2013 Jan-Feb South Carolina Business

January/February 2013 Vol. 34 No.1

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THE POWER OF A TEAM 2013 Competitiveness Agenda Post-election: What Employers Can Expect Top Economic Development Announcements of 2012 Drive For Dollars

Health care is changing.

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oncologists to innovate new payment structures for common cancer treatments. This evidenced-based pathway approach for colon and lung cancer not only lowers the cost of drugs for our patients, it also helps to improve their quality of care. It matters how you’re treated. And we’re working to make health care better for you and everyone else in the state.

See what your physician has to say about the future of our health care by visiting

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Evidence-Based Treatment

With the Oncology Pathways Program, we’re putting patients first by collaborating with

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By collaborating with your doctors, we’re providing a path toward healthy living for all South Carolinians.

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And it’s for the better.

Because it matters how you’re treated.

Copyright © 2012, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. All rights reserved.

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

TRANSFORMING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LANDSCAPE ®

LEFT TO RIGHT: Robert S. Galloway; Jeremy L. Cook; Carlisle Roberts, Jr.; Benjamin T. Zeigler; Tigerron A. Wells; Kathleen C. McKinney; Kimberly Witherspoon; William R. Johnson; Edward G. Kluiters; Julie O. Medich; Frank T. Davis; Gary W. Morris

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd’s team of economic development attorneys are proud to work with the state and our partners in spurring job creation and investment in South Carolina.

WE FEEL THAT SOUTH CAROLINA IS JUST RIGHT FOR BUSINESS.

WWW.HSBLAWFIRM.COM

CHARLESTON

COLUMBIA

FLORENCE

GREENVILLE

MYRTLE BEACH

WASHINGTON, DC

Edward G. Kluiters, 1201 Main Street, 22nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201 803.540.7955 ekluiters@hsblawfirm.com

contents F E A T U R E S

2013 Competitiveness Agenda......................... 10

by Katie King Schanz

Top economic development announcements of 2012.................................... 15

by Bobby Hitt

January/February 2013 Volume 34, Number 1

South Carolina Chamber of Commerce 1301 Gervais Street, Suite 1100 Columbia, South Carolina 29201 800.799.4601 www . scchamber . net

M P resident & C hief E xecutive O fficer

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The power of a team........................................ 16 by1000 Jean Cecil Frick

V ice P resident of P ublic P olicy & C ommunications

Drive 750 for dollars............................................. 20

by Dana Todd

OTIS RAWL

DARRELL SCOTT A ssociate V ice P resident of C ommunications

500

JULIE SCOTT

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Streit USA Armoring outfitting vehicles for the world.................................................. 22

15 Red Ventures Lancaster County

WNS Richland County

by Jean Cecil Frick

Ross Stores York County

M ulti M edia C oordinator JEAN CECIL FRICK G raphics & W eb A dministrator BOBBY BAKER

Michelin North America Anderson & Lexington Counties

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ECONOMIC DRIVERS Kids drive our future • Jamie Moon and Dick Wilkerson................................5

SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS MAGAZINE

30 years of delivering student inspiration • Robbie Barnett......................5

E ditor JEAN CECIL FRICK

Inland port will drive economic growth • David Cordeau.........................6

A rt D irection & D esign TIM MCKEEVER / TMCA INC.

Export assistance offered to the Upstate • Julie Scott.............................6

P roduction & P rint C oordination TMCA INC.

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Post Election: What employers can expect in 2013 and beyond • Michael Carrouth...................................................................................7

D E PA RT M E N T S

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Message from the Chairman......................3 Mike Brenan Message from the President.......................3 Otis Rawl

A dvertising S ales CONVERGING MEDIA LLC DEIDRE MACKLEN 803.318.3923

After the Event 2012 South Carolina Manufacturer of the Year Awards Luncheon.................. 27 2012 Best Places to Work in S.C.............. 28 Members News.......................................... 30

Business Briefs..............................................4 Welcome, New Members......................... 31 After the Event 33rd Annual Summit............................... 24 8th Annual Excellence in Workplace

Diversity Awards.................................. 26

Advertiser Index........................................ 32

STATE CHAMBER with Distinction

The opinions and views expressed by the contributors to this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, its staff or members.

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Copyright © 2013 by Converging Media LLC and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. All foreign and U.S. rights reserved. Contents of this publication, including images, may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. Published for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce by Converging Media LLC. 803.256.3010

Infrastructure investment will drive economic growth B y M ike B renan

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very day, each of us strives to make South Carolina a better place to live, work and raise our families.

I am honored to help do my part in transforming South Carolina by serving as chairman of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce this year.

Working with other chambers across the state, we have outlined a Competitiveness Agenda that will help move South Carolina forward. In this edition of South Carolina Business, you will learn more about the Chamber’s 2013 Competitiveness Agenda.

At the heart of this Agenda is the need to improve the state’s infrastructure. Increasing investment in the state’s roads and bridges, specifically prioritizing expansion of Interstates 26, 85 and 95 as well as secondary road maintenance will drive economic growth and job creation.

Any of us who do business on our state’s roads know firsthand the needs related to infrastructure.

South Carolina’s population has increased by more than one million over the last two decades. Additionally,

port volumes are expected to double to more than two million containers a year by 2025. At the same time, our tourism economy continues to expand with more visitors traveling to the Palmetto State each year adding to our coffers. All of this is wonderful news for South Carolinians; however, we continue to put off improvements to our state’s infrastructure.

South Carolina’s infrastructure has not seen a dedicated revenue increase since 1987. While we spend an average of $15,000 per mile on our roads, Georgia spends $35,000 per mile, and North Carolina spends more than $150,000. With other states focused on financing infrastructure to drive economic development, South Carolina policy makers must make infrastructure financing the top priority in 2013. Let’s stay competitive with other states in bringing in new economic development.

I look forward to working with you and other business leaders to help make the Palmetto State the best place to do business.

Mike Brenan is president of BB&T South Carolina and chairman of the 2012-2013 South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Your voice is heard B y O tis R awl

SANDY ANDREWS / BRENAN BY BB&T

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embers of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and local area chambers of commerce across the state are prepared for a successful 2013 legislative session. During the final months of 2012, the South Carolina Chamber traveled the state to hear from hundreds of employers, like you, about the biggest issues impacting the state’s businesses.

Through regional grassroots meetings, your voice was heard and Chamber staff was proud to present the South Carolina Chamber Board of Directors with a list of the most pressing concerns from businesses in the Palmetto State. With approval from the Chamber’s Board, these issues are presented in the 2013 Competitiveness Agenda and will drive our efforts at the State House this year.

We look forward to continuing to educate lawmakers on our top priorities, including the importance of investing in infrastructure and improving workforce development. In order to remain competitive with surrounding states, we must invest in our roads and bridges, and we must transform education, beginning with a focused plan on early childhood education.

Rest assured, the Chamber will make your voice heard at the State House, but you may be wondering how you can do your part as well.

You can start by spreading the word. Look over the issues found in our 2013 Competitiveness Agenda on page 10 and talk to your employees, write an article or share information with other business leaders about our top concerns.

Additionally, take a stand and communicate with your state and local policy makers about why these issues are important to you and your business.

Finally, join our grassroots network so you can stay up-to-date on these issues and more with regular reports on legislative and regulatory activities. Be the first to hear about how you can make your voice heard. Visit www. scchamber.net.

With a strong, united voice for businesses, we can make a difference in South Carolina!

Otis Rawl is president and chief executive officer of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

s c c h a m b e r. n e t | J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3 | S o u t h C a r o l i n a B u s i n e ss |

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BMW Manufacturing receives Exporter of the Year Award

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he National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (NAFTZ) recognized BMW Manufacturing Co. as its Exporter of the Year. In addition, NAFTZ recognized BMW as the recipient of its Export Achievement Award for being the member that showed the most improvement in value.

BMW’s plant in South Carolina has steadily increased its export activity. According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, based on the 2011 value of BMW exports from South Carolina, the company’s Spartanburg facility is the largest automotive exporter from the U.S. BMW’s plant in Spartanburg currently produces over 1,000 vehicles each day and is the exclusive exporter of X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and the X6 Sports Activity Coupe through the Port of Charleston. During 2012, the plant was projected to produce more than 300,000 vehicles and export approximately 70 percent of those vehicles to more than 130 global markets.

Hospitality Association gets new leader and name

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he South Carolina Hospitality Association announced that John Durst, former director of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, is the new president and CEO of the organization, whose membership is comprised of restaurant and hotel owners and operators. The association, founded in 1993, also announced that it has changed its name to the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Durst, who served as the state’s top tourism official in Governor Jim Hodges’ administration, took over as head of the state’s most prominent tourism trade group in November. His background is in communications and marketing, most recently running the South Carolina office for Carolina Public Relations and Marketing based in Charlotte.

“We were flooded with interest in this position for one of the highest-profile associations in the state,” said Rick Erwin, a Greenville restaurant owner and immediate past association chairman. “But the executive committee and our board quickly came to the conclusion that John’s management skills, coupled with his marketing background, reputation, credibility and passion for our industry, were exactly what we needed to position us for the future.”

John Durst

AFL’s community outreach program supports Dream !t Do !t® South Carolina

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Pictured left to right during the presentation are Susanne Hite, director of marketing communications, AFL, Stuart Smith, president of Stuart Smith & Co. and the co-chairman of the Regional Education Center Boards of South Carolina, Cherie B. Pressley, director, Upstate Regional Education Center, Corie Culp, public relations and community relations manager, AFL and Steve Althoff, executive vice president, AFL.

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FL’s Community Advisory Board presented a $5,000 grant to Dream !t Do !t South Carolina (DIDI SC) to commemorate Governor Nikki Haley’s visit to AFL and in celebration of its recent expansion and investment in Spartanburg.

AFL is giving back to the manufacturing community by supporting DIDI SC, an organization that supports advanced manufacturing careers. The grant specifically funds “Education and Economic Development 101” where educators learn more about how the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curricula apply in industry.

“As a successful manufacturer headquartered in Spartanburg, we are grateful for the opportunities our community has provided us over the past 28 years. AFL manufactures technologically advanced fiber optic products for multiple markets and the opportunities that lie before us are abundant. We continuously seek qualified applicants with advanced skills and talent. Supporting Dream !t Do !t SC is one way we can give back to help all manufacturers in the state who have the same need we do—associates who possess these technical skills and have a passion to be a part of a manufacturing career,” said Corie Culp, community relations manager for AFL. Cherie Pressley, director, Upstate Regional Education Center, and Stuart Smith, board chair, Upstate Regional Education Center, accepted the check on behalf of the South Carolina Business Center for Excellence in Education Foundation, of which Dream !t Do !t SC resides.

B y J amie M oon and D ick W ilkerson

JOHN VON CASPEL

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he future of our state is inextricably tied to how we work to foster the health, well-being and education of the next generation of South Carolinians: kids drive our future.

Abundant evidence has shown that quality early childhood investments generate enormous long-term benefits for children as they grow to become productive adults for our economy and for society. There is a strong business case to be made that investing in early childhood will pay high dividends in the future.

These businesses in South Carolina have made commitments to early childhood and to our state’s future prosperity: Boeing South Carolina supports Reach Out and Read, a program that prepares young children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. Reach Out and Read doctors send families home from checkups with a very important prescription – “read aloud to your children.” At regular pediatric checkups, doctors give every child six months through five years old a new, developmentally-appropriate children’s book to take home and enjoy. Currently, Reach Out and Read has 113 programs across South Carolina that serve more than 115,000 children annually.

Lexington Medical Center has partnered with Lexington County First Steps to create a program called From Day One to Grade One. This program

provides all new mothers delivering a baby at Lexington Medical Center with a “baby bag,” a bag filled with informational materials about how to care for newborns, as well as a list of available resources for new parents who may otherwise not be aware of community services available to them.

In Darlington and Chesterfield counties, Pee Dee Electric Cooperative and Bi-Lo Charities have supported First Steps’ summer home visitation program, Countdown to Kindergarten. Countdown to Kindergarten serves at-risk children and their families and utilizes home visitation to assist parents with their children’s school readiness. The program has been utilized effectively to improve the quality of parent-child learning interactions, increase parents’ involvement in their children’s education, and introduce parents to educational resources in their communities.

Greenville Hospital System (GHS) has built a child development center which supports employees with young children. This childcare center serves children of GHS employees and physicians and offers quality child care and early education programs Monday through Friday for children ranging in age from six weeks to five years. The center’s close proximity to GHS’s main facilities provides a convenient location and allows parents to visit their children during the day.

Dollar General, through a community grants program, assists local organizations in Laurens County in an effort to promote school readiness. Grant funding in this case supports a Family Literacy Program that offers adult education, child care services, and parenting resources in partnerships with Laurens County School District.

For more information on how you can help create a business environment that enhances early childhood development, visit www.kidsdriveourfuture.com. We can all help build a competitive future workforce in South Carolina, and the time to act is now. Our kids’ future depends on us.

ECONOMIC DRIVERS

Kids drive our future

Jamie Moon is the executive director for the Institute for Child Success and Dick Wilkerson is the retired chairman and president of Michelin, N.A. and a member of the board of directors for the Institute for Child Success.

30 years of delivering student inspiration B y R obbie B arnett

”Business Week–the ideal program for students who could become tomorrow’s business leaders.”

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hat’s how South Carolina Governor Richard W. Riley described the first South Carolina Business Week at a 1984 press conference. Thirty years later, the statement still holds true.

For the inaugural Business Week, more than 200 students from over 100 high schools around the state converged on the campus of Presbyterian College in Clinton and began a week-long intensive practical study of the American free enterprise system. Since then, more than 5,700 students have attended the program and business support has never wavered with over 500 leaders donating a week of their time and financial contributions exceeding $2.1 million.

Business Week has grown to become one of the premier summer youth programs in South Carolina with a select group of 200 high school juniors and seniors getting a sneak peek at the business world that awaits them after college. The program provides a crash course in running a business and gives those who are planning to go to college a chance to spend time on a college campus. It also facilitates partnerships among people who might have never met but will likely meet again in the business world.

Devin Tiernan, a 2009 Business Week graduate,

said, “During Business Week, I acquired more leadership skills, as well as tips on how to develop myself as a leader in the business world. This experience provided me with a solid background in the business world because I furthered my knowledge of both entrepreneurship and the American free enterprise system.”

The annual event could not be held without the tremendous support of the business community.

Management-level men and women are “loaned” by some of South Carolina’s most prestigious businesses to serve as Company Advisors (CA). CAs are truly the backbone of the South Carolina Business Week experience.

As one 2012 Business Week parent, Tom Gulya, said, “I just wanted to thank you for your dedication to our S.C. youth. I was glad that Katelynn’s CA encouraged her to take leadership responsibility as CEO of her company. I think Business Week contributed to her growth and confidence.”

Each CA works with 12-15 students and guides them through a computerized business simulation to start-up and run a small business, even learning how to make tough decisions. The advisors find themselves cast in many roles, including teacher, coach, mentor, disciplinarian and friend. The two longest serving CAs are Matthew Capelli from Michelin and Bill Harmon from Colonial Life who have each volunteered for 13 years.

Along with an emphasis on teamwork and leadership skills, Business Week included programs on entrepreneurship, ethics, leadership and diversity.

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is proud of its involvement with this impactful program.

The Business Week 30th Anniversary event will be held July 14-19, 2013 at Presbyterian College. Visit www. scbusinessweek.com for more information on how you can help keep this invaluable youth program in place for the next 30 years.

Robbie Barnett is associate vice president of workforce, education and manufacturing policy at the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

s c c h a m b e r. n e t | J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3 | S o u t h C a r o l i n a B u s i n e ss |

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B y D avid C ordeau

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he South Carolina Ports Authority and Norfolk Southern recently announced plans to construct a $30 million Inland Port in the city of Greer in Spartanburg County. The new facility will be owned and operated by the Ports Authority and is scheduled to open in September 2013, offering customers daily rail service to the Port of Charleston. One immediate benefactor of the new Inland Port will be nearby neighbor, BMW Manufacturing Co. BMW continues to invest in their Spartanburg County manufacturing facility with the latest announcement coming in 2012 in the form of a $900 million expansion and creation of 300 new jobs to facilitate the production of the new BMW X4.

The Inland Port presents an opportunity for companies who are either importing or exporting goods through the Port of Charleston. By locating a manufacturing or distribution facility in close proximity to the Inland Port, companies now have the added advantage of same day sea port service in addition to the already present freight corridors of Interstates 85 and 26, which provide North/South and East/West access to the East Coast. The Upstate of South Carolina provides easy access to a large and growing consumer base with 6.5 million people located in a 100 mile radius, 22.7 million people within a 250 mile radius and 94.2 million people within a 500 mile radius.

Spartanburg County has long been a location of choice for companies who wish to locate in a community that understands and appreciates the nuances required by both manufacturers and distributors. Recent investments by Amazon (1 million sq. ft.), adidas Group (2.1 million sq. ft.) and Timken (300,000 sq. ft.) from a distribution standpoint and Draexlmaier, BMW, and SEW Eurodrive The new Inland Port will offer customers daily rail service to the Port of from manufacturing, are Charleston. examples of companies making great investments in Spartanburg. Because new South Carolina Inland Port. Industrial sites, ranging of the pro-business environment in South Carolina, in size from five to 1,300 acres, are available within 15 Spartanburg County has enjoyed great success in an miles of the facility. otherwise unstable national economy, averaging over $8 million of capital investment and the creation of over David Cordeau is the president and CEO of the 20 new jobs every week over the last three years.

Economics Future Group and the Spartanburg Area Spartanburg County stands prepared to assist any Chamber of Commerce. company who wishes to be in close proximity to the

Export assistance offered to the Upstate B y J ulie S cott

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or many businesses, it is a dream to have a team ready to complete vast market research, create appealing logos and facilitate matchmaking with other companies. ECI-Find New Markets, a nonprofit partnership with a public focus on expanding South Carolina’s economy, is offering assistance to companies in six Upstate counties interested in developing first-time or new export opportunities.

A grant provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and South Carolina Department of Commerce allows ECI to help up to 12 companies per year identify new markets through its research capabilities at no cost to the companies. The grant applies to existing companies in six counties in the ARC region – Cherokee, Spartanburg, Greenville, Pickens, Anderson and Oconee.

“The Appalachian Regional Commission has created a tremendous opportunity to help existing industries and businesses in the Upstate identify new international markets or explore export opportunities for the first time,” said Fred Monk, president of ECIFind New Markets.

ECI is recruiting and training 36 small companies over a three-year period within the ARC region to begin or expand exporting and support trade missions and trade activities on the state and federal

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level. The grant is in its second year. ECI will focus on export trade opportunities within the automotive and aerospace industry, the forest products industry and Trade Winds Business Forum, which helps small U.S. businesses seek out new market opportunities to successfully grow export sales through the U.S. Commerce Service. However, the grants are not limited to those sectors and are open to any existing industry that qualifies for the trade assistance.

Cherod Webber’s company, Innovative Global Supply (IGS), has been working with ECI since 2008. The Greenville based exporter of vitamins, supplements and fortified foods has found the tools offered in the ARC grant to be immense.

“In our case with the ARC grant, we were able to coordinate our travel to East Africa, and they provided us with market research. The ARC has enabled us access, and we are now able to ship products there. There is no better way to help small companies than a grant like this,” said Webber.

In addition to export assistance, ECI will underwrite fees for companies to use the U.S. Department of Commerce’s international matchmaking service, known as the Gold Key Service, as well as offer reduced registration fees for certain trade shows.

“The Department of Commerce’s Gold Key

Service is essentially a matchmaking service for American businesses with companies abroad. It is a great way to find pre-qualified potential customers for your business,” said Webber.

ECI’s partner organizations include the S.C. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service, South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership, South Carolina Forestry Association, New Carolina and the Small Business Development Centers to help identify and prescreen firms that have a strong desire to expand into new markets.

“The outcome of this grant is to stimulate the local economy and create, or in some cases, save jobs,” said Monk. “These activities have achieved significant success in recent years.”

For more information, contact Fred Monk at 803-255-2623 or Mary Sparrow at 803-777-4432, or visit ECI’s website at www.findnewmarkets.com Julie Scott is associate vice president of communications at the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

TMCA STOCK

ECONOMIC DRIVERS

Inland port will drive economic growth

B y M ichael C arrouth

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ince the November elections, a lot of attention has been paid to taxes and the looming “fiscal cliff.”

While these are certainly important issues to all Americans, employers should expect to see a number of changes regarding workplace management and employee relations as a result of the recent elections.

Employers need to understand these changes and plan accordingly.

Regulations over legislation: Because the November elections did not change the Democratic control over the U.S. Senate and the Republican control over the U.S. House of Representatives, employers should not face significant legislative changes regarding employment or labor matters. Instead, employers can expect to see the continued use of administrative actions, administrative decisions and aggressive rulemaking to impact a wide array of labor and employment issues.

M . G . K AYA

Labor relations: Like 2008, organized labor’s influence had a significant impact on the results of the 2012 election. Because organized labor will expect to be repaid for this effort, employers can expect federal agencies to try and reverse the decline in unionization by making it easier for unions to win organizing drives and recruit new members.

Even before the 2012 election, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) engaged in unprecedented, rulemaking efforts to shorten the time it takes to complete a union election and by imposing a notice posting requirement on non-union employers. While these actions are facing legal challenges, employers can expect a renewed effort to push through these and other rule changes.

Employers should also expect the NLRB to continue an increased focus on scrutinizing handbooks, policies and procedures that can provide unions with access to enhanced remedies for unfair labor practice charges.

Because the NLRB has already initiated an effort to educate employees on how they can use protected, concerted activities (i.e. walkouts) to support organizing efforts, decisions expanding these rights and further limiting an employer’s ability to respond are likely. At the same time, more aggressive administrative action is expected from the NLRB. The Department of Labor (DOL) will also move forward with its efforts to narrow the “advice exemption” recognized in Section 203(c) of the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), making it difficult for employers to utilize legal counsel to lawfully oppose union organizing efforts.

Equal employment: Employers should expect continued aggressive administrative actions from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The EEOC has already identified a number of priorities that are part of its “strategic enforcement plan.”

These priorities include eliminating systemic barriers

in recruitment and hiring (screening tools and credit checks); protecting immigrant, migrant and other vulnerable workers (discriminatory language policies); expanding discrimination protection to gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender individuals; and focusing on pregnancy, age and disability discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

From a practical standpoint, this focus on “strategic enforcement” will result in more aggressive investigatory tactics, closer scrutiny of employer position statements and an increased demand for onsite inspections.

ECONOMIC DRIVERS

Post-election: What employers can expect in 2013 and beyond

Wage and hour: In addition to an overall more aggressive enforcement of wage and hour laws, the DOL will use its administrative authority to increase the likelihood that employer violations are identified and employers are subject to increased penalties. For example, the DOL is expected to propose a rule requiring employers to give notice regarding how pay is computed and perform a classification analysis for each worker excluded from coverage under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The DOL is also expected to publish a final rule revising the FLSA’s companionship and live-in worker regulations. At the same time that these rules and regulations are expanded, the DOL will likely increase demands for liquidated damages, seek greater civil money penalties and emphasize litigation over settlement.

Health care reform: At least for the next four years, employers will need to take steps to address their obligations under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). While 2014 appears to be the critical year regarding implementation of the ACA, the federal agencies involved in managing this legislation are expected to issue numerous regulations regarding such matters as defining the “essential benefits” that qualified health plans must provide, defining “minimum value” for purposes of the employer pay-or-play penalty, and identifying the criteria used to classify a worker as “full-time.” While such regulations will clarify employer obligations, it is also clear that employers will need to take sufficient steps to understand and comply with these new regulations.

business and will be every bit as difficult to manage as new legislation. For that reason, employers can put themselves in a better position to avoid or limit future labor and employment issues by carefully evaluating expected administrative challenges and ensuring that their organization is prepared.

Mike Carrouth is a certified labor and employment specialist and partner in the Columbia office of Fisher & Phillips LLP, a national labor and employment law firm representing management exclusively.

Employers need to prepare now: The results of the November 2012 elections indicate that employers are unlikely to face new legislation challenges. However, recent history shows that aggressive administrative rulemaking and enforcement will be part of doing s c c h a m b e r. n e t | J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3 | S o u t h C a r o l i n a B u s i n e ss |

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The Aiken and Edgefield County area is a modern community of cutting-edge manufacturing, world-changing research and development, all the while being a part of the quintessential Southern experience.

• A leader in chemicals, plastics, automotive technology and hydrogen technology • A stable, quality workforce with advanced manufacturing skills • Major highways, rail lines, air service and port access • Small-town atmosphere with proximity to big-city amenities

For more information, contact: Will Williams, Director wwilliams@edpsc.org

P.O. Box 1708 Aiken, SC 29802 Phone: 803.641.3300 Fax: 803.641.3369 www.edpsc.org

You see a small town…

We see a lively downtown district where local shops and businesses thrive and residents gather to live, work and play. South Carolina’s small towns are a critical part of our state’s economic engine that attracts industry and creates jobs. www.CitiesMeanBusiness.org

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10/8/2012 9:52:16 AM

We don’t just talk about Southern hospitality.

We practice it.

Being a good neighbor is a tradition with us. We’ve been by your side for more than 100 years, providing reliable, low-cost power and helping your community prosper.

We also share a stake in your future. Whether it’s helping new businesses get started, showing customers how to save energy or supporting community causes, you can count on us.

www.duke-energy.com

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Competitiveness Agenda B y K atie K ing S chanz

ith the dust settled on the 2012 state and federal elections, it’s time to get down to business on priorities to make South Carolina a more competitive place to do business.

After 10 grassroots meetings this past summer with hundreds of business leaders and in conjunction with local chambers of commerce, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce has released the 2013 Competitiveness Agenda. The Competitiveness Agenda is the business community’s annual list of legislative priorities. Each of the solutions presented in the Competitiveness Agenda provide a clear path to improving the state’s business climate, thus increasing prosperity for all South Carolinians.

The 2013 Competitiveness Agenda outlines a strategy to address infrastructure improvements, workforce development, comprehensive tax reform, energy and environment issues, health care and economic development.

South Carolina has not had a dedicated funding increase to maintain and expand roads and bridges since 1987.

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here is no more prevalent issue facing South Carolina than the state of its infrastructure. The statistics are staggering: nearly one-third of South Carolina’s primary and interstate highways are in poor or mediocre condition, half of secondary roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and one out of every five bridges in the state is considered deficient. The Palmetto State has the fourth largest state maintained highway network in the nation, yet it is funded almost solely through a motor fuel user fee (or gas tax) that hasn’t been increased since 1987.

Almost all other states supplement their highway funding with other fees.

Piggly Wiggly Company’s Christopher Ibsen recently told South Carolina Business, “Roads are not keeping up with demand. Interstate 26 needs to be widened to four lanes from Summerville to Columbia. Interstate 95 will only see more traffic in the future, especially when the Port of Charleston is deepened, so clear improvement planning should be taking place.”

One bit of good news is the General Assembly proactively allocated dollars towards port expansion in 2012. As a result, South Carolina is still on the path to be the port of call on the East Coast once the Panama Canal widening project is completed. However in 2013, the General Assembly must invest in corresponding infrastructure improvements to complement the port, its users and South Carolinians. With other states focused on financing infrastructure to drive economic development, South Carolina policy makers must make infrastructure the top priority in 2013. Expansion of Interstates 26, 85 and 95 is critical.

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The South Carolina Chamber and allied organizations are advocating for a focused, statewide strategy to invest $6 billion over 10 years by prioritizing state resources. If successful, this effort will create more than 170,000 jobs.

South Carolina has a skills gap. 45% of jobs are middle skilled jobs, requiring a certificate or associates degree while only 29% of workers have the necessary skills to fill these jobs.

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tates and nations with the highest levels of educated citizens will have the advantage in attracting and creating jobs and thus an improved standard of living. South Carolina must stay competitive.

The business community is united in an effort to transform – not reform – education. In order to transform education, the Chamber believes the state must focus on early childhood education, specifically on school readiness and 3rd grade reading proficiency. Statistics in these two key areas are indicative of whether a child will successfully graduate from high school.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Chamber supports investing in current workers to prepare them for the jobs that are available in the state. South Carolina’s manufacturing base is growing. Since January 2011, over 200 manufacturing firms have committed to invest $7.4 billion in South Carolina. These investments are expected to create more than 24,000 new manufacturing jobs in the state.

To ensure a skilled workforce can meet the demands of these jobs, the Chamber supports creating a Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) certificate to educate and prepare a portion of the workforce for entry-level positions in manufacturing as a first step to meeting this significant challenge.

South Carolina has the highest industrial property tax rate and the 7th highest commercial property tax rate in the nation.

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ax policy is critical to existing businesses and potential companies deciding to open, expand or locate in South Carolina. Decisions are based largely on competitiveness, predictability and sustainability.

More than six years ago, the General Assembly addressed rising homeowner property tax rates with Act 388, legislation that provided relief from school operating taxes for homeowners, but funded it with an increase in the state sales tax. That measure, especially in recent economic downturns, exposes businesses to enormously higher costs.

One South Carolina small business lamented that since Act 388 went into effect, his taxes went from $4,000 to $15,000 a year. And, one of the state’s largest

employers, Michelin, pays more property taxes at its Lexington, S.C. facility than at any of its other facilities around the world.

The General Assembly must finally address tax reform by modernizing the state’s tax code to reflect a strategy that supports long-term economic prosperity, including mechanisms to fund critical needs like education and infrastructure.

Another top tax issue is the burden of business license fees. Like many other businesses, one service company with four offices spread across the state spends more money and time trying to comply with the patchwork of business license rules that vary in each locality than it does on the actual cost of business licenses. Since fees are based on revenues across jurisdictions and fluctuate greatly from year to year, the process becomes tedious. This employer’s controller must spend a full day each month preparing business license renewals and calling offices to get a best estimate of annual revenue in each jurisdiction. And every jurisdiction has a different set of rules. For businesses across the state, knowing and complying with all the different licenses is costly, time consuming and frustrating. South Carolina must reform its business license fee structure.

According to Area Development’s Corporate Survey, environmental regulations rank as a top 10 factor when companies decide where to locate.

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n today’s global economy, business investment is largely driven by how timely a project can be permitted, built and operational. Companies with various locations around the United States look at a state’s environmental regulations when deciding where to expand, therefore the certainty of when a permit will be approved and a plant operational are of the upmost importance.

South Carolina’s regulatory permitting process must be efficient and based on the rule of the law. South Carolina must ensure that state regulations are no more stringent than the federal government, specifically in the issuance of permits, unless there is significant justification.

Streamlining the regulatory process so agencies deliver an estimate of time within which a permit will be made is also important. Federal agencies do not respond to comments when received during the public commenting period on an environmental permit. Unlike their federal counterparts, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) individually responds to each comment received, regardless of its relevance to the permit at issue. This process can significantly delay the issuance of a permit and wastes time and efforts that could be better used in reviewing the components of the permit and more efficiently issuing permits.

Between 1999 and 2010, health care premiums increased 138%, while wage growth increased by only 42%.

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he national health care debate is ongoing, but one thing is clear- health care insurance costs remain one of the highest expenditures for businesses after payroll, and they are increasing. As the state and nation navigate new health care laws and regulations, the South Carolina Chamber is committed to finding viable solutions to rising health care costs for businesses and citizens alike.

In numerous surveys rating business climates, South Carolina ranks in the top 10. However, South Carolina’s most direct competitors – North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Virginia – also rank in the top 10.

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outh Carolina’s unemployment rate is still around 9 percent. In 2013, the General Assembly must continue to concentrate on job creation, beginning with a focused economic development plan. Funding the South Carolina Department of Commerce, including the Closing Fund, will help continue the forward momentum in recruiting industry to the state.

Continued promotion of two of our state’s top industries, tourism and agribusiness, will also enhance the business climate, ensuring many South Carolinians have jobs and maintain a sound tax base. South Carolina’s tourism industry contributes $16 billion to the economy, and more than 30 million visitors come to South Carolina each year. Providing dedicated dollars for broad state marketing to include tourism, agribusiness and other efforts are key to the state’s future.

As the unified voice of business, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is committed to creating prosperity for all citizens through an economy of increased productivity and global competitiveness.

Katie King Schanz is the legislative counsel for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

Learn more about the 2013 Competitiveness Agenda and stay up-to-date on legislative developments by joining the Grassroots Network at www.scchamber.net.

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Why SouthCarolina?

Many world-class companies have chosen South Carolina.

Find out why.

SOUTH CAROLINA IS RANKED AS ONE OF THE NATION’S MOST PRO-BUSINESS STATES BY FORBES. A Right to Work state Most efficient port in the Southeast in Charleston Boeing selected South Carolina for its new Dreamliner 787 assembly plant BMW has the largest work force of any U.S. auto assembly plant

★

Ranked #1 in competitive utility rates

Contact Fred Gassaway at

Fgassaway@SCpowerteam.com The Electric Cooperatives & Santee Cooper

Visit www.SCpowerteam.com 1201 Main St., Suite 1710, Columbia, SC 29201 I (803) 254-9211

Workforce Development leading to Economic Development Clemson University’s Center for Workforce Development is collaborating with business and industry leaders, technical colleges and government agencies to prepare the next-generation of technicians, engineers and scientists.

“We must provide the right talent pool, so South Carolina companies can remain innovative and competitive in the marketplace,” says John Kelly, Clemson University vice president for economic development. “It is vital we keep our students in-state through college and provide the jobs they seek after graduation.”

Clemson.edu/cucwd 864-656-4716

Together, the Center for Workforce Development and partners have received more than $22 million in funding from the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor and the National Science Foundation to educate students for rewarding, high-demand careers using cutting edge e-learning technologies including interactive virtual reality simulations. This will support the center’s mission of educating and preparing South Carolina’s next generation workforce.

P R O V I D I N G TA L E N T F O R T H E 2 1 S T C E N T U RY

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TMCA CHARTS

Expected Employment

Investment in millions of dollars

s we start each new that its projects in Richland and Greenville Counties Investment day in South Carolina, will invest an additional $230 million and add $750 Top Capital Announcements one thing is certain: nearly 300 new jobs. South Carolina also saw Drive hundreds of thousands Automotive Industries expand its Greenville facility, of Carolinians are hard at adding $50 million to its initial investment and commit work. Our job at the South to create an additional 60 new jobs. Also on the front Carolina Department of of expanded commitments, last fall, the Schaeffler Commerce is to sustain Group, an international automotive supply company, $230 and continue to add opportunities for our state’s increased its footprint in the Palmetto State with a $40 workers. 2012 proved to be another great year for million investment that is expected to bring 190 new business recruitment in South Carolina, and we were jobs to Chesterfield County. $85 able to help bring high-quality jobs to the state. Our Perhaps the biggest news gaining traction in staff has been busy assisting companies in the process the automotive-related sector was the expansion $50 $50 of expanding or locating new operations here, and programs of the state’s tire makers. Michelin as we begin a new year, it is worth looking back on Michelin JTEKT Nexans Amazon Drive North America announced the expansion of its North Automotive Berkeley Spartanburg Automotive the last year.

Earthmover tire production in South Carolina, America Greenville County County Greenville Anderson & Richland County One thing that stands out is the number of investing an additional $750 million in our state & Lexington Counties Counties manufacturing announcements. In fact, most of our and rolling out 500 new jobs. Michelin Chairman largest announcements were in the manufacturing and President Pete Selleck commented on the sector. These announcements show that the trend in expansion, “It’s a tribute to the productivity of South Carolina’s manufacturing renaissance continues. our employees and the pro-business environment in South Carolina that the We opened the year with a major announcement from BMW. In January, the company is expanding in the state where we first began manufacturing in company announced it was expanding its Spartanburg County plant and adding the United States.” When added to the $200 million announced last May in 1,000 new jobs. Since the original decision to build BMW’s only U.S. plant in South Lexington, this announcement brings the total Michelin investment in South Carolina in 1992, the automotive giant has been a major driver in the state’s economy, Carolina to almost $1 billion in the last year. investing nearly $6 billion and employing 7,500 people.

With Michelin’s expansion, along with the presence of Bridgestone Americas and Another major investment in manufacturing came from worldwide cable industry Continental in our state, South Carolina is on track to be the tire producing capital of leader Nexans. The company established a new high-voltage cable manufacturing North America. That’s a game changer and proves that international heavyweights plant in Berkeley County and invested $85 million in the Charleston region, expecting want to put down roots here. We are doing the right things, the right way in South to create 200 jobs.

Carolina and the world is taking notice.

While 2012 was a great year in manufacturing, the state’s next major jobs One part of our manufacturing sector that continues to open opportunities is announcements were in the technology sector. In August, technology powerhouse, aerospace and aviation. Like BMW before it, the Boeing announcement in 2009 really Red Ventures, expanded its headquarters in Lancaster County; the project is expected put South Carolina on the map. One of the big things that BMW has helped South to generate 1,000 jobs over the next five years. Another boon for our state was the Carolina do is to attract automotive suppliers. In an effort to bring more aerospace WNS announcement last spring. The company, a leading provider of global business suppliers to the state, Commerce launched the Aerospace Task Force last year. Led process outsourcing, located a new delivery center in Richland County, and along by Charlie Farrell, the advisory council is a strategic initiative to enhance and grow the with creating 750 new jobs, the company delivered a multi-million dollar investment state’s aerospace industry. Indeed, we have seen some of that growth recently with to the state. WNS CEO Keshav Murugesh said the center’s Midlands location offers firms like A.I.D. Company and Southern Air Repair setting up new facilities in our state. great access to customers: “This new center will allow us to partner more closely with These firms not only create jobs in the community in which they locate, but also help our U.S.-based clients and offer services that are strategic and higher-end in nature. build our reputation as a player in the aerospace industry.

It will also allow WNS to provide our clients with the optimal mix of services, talent, While the automotive and aerospace sectors continue to create a lot of buzz, location and technology.”

South Carolina continues to see diversity in the companies setting up shop in the state.

That’s something we hear often from companies considering investing in South Physicians Choice Lab Services, a provider of testing services to clinicians, is locating Carolina. Both our central location between Miami and New York City and our world in Rock Hill and expects to create more than 360 jobs. Electronic component maker class port facilities are important draws for a wide AVX is building on its presence in Greenville with 1000 range of businesses. Our state has become home a $14 million investment and 279 new jobs. And to a number of distribution centers over the past few South Carolina continued to see investments last 750 years because of the market access South Carolina year from household names like Honda, Siemens, provides. Ross Stores announced the opening of Shutterfly and Britax.

500 a new distribution center in York County that is These are just some of the announcements expected to create 600 new jobs. Amazon, the from 2012. This year, we’ll look to continue building world’s largest online retailer, also opened another on the success of the past two years, and work with fulfillment center in S.C., this time in Spartanburg companies to bring more jobs and investment to with a $50 million investment expected to create South Carolina.

BMW Red Ventures WNS Ross Stores Michelin more than 300 new jobs.

Spartanburg Lancaster Richland York North County County County County America Our automotive sector continued to perform Robert “Bobby” M. Hitt III is South Carolina’s Anderson & well last year, too.

Secretary of Commerce.

Lexington Top Job Announcements Counties JTEKT Automotive South Carolina announced

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S o u t h C a r o l i n a P o w e r Te a m

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January~February 2013 Centerfold

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P hotography by S andy A ndrews

nown for his colorful neckties, Ralph Thomas has been a bright spot in moving economic development forward in South Carolina for many years.

As soon as you meet Thomas, you cannot help but be drawn in by his dynamic personality. He has seen the fierce competition of South Carolina’s economic development initiatives from the outside and strengthened the state’s reputation when he joined the South Carolina Power Team.

The power of a team

January~February 2013 Centerfold R alph T homas

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Central Electric Cooperative President Ron Calcaterra, South Carolina Power Team President Ralph Thomas, Electric Cooperatives of S.C. President Mike Couick and Santee Cooper President Lonnie Carter at the announcement of a new economic development incentive electric rate for industrial customers in 2012.

Today, that trend continues with Governor Haley making economic development her number one issue. The South Carolina Department of Commerce leads economic development efforts for the state and Thomas believes it is very important to assist them in those efforts.

In addition, the 46 counties in South Carolina work with regional alliances to promote economic development. The efforts don’t stop there as law firms, financial institutions and architectural and construction firms also get involved. The underlying goal for all of these groups is to bring jobs to the Palmetto State.

According to Thomas, there are many keys to South Carolina’s success in economic development and we must not become complacent with them. South Carolina remains aggressive in recruiting industries to the state and the state shares information about the world class companies that are locating here. Just think about how many times you have heard the name Boeing, BMW or Michelin mentioned.

South Carolina is proud of the multinational companies it has recruited and wants the world to know companies will find a warm welcome here.

Success is also seen because companies are not just recruited, but they continue to make investments in the state. In the past year, both BMW Manufacturing and Michelin, two companies that have North American headquarters in South Carolina, announced major expansions in the state. Thomas claims the state sees success like this because “South Carolina works across all lines to create a pro-business environment.”

The South Carolina Power Team has focused its efforts on bringing economic development to rural communities and there are different challenges there. Most importantly, adequate infrastructure including roads, water and sewer are needed.

The Honda facility in Timmonsville and Nan Ya plastics facility in Lake City are two examples of companies that have strengthened rural communities.

Under Thomas’ leadership, the Power Team participated in more than 600 new and expanded industrial projects in South Carolina representing $9 billion in Receiving the 2011 Distinguished Service Award from the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA), Ralph Thomas is pictured with former SCEDA Presidents Heather Simmons Jones (left) and April Allen (right).

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IMAGES COURTESY OF SC POWER TEAM

n the mid 1980s, the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina and Santee Cooper decided to join together to create Palmetto Economic Development Corporation and form a strategic plan each year to market South Carolina and attract more industry and jobs to the state. With more local industry, there would be an increased demand for electricity in the state. A win win for everyone involved.

This idea is what first brought Thomas to South Carolina when he was hired to head up the economic development team in 1988. One could argue that Thomas took an idea and turned it into action. As head of the group, Thomas has been at the center of economic development in South Carolina for more than 20 years. He highlights economic development isn’t an individual sport, it’s a team sport and one in which South Carolina excels.

By the early 1990s, the Palmetto Economic Development group became known as the South Carolina Power Team. The name stuck because power shows a connotation of strength. And, it was important to let companies know when they were looking in South Carolina; they were working with a team to move economic development forward in the state.

“Ralph has quite possibly devoted more time than anyone else in our state to promote South Carolina as a place for businesses to locate, grow and thrive, and under his consistent leadership, the Power Team has achieved spectacular results,” said Lonnie Carter, president and chief executive officer of Santee Cooper.

Joining the South Carolina Power Team wasn’t Thomas’ first interaction with the state. In previous positions in Tennessee, Texas and Louisiana, Thomas always remembers South Carolina being a fierce competitor. He said, “It was known that when competing with South Carolina, it was tough. The state has always had a strong presence when it comes to economic development.”

Edward Kluiters, chair of the Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. economic development team, said “Ralph Thomas is a great leader and someone who has the ability to get to the essence of a problem very quickly. Ralph will always make the right call for the situation involved. He and his team have provided enormous support to South Carolina’s national and international economic development efforts, and he is a very well respected figure in the economic development world.”

Thomas believes that part of South Carolina’s rich history in economic development can be attributed to the leaders of the state. He said, “South Carolina governors have always taken a strong interest and been actively involved in economic development. Governors have led the charge and helped South Carolina be a leader.”

Fast Facts about Ralph Thomas Favorite spot in S.C.: Charleston Favorite movie: Red River with John Wayne and Walter Brennan Favorite book: Currently reading Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly People might be surprised to know: Big country music fan- Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings What inspires you: I care a lot about our country and take great interest in current affairs. I want to do what I can to make our country a better place to live.

capital investment and the creation of more than 50,000 new jobs with an annual payroll of $2 billion.

But Thomas would be the first to say he won’t claim the credit for these accomplishments because economic development is a team sport.

In May 2013, Thomas will be retiring from the industry and a career he has cherished.

“He is an economic development force, and although his retirement is well-earned, he will be sorely missed. His legacy is the jobs and businesses he has helped recruit that will be here for generations to come,” said Carter.

Thomas finds it rewarding to be able to pass a building and know that he helped play a part in bringing a business to South Carolina. “That’s a good feeling,” he says. He also has fond memories of the people he has met along the way, including many wonderful people from other countries.

“From his first job at Tennessee’s industrial recruitment program to his career stops in Memphis, Texas, Louisiana and South Carolina, Ralph’s life work has been to attract jobs and payrolls,” said O.L. Thompson, chairman of the South Carolina Power Team Board of Trustees. “We cannot begin to calculate how many lives have been positively impacted because of his efforts. Even when his daily presence in our organization ends, the program for success he has created with the board, staff and supporters of the Power Team will continue to be the bedrock of our activities.”

There is no question that Thomas’ passion has helped South Carolina remain competitive in economic development. When asked what made him want to retire in the state, Thomas replied “It just feels good being in South Carolina!”

We couldn’t agree more.

Jean Cecil Frick is the multimedia manager at the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the editor of South Carolina Business.

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nfrastructure plays a critical role in furthering economic development efforts in our state, as well as increasing commerce and ultimately jobs. However, infrastructure funding has not seen a dedicated increase since 1987, a time when there were 1 million fewer South Carolinians and much less economic activity in the state. The private sector can do a lot to move the state forward, but businesses cannot expand interstates, replace bridges or build new roads.

Investing in infrastructure is inherently a core function of government.

How does a perfect roadway transportation system look? It has: 3 Safe roads; 3 Rut-free highways; 3 Structurally stable bridges; 3 No drive-time congestion; 3 100 percent paved roads; and 3 Economical gas prices.

Unfortunately, some of these items can’t be fulfilled without encroaching or eliminating some of the other items on the list, especially in a constrained economy and in a state with an expanding population and more drivers. There is a point where interstates, highways and bridges become a detriment to economic development and a safety hazard if there is not enough money appropriated to maintain and enhance them. South Carolina possesses many positive attributes that attract employers to the region, including low union rates, enjoyable quality of life, and a pro-business climate. A need for upgraded highways and bridges is one aspect that needs attention to continue prosperity in South Carolina.

“Investment in infrastructure is critical to our state,” says George Acker, vice president of SC external relations at Duke Energy, whose company vehicles number in the thousands on South Carolina’s roads. “It’s a global competition. If you’re not investing in infrastructure, you’ll lose business, and sometimes you don’t even know it. The companies just go somewhere else.”

With the Charleston port deepening initiative underway, Acker says the state needs upgraded highways and interstates to show companies they can transport goods around the state in a reasonably short amount of time. And while the inland port under construction in Greer is expected to relieve some of the I-26 trucking traffic through more efficient cargo movement when it opens in the fall of 2013, for now, I-26 remains a congestive nightmare at various points throughout each day.

“We’re spending money to improve the port’s competitive position; we need to do the same with I-26,” says Rick Todd, president and CEO of the SC Trucking Association, which represents fleet owners throughout the state.

Interstate 26 is not the only South Carolina road that is particularly troubling, although the infamous “malfunction junction” at the crossroads of I-26 and I-20 is considered by many to be the worst spot in the state.

“Interchanges all over the state are obsolete because of their design,” says Todd. “They are chokepoints and need to be addressed.”

In addition to higher volumes and faster speeds on today’s highways and interstates, most of which were designed and constructed 50 to 60 years ago,

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many intersections have tight turn radii, which are difficult for today’s larger trucks.

I-85 is another hotspot for vehicular volatility, as well as highway entrances into our state from our next door neighbors. Business leaders who have fleets on the roads on a daily basis say the roads are significantly different in Georgia and North Carolina. Once over the state line into South Carolina in the Upstate, roads narrow, conditions worsen, ingress and egress lanes are shortened, and there are smaller aprons and less effective barrier systems on the highways.

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ccording to the state’s Secretary of Transportation, Robert St. Onge, SCDOT receives two primary sources of revenue to fund new highway construction and maintenance projects: the state’s motor fuel user fee (the “gas tax”) and the federal motor fuel user fee from the Federal Highway Trust Fund. Other small amounts of revenue are pulled from the state’s General Fund.

South Carolina’s gas tax is 16.8 cents per gallon, unadjusted since 1987, and it is not indexed to keep up with inflation, as are North Carolina’s and Georgia’s tax rates. The state gas tax comprises about 35 percent of SCDOT’s highway maintenance and construction budget. SCDOT has to make do with approximately 75 percent of the annual amount collected, as “the rest is bled off for a variety of other things like DHEC and DNR and some of these other agencies that have convinced the legislature they have a claim to gas money for whatever reason,” according to St. Onge.

The U.S. government returns a portion of the money it collects from South Carolina motorists. This amount makes up about 65 percent of SCDOT’s highway budget, but the money is allocated only on a reimbursable basis, meaning SCDOT has to come up with matching funds to acquire these federal funds and complete highway projects. Half of our roads are not eligible for federal assistance and must be paid for by state revenues only.

“We are almost entirely dependent on the gas tax,” St. Onge says. “Our priority list is formula-driven, set by [legislative] Act 114, which is the act put into place in 2007 by the state legislature to ‘reform’ SCDOT with other rules about how we must maintain the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). We have the fourth largest highway system in the nation that we have to maintain with the fourth lowest gas tax.”

“We put about $285 million per year into maintenance activities, and that number changes year to year depending on the budget. That’s really not adequate to maintain all roads in the condition citizens would like or deserve. To handle maintenance, bridge repair, replacement and capacity, we need an additional $1.4 billion per year for the next 20 years.”

SCDOT’s current annual budget is $1.43 billion.

“If you doubled my budget for the next 20 years, we could fix ourselves,” St. Onge continues. “That won’t happen.”

There are numerous avenues for raising revenues, from increasing user fees to tolling, which may not be popular in some circles. Avoidance of the issue, however, will eventually cost the state jobs.

“Legislative leaders are going to have to make a decision,” says Todd, “to redirect existing revenue if they think public infrastructure is important or increase taxes and fees.”

St. Onge says rising health care and social services needs present the state with a challenge in finding enough tax dollars to provide for necessary highway and bridge funding.

“There are people out there with great intentions that are going to be faced with some tremendously hard decisions about how they’re going to find money for infrastructure,” says St. Onge. “The nice thing about investing in infrastructure is that you own something when it’s over.”

Infrastructure funding has not seen a dedicated increase since 1987, a time when there were 1 million fewer South Carolinians and much less economic activity in the state.

South Carolina’s Roads at a Glance u 42,000 miles of roads u 8,388 bridges u 128,000 roadside acres mowed u 1,700 miles of guardrails u 500 miles of median cable barriers u 5,600 state-owned traffic signals u More than 900 miles unpaved u 40 percent of fatal crashes are related to speeding (fifth worst in the nation) u 20 percent of fatal crashes occur at an intersection u $2.6 billion is the cumulative cost of congestion on highways and interstates u 50 of 271 interchanges will require reconstruction within 20 years u 14% of interstate mileage experiences recurring congestion Compiled by the South Carolina Department of Transportation

Dana W. Todd is a professional writer and public relations consultant who writes for news outlets and publishers nationwide.

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Streit USA Armoring outfıtting vehicles for the world B y J ean C ecil F rick

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produces its ballistic and blast resistant vehicles in an assembly line process. The vehicles Streit produces are built to take fire from all sides and angles. Even the battery and control module under the hood are surrounded by steel plates in order to prevent a bullet from disabling the vehicle.

Used for transporting law enforcement, federal dignitaries, corporate executives and other VIPs, the fully armored vehicles, which can range from big vans to Bentleys, retain the look and feel of the vehicle’s original models, down to the decorative trim, so they can be driven incognito.

The mostly high-dollar vehicles come fresh from dealerships and are then disassembled. From the doors off, windows out, dashboard detached, flooring removed and wiring disconnected, everything is removed except for what is under the hood. Then, carefully cut steel plates of all shapes and sizes are meticulously attached to the doors, frames, tops and bottoms of the vehicles, along with bullet-resistant glass before the vehicles are reassembled and shipped to customers.

While the federal government buys most of the armor-plated vehicles, ranging in cost from $110,000 to $180,000, the city of Charleston is also a customer.

The latest addition to the Streit inventory is a specially designed armored SWAT vehicle capable of carrying 12 fully equipped SWAT team members. This vehicle, manufactured exclusively by Streit USA, provides a new approach to SWAT operations. Working with the Charleston Police Department SWAT Team, Streit designed and manufactured a Sprinter Cargo Van to meet International Ballistic Armor standards.

Streit doesn’t just armor vehicles; it also gives back to the community. Streit USA supports the American Red Cross (Charleston Chapter) and The Legend Oaks of Summerville “Giving Back” to the community annual event.

Armored vehicles aren’t just for action packed movies. They are used to protect traveling law enforcement and federal dignitaries every day. Next time you see a SWAT vehicle riding down the road, take a minute to think about how and where it was armored.

Jean Cecil Frick is the multimedia manager at the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the editor of South Carolina Business.

Governor Haley inspects a Mercedes outfitted by Streit USA at the South Carolina Automotive Summit in 2011.

The latest addition to the Streit inventory is a specially designed armored SWAT vehicle capable of carrying 12 fully equipped SWAT team members.

In 2012, Streit opened up a new 75,000 squarefoot facility in North Charleston that is Streit’s only production factory in the United States.

IMAGES COURTESY OF STREIT USA

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id you know North Charleston is home to a vehicle-armoring factory that outfits vans for SWAT teams? Since 2007, Streit USA Armoring has been a leading U.S. manufacturer of armored vehicles for military, law enforcement and commercial customers. The South Carolina manufacturing facility and sales center is dedicated to the design, manufacture and distribution of armored vehicles for use in the United States and around the world.

In September 2012, Streit opened up a new 75,000 square-foot facility that sits on eight acres in Charleston County. The $5.8 million plant is Streit’s only production factory in the United States. They were previously located in a 30,000 square-foot leased space that only had two production lines, but the size of the new building increases production to seven lines and shows the company is here to stay for a while.

Since the company imports parts and exports finished products across the world, proximity to the Port of Charleston was an important factor when the company initially decided to locate operations in the United States. With other production plants in Canada, India, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey and the UAE, Streit was strategic about selecting South Carolina as the location for its U.S. operations.

Eric Carlson, president of Streit USA Armoring said, “Streit selected South Carolina as the location for its U.S. operations because of the area’s manufacturing infrastructure, skilled workforce and proximity to world class shipping from the Port of Charleston. When the time came to decide on moving or staying for our expansion, the decision was easy. Steve Dykes, the North Charleston economic development director, and his entire team went out of their way to make sure Streit USA Armoring received appropriate incentives and innumerable support leading up to and after the decision. Throughout the entire building process, North Charleston and our builder, Frampton & Associates, went above and beyond helping us achieve our goals. The building is superb, and the location is outstanding.”

“We appreciate Streit USA Armoring’s trust in our port, the region and our state,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority. “The Port of Charleston has the quality facilities, skilled labor and support industry to handle any international shipping need.”

Streit USA Armoring builds vehicles to industry leading standards and is a showcase of production efficiency with the new facility able to produce up to 70 vehicles a month. Implementing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Principles, the company

Welcome, Frontier®.

Before the first call came in.

Before the first worker sat comfortably at his desk. Before the lights came on for the first time. Santee Cooper partnered with Frontier Communications to bring their new call center to Horry County, creating more than 180 new jobs.

By partnering our low-cost, reliable power and development opportunities with our state’s attractive tax base, relocation incentives, and an unparalleled quality of life graced with Southern hospitality, Santee Cooper helped Frontier expand in South Carolina. And continues to power South Carolina toward Brighter Tomorrows, Today.

POWERING S.C. www.scprimesite.com

After the Event

State’s business leaders gather for 33rd Annual Summit More than 200 of the state’s top business leaders gathered in the Lowcountry November 7-9, 2012 for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s 33rd Annual Summit, presented by Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. The event featured a keynote luncheon address by Governor Nikki Haley. In addition, the following individuals were recognized: Josef Kerscher of BMW Manufacturing Co. as the 2012 Business Leader of the Year, The Honorable John E. Courson as the 2012 Public Servant of the Year and Lieutenant (Ret.) Clebe McClary received the Sgt. William Jasper Freedom Award. Two Business Week students, Caroline Hester of Clover High School and Kelly Spencer of Ashley Ridge High School, were both honored with college scholarships.

33rd Annual Summit Sponsors Presenting Sponsor Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Greenville, Columbia and Charleston Offices)

Platinum Sponsors Bank of America BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Gold Sponsors BB&T BMW Manufacturing Co. Milliken & Company Santee Cooper Total Comfort Solutions

Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the board of management of BMW AG, traveled from Germany to join Josef Kerscher, 2012 Business Leader of the Year, and fellow BMW Manufacturing Co. associates.

Jim Reynolds and Governor Nikki Haley honor Lt. Clebe McClary with the 2012 Sgt. William Jasper Freedom Award.

The Voices of Deliverance, from Charleston, SC, entertain banquet attendees.

Silver Sponsors Alcoa Mt. Holly AT&T Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. J. W. Hunt and Company, LLP MAU Workforce Solutions MWV MeadWestvaco SCANA Sonoco Reception Sponsors Duke Energy Carolinas Piedmont Natural Gas Progress Energy Hospitality Suite Sponsor Time Warner Cable

Caroline Hester, the S. Hunter Howard Scholarship winner, accepts a $5,000 college scholarship.

Kelly Spencer, the Ron McNair Leadership Scholarship winner, accepts her award presented

by SCANA. Governor Nikki Haley provides the keynote address at the 33rd Annual Summit luncheon.

Secretary of Transportation, Robert St. Onge, speaks about infrastructure to a packed room during the symposium.

24

S o u t h C a r o l i n a B u s i n e ss

Bronze Sponsors Absolute TOTAL Care The Boeing Company Coleman Lew & Associates, Inc. Colonial Life Ernst & Young LLP FN Manufacturing, LLC FUJIFILM Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture Michelin North America, Inc. Palmetto Health Wells Fargo

N O RT H

E A S T E R N

S T R AT E G I C

A L L I A N C E

Where Business Opportunities Flourish!

The NESA Advantage...

• ReadySC, a division of the S.C. Technical College System, screens, recruits and trains employees – free of charge – to ensure a well-trained workforce on the first day of operations.

• A wide variety of industrial properties available.

• Tax credits up to $8,000 per job.

• A superb quality of life.

• With a location halfway between New York and Miami and consisting of nine counties in north eastern South Carolina with a population base of over 700,000 and a business-friendly environment, the NESA Region provides the ideal mix of community and commerce to enable the success and growth of your business.

• The NESA Region is located in close proximity to the Ports of Charleston, Georgetown, Savannah, and Wilmington.

(843) 661-4669 | www.nesasc.org

After the Event

8th Annual Excellence in Workplace Diversity Awards (Far Left) Large employer winner: Greenville Hospital System, (Left) Medium employer winner: TD Bank

Small employer winner: Columbia Metropolitan

2012 Excellence in Workplace Diversity Sponsors

Airport

Gold Sponsors BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Columbia Metropolitan Airport Fisher & Phillips LLP Greenville Hospital System Lockheed-Martin Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC South Carolina Electric & Gas Southeastern Freight Lines TD Bank WSI-Savannah River Site

When your message needs to reach the largest possible business audience, there is only one choice:

Silver Sponsors Midlands Technical College Nexsen Pruet, LLC Sonoco US Engine Valve Corp. Eaton Corporation VERIZON Wireless

the magazine of choice for South Carolina’s top executives.

Bronze Sponsors Colonial Life The Credit Unions of South Carolina First Citizens Bank Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP Time Warner Cable

S eptember /O ctOber 2012 V Ol . 33 | N O . 5

N ovember /D ecember 2012 v ol . 33 | N o . 6

Manufacturing

StarS of BuSineSS Business Leader of the Year s.C. top 100™

South Carolina’s Worldwide Reach Sequestration Takes Aim The State of Infrastructure FUJIFILM

eConomiC sporting events

A Broader Focus

puBLiC servant of the Year

Tire Empire

famous south CaroLinians s.C. Big 50

®

sgt. Jasper freedom award

Contact Deidre Macklen at 803.318.3923 for 2013 marketing and advertising opportunities.

PUBLISHING & MEDIA SERVICES

26

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12/22/12 9:43 AM

OTHER 2012 Nominees: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics - Greenville Midlands Technical College - Columbia Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC - Aiken Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP - Greenville U.S. Engine Valve - Westminster Verizon Wireless - Greenville WSI SRS - Aiken

After the Event

2012 South Carolina Manufacturer of the Year Awards Luncheon The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of the 2012 Manufacturer of the Year Awards on August 29 in Columbia. All nominees and winners were honored before an audience of fellow manufacturers and business leaders at the Manufacturer of the Year Awards Luncheon, presented by Nexsen Pruet, LLC.

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, it’s our business to protect yours.

Large SC Manufacturer of the Year - The Boeing Company located in North Charleston

Toll Free: 888.648.0526 www.collinsandlacy.com COLUMBIA GREENVILLE

MYRTLE BEACH CHARLESTON

Medium SC Manufacturer of the Year - Holcim (US) Inc. located in Orangeburg

Small SC Manufacturer of the Year - Cytec Industries, Inc. located in North Augusta

Other 2012 Nominees: Allied Air Enterprises – Orangeburg Carolina Ingredients, Inc. – Rock Hill Domtar Corporation – Fort Mill Lockhart Power Company – Lockhart Meritor – Manning Procter & Gamble Duracell Manufacturing – Lancaster Scout Boats Inc. – Summerville Sumter Packaging – Sumter

The Elliott Davis Economic Development Team advises companies considering investments, expansions or relocations in the state of South Carolina. Our solutions span economic incentives, government relations, real estate purchases, mergers and acquisitions as well as international, federal, state and local tax issues and other financial matters. Are you poised for growth? Let our experience help guide the way.

fully engaged for you www.elliottdavis.com

© 2013 Elliott Davis LLC © 2013 Elliott Davis PLLC

Founded in 1925, we know what it takes to do business in the Carolinas.

s c c h a m b e r. n e t | J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3 | S o u t h C a r o l i n a B u s i n e ss |

27

After the Event

2012 Best Places to Work in South Carolina The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the publishers of SCBIZ magazine are pleased to announce the rankings of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina sponsored by Colonial Life. The companies participating are surveyed by Best Companies Group, an independent research company.

A record number of attendees participated in the 2012 Best Places to Work awards dinner.

Advanced Manufacturing: Using Technology to Secure SC’s Manufacturing Future Presented by:

February 20-22, 2013 • Francis Marion Hotel • Charleston, SC

A dinner held on October 4 in Columbia recognized 40 of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina.

Don’t miss the opportunity to network with top manufacturing executives and learn how to sustain South Carolina’s manufacturing future.

MORE INFORMATION alexa.stillwell@scchamber.net (803)255-2621 www.scchamber.net 28

S o u t h C a r o l i n a B u s i n e ss

Marie McGehee, manager of community relations for Colonial Life, delivered remarks on behalf of presenting sponsor, Colonial Life.

Best Places to Work by Ranking

A Geocent LLC representative accepts the #1 Small-Medium Company award from Peter Burke, president of Best Companies Group.

SMALL/MEDIUM COMPANIES

LARGE COMPANIES

(15 - 249 Employees)

(250 or More Employees)

Rank Company

Rank Company

1

Geocent, LLC

1

Life Cycle Engineering

2

SPARC LLC

2

Edward Jones

3

VC3, INC.

3

Elliott Davis, LLC

4

Clarke & Company Benefits/

4

Continental Tire the Americas

McLaughlin Smoak & Clarke Benefits

5

McAngus Goudelock & Courie

5

Benefit Controls

6

Safelite Auto Glass

6

Human Technologies, Inc.

7

Total Quality Logistics

7

Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union

8

SYNNEX Corporation

8 EDENS

9

MARS Petcare

9 SCRA

10

Colonial Life

10

O’Neal, Inc.

11

Palmetto Health

11

Rhythmlink International, LLC

12

Sage Automotive Interiors

12 Comatrol

13

Blackbaud, Inc.

13

Environmental Express, Inc.

14

Womble Carlyle Sandridge

14

C. F. Evans & Company, Inc.

& Rice, LLP

15

Scott and Company LLP,

15

Select Health of South Carolina

Certified Public Accountants

16

InterContinental Hotels Group

16

Rosenfeld Einstein

17

NBSC, a division of Synovus Bank

17

First Reliance Bank

18

First Citizens Bank

18

CMT, Inc.

19

Charleston Water System

19

Barling Bay, LLC

20 Benefitfocus

20 Levelwing

Life Cycle Engineering representatives accept the #1 Large Company award from Peter Burke, president of Best Companies Group.

2012 Best Places to Work Sponsors Presenting Sponsor Colonial Life Gold Sponsors Benefitfocus BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina C.F. Evans Construction Comatrol/Sauer Danfoss, Inc. Continental Tire North America EDENS Edward Jones Environmental Express, Inc. First Citizens Bank

Human Technologies, Inc. IHG - InterContinental Hotels Group Mars Petcare US, Inc. McAngus, Goudelock & Courie, LLC NBSC, a division of Synovus Bank Palmetto Health Rhythmlink International, LLC SAGE Automotive Interiors, Inc. Scott and Company LLP Select Health of South Carolina, Inc.

Silver Sponsors Blackbaud, Inc. Charleston Water System O’Neal Inc. SCRA SYNNEX Corporation VC3, Inc. Bronze Sponsor Elliott Davis LLC

s c c h a m b e r. n e t | J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3 | S o u t h C a r o l i n a B u s i n e ss |

29

MEMBER NEWS

Lorick Office Products celebrated its 75th anniversary serving the Midlands. Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin proclaimed September 4, 2012 as “Lorick Office Products Day.” The Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers (ECCHC) Innovations Health concept, linking Medicaid and Medicare patients in zip code 29203 to community health coaches and primary care delivered in their homes or neighborhoods, was selected for a Health Care Innovation grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Of the $4.2 million initiative, $2.7 million is from the CMS grant with ECCHC funding the balance. Select Health of South Carolina stepped up early to commit to share savings based on reductions in hospital charges for participants and to pay for the nurse visits. Other insurers, BlueCross/Blue Shield of South Carolina and Absolute Total Care of South Carolina, have indicated that they are considering similar commitments to share savings.

Pictured from left: Martine Naar, Chairperson, Board of Directors, Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers; Henry Hopkins, Executive Director, Eau Claire Community Council; Cindy Helling, Executive Director, Select Health of South Carolina; Christie Savage, Coordinator, Innovations Health, Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers; Stuart Hamilton, MD, Founder and CEO, Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers; Laura Long, MD, Chief Medical Officer, BlueCross/BlueShield of South Carolina; Melanie Giese, Deputy Director, Office of Medical Services, South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services; Paul Accardi, President, Absolute Total Care of South Carolina.

Cheryl R. Holland, CFP®, president of Abacus Planning Group, located in Columbia, has been named to Wealthmanagment. com’s list of The Top 25 Women Registered Investment Advisors in the Country. According to recent data from Cerulli Associates, females accounted for only 11.6 percent of RIAs in 2012.

Alcoa’s Mt. Holly plant announced $110,000 in Alcoa Foundation grants to four local non-profit organizations: the South Carolina Aquarium, Junior Achievement of Coastal South Carolina, the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Math, and Trident Habitat for Humanity.

Joyce Nelson, former president and CEO of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), has joined Blackbaud, Inc’s board of directors. Nelson was with NMSS for 28 years, serving as CEO for the last seven years until she retired in October 2011.

BMW Manufacturing announced that Bernd Koenigsbruegge has been named the new vice president for painted body.

Koenigsbruegge served as vice president for the body shop in the Spartanburg plant from 2004 to 2008 before moving to BMW’s plant in Regensburg, Germany.

Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company has been named the top benefits carrier in five categories by brokers across the country in the 2012 Benefits Selling Readers’ Choice Awards program. The national publication is targeted to brokers and agents

30

S o u t h C a r o l i n a B u s i n e ss

who sell group and voluntary insurance products.

Elliott Davis, LLC announced Brittany Owen, a tax manager in the Columbia office, has been named one of 2012’s “Women to Watch” by the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA). Additionally, Rick Davis, managing shareholder and chair of the executive committee, has been appointed chair of the board of the Governor’s School for the Arts Foundation.

Paul Halphen of First Citizens has been promoted to relationship manager based at the company’s Cayce branch. Kevin Markland has joined the company as senior loan administrator and senior vice president based out of Greenville. Daniel Smith has joined First Citzens’ Wealth Advisory Group as capital management group sales and service director.

Jerry Stevens has joined the company as senior vice president and commercial lending executive based in Greenwood.

Fuss & O’Neill celebrated its 10th anniversary in Columbia. Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin declared October 23rd as “Fuss & O’Neill Day.” Fuss & O’Neill is a leading environmental and engineering firm.

The law firm of Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A. announced that Arthur L. Howson, Jr. was selected by his peers to receive the 2012 Tommy Thomason Award, which is given annually by the Greenville County Bar Association (GCBA). The Tommy Thomason Award is given to an attorney who displays the qualities of compassion, optimism, diplomacy, public service, justice and integrity throughout his or her legal career.

The Greater Lexington Chamber & Visitors Center opened a new 7,000 squarefoot building on November 15. Its 800-square-foot Visitors Center and larger parking lot will accommodate the growing number of people visiting and moving to the area.

Pictured from front to back: Mandy Summers, Nancy Hutto, Randy Halfacre, Scott Middleton, Chris Metz, Mike Crapps, Mike Flack, Glenn Martin, Barbara Willm, Royce Lehman and Craig Otto.

The 5 Star accredited Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce was named the 2012 Chamber of Commerce of the Year in the two Carolinas at the July Annual Management Conference of the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (CACCE).

The Institute for Child Success, a non-profit organization working across South Carolina to create a culture that facilitates and fosters the success of all children, has elected Dick Wilkerson, retired chairman and president of Michelin North America to its board of directors.

William R. (Will) Johnson, a business lawyer at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd’s Columbia office, was recognized by the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD) as a “Star of the Quarter” at its 2012 Fall Conference.

The Greater Lexington Chamber has debuted a weekly radio show called “Tower Talk Live” on WLXM 107.9 FM. Hosted by Emily Russell, the Chamber’s branding and media manager, “Tower Talk Live” will broadcast live each Thursday at 11:30 a.m. and present Chamber news, events and interviews with members.

David J. Tigges, the managing shareholder and CEO of McNair Law Firm, P.A., has been appointed to serve on the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) Board of Directors. The appointment was made by House Speaker Bobby Harrell. Established by pension reform legislation, PEBA is responsible for administering the state retirement systems and the employee insurance program.

Melissa Azallion has joined the McNair Law Firm, P.A. as a shareholder. Azallion will lead the firm’s immigration practice and is based out of the Hilton Head Island office.

Jason P. Luther and Chad E. Poteat have joined the law firm of Murphy & Grantland, P.A., located in Columbia.

Legal corporate attorney Renee Dankner has joined Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough as of counsel in its Columbia office, bringing her experience in corporate in-house, law firm and nonprofit work to the firm.

MEMBER NEWS W e l c o m e , N e w M e mb e r s Accuride Camden

Cooley Group Lancaster

Lau Rubber & Plastics Greer

Sumwalt Associates, Inc. Columbia

Acumen I. T. LLC Greenville

CreatiVasc Medical, LLC Greenville

Louis Berger Services Inc. Greenville

SunPak Logistics Sumter

Advanced Automation Inc. (Doerfer Greenville) Greenville

Currahee Club Toccoa, GA

Mapal Inc. Port Huron, MI

SunTrust Bank Greenville

Cytec Industries Inc. Beech Island

McAlister Design Inc. Greenville

The Byrum Innovation Group, Inc. Greenville

Dianne’s On Devine, Inc. Columbia

McCall Farms Inc. Effingham

The Hobbs Group, PA Columbia

Diversified Signs & Graphics York

McCormick Taylor, Inc. Baltimore, MD

Donate Life SC Greenville

McCrory Construction Co., LLC Columbia

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island

Dynamic Educational Systems Inc. DBA Job Corps Columbia

Metso Minerals Columbia

Advanced Data Mining International, LLC Travelers Rest AeSolutions, Inc. Greenville Agru/America Inc. Georgetown American Lantern Press, Inc. Fort Mill American Timberlands Co. Columbia Architectural Railings & Grilles, Inc. Fort Mill Art Institute of Charleston Charleston

Dynamic Fluid Components, Inc. West Union

Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. Pamplico Nemato Corp.

Spartanburg

EDF Renewable Energy Reston, VA

Nexans High Voltage USA Inc. Goose Creek

Assurant Miami, FL

Encotech Inc./Carbon Service & Equipment Company Chapin

Atlanco Inman

Engine Power Source, Inc. Rock Hill

Atlantic Control Products Inc. Summerville

G & H Mail Service, LLC West Columbia

Atotech USA Inc. Rock Hill

Galey and Lord Society Hill

B Lab Company Berwyn, PA

Gestamp South Carolina, LLC Union

Bauschlinnemann North America Myrtle Beach

Greater Bluffton Chamber & Visitor’s and Convention Bureau Bluffton

Provost Academy South Carolina Columbia

GSE Lining Technology Co. Inc. Kingstree

PSC Environmental Services Charlotte, NC

Hacker Industries, Inc. Winnsboro

Research Technologies, Inc. Mauldin

C. H. Patrick & Co. Donaldson Dye Greenville

Harbour Corporate and Private Wealth Management Group of Raymond James Mount Pleasant

Rhodes Companies Summerton

Canavac LLC Gaffney

Hay Hill Garden Market Columbia

Carolina Filters, Inc. Sumter

HRP Associates, Inc. Greenville

Carolina Panthers Charlotte, NC

Human Technologies, Inc. Greenville

Cel Chemical & Supplies Inc. Piedmont

Ingenics Corp.

Greenville

Century Fasteners Corporation Columbia

Insurance Management Group, Inc. Columbia

Children’s Trust of South Carolina Columbia

Integrated Power Services LLC Greenville

Sjolund Enterprises Inc. DBA Accutech Machine Blythewood

Comatrol, Sauer-Danfoss (US) Company Easley

International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals Raleigh, NC

South Carolina Business Coalition on Health Greenville

Communities In Schools of South Carolina Charleston

Iron Mountain West Columbia

Southern Way Catering Columbia

Kestrel Horizons, LLC Charleston

Southern Wesleyan University Central

Kontane Logistics Charleston

Sumter Coatings Sumter

Belcher Staffing Services, Inc. West Columbia BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems Seneca Britax Child Safety Inc. Charlotte, NC

Community Integrated Management Services, LLC (CIMS) Columbia

NFP-CBA Greenville OOBE, Inc. Greenville Pfizer Inc. Raleigh, NC Phillips Staffing Greenville Project Integration Inc. Greer

Richland County First Steps to School Readiness Partnership Columbia

Thermal Technologies, Inc. Blythewood TM Floyd & Company Columbia Tognum America Graniteville Tony Pope - State Farm Insurance Summerville Transfer Point, Inc. Columbia Trehel Corporation Clemson Triangle Construction Company, Inc. Greenville Unitrends, Inc Columbia Upstate Workforce Investment Board Spartanburg Utility Audit Solutions LLC Taylors Weston & Sampson Engineer Charleston Williams & Fudge Inc. Rock Hill WingFan Rock Hill Women’s Distribution Services, Inc. Clover XPO Logistics Inc. Greenwich, CT

Rieter Corporation Spartanburg

Yli Corporation Rock Hill

Safety Management Corporation Evansville, IN

York Horizons Industries York

Sanders Brothers Construction North Charleston SEM Products, Inc. Rock Hill

s c c h a m b e r. n e t | J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3 | S o u t h C a r o l i n a B u s i n e ss |

31

Advertiser Index

2012 S.C. Governor’s Quality Awards

BlueCross BlueShield of S.C...Inside Front Cover Clemson University.......................................... 13 Collins & Lacy................................................... 27 Columbia Metropolitan Airport........Back Cover

Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands S.C. received the Bronze Achiever recognition award during the 2012 S.C. Governor’s Quality Awards event on November 14. Pictured from Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands S.C. are David Hessberger, regional manager; Scott Messenger, vice president of contract services; Tina Pressley, director of corporate training; Sandy Austin, program compliance manager and John Deloach, vice president of retail sales.

O’Neal, Inc. has hired Stella Dominguez as a process department head at its Greenville headquarters.

State Farm® Agent Tony Pope has been chosen to become the first Multi Office State Farm Agent in South Carolina and will open a second office location in North Mount Pleasant. Pope is an active member and past chairman of the board for the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce.

PrimeTRUST Advisors, an independent pension consulting and investment advisory firm to the retirement plan industry, announced the addition of Jason Hoody, CFA® as chief investment strategist.

Richardson Plowden law firm announced its expansion into the Lowcountry. In addition to its Columbia and Myrtle Beach offices, the firm now has an office in downtown Charleston and welcomes attorneys James H. Elliott, Jr. and Samia H. Nettles.

Leadership South Carolina hosted the third annual Dick & Tunky Riley Legacy of Leaders event and honored Hayne Hipp, founder of Liberty Fellows, Senator Lindsey Graham R-SC, and Deb Sofield, an internationally recognized communication coach, for their contributions to the state, the southern region, the nation and the world.

Scott and Company LLC announced that Donald J. Mobley, CPA has been named managing member of the firm.

32

S o u t h C a r o l i n a B u s i n e ss

Hospice Care of South Carolina was recognized for the Bronze Achiever award during the S.C. Governor’s Quality Awards program for demonstrating varying levels of progress in quality improvement. Hospice Care of South Carolina participants included Todd Picou, co-founder; Mary Jennings, sales specialist; David Powell, COO; Diane Parker, CNO; Dawn Michele Teachey, CEO; Colleen Rice, administrative analyst; Anna Wright, community relations liaison and David Niday, co-founder.

SCRA received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award recognizing SCRA’s Innovation Centers. The award, given by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), was in the category of Real Estate Redevelopment & Reuse for communities with populations of greater than 500,000.

Sonoco announced Marty F. Pignone has been named vice president of its North American paper operations. Pignone will be responsible for Sonoco’s 12 uncoated recycled paperboard mills in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and related support functions.

South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities announced nine appointments to its Board of Trustees. The newest members of the group’s board include: Michael O. Allen, architecture project manager, Goodwyn, Mills, and Cawood; Michael R. Brenan, president of BB&T South Carolina; John W. Gandy, owner of Gandy CPA Group; Lakesha Jeffries, managing partner, Jeffries Law Firm; Debbie Nelson, founder and principal, DNA Creative Communications; Jim Reynolds, CEO and partner, Total Comfort Solutions; Dr. Harriet Lee Rucker, educator; Brent Weaver, vice president and relationship manager for Government and Institutional Banking, Wells Fargo Bank; Dick Wilkerson, retired chairman and president, Michelin North America.

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) has hired John M. Wheeler to the position of vice president, carrier sales.

Wheeler will lead ocean carrier sales efforts for South Carolina’s public port system based in Charleston.

Spartanburg Water announced Gary Huntley to the position of drinking water treatment manager. In his new role, Huntley will be responsible for supervising the operation, maintenance and process laboratory functions of the Drinking Water Treatment Department.

The 2012 S.C. Governor’s Quality Awards event recognized Bridgestone America’s Tire Operations which participated in the Explorer process in 2012. Brian Catoe, quality assurance engineer, Bridgestone America’s Tire Operations, accepts an award from Frank Fusco, chairman of the S.C. Quality Forum Advisory Committee.

TD Bank provided South Carolina small businesses with $25 million in approved loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), supporting local businesses’ efforts to invest in their business and create new jobs. TD Bank was South Carolina’s top SBA bank lender by dollar volume for the SBA’s 2012 fiscal year ending September 30, the third consecutive year TD Bank ranked No. 1 in the state.

Turner Padget Graham & Laney, P.A. announced Ashley Rudisill Forbes has joined the Greenville office concentrating on workers’ compensation. Lauren Thorne Maxwell, former law clerk to the Honorable Helen Elizabeth Burris, has joined the Greenville office as an associate in the firm’s business group. Lanneau Wm. Lambert, Jr. has been elected to serve as the chairelect of the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Central South Carolina, Inc. Sam Sammataro, a shareholder in the Columbia office, has been elected to serve as president of the South Carolina Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Shawn R. Willis has been selected as the chairman for the TriCounties Regional Advisory Council of the South Carolina Chapter of the Community Associations Institute.

WebsterRogers LLP announced Debra A. Turner, CPA has been recognized as a Woman to Watch by the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA) in conjunction with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). This award highlights the accomplishments of women in the CPA profession.

Duke Energy.......................................................9 Economic Development Partnership.................8 Elliott Davis....................................................... 27 Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A............................1 Kids Drive Our Future..............Inside Back Cover MASC.................................................................8 North Eastern Strategic Alliance...................... 25 Santee Cooper................................................. 23 South Carolina Power Team........................... 12 SCRA................................................................ 19 Sonoco............................................................. 14

When your message needs to reach South Carolina’s business leaders, there is only one choice: SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS. The magazine of choice for South Carolina’s top executives.

For advertising and marketing opportunities, call Deidre Macklen at 803 318 3923.

I’m the future of South Carolina. Invest in me.

Investing in high-impact early childhood interventions can yield more than a 10:1 return on investment.* Now is the time to invest in SC’s future.

For more information,

kidsdriveourfuture.com * Reynolds et al. (2002)

South Carolina Economic Forum on Early Childhood Investment

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 • 12 noon | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Mark Your Calendar!

2013 Events Schedule

LEGISLATIVE EVENTS

AWARDS EVENTS

Business speaks at the state house January 29, 2013 ~ Marriott, Columbia 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Town Meeting 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Reception

hr professional of the Year February 6, 2013 ~ The DoubleTree, Columbia 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Reception 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Awards dinner

ManufaCturers ConferenCe February 20-22, 2013 Francis Marion Hotel, Charleston

Washington night in south Carolina March 26, 2013 ~ Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Town Meeting 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Reception

safetY aWards lunCheon March 14, 2013 ~ Embassy Suites, Columbia Noon

huMan resourCes ConferenCe May 15-17, 2013 Marriott Grand Dunes, Myrtle Beach

ANNUAL MEETING

annual suMMit November 13-15, 2013 Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES loWCountrY MeMBership reCeption pee dee MeMBership reCeption upstate MeMBership reCeption Midlands MeMBership reCeption August 2013

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ManufaCturer of the Year aWards lunCheon August 27, 2013 ~ The DoubleTree, Columbia Noon exCellenCe in WorkplaCe diversitY aWards September 10, 2013 ~ The DoubleTree, Columbia Noon Best plaCes to Work in south Carolina October 8, 2013 ~ Embassy Suites, Columbia 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Reception 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Awards dinner

QUESTIONS & MORE INFORMATION Contact Alexa Stillwell at (803) 255-2621 or Alexa.Stillwell@scchamber.net.