AGP Executive Report

State Regulation Overhaul: Gov. Henry McMaster signed H 3021, making South Carolina a REINS-style state that requires legislative approval for costly executive agency rules and bars courts from deferring to agency interpretations. Healthcare Transparency: A new law will require hospitals to provide patients itemized medical bills electronically starting Jan. 1, 2027, with plain-language charges after insurance. Public Health: Publix recalled GreenWise frozen organic blueberries in eight states, including South Carolina, tied to 12 E. coli illnesses; affected lot 60401 (best by Feb. 9, 2028) should be thrown out or returned. Workforce & Services: South Carolina’s behavioral health and disabilities agency laid off 47 administrative workers as it consolidated roles under a 2025 reorganization. Business Growth: Prisma Health will invest $180 million in a 50-acre Fountain Inn Medical Park with 12+ specialties, targeting patient care in Dec. 2027. Local Safety Tech: Pageland police are investigating vandalism that cut down two Flock camera poles. Retail Expansion: Del Taco opened its first Myrtle Beach-area location in Socastee, with a second planned in Little River.

Manufacturing & Branding: Columbia sign maker QHF launched a redesigned website with Splash Omnimedia, spotlighting its work behind national brands like Bojangles, Dunkin’ and Firehouse Subs. Energy & Markets: Caterpillar’s power-and-energy momentum is lifting results and backlog to record levels, but the stock’s rich valuation raises cyclical risk questions. Home & Construction: A Greenville window film installer says homeowners can cut summer heat gain and glare without replacing windows. State Budget & Nonprofits: A South Carolina budget stalemate is leaving Lowcountry nonprofits without state funding, forcing hiring freezes and delayed plans. Water & Tourism: Lake Murray residents are watching drought-driven lake levels and asking whether low water poses boating and swimming concerns. Sports Facilities: Florence is set to invest about $3M in upgrades to the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center to attract bigger tournaments. Food Safety: Publix is recalling GreenWise frozen organic IQF blueberries tied to an E. coli outbreak affecting shoppers in multiple states, including South Carolina. Caregiving Support: United Way’s 211 caregiver helpline is expanding into South Carolina, aiming to connect family caregivers with services. Banking: Encore Bank says it remains committed to North Carolina and South Carolina after selling branch buildings in Greenville and Winston-Salem.

Food Safety Recall: Publix is recalling 10-ounce GreenWise Organic IQF blueberries (lot code 60401; best-by Feb. 9, 2028) after 12 confirmed E. coli O145 illnesses reported May 11–June 5, with affected product sold in eight states including South Carolina. Auto Manufacturing: BMW says it’s “here for the long game” as it completes a $1.7 billion South Carolina expansion, including a $1 billion Plant Spartanburg upgrade and a $700 million battery assembly facility in Woodruff, and it unveiled the all-electric X5/iX5. Local Economic Development: York County’s Octapharma tax deal hit a snag after a county vote shifted who pays the fee-in-lieu cost, forcing Rock Hill to revisit its approval before the incentive can be finalized. Workforce & Child Care: A South Carolina scholarship rollback is leaving many families without help paying for child care, with the argument that the issue is really state infrastructure for working parents and economic growth. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show volatile fuel costs in SC counties, including a Williamsburg regular low of $2.99 and Sumter midgrade lows around $3.48 for the week ending June 27. Business Growth & Tourism: Small businesses in tourist areas say more Americans are staying closer to home this summer, boosting local spending as travel costs stay high. Legal Watch: Alex Murdaugh’s murder case remains in motion after the Supreme Court overturned his convictions, with retrial timelines and DNA testing requests continuing to surface.

Home Insurance Shock: A new report warns South Carolina’s “affordable alternative” pitch may be catching up, projecting homeowners insurance premium hikes of 60% to 203% over the next decade, with some coastal areas facing increases that could outpace property taxes. Manufacturing & AI on the Floor: BMW’s Spartanburg plant has deployed Figure AI’s Figure 03 humanoid robots to handle logistics and repetitive tasks as part of BMW’s “physical AI” push. Workforce/Family Tax Relief: South Carolina’s Heirs’ Property Tax Relief Act aims to prevent sudden property tax spikes for families untangling inherited land titles. Industrial Real Estate Readiness: Greenwood County is marketing more than 1,600 acres of industrial property, but officials say only a small portion has physical improvements—highlighting the gap between land availability and “ready-to-build” sites. Tourism Shift to Local: Small businesses in tourist areas report more Americans staying closer to home this summer, boosting regional spending as travel costs rise. Food Safety Recall: Publix recalled GreenWise frozen organic whole blueberries in multiple states, including South Carolina, tied to an E. coli concern. Data Center Clarity: DC BLOX says only one approved Palm Coast facility exists so far—a cable landing station—pushing back on claims of a much larger hyperscale campus. Energy Watch: GasBuddy price reports show South Carolina averages easing for midgrade and regular fuel in the week ending June 27, with county-by-county lows highlighted.

Food Safety: Publix recalled GreenWise frozen organic whole blueberries (lot No. 60401; best by Feb. 9, 2028) after reports of 12 E. coli O145:H28 illnesses; affected stores include South Carolina, with customers told to return or discard impacted purchases. Small Business & Travel: Anecdotal reports from tourist destinations suggest Americans are staying closer to home this summer, shifting spending toward regional restaurants and local attractions as higher airfares and gas prices bite. Industry Branding: The Carolinas Roofing Association unveiled a new brand identity and redesigned website to better serve roofing professionals across North and South Carolina. Fuel Watch (SC): GasBuddy price reports for the week ending June 27 show midgrade and diesel deals varying by county, including Greenville County midgrade at $3.33 and Cherokee County diesel at $3.99, underscoring continued volatility in local pump prices. Weather Impact: Sunday brings dangerous heat plus a return of storm chances across South Carolina’s Upstate, with potential for strong wind gusts, hail, and localized flooding.

Real Estate Deal: Continental Realty sold two Mount Pleasant shopping centers—Sweetgrass Corner and Shops at Towne Centre Way—for $51M off-market to Illinois-based InvenTrust Properties, with 95,370 square feet and full occupancy anchored by a new Trader Joe’s. Workforce & Training: Greenville Tech Foundation received a Duke Energy Foundation grant to equip students for welding and automation training at GTC’s Center for Welding and Automation Excellence, opening fall 2026. Local Governance/Tax Relief: South Carolina’s Heirs’ Property Tax Relief Act aims to prevent surprise property tax spikes for families sorting out heirs’ property during legal ownership changes. Coastal Safety: Hilton Head’s Coligny Beach lifeguards are urging hydration and sun-safety as holiday crowds and extreme heat drive higher risk of heat exhaustion. M&A Expansion: French firm Bouygues Construction completed its acquisition of Charlotte-based Vannoy Construction, expanding in the Carolinas and broader U.S. markets. Weather: Independence Day forecast calls for dangerous heat across South Carolina, with heat index values topping 100 and a chance of late-day storms. Sports Business/Operations: Parents say an NFL McMillan camp was canceled without timely notice, with registrations reportedly shifted to another Panthers receiver’s camp.

M&A Watch: Bouygues Construction has completed its acquisition of Charlotte-based Vannoy Construction, expanding the French firm’s U.S. footprint with seven branches across North and South Carolina plus Virginia and work spanning healthcare, education, manufacturing and retail. Energy & Property Dispute: A Kinder Morgan-linked gas pipeline plan is headed to court after Elba Express LLC sued landowners in Hampton and Colleton counties who blocked survey access for a proposed 71-mile line feeding a planned 2,200-megawatt power plant near the ACE Basin. Public Safety & Compliance: South Carolina’s Fourth of July fireworks rules vary by local jurisdiction, with statewide bans on items like cherry bombs and M-80s and warnings that drought conditions raise wildfire risk. Local Fire Service: Columbia-Richland Fire Department crews received a state meritorious award for a high-stakes rescue after a fiery I-126 crash in March 2025. Sports Business: South Carolina landed Top247 offensive lineman Nate Carson, citing the Gamecocks’ offensive line coaching and “Carolina is home” ties. Consumer Watch: A frozen GreenWise organic blueberry recall was issued over potential E. coli O145 contamination, with distribution including South Carolina. Aviation Disruption: United Airlines’ newest Boeing 787-9 appears to be grounded again after reported TCAS issues, disrupting trans-Atlantic service.

Health Care & Policy: A new report says Trump-era Medicaid cuts and the expiration of expanded ACA subsidies have left more than 100,000 South Carolinians uninsured over the past year, with experts warning of higher premiums and possible hospital closures as more cuts roll in. Local Economy: Unemployment rose in Orangeburg, Calhoun and Bamberg counties in May, while South Carolina’s overall jobless rate fell to 4.6% as employment and labor force participation increased. Data Centers & Land Use: Greenwood County is revising its proposed data center ordinance ahead of a final council vote, tightening rules on setbacks, noise, generators and environmental review after residents pressed for stronger protections. Banking Expansion: REV Federal Credit Union, based in South Carolina, finalized its acquisition of First Neighborhood Bank in West Virginia and is beginning an 11-month conversion to full-service credit union branches. Business & Growth: North Charleston is launching “One North Charleston,” a major rewrite of its zoning ordinance aimed at guiding growth over the next 10 to 15 years. Markets & Industry: A new market outlook projects the global automotive composites market will grow to $71.21B by 2034, driven by lightweighting and electrification. Sports/Workforce: Polaris Tech Charter School graduated 24 students, with most heading to college or trade school.

Port & Logistics: South Carolina Ports Authority plans to pause operations at the Leatherman Terminal at the Port of Charleston starting Aug. 1, shifting work to Wando and North Charleston to rein in costs amid softer container volumes and trade headwinds. Higher Ed Construction: South Carolina State University marked a major milestone with the final steel beam for its new 90,000-square-foot, $54.7 million academic building, targeting a Q4 2027 opening. Real Estate: EmpowerHome Team Charlotte earned top-10 North Carolina rankings from RealTrends Verified, placing #8 for families served and #3 for transaction volume in Charlotte. Retail & Dining: CAVA opened a new Summerville location, while Grub Shack debuted in Ridgeville; SALT LIFE also held a North Myrtle Beach grand opening tied to its coastal retail expansion. Business Leadership: Georges Media hired South Carolina media veteran Chase Heatherly as chief revenue officer, aiming to scale sales across its brands. Workplace & Safety: Penn Installations was recognized as the safest subcontractor in Pennsylvania by the Keystone Contractors Association.

Retail Expansion: Target is pushing into South Carolina’s retail map with a planned July opening in the state, part of a broader 2026 rollout that includes Brookings, S.D., and more stores nationwide. Politics & Elections: A letter to the editor blasts an $18,000 raise for legislators as a recipe for “insurance for incumbents,” arguing it worsens uncontested races and deepens big-money influence. Healthcare Policy: Medicaid will again cover non-abortion care at Planned Parenthood as a GOP ban ends, shifting the decision back to states and raising concerns about access after clinics were forced to close. Housing Affordability: Beaufort-area mobile home park residents say new owners will double lot rents starting July 1, with tenants calling the jump unjustified and unsustainable. Manufacturing & Jobs: BMW marked completion of a $1.7B South Carolina investment, unveiling the fifth-generation X5 assembled in Spartanburg and setting up fully electric production. Business Growth: UMH Properties reported stronger Q2 results, including higher rental income, increased occupancy, and new preferred stock sales. Public Safety: Duke Energy and county officials will test outdoor sirens around Brunswick Nuclear Plant July 1. Community & Philanthropy: The Myrtle Beach Corvette Club donated $1,000 checks to local charities during its annual car show.

Biotech & Manufacturing: Cytiva’s exec highlighted how new drug modalities (beyond monoclonal antibodies) and faster regulatory timelines are reshaping demand for bioprocess equipment and reagents. Commercial Real Estate: DXD Capital broke ground on an 800+ unit, 90,000-sq.-ft Class-A self-storage project in Mount Pleasant, a second deal under its CrossHarbor partnership. Retail Expansion: Costco filed plans for a third Charleston-area store in North Charleston (181,000 sq. ft. plus a 32-pump gas station), potentially its eighth in South Carolina. Workforce Development: Walmart is rolling out a fully funded “Associate to Optician” program in SC and other states to address optical labor shortages. State Economy Snapshot: A new pay analysis says South Carolina private-sector workers average $33.07 an hour, with weekly pay around $1,121. Sports Business: South Carolina Athletics officially started a 10-year Nike partnership, making Nike the exclusive supplier for Gamecock uniforms and gear. Local Growth & Community: SCDOT will close the SC 160/Assembly Drive intersection in Fort Mill for about a week starting July 12 for interchange improvements. Public Health: DPH confirmed a rabid raccoon in Columbia exposed two people, urging anyone with contact to seek guidance.

Auto Manufacturing: BMW has finished a $1.7 billion expansion in South Carolina, completing its Woodruff high-voltage EV battery plant and setting up production of the next-generation X5, including an all-electric version, with battery supply tied to Spartanburg assembly. Higher Ed & Sports Business: The University of South Carolina officially switches to Nike as its athletic uniform supplier on July 1, starting a 10-year, $70 million deal after 19 years with Under Armour; Under Armour inventory will be sold through South Carolina State Surplus. State Economy & Budget: South Carolina begins the new fiscal year without a final budget as lawmakers stall over property tax relief and earmarks, using a continuing resolution that keeps agencies operating at prior levels while pay increases wait. Policy & Regulation: A small business regulatory reform bill advances after House and Senate adopt a conference report, tightening oversight of agency rules and requiring joint approval for regulations with major financial impacts. Food Costs: A Fourth of July cookout for 10 in South Carolina hits a record $73.82, reflecting higher prices for key meats even as some sides cool. Tourism & Community: SC250’s “Carolina Days” kicks off with more than 130 Revolutionary War-related events statewide, tying history, education, preservation and tourism into a single statewide push.

BMW Expansion & Jobs: After a $1.7 billion investment in Spartanburg/Greer, BMW unveiled the next-generation X5, its first model to offer five powertrain options globally—gas, diesel, plug-in hybrid, fully electric (iX5) and hydrogen—built at the Greer campus. Logistics & Manufacturing: Calhoun County approved a $37 million Amazon deal for a 220,000-square-foot sort-and-load facility plus a fleet maintenance center, targeting about 100 full-time jobs. Port & Trade Watch: South Carolina Ports is pausing Leatherman Terminal operations as trade headwinds mount, with container moves shifting in the short term. Workplace & Legal: EEOC sued the Salvation Army over alleged disability discrimination tied to cancer treatment accommodations. Higher Ed Policy: Florida’s board voted to bar undocumented students from state colleges, joining similar “prohibitive enrollment” moves in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Community Growth: A MoveCrew index highlights where Upstate growth is landing around Greenville, led by Fountain Inn and Greer.

Kids Online Safety: An SC GOP lawmaker and parents whose children were harmed by online sextortion are urging Congress to pass the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) now, arguing delays have cost lives. AI Infrastructure: Opinion warns the U.S. can’t win the AI race on software alone—data centers and power delivery are becoming strategic economic and national-security assets. Upstate Manufacturing: BMW is set to unveil the new X5 at its Greer plant, highlighting continued Upstate investment and a broader electrification push. Ports & Trade Headwinds: South Carolina Ports is consolidating container operations and pausing Leatherman Terminal activity as trade uncertainty mounts. State Economy: First-quarter GDP data show South Carolina’s economic output rising 3.2%, among the highest in the nation. Retail Growth: Greene Concepts says Walmart point-of-sale sales for its Be Water brand jumped 34% year over year as distribution expanded across the Carolinas and nearby states. JPMorgan Succession: Reuters reports JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon’s succession timeline is finally taking shape, with insiders pointing to internal candidates. Legal Watch: Alex Murdaugh returned to court as a judge set a tentative retrial date for April 5, 2027. Local Governance: The SC GOP adopted a rule change to restrict who can run in primaries, setting up a likely lawsuit over “closed” primary enforcement.

JPMorgan Succession: Jamie Dimon’s long-awaited handoff is finally getting a clearer shape, with insiders saying he could stay up to three more years and that consumer-banking co-president Troy Rohrbaugh is viewed as the frontrunner to succeed him, potentially with Dimon shifting to executive chair. South Carolina Courts: Alex Murdaugh returned to court as Judge Debra McCaslin set a tentative April 5, 2027 retrial date and pushed a fast-moving schedule for discovery and pretrial steps, while Murdaugh remains behind bars on separate financial-crime sentences. Food Labeling Law: South Carolina’s shrimp labeling bill has cleared the legislature and heads to the governor, requiring restaurants to disclose whether shrimp is foreign or domestic—aimed at cracking down on seafood fraud. Water & Utilities: Severe drought conditions triggered water limits for the Grand Strand and Pee Dee, with Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority tightening excess-use thresholds starting July 1. Port & Trade: South Carolina Ports is consolidating container operations and pausing Leatherman Terminal activity as trade headwinds mount. Defense Manufacturing: Leonardo DRS is expanding in Charleston to build key components for the Columbia-class submarine, with hiring planned locally. Banking Deal: Commerce Bancshares agreed to acquire Nolan & Associates, adding middle-market investment banking capabilities.

South Carolina Legal Watch: Alex Murdaugh is back in Lexington County court Monday for a status and scheduling hearing after the state Supreme Court overturned his double-murder conviction, with the judge expected to set deadlines and map next steps for a potential retrial. State Politics: Alan Wilson’s historic GOP primary win over Pamela Evette is being framed by observers as a campaign that avoided major missteps while converting his attorney general brand into a dominant runoff victory. Energy & Resilience: Dominion Energy is meeting with South Carolina local governments to prepare for hurricane season, stressing relationship-building and coordination before storms hit. Banking Deal: Commerce Bank agreed to acquire St. Louis boutique investment bank Nolan & Associates, expanding middle-market investment banking capabilities. Health Policy: Medicare’s new weight-loss drug coverage pilot begins July 1, with seniors eligible for the first time under the program. Business/Industry: Polestar says U.S. Commerce Department rules will block its vehicle sales from 2027, pushing the company to refocus on Europe. Local Economy/Infrastructure: South Carolina Ports is moving toward consolidating container operations and pausing Leatherman Terminal work as part of a broader operational shift.