State News Briefs

South Carolina Sees
Record Number Of
Wood Stork Nests In 2019
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Dec. 13, 2019) – In 2019, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) biologists and technicians counted the highest amount of wood stork nests ever recorded in the state’s history.
SCDNR’s Wading Bird Program counted 3,075 wood stork nests at 26 colonies in South Carolina, breaking the record high of 2,512 nests set during 2016 However, this increase likely reflects widespread nesting failure documented in south Florida.
In the 268 nests monitored in South Carolina this year, an average of two chicks per nest site survived to fledging age, and at least one chick survived to fledging age in 84% the nest sites.

Sober Or Slammer
Enforcement Begins
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) and law enforcement partners statewide will conduct stringent enforcement of impaired driving laws as part of its Sober or Slammer! campaign running through January 1. Troopers are encouraging drivers to make a plan now for a safe ride home from parties and celebrations this holiday season.
“The holidays should be a time to enjoy family, friends, celebrations and the warmth of the season,” said Highway Patrol Col. Christopher Williamson. “We want to ensure everyone makes it home safely this holiday season, and that is why motorists will see an increase in blue lights during the holidays as we team up with local law enforcement for increased DUI enforcement.”
Col. Williamson encourages motorists to take the following steps to ensure a safe ride home:
· Designate a sober driver;
· Use public transportation, such as buses and shuttles;
· Call a local cab or taxi service, or plan ahead for a taxi. (Some local towing services also offer safe rides home and will tow the driver’s car home for a fee);
· Downloading and use ride-share apps such as Uber, Lyft, Sidecar, etc.

SC Ports Wins
International Awards
For Port Performance
CHARLESTON — DEC. 13, 2019 — South Carolina Ports Authority received international recognition for the Port of Charleston’s performance and overall productivity. The Journal of Commerce ranked the Port of Charleston No. 1 for overall productivity in the midsize ports category for North American ports. Wando Welch Terminal was named No. 1 for overall productivity in the midsize terminals category. The first place rankings highlight S.C. Ports’ ability to efficiently move cargo boxes between container ships and terminals.

Kemira Expanding
Operations In
Richland County
COLUMBIA – Kemira, a global chemicals company, announced plans to expand operations in Richland County, investing $20 million into the project.
Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Finland, Kemira has more than 4,900 employees worldwide. The company utilizes chemistry to add optimal quality; functionality and strength to paper and board products; ensure the safety and hygiene of water and food packaging; and maximize yield from energy resources.
Located at 191 Water Station Road in Eastover, S.C., the company’s expansion is expected to be completed in 2020.

Freightliner Custom
Chassis Corporation
Expanding Cherokee
County Operations
COLUMBIA – Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC), a leading manufacturer of premium vehicle chassis, announced plans to expand operations in Cherokee County. The more than $13.9 million investment is expected to create 193 new jobs.
Established in 1995, FCCC is a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC and currently employs more than 1,000 team members at its headquarters located at 552 Hyatt Street in Gaffney, S.C.
FCCC is a leading manufacturer of premium chassis for the luxury RV, school bus, commercial bus and walk-in van markets. As a leader in diesel and gasoline engine powered chassis, FCCC is also on the leading edge of alternative propulsion vehicle design and manufacturing, including propane.
The company’s expansion is expected to be completed by early 2022.

Dennis Eagle Inc.
Launching Dorchester
County Operations
COLUMBIA – Dennis Eagle Inc., a subsidiary of U.K.-based manufacturer Dennis Eagle Ltd., today announced plans to establish operations in Dorchester County. The company is expected to create 21 new jobs.
Part of the multinational Terberg RosRoca Group, which employs more than 2,500 people worldwide, Dennis Eagle Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacturing of refuse collection vehicles. The company plans to lease 16,000 square feet in Dorchester County’s Eastport Commerce Center, located at 104 Pinnacle Way, to assemble Elite Chassis for compressed natural gas (CNG) and diesel trucks.
The new facility is projected to be operational in 2020.

Senator Tim Scott
Secures Another Win
For HBCUs
U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) announced his efforts to secure more than $46 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The $46 million secured will go towards funding the Department of Defense’s HBCU and Minority Institutions Program, which is designed to increase the participation of HBCU and minority students in the Department of Defense’s research, development, test, and evaluation programs.

Columbia Named
In Inc.’s 2020
Surge Cities List
COLUMBIA, December 12, 2019 – Inc. announced its second annual Surge Cities list, a guide to the best 50 cities in America for starting a business. Coming in 42 on the list, Columbia, SC is ranked 6th in Net Business Creation, 20th in Wage Growth and 34th in Population Growth.
Inc.’s Surge Cities partner, innovation policy firm Startup Genome, used public data as well as insights from the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America to compile the city rankings. Startup Genome developed its scoring system based on three traits that determine a surge city: growth, opportunity, and innovation.
“Inc. has long believed in the alchemy of entrepreneurial innovation and community,” Inc. acting editor-in-chief Jon Fine said in a statement. “We’re excited to see, for the second year in a row, how well some smaller cities are competing with—indeed, even besting—the likes of San Francisco, New York, and Boston.”

South Carolina State
Firefighters’ Association
Announces Director
The South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association is proud to announce the selection of Charlie King as its new Executive Director. Chief King comes to the Association from Oconee County where he served as the Fire Chief. Chief King has most recently served as the 73rd President of the Association and will become its 6th Executive Director in the Association’s 114-year history.
Chief King will begin his duties on January 6, 2020.

Gov. Henry McMaster Announces Rep. Bobby Cox as South Carolina’s First Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today announced that Representative Bobby Cox will be South Carolina’s first Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs – a position created by H.3438, which created the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Governor McMaster signed that bill into law in May of this year.
The governor’s announcement comes after a months-long search process undertaken by the governor’s advisory panel, which was chaired by former South Carolina Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Bob Livingston.
“Colonel Cox was an Army Ranger with a highly decorated military career, and he is a real leader, a man of the highest moral integrity and character,” said Gov. McMaster. “He will bring the insight, energy, spark, and determination that we need in South Carolina and are so proud to have in abundance”
The governor’s appointment is subject to Senate approval.
A 2002 graduate of The Citadel, Cox, 39, is a resident of Greenville County and is married with two children.

Congressman Clyburn Praises Over $17 Million in ReConnect Investments for Huger and Orangeburg Broadband Expansion
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture investment of over $17 million to provide high-speed internet to nearly 8,000 homes in the Berkeley and Orangeburg counties. The two awards are part of the ReConnect program created and funded by Congress to provide grants and loans to rural communities to improve broadband access.
“The ReConnect program is vital to my Rural Broadband Task Force’s initiative to eliminate digital deserts and ensure all Americans have access to high-speed internet by 2025,” Congressman Clyburn said. “Projects like those in Berkeley and Orangeburg are bringing communities online little by little. The Task Force is currently developing comprehensive legislation that will greatly amplify this broadband expansion.”
This year, the Congress provided $600 million to USDA for broadband deployment. Much more funding is needed however; conservative FCC estimates are that 21.3 million Americans lack access to broadband, while other experts suggest 162.8 million people don’t have internet access at broadband speeds The Rural Broadband Task Force plans to roll out its comprehensive broadband deployment legislation in early 2020.

Chuck Saylors installed as SCSBA president
COLUMBIA – Chuck Saylors, member of the Greenville County Schools Board, was installed as president of the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) during the association’s annual Delegate Assembly held Saturday, December 7, in Charleston.
The association’s annual business meeting, which was held during the association’s Legislative Advocacy Conference, included voting delegates from most of the state’s 79 school boards. In addition to the election of association officers, delegates adopted resolutions to guide the association during the 2020 legislative session.
Saylors was elected to the Greenville County Schools Board in 2002. He has served on the SCSBA board since 2015. Saylors is a lifelong resident of the Greenville community. Saylors is the vice president of the Construction Management Division of MB Kahn Construction Company based out of Columbia, SC.

SCDOR ISSUES ALMOST $64 MILLION IN $50 REBATES BY DECEMBER
The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) issued 1,279,935 rebate checks as of December 2 for a total of $63,996,750.
“It was a major team effort to get these 1.2 million checks out the door on time and on budget,” said SCDOR Director Hartley Powell. “We are grateful to our partners at the State Treasurer’s Office and SCEIS (SC Enterprise Information System) who worked countless hours with SCDOR employees to complete this enormous task.”
About 65 percent of the rebate checks issued have been cashed as of December 3. If you’re wondering if you qualified or if your rebate was issued, check your rebate status at dor.sc.gov/rebate by clicking the “Check my rebate status” button. This tool will only be available through the end of the year.

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