AGP Executive Report

SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo: Greenville’s SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo returns Nov. 4-5, focusing on workforce, supply chain resilience and operations excellence, with AI and tech featured across tracks. Nuclear workforce push: USC and Westinghouse launch a nuclear workforce development program, including digital AP1000 simulators and hands-on craft, construction and maintenance training—aimed at supporting future fleet deployment. Defense infrastructure: NAVFAC Southeast awarded a $31.5M contract to modernize Wharf Bravo at NAS Pensacola, upgrading marine mooring, fenders and utility systems to strengthen readiness. Industrial growth in SC: Adeptus USA is investing $215M in Anderson County, and a wood products manufacturer plans its first SC operation in Anderson County, signaling continued upstate manufacturing momentum. Insurance risk watch: Florida suspended Atlantic Coast Life Insurance’s ability to sell or renew policies after South Carolina rehabilitation steps, raising concerns for policyholders. Energy & materials policy: FORTRESS America is set up as a defense supply-chain resilience program, spotlighting rare earth security as a key national issue. Local business & housing: Toll Brothers opened clubhouse and resort-style amenities at The Pines at Sugar Creek in Indian Land, underscoring ongoing luxury 55+ development. Consumer policy: South Carolina’s new vape excise tax takes effect, adding 50 cents to a 10-milliliter bottle and more at checkout.

Healthcare & Data Privacy: Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating a reported Saber Healthcare data breach, with notices tied to South Carolina residents among others. Policy & Billing Reform: A new discussion highlights how messy lab-test billing—especially genetic tests—can drive waste and trigger Medicare scrutiny. Energy & Industrial Growth: Trump announced a South Korea-backed $200B energy push, including eight large nuclear plants (with South Carolina named), a Texas gas project for data centers, and an Alaska LNG review. Utility Costs: A South Carolina Public Service Commission fight over Dominion’s long-range plan could shape electricity bills for 15 years, with projections of steep residential increases. Disaster Recovery: FEMA awarded South Carolina more than $5.4M for Hurricane Helene debris removal and critical infrastructure resilience. Consumer Health: SC AG Alan Wilson urged generic-drug buyers to file claims tied to multistate antitrust settlements over inflated prices. Workforce & Manufacturing: A wood products manufacturer plans an Upstate Anderson County operation, adding 200+ jobs, as SC continues pitching growth in timber and manufacturing. Local Business: Tidal Wave Auto Spa opened a new conveyor car wash in Duncan, expanding its South Carolina footprint.

Wood & jobs: Adeptus USA will invest about $216M to reopen a shuttered Belton Industries site in Anderson County, creating 217 jobs and producing pine moulding, boards, shiplap and panel products. Nuclear workforce: South Carolina is pushing its “nuclear renaissance” with a new USC–Westinghouse partnership to build a Nuclear Innovation Center for training, simulators and hands-on labs. Energy demand: An “unprecedented” surge in power demand is driving a new utility energy plan in South Carolina. Affordable housing: Monarch Private Capital closed LIHTC deals supporting 418 affordable homes, including 50 in Lancaster, S.C. Logistics/tech: USPS and Amazon are testing same-day delivery for afternoon-dropped Amazon packages at select facilities. Local infrastructure: North Augusta won SCDOT approval to move forward on the Georgia Avenue Traffic Calming Project, including a proposed roundabout and safer crosswalks. Consumer/health: Nearly 1M Americans in 30 states are set to receive $500 ACA refund checks starting in October. Food safety: FDA assigned the highest-risk recall level to a Salata jalapeño avocado dressing distributed in three states.

Nuclear workforce push: South Carolina leaders used the third annual Nuclear Summit to pitch a “nuclear renaissance,” highlighting that nuclear already supplies about 54% of the state’s electricity and unveiling a new USC–Westinghouse partnership aimed at training the next generation of nuclear engineers, operators and technicians. Retail tech upgrade: Denny’s, headquartered in South Carolina, says it’s lining up “Project Grand Slam” upgrades at about 500 restaurants over the next 12–18 months, including AI and new tech to improve forecasting and labor scheduling. Disaster recovery funding: FEMA announced nearly $5.5 million for South Carolina recovery, including $3.2 million to SCDOT and $1.5 million to Greenville County for Hurricane Helene debris removal plus added support for critical resilience. Local business & community: Connor Shaw donated two AEDs to Honea Path Parks & Recreation, and Lake Hartwell Country released a fall waterfall guide for visitors near Clemson. Consumer pressure: A Charlotte-area food bank reported a record year of distribution as demand rises and grocery costs climb.

Nuclear Workforce: Westinghouse and the University of South Carolina signed an agreement tied to USC’s planned nuclear workforce training center, with the program centered at the Molinaroli College and aimed at building talent for AP1000 deployment. Local Government: Fort Mill adopted a $74.7 million budget for 2026-27, raising the property tax rate from 83 to 87 mills to fund firefighters, a new fire station, and an operations center, plus higher water and sewer rates. Defense Infrastructure: NAVFAC MIDLANT awarded a $29.2 million contract for regional fence maintenance and construction across the Mid-Atlantic, and separately a $271.2 million construction deal for a U.S. Coast Guard offshore patrol cutter homeport pier in Rhode Island. Real Estate & Growth: Tri Pointe Homes bought 60.4 acres in Bluffton for 76 homesites in the New Riverside development. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reported the lowest E15 price in Lexington County at $3.74/gal for the week ending Sept. 19, while premium and midgrade prices varied across multiple counties. Data Centers Politics: A coalition backed by major data center players and unions is pushing back against state moratoriums, including campaigns in South Carolina. Consumer Protection: South Carolina AG Alan Wilson urged consumers to file claims tied to multistate settlements over inflated generic drug prices.

College Sports Policy: A major bipartisan bill clearing the U.S. Senate would set a national framework for college athletes’ pay, add antitrust protections for the NCAA, set a five-year eligibility timeline, and require disclosure of foreign funding over $600—now headed to the House. South Carolina Higher Ed & Workforce: USC’s College of HRSM is launching the Dawn Staley Leadership Academy this fall with Staley’s name and a six-credit program for students pursuing careers in sports and related fields. Energy & Utilities: South Carolina critics say the Dominion-NextEra merger’s benefits package is richer for Virginia than for SC, with hearings expected in November and a PSC decision by late January. Data Centers & Infrastructure: Big Tech, private equity and unions are forming a coalition to push data-center standards and counter state moratoriums, with South Carolina included. Transportation Tech: SCDOT is exploring AI for safety and operations, including incident alerts and planning tools, with a selection targeted by year-end. Local Governance: Greenville City Council voted down a proposed change to infill lot width standards. Business & Labor Migration: South Carolina employers filed 2 H-1B petitions in the Accommodation and Food Services industry in 2025, with a 50% approval rate. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show premium and midgrade prices varying by county, with several areas hitting the week’s lowest points around the mid-$4 range.

Ports & Logistics: South Carolina’s container business keeps sliding, with fewer ships and lower year-over-year volumes at the Port of Charleston tied to broader shipping disruptions. Energy & Utilities: Arlington and Alexandria plan to jointly intervene in the Dominion–NextEra merger, pushing for “just and reasonable” rates and reliable service; separately, South Carolina residents are watching what Virginia gets in the proposed benefits package. Data Centers & Power: The Southern Environmental Law Center is asking the Public Service Commission to revisit a ruling that exempts certain data-center power from the Siting Act, as more projects crowd into the state. Nuclear & Economic Development: The Governor’s Nuclear Advisory Council and industry partners are working on a Nuclear Energy Roadmap aimed at aligning local, state and federal efforts to attract investment. Workforce & Education: S.C. State University is cutting multiple low-enrollment degree programs; the state also wrapped up Workforce Development Month. Construction & Manufacturing: SCDOT is paving and patching Airport Boulevard in West Columbia and Cayce; Metro Steel & Erecting was named a 2026 Best of South Carolina winner. Local Business: Diamond Floors is expanding hardwood installation across the Lowcountry. Film & Media: SCETV launched its 3rd annual NextLens Online Film Festival for student filmmakers, with submissions open through Jan. 22, 2027.

Auto Industry Policy: President Trump approved looser U.S. fuel economy standards, ending the Biden-era EV mandate and promising cheaper cars and more auto jobs; shares of Stellantis, Ford and GM jumped on the news, with South Carolina cited among states expected to see manufacturing activity. Energy & Grid: Duke Energy landed a $50M federal grant to upgrade the Carolinas power grid, aiming to cut customer costs and improve reliability. Workforce Visas: USCIS reported 6,685 H-2B worker approvals tied to South Carolina worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, 2026, with a 100% approval rate. Rare Earths: A new national look at rare earth supply chain expansion highlights multiple companies pursuing mining, processing and magnet work—an area with direct implications for U.S. manufacturing and defense. Local Development: Edgefield County awarded a $1.83M contract for Star Park, a new regional recreation hub slated to break ground this fall. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy data shows South Carolina’s week-ending Sept. 19 prices mixed—regular averaged $3.98 statewide, while diesel averaged $6.08; several counties hit notable lows (like $3.69 regular in Sumter and $5.49 diesel in Lexington). Education Leadership: Dr. Brenda Schrantz is moving from School District 56 to the S.C. Department of Education as she takes on curriculum and instruction responsibilities statewide.

Retail & Jobs: Starbucks says it will close 250 stores across North America by the end of the week, with staff reporting less-than-48-hours notice and uncertainty about layoffs and severance. Workforce & Immigration: USCIS reports South Carolina approved 6,685 H-2B worker requests tied to state worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 100% approval rate. Energy & Transportation Policy: President Trump announced new federal fuel economy standards that he says end the Biden-era EV mandate, promising lower car prices and pointing to auto investment and manufacturing jobs, including in South Carolina. Local Economy & Development: Edgefield County awarded a $1.83M contract for Star Park, a new regional recreation hub expected to break ground this fall and open next summer. Fisheries & Outdoor Industry: South Carolina anglers will get a two-week federal red snapper season in October (Oct. 9-22) after a legal challenge, with a one-fish daily limit and a permit system aimed at better fishery science. Energy Costs at the Pump: GasBuddy reports the lowest midgrade price in Horry County at $3.97 (week ending Sept. 19), while diesel pricing remains higher statewide, with Anderson County’s lowest diesel at $5.69. Manufacturing & Automation: A report highlights growing use of robots in commercial settings, including humanoid and mobile units entering manufacturing and warehousing—robots that go beyond today’s “non-human identity” security debates.

Tax Policy Watch: A new Tax Foundation map shows California topping the nation at a 13.3% top marginal income tax rate in 2026, while eight states—including South Carolina’s neighbors like Florida and Tennessee—have no individual income tax. Auto & Energy Policy: President Trump says he approved new fuel economy standards that terminate the Biden-era EV mandate, promising lower prices and more auto manufacturing jobs, though the final rule details weren’t released yet. Telecom Infrastructure: The FCC paused Verizon’s plan to retire copper landlines in nine states, including South Carolina, giving itself more time after pushback from consumers and rural communities. Workforce Immigration: South Carolina employers filed 3 H-1B petitions in the “Other Services (except Public Administration)” category in 2025, and all were approved. Fuel Prices (SC): GasBuddy data for the week ending Sept. 19 shows regular gas averaging about $3.98 statewide, with local lows like $3.54 in Richland County and $3.62 in Horry County; diesel averaged about $6.08 statewide, with lows such as $5.39 in Hampton County and $5.44 in Greenville County. Sports & Local Economy: Kentucky’s win over South Alabama sets up a trip to South Carolina next week, keeping SEC attention—and travel spending—on the Palmetto State.

Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show diesel and regular prices staying volatile across South Carolina counties in the week ending Sept. 19, with notable lows like $5.39/gal diesel in Hampton County, $5.55/gal diesel in Pickens County, and $3.34/gal regular in Cherokee County; the national regular average also climbed nearly 5 cents to $4.48/gal, with demand up and supply down. Power Grid Investment: Duke Energy won a $50M federal grant to upgrade transmission capacity across the Carolinas, including projects tied to Greenville and Spartanburg counties, aiming to boost reliability and manage customer costs as demand grows. Telecom Infrastructure: The FCC paused Verizon’s plan to retire copper landlines in nine states, including South Carolina, giving the agency more time amid concerns from rural and remote communities. Workforce & Immigration: South Carolina employers in the “Other Services (except Public Administration)” category filed three H-1B petitions in 2025, all approved. Local Business & Growth: Woodward plans to shift military flight-control actuation production to a new Spartanburg, SC campus starting summer 2027, affecting about 400 roles. Community & Education: Prisma Health held an infant and maternal mortality symposium in West Columbia, focusing on action to reduce disparities.

Aerospace Manufacturing: Woodward (WWD) plans to move military flight-control actuation production from California to a new aerospace campus in Spartanburg, with operations targeted for summer 2027 and about 400 jobs affected during phased transitions. Healthcare & Public Health: Prisma Health held its Healthy Start Infant and Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Symposium in West Columbia, focusing on action to reduce infant and maternal disparities across South Carolina. Pharma Supply Chain: Attorney General Lynn Fitch joined a 20-state letter urging the federal government to guard against Chinese efforts to introduce low-quality or unsafe pharmaceutical ingredients into the U.S. supply chain, especially for GLP-1-related products. Elections Operations: Richland County is recruiting hundreds of additional poll workers ahead of the Nov. 3 election, partnering with AppleOne to reach staffing targets for precinct coverage. Workforce & Education: SC State University terminated nine academic programs due to low enrollment, while SC State’s Career Day Extravaganza drew 100+ recruiters for internships, jobs, and graduate school opportunities. Business Growth: HomeSmart announced a strategic merger with NorthGroup Real Estate, expanding its agent network across the Southeast.

Data Privacy & Enforcement: Acting Attorney General Cori Mills announced a settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach tied to a medical debt collector, underscoring that companies can’t outsource security duties to vendors. AI Readiness for Business: A new report argues AI pilots are over; companies now need to fix data, processes, and workforce fluency before deployments can improve performance. Public Health Watch: CDC reported 3,659 measles cases nationwide as of Sept. 24, with most tied to outbreaks. South Carolina Energy & Grid: Duke Energy is set to receive $50 million in federal funding for grid upgrades in the Carolinas, aimed at boosting capacity and lowering customer costs. Local Infrastructure: SCDOT is seeking public input on I-26 railroad bridge repairs in Lexington County, with comments open through Oct. 15. Education Funding Pressure: USC’s Palmetto College may pause dual enrollment for SC high school students unless additional funding is secured as scholarship support per credit hour has dropped. Consumer Safety: A South Carolina-related report highlights concerns about vape-shop products and kratom legality after overdose deaths. EV Policy: A proposed federal EV fee was delayed as Congress stalls, affecting plans to fund road and transit projects.

Food Safety & Recalls: Star Meat Delivery Inc. recalled 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat products under the A&D Foods brand after labels falsely claimed USDA inspection, a fresh reminder for South Carolina shoppers to check recall notices. Telecom & Rural Reliability: Verizon is seeking FCC approval to end copper landline service in 18 states plus D.C., drawing pushback from BellTel retirees who warn older residents could lose a dependable lifeline during outages. Construction & Housing: A developer is pursuing Hendersonville city rezoning for a 288-unit multi-family complex, with annexation and sewer service tied to the plan. Healthcare Data Security: A multistate coalition led by AG Tong announced a $2.3 million settlement with Labcorp over the AMCA debt-collector breach that exposed data tied to more than 27.5 million people. Aerospace & Manufacturing: Boeing’s North Charleston 787 program secured another order—Biman Bangladesh will add five more Dreamliners, bringing its total to 15. Workforce & Education: Winthrop will receive a $250,000 Rock Hill grant to launch South Carolina’s first bachelor’s program in advanced manufacturing engineering. Infrastructure & Daily Life: The state earned a C-minus on an ASCE infrastructure report card, while SCDOT opened public comment on intersection safety projects in Lancaster and York counties. Energy Costs: Gas prices remain volatile, with South Carolina’s regular average reported at $3.98 for the week ending Sept. 19.

Transportation & Infrastructure: The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization reversed course and backed North Carolina’s plan for privately managed toll lanes on I-77 South, a project now set for environmental reviews and community meetings after months of local pushback and board resignations. Workforce & Education: Williamsburg Technical College and FCI Williamsburg launched South Carolina’s first CDL program built specifically for incarcerated students, aiming to boost reentry job options in commercial transportation. Manufacturing & Industry Talent: TIGHITCO brought about 500 students and industry leaders together in Charleston to spotlight careers and innovation in advanced manufacturing. Economic Development Planning: South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce rolled out Blueprint 2036 in Lexington, focusing on modernizing the business climate, workforce, infrastructure and energy, rural opportunity, and competing in a high-growth economy. Environment & Corporate Stewardship: The Longleaf Alliance and Samsung announced a longleaf pine restoration effort in South Carolina tied to water stewardship and biodiversity goals. Higher Ed: Clemson topped South Carolina’s national university rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 update, with USC second and Furman leading among liberal arts colleges.

Generic Drug Settlement Push: A bipartisan AG coalition led by Illinois’ Kwame Raoul is urging consumers to check eligibility and file claims tied to alleged generic drug price-fixing, with a court-approved settlement fund distribution process underway. Flood Resilience Funding: Greenville secured a $375,800 state Community Development Block Grant to plan and design Richland Creek floodplain mitigation, with bidding possible this fall. Water Reuse Rules: The WateReuse Association released a state-level regulatory guide to help utilities and regulators craft water reuse rules that fit local needs. Tech and Workforce: Greenville’s Tech Week spotlights AI in classrooms and workplaces, including a panel at Greenville Technical College featuring Google-backed educator training. A-Cap Reinsurance Scrutiny: South Carolina’s regulator is seeking rehabilitation for Atlantic Coast Life and its captive reinsurer, as AM Best downgraded ratings amid solvency and risk-transfer concerns. Insurance Capacity Expansion: Slide Insurance expanded admitted property coverage options statewide in South Carolina, aiming to add more choice for coastal homeowners. Regional Air Connectivity: The U.S. DOT awarded nearly $12M to 14 communities to restore or expand small-community air service. Manufacturing Investment: Okonite announced a $400M Orangeburg County expansion creating 105 jobs. Coastal Development Deal: Myrtle Beach approved incentives for a WaveGarden surf park project, targeting major visitor and spending impacts. Greer Utilities Projects: Greer City Council approved financing for CPW water and wastewater capacity upgrades tied to growth, including work near BMW Manufacturing. Data Center Moratoriums: Kershaw County enacted a one-year pause on data center development as other counties consider similar steps. Rare Earth Recycling: Cyclic Materials opened a commercial-scale rare-earth magnet recovery operation, aiming to keep magnet value in the U.S. supply chain.