VOLUME 25 NUMBER 1 ■ GSABUSINESS.COM
Lightening the load for SUVs
Researchers look for ways to take weight out of vehicles. Page 8
Palmettowood?
S.C Film Commission wants to bring more productions to state. Page 9
Navigating uncertainty
Ports Authority CEO says opportunity found in trying times. Page 10
Viva l’Italia
Elevate Upstate grant supports creation of a new Fountain Inn festival. Page 12
INSIDE
Leading Off........................... 2 SC Biz News Briefs................. 3 C-Suite................................. 4 In Focus: 2022: The Year Ahead................................. 17 LIST: Hospitals.................... 18 Bonus List: Urgent care Centers............................... 19 At Work............................... 21 Viewpoint............................23
Part of the
network
JANUARY 17 - JANUARY 30, 2022 ■ $2.25
Courthouse contractor expects federal projects to triple in 2022 By Molly Hulsey
I
mhulsey@scbiznews.com
t had never crossed the mind of Jordon Construction Co.’s founder that he might find himself on CBS News’ 60 Minutes. He’s been too busy. But in November, producers of the show requested James Jordon’s expertise while he was in Palm Springs, Fla., receiving the Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 Award from Ernst and Young as a Southeastern finalist. Six days later on a Monday morning, presenter Bill Whitaker flew to meet Jordon in Greenville to prep for an interview on the company’s adjustments in a competitive labor market. “I got in at 1 a.m., actually Monday morning, and jumped off the plane, ran home, got some quick sleep,” Jordon told GSA Business Report. “And then, when I met Bill Whitaker at Lazy Goat the next morning, I spent about half a day with him. It was pretty cool.” The episode featuring Jordon aired on Jan. 9 at the end of what have been a fruitful two years for the contractor, despite the circumstances — or in some cases, through serving a need because of the circumstances. See COURTHOUSE, Page 13
Spinx Co. changes with the times If Stewart Spinks was not adept at change, he would today be chairman of a chain of service stations — an industry that is all but gone. By adjusting, adapting and knowing what consumers want, he became one of the state’s largest private employers with an ever-evolving product built, reimagined and refined over the last 50 years. Read the story of the company and its founder, beginning on page 6.
In Focus
Legislative wish list Upstate chambers set goals for next session. Page 17
