TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 21, 2011

Masonite International expands in Bamberg County

The maker of residential and commercial doors plans to invest $14 million to expand its production operations. The company expects it will add 159 jobs by the time the new technology is fully installed. The expansion is expected to be operational by early 2013.

Sonoco posts 8.8% decline in Q2 net income

The global packaging company based in Hartsville said net income dropped in the second quarter to $53.7 million from $58.9 million a year earlier. Second-quarter sales reached a record $1.13 billion, up 12% from $1.01 billion in the second quarter of 2010.

DMV employee indicted over fake driver’s licens...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 20, 2011

Duke may buy nuclear from Santee Cooper

Duke Energy Carolinas announced today that it signed a letter of intent with Santee Cooper for a potential minority interest in the new nuclear reactors at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station. Duke said it continues work its proposed Lee Nuclear Station.

Moody’s threatens to downgrade S.C. credit rating

The battle over debt in Washington, D.C., prompted the credit ratings agency to review South Carolina’s credit rating. Moody’s said the state’s reliance on Medicaid and a lack of state funds to cover payments could put the state’s Aaa in jeopardy.

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 19, 2011

Columbia office report indicates area bouncing back

Private sector expansion blunts impact of government cutbacks in downtown; suburban landlords drop rents to draw new tenants.

Colonial Life names four to senior posts

Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Co. has named four new senior executives at its Columbia headquarters, including Tim Arnold, who has been named senior vice president, chief operating officer.

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 18, 2011

Columbia home sales dropped in June; prices up

Home sales in greater Columbia dropped 31.2% in June compared with the same month in 2010, but the median price ticked upward by about 1%. Sumter-Clarendon reported an 8.5% increase in sales for June compared with the same month in 2010, and Realtors there attributed it to the 3rd Army headquarters’ recent move.

Palmetto Health admits 90 new residents, fellows

The hospital will bring the new residents and fellows on board this month. The new resident physicians at Palmetto Health are from 25 states and represent 32 United States and five international medical and dental schools.

Columbia International ad...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 15, 2011

SCRA study finds copper cuts risk of hospital infections

Results from the clinical trial managed by ATI, an affiliate of SCRA, indicate that using antimicrobial copper surfaces in intensive care rooms cuts the risk of acquiring a hospital-based infection by 40.4%.

TD Bank offers homebuyer kit

The bank, which entered the S.C. market last month, has launched an online service to educate first-time homebuyers. The kit is meant to guide customers through the process of purchasing a home.

Director named at coalition against domestic violence

The S.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault has appointed Pamela Jacobs as its new executive d...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 14, 2011

Accenture to acquire Duck Creek Technologies

The global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company says it will acquire Duck Creek Technologies, a Columbia-based company that specializes in software for the property and casualty insurance industry. Terms were not disclosed.

HUD allocates $3.6M to Columbia Housing Authority

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has given $3.6 million to the Columbia Housing Authority to upgrade and repair public housing units. Overall, S.C. public housing authorities received $23.6 million from the federal agency.

S.C. Bar Foundation names president-elect

Collins & Lacy attorney...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 13, 2011

Pure Power recognized for manufacturing practices

Pure Power Technologies LLC, a Navistar company, was recently honored with an Innovator Award from the Southern Growth Policies Board. The awards are given to companies for adoption of innovative manufacturing practices.

Public hearing on proposed I-26 widening set for July 21

The S.C. Department of Transportation scheduled the hearing to discuss a proposed widening and rehabilitation project for Interstate 26 in Lexington and Calhoun counties.

Architecture firm names new shareholder

Quackenbush Architects & Planners named Barbara L. Haller as a new shareholder and principal. She will continue to ser...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 12, 2011

Fitch rates Lexington Medical’s debt outlook stable

The Chicago-based debt rating agency said Lexington Medical Center is expected to benefit from its expanded cardiovascular program and affiliation with Duke Heart Center.

Dennis Corp. names new CFO

Dennis Corp. appointed Morgan “Mo” Denny to be chief financial officer for the Columbia-based civil engineering, surveying, and construction management firm.

Wright Group Construction launches HVAC division

The Wright Group of West Columbia has created a heating and air division, headed by a veteran of the HVAC business, David Terry.

Five Points bar is sold

Chubby's Bar, 715 Harden St., Columbia was re...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 11, 2011

ECS Carolinas opens new office in Columbia

The Charlotte-based provider of geotechnical engineering, environmental and construction materials testing services has opened a new office in the Business Park of St. Andrews.

S.C. Chamber of Commerce moves to new offices

After 22 years in its Main Street office, the state chamber has relocated to Suite 1100 in the office tower at 1301 Gervais St.

Volunteer medical event planned in Midlands

Providers from throughout the state will come to Columbia to offer medical, eye and dental care Aug. 5-6 at the Carolina Coliseum. The event is for people who do not have access to health care.

Clemson University offer...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 8, 2011

Foreign-trade zones reviving at Columbia Airport

In May, the S.C. Legislature passed a law expanding the Columbia Metropolitan Airport zone’s reach beyond Lexington and Richland counties. Fourteen counties in the state’s midsection have now been added to what’s officially called Foreign Trade Zone 127.

SCBT Financial appoints new director to board

The Columbia-based bank holding company noted Cynthia Hartley’s 40 years of experience in human resources management, including her recent post as senior vice president of human resources at Sonoco Products Co.

Palmetto Pillar Awards nomination deadline extended

Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s Inform...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 7, 2011

First Community Bank buys assets of Palmetto South

The Lexington-based bank plans to expand its residential mortgage business unit with the acquisition. The Columbia-based mortgage company offers purchase and refinance options in the S.C. market.

17th annual home improvement show set for August

The Columbia Remodelers group is seeking exhibitors for the Home Improvement Show, set for Aug. 19-21 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

SRNS, Augusta Tech to train nuclear workers

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions said it will donate $10,000 to buy high-tech equipment for three new labs at Augusta Technical College.

S.C. Bar staff appointed to na...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 6, 2011

Richland County hires economic development director

P. Nelson Lindsay will be the first director of economic development for the county. His role will entail recruitment of new business, retention and expansion of existing business, and establishment of an office of economic development.

Fitch affirms negative outlook for NBSC parent

The ratings agency gave Synovus Financial Corp., parent of the National Bank of South Carolina, a BB- and said the outlook remains negative, but it added that the company has taken steps to make future losses more manageable.

BlueCross of South Carolina buys UCI Medical

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina has acquired...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 5, 2011

Sonoco buys Britain’s Robinson Paperboard Packaging

Sonoco UK Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hartsville-based Sonoco, completed the acquisition of the assets of Robinson Paperboard Packaging Ltd., a division of Robinson PLC.

Fitch affirms SCANA and subsidiaries’ ratings

Fitch Ratings affirmed the BBB+ debt ratings of SCANA Corp. and its regulated subsidiaries S.C. Electric and Gas Co. and Public Service Co. of North Carolina. Fitch said the ratings of SCE&G reflect the substantial financial commitment of its plan to construct two nuclear units for service in 2016 and 2019.

Palmetto Health leases space in Stephenson Center

Palmetto Health Alliance...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JULY 1, 2011

Edens & Avant bringing Whole Foods to Columbia

The Columbia-based commercial developer said the $23 million project will create 180 permanent full-time jobs and 120 part-time jobs, in addition to about 100 construction jobs during the adaptation and construction of the new shopping center.

Florence County tax preparer sentenced to prison

Betty R. Daniels, 49, of Johnsonville was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Florence on one count of preparing and filing a false income tax return. She was sentenced to 24 months in prison.

IT-oLogy Summer IT Camp building next workforce

There is a desperate need for more IT professionals; currently, the...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JUNE 30, 2011

Haley’s vetoes mostly reversed by lawmakers

Lawmakers preserved about a half million dollars' worth of Gov. Nikki Haley’s $213 million of cumulative vetoes. S.C. ETV funding was a flashpoint issue with lawmakers, some of whom said they felt misled about Haley's stance on the funding plan.

Savannah River Site seals two old reactors

The U.S. Department of Energy and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions have sealed with concrete two nuclear reactors that generated weapons-related nuclear material for America during the Cold War.

Columbia woman pleads guilty to gift card Ponzi scheme

Annette Marie Benson, formerly Annette Marie Bussart, age 44, pleaded guil...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JUNE 29, 2011

Carolinas AGC construction barometer down 0.8%

Slightly stronger business conditions observed across the first quarter of 2011 were offset by falling contractor expectations about future business conditions, coupled with rising wholesale prices.

House makes short work of capital reserve fund veto

By a vote of 112-1, the House overrode Gov. Nikki Haley’s veto of $107 million in capital reserve fund spending. It still must vote on 34 other budget vetoes, which total $105 million.

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JUNE 28, 2011

Companion Life promotes new vice president

J. Philip Gardham will be responsible for many of the Columbia-based insurance company’s stop-loss programs, as well as most of the company’s non-stop-loss program business.

TD Bank top SBA lender in South Carolina

For the fourth consecutive quarter, TD Bank ranks as the top U.S. Small Business Administration lender in South Carolina. Until its rebranding this month, TD Bank’s South Carolina operations were those of the former Carolina First bank.

EnGenCore provides rapid DNA sequencing for clients

The EnGenCore lab was set up in 2007 with $2 million appropriated by the General Assembly. Today, it is one of...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JUNE 24, 2011

City of Columbia investigating misconduct allegations

The city of Columbia is investigating allegations of financial misconduct in its Community Development Department, City Manager Steven A. Gantt said in a statement issued by his office.

Haley names acting corrections director

After director William R. Byars Jr. suffered a mild stroke, Gov. Nikki Haley appointed Robert E. Ward as acting director at the state prisons agency.

PGA Championship impact recalculated, nears $200M

A College of Charleston study estimated the direct impact of the 2012 PGA Championship on Kiawah Island to be $92 million. With the tournament nearly a year away, the additional...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JUNE 23, 2011

Arnold Cos. to redevelop hotel at Lady and Main streets

The Columbia-based commercial development firm said it plans to convert the 101-room former hotel into 51 urban residences, called The Palms on Main.

S.C. high school dropouts fewer for second year

More than 800 fewer students dropped out of state high schools in 2010 than in 2009, according to a report from the S.C. Department of Education. The dropout rate is closely watched by business leaders as an indicator of the future workforce.

General Assembly sends compromise budget to Haley

The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Nikki Haley a $6 billion budget bill this week. It contains fun...