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VOLUME 24 NUMBER 7 ■ GSABUSINESS.COM

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Members of the Deep Orange 12 team collaborate to test their new ride. In the background on the left stands a lightpole fitted with Poxyz’s ultra-wideband receptor used to help navigate autonomous vehicles. (Photo/Provided)

Bottoming out

Despite hosting a very social population, Clemson COVID strategy keeps cases low. Page 20

Return to the sea

Grady Johnson makes more time for surfing after 26 years on the business beat. Page 12

Under new management

The International African American Museum picks top executive. Page 3

FAST TRACK

CU-ICAR accelerates self-driving cars with Deep Orange 12 project See story on page 6

Commerce Club changes hands, keeps doors open By Molly Hulsey

Sound advice

Upstate CPA talks about gaining insight from the opinions of others. Page 4

INSIDE Leading Off .......................... 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 C-Suite ................................ 4 In Focus: Law..................... 13 LIST: Law Firms.................. 17 At Work ..............................22 Viewpoint ...........................23

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

he shift to Zoom networking events and a moratorium on corporation board meetings have impacted everyone in the workforce. But for the small human capital firms that rely on face-to-face engagement and mingling with the professional community — and the venues that foster this environment — this past year could have spanned a century. The outlook grew especially grim when Greenville small business executives discovered the Commerce Club would close in March after almost 37 years. But then BNG Hospitality, owner of Charleston’s Harbor Club, purchased the club with the intention to keep its networking ecosystem intact with a few new updates for a post-pandemic world. When Steve Craig, CEO of SC Premier Signs and a Commerce Club See COMMERCE CLUB, Page 11

The Commerce Club has been located on the top floor of the One Liberty Square building for 37 years. The club’s new owners hope its impact on the Upstate business community will continue for years to come. (Photo/Molly Hulsey)

In Focus Legal advice

Attorneys have advice on how employers should proceed in an ongoing pandemic. Page 13

Leading Oﬀ

BRIEFS | FACTS | STATEWIDE NEWS | C-SUITE

Giving tree

A LA CARTE

s tax deadline steadily approaches and philanthropists across the state consider where they’ve opened their pocketbooks over the past year, it may be our Lowcountry and Midlands neighbors that are the most likely to embrace their inner benefactor.

According to a study from Smart Asset, Beaufort, Charleston

and Richland counties rank in as the most generous spots in the Palmetto State calculated by the average percentage of tax returns with itemized charitable contributions and of total net income used for charitable contributions after federal,

Hill Electric of Anderson hosted a

state and local taxes were taken out of the equation. The most generous Upstate entry, Greenville County, takes the sixth spot on the roster with tax-paying residents contributing 2.27% of their income to charitable causes as reported by 9.69% of the population. Oconee County, the only other Upstate contender to make the top 10 list, ranks in at 10 with 7.42% residents reporting donations, or 1.78% of the givers’ income. Here’s the stats:

SPARTANBURG COUNTY

Contributions as % of Income 2.08% % of returns itemizing charitable contributions 6.47%

ANDERSON COUNTY

Contributions as % of Income 1.63% % of returns itemizing charitable contributions 6.60%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ABBEVILLE COUNTY

ON THE

RECORD

Contributions as % of Income 1.57% % of returns itemizing charitable contributions 4.53%

LAURENS COUNTY

GREENWOOD COUNTY Contributions as % of Income 1.56% % of returns itemizing charitable contributions 6.02%

Career & Technology Center. The class

% of returns itemizing charitable contributions 14.05% 13.33% 10.00% 10.80% 10.63% 9.69% 9.69% 8.26% 7.96% 7.42%

labor and safety at Hill Electric.

Southern Wesleyan University has been named a Top Military Friendly School for the past three years. SWU offers tuition

PICKENS COUNTY Contributions as % of Income 1.57% % of returns itemizing charitable contributions 6.63%

school seniors at the Anderson I and II was taught by David Wolke, director for

Contributions as % of Income 2.17% 2.09% 2.19% 1.88% 1.91% 2.27% 1.40% 1.89% 1.67% 1.78%

County Beaufort County Charleston County Richland County York County Georgetown County Greenville County Lancaster County Lexington County Aiken County Oconee County

session on lift safety for a class of high

Contributions as % of Income 1.24% % of returns itemizing charitable contributions 4.29%

CHEROKEE COUNTY

discounts to active service members

Contributions as % of Income 1.08% % of returns itemizing charitable contributions 3.53%

and their spouses, and honors discount programs such as the GI Bill and disabled veteran benefits.

UNION COUNTY Contributions as % of Income .80% % of returns itemizing charitable contributions 2.70%

“If you’re going to mandate anything, you’re going to need to be prepared to live with the consequences.”

Shaw Resources Inc. completed of Phase I redevelopment of University Square on Old Buncombe Road. Two

— Phillip Kilgore, shareholder, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart P.C.

new retail buildings in this Publix-anchored center add 18,000 square feet of retail space to the existing plaza.

WEBSITE: www.GSABusiness.com

@GSABusiness

facebook.com/GSABusiness

April 5 - April 18, 2021

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SC Biz News Briefs Tonya M. Matthews’ resume includes founding the STEMinista Project, a national initiative to encourage middleschool girls to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math. (Photo/ Provided)

CHARLESTON

Charleston Staff Report, Charleston Regional Business Journal

International African American Museum names a new top executive The International African American Museum has named Tonya M. Matthews as the organization’s new top executive. The IAAM’s board of directors said Matthews, who holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and an undergraduate degree from Duke University is “an experienced executive, thought leader and educator” with a proven track record in organizational planning and program development. Prior to going to IAAM, she was associate provost of inclusive workforce development and director of the STEM Innovation Learning Center at Wayne State University in Detroit. Matthews previously served as vice president of museums for the Cincinnati Museum Center. She also led a year-long program between the National Museums of Kenya and middle schools in the Cincinnati area. The museum is under construction near Gadsden’s Wharf, along Charleston’s waterfront where tens of thousands of enslaved Africans were brought into America. The museum broke ground in 2019 with speakers from around the globe marking the occasion.

COLUMBIA

Staff Report, Columbia Regional Business Report

S.C. Secretary of State issues warning businesses about certificate scam

The S.C. Secretary of State’s office is warning businesses about a scam involving a bogus “certificate of status.” The office has received multiple complaints about letters from SC Certificate Services, S.C. Secretary of State Mark Hammond said. “The letter purported to provide a ‘South Carolina Certificate of Status’ for $87.25,” Hammond said. “Businesses should know that this is not an official certificate issued by the state of South Carolina, and that this so-called certificate of status is not required to transact business in this state.” The letter falsely claims that the certificate may be required for loans, tax purposes or to renew business licenses. Hammond urged businesses receiving a letter to contact his office, which has issued a cease-and-desist letter to SC Certificate Service and has referred the matter to law enforcement for further investigation. BEST ADVICE John

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.

Falk, president of Vigilent Labs.

PAGE 4 VOLUME 14 NUMBER 5 ■ COLUMBIABUSINESSREPORT.COM

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VOLUME 27 NUMBER 7 ■ CHARLESTONBUSINESS.COM

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Lights, Camera, Attraction

APRIL 5 - 18, 2021 ■ $2.25

Film industry offers jobs, tourism, worldwide exposure for Palmetto State Game for a job?

College and COVID

Columbia Fireflies to hold job fair on March 20 for gameday positions. Page 2

Charleston-area colleges provide plans after a year of pandemic adjustments. Page 14

By Teri Errico Griffis

s Ray Kinsella wanders his corn fields in the 1989 film Field of Dreams, he hears, “If you build it, he will come.”

COLUMBIA’S CONUNDRUM:

Retaining the talent it produces

Homegrown grub

S.C. Food Hub Network helps distribute $1.3 million in state-grown food. Page 6

Vaccine rollout

State employers preparing for Phase 1b and eligbility of many floor workers. Page 10

University impact

Study: University of South Carolina creates $6.2 billion economic impact. Page 18

INSIDE

Upfront................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs................ 3 In Focus: Education and Workforce.......................... 13 List: Colleges and Universities ....................... 14 At Work .............................. 21 Viewpoint ...........................23

A recent report highlights the challenges the Midlands faces in keeping college graduates at home and in its workforce

A recently released competitiveness report found that Columbia and the surrounding metropolitan area continues to struggle to retain the talent produced by the area’s colleges and universities. Midlands leaders say changes in mindset and conversations, some spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, can help reverse that trend. (Photo/File)

By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

olumbia continues to struggle to keep the talent it produces, according to the findings in an annual competitiveness report, but compilers of report data say a willingness to think differently, an enhanced image and even the COVID-19 pandemic could help change that. The 2020-21 Midlands Regional Competitiveness Report highlighted an ongoing regional issue, finding that the area ranked ninth among 10 comparative markets in attracting, developing and maintaining a skilled workforce. The Midlands represents the Columbia metropolitan statistical area, which includes Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Fairfield, Salu-

da and Calhoun counties. The report, released in a Jan. 25 online presentation, compares the area to nine other peer metropolitan areas in the Southeast: Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, Charleston-North Charleston, Augusta-Richmond County (Ga.), Raleigh (N.C.), Greensboro-High Point (N.C.), Winston-Salem (N.C.), Knoxville (Tenn.), Lexington-Fayette (Ky.), and Tallahassee (Fla.). The report has been compiled for seven years by regional project management nonprofit EngenuitySC as a tool to assess how the Midlands stacks up against those similar areas and to pinpoint areas for improvement. While the region’s struggle to retain talent also is tied to its eighth-place ranking in both STEM degrees and salaries, those metrics could be improved by a factor that seems far from helpful at first glance. The increased

remote working opportunities created by the COVID-19 pandemic could be a benefit, allowing college graduates to remain in the area and companies recruiting talent to not require relocation, said Joseph Von Nessen, a University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business research economist who compiles the data used in the annual rankings. The challenge, Von Nessen said, is starting the conversations between industries and workers produced in the Midlands. “We create and market Columbia as a talent base for all these companies so they can say, ‘Where do I want to get my talent from? I want to get it from Columbia, South Carolina, and oh by the way, I don’t have to recruit these employees to come work wherever I’m See WORKFORCE, Page 16

All hands on deck

McMaster urges private businesses to help in vaccination efforts. Page 11

ColumbiaBusinessReport.com

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

Stepping down

Grady Johnson stepping down as CEO, group publisher for SC Biz News. Page 8

He turns to place the voice, which floats from Greenville native “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, but Kinsella stands alone. His gut tells him to build “it,” and he must decide between selling his home and walking away or going all in to create something

ENGINEERING THE FUTURE

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Join us at the intersection of commerce + conservation. Our mission is to connect the sustainability goals of business in South Carolina with local natural resource solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment, and people.

See MOVIES, Page 10

By Andy Owens

aowens@scbiznews.com

isgraced economist and former Lowcountry financial celebrity Al Parish has been released early from prison after a judge determined he wouldn’t live long enough to serve the remainder of his sentence. Parish, who was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison in 2008, has been trying to get out early since the pandemic began. For nearly 13 years, Parish has been incarcerated in the same facility where Bernie Madoff was sentenced in North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel in Charleston said Parish first made his plea for a “compassionate release” from prison on April 10, 2020, with a laundry list of health issues. Parish made a hand-written filing with the court, and the judge denied his motion for release. Then he contracted COVID-19 in prison, made another request to be released, which also was denied. Parish appealed that decision and received another hearing before Gergel, who determined that Parish was a candidate.

Launch director

SCRA names new leader for SC Launch program, which focuses on startups. Page 8

INSIDE

A global commercial real estate partner, powered by people, that puts you first.

‘Economan’ Al Parish released early

Giving the shot

Independent pharmacies deal with uncertainity as they try to vaccinate. Page 5

Upfront................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs................ 3 Best Advice.......................... 4 In Focus: Education and Workforce Development..... 13 List: Colleges and Universities ....................... 19 At Work .............................. 21 Viewpoint ...........................23

potentially magical. South Carolina faces the same quandary, only the voices are less a whisper and more a shout from the rooftops assuring if the state

Avison Young - South Carolina, Inc.

West Ashley High School robotics team sets sights on world competition and beyond. Page 13 West Ashley junior Sullivan Markland makes adjustments to the team’s robot between matches during the state competition. Teams are expected to calibrate and make small changes during the tournament. (Photo/Provided)

SU STAINSO U TH CARO LI N A.O RG

See AL PARISH, Page 7

NLRB affirms labor complaint

The federal agency said the waterfront labor union and an affiliated alliance were engaging in unfair labor practices. Page 9

CharlestonBusiness.com

SCBIZmag.com

www.gsabusiness.com

April 5 - April 18, 2021

Publisher - Rick Jenkins rjenkins@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1224 UPSTATE NEWSROOM Editor - Ross Norton rnorton@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1222 Staff Writer - Molly Hulsey mhulsey@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1223 Associate Editor, Custom Publishing Division Jim Tatum jtatum@scbiznews.com • 864.720.2269 MIDLANDS NEWSROOM Editor - Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7542 LOWCOUNTRY NEWSROOM Executive Editor - Andy Owens aowens@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3142 Staff Writer - Teri Errico Griffis tgriﬀis@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3125 Editor, Custom Publishing Division Steve McDaniel smcdaniel@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3123 Research Specialist - Paige Hardy phardy@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3125 Research Assistant - Anne Puckett apuckett@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3145 Digital Editorial Assistant - Alexandria Ng ang@scbiznews.com • 843-849-3124 UPSTATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Senior Account Executive - Ryan Downing rdowning@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1221 Account Executive - Angie Hammond ahammond@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1974

South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth President and Group Publisher - Grady Johnson gjohnson@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3103

C-Suite

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AL HODGES, CPA

VICE PRESIDENT, STOKES & CO. CPAS, PC

THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Jobsite clean up for my father who did home remodeling.

Don’t go into defensive mode when you are challenged or corrected or encounter someone with a diﬀerent opinion. … You can’t learn and get better that way. Be open, honest and direct in your communication. Be OK with being challenged and be willing

WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION DO? We make it easier for business owners to focus on

to challenge others respectfully.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE?

I’m not a great source of advice and wisdom … but I would say work at being a better communicator and start by listening more than you speak. Always be a student of your profession, then take what you learn and work really hard. People don’t pay you

their business and do what they enjoy by taking care of their accounting, tax and payroll matters.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE? Client service, business development, general business and administrative oversight and manager of our student intern program.

for your talent, they pay you for what you actually do.

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GSA Business Report (USPS 8460) is published twice monthly by SC Biz News, 35 Cessna Court, Suite A, Greenville, SC 29607-2700. Periodicals postage paid at Greenville, SC and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: Subscription Services PO Box 1051 Williamsport, PA 17703-9940.

Annual subscribers receive 24 issues of GSA Business Report, including Book of Experts, Market Facts, and the Book of Lists. 24 issues for $57.95; 48 issues for $92.95; 72 issues for $129.95. Subscribe, renew, change your address or pay your invoice online at www.gsabusiness.com or call 877-615-9536.

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

April 5 - April 18, 2021

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Our “Coffee With…” page features an Upstate business executive sharing insights about their business, the industry in which they work and the community in which they live. Where’s the coffee, you ask? Well, that occurs in an accompanying video. We sit down with the executive – over coffee – to see what else is on their mind.

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April 5 - April 18, 2021

COMMERCE CLUB, from Page 1

regular, caught wind that he might have to find a new hub in Greenville this spring, he took a moment to stop what he was doing and think about the many people he met at the club — many of them customers he currently works with — since founding his company in 2015. “I joined just over six years ago,” Craig told GSA Business Report after hearing about the club’s pending closure. “And it’s been amazing.” He couldn’t think of any other venue that played quite the same role within the Greenville business community. The Commerce Club helped Mie Potter, founder of Finding Peace LLC and a member now on the club’s board of governors, transition from a 16-year stayat-home mother who never thought she would join the ranks of an established professional club to a business owner who makes the club her oﬃce and client coaching space every Tuesday. As per ritual, she follows her workday with dinner, meeting with friends and cohorts who have gathered at the venue for years. “It’s not just a business club,” she said. “There are people who have been really almost life-long friends whose relationships started at the club, and just to give you an idea, there’s a group of men who meet for breakfast every day that the club is open for breakfast. They all come at the

www.gsabusiness.com 11

same time. Not everyone comes every day, but they have been meeting faithfully for years at the club for breakfast.” On March 24, devotees learned that their morning ritual would endure after Club Corp. passed the keys to Sean Laney, founder and president of Dallas’s BNG Hospitality. Laney said he thinks there is still a

“It’s not just a business club. There are people who have been really almost life-long friends whose relationshps started at the club.” Mie Potter founder, Finding Peace LLC

place for a profitable business club in a post-pandemic world. As a former Club Corp. executive who launched BNG to acquire the venues Club Corp. had pruned away from its network, he has big plans for broadening the traditional roles these clubs have played in the professional community across the Southeast. “This type of market and size is something that we’re good at, something that

we understand: the business and social community, the clubs in the South,” Laney said. “We’re excited to be a part of it.” BNG’s portfolio includes the Harbour Club; Florida’s Tampa Club; Plaza Club in San Antonio, Texas; and the Crescent Club in Memphis, Tenn. “Both in ownership as well as management, BNG specializes in club turnaround opportunities when a club needs focus on reconcepting or repositioning to become more relevant to a modern-day demographic,” according to a statement from BNG’s website. Capitalizing off the Commerce Club’s addition of shared work spaces since last spring, BNG Hospitality plans to compact its public restaurant and dining concept during its renovation in favor of open oﬃce space. Semi-private workspaces complete with a flatscreen for Zoom conferences, as well as meeting rooms of all sizes and additional furnishings will adapt the club into a haven for the remote worker as well as a casual event hub with a craft cocktail bar front-and-center. “It’s a place where you can come in in the morning and have coffee, do some work, maybe meet a client for lunch, do some more work in the afternoon and then maybe by late afternoon, you have a glass of wine in front of you and you’ve been there all day,” he said. “It’s a platform where everything can happen.”

Modeling BNG’s work with the Harbor Club, Laney said his company aims to drive home the components that make the club a space where “work and play come together” moving forward. In 2019, BNG moved the Harbor Club to a new location in Charleston’s 22 Westedge office and medical tower. Over the past year, the new venue’s outdoor terrace, used as both an outdoor working and dining space, proved to be a major asset to the club. “At Harbour Club, I’ve had quite a few members say that ‘this is the only place that I feel comfortable going to,”’ said Jim Coyne, manager of the Harbour Club. “We have a limited number of people that can come in, so it’s not a public restaurant where you just have anybody and everybody walk in through the door. There is some confidence that they know what we’re doing to protect them.” So far, club events like a wine dinner or spirits tasting have garnered the strongest attendance since BNG venues reopened last year over traditional dining, bolstered by takeout options and opportunities to make the professional club a social space conducive to working outside of the home, office or home office. “I think the majority of member join in the beginning because they want to grow their business, and these clubs serve See COMMERCE CLUB, Page 16

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April 5 - April 18, 2021

Johnson stepping down from SC Biz after 26 years By Andy Owens

aowens@scbiznews.com

C Biz News CEO and Group Publisher Grady Johnson is leaving the business he helped found after 26 years. An entrepreneur who owned several businesses before joining the Charleston Regional Business Journal in 1995 with founder Bill Settlemyer, Johnson started as a salesperson. Johnson led SC Biz through a massive expansion in 2008. The company launched the Columbia Regional Business Report in the Midlands and took over GSA Business Report in the Upstate of South Carolina. SC Biz also began expanding its reach with statewide events and an economic development magazine, SCBIZ. The company went through several owners during and after the Great Recession. Bill Settlemyer and his wife, Sarah, who was a head nurse at the Medical University of S.C., founded the Charleston Regional Business Journal by pulling cash out of her retirement account and starting the business in an extra bedroom of their home. Settlemyer published the Business Journal for six months and realized they need-

ed help. “I was the editor, the publisher, the finance person, the salesperson, the whole thing — which is ridiculous, but that is what I was doing,” Settlemyer said. “Everything was a panic-loaded blur until Grady showed up.”

“I’m leaving behind so many great memories. The state’s business climate has changed a lot during that time, and mostly for the better.” Grady Johnson CEO and group publisher, SC Biz News

Johnson ran a surf shop in Mount Pleasant for a decade after graduating from Clemson University. He also owned a business selling automobiles and exporting antique cars. He knew nothing about advertising, but he wanted to get off the road as a sales consultant. “I love startups, and I really liked publishing, and I liked small business

because I was a small-business junkie,” Johnson said. “So this was all of those things. I was really excited by the thought of something that dealt with businesses.” Today, the company is owned by BridgeTower Media and is part of a national group of business-to-business publishers serving commercial interests in more than 25 markets from coast to coast. SC Biz News now includes the N.C. Lawyers Weekly, S.C. Lawyers Weekly and The Mecklenburg Times in Charlotte. “It’s no exaggeration to say that Grady and the teams he’s managed over the years have had a material impact on the state’s business community,” said Adam Reinebach, CEO of BridgeTower, which bought SC Biz in 2017. “The news coverage, the events and the economic research we’re doing in South Carolina are second to none, and the reputation we enjoy with our clients and readers is a direct result of the seeds Grady planted decades ago.” “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with so many wonderful people and so many businesses for over more than a quarter of a century,” Johnson said. “I’m leaving behind so many great memories. The state’s busi-

An entrepreneur who owned several businesses before joining the Charleston Regional Business Journal in 1995 with founder Bill Settlemyer, Johnson is stepping down from SC Biz News as CEO and group publisher.

ness climate has changed a lot during that time, and mostly for the better. We have a strong economic base that values small- and medium-sized businesses. I am gratified that SC Biz will continue to play a critical role in connecting businesses to customers and each other well into the next 25 years.”

BE A PART OF THE UPSTATE’S

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With many of your clients and prospects working from home, now is a great time to engage them through a webinar. Hosting a webinar is a powerful way to connect with your target audience, and with GSA Business Report - you won’t have to worry about any of the logistics. Whether you’re looking to move an in-person event online, or just need to generate quality sales leads, our team can help provide turnkey service from marketing to execution! What is included in your webinar: • 45-60 minute webinar • Social media • Dedicated project support • Print ad • Email marketing

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For more information, please contact Rick Jenkins at (864) 720-1224 or rjenkins@scbiznews.com

In Focus

LAW

NEXT ISSUE’S FOCUS:

Information Technology

LISTS: Law Firms, Page 17

HR Law Update covers COVID-19 claims protection By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

Any decade presents a host of new liability concerns for business owners, but some of 2021’s hot topics may seem to be from a different planet than those planned for last year’s cancelled Human Resource Law Update, hosted by the Ogletree Deakins Law Firm for 26 years, along with the Greenville Chamber and The Employers Network. At the event held this March, speakers Philip Kilgore and Al Robinson, shareholders of Ogletree Deakins Law Firm, prepared business owners and human resource professionals for what legal responsibilities and protections they may have in the era of COVID-19 and heightened political tensions. One of the most prominent policies gaining interest now is the COVID-19 Liability Immunity Act, they said. The S.C. Senate passed the bill, supported strongly by the S.C. Chamber of Commerce, in early March and still awaits approval of the S.C. House of Representatives and Gov. Henry McMaster. If passed, the new law would protect businesses from being liable for COVID-19 transmission if they show “reasonable adherence” to timely CDC and DHEC guidance. While the Act doesn’t specify what it means to “reasonably adhere,” if employers follow CDC and DHEC guidance, they should be able to fall within the immunity provided by the statute, he said. Furthermore, for most claims, plaintiffs would have to show by “clear and convincing evidence” that they came in contact with the virus at the workplace or store of note and not any other location. Practically speaking, they would have to

South Carolina law allows employees to express their political views in confidence that they will be protected in the workplace, but as Ogletree Deakins’ Phillip Kilgore notes, that protection does have limitations. (Photo/Canva)

show that they made no visits to the grocery store, to family or a doctor. “The thing about these coronavirus claims is that they will be very diﬃcult to prove,” he told GSA Business Report after the event. The Act, as it stands now, does not apply to or exclude claims under the S.C. Worker’s Compensation Act, but employees with worker’s comp claims would still have to prove they had not contracted the virus anywhere else.

The Act would encourage businesses to adhere to public health guidance, and, as Kilgore notes, set business owners at ease as they bring employees back to the oﬃce or reopen stores to customers. “One of the biggest risks of any kind of litigation is the costs of litigation — paying lawyers to defend the case” he said. “And so, once a case is filed, the parties exchange information and documents, and that can be very expensive

to finally get to the point where you can prove or disprove to a court what caused the injury. And in this coronavirus instance, that’s what the concern is: that it will be diﬃcult for shop owners to defend themselves from a claim without having to spend a whole lot of money having to defend themselves.” Employee vaccine requirements have See UPDATE, Page 16

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IN FOCUS: LAW

April 5 - April 18, 2021

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NLRB stands by S.C. Ports unfair labor complaint By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

wo months after the S.C. Ports Authority filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board accusing the waterfront union of unfair labor practices, the NLRB said the complaint has merit. With the ruling, the Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal can open with the hybrid model of employing union workers alongside SCPA workers, a model the International Longshoremen’s Association and U.S. Maritime Alliance had tried to break with the new terminal. “The time has come to begin operations,” SCPA President and CEO Jim Newsome said in a news release. “We look forward to working with our stakeholders to see this vitally important infrastructure project realized in April.” On Jan. 6, the SCPA and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson filed a complaint against the ILA and USMX for implementing a secondary boycott based on a master contract clause that was added without the SCPA’s knowledge. A secondary boycott is defined as two parties, the ILA and USMX, making an agreement that could harm a

The National Labor Relations Board agreed with a complaint filed by the S.C. Ports Authority and the S.C. Attorney General against the longshoremen and their alliance, which was seeking to use only union labor at the new Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal. The terminal is set to open this month. (Photo/S.C. Ports Authority)

third party, the SCPA. The clause stated that for all new ports built in the U.S., 100% of the jobs would go to union workers. Wilson and the S.C. Ports Authority said the ILA was using the terms to pressure ocean carriers into boycotting the new terminal. Wilson and the SCPA maintain the port never signed off on that agree-

ment, which would jeopardize hundreds of port jobs within the hybrid model. Newsome further contested that plans for the HLT were underway years before the clause was added, and that the HLT is not a new terminal, but rather an extension of the existing port system.

Yesterday, Region 10 of the NLRB said the contract language between the ILA and USMX dispute is unlawful and violates Section 8(e) of the National Labor Relations Act, according to the filing. “The S.C. Ports Authority is investing nearly $2 billion in the Leatherman Terminal with the clear understanding that the hybrid labor model, which is the competitive standard in Southeast operating ports, will be utilized in that terminal,” Newsome said. From the beginning, Newsome expressed confidence that the NLRB would stand in favor of the port. He said the ruling comes as the HLT is critically needed to handle the current congestion in U.S. ports and the increasing cargo volumes calling on the East Coast. “The Leatherman Terminal will greatly benefit our customers, our port, the broader maritime workforce and South Carolina as a whole by ensuring we remain globally competitive for decades to come,” Newsome said. The respondents named in the complaint must answer by March 31. A hearing conducted by the NLRB will follow on May 4. Reach Teri Errico Griffis at 843-849-3144.

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also become contentious topic, but Kilgore said that few employers are making the COVID-19 vaccine an ultimatum in state. “Employers are providing certain incentives, to employees to receive the vaccine,” Robinson said. “But I’m not aware of any requiring it.” Both Kilgore and Robinson see the carrot being a wiser legal strategy than the stick. Employees may be protected under the law if they refuse to receive a vaccine for health risks or bonafide religious concerns. “If you’re going to mandate anything,

“Employers are providing certain incentives to employees to receive the vaccine. But I’m not aware of any requiring it.” Al Robinson, attorney and shareholder Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart P.C.

you’re going to need to be prepared to live with the consequences,” Kilgore told GSA Business Report, adding that business owners must ask themselves whether they would be willing to terminate employees for insubordination over the issue. “Those claims could be pursued by South Carolina statute or under the Americans with Disability Act, which would be a federal claim,” he said. State statutes against discrimination and National Labor Relations Act would also hold sway over terminating employees over participation in lawful political demonstrations or voicing partisan opinions — with some

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as a really critical component for small business owners,” he said. “And then, over time, they develop relationships with the staff and other members, and really, that’s the glue that keeps them tied to the club. That’s that middle place, that “third place” for them, along with their home and their work.” When visiting the Upstate in the past, Laney had always been interested in acquiring the Commerce Club, but it took losses from COVID-19 and Club Corp.’s shift in focus to golf and sports clubs to make that a possibility for BNG Hospitality. Distraught members of the club took the looming closure to the attention of Laney, who jumped on the deal in March, with plans to expand BNG’s market across the Southeast.

April 5 - April 18, 2021

exceptions. “South Carolina law protects people in the course of even their employment if they are expressing political opinions,” he said. “But there are some limits to it. If people are doing so in an aggressive or unprofessional manner, that may be something that takes it out of that protection.” If whatever employees say reflects poorly on their own judgement, or if an employee harasses someone else on account of race or gender, employers may have a more solid legal basis for termination with backing from anti-harassment or equal employment opportunity laws. “I would advise the client to look at the content of what is being said or expressed, and then examine whether it creates one of those issues,” he said. “It’s okay to have a policy that informs employees that they are expected to comport themselves in a civilized, reasonably professional way.” The South Carolina political speech law will not protect someone if the speech is in violation of anti-harassment and equal employment opportunity policies. He thinks it absolutely necessary that every company have a written policy noting that it is an equal opportunity employer that hires, retains and provides benefits to all employees equally, and will not discriminate on account of a protected status under state or federal law, such as race, gender, age or disability. “Moreover, the law protects anyone under those classifications from being harassed on account of their protected status, so employers definitely ought to have an anti-harassment policy,” he said, adding that workplace policies can include requirements that employees exercise good judgement and treat coworkers with respect and civility in expressing their political views. “I would have policies in place before trouble starts.”

“We always thought that it would be a complementary property for us, because of our club in Charleston,” Laney said. “But at that point, Club Corp. wasn’t really interested. We got involved with it once Club Corp. made the decision that they were not going to renew the lease and were going to close the club.” Plans are underway for BNG to potentially acquire a property in Atlanta, but at this time, Club Corp. has no intentions to sell its sole South Carolina asset, Columbia’s Capital City Club, according to the club’s manager. With BNG operating as an aﬃliate of Club Corp., Harbour Club and Commerce Club members remain able to Club Corp. venues and vice versa, Laney said. Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter.

IN FOCUS: LAW

April 5 - April 18, 2021

www.gsabusiness.com 17

Law Firms

Ranked by No. of Attorneys in the Greenville Area Company

Phone / Website / Email

Executive(s) / Year Founded

Attorneys / Total Employees

Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A. 325 Rocky Slope Road Greenville, SC 29607

864-272-2667 www.wjcblaw.com kmsmith@wjcblaw.com

Harold J. Willson 2002

62 67

Litigation Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Dority & Manning P.A. 75 Beattie Place, Suite 1100 Greenville, SC 29601

864-271-1592 www.dority-manning.com info@dority-manning.com

Stephen E. Bondura 1984

54 130

Intellectual Property Law

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A. 1 N. Main St., 2nd Floor Greenville, SC 29601

864-240-3200 www.hsblawfirm.com info@hsblawfirm.com

Boyd B. "Nick" Nicholson 1887

44 82

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP 2 W. Washington St., Suite 400 Greenville, SC 29601

864-373-2300 www.nelsonmullins.com info@nelsonmullins.com

John Jennings 1987

40 70

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 550 S. Main St., Suite 400 Greenville, SC 29601

864-255-5400 www.womblebonddickinson.com sterling.laney@wbd-us.com

Sterling Laney, James D. Myrick, Kevin A. Hall 1999

37 37

Gallivan White Boyd 55 Beattie Place, Suite 1200 Greenville, SC 29601

864-271-5369 www.gwblawfirm.com cpatterson@gwblawfirm.com

C. William McGee, David Rheney 1948

31 83

Nexsen Pruet LLC 55 E. Camperdown Way, Suite 400 Greenville, SC 29601

864-370-2211 www.nexsenpruet.com -

James Warren, Jennifer Cluverius 1945

26 -

McAngus Goudelock & Courie LLC 55 E. Camperdown Way, Suite 300 Greenville, SC 29601

864-239-4000 www.mgclaw.com info@mgclaw.com

James R. Courie 1995

20 20

Appellate Law; Business Law; Construction Law; Labor and Employment Law; Litigation Law; Real Estate Law; Torts Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Jackson Lewis P.C. 15 S. Main St., Suite 700 Greenville, SC 29601

864-232-7000 www.jacksonlewis.com -

Stephanie E. Lewis 1958

17 24

Employee Benefits Law; Health Care Law; Immigration Law; Labor and Employment Law

Johnson Smith Hibbard & Wildman Law Firm LLP 220 N. Church St. Spartanburg, SC 29306

864-582-8121 www.jshwlaw.com -

Don Wildman, Steve Querin 1955

13 14

Administrative Law; Banking/Finance Law; Bankruptcy Law; Business Law; Civil Law; Commercial Law; Construction Law; Corporate Law; Economic Development Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Government Relations Law; Litigation Law; Mergers/Acquisitions Law; Personal Injury Law; Real Estate Law; Torts Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Harrison White P.C. 178 W. Main St. Spartanburg, SC 29306

864-585-5100 www.spartanlaw.com jwhite@spartanlaw.com

John B. White 2000

12 41

Business Law; Civil Law; Criminal Law; Family Law; Law Firm; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Torts Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP 110 E. Court St., Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29601

864-577-6370 www.parkerpoe.com -

Richard L. Few 2016

12 19

Appellate Law; Banking/Finance Law; Bankruptcy Law; Economic Development Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Government Relations Law; Intellectual Property Law; Mergers/Acquisitions Law; Public Finance Law; Securities Law; Tax Law

Merline & Meacham, P.A. 812 E. North St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-242-4080 www.merlineandmeacham.com contactus@merlineandmeacham.com

David A. Merline 1970

10 17

Business Law; Corporate Law; Employee Benefits Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Mergers/Acquisitions Law; Tax Law

Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey LLC 24 Cleveland St., Suite 100 Greenville, SC 29601

864-298-0084 www.bannisterandwyatt.com info@bannisterwyatt.com

James W. Bannister, Bruce W. Bannister, Alex R. Stalvey 1976

9 20

Civil Law; Criminal Law; Family Law; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Real Estate Law

Elmore Goldsmith Kelley & deHoll, P.A. 55 Beattie Place, Suite 1050 Greenville, SC 29601

864-255-9500 www.elmoregoldsmith.com info@elmoregoldsmith.com

Bryan Kelley, Frank Elmore, Andy Goldsmith 2003

6 11

Construction Law

FordHarrison LLP 100 Dunbar St., Suite 300 Spartanburg, SC 29306

864-699-1100 www.fordharrison.com clientservice@fordharrison.com

Wade Ballard 2005

6 10

Employee Benefits Law; Health Care Law; Immigration Law; Labor and Employment Law; Litigation Law

Jones Law Firm P.A. 415 N. Main St. Anderson, SC 29621

864-224-3474 www.jonesfirm.com -

Edward A. Spitz 1972

5 12

Business Law; Civil Law; Commercial Law; Corporate Law; Employee Benefits Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Family Law; Litigation Law; Mergers/Acquisitions Law; Personal Injury Law; Real Estate Law; Tax Law; Torts Law

Cate & Brough 421 Marion Ave. Spartanburg, SC 29306

864-585-4226 www.thecatelawfirm.com rachel@ruthcatelaw.com

Rachel Brough 2020

4 11

Family Law

Law Office of Sidney Wike LLC 311 Pettigru St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-239-0007 www.sidneywike.com sidney@sidneywike.com

Sidney A. Wike 1999

4 4

Bankruptcy Law; Personal Injury Law; Social Security Law

The Stevens Firm P.A. - Family Law Center 349 E. Main St., Suite 200 Spartanburg, SC 29302

864-598-9172 www.scfamilylaw.com ben@scfamilylaw.com

Jenny R. Stevens, J. Benjamin Stevens 1996

4 8

Family Law

Thomas, Fisher & Edwards P.A. 104 S. Main St., Suite 701 Greenville, SC 29601

864-232-0041 www.thomasandfisher.com info@thomasandfisher.com

Randy E. Fisher, Matthew B. Edwards 2003

4 10

Business Law; Corporate Law; Employee Benefits Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Mergers/Acquisitions Law; Tax Law

Wilkes Law Firm P.A. 127 Dunbar St., Suite 200 Spartanburg, SC 29306

864-591-1113 www.wilkeslaw.com -

Michael B. T. Wilkes 2003

4 7

Business Law; Construction Law; Litigation Law

Christian & Christian LLC 1007 E. Washington St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-232-7363 www.cclawfirm.com jchristian@cclawfirm.com

Joshua D. Christian, Matthew W. Christian, Warren Harold Christian 1975

3 10

Civil Law; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Torts Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Eppes & Plumblee P.A. 1225 S. Church St. Greenville, SC 29605

864-235-2600 www.eppesandplumblee.com feppes@eppesandplumblee.com

Frank L. Eppes, L. Lee Plumblee 1997

3 7

Business Law; Civil Law; Commercial Law; Construction Law; Criminal Law; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Torts Law

Practice Areas

Administrative Law; Antitrust Law; Appellate Law; Banking/Finance Law; Bankruptcy Law; Business Law; Civil Law; Commercial Law; Construction Law; Corporate Law; Economic Development Law; Employee Benefits Law; Environmental Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Government Relations Law; Health Care Law; Immigration Law; Intellectual Property Law; International Law; Labor and Employment Law; Litigation Law; Maritime/Admiralty Law; Mergers/Acquisitions Law; Personal Injury Law; Public Finance Law; Real Estate Law; Securities Law; Tax Law; Telecom/Technology Law; Torts Law; Transportation Law Administrative Law; Antitrust Law; Appellate Law; Banking/Finance Law; Bankruptcy Law; Business Law; Civil Law; Commercial Law; Construction Law; Consumer Law; Corporate Law; Economic Development Law; Employee Benefits Law; Environmental Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Family Law; Government Relations Law; Health Care Law; Immigration Law; Intellectual Property Law; International Law; Labor and Employment Law; Litigation Law; Mergers/ Acquisitions Law; Real Estate Law; Securities Law; Tax Law; Telecom/Technology Law; Torts Law; Transportation Law; Workers' Compensation Law Antitrust Law; Appellate Law; Banking/Finance Law; Bankruptcy Law; Business Law; Commercial Law; Construction Law; Consumer Law; Corporate Law; Criminal Law; Economic Development Law; Employee Benefits Law; Environmental Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Government Relations Law; Health Care Law; Immigration Law; Intellectual Property Law; International Law; Labor and Employment Law; Litigation Law; Maritime/Admiralty Law; Mergers/Acquisitions Law; Public Finance Law; Real Estate Law; Securities Law; Tax Law; Telecom/Technology Law; Torts Law; Transportation Law; Workers' Compensation Law Appellate Law; Banking/Finance Law; Bankruptcy Law; Business Law; Civil Law; Commercial Law; Construction Law; Corporate Law; Employee Benefits Law; Environmental Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Health Care Law; Intellectual Property Law; Labor and Employment Law; Law Firm; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Real Estate Law; Torts Law; Transportation Law; Workers' Compensation Law Administrative Law; Antitrust Law; Appellate Law; Banking/Finance Law; Bankruptcy Law; Business Law; Civil Law; Commercial Law; Construction Law; Corporate Law; Criminal Law; Economic Development Law; Employee Benefits Law; Environmental Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Government Relations Law; Health Care Law; Immigration Law; Intellectual Property Law; International Law; Labor and Employment Law; Law Firm; Litigation Law; Maritime/Admiralty Law; Mergers/Acquisitions Law; Public Finance Law; Real Estate Law; Securities Law; Tax Law; Telecom/Technology Law; Torts Law; Transportation Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.

Researched by Business Report staff

IN FOCUS: LAW

www.gsabusiness.com

April 5 - April 18, 2021

Law Firms

Ranked by No. of Attorneys in the Greenville Area Company

Phone / Website / Email

Executive(s) / Year Founded

Attorneys / Total Employees

Hyde Law Firm P.A. 360 E. Main St. Spartanburg, SC 29302

864-804-6330 www.maxhydelawfirm.com -

Max T. Hyde 2010

3 7

Business Law; Civil Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Family Law; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Real Estate Law

Babb & Bixler P.C. 505 W. Butler Road Greenville, SC 29607

864-422-0022 www.babbandassociates.com info@babbandassociates.com

A. Lyon Bixler, Everette H. Babb 1975

2 5

Business Law; Civil Law; Criminal Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Family Law; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Real Estate Law; Torts Law

Crane Law Firm 101 Whitsett St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-235-2900 www.cranelawfirmsc.com lcrane@cranelawfirmsc.com

Lawrence W. Crane 1989

2 2

Criminal Law

Culbertson Andrighetti LLC 114 Manly St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-370-8222 www.palmettolawfirm.com mail@palmettolawfirm.com

Erin Culbertson, Jason J. Andrighetti 2007

2 6

Business Law; Civil Law; Commercial Law; Corporate Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Litigation Law; Real Estate Law

Davis Law Group 143 Ware St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-999-2019 www.davis.law will@davis.law

Ric Davis, Will Davis 2019

2 7

Administrative Law; Civil Law; Consumer Law; Family Law; Law Firm; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Social Security Law; Torts Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Devlin & Antley, P.A. 27 Cleveland St., Suite 201 Greenville, SC 29601

864-242-4050 www.devlawsc.com -

John R. Devlin 1997

2 4

Business Law; Civil Law; Law Firm; Personal Injury Law

Gainey & Gainey LLP 408 E. Butler Road, Suite A Mauldin, SC 29662

864-288-8154 www.gaineylaw.com jasonmgainey@gaineylaw.com

Jason M. Gainey 1983

2 3

Business Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Real Estate Law

Grimes Teich Anderson LLP 111 E. North St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-421-0770 www.gtalaw.net martin@gtalaw.net

Scott M. Anderson, Jeff M. Martin 1979

2 6

Personal Injury Law; Social Security Law; Workers' Compensation Law

J. Bennett Mullinax LLC 3447 Pelham Road, Suite 206 Greenville, SC 29615

864-987-9696 www.mullinaxpatent.com info@mullinaxpatent.com

J. Bennett Mullinax 2003

2 3

Intellectual Property Law

Law Office of Rhett Burney PC 312 S. Main St. Simpsonville, SC 29681

864-228-1616 www.rhettburney.com rhett@rhettburney.com

Rhett Burney 2018

2 7

Corporate Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Family Law; Personal Injury Law

LawyerLisa LLC 100 Williams St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-990-0347 www.lawyerlisa.com info@lawyerlisa.com

Lisa Hostetler Brown 2014

2 3

Business Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Real Estate Law

Littler 110 E. Court St., Suite 201 Greenville, SC 29601

864-775-3191 www.littler.com -

Stephen Dellinger, William H. Foster 1942

2 3

Labor and Employment Law; Law Firm

Mitchell & Bouton LLC 7 Mills Ave. Greenville, SC 29605

864-232-9330 www.danamitchelllaw.com dmitchell@danamitchelllaw.com

William I. Bouton, Dana C. Mitchell 1984

2 5

Appellate Law; Civil Law; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Torts Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Monahan & Co. LLC 201 E. Park Ave. Greenville, SC 29601

864-509-6304 www.monahanip.com office@monahanip.com

Timothy J. Monahan 2013

2 2

Commercial Law; Intellectual Property Law; Litigation Law

Pope Flynn LLC 350 E. St. John St. Spartanburg, SC 29302

803-354-4917 www.popeflynn.com gpope@popeflynn.com

Joe Lucas 2008

2 2

Construction Law; Public Finance Law

Richey and Richey Law Firm 33 Market Point Drive Greenville, SC 29607

864-467-0503 www.richeyandrichey.com lawfirm@richeyandrichey.com

Rodney W. Richey 1998

2 2

Civil Law; Criminal Law; Personal Injury Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Smith & Haskell Law Firm LLP 218 E. Henry St. Spartanburg, SC 29306

864-582-6727 www.smithandhaskell.com receptionist@smithandhaskell.com

Edwin C. Haskell, William McBee Smith 1926

2 7

Business Law; Civil Law; Construction Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Government Relations Law; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Torts Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Steve Sumner Attorneys at Law 112 Manly St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-235-3834 www.upstatedui.com jessica@stevesumnerlaw.com

Steve Sumner 1992

2 2

Criminal Law

Sturm & Cont P.A. 159 Hall St. Spartanburg, SC 29304

864-580-2020 www.carolinalaborlaw.net -

Kevin W. Sturm, Patrick L. Cont 2005

2 5

Government Relations Law; Immigration Law; Labor and Employment Law; Litigation Law; Torts Law

The Barbare Law Firm P.A. 120 Renaissance Circle, Suite 6 Mauldin, SC 29662

864-232-2700 www.barbarelawfirm.com erick@barbarelawfirm.com

Erick Matthew Barbare 1977

1 2

Commercial Law; Consumer Law; Corporate Law; Immigration Law; Litigation Law; Social Security Law; Torts Law; Workers' Compensation Law

The Boggs Law Firm LLC 1218 Laurens Road Greenville, SC 29607

864-233-8066 www.boggslawfirm.com cgb@boggslawfirm.com

Cameron G. ("Bozzie") Boggs 1999

1 7

Civil Law; Criminal Law; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Torts Law

C. Lewis Rasor Jr. 217 E. Park Ave. Greenville, SC 29601

864-907-3279 rasor@bellsouth.net

Charles Lewis Rasor 1987

1 1

Estate Planning/Probate Law; Family Law

Christine M. Howard 202 W. Stone Ave. Greenville, SC 29609

864-282-8575 www.christinehoward.com -

Christine M. Howard 1997

1 0

Family Law

Craig H. Allen P.A. 605 Pettigru St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-239-0444 www.craigallenlaw.com craig@craigallenlaw.com

Craig H. Allen 1999

1 2

Commercial Law; Construction Law; Litigation Law

Practice Areas

Researched by Business Report staff

IN FOCUS: LAW

April 5 - April 18, 2021

www.gsabusiness.com 19

Law Firms

Ranked by No. of Attorneys in the Greenville Area Company

Phone / Website / Email

Executive(s) / Year Founded

Attorneys / Total Employees

David Thomas Personal Injury Firm 23 Wade Hampton Blvd. Greenville, SC 29609

864-271-1707 www.davidthomaslawfirm.com jenny@davidthomaslawfirm.com

Jenny Kennedy, David L. Thomas 1989

1 3

Estate Planning/Probate Law; Personal Injury Law

Dickson Davis Law Firm LLC 310 Rutherford St. Greenville, SC 29609

864-729-3428 www.dicksondavislaw.com info@dicksondavislaw.com

Deborah Dickson Davis 2017

1 3

Business Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Law Firm; Personal Injury Law

Greene Law Firm P.A. 11 McGee St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-271-7940 www.greenelaw.legal david@davidgreeneattorney.com

David B. Greene 1992

1 5

Estate Planning/Probate Law; Tax Law

King Law Firm P.C. 405 Sutton Place Anderson, SC 29621

864-940-7984 www.jimmykinglawfirm.com jrk_klf@bellsouth.net

Jimmy R. King 1977

1 2

Civil Law; Government Relations Law; Personal Injury Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Law Office of W. Andrew Arnold P.C. 307 Pettigru St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-242-4800 www.aalawfirm.com -

Andy Arnold 1994

1 2

Business Law; Labor and Employment Law; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Torts Law

McQueen Law Firm 175 Alabama St. Spartanburg, SC 29302

864-585-5021 www.mcqueenlawfirm.com artm@mcqueenlawfirm.com

Arthur H. McQueen 1985

1 3

Corporate Law; Estate Planning/Probate Law; Litigation Law

Michael W. Barcroft P.C. 702 Laurens Road Greenville, SC 29607

864-242-0081 barcroftlaw@aol.com

Michael W. Barcroft 1996

1 2

Criminal Law; Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Torts Law; Workers' Compensation Law

Nathalie M. Morgan LLC 201 W. Stone Ave. Greenville, SC 29609

864-242-6655 www.nathaliemorgan.com info@nathaliemorgan.com

Nathalie M. Morgan 2006

1 7

Criminal Law; Family Law; Immigration Law

Thrive IP 220 N. Main St., Suite 500 Greenville, SC 29601

864-351-2468 www.thrive-ip.com information@thrive-ip.com

Ben Klosowski 2005

1 1

Intellectual Property Law; Law Firm

Fairey & Martin P.C. 213 Whitsett St. Greenville, SC 29601

864-235-9090 www.faireymartinlaw.com cfairey@faireymartinlaw.com

Catherine E. Fairey 1998

Appellate Law; Family Law; Litigation Law

Practice Areas

2021 | SOUTH CAROLINA

Researched by Business Report staff

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MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE AND EXPO

SAVE THE DATE NOV. 10 - NOV. 12

GREENVILLE CONVENTION CENTER GREENVILLE, SC

Join Manufacturing suppliers and innovators across all industry verticals at South Carolina’s most significant manufacturing event of the year. The 2019 conference held in Charleston, SC included: • • • •

2800+ attendees and 283 exhibitors from 14 different states. An exhibit floor the equivalent of three football fields. The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership conducted 16 training courses. The B2B Matchmaking event, coordinated by the SC Department of Commerce, gave select exhibitors the chance to individually meet with representatives from some of the state’s largest OEMs and 1st tier suppliers. • Economic Forecasts on the auto, tire and aerospace industries. • The annual Salute to Manufacturing Awards Luncheon, where 20 SC manufacturers were honored.

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BUSINESS DIGEST | PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Business Digest

for companies who achieve outstanding overall safety performance based on workers’ compensation policy loss ratio and workers’ compensation experience modification, among other factors. GreenWood has earned this award for 10 consecutive years.

Clothing boutique sets opening

Jenny Hall announced the opening of a clothing boutique for men and women called Harringtons in May at 6 W. Lewis Plaza along Augusta Road in Greenville. Harringtons is named after Hall’s daughter, Scout Harrington, and marks her first store following the launch of her fashion and lifestyle blog, as well as Vann & Liv, a children’s boutique also located on Augusta Road that she co-founded with her sisters. She partnered with Kent Barber to create the store.

Clothing store relocates to Verdae

Smith & James Men’s Clothing announced it is leaving the Shops of Greenridge on Woodruff Road and moving to a free-standing building at 777 Verdae Blvd., Greenville. The new store will be a two-level structure that includes 5,200 square feet of shopping space, a private tailored and custom clothing section and a lounge and bar.

Left to right: BASF’s Susan Giardina, Oconee Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Cortni Nations and KFC’s Kate Hicks. (Photo/Provided)

BASF treats medical workers

BASF employees delivered 125 meals from Kentucky Fried Chicken to employees at Prisma Health Oconee County Memorial Hospital as part of its effort to support health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

GreenWood recognized for safety

GreenWood Inc. announced that it received the McGriff Workplace Safety Excellence Award for achieving excellence in safety performance throughout the company. Issued by McGriff Insurance Services, the award is reserved

Dental office under construction

Cherry Orchard Dental Specialists broke ground on a new facility at 101 Halton Road in Greenville. The building will house Cherry Orchard Oral & Implant Surgery led by Dr. Brian Cherry and Cherry Orchard Pediatric Dentistry led by Dr. Lisa Cherry. The facility is scheduled for completion in the fall. Creative Builders is partnering with Cherry Orchard Dental Specialists to construct the facility.

Jersey Mike’s opens new restaurant

Jersey Mike’s Subs opened at 1550 E. Main St. in Duncan. The franchise is owned by A.F. and Jill Rodgers. The restaurant is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Guests can place takeout orders in-store or for pickup through the website or through the Jersey Mike’s app. Additionally, delivery is available in most areas through the Jersey Mike’s app or through third-party delivery partners. Curbside pickup is available for orders placed in Jersey Mike’s app.

Milliken named among most ethical

Milliken & Co. is included on the World’s Most Ethical Companies list curated by Ethisphere Institute, which works to advance ethical business practices. Milliken has made the list 15 consecutive years. The list includes 134 other companies from 22 countries and 47 industries.

UCB earns Greenwich awards

United Community Bank has been recognized with five Greenwich Excellence Awards for U.S. Small Business Banking for the year ended 2020. The awards are given annually by Greenwich Associates. a global provider of data and analytics to the financial services industry. This is the third consecutive year the bank has been recognized by Greenwich Associates for its strength in small business lending.

Clemson strategy curbs COVID-19 on campuses nationwide Staff Report

gsanews@scbiznews.com

hile COVID-19 cases may be on the decline, the virus is still prevalent nationwide, and higher education institutions are looking ahead to the next academic year. New research from Clemson University in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, one of the world’s premier peer-reviewed general medical journals, indicates how surveillance-based informative testing mitigates the spread of COVID-19 on campus, paving the way for other institutions, even those without the infrastructure or funding for massscale testing, according to a news release. Surveillance-based informative testing was implemented during the first two weeks of the fall semester at Clemson. According to the study, random surveillance testing to identify outbreaks in residence halls and with targeted follow-up testing was twice as likely to detect a positive case than random testing models. In the absence of surveillance testing, transmission models developed by the research team show COVID-19 cases would have increased by 154%, the news release said. The study is the first to document the implementation, results and relative effectiveness in detecting and containing COVID-19 outbreaks and mitigating university campuses’ spread, the release said. For most universities, voluntary testing was implemented, leaving many cases undetected and contributing to an increase of COVID19 on campuses and in their surrounding communities. The study’s research team played an integral role in the university’s ability to bring students back to campus in fall 2020, the release said. Toward the end of the semester, there was a precipitous decline in student cases, despite significant increases in the case counts in surrounding communities. Researchers credited the declines in large part to the public health strategies implemented. At the pinnacle of these strategies was an aggressive plan

to test as many students and employees as often as possible. By identifying active cases, the University was able to mitigate the virus’s community spread, thus reducing risk to students, faculty and the larger community, the release said. What Clemson faced was not unique — and it was not the only campus with a high number of reported cases. The difference was Clemson implemented a repetitive testing strategy for students and faculty regardless of symptoms or exposure. In doing so, positive cases were identified and removed from the population, thus limiting the virus’s spread both on-campus and in surrounding communities through isolation and quarantine procedures, the release said. Over the summer, the university’s public health team designed and built models demonstrating pre-semester testing would reduce the spread and minimize peak cases during the semester. Acting on these findings, the university mandated all students and faculty be tested before returning to face-to-face instruction. As a part of these efforts, nearly 3,000 COVID-19 cases were discovered, preventing the return of nearly 3,000 infected students and faculty, who could have unknowingly spread the virus to others. Infectivity is thought to be two to four people per confirmed case, the release said. As in-person instruction began, the university also began randomly testing 5% of the student body weekly. These surveillance efforts allowed for the identification of “hotspots” in both the on- and off-campus student body. Testing was then redirected to those hotspots. This combination of testing drove the COVID prevalence to below 1%. Since the initial testing efforts, Clemson’s positive rate dropped weekly — as did the population using isolation and quarantine accommodations, the release said. Beginning October 2020, the public health team implemented a weekly testing regimen, keeping disease prevalence down ever since.

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April 5 - April 18, 2021

www.gsabusiness.com 21

People in the News HEALTH CARE Bon Secours St. Francis announced that Dr. Surabhi Gaur has been named chief medical oﬃcer of the health system’s Greenville market. Dr. Gaur previously Gaur worked as chief medical oﬃcer of Uniontown Hospital in Pennsylvania. Interim HealthCare of the Upstate announced that Charles McDonough has been named CEO. He succeeds co-founder Charyl Schroeder, who will now serve as executive consultant. McDonough formerly worked as senior vice president at Graham Healthcare Group.

HOSPITALITY The American Society of Association Executives has announced that Nancye Bailey, president of NDB Association & Event Management, earned the Certified Association Executive designation. Auro Hotels named Baileigh Wilson as master mixologist and beverage director of AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville Downtown. She comes to Auro Hotels Wilson from Moxy/AC Hotel Atlanta Midtown, where she served as the director of restaurants and bars.

LAW

Sinclair

South Carolina.

Merline & Meacham P.A. announced that attorney Thomas G. Sinclair joined the firm. He is a certified specialist in the fields of both taxation law and estate planning and probate law by the Supreme Court of

A Business Law Firm LLC announced that Ra’na Heidari and Dena McCorry joined the firm. Heidari practices in international business law, cyber security and privacy law issues. McCorry joined the firm with a background in business information technology.

MANUFACTURING Tindall Corp. promoted Tim Welborn to

plant manager. He has more than 30 years of manufacturing, operations and human resource experience.

Welborn

Tindall Corp. promoted Chris Gibbs to director of marketing. Gibbs joined Tindall in 2019 as business development manager. Gibbs

NONPROFITS The Greenville Humane Society named Rachel Delport CEO and announced new members to its 2021 board of trustees. Delport has worked Delport at the Greenville Humane Society in various capacities for more than seven years, most recently as the Adoption Center operations manager. New members to the board are Henry Pellerin, president and CEO of VantagePoint Marketing; Karen Schwartz, vice president of performance management and support services at Bon Secours St. Francis Health System; Thomas Self, a principal at Elliott Davis; and Laura Turner, director of government and community relations for Prisma Health-Upstate. Healthy Learners named Aimee Clark community manager for its Healthy Learners Upstate program, which covers students in Greenwood County. Clark Clark most recently worked as program director at Generations Group Home for at-risk adolescent males. The South Carolina Planned Giving Council announced the addition of three new board members: Michelle Hardy, vice president for advancement at the Central Carolina Community Foundation; Benita Hopkins, associate vice chancellor for development and alumni relations at the University of South Carolina Upstate;

Richards named NAI Earle Furman global business director Staff Report

gsanews@scbiznews.com

AI Earle Furman has named Jason Richards global business director. In this newly created role, Richards will be responsible for helping all business lines across the firm’s six offices in the Carolinas to realize business growth opportunities throughout the region and beyond, according to a news release. He also will work to continue growth of the firm both organically and through acquisition. Richards, a 13-year veteran of the firm, first joined as vice president and was named chief operating oﬃcer in 2011 and a shareholder in 2016. The company has quadrupled in size and scope during his tenure, the news release said. “This is a perfect storm of opportunity, and we intend to make the most of it,” NAI Earle Furman CEO Jon Good said in the release. “We created this new position to match Jason’s skill set, and we believe that his creativity and connections will help elevate all aspects of our business. Our firm has grown profoundly in the last decade

from a localized brokerage and property management firm to a regional company with many new business lines, most notably our Appian Investment Funds. We want to continue that trajectory, and we believe that having Jason’s eye on the future will help us do that.” Richards also serves as vice chair of the NAI Global Leadership Board Richards and will assume the position of chair in 2021. “Jason has been very involved with the network from day one,” NAI Global President and CEO Jay Olshonsky said in the release. “I’ve always been impressed with his ability to see the big picture globally for commercial real estate, and I look forward to seeing how his new position enables him to create business across our international footprint in new and creative ways. There is none better at building those relationships than Jason.” As Richards transitions to his new role, a search is ongoing for a new COO.

and Daniel Prohaska of Lions Vision Services. Just Say Something announced two new members to its board of directors: Michaelle Lewis of Samsung Electronics America and Justin Hill of Bank of Travelers Rest.

REAL ESTATE

Crain

national Realty.

Tucker

Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty has added Realtor Kim Crain to the staff. She most recently worked for Handsome Properties in Charleston and then Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s InterColdwell Banker Caine hired Laine Tucker and Michael Byrnes as residential agents at its Greenville oﬃce. Tucker is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a degree in com-

munication. Byrnes worked in sales and hospitality management before transitioning to a career in real estate. Byrnes

Marchbanks

Johnson

Rosenfeld Realty Group hired Cindy Marchbanks. She has more than 30 years of experience in health care, management, marketing and real estate. Coldwell Banker Caine recently hired Shanna Johnson as a residential agent at its Greenville oﬃce. Coldwell Banker Caine also hired Darik Doornbos at its Greenville oﬃce. See PITN, Page 22

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April 5 - April 18, 2021

People in the News PITN from Page 21

Coldwell Banker Caine added Chase Poston as a residential agent at its Greenville oﬃce.

Poston

Schemansky

Malm

Bolt

three years.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner Realtors announced that Terrance Schemansky joined the company’s North Pleasantburg oﬃce as a sales associate. NAI Earle Furman added James Malm to its brokerage team in Greenville. Prior to joining NAI, Malm spent three years with Hughes Development Corp. working as a project manager. Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty added Brittney Kingsmore Bolt as an associate. Bolt was with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services C. Dan Joyner Realtors for almost

Allen Tate Cos. named Jessica Wilson branch leader of the company’s oﬃce at 117 Batesville Road in Simpsonville. Wilson joined Allen Tate in February 2019 Wilson as branch leader of the company’s Easley-Powdersville oﬃce.

Stewart

Cynthia Stewart joined Goman and York Property Advisors as senior vice president and managing director of public policy and community development.

Croxton

Coldwell Banker Commercial Caine hired Harry Croxton as a commercial broker. He has been in the commercial real estate business for nearly 25 years.

Cushman & Wakefield Thalhimer hired Chasity D. Robinson as an assistant portfolio manager with its commercial property services group. She has more than 10 Robinson years of experience in the property management field and previously worked for Southwood Realty.

Thomason

ing firm.

Cole

Coldwell Banker Caine hired Erica Womack as a residential agent at its Greenville oﬃce.

Womack

TECHNOLOGY

Mitchell

Heather Mitchell has been hired as the account manager for business applications at Kopis. Mitchell previously worked in business development at Synnex.

recently worked at Stronghill Capital as director of commercial lending. Frazee previously worked with Finance of America Commercial as a field market specialist. Whiteside was a broker consultant at Lima One Capital before being promoted to business development representative.

Fuel hired Beth Thomason as public relations director. Thomason’s career spans nearly 30 years, and she most recently operated an independent public relations and marketing communications consult-

United Community Bank hired Christopher M. Towery as deputy general counsel. Towery comes to United from Womble Bond Dickinson, where he was made partner in 2020.

Bolton

Coldwell Banker Caine hired Charlianne Nestlen as a residential agent at its Spartanburg oﬃce.

Nestlen

recently worked at the Biltmore Co. as a web and app developer. Bolton previously worked as an intern with the agency.

Infinity Marketing hired Robin Cole as senior director of integrated services. Cole most recently worked as vice president of regional customer and field operations at Charter Communications.

ARCHITECTURE McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture hired Benjamin Ward as an architect and project manager in its health care studio. Ward is a U.S. Green Building Ward Council LEED-accredited and Evidenced-Based Design-accredited professional.

Hartness named Lee Humrickhouse director of Hartness Construction and Madison Lindsay-Smith project coordinator. Humrickhouse most recently owned Humrickhouse Signature Homes. Lindsay-Smith also comes to Hartness Construction from Humrickhouse Signature Homes.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ness Council. DePalma

Whiteside

Frazee

Lima One Capital added John DePalma and Kelly Frazee to its business development team and promoted Tommy Whiteside to the group. DePalma most

United Community Bank hired Francie Staub as chief marketing oﬃcer. Staub joins United from Capital One, where she headed brand marketing for U.S. credit cards.

CONSTRUCTION

Tate

ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PR Infinity Marketing hired Chase Martin as lead front end developer and Jonathan Bolton as media coordinator. Martin most

Staub

BANKING & FINANCE

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS Logisticus Group promoted Travis Richardson to operations director to manage projects across the country. He has been with the company nearly seven years.

Towery

The Upstate SC Alliance promoted Tiffany Tate to talent and strategic projects manager. Tate supports the alliance’s talent recruitment and workforce initiatives and coordinates the Global Competitive-

ENGINEERING

Taylor

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KTM Solutions hired Clay Taylor as a senior technical designer. Taylor is an experienced mechanical designer with more than 30 years of experience in tooling and fixture design.

Viewpoint

VIEWS, PERSPECTIVES AND READERS’ LETTERS

Blueprint exists for expanding broadband across S.C.

s the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the migration of public instruction and areas of commerce online, it has also highlighted the digital divide between those who do and don’t have reliable high-speed internet. Currently, about 18.3 million Americans, many in rural areas, lack access to high-speed internet. The Federal Communications Commission estimates that 650,000 South Carolinians don’t have access to broadband internet, including more than 552,000 who live in rural areas. According to BroadbandNow, the Palmetto State ranks 31st in the nation in terms of broadband access. Having high-qualKIMBERLY ity, affordable ESTEP broadband unlocks access to remote and improved education, commerce, telework, telehealth, community resources and more. Infusions of capital — such as the recent $155 million allocation from the FCC to expand broadband access in South Carolina over the next 10 years — will certainly help. Additionally, free internet hotspots and programs like Western Governors University’s Online Access Scholarships, which covers the cost of installing and accessing the internet, can benefit select families and students. However, a more extensive and coordinated effort is needed. Recognizing the multiple benefits of connectivity, governors across the country are implementing a range of policies and solutions to expand access and increase affordability. The National Governors Association recently released a white paper titled “Governor Strategies to Expand Affordable Broadband Access” that recommends nine key strategies and best practices. Establish robust, cross-cutting governance structures: Every state governs, creates, or communicates broadband policy through either a dedicated broadband oﬃce or designated staff within other agencies. South Carolina’s Oﬃce of Regulatory Staff has been tasked with providing internet connections to needy residents during the pandemic. Initiate partnerships with other state agencies, local and county governments, and other entities to kickstart broadband investments: Gover-

Photo/file

nors and state broadband leads can use grant programs and partnerships with state agencies, anchor institutions, the private sector, local government, educators, and community organizations to connect their states and leverage relationships, resources, and expertise to overcome obstacles. Leverage anchor institutions to provide rapid community internet service: Historically, community anchor institutions such as schools, libraries, medical facilities and government buildings, have served as critical connection points for last-mile fiber development to communities. South Carolina’s Department of Education has procured additional mobile hotspots, deployed hundreds of internet-equipped school buses to communities, and directed school districts to identify students who lack access, including providing internet access for 100,000 households under the federal poverty line. Leverage existing infrastructure projects with dig-once coordination: States have cut broadband-infrastructure deployment costs by enhancing agency coordination and coordination with stakeholders in the planning, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure assets. This “dig-once” strategy takes advantage of existing construction or repair of roads or water pipes to simultaneously install conduit or run fiber at a lower cost. Leverage electric utilities’ infrastructure and services to facilitate deployments of broadband networks:

Governors can work with broadband service providers and utilities, including investor-owned utilities and rural electric cooperatives, through public-private partnerships and grant programs to extend broadband coverage by using existing infrastructure backbones and rights-of-way, leasing capacity to other providers and reaching unserved rural-cooperative customer bases. Last September, South Carolina lawmakers passed legislation allowing electric co-ops to lease out space on existing power poles to broadband providers. Coordinate and expand broadband affordability programs: Beyond monthly service rates, factors contributing to broadband internet affordability can also include contract length, activation or installation fees, and equipment costs. Many internet service providers have enacted new or improved low-cost service options for low-income households, those recently unemployed, or essential workers. Deploy innovative procurement strategies: States are interested in shortening the purchasing process, building partnerships with suppliers, and keeping costs down. Strategies to streamline the procurement processes can include cooperative purchasing, umbrella contracts, and bulk purchasing agreements. Improve broadband data and coverage maps: The collection of data on current broadband availability and service speeds is critical in prioritizing expansion efforts. This data is currently

collected and mapped by the FCC, but the agency acknowledges that the data it collects twice per year is imperfect. To create a more accurate representation of the level of broadband service being provided, states have developed alternative mapping strategies that provide more granular data. Identify funding and financing sources for broadband deployment: Many states have dedicated state funding mechanisms to address middle-mile and last-mile broadband expansion. These are often supplemented by federal programs that offer grants to states, municipalities, and other entities to accelerate broadband deployment. South Carolina has allocated $50 million of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding to broadband expansion. The key strategies and best practices put forth in the NGA’s white paper form a valid blueprint for expanding affordable broadband access. To read the full white paper, visit www.nga.org/ center/publications/expand-affordable-broadband. Kimberly Estep is the vice president, Southeast Region, for Western Governors University.

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LEADING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE STATE The University of South Carolina has never been more resolved to transform the lives of the people of South Carolina, the nation and the world. Our eight-institution system is now estimated to deliver $6.2 billion in economic impact to the state’s economy, making the university a major contributor to our growing job market and an essential part of our future economic prosperity.

LOCAL JOB MARKET

The University of South Carolina contributes $2.6 billion towards personal income and supports a total of 63,689 jobs statewide. Upcoming university construction projects like campus village and the public health campus are expected to further boost jobs in the Midlands.

FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH

The university will continue to be a key driver in future economic growth for the state. The university’s focus on producing highly skilled graduates in competitive fields, coupled with its efforts to attract new, private research partners to the state, will continue to boost growth going forward.

STATEWIDE IMPACT

The total impact of UofSC’s eight-institution system is estimated at approximately $6.2 billion annually, which is defined by the annual amount of goods and services associated with the university. What’s more, the system as a whole supports a total of 63,689 jobs and returns more than $202 million in annual tax revenue back to the state.

Based on a new study by the researchers at UofSC’s Darla Moore School of Business, the university has a significant impact on South Carolina and is one of the largest economic drivers in our state. We fuel innovation by aligning research with business, help to create a thriving marketplace and educate and train tomorrow’s workforce. All of these actions and more help to improve the lives of South Carolinians and further support our drive to be the nation’s preeminent flagship university.

GO.SC.EDU/ECONOMICIMPACT