just a little clip that’s happening in one single country.”
Suzana Cizmic, vice president and commercial plant manager, said the new product line is not just about future technology but also the future of the Anderson plant.“
Bosch announced on Aug. 31 that the Anderson plant will produce stacks, the heart of a fuel cell power module that will propel Class 8 trucks — tractor-trailers, dump trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles.
Bosch investing $200M in future in Upstate
e county and state of South Carolina were partners for us to win this business,” she said. “And we want to say that we won the Super Bowl. And why do we want to say that? Because for us in Anderson and in the automotive industry going through the transformation, this is a big deal. is is the future. Actually, for our current associates we have a future and for our community we will have the future secured.”Cizmic also predicted the plant eventually will have more than the 350 workers predicted in the announcement.
147,000 square feet of oorspace to be developed to manufacture the fuel cell stack as well as support clean room and climate-controlled environments required for quality-critical processes, the company said in a news release.
As the core of the fuel cell, the stack converts hydrogen into electrical energy. To improve and manufacture these stacks, Bosch has formed an alliance with Powercell Sweden AB, a Swedish manufacturer of fuel cell stacks, according to the news release.Under the agreement, the two partners will work jointly to make the polymer-electrolyte membrane fuel cell ready forBoschproduction.will then manufacture this technology under license for the global automotive market. e stack will complement the Bosch portfolio of fuel cell
components to be launched this year.
company recently announced it would invest more than $1 billion globally to develop mobile fuel cell technologies by 2024.“
e kind of batteries used now in most EVs are not practical for Class 8 vehicles because of the size and weight, as well as the time required to recharge. Bosch says fuel cells are so far the only way to make electric big rigs viable. Even passenger EVs require hours to go from empty to full charge, but re lling a hydrogen tank works much like lling a diesel tank and can be done in a few minutes, Kolzem said.Hydrogen fuel cell development also has the international momentum to be successful, he said.
“It is absolutely the future,” Kolzem said, adding that the switch to electri cation is a worldwide trend, with fuel cells part of the mix. “Hydrogen is one of the solutions. e entire electri cation is battery applications and it’s the future. … Bosch estimates based on current knowledge that 20% of the entire Electri cation 2030 [an electri cation goal by many carmakers] will be based on the fuel cell. We see applications, we work closely together with Nikola, we see other applications that are coming into the market. … So we are absolutely convinced that this is the right technology we are banking on.”
One fuel cell stack consists of 3,200 individual parts assembled, more than 400 layers and more than 100 unique components, the company said. Fuel cell stack production in Anderson will expand on Bosch’s existing global production for fuel cell stacks, including critical sub-components.“In order to successfully bring fuel cell technology to market in mass scale, it requires a combination of extensive experience in research and development, systems integration and complex manufacturing process,” Mansuetti said in the release.“Bosch is unique in its ability in all these areas. e work we have already done in commercializing fuel cell technology builds on our extensive experience in developing and manufacturing products for the internal combustion engine at scale.”Bosch started producing fuel rails in Anderson in 1985. Its operations have expanded to multiple products within the Bosch Mobility Solutions business sector, including sensors and electronic control units for the powertrain.
e hydrogen economy holds great promise and at Bosch we are all in,” said Mike Mansuetti, president of Bosch in North America, based in Michigan. “ is is a signi cant milestone as we announce the rst fuel-cell related production for Bosch in the U.S. to support the growing demand from our local customers as part of a diverse approach to powertrain technology.”Mansuetti, a Clemson University graduate who once managed the Anderson plant, hinted about a major development in Anderson earlier this year when he addressed the annual meeting of Upstate SC“AsAlliance.oursuccess in acquiring e-mobility business here in the region continues, it’s critical that we have local production capabilities to support our local customers,” Mansuetti said in the news release. “For years, the Anderson associates have
will invest more than $200 million into its Anderson campus to create the manufacturing capacity to build hydrogen fuel cell stacks that power big trucks. It means at least 350 new jobs by the time production begins in 2026.Fuelcells
Reach Ross Norton at 864-720-1222.
Bosch says its $200 million investment in its Anderson campus will help the manufacturer modernize while creating 350 jobs. (Photo/Ross Norton)
“ e investment and jobs provided by this new technology are signi cant for Anderson County and for our long-standing collaboration with Bosch as one of the largest local employers,” Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn said in the announcement.
18 www.columbiabusinessreport.com September 12-September 25, 2022IN FOCUS: : MADE IN SC
e Bosch Anderson facility has already begun work on the expansion to support fuel cell technology. A new building is not necessary because the company bought a nearby building in 2018 and incorporated it into the Bosch campus. Capital upgrades include an estimated
utilize hydrogen to produce electricity onboard the vehicle through a chemical process, without combustion. FCEVs are zero-emission vehicles, according to the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association. ey produce no tailpipe pollution except water vapor. In addition, compared to internal combustion vehicles, FCEVs greatly reduce greenhouse gas carbon emissions even when accounting for the full hydrogen fuel life cycle.
Keith Martin 2009
Benjamin
mgilbert@caisc.comwww803-732-5118.caisc.com Mark W Gilbert 2003 Mark W Gilbert 4 COD and GGA standards for BOD5 used by labs in the wastewater industr y, municipalities, private and state labs
Analytical Instruments Inc. 7435 Broad River Road, Suite 107 Irmo, SC
Researched by Paige Wills
Lou 1991Kennedy
Gow, Jon Huckaby, John Pinson 1999 SchuldesRobbie 343 A Stanadyne company; engineering and remanufacturing of air and fuel management components for OEMs and the aftermarket
Benny
Columbia 29063
1965 Josh McDonald 380 Steel and steel products
Machine & Specialty Inc. 164 Smith Pond Road Lexington,
Because
Employees Products Manufactured Continental Tire the Americas LLC 1805 Highway 521 South Sumter SC 29153
Jennifer McQuesten, Steve Peterson 1966 1,000 High performance polymer components
Matt Currie, Nathan Pranger
Pure Power Technologies 1410 Northpoint Blvd. Blythewood, SC 29016 www803-744-7144.purepowertechnologies.com
Nucor Corp 200 Whetstone Road Swansea, SC 29160 mawww803-568-2100.nucorbuildingsystems.comtt.currie@nucor.com
Equipment Inc. 400
of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although ever y effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.
Fluid Power LLC 25 W. Clark St. Pinewood, SC 29125 sales@manchesterfluidpowww803-452-7000.manchesterfluidpower.comwer.com Kelsey L. Newman, Gerald C. Lyles 2014 Gerald C. Lyles 7 Manufacturer of hydraulic and air actuators, design of pneumatic automation controls
The Greenhouse Carolina 29212 info@thegreenhousecompanwww803-798-4000.thegreenhousecompany.nety.net
Tom Niles, Mitch Lozinski 1987 Tom Niles 24 Full-ser vice material handling solutions provider
25, 2022 www.columbiabusinessreport.com 19September 12-September 25, 2022 IN FOCUS: MADE IN SC 2022 | SOUTH CAROLINA MA NUFACTURING CONFERENCE AND EX PO GREENVILLE CONVENTION CENTER | GREENVILLE, SC To view the agenda and to register, visit www.scmanufacturingconference.com SAVE THE DATE: NOV. 3 - NOV. 4 • An exhibit hall the equivalent of three football fields • Implementing Industry 4.0 Technology • 2023 Economic Outlook: Auto, Aerospace, Biotech • Women in Manufacturing: Leaders and Influencers • SCMEP Manufacturing Excellence Awards • The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP) will conduct training courses PRESENTED BY: For questions about exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rick Jenkins at rjenkins@scbiznews. com or call (864) 720-1224 Visit scmanufacturingconference.com for the latest updates. Join Manufacturing suppliers and innovators across all industry verticals at South Carolina’s most significant manufacturing event of the year. The 2022 conference will include: PRESENTING SPONSORS: Manufacturers Ranked by No. of Emplo yees in the Columbia Area Company Phone / Website / Email Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded
Jamie Shuster 1,187 Generic respirator y meds, 503B outsourcing
Co. of South
LLC 161 Green Pines Road Columbia, SC
Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. 4500 12th St. Extension West Columbia SC 29172 www800-443-4313.nephronpharm.com
Brett Kunce 1960
James Burton 1,300 Produces passenger and light truck tires
CMC Steel S.C. 310 New State Road Cayce, SC 29033 www803-936-3700.cmc.com
T DeSollar, Jim Baibak 1980 Doug Copeland 115 Custom corrugated boxes, POP displays, process print flexo and diecutting, industrial packaging, digital printing, litho labels, product fulfillment, wood and foam and corrugated combinations, plastic corrugated, contract packaging, partitions
ManagerPurchasing larsen.c803-506-5100line@conti-na.com Harmse Nicole Kosinski Larsen 2011Cline
Stephen
Southeast Industrial Buckner Road Columbia SC 29203 contacts@sielift.comwww803-999-2832.sielift.com
Shari Bowman 935 Poultr y hatcher y, processing and meat packing
Sumter Packaging Corp 2341 Corporate Way Sumter SC 29154 sales@sumterpackawww803-481-2003.sumterpackaging.comging.com
Zeus Industrial Products 3740 Industrial Blvd. Orangeburg, SC 29118 support@zeusinc.comwww803-268-9500.zeusinc.com
Judy D. Moore 2014 Judy D. Moore 13 Manufacturer of commercial greenhouses and components used to grow plants and crops undercover; manufacture and design retail areas for plants
Pilgrim's 2050 S. Highway 15 Sumter, SC 29150 www803-481-8555.pilgrims.com
Charles Rogers 450 Steel bar mini mill
J&J SC 29072
jjmachineinc@aol.comwww803-359-9652.jjmachineinc.wordpress.com Harold Thompson, Joann S. Keisler, James D. 1975Keisler James D. Keisler 7 Jigs, fixtures, prototype, production run jobs, welding, sheet metal fabrication; CNC turning and milling, manual machining turning and milling, industrial automation
Manchester
Pet Supplies Plus, a full-service pet supply retail company, is investing $53 million to establish a new distribution center in Orangeburg County expected to create 275 jobs. e distribution center will be located in the Shamrock Commerce Center at the intersection of U.S. 301 and I-26 at Exit 154, according to a press release from economic development organization Central South Carolina Alliance. e new operation will be the company’s fourth such center in the U.S. and designed to increase its distribution capabilities around the Southeast.
Owen Steel Co., a structural steel fabricator and contractor based in Columbia, plans a $3 million investment in its Richland County plant that will create an estimated 22 jobs.
speculative industrial distribution facility totaling more than 675,000 square feet is planned for a major S.C. intersection.
“We are seeing unprecedented opportunities for steel contractors that have the experience, facilities and talent to deliver large, complex projects on fast-track schedules,” said David Zalesne, president of Owen Steel. “ e investments we are making in new equipment supplement the investments we are also making in our
As part of the investment, the company is purchasing new automated machinery and equipment for its 440,000-square-foot facility o Blu Road in Columbia, which currently employs 230 people.
information is available on the company’s careers page at https://www. gp.com/careers.“Wewelcome Georgia Paci c’s expansion plans in Clarendon County,” Clarendon County Council Chair Dwight L. Stewart Jr. said. “We pride ourselves on making sure our existing industries have everything they need to be successful.”
20 www.columbiabusinessreport.com September 12-September 25, 2022IN FOCUS: : MADE IN SC
677,160-square-foot
Participation in PaYS is available to regular Army soldiers, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and ROTC cadets.Since PaYs o cially started in 2000, more than 500 companies nationwide have participated.
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
Founded in 1988, Pet Supplies Plus is a subsidiary of Franchise Group Inc. and one of the largest pet retail franchises in the U.S., featuring a large inventory of natural pet foods, goods and services. e company has more than 630 stores in 40 states, the majority of which are independently owned and operated by franchisees.
“Owen Steel is a longtime employer in Richland County, one whose impact can be seen in structures here and across the country,” said Richland County Council Chair Overture Walker. “Council is excited to witness this company continue to expand at this point in its history.”
Vanesha lina Department A. Gri missionsurerofEnergy);Columbia);(MSCNewat
Owen Steel invests in Richland County
guaranteed employment, but the program is meant to be a way to help them begin the process of entering the workforce.
“Our men and women in uniform have a real determination to make things better for the state of South Carolina and the country, and there is probably no where on earth where a former soldier would be more welcome to join the workforce than here in South Carolina,” McMaster said.
Founded in 1927, Georgia-Paci c is a global manufacturer and marketers of consumer tissue and tableware products; building products; paper-based packaging; cellulose and specialty bers; nonwoven fabrics; and related chemicals. e Clarendon County facility, located at 8250 Sumter Highway in Alcolu, is one of ve S.C. manufacturing facilities operated by the Atlanta-based company, which employers more than 900 workers.
Distribution center to open
PeopleStaff Report
e expansion is expected to be completed in 2023 and will include the addition of a third strander, which processes wood logs into strands used in manufacturing-oriented strand boards, to increase production capacity.
Reach Christina Lee Knauss at 803-753-4327.
A speculative industrial distribution center is planned for Bowman. (Rendering/Provided)
Operations are expected to begin in early 2023, with RecruitSC helping with the recruitment process. e company’s careers page has more information on employment opportunities.
SC partners with US Army on job placement program
County employers include GKN Aerospace, Husqvarna, Zeus and Sigmatex. e county has a labor force of more than 704,000 with a 60-minute drive, according to the release.
Soldiers begin developing relationships with employers they are interested in during their enlistment process, and then are granted an interview at the company of their choice once they leave service, according to information provided by the U.S. Army. Participants are not
Speculative industrial facility planned for Bowman
Bowman Industrial Center, a 677,160-square-foot facility at the intersection of interstates 26 and 95 in Bowman, is expected to be online in the third quarter of 2023. e project is being developed by High Point, N.C.-based DG Real Estate and marketed to potential distributors and manufacturers by Colliers South Carolina’s industrial brokerage team of Matt Pickard and Chole Heiligenstein, according to a news release from Colliers.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster met with o cials at Fort Jackson on Aug. 17 for a
ers who want to hire veterans and who o er jobs that might t well with the skills they acquired during their service. Both companies and public sector agencies participate in the program.
“Colliers is thrilled to be hired as the leasing and marketing team for Bowman Industrial Center,” Pickard, Colliers senior brokerage associate, said in the release. “With immediate access to I-26 via Exit 165 and 70% of the U.S. population within a two-day drive, the site’s location o ers a logistical advantage for any large-scale distribution user in business-friendly OrangeburgOrangeburgCounty.”
Georgia-Pacific expands operations
SC Alliance. “ is addition will get us further down the road to realizing the facility’s fullEmploymentpotential.”
Soldiers serving in the U.S. Army in South Carolina will have new tools available to them to aid their transition into the workforce upon leaving the military thanks to the state’s new partnership with the Army’s Partnership for Your Success program.
signing ceremony o cially putting the partnership into action.
“Orangeburg County is excited to have Bowman Industrial Center as an opportunity for prospective companies looking to relocate to our growing community,” said Kenneth Middleton, Orangeburg County Development Commission board chair. “Our strategic location between the state’s capital, Columbia, and the state’s largest port city, Charleston, connects Orangeburg to the world.”
Lane Strasburger Yusi Sabree inadministrationCarolina–Aiken,accountingadministrationShesonsupportments,commissionexpandingfor,anaccountant,nanceatreceivedSt.Louis,mentphilosophyty.Strasbuer,hadbeenandpublicbachelorgyfromofartsintheUniversitypologydepartment.assistanthisbacheloranthropologyamasterfromthe
Central SC Alliance Chairman Matthew Sha er, who took over that role from outgoing chair Keller Kissam last month, applauded the toieldseniorClarendoningny’sinvestment“Georgia-Paciannouncement.c’smultimillion-dollarisn’tjustadvancingthecompa-capabilitiesforthefuture,it’simprov-currentandfutureopportunitiesforCountyaswell,”saidShaer,vicepresidentatBlueCrossBlueSh-ofSouthCarolina.“It’salwaysexcitingseethecommitmentcompanieshaveinbuildingontheirlocalpresence.”
e PaYS program is designed to help soldiers prepare for careers a er the Army by connecting them with employ-
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It is among the largest plants in the eastern U.S. for fabricating steel structures for buildings, industrial plants, health care facilities and infrastructure plants.
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e Class A speculative building will feature 36-foot ceiling heights, 309 employee parking spaces and 184 trailer parking spaces, among other amenities.
people to attract, train and retain the most talented steel professionals in the industry. We appreciate the support of Richland County as a strong economic development partner.”
“ e Clarendon OSB facility is an important part of Georgia-Paci c’s ability to produce best-in-class wood products and meet demand in a state with a strong housing market,” Andy Konieczka, president of Georgia-Paci c’s structural panels division, said in a news release from economic development organization Central
Founded in 1936 in Richland County, Owen Steel has built many landmark projects in the region and the eastern U.S., including the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, Nephron Pharmaceuticals in West Columbia, the new Delta terminal at LaGuardia Airport and 3 World Trade Center in New York City, as well as the iconic guitar-shaped Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
ARTS AND Ten community elected to ican Art of the history.board2022–2023.Columbiamembers
Tissue and pulp manufacturer Georgia-Paci c is investing $40 million to expand its Clarendon County operations.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
United Way of the Midlands will honor Barbara Willm as the 2023 Humanitarian of the Year award recipient in February 2023. Willm is a past board member of the United Way of the Midlands, chairing the community impact committee. She was also part of the team that created SC Mission: Midlands and helped create the United Way’s WellPartners Dental and Eye Clinics. Willm served as chair of The Free Medical Clinic board and on the Lexington County economic development board. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
New to the Harvest Hope Food Bank board of directors are Yvonne Johnson and Chris Van Parys. Johnson is an assistant professor at South Carolina State University. Van Parys is the president of W. Lee Flowers Wholesale and KJ’s/IGA Retail in Scranton.
CONSTRUCTION
e Central Carolina Community Foundation’s board of trustees has ve new members: Margaret Clay, editor and associate publisher, Columbia Metropolitan Magazine; Robert Feinstein, managing director, South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission; Rita Patel, owner, Hotel Trundle; Kevin Smith, partner and strategy director, Riggs Partners; and Stacy S. Stokes, partner, Bauknight, Pietras & Stormer. Calvin H. Elam, chief executive o cer of EFinancial Advisors, is chair; Cory Manning, partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, is vice chair; and Charles Kahn, vice president of Kahn Development Co., is secretary/treasurer.
ShannonBarnhillBlack
Virginia Johnson has joined Hood Construction as human workingcoordinator.resourcesSheiswith
PEOPLE, PLACES AND HAPPENINGS ACROSS THE MIDLANDS
EDUCATION
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Deitra Matthews has joined the board of the Hydrocephalus Association. She is CEO of e Ram Foundation and serves on the association’s support and education committee. Matthews holds a bachelor of arts from Coker College, where she double majored in English and psychology, and a master’s of public policy from Savanah State University.
Trinity Partners has promoted Kristina Leaphart to director of marketing in its Columbia o ce. She had been a marketing associate for the rm.
TECH
People in the News
Midlands Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery is now home to Larry R. Shannon II, MD. Previously, he was attending neurosurgeon
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd shareholder Elizabeth Black has been selected to serve as chair of the Richland Library Friends and Foundation Board of Trustees for 2022–2023. Black has served on the board since 2018, most recently as vice chair. She focuses her legal practice on commercial litigation, both in courts and before arbitration panels. In addition, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd associate Mary Cothonneau Eldridge recently graduated from the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Leadership Columbia as part of the Class of 2022. Cothonneau Eldridge focuses her practice on business and commercial litigation.
nonpro t think tank in Washington, DC.
NONPROFIT
Ten community leaders have been elected to the Friends of African American Art and Culture, an a nity group of the Columbia Museum of Art, for 2022–2023. It is the largest class of new board members in the group’s 11-year history. e new board members are Wanda Austin, community resource coordinator, City of Columbia; Salandra Bowman, PhD, chief learning o cer, South Carolina Educational Television; Keela Glover, communication specialist, Dominion Energy; Raishad Glover, assistant professor, Cla in University; Crystal Jamison, founder/CEO, e Jamison Group; Mary Jatkowski, director of outreach and engagement, Historic Columbia; Ingrid O. McMillan, chief executive o cer, Consignors Den and Styling; Jamesha Shakerford, organizational wellness and learning manager at Cypress Fund; H. Kay omas, EdD, clinical associate professor and diversity o cer in the South Carolina Honors College, University of South Carolina; and Kela omas, Pontiac magistrate, Richland County Summary Court and vice president, business operations, omas Media Group. New board o cers are Vanesha Perrin, president (South Carolina Department of Education); erese A. Gri n, vice president (Dominion Energy); Wanda Austin, secretary (City of Columbia); and Charles Salley, treasurer (MSC Industrial Supply).
at Bassett Medical Center. Board Certi ed by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, Shannon has 11 years of experience in spine and brain surgery.
na–Greensboro. Sabree, o ce manager, received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from South University.
HEALTH CARE
Stephen Mitchell, regional managing partner of Fisher Phillips’ Columbia o ce, has been appointed to a two-year term as co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Development of the Law Under the National Labor Relations Act. He represents employers. At Fisher Phillips, Mitchell primarily represents employers in the traditional labor law arena.
MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Arnold Jiang, a recent graduate of River Blu High School, and Rajit Jain, of Lexington High School, recently completed their eight-week paid summer internships as Bank of America 2022 Student Leaders. ey gained experience in workforce skills, leadership, and civic engagement with local nonpro ts.
Real estate attorney Edward D. “Butch” Barnhill Jr., is retiring from Callison Tighe and Robinson. Barnhill joined Callison Tighe as of counsel in 2016. He focused his practice on real estate, business law, and probate.
Janet Bearden, vice president of nance, on implementing new employee initiatives and improving policies and procedures. Johnson holds a bachelor of arts in international studies and a master of arts in human services.
Bradley K. Richardson, PC, received the Corporate Caring Award from Meals on Wheels for his rm’s funding.
At Work
LAW
Guillaume D. Dumont, MD, and J. Clint Pride, MD, have joined Lexington Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Dumont earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville before attending medical school at Emory University. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
NP Strategy has brought in John Cassibry and Hannah Lackey as project coordinators—Cassibry in Charleston and Lackey in Columbia. Cassibry, a media strategist, most recently served as a media coordinator for the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure, a
Eldridge Matthews
Wallick Investments’ Jacob (Jake) Wallick, portfolio manager and managing director of Wallick Institutional, has passed the Level III exam of the Chartered Financial Analyst program and is now a CFA charterholder. A 2016 honors graduate of the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, Wallick holds a degree in nance and management and did a directed study in biology.
Leaphart
New at the South Carolina Arts Commission are Daphne Hudson, Margot Lane Strasburger, Nigel Espey, and Yusi Sabree. With these additions, the commission is also creating two departments, expanding another, and providing support for a growing state agency. Hudson, an accountant, had been director of nance at the Aiken housing authority. She received her bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in accounting from University of South Carolina–Aiken, her master’s of business administration from Webster University in St. Louis, and her master’s of management philosophy from Walden University. Strasburger, a digital content manager, had been a freelance artist manager and public art consultant. She received a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from Boston University and a master of arts in material and visual culture from the University College London anthropology department. Espey, the second assistant grants coordinator, received his bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Guilford College and a master’s of business administration from the University of North Caroli-
Savannah River National Laboratory researchers Douglas B. Hunter , Tracy S. Rudisill , and Anthony Gouge have received the honor of laboratory fellow. The distinction marks their outstanding scientific achievements, and exceptional accomplishments for the laboratory.
25, 2022
Southern First Bancshares has promoted Cal Hurst to president from chief banking o cer and executive vice president. Hurst has been on the board of directors for the Greenville Chamber, United Way of Greenville County, and Greenville First Steps.
CIU continues to grow with new health science lab
health care workforce in South Carolina and the world.”
Richland County conservation division manager
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Richland County’s heritage and tourism sites include the Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home and the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House in downtown Columbia as well as the Reconstructed heritage tourism trail, which tells the story of the Reconstruction era in Columbia.“Historical and cultural resources in Richland County are important to highlight because they provide an opportunity for everyone to learn and interact in a positive way around our history and culture,” said Quinton Epps, the county’s conservation division manager.
the biblical worldview with an emphasis on health and science,” DeWitt said. “ ese new well-equipped labs will help CIU contribute to the STEM and
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CIU’s emphasis on health science includes a new major in Biomedical Science and a new residential nursing program o ering a Bachelor of Science in nursing.elab will provide space for more than a dozen courses including biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, anatomy and physiology. It features stateof the art equipment including Leica microscopes for observing cells and tissues at high magni cation, a spectrophotometer used for chemical analysis and measuring chemical or enzyme reactions, and gel electrophoresis for analysis of DNA and proteins.
Reach Christina Lee Knauss at 803-753-4327.
e marketing plan will rely on input from historic site leaders, stakeholders, potential visitors and others to highlight a variety of sites, natural resources and other county-based resources so travelers will be able to select from a menu of experiences during their stay.
Richland County aiming to attract heritage tourism
22 www.columbiabusinessreport.com September 12-September 25, 2022
Once a marketing plan is developed
e school held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the lab, located near the Jones Center at CIU’s Monticello Road entrance, on Aug. 26.
R
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
ichland County’s Conservation Commission is working on plans to attract more tourists interested in African-American history.
“Historical and cultural resources are important to highlight because they provide an opportunity for everyone to learn and interact in a positive way around our history and culture.”
“Some important parts of that history are here in our county,” said Glenice Pearson, chair of the commission’s Historic Committee. “A number of e orts have been mounted to interpret and recall that history, but there’s still a lot of history that can be told.”
By Christina Lee Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
and Richland County Council approves it, o cials estimate the project would take nine months to a year to develop.
David DeWitt, CIU’s dean of science programs, is a neuroscientist who comes to the school from Liberty University with 25 years of experience in higher education instruction and nine years as the chair of a department of biology and chemistry. He said the new Biomedical Science major will be a rigorous program to prepare graduates for medical school as well as dental, phar-
olumbia International University opened a new 2,700-squarefoot health science lab as part of ongoing expansion of the school’s health care program.
“With the International African American Museum in Charleston approaching its grand opening, Richland County’s Conservation Commission is working on plans to drive heritage tourism closer to home,” the release stated. “Set to open in January, the IAAM is expected to bring local, regional, national and international visitors to Charleston to learn about connections across the African diaspora, the spread of African-American culture and in uence, and the movement for justice and equality.”Information about heritage tourism sties in Richland County is available online at http:// historicrichlandcountysc.com
Quinton Epps
Reach Christina Lee Knauss at 803-753-4327.
e approaching January opening of the International African American Museum in Charleston helped spur the project, according to the release from Richland County.
David DeWitt, dean of science programs at CIU, says the new health science lab will help educate students for the health care workforce. (Photo/Provided)
macy and other related professional programs.“Iamvery excited to contribute to CIU’s mission to educate students from
e commission is currently working with the county’s procurement o ce to select a vendor to develop a heritage tourism marketing plan for Richland County, according to a news release. It will also carry out a campaign to bolster the county’s ability to attract visitors who want to learn more about African-American history and culture.
But, as we see it, the Fed is not going to slow growth if the funds rate remains below the in ation rate — i.e., the real funds rate remains negative. Even the Fed seems to believe this. In its longer run forecast, to produce 2.0% in ation the Fed needs a funds rate of 2.5% — a positive real rate of 0.5%..Howhigh rates will eventually need to
Darrell Cronk is the chief investment officer for Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management.
Take stock of priorities and options
25, 2022
Illustration/Filetourismlab
The Wells Fargo Investment Institute, believes the economic cycle will run faster, interest rates will rise further, and the economy and capital markets will remain fragile in the months ahead as we likely head toward a moderate recession.Uncertain about how to respond or what actions to take next?Let’s start by unpacking what this forecast means for both your investments and wallet.
Money growth slowdown has some economists worried
If the Fed is right that in ation slows quickly to 2.7% by the end of next year, then a 3.8% funds rate should do the trick and allow the Fed to actually lower rates in 2024.Butif we are right and by the end of 2023 the in ation rate remains elevated at 5.2%, the funds rate will need to be 5.0% or higher.Atthe end of 2023 we expect the funds rate to be 5.0% and the in ation rate to be 5.2% — still slightly negative in real terms. e market currently believes that the Fed will be right, in ation will slow quickly, and the Fed may be in a position to reduce rates by the middle of 2023.
Where will the second half of 2022, and even 2023, take us?
As long as there is surplus liquidity in the economy it is unlikely the in ation rate will shrink to the Fed’s desired 2.0% pace.We believe that the 9.1% year-overyear increase in the CPI for June was probably the peak in ation rate. It will slow, but to what? Will in ation approach the Fed’s desired 2.0% target in ation rate quickly? Or will it prove to be more stubborn and remain above 5.0% for the foreseeable future?
We do not share their concern about non-existent money growth — at least for the foreseeable future. e reason is that when money growth soared in the spring of 2020 and for the next 18 months, the level of M-2 climbed farther and farther above its trend path. It currently stands $3.6 trillion above its desired path.
But beginning in February of this year and continuing through June money growth has slowed dramatically. In the ve-month period between February and June M-2 was unchanged. at dramatic slowdown in money growth has gone largely unnoticed. Of the economists who have paid attention some now fret that 0% money growth is far too slow and the Fed is likely to push the economy into a deep recession if the lack of growth in the money supply continues.
What to expect when you’re expecting a recession
If you feel anxious just hearing the word “recession,” keep in mind that
If we are right, both the stock and bond markets are wildly optimistic and will eventually have to do a rethink. As always, we will see.
CRONK
Prepare, don’t panic
go depends greatly upon how quickly the in ation rate slows.
growth rate of nominal GDP. At its peak year-over-year growth in M-2 peaked at 27% in February 2021. Its growth rate subsequently slowed but continued to expand at roughly a double-digit pace through the end of 2021.
Even if you don’t have a big investment portfolio, now is an opportunity to re ect on the quality of your investments and make sure you’re making the right decisions, nancially and psychologically. It’s time to review the Great Resignation, how much cash you should have on hand, and consider the risk of trying to time the markets.
If that is the case, the pressure will remain on the Fed to keep raising interest rates. At its meeting in June the Fed suggested that a federal funds rate of 3.4% by the end of this year and 3.8% at the end of 2023 would be su cient to reduce in ation to 2.7% by the end of next year.
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We have argued for some time that the underlying cause of the current soaring inflation rate was the surge in money supply growth that began in March and April 2020. Money growth skyrocketed as the Fed expanded its balance sheet by $3.0 trillion in the spring of that year. The Fed continued to buy securities every month from then until the end of March 2022 and money growth remained rapid. It flooded the economy with trillions of dollars of excess liquidity. e M-2 measure of the money supply is the sum of a number of di erent assets that can be used to purchase goods and services. Speci cally, it consists largely of checking accounts, savings accounts, money market fund balance, and small CD’s that could be used to purchase something today if we were so inclined. In short, it measures what’s in our wallet. If we have money in our pocket it tends to burn a hole, so rapid money growth can stimulate spending which, in turn, boosts in Typicallyation. the M-2 measure of the money supply grows by about 6.0% every year which is roughly in line with the
recessions are a natural part of every economic cycle. In our Wells Fargo Investment Institute Midyear Outlook, we discuss the hallmarks of a recession, how long and deep this moderate one may be, and what Federal Reserve actions may a ect the job market and interest rates.
SLIFER
When you hear about a recession, you might feel the need to take action in the moment, like ipping a light switch. Our recommendation is for a “dimmer switch” approach for equity portfolios and more, along with talking to a pro-
Stephen Slifer, former chief U.S. economist for Lehman Brothers, can be reached at www.numbernomics.com
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It will take years to eliminate that excess liquidity. If the Fed can cause M-2 to decline at a 4.0% pace every month going forward, the bulk of the excess liquidity will be eliminated by the end of next year. But the Fed is not going to allow money growth to decline at a 4.0% pace for an extended period of time which means surplus liquidity will be ample for several years.
Write: Melinda Waldrop, managing editor for production, SC Biz News 1612 Marion St., Suite 301 Columbia, SC 29201
Viewpoint
For help determining what to do with your portfolio while facing the unknowns of the remainder of this year and beyond, visit the WFII site tute/.www.wellsfargo.com/investment-insti-at https://
fessional advisor to assess your needs vs. wants.
VIEWS, PERSPECTIVES AND READERS’ LETTERS
Make thoughtful decisions
We expect the CPI to increase 8.1% this year and slow to 5.2% by the end of 2023. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, we expect the so-called core CPI to rise 6.0% this year and 5.2% in 2023.Allof those numbers are more than double the Fed’s 2.0% target.
Email: mwaldrop@scbiznews.com
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