Manufacturers call for revisit of unemployment changes

The S.C. Manufacturers Alliance, which didn't weigh in on the issue last year, now wants lawmakers to revisit the 2010 unemployment insurance reform that led to spikes in some employers’ tax bills.

SCE&G seeks electricity rate increase

S.C. Electric & Gas Co. filed a request today with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina to increase the fuel cost portion of its rates by 1.56%.

Chamber, AT&T to issue calling cards to local military

AT&T and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee are prov...

Halliburton buys local company, USC technology

Oil exploration giant Halliburton has bought a Columbia company and the rights to use scanning technology from the University of South Carolina. The university has received $2.75 million in the deal; terms of the other deal were not made public.

BMW export value exceeds $4.4B in 2010

According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the value of BMW exports confirms the company’s Spartanburg facility as the largest vehicle exporter from the United States to non-NAFTA countries. In 2010, more than 110,000 vehicles were exported from its S.C. plant.

CSC to open downtown office

The insurance software and IT company will open an office in Columbia’s Vista; it already has its own campus of buildings in Blythewood.

Aflac announces additional Columbia growth

As it moved to new offices in the Vista on Tuesday the supplemental insurer announced it will need to fill more than 100 new jobs in Columbia in 2011.

Corrections Department tweaks budget to ditch deficit

Gov. Nikki Haley announced the spending plan adjustments this morning. Total employee furloughs will be for six or 10 days, depending ...

Unemployment repayment could be stretched out

Responding to objections by employers that new unemployment insurance rate increases are too steep, lawmakers at a Senate hearing said they could consider reducing a repayment to the federal government until more jobs are added to the state’s economy. South Carolina owes more than $900 million used to cover jobless claims.

UCI Medical Affiliates reports rising income

Revenues for the company’s first quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010, were $22.1 million, an increase of $244,096, or 1.12% over revenues of $21.9 million for the same quarter in 2009. Net income was $619,340 for ...

Manufacturers say rising jobs tax could stall hiring

Bosch plant workers Several manufacturers said today they may postpone hiring or even relocate expansions to other states after receiving increases of 200% or more to their employment insurance tax bills. Gov. Nikki Haley, meanwhile, stood her ground on the new rates, arguing that the new structure taxes those businesses that have historically had the most claims.

Westinghouse wins $400 million fuel contract

The contract is valued in excess of $400 million, and includes fuel fabrication services for the existing reactor there, as well as for two new nuclear powe...

In its monthly U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, RealtyTrac national tracking firm noted that foreclosures in South Carolina fell 3.62% from December to January. In yearly reporting for January, foreclosures were down 6.32%.

SCANA 2010 earnings rise nearly $30 million

SCANA Corp. said today its 2010 earnings were $376 million, up from $348 million in 2009. The company also reported 2010 fourth quarter earnings of $95 million, compared to $76 million for the same quarter in 2009.

North Eastern Strategic Alliance releases 2010 report

The North Eastern Strategic A...

Lexington company expands into Georgia

KB Ki...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / FEB. 8, 2011

Board forced to recognize $100 million deficit at HHS

The Budget and Control Board has authorized the Department of Health and Human Services to run at $100 million deficit, though more red ink may be coming. New agency head Tony Keck told the board that the agency currently projects a $225 million deficit in this fiscal year, which it has blamed on the growth of demand for Medicaid.

Lexington Medical partners with Duke in heart program

After a 10-year struggle to receive a certificate of need from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control to provide heart surgeries, Lexington Medical has signed an agreement with Duke ...

TODAY'S HEADLINES / FEB. 7, 2011

Co-ops’ leader: Carolinas should share new reactors

The state electric cooperatives' trade organization, The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, is advocating that Duke Energy, Progress Energy, Santee Cooper and S.C. Electric & Gas Co. all share stakes in the new nuclear plants planned in South Carolina.

USC names vice president for human resources

Chris Byrd named vice president of human resources at USCChris Byrd has been named vice president for human resources at the University of South Carolina. He was USC’s director of budgets and human resources for the Division of Information Technology.

City of Columbia looks to add new industrial park

Columbia city leaders say the city needs another industrial park to help spur economic development, which will help the city grow.

USC law dean candidates to make campus visits

Five candidates for dean of the University of South Carolina School of Law have accepted invitations to visit the campus.

Senate confirms Etter, Black to Cabinet

David Black, who will head the Insurance Department, was president and CEO of Liberty Life Insurance Co. in Greenville. Jim Etter, a Blythewood resident and former corporate finance officer, will head the Revenue Department.

More than $4 billion in stimulus funds spent in S.C.

State agencies have handled more than $4 billion in federal stimulus funds. The website of the comptroller general breaks down where the money has gone.

Verizon looks to grow locally in 2011

Verizon Wireless will fill almost 500 openings at its call center in Northeast Richland in 2011, both as a result of turnover and expected growth. Verizon plans to take on about 40 new employees per month in 2011, said Tony May, director of the customer service operation.

New campaign aims to boost community involvement

Columbia Opportunity R...

First Citizens, Exchange Bank to merge

The companies are both wholly owned subsidiaries of First Citizens Bancorp. Inc. The merger consolidates two separate banking operations of Columbia-based First Citizens Bancorp. in Williamsburg County. Pending regulatory approval, the merger is expected to close in July.

Companion Life acquires Utah-based dental insurer

The Columbia-based insurance company purchased Total Dental Administrators Inc., and its affiliates and subsidiaries, for an undisclosed amount. Total Dental provides insurance and is a third-party administrator of employer-based plans.

TODAY'S HEADLINES / JAN. 28, 2011

Benefit Bank to help low-, moderate-income residents

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation and The Duke Endowment have donated millions to ensure the operation and access to services provided by the nonprofit Benefit Bank. The organization announced its launch during an event at Charles Towne Landing.

Foreclosures below 3% in largest regions of state

After posting the lowest rates of foreclosures in 2009 at just over 10%, the Columbia metro area saw the numbers drop precipitously in 2010, to 1.55%. Among the state’s largest regions, Charleston-North Charleston and the Grand Strand posted the highest number of foreclosures in 20...