AGP Executive Report

SC State construction milestone: South Carolina State University marked the topping-out of its new 90,000-square-foot academic building, a $54.7 million project expected to open in Q4 2027. Sports recruiting: South Carolina won a heated recruiting battle for 4-star safety Davion Jones, beating LSU for a key defensive target. Real estate performance: EmpowerHome Team Charlotte earned top RealTrends Verified rankings in North Carolina, placing #8 for families served and #3 for transaction volume in Charlotte. Retail expansion: SALT LIFE opened a second store with a Fourth of July grand opening in North Myrtle Beach. Ports & logistics: South Carolina Ports moved to pause Leatherman Terminal operations and consolidate container work short-term amid trade headwinds. Construction integrity: A Spartanburg County man was charged with submitting a forged insurance certificate in a bid for a county construction contract. Food industry policy: California’s new “sell by” ban takes effect, requiring “BEST if Used by” for quality and “USE by” for safety—an approach that could influence national labeling.

Manufacturing & Jobs: BMW has wrapped up a $1.7B South Carolina expansion, unveiling the fifth-generation X5 in Spartanburg and setting up late-2026 production of the first fully electric BMW built in the U.S. Healthcare Construction: Prisma Health broke ground on a $180M Fountain Inn medical park, a 50-acre campus slated to open in December 2027 with outpatient surgery, imaging, labs, and new specialties. Energy & Emergency Prep: Duke Energy will run outdoor nuclear siren tests around Brunswick Nuclear Plant July 1 (10–11 a.m.), with brief siren sounds and no EAS interruptions. Real Estate & Housing Costs: Tenants at Beaufort’s Hilanda Mobile Home Park say new owners will double lot rents starting July 1, from about $350 to $700 a month. Industry Watch: Bouygues Construction acquired Vannoy Construction, expanding its southeastern U.S. footprint across healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail projects. Ports/Logistics: Charleston’s Union Pier Terminal begins a new chapter as the cruise ship era ends, signaling a shift for local tourism and marine activity. Community & Environment: A Charleston-area concert series is mobilizing against an ACE Basin gas plant and its pipeline, blending local music with environmental organizing. Public Health Policy: Medicaid will again cover non-abortion care at Planned Parenthood as a GOP ban ends, affecting access to services like cancer screenings.

Biotech & Manufacturing: Cytiva exec Pierre-Alain Ruffieux told BIO International Convention audiences that biotech demand is being reshaped by new drug modalities beyond mAbs, faster development cycles, and tougher reliability needs—pressuring suppliers to deliver new equipment and manufacturing capacity. Industrial Real Estate: DXD Capital broke ground on an 800+ unit, 90,000-square-foot Class-A self-storage project in Mount Pleasant, expanding an institutional storage pipeline with CrossHarbor. Healthcare Construction: Novant Health filed steps toward a new hospital in Nexton (near I-26), including site grading, a helipad, and underground utilities. Retail & Workforce: Walmart is rolling out a fully funded Associate to Optician program in South Carolina (and other states) to address optical labor shortages. Auto & Advanced Manufacturing: BMW says it has completed a $1.7B South Carolina investment, expanding Spartanburg assembly and finishing its Woodruff EV battery plant, ahead of a new X5 rollout. Consumer Costs & Energy: South Carolina ranks among the highest states for summer cooling cost burden, with households spending about 3.2% of income on electricity during peak months. Community & Agriculture: The S.C. State Fair opened 2026 competitive exhibit registration (Oct. 15-25 in Columbia), with $300,000+ in premiums and new “Rooted in Fun” themed contests.

Auto Manufacturing: BMW says its $1.7B Woodruff expansion is complete, adding a high-voltage EV battery plant and setting up production of the first fully electric X5 in the U.S., with at least six EV models planned in South Carolina by 2030. Port & Logistics: Charleston’s Union Pier Terminal is ending its cruise era, while Georgetown Harbor is set for its first maintenance dredging in more than a decade to improve navigation and attract future business. Broadband & Connectivity: South Carolina’s BEAD program got scope reduced after ARPA-backed progress; only a tiny share of locations remains, with more agreements now signed and construction expected to ramp. Workforce & Training: Amteck celebrated a large REAP graduation, highlighting continued demand for skilled electrical trades. Local Business Climate: Tribble’s Bar & Grill in the Upstate will close Aug. 29, citing the ongoing strain of liquor insurance costs and mental health/family priorities. Consumer & Food Policy: California’s new “sell by” labeling ban aims to cut confusion and waste—an issue that could resonate with South Carolina’s own food labeling debates.

BMW Expansion & New Product Launch: BMW unveiled the next-generation 2027 X5 at its Upstate plants, with five powertrain options (gas, plug-in hybrid, diesel, fully electric iX5, and hydrogen) and a completed $1.7B South Carolina investment tied to Spartanburg and Woodruff. Amazon Logistics Growth: Calhoun County approved a $37M land sale for a new 220,000-square-foot Amazon sorting and loading facility off I-26, targeting about 100 full-time jobs plus part-time roles, with construction expected to start soon. Industrial Automation Partnership: Carolina Handling teamed with TinMan Systems to deploy conveyor health monitoring that uses mobile inspection tech to spot issues before failures. State Budget Stalemate: South Carolina lawmakers ended the 2026 fiscal year without a state budget, moving operations onto a continuing resolution while negotiators try to close major gaps. Ports & Trade Pressure: South Carolina Ports is pausing Leatherman Terminal operations as trade headwinds mount, while also consolidating container work in the short term. Data Center Watch: A report highlights growing state and local pushback on data centers over electricity and water demands, with South Carolina considering new limits. Workforce & Safety: A Greenville workers’ comp explainer focuses on how medical records and documentation can make or break claims for injured employees.

Upstate Manufacturing: BMW is set to unveil the new BMW X5 at its Plant Spartanburg, underscoring continued Upstate investment as the automaker pushes toward electrification. Automation in Industry: BMW’s Greer operation is also adding Figure’s humanoid robots (Figure 03) to handle logistics—sorting incoming components into sequencing trolleys. Workforce & Logistics Growth: Greene Concepts says Be Water™ retail sales jumped 34% year-over-year at Walmart, driven by expanded distribution across Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Ports & Trade Headwinds: South Carolina Ports plans to pause Leatherman Terminal operations and consolidate container work short-term as trade uncertainty mounts. Transportation Policy: Gov. Henry McMaster signed a major S.C. DOT overhaul, replacing the commission with a single transportation secretary and setting up “choice lanes” plus a pothole dashboard and funding. Food Industry Regulation: South Carolina’s shrimp labeling act heads to the governor after passing, requiring restaurants to disclose imported shrimp. Energy & Economic Context: New figures show South Carolina’s first-quarter GDP growth and personal income gains among the nation’s strongest. Public Sector Leadership: The U.S. Forest Service named Savannah River Site Forest Fellows to develop emerging leaders in forestry and wildlife science.

Banking Leadership: JPMorgan insiders say CEO Jamie Dimon’s succession plan is finally lining up, with Dimon staying up to three more years and internal co-presidents Troy Rohrbaugh or Doug Petno viewed as top successor candidates. State Transportation: South Carolina lawmakers passed a DOT overhaul that removes the nine-member commission, places the transportation secretary in the governor’s cabinet, sets up toll/choice-lane language, and funds a $15M pothole mitigation program with an online reporting dashboard. Seafood Transparency: A shrimp labeling bill headed to Gov. Henry McMaster would require restaurants to visibly disclose whether shrimp is foreign or domestic. Ports & Logistics: South Carolina Ports will pause container operations at the Leatherman Terminal starting Aug. 1, consolidating to Wando and North Charleston amid weaker volumes and trade headwinds. Nuclear Supply Chain: Aecon bought a nuclear fabrication facility in Jackson, S.C., expanding U.S. capacity for nuclear refurbishment and new-build components. Energy Policy: Duke Energy will surrender its Carolina offshore wind lease, redirecting $129M to generation and grid upgrades.

South Carolina Ports: SC Ports says it will consolidate container work at the Wando and North Charleston terminals and pause Leatherman Terminal operations starting Aug. 1, citing headwinds, an uncertain trade outlook, and the need to stay cost-competitive. Energy & Storm Readiness: Dominion Energy met with South Carolina local governments to coordinate hurricane-season response, stressing pre-storm planning, vegetation management, and faster restoration communication. Retail & Logistics Finance: Commerce Bank agreed to acquire Nolan & Associates, adding investment banking capabilities for middle-market clients across industries including manufacturing, logistics, energy, and agriculture. Manufacturing Jobs & Trade Policy: A Reuters report on Whirlpool’s Iowa refrigerator plant shows tariffs haven’t prevented workforce cuts, with production lines reduced and more layoffs planned. Automotive & National Security Rules: Polestar says the U.S. Commerce Department will not authorize sales of 2027 model vehicles under the Connected Vehicle Rule, pushing the company to refocus on Europe. Public Safety: South Carolina’s fire marshal is urging fireworks safety ahead of Independence Day, including following local laws, using only permitted retailers, and keeping water nearby. Health Coverage: Medicare’s weight-loss drug coverage begins July 1 under a temporary pilot program, with seniors expected to see discounted access. Housing: A bipartisan housing bill remains in limbo as President Trump delays signing, while lawmakers press for it to move forward.

Ports & Logistics: South Carolina Ports will pause Leatherman Terminal operations Aug. 1 and consolidate container work, a move tied to shifting cargo flows. Energy & Industry: Kershaw County advanced second reading on incentives for the $900M “Project Ballast” natural gas plant near Bethune, as neighbors press for more details. Food Safety: USDA issued multiple actions in one day, including a recall of Reser’s “Molly’s Kitchen California Style Pasta Salad” after it was mislabeled and could contain undeclared egg and milk allergens; consumers are urged to check and discard/return affected tubs. Agriculture & Workforce: Clemson’s new veterinary ambulatory service is preparing to launch mobile, on-farm care for cattle, small ruminants, horses, and select backyard livestock, with trucks equipped for diagnostics. Health & Community: Orangeburg County’s Robert Hemby II won the SCEA Richard W. Riley Human & Civil Rights award for “Rolling for a Reason,” a student-led effort tackling food insecurity through community meal events. Business & Growth: A new Goddard School franchise is set to open in Bluffton in spring 2027, creating 40+ teaching jobs for early childhood education. Policy Watch: Seventeen GOP attorneys general, including South Carolina’s, sued over California’s plastics packaging law, arguing it unlawfully projects state rules nationwide.

Food Safety & Recall: Reser’s Fine Foods recalled “Molly’s Kitchen California Style Pasta Salad” after it was mislabeled and may actually be chicken salad with undeclared egg and milk allergens, with product distributed to South Carolina and six other states. Energy & Local Industry: Kershaw County moved forward with second-reading tax incentives for the $900M “Project Ballast” gas plant near Bethune, as neighbors pressed for clearer answers about impacts and planning. Utilities & Reliability: Dominion Energy begins tree trimming along overhead lines in multiple Columbia neighborhoods starting Monday, aiming to improve safety and electric service reliability. Auto & Trade Policy: Polestar says it will be forced to stop selling vehicles in the U.S. starting with the 2027 model year after the Commerce Department denied authorization under the connected-vehicle rule tied to China-linked technology. Cybersecurity: AssuranceAmerica warned a March breach may have exposed names, SSNs, and driver license numbers for about 611,000 South Carolina residents. Workforce & Education: The Goddard School will open in Bluffton in spring 2027, creating 40+ teaching jobs for early childhood education. Aerospace Logistics: A look at how Boeing’s Dreamlifter supports 787 production by transporting oversized components into North Charleston. Civic & Community: Tree trimming, school openings, and local events continue to shape day-to-day growth across the Midlands and Lowcountry.

Energy & Jobs: Kershaw County moved “Project Ballast” a step forward with a second reading of development incentives for a proposed $900M natural gas plant near Bethune, but nearby residents say they weren’t properly notified and want clearer answers about the project’s footprint and community impact. Food Safety: Reser’s Fine Foods recalled 5-pound tubs of “Molly’s Kitchen California Style Pasta Salad” after mislabeling may mean some products are actually chicken salad with undeclared egg and milk allergens; the USDA says affected items were sold to distributors across seven states including South Carolina. Local Business & Culture: West Columbia’s Scratch N’ Spin is hosting a free listening party July 8 for Jack White’s new album “Frozen Charlotte,” giving fans an early first listen before the July 10 release. Public Policy & Community Health: South Carolina lawmakers failed to agree on new limits for hemp-derived THC products, leaving the current rules in place after the House killed a Senate-passed bill that would have restricted sales to adults over 21. Infrastructure: Ridgeland approved a $1.2M water and sewer upgrade for Patrician Acres, funded largely by a CDBG grant so residents won’t see rate increases. EV & Trade: Polestar says the U.S. Commerce Department’s connected-vehicle rule effectively blocks sales of its 2027 models onward, with the company shifting focus to Europe while continuing to support existing U.S. inventory.

Water & Sewer Upgrades: Ridgeland will start a $1.2 million water and sewer project in Patrician Acres in July, with 90% funded by a CDBG grant so residents won’t see rate hikes; the work targets aging 1940s lines blamed for “brown water” and sewer problems. County Budgeting: Berkeley County approved a $377.4 million budget for 2026-27 with no property tax increase, adding EMS, sheriff/detention, 911 staffing, and public defender funding while backing major infrastructure like Nexton Parkway design and permitting. Housing & Growth: A Charleston hotel plan for 194 Cannon St. is stalled by a zoning rules fight—whether the 2017 planned unit development or newer accommodations ordinances govern the 175-room project. Education Construction: Fox Creek Middle School in North Augusta opened after a $22 million build, with ribbon-cutting tied to USDA rural development support and a push to get students in seats ahead of schedule. Ports & Logistics: South Carolina Ports is set to pause Leatherman Terminal operations and consolidate container work, while also expanding ro-ro operations at North Charleston. Local Business/Workforce: Taft-Mills Group, headquartered in Greenville, earned a national ranking as the 36th largest affordable housing developer, highlighting continued Southeast expansion. Energy Preparedness: Dominion Energy is holding statewide meetings with local governments to coordinate hurricane-season readiness, restoration planning, and vegetation management. Environment & Legal Action: Residents and the Southern Environmental Law Center are suing Robeson County over alleged landfill PFAS contamination, claiming an imminent threat to drinking water.

EV Policy Shock: The U.S. Commerce Department blocked Polestar from selling new EVs starting with the 2027 model year under the “connected vehicle” rule, a move that could ripple to Volvo SC since Polestar 3 is built in South Carolina. Local Growth & Infrastructure: Charleston County approved new development review rules that require staff to assess traffic, transportation projects, and stormwater impacts before higher-density rezonings. Energy Resilience: Dominion Energy met with South Carolina local leaders ahead of hurricane season, stressing vegetation management and faster restoration through pre-storm coordination. Data Center Pushback: With no statewide standards, SC counties are moving toward their own data center moratoriums as residents question power demand and grid strain. Food Safety: Reser’s Fine Foods recalled mislabeled pasta salad that may contain undeclared egg and milk allergens, shipped to the East Coast including South Carolina. Public Safety: South Carolina State University held a law enforcement summit to tighten campus safety coordination with local agencies and EMS. Agriculture & Policy: Lawmakers passed shrimp labeling requirements requiring restaurants to state whether shrimp is domestically caught or imported.

EV & Trade: Washington is blocking Polestar from selling new cars in the U.S. starting with the 2027 model year under the Connected Vehicles Rule, a move tied to China-linked connected-tech rules; Polestar says it will keep selling existing stock and servicing current owners, but the ban adds pressure to foreign automakers and highlights how software ownership can outweigh where vehicles are built. Port & Logistics: South Carolina Ports will pause operations at the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in Charleston starting Aug. 1, citing low volumes and high costs, with container work consolidated at Wando Welch and North Charleston. Energy & Mining: A new USGS assessment suggests the Carolinas could hold major untapped lithium resources, potentially boosting the case for battery storage as AI data centers drive higher electricity demand. Cybersecurity: A report says two-thirds of South Carolina’s largest enterprises are vulnerable to email scams, with low DMARC adoption tied to phishing and fraud losses. Local Industry & Growth: Higginbotham expands into South Carolina by acquiring Turbeville Insurance Agency, marking its first state entry. Agriculture Tech: A South Carolina farm family is using AI tools to cut paperwork and manage pesticide and water reporting more efficiently. Water & Utilities: Camden moves to Stage Two drought restrictions, tightening water use rules for customers in the Catawba-Wateree basin. Documentary Spotlight: Julianna Margulies will executive produce “Sister Senators,” a film about five women lawmakers who formed a cross-party coalition to block a near-total abortion ban in South Carolina.

Hemp Policy Clash: South Carolina lawmakers killed a bill that would have restricted THC hemp products to adults 21+ after the Senate passed it but the House rejected the compromise, leaving the products legal statewide. Port & Logistics: SC Ports will pause operations at the Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston starting Aug. 1, while consolidating container work to Wando and North Charleston; separately, SC Ports is moving ahead with ro-ro expansion at the rail-served North Charleston Terminal to support automakers. EV Trade Pressure: Polestar says the U.S. Commerce Department denied authorization under the Connected Vehicle Rule, forcing it to halt new U.S. sales from the 2027 model year despite Polestar 3 production in South Carolina. Energy & Utilities: AT&T filed an FCC complaint seeking refunds from Duke Energy Carolinas over pole attachment rates; Duke also opened its Brunswick Energy & Education Center to the public for summer programming. Workforce & Family Benefits: SC expanded paid parental leave for state workers, including doubling non-birthing parent leave and adding stillbirth as a qualifying event. Public Safety & Food: FDA upgraded the Utz/Zapp’s/Dirty potato chip Salmonella recall to a Class I event; SC State University will disrupt water service at several campus buildings for construction.

Construction & Growth: USC trustees approved a slate of major projects, including expanding Russell House, building a new Civil Rights Center, studying future engineering-area development, and acquiring land near Founders Park. Sports & Entertainment: Turner Construction was selected as construction manager for Greenville’s $282M Bon Secours Wellness Arena renovation, adding a 6,500-seat outdoor amphitheater and expanding the entertainment district with a push for local contractor participation. Education & Public Safety: New South Carolina laws take effect July 1, including the Smart Heart Act requiring public schools to create cardiac emergency response plans and changes to red drum fishing rules, plus DOT authority to use public-private partnerships for road projects. Energy & Data Centers: A report on a Warwood property sale says Silicon Foundation Energy plans to use existing industrial infrastructure to build data-center modules—not a single giant data center—aiming to address community concerns. Manufacturing & Logistics: TPM completed the sale of its HP 3D printing and Advanced Manufacturing Technologies division to Master Graphics (M5D), keeping other 3D and design-related lines. Business & Finance: Colony Bankcorp and First Reliance Bancshares signed a definitive merger agreement valued at about $163M, expanding a Southeast banking footprint that includes South Carolina. Local Crime & Construction: Oconee County deputies arrested a Greenville man after a $110,000 skid steer was stolen from the new Seneca Target construction site.