AGP Executive Report

Critical Minerals & Manufacturing: USA Rare Earth says it has secured access to up to $1.6B in CHIPS Act funding and earlier announced a $1.2B South Carolina magnet factory, aiming to build a domestic rare-earth supply chain and boost jobs in the Upstate. Agriculture & Cost Pressure: South Carolina’s GOP primary for agriculture commissioner is set for June 9 as farmers warn fertilizer and diesel costs are squeezing margins, with the winner overseeing inspections and market expansion. Food Security: Harvest Hope Food Bank is launching free summer meal distributions across South Carolina for kids under 18, with grab-and-go kits meeting USDA nutrition standards. Port & Logistics: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public input on potential changes to Charleston Harbor dredging, starting an Environmental Impact Statement that could adjust timing and maintenance practices. Local Governance & Growth: Greenville County Council advanced its $473M FY2027 budget, including pay raises, road work, economic development, and renewed talks on a penny sales tax. Energy Policy: Vote Solar is pushing data-center accountability rules nationwide, arguing new power demand should be matched with new clean supply to avoid rate hikes. Elections: South Carolina voters head to the polls June 9 for the primary, with early voting running through June 5 and runoff rules if no candidate tops 50%.

Rare Earth Manufacturing Push: USA Rare Earth says it will invest $1.2B in a magnet and refined metals facility in Cherokee County, targeting April 2028 operations and about 490 jobs, as it builds a “mine-to-magnet” supply chain to reduce reliance on China. CHIPS Funding Access: The company also signed agreements for up to $1.6B in U.S. Department of Commerce CHIPS Act support, adding to earlier private capital and expanding its domestic rare-earth processing and magnet manufacturing plans. Upstate Power-Line Supply Chain: Austrian Mosdorfer will open its first U.S. factory in Oconee County, investing about $44.55M and creating 107 jobs to make high-voltage transmission components, with operations expected by Q3 2027. Defense Tech Expansion: Integer Technologies plans to expand on the LSU campus, creating 23 jobs tied to maritime intelligence and autonomy software work. Logistics Under Pressure: A Sierra Army Depot shipment effort highlights how teams coordinated trucks, documentation, and contingency steps to move a critical “hot” fuel-system order on a tight deadline. Workforce & Community: A WalletHub study ranks Louisiana among the worst states for nurses, underscoring staffing pressure that can ripple into healthcare capacity. Public Safety Policy: Sen. Lindsey Graham reintroduced legislation to stiffen penalties for “smash-and-grab” firearm thefts from licensed dealers, citing ATF data that shows South Carolina has been hit. Health Breakthrough: MUSC researchers report a depression treatment that can help some patients recover in days, aiming to speed relief when standard therapies fall short.

Rare Earth Manufacturing: USA Rare Earth will invest $1.2B in Cherokee County to build a magnet manufacturing and rare earth metals facility, targeting 490 jobs and commissioning in 2028 to support defense, aerospace, semiconductors, AI and energy. Housing Redevelopment: Charleston County approved a $1.6M subsidy to help convert a vacant hotel into affordable efficiency apartments, with 100 units tied to low-income rent limits for 30 years. Environmental Cleanup Watch: South Carolina environmental officials say they found no link between a Greenwood County property tied to “Project Buckeye” and the Lake Greenwood fish kill, ending further investigation on that parcel. Public Works & Safety: SCDOT will close a Spartanburg intersection for a roundabout starting June 5, and residents continue pushing for faster improvements to the Reflectance Drive area after fatal crashes. Workforce Pipeline: BPW joined SCRWA’s Pre-Apprenticeship H2O program, bringing hands-on training to prepare students for water and wastewater careers. Tourism Restoration: Hunting Island’s lighthouse reopened after a $4.75M stabilization and preservation project. Health & Food Safety: FDA/CDC reopened a salmonella supplement investigation after additional illnesses tied to imported moringa leaf powder. Energy Costs: South Carolina households are bracing for higher summer bills, with a state-focused survey asking residents to share what they’re seeing.

Rare Earth Manufacturing Boom: USA Rare Earth will invest about $1.2B in Cherokee County, building a permanent magnet and refined rare earth metals plant at Bailey Park in Blacksburg. The project is slated to create ~490 jobs and begin operations in April 2028, expanding the magnet supply chain for advanced manufacturing and defense. Industrial Real Estate: 4130 Partners closed on the acquisition of about 28 acres in Greenville–Spartanburg’s Alliance Industrial Park, planning up to 226,000 sq. ft. of shallow-bay industrial space to serve continued manufacturing and logistics demand. Textiles & Safety: Milliken became the first textile manufacturer to sign the IAFF PPE Manufacturer Code of Conduct in Spartanburg, reinforcing commitments around firefighter gear safety and chemical restrictions. Energy & Policy: North Carolina’s House advanced a bill to add guardrails for data center development, including noise and cooling requirements and a step that would require permission for a major new nuclear plant. Local Infrastructure: SCDOT closed the Boney Road bridge over Boney Creek in Richland County for repairs, with a detour in place and an expected reopening in late June. Workforce/Community Housing: Charleston is pushing Project 3500 to add 3,500 affordable housing units by 2032 using city land, faster approvals, and pre-designed plans.

Industrial Real Estate & Growth Votes: Effingham County commissioners are set to vote on a revised 1,000-home subdivision in Guyton, annexation requests from Rincon and Springfield, and multiple rezoning proposals for industrial and commercial development. Consumer Protection & Finance: After HBO’s John Oliver spotlight on settlement factoring, industry groups point to Maryland’s reforms that cut predatory factoring approvals by more than 99% and urge similar guardrails. Healthcare Expansion: The Ensign Group says it acquired a 62-bed skilled nursing facility in Iowa and a 46-unit memory care property in California, adding to its Midwest and senior-care footprint. Workplace Safety: An Anderson County worker died after being pinned by a pallet during a forklift unloading incident; OSHA is investigating. Local Governance & Development Oversight: Dorchester County residents are demanding answers after a stormwater-related stop-work order at The Ponds in Summerville. Energy & Housing Policy: New federal DOE guidance would weaken home energy rebate rules, limiting certain upgrades and drawing criticism from clean-energy advocates. Transportation/Infrastructure: Charleston County says the Highway 41 Improvement Project is nearing construction, with bids potentially advertised as early as September. Public Health/Community Services: Clemson Paw Partners plans a $5M, debt-free veterinary clinic in Central to expand low-cost pet care and reduce barriers to appointments.

Port of Charleston Expansion: South Carolina Ports Authority plans to boost roll-on/roll-off capacity to serve the state’s growing automotive industry, including upgrades at the North Charleston Terminal with work targeted for 2028. Local Business & Jobs: CordenPharma is buying AmbioPharm, adding peptide API CDMO capabilities at North Augusta and expanding global peptide manufacturing capacity. Small Business Relief: The SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for South Carolina small businesses and private nonprofits hit by drought in Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion and Williamsburg counties. Energy Costs: AAA reports gas prices continue to ease in South Carolina, with some stations near $3.90 a gallon. Legal/Industry Watch: South Carolina Supreme Court backed a judge’s asbestos-court actions involving a U.K. firm tied to asbestos claims. Community & Infrastructure: Myrtle Beach officials are urging festivalgoers to plan for traffic and construction during Carolina Country Music Fest, with added “Chill Zone” cooling options. Upstate Growth: Greenville Triumph’s GE Vernova Park opens June 3 and the home opener is sold out.

South Carolina Primary Preview: With the June 9 GOP and Democratic primaries set for statewide offices, voters will choose nominees for Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Comptroller General, Superintendent of Education, and Commissioner of Agriculture—several races are contested, including a three-way Democratic bid to challenge House District 94 incumbent Rep. Gil Gatch. Local Politics & Community Impact: In the Lowcountry, Charleston County Council advanced a first reading to expand the Hamlin Beach Historic District in Mount Pleasant, adding 37 properties, while College of Charleston is holding a June 2 public forum on how to memorialize a former potter’s field tied to a planned dorm. Healthcare & Oversight: A new report highlights rising concerns around telehealth GLP-1 use after a patient described a massive semaglutide overdose and severe side effects, fueling questions about dosing, safety, and monitoring. Manufacturing & Textiles: Arvind Advanced Materials is buying U.S. nonwovens maker Dalco-GFT, which runs two South Carolina facilities and supplies automotive, industrial, construction and furniture markets. Infrastructure & Growth: Chapin leaders are set to break ground on a $75.3 million Columbia Avenue corridor project to expand lanes and reduce congestion as the Midlands town grows. Public Safety & Service: Hundreds of South Carolina National Guard engineers are deploying to Washington, D.C., for a “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful” mission tied to federal crime-reduction efforts.

S.C. Energy & Land Use: Berkeley County lifted a moratorium blocking RWE’s 198-megawatt Sandy Run Solar project, clearing the way for a roughly 1,500-acre facility—though residents booed and raised concerns about land use and environmental impacts. Rural Health & Tech: MUSC and Manatt Health released a telehealth playbook aimed at helping rural hospitals stabilize amid workforce shortages and funding pressure, with a focus on scaling virtual care. Tourism & Travel: New national travel outlook data suggests Charleston could benefit from “sunshine travel” and more drive-to trips as travelers rethink plans due to higher gas prices. SC Politics & Community: Rep. Jim Clyburn’s annual fish fry and the state Democratic convention both pointed to renewed party energy heading into primaries, with strong turnout and more contested races. Public Safety: A crash on Virginia’s I-95 killed five, including a family of four from Massachusetts, as the NTSB says speeding played a role. Health/Medical Caution: A Charleston ENT doctor warned of a rare “Darth Vader” style side effect tied to rapid weight loss on GLP-1 drugs, as patients report hearing their own internal sounds.

Rural Healthcare & Telehealth: MUSC and Manatt Health are rolling out a telehealth playbook to help South Carolina’s rural hospitals stabilize amid workforce shortages and looming Medicaid/ACA funding cuts tied to H.R. 1. Auto & Trade Policy: A House bill could effectively ban automakers with more than 15% Chinese ownership stakes, putting Mercedes-Benz at risk; the company builds vehicles in Alabama and Charleston. Public Safety & Crime: Horry County deputies arrested a teen tied to a violent online extortion network, while separate Upstate reporting highlights drug-bust fallout from a chase. Food Safety: Retail inspections in Lancaster and York Counties found a handful of B grades (including a Lancaster Subway) before follow-up fixes earned A’s. Environment & Ports: Charleston Waterkeeper notified groups and the South Carolina Ports Authority it may sue over alleged microplastic “nurdles” pollution in Charleston Harbor. Local Infrastructure & Tourism: Congaree National Park finished elevating its boardwalk loop to reduce flood closures, improving access during high water. Politics & Base: Rep. Jim Clyburn urged Democrats to “get back to some basics,” arguing the party leans too hard on consultants and not enough on constituents.

Agriculture & Food Security: A UF/IFAS survey finds growing public concern across the Southeast about pests, animal-to-human disease spread, and food-chain disruptions, with 83% backing stronger rules to curb outbreaks. Public Health & Food Access: New data shows SNAP cuts are stripping millions of households of food support, with Black, Latino, and Native American families facing higher uncertainty. Water & Environment: SCDES issued a harmful algal bloom recreational watch for Lake Hartwell after new reports of cyanobacteria, noting toxin levels are currently low but conditions are being monitored. Infrastructure & Jobs: Horry County opened public comment on its Industrial Corridors draft through July 2, aiming to steer manufacturing and distribution growth along major transportation routes. Aviation Safety: FAA seat-certification struggles are delaying premium cabin approvals, with regulators urged to get involved earlier in the design process. Local Governance & Housing: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools approved a plan to lease land for an affordable teacher housing community, joining other districts exploring similar fixes. State Policy & Privacy: SC AG Tim Griffin led a multistate amicus brief challenging the SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail over financial data privacy and security risks. Transportation Safety: Highway Patrol urged drivers not to swerve to avoid deer after a fatal Orangeburg County crash. Drought Watch: South Carolina’s drought remains widespread, with extreme conditions easing slightly but still affecting all 46 counties.

Harmful Algal Bloom Watch (Lake Hartwell): South Carolina Department of Environmental Services confirmed a cyanobacteria harmful algal bloom after new reports, issuing a Recreational Watch for multiple Lake Hartwell areas and updating its monitoring map as toxin levels remain low but conditions are being tracked. Water & drought pressure: The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows all 46 SC counties still in drought, with extreme drought easing in some places but water scarcity and wildfire risk continuing to grow. Aviation & manufacturing in the Lowcountry: Electra’s hybrid-electric EL9 program highlighted a prototype flight and landing in Charleston, underscoring South Carolina’s role in next-gen aircraft development. Local industry & environment: The Southern Environmental Law Center notified companies and the SC Ports Authority about potential federal action over “nurdles” microplastic pollution in the Cooper River and Charleston Harbor. Solar zoning scrutiny: SC Attorney General Alan Wilson hired an outside consultant to review Silfab Solar’s Fort Mill zoning process after prior leak concerns. Utilities oversight: The SC Public Service Commission posted its upcoming livestream schedule for utility regulatory hearings and reviews. Education & workforce pipeline: Clemson trustees released finalist names before selecting Kevin Guskiewicz as president, while Epping High School announced its Class of 2026 Latin honors students.

Medicare Coverage Expansion: AngioDynamics says Palmetto GBA issued a final Medicare Local Coverage Determination for NanoKnife irreversible electroporation (IRE) for intermediate-risk prostate cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver, effective July 5, 2026—an important reimbursement step for South Carolina’s medical device and care ecosystem. Aviation & Travel Growth: Breeze Airways plans to expand its Charleston presence as the airport completes a new concourse by year’s end, while Allegiant details how it will manage fleet complexity after closing its Sun Country acquisition. Local Development: Irmo is weighing a rezoning request for a 300-unit luxury apartment complex near I-26, a sign of continued multifamily pressure inside town limits. Infrastructure & Mobility: Chapin leaders will break ground on a $90 million Columbia Avenue corridor project to add lanes and reduce congestion. Legal/Logistics: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for state negligent hiring and selection claims against transportation brokers, a potential shift for freight and trucking risk management. Public Safety: Authorities urged boating safety after a Lake Wylie death, and a fatal Upstate motorcycle crash has been identified by the coroner. Energy Watch: AAA reports gas prices are falling after Memorial Day demand, though summer driving keeps prices elevated.

Hurricane & Housing Costs: NOAA is forecasting a below-average 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, with 1–3 Category 3+ storms, which could ease pressure on home insurance rates after last year’s unusually quiet run. Manufacturing Jobs in the Upstate: Electrolux plans to lay off 1,255 workers at its Anderson plant starting in July as the site retools for a joint venture shift with Midea Group. Energy From Waste: Greenville-headquartered Pacolet Milliken’s landfill-methane-to-natural-gas operation could qualify for new tax breaks under a recently signed SC law. Environmental & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is holding public meetings on a Charleston Harbor Environmental Impact Statement focused on navigation dredging impacts; the scoping comment period runs through June 29. Local Industry Growth: FG Communities acquired a 93-homesite manufactured housing community in Myrtle Beach, expanding affordable housing near the Grand Strand. Corporate Legal Watch: Bragar Eagel & Squire announced investor actions/investigations tied to Aerovironment, Intuit, Embecta, AECOM, Pinterest, and Hub Group.

Food Safety & Retail: Walmart shoppers in South Carolina are being told to check for Blackstone Parmesan Ranch seasoning tied to a salmonella risk linked to contaminated powdered milk from California Dairies, with specific lot numbers and best-by dates affected. Politics & Governance: With early voting underway and less than two weeks to the June 9 GOP primary, South Carolina governor candidates are still waiting on whether President Trump will back anyone—his silence is becoming part of the campaign strategy. National Security & Energy: U.S. forces carried out new defensive strikes on an Iran military facility after shooting down four Iranian one-way attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz, as Trump pushes for a deal while warning Iran is “negotiating on fumes.” State Economy & Infrastructure: Greenville’s Woodruff Road congestion is worsening as a parallel relief project climbs to $277 million, with potential knock-on delays for other transportation work. Public Safety & Community: A third televised GOP debate for SC governor turned sharper as candidates traded personal and policy attacks while early voting begins. Housing & Services: Construction has started on Golden Age II apartments in Knoxville for low-income seniors and people with disabilities, a reminder of how aging populations keep driving demand for accessible housing.

Airline Alliances: Azul says its antitrust immunity bid with American Airlines should be approved soon, setting up a rare partnership structure that also makes it a United shareholder—an industry move that could reshape routes and costs as jet fuel stays high. Energy & Rates: NextEra’s proposed $67B Dominion merger is drawing fresh affordability questions from Virginia lawmakers, with data centers and AI power demand adding pressure. Deep-Sea Mining: The U.S. is preparing seabed lease auctions for deep-sea mining in federal waters, a major step toward commercial-scale activity that’s already sparking environmental pushback. South Carolina Fuel Watch: Diesel prices dipped in Horry County (lowest reported $4.64/gal) and in Saluda County (lowest reported $4.89/gal), while statewide averages remain sensitive to Middle East tensions and refinery outages. Local Growth & Infrastructure: Lancaster County Council advanced a $206.6M FY27 budget and approved a major development extension; Greenville County Schools approved $1.8M for Greenville High parking and a welding facility lease. Solar Fight in Berkeley: County Council lifted a moratorium for a 1,500-acre Cross solar project after intense public opposition. Leadership Moves: Michigan State President Kevin Guskiewicz is leaving for Clemson, a big shakeup for South Carolina higher education. Sports Business: South Carolina Stingrays announced coach David Warsofsky won’t return for 2026-27.

Nuclear Policy Pivot: The U.S. selected five startups—including Oklo—to negotiate for using surplus Cold War plutonium as advanced reactor fuel, signaling a major shift from disposal to power generation. Maritime & Local Business: An MSC runaway-ship incident tied to Charleston’s harbor is headed toward resolution after a settlement filing involving a North Charleston terminal operator. Tourism & Heritage: Hunting Island Lighthouse has reopened after a multi-million-dollar stabilization and restoration, bringing visitors back to a long-closed landmark. Public Health: FDA is investigating a new Salmonella outbreak linked to moringa leaf powder capsules, with MOGO brand lots recalled. Energy & Power Projects: Berkeley County cleared the way for RWE’s Sandy Run Solar after lifting a moratorium, but residents say the fight continues. Politics & Culture: A GOP primary contest in SC House District 115 is set, while Charleston’s Jewish history is getting a stage spotlight in a new synagogue-set musical. Tech/Policy Watch: A coalition of state AGs, led by SC’s Nick Brown, is pushing back against the KIDS Act’s limits on state online-safety rules.