AGP Executive Report

Energy Investment: Developer energyRe closed $815 million in financing for five South Carolina solar projects totaling about 360 megawatts, one of the state’s largest solar-only financings. Business Growth: Re:Build opened an advanced manufacturing facility in South Carolina, while USA Rare Earth broke ground on a planned $1.2 billion magnet plant. L&L Products is also expanding its West Columbia operations. Health Care: Prisma Health plans to acquire 36 urgent care centers from Novant Health, adding about 500 employees and broadening its statewide outpatient network. Downtowns and Small Business: Duke Energy Foundation awarded $190,000 for South Carolina Main Street projects, including storefront upgrades and small-business incentives. Walhalla businesses affected by September’s fire can also apply for low-interest federal disaster loans. Retail: Food Lion is expanding in the greater Greenville market with a new South Carolina store.

Port Development: South Carolina and Georgia port leaders have agreed to halt work on the Jasper Ocean Terminal, ending a long-running project as both focus on core operations and costs. Data Centers: Senate candidates clashed over expansion, with communities raising concerns about water use, power bills and local input; at least six Midlands communities have paused development. Economic Strategy: Business leaders presented Blueprint 2036, a 10-year plan focused on workforce, infrastructure, business conditions and competitive sites, with feedback set to shape the 2027 legislative agenda. Investment and Jobs: USA Rare Earth has broken ground on a planned $1.2 billion South Carolina magnet plant, while L&L Products expanded its West Columbia manufacturing facility and Obatala Sciences invested $656,000 in Charleston County.

Clean Energy Services: Greenville-based Integrated Power Services acquired Colorado’s Bold Renewables, adding service capabilities for about 14,000 solar inverters across more than 3,000 North American sites. Life Sciences: New Orleans biotech company Obatala Sciences plans to invest $656,000 in Charleston County and create 46 jobs and training opportunities through a partnership with MUSC and Blue Sky Labs. Manufacturing: L&L Products opened an expanded 84,420-square-foot West Columbia facility. The company expects local employment to rise about 30%, though it has not said how many jobs that represents. Workforce Pipeline: South Carolina college enrollment grew 2.3% to 258,027 students in fall 2025, with resident and first-time undergraduate enrollment also increasing.

Factory Automation: A South Carolina auto plant replaced a humanoid robot after it helped build 30,000 vehicles in 11 months, putting a more dexterous model on the line. Major Investment: USA Rare Earth is committing $1.2 billion to a South Carolina processing facility as it builds a domestic supply chain, alongside a $2.8 billion acquisition in Brazil. Jobs and Expansion: Charleston County’s Obatala Sciences plans a $656,000 investment and 46 jobs, while CurTec will invest $10 million and add 10 jobs in Oconee County. Growth and Infrastructure: South Carolina added about 80,000 residents in a year, and a judge dismissed a challenge to a Spartanburg data center project. Housing Finance: Upstate lender Lima One Capital is financing attainable-home construction. Banking: Encore Bank named Fallon Meyer its South Carolina market president, based in Charleston.

Retail: Columbia’s Crave Artisan Market has opened its third location, adding a coffee bar and expanded food offerings on Main Street. Manufacturing: CurTec plans a $10 million investment and 10 new jobs in Oconee County, while a Rock Hill manufacturer’s $20 million expansion is expected to add 150 jobs. Biotech: Charleston County is set to gain 46 jobs as Obatala Sciences invests about $656,000 in an East Coast operation. Tourism: A long-planned Charleston conference hotel has revised its design, dropping residential units. Business Climate: South Carolina is weighing legal sports gambling as prediction-market activity grows, raising questions about how state law will keep pace.

Utilities & Rates: Virginia’s lieutenant governor came out against Dominion Energy–NextEra’s proposed $67 billion merger, citing fears of higher power bills—a concern relevant to South Carolina’s utility customers, too. Manufacturing: CurTec USA plans a $10 million Oconee County expansion expected to add 10 jobs, while Re:Build is growing its Rock Hill manufacturing operations. Capital & Growth: A South Carolina venture capital firm has surpassed $100 million invested. State lawmakers also promised $31 million in additional one-time film grants, alongside possible policy changes. Data Centers: Local debate is sharpening over the facilities’ potential effects on electricity costs and water use, with a state committee considering $50,000 for research. Storm Readiness: Duke Energy prepared crews for wind and rain from Hurricane Isaias, as flooding and outages hit parts of the Carolinas.

Infrastructure: Aiken Regional Airport has completed an $8 million runway resurfacing, funded 95% by the FAA; officials say airport capacity can help support economic development. Commercial Development: A planned Charleston conference hotel has been redesigned after dropping residential units. Manufacturing Investment: Re:Build plans a $20 million York County expansion adding 150 jobs, while CurTec will invest $10 million in Oconee County and create 10 jobs. Life Sciences: Obatala Sciences is establishing its first East Coast operation in Charleston County. Capital and Growth: A South Carolina venture capital firm has surpassed $100 million in investments, as the state adds 80,000 residents in a year and lawmakers examine the forces behind its record growth.

Life Sciences: New Orleans-based Obatala Sciences has opened its first East Coast operation in Charleston County, investing $656,000 and creating 46 jobs through a partnership with MUSC and Blue Sky Labs. Manufacturing: CurTec plans a $10 million Oconee County expansion and 10 jobs; Re:Build’s $20 million York County project is expected to add 150. Investment: A South Carolina venture capital firm has surpassed $100 million invested. In Spartanburg, a judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging a data center, while a state committee may receive $50,000 to study the industry. Growth and Recovery: South Carolina added 80,000 residents in a year as lawmakers examine the drivers of economic growth. The federal share of Hurricane Helene recovery costs has also risen to 90%.

Retail & Development: Palmetto Moon will return to Charleston’s King Street with a new store opening Nov. 7. Publix says its Goose Creek store is being rebuilt and will reopen, despite reports it was closing permanently. Greenville’s proposed first IKEA faces delays after the city rejected a shopping center’s appeal over unfinished traffic improvements. Investment & Jobs: Oconee County’s CurTec plans a $10 million expansion and 10 jobs, while Charleston County’s Obatala Sciences is investing $656,000 to create 46 jobs. Rock Hill manufacturer Re:Build plans a $20 million expansion with 150 new jobs. Growth & Talent: South Carolina added 80,000 residents in a year, and lawmakers are examining what’s driving record growth. A South Carolina-based venture capital firm has surpassed $100 million in investments. A national shortage of skilled tradespeople is also delaying construction projects, a concern as the state’s building activity grows.

Business Expansion: CurTec plans to invest $10 million and add 10 jobs at its Oconee County facility, while Charleston County’s Obatala Sciences expects a $656,000 investment and 46 jobs. A Rock Hill manufacturer also plans a $20 million expansion creating 150 jobs. Growth and Infrastructure: South Carolina added about 80,000 residents in a year, prompting lawmakers to examine how the state can keep up with demand for services and roads. A judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging a Spartanburg data center, removing one legal hurdle for the project. Local Business: Spartanburg-based Eggs Up Grill signed 11 franchise commitments and extended its same-store sales growth streak to 23 quarters. Greenville lender Lima One Capital has financed more than 50 Upstate home builds for one local builder in two years, including attainable homes in Gray Court.

Life Sciences: New Orleans-based Obatala Sciences is opening its first East Coast operation at MUSC’s Blue Sky Labs in Charleston, investing nearly $660,000 and planning to hire 46 workers at an average of $46 an hour. Manufacturing Growth: CurTec will invest $10 million and add 10 jobs in Oconee County, while Re:Build plans a $20 million Rock Hill facility expected to create 150 jobs. Major Investment: Adeptus USA is set to open a $215 million wood-products facility in Anderson County. Film Industry: State lawmakers pledged an additional $31 million in one-time film grants and signaled possible changes to the program.

Business Operations: South Carolina’s new DMV law begins the shift to electronic vehicle titles, requiring dealers, lenders and auctions to use digital filings. The system is due by March 2027, and industry groups say it could reduce paperwork, fraud and transaction costs. Investment & Jobs: CurTec plans a $10 million expansion in Oconee County, adding 10 jobs. Re:Build is investing $20 million in Rock Hill and expects to add 150 positions. Data Center Development: A Colleton County settlement creates a data-center exclusion zone covering about 62% of the county, including the ACE Basin and sensitive river areas. Film Industry: State lawmakers have pledged $31 million in additional one-time film grants and hinted at policy changes to attract productions. Energy Investment: Sen. Tim Scott introduced legislation to expand tax credits for new nuclear facilities and U.S.-made power transformers.

Manufacturing: Re:Build Manufacturing plans a $20 million York County facility and 150 jobs, while Lockheed Martin’s Greenville plant completed the first flight of a new F-16 Block 72 fighter—an export milestone for South Carolina aerospace. Business Growth: Greenville-based Integrated Power Services acquired Pennsylvania’s Belyea Company, expanding its electrical equipment and service business as utilities face long waits for new transformers. State Incentives: South Carolina lawmakers pledged $31 million in additional one-time film grant funding and signaled possible policy changes, a boost for the state’s production industry. Development: A settlement protects the ACE Basin in Colleton County from data center development, resolving a local clash between conservation and investment. Health Investment: Tecsys committed $5 million to Prisma Health’s $138 million behavioral health hospital near Easley, expected to open in 2027.

Federal Fraud Case: A former senior federal official, David J. Rush, pleaded guilty to about $194 million in wire fraud tied to invented classified programs, including purchases of 298 gold bars and four luxury South Florida properties. Upstate Infrastructure: SCDOT outlined about $10 million in I-26 bridge repairs over Lake Bowen in Spartanburg County, targeting a spring start and about 60 days of work, with public input sought. Cybersecurity in Schools: South Carolina reported a cybersecurity incident involving Frontline Education used by Upstate districts, with potential exposure of student medical records and employee data. Advanced Manufacturing Jobs: Re:Build plans a $20 million York County expansion in Rock Hill, adding a 130,000-square-foot facility and 150 skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs. Healthcare & Politics: Dr. Annie Andrews launched her “Patients and Prices” tour across South Carolina, focusing on prescription drug costs and Medicaid cuts as she challenges Sen. Darline Graham. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy price checks showed the lowest midgrade and diesel deals in multiple counties, underscoring how fuel costs remain a live pocketbook issue.

Auto & Retail Expansion: Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers opened a new Chapin location, adding quick-service maintenance and tire work to the Columbia-area market. Manufacturing & Jobs: Re:Build will invest about $20M in Rock Hill, adding a 130,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility and 150 skilled jobs. Data Center Power Fight: The Southern Environmental Law Center asked South Carolina regulators to revisit a decision that would limit review of a 450+ megawatt power plant tied to a Spartanburg data center. Workforce Shortage: A national skilled-trades report warns the U.S. needs 1.7M skilled workers annually through 2035, but training systems produce far fewer. Food Safety: The FDA recalled more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade in 37 states, including South Carolina, tied to undeclared yellow dyes. Energy Costs & Fuel Watch: GasBuddy data pegged Darlington County’s lowest regular price at $3.79/gallon for the week ending Sept. 26, with SC averaging $4.05. Business Growth & Culture: Pinnacle Financial Partners ranked No. 3 on Fortune’s Best Workplaces list for financial services, highlighting employee feedback on trust and leadership. Hospitality/Real Estate: Luxury Simplified Retreats joined Nocturne Luxury Villas, expanding Lowcountry-focused villa offerings. Sports & Local Interest: The Hornets’ preseason opener airs Tuesday on WMBF’s Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Network.

AI & Privacy: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is demanding answers from Flock Safety about how the company uses AI, who can access its “broader network” of data, and how long it retains information—warning that with more than 120,000 cameras nationwide, misuse risk is high. Housing & Credit: New ATTOM data says South Carolina led the nation in foreclosure activity in August, with 1,579 filings—up 41% year over year—while state housing officials point to rising home prices and mortgage rates driving demand for lower-rate and forgivable down-payment help. Economic Development: Xingyu Automotive Lighting Systems is bringing its first U.S. manufacturing operation to Landis Ridge Industrial Park in Landis, selecting a 121,800-square-foot site that officials say could generate up to $50 million in regional economic impact. Local Business/Community: USC’s Music Industry Studies program earned Billboard recognition as a top music business school, highlighting hands-on training and student-run label and venue experiences. Politics & Health Care: Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews is touring rural South Carolina, pitching plans to lower health care costs and protect rural hospitals after hearing concerns from veterans and Medicaid recipients.