TODAY'S HEADLINES | OCT. 17, 2011

S.C. tire industry on a roll to become No. 1

With the completion of the Bridgestone and Continental Tire manufacturing facilities, tire production in South Carolina should reach 120,000 units daily, easily pushing the state to No. 1 in North America.

Bank of North Carolina buys another S.C. branch

On Friday, North Carolina state regulators closed Asheville, N.C.-based Blue Ridge Savings Bank Inc. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was appointed receiver, and entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Bank of North Carolina, Thomasville, N.C., to assume all of the deposits of Blue Ridge Savings Bank.

SCE&G, Santee Cooper await approval on ...

TODAY'S HEADLINES | OCT. 14, 2011

Columbia College president to retire in 2012

Caroline Whitson, the 17th president of Columbia College, will retire June 30, the end of the current academic year.

S.C. joins 24 states in lawsuit against EPA rules

The suit charges that the new regulations would increase electric rates and lead to the loss of 1.4 million jobs across United States.

SC Launch companies to present at investor forum

The three biotech firms, two in Mount Pleasant and on in Columbia, are seeking to secure additional investments.

Q3 foreclosures down more than 18% across S.C.

Every major market in South Carolina saw a decline in foreclosure numbers in the third quarter, ...

TODAY'S HEADLINES | OCT. 13, 2011

Flexible landlords land tenants in Columbia market

Landlords willing to reduce rents or fix up their office buildings are landing tenants in Columbia market, according to a market report released Wednesday by Colliers International.

Commerce, Agriculture join to promote agribusiness

The agencies signed a memorandum of understanding to create a position of agribusiness project manager to promote investment and job creation.

USC researcher gets $3.7M grant to study sleep loss

Shawn Youngstedt is beginning a national study to see just how much, or little, sleep people between the ages of 60 and 80 really need to remain physically and mentally healthy.

Lexington/Columbia, S.C. Things to do October 14 - 20, 2011

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October 14 - 20, 2011

TODAY'S HEADLINES | OCT. 12, 2011

Ignite 2011 offers $5,000 in prizes for a good ideas

EngenuitySC will hold its 8th annual Ignite leadership conference showcasing innovation and talent in the Columbia region on Nov. 16, from 5:15 to 8 p.m. at the Zone at Williams Brice Stadium.

Edens & Avant refinances unsecured revolving credit

The retail real estate owner and development company said it closed on the refinancing of its $350 million unsecured revolving credit facility and $30 million unsecured working capital line.

Ployhart named to Moore School endowed chair

Robert Ployhart, a management professor, joined the University of South Carolina's faculty in August 2004.

Calvage joins N...

Janet Floyd Lexington SC Realtor Joins Exit Real Estate Consultants

Janet Floyd, a Lexington SC Real Estate Agent, has joined Exit Real Estate Consultants.  Janet has a great knowledge of the entire Columbia SC area and is ready to help buyers and sellers throughout the market.  Retta Whitehead, Broker-In-Charge comments, "Janet is going to be a great asset to our team.  She has a tremendous amount of experience and market knowledge that is so critical in today's real estate environment.  We look forward to her succcess."

View Janet's Web Site or call her at (803)319-7459

Email Janet:  JanetFloyd@ExitREC.com

A little information about Janet:

Janet loves sharing in the excitemen...

TODAY'S HEADLINES | OCT. 11, 2011

NRC sets hearing on SCE&G application for license

The hearing will be SCE&G’s final step to receive a combined construction and operating license to build two, 1,100-megawatt reactor units at its nuclear plant in Jenkinsville. Santee Cooper is partnering with SCE&G on the $9.8 billion project.

USC receives $900,000 for nuclear research chair

The gift from General Atomics will be matched with $3 million from the state to start the center in the university’s College of Engineering and Computing.

BlueChoice HealthPlan offers small business plans

BlueChoice HealthPlan is offering 10 new insurance plans for small businesses, the company announced today. ...

Lake Murray Real Estate Update 10-11-2011

Bass Tournament October 13 - The monthly open bass tournament known as the "One-on-One" will be held Thursday Oct. 13, out of Dreher Island State Park on the store side. The cost of the tournament wis $20, with $5 of that fee going toward the Big Bass of the Day prize. "The number of places paid is dependend upon how many people participate," said David Larabee of the Lake Murray Senior Bass Club. "It's not a team contest, but rather an individual-versus-individual contest. Two people may fish in the same boat, but they must keep their catches separate." The seven-hour tournament will start at 7 a.m. For more information, email davidrlarrabee@yah...

TODAY'S HEADLINES | OCT. 10, 2011

Sonoco to acquire Tegrant Corp. for $550M

Sonoco, a Hartsville-based packaging company, announced it will acquire Tegrant Corp., a maker of highly engineered protective, temperature-assured and retail security packaging products, from Metalmark Capital for $550 million in cash.

USC’s SmartState center for nuclear to receive gift

The center, which will include an endowed chair and associated faculty, will work with the state’s nuclear industry and the Savannah River National Laboratory.

Chamber business services task force to hold forum

The Business Services Review Task Force, a partnership between the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the City o...

TODAY'S HEADLINES | OCT. 7, 2011

Continental Tire goes to work on new S.C. plant

State grows tire manufacturing business with Continental’s $500 million investment, which is expected to create 1,700 new jobs by 2020. One of their first tasks will be hiring a general contractor for the plant site.

SBA names TD Bank top S.C. lender

The U.S. Small Business Administration named TD Bank the top S.C. bank lender by dollar volume for the second consecutive year. TD Bank made 29 Small Business Administration, or SBA, loans totaling $32 million to South Carolina small businesses during the SBA’s 2011 fiscal year.

Santee Cooper names economic development manager

Sam Bennett will work closely ...

Lexington Irmo Lake Murray Real Estate Update 10-07-2011

Food Drive Saturday in West Columbia - The Columbia Classic Chevy Club will conduct a food drive from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, October 8 in the parking lot of the Woodberry Plaza shopping center on U.S. 1 at the intersection with Woodberry Road in the West Columbia community. Lexington Country Sheriff James R. Metts encourages citizens to participate in the event by bringing non-perishable food items for donation to the annual Christmas food and toy drive that the Lexington County Sheriff's Department conducts. Sheriff's Department Sgt. Kevin Blackmon will attend the food drive and collect non-perishable food items that citizens donat...

TODAY'S HEADLINES | OCT. 6, 2011

German tire maker plans 1,700 jobs in Sumter County

Continental Tire North America, which has its headquarters in Fort Mill said today it plans to invest more than $500 million in a Sumter County tire manufacturing plant that will employ around 1,700 workers when the new facility begins operations in 2017.

West Columbia firm nabs $100M defense contract

Boykin Contracting will perform work on a range of federal projects in the Carolinas.

Bluestar Silicones plans R&D, factory in York

The French-owned company will relocate its two U.S. manufacturing facilities currently in Ventura, Calif., and Rock Hill, S.C., to a 226,000 square foot building on 20 ...

Lexington/Columbia, S.C. Things to do October 7 - 13, 2011

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October 7 - 13, 2011

Ingrid Robinson Lexington SC Realtor Joins Exit Real Estate Consultants

Exit Real Estates Consultants in Lexington, SC is pleased to announce that Ingrid Robinson has joined the company. Ingrid is an experienced agent and has worked in the Greater Columbia SC for many years. Retta Whitehead, Broker-in-Charge, comments "We are extrememly pleased to have Ingrid join our expanding team. She has a great knowledge and understanding of the real estate process and we look forward to her success with Exit."

 Visit Ingrid on the web or call her at 803-240-3526.

TODAY'S HEADLINES | OCT. 5, 2011

Universal Trade Solutions to open Orangeburg plant

The company plans to open a manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facility. Investment totals $10 million and is expected to create 100 new jobs.

USC School of Medicine in Greenville gets green light

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine at Greenville Memorial Hospital has been awarded preliminary accreditation, getting the go-ahead to recruit students and open its doors in fall 2012.

Boeing board elects S.C. native Kellner as director

The former USC student body president guided Continental Airlines until his retirement in 2009. Kellner, 52, presently serves as president of Emera...

TODAY'S HEADLINES | OCT. 4, 2011

Bank of America No. 1 in Midlands bank rankings

The new rankings represent a reversal in positions for the two biggest banks in the Midlands region. Last year, Wells Fargo’s Wachovia bank had $3 billion in deposits and a 22% market share, compared with Bank of America’s $2.8 billion in deposits and 20% market share.

Deposits shift among big banks in S.C.

The three largest banks operating in South Carolina, Wells Fargo, Bank of America and BB&T expanded market share at least one percentage point each in the past year, while customers appeared to depart Carolina First after it was sold and rebranded TD Bank, according to figures released today by the Fed...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / OCT. 3, 2011

Sonoco creates worksite health clinic for workers

The Hartsville-based packaging company is opening of an on-campus health and wellness center to serve the 1,600 employees working at its Hartsville plant.

PSC approves SCE&G rate increase

The $52.8 million, 2.4% increase in electric rates will go into effect Oct. 30. Increased revenues will help build the two new nuclear generating units near Jenkinsville.

JBE Inc. announces new jobs in Darlington County

The supplier to the automotive, aerospace, and lawn and garden industries will add at least 20 new jobs at its Darlington County facility.

New airport commission chairman named

Robert W. Price Jr. h...

Lake Murray Real Estate Update 10-03-2011

Midlands Striper Club announces tourney results - The Midlands Striper Club held a tournament Sept. 17 on Lake Murray with the weigh-in taking place at Jakes Landing. Although the windy conditions were difficult, the fish were plentiful and aggressive. The surface water temperature in the lower end of the lake dropped nearly 5 degrees from 83 to 77 in three days prior to the tournament as the chill of an early fall descended on the lake. The fishing was outstanding as 32 anglers competed to weigh a total of 85 striped bass. Each angler was allowed to weigh his or her three largest fish. Top honors went to Joby Wetzel of Columbia. Wetzel caught...