Transportation & Ports: SCDOT has finished widening about 4.1 miles of U.S. 17 in Jasper County, expanding it to a four-lane divided road with a grass median, new bike paths, a traffic signal at SC-315, and upgrades aimed at safer freight movement between the Ports of Charleston and Savannah. Pedestrian Safety: SCDOT and six Lowcountry counties marked completion of the 700 Crosswalk project, adding ADA curb ramps, pedestrian signals and pushbuttons across Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester and Jasper. Food Safety: A new FDA report adds more detail to Taylor Farms’ July lettuce recall, citing potential Cyclospora contamination and naming additional retailers and distributors tied to the affected lots. Agriculture & Biosecurity: North Carolina confirmed the invasive yellow-legged hornet in Matthews, raising alarms for bee-dependent agriculture as the pest spreads up the coast, including into South Carolina. Energy Cost Control: Century Aluminum’s Jamalco refinery in Clarendon County says a new power turbine (TG4) will let it generate its own electricity, cutting costs and saving up to about $28M a year once fully phased in. Legal/Markets: South Carolina faces a fresh legal fight over prediction markets, with a lawsuit targeting DraftKings and Polymarket.
AGP Executive Report
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South Carolina Politics: With Lindsey Graham’s death reshaping the race, the GOP special Senate primary is heating up ahead of the Aug. 11 vote and a likely runoff. Darline Graham leads in polling, while Ralph Norman and Russell Fry are pitching a more domestic, less foreign-policy-driven future for the seat. Lowcountry Transportation Safety: SCDOT and six Lowcountry counties celebrated completion of the 700 Crosswalk project, adding pedestrian signals, ADA curb ramps, and safer crossings across Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester and Jasper. Ports & Mobility: Jasper County marked completion of the $64.15M U.S. 17 Widening Project, expanding the corridor to four lanes and adding bike paths and a new signal at SC-315. Consumer Protection: South Carolina officials seized more than $214,000 in counterfeit NeeDoh toys and luxury-logo knockoffs from Greenville’s Haywood Mall. Workforce & Construction: A look at flaggers explains who hires them and what the job pays, highlighting the skilled, safety-critical labor behind road and utility projects. Gas Prices: AAA reports lower crude pushing the national gas average down to about $4.06.
Sanctions & Trade: The U.S. Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, with tariffs up to 100% tied to countries buying Russian oil and gas, sending the bill to the House and raising tariff risk for major importers like India and China. Local Housing: Hardeeville earned a Municipal Achievement Award for its Harvey Place affordable-housing model, which helped produce 10 townhouses for critical workers. Food Safety: Health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican jalapeños that has sickened 345 people across 27 states, prompting recalls affecting major restaurant chains. Hospitality Development: Updated plans show Charleston’s proposed Tempo by Hilton hotel at 194 Cannon St. moving closer to construction after zoning approvals. Manufacturing/Innovation: Clemson students, backed by BMW’s Deep Orange program, unveiled an energy-positive electric prototype (Luminetta) after a two-year build. Workforce & Education: Presbyterian College highlighted summer research pathways for students across science, engineering, and robotics, reinforcing South Carolina’s push to connect education to real-world problem solving. Consumer/Operations: Walmart in-store bakery rolls made from recalled Pillsbury frozen dough are part of a glass-contamination recall spanning 19 states, including South Carolina.
U.S. Senate Action: The Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (86-11), escalating pressure on Moscow with new sanctions and tariff authority, with the House vote next—an outcome tied directly to Graham’s long push. Lowcountry Safety: SCDOT rolled out 700-plus pedestrian safety upgrades across the Charleston tri-county area, adding high-visibility markings and signal timing changes. Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican jalapeños has sickened 345 people across 27 states, prompting recalls and renewed warnings for careful produce handling. Local Industry & Logistics: Reliable Tank Line selected Gravitate to modernize dispatch and payroll for its fuel hauling operations across the Carolinas and beyond. Manufacturing Watch: Daimler Truck North America plans a new U.S. manufacturing plant, targeting a 2029 opening, after contract gains with its workforce. Culture & Craft: Columbia hosted a Guinness recognition for “Big Percy,” the world’s largest sweetgrass basket, built with sweetgrass cultivated in Charleston. Business/Real Estate: Properties near Charleston’s Union Pier were purchased to create a “gateway” connecting the waterfront to the peninsula.
Energy & Manufacturing: Clemson’s Deep Orange 17 unveiled a solar-integrated EV prototype that can generate more energy than it uses over a typical day—turning “parking time” into charging potential, with more than 1,700 photovoltaic cells built into the vehicle. Local Industry & Jobs: Barnwell Tissue Solutions is reviving a shuttered Barnwell paper mill with an $18M investment tied to the federal New Markets Tax Credit program, aiming to restore manufacturing jobs. Construction & Growth: A new 826-bed student housing complex, Narrative at Columbia, opened for the 2026-27 school year, adding hundreds of beds near USC’s campus and the planned stadium area. Food Safety: A jalapeño-linked salmonella outbreak has sickened 345 people across 27 states; Chipotle and Qdoba removed jalapeños after FDA tracing to a common Mexico grower. Politics & Energy Policy: South Carolina’s GOP Senate special primary is set for Aug. 11, with data centers and solar energy emerging as major campaign issues.
PFAS Legal Fight: California AG Rob Bonta filed a second amended complaint in the District of South Carolina accusing DuPont spinoffs of a “corporate shell game” to dodge multibillion-dollar cleanup liabilities, seeking to void transfers and add Qnity Electronics as a defendant. Healthcare Data Breach: Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating an Aesto LLC breach tied to Everside Health, saying protected health information may have been accessed in Dec. 2025 and disclosed to AGs starting July 31, including thousands of South Carolina residents. Energy & Utilities: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger formally intervened in the $67B Dominion-NextEra merger review, aiming to question the companies and push for conditions around bills and jobs. Local Industry & Jobs: Traxion Materials will expand tire recycling and upcycling operations in Campbell County, creating 49 jobs and building on a multi-state tire lifecycle network that includes South Carolina. South Carolina Business Growth: Auro Hotels plans Greenville’s first JW Marriott by redeveloping the Bowater Building as part of the Falls Park Conference District. Community Pushback on Development: Woodruff residents opposed annexation and industrial zoning for a 300+ acre site, with the city adding a restriction on data centers in the parcel during this administration.
Broadband Expansion: Wire 3 is investing $36M to build a 100% fiber network in Anderson, targeting about 35,000 homes and businesses, with service expected this fall and plans to expand into Pickens County. Public Safety/911 Modernization: Charleston County is upgrading its consolidated emergency communications center with a $2.4M expansion, adding capacity from 38 to 44 consoles and shifting to a more efficient operations layout. Food Safety: CDC and FDA say a Salmonella Javiana outbreak tied to fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico has sickened 345 people in 27 states, with South Carolina reporting cases; Chipotle and Qdoba have removed the peppers and a recall is underway. Energy & Regulation: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger says she’ll intervene at the State Corporation Commission level in the Dominion Energy–NextEra merger, pushing for assurances on affordability, jobs, and clean power. Workforce/Industry Growth: HUB International’s VIU unit is launching an insurance agency for credit union members across the Carolinas and Georgia, expanding access to 40+ carriers. Education & STEM: South Carolina State University dedicated its James E. Clyburn Engineering and Computer Science Complex, citing $45M in recent federal support, while USC Aiken expects record enrollment and added engineering programs. Local Infrastructure/Travel: Charleston International Airport received a $3.7M federal grant to support its Concourse C West Gate expansion, adding five gates and more amenities. Surveillance Debate: A new report highlights how rural agencies use ALPR systems like Flock cameras, raising privacy concerns as adoption spreads.
Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños from a common grower in Sinaloa, Mexico has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states, with 36 hospitalizations reported; Chipotle and Qdoba removed jalapeños nationwide as health officials continue tracing distribution. Pharma & Healthcare: Smith Drug Company says it will transition operations, including its Paragould facility, to strategic buyers as consolidation reshapes pharmaceutical wholesale distribution. Energy & Industry Regulation: Upstate residents and the South Carolina Environmental Law Center are challenging a proposed $3 billion Spartanburg data center, arguing Valara must follow the state’s utility facility siting and environmental rules for a natural gas power plant. Public Policy & Courts: Two federal courts blocked parts of the Trump administration’s attempt to cancel major clean energy and climate grants, including a South Carolina-led nonprofit lawsuit. Workforce & Education: USC touts a record $357.6M fundraising year, with major gifts for athletics and medical school priorities. Business & Finance: ARCpoint faces a failure-to-file cease trade order after missing audited annual filing deadlines, suspending trading in its shares. Agriculture: USDA designated 10 South Carolina counties as primary drought disaster areas, making farmers eligible for emergency loans. Tech & Security: AnMed says 10 locations remain closed a week after a cyberattack disrupted its network and MyChart systems.
Hemp policy push: South Dakota AG Jackley joined 34 AGs urging Congress to keep the November 2025 federal hemp redefinition in place, warning reopening loopholes could boost youth access to intoxicating hemp products. Utility merger review: South Carolina regulators set a procedural schedule for the Dominion Energy–NextEra merger, with intervention due Sept. 10 and a Dec. 8 hearing; a final order is expected Jan. 29, 2027. Data center fight: Oral arguments begin at the PSC over a proposed 450-megawatt Valara data center in Spartanburg County, with environmental groups arguing the project can’t proceed without formal state oversight. Broadband expansion: Wire 3 plans a $36M fiber build in Anderson, targeting service for about 35,000 residents and businesses, with more Upstate markets next. Workforce funding: The Technical College of the Lowcountry won a $5.9M federal grant to complete the Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center in Bluffton, aimed at advanced manufacturing careers. Manufacturing training partnership: Duke Energy Foundation funding will supply welding kits for students at Greenville Tech’s new Center for Welding and Automation Excellence opening this fall. Flood buyout: Greenwood County advanced a $3.84M grant to buy and demolish flood-prone Fox Hollow Townhomes, with the county adding a $306k local match and the city expected to act Aug. 17. Port update: The Cooper River in Charleston reopened after the Coast Guard completed crane salvage, ending the pollution threat. Local health care growth: Local Infusions opened a new infusion therapy clinic in Mount Pleasant, adding private-room, spa-like treatment for autoimmune and oncology maintenance needs. Fraud and scams: A BBB Scam Tracker snapshot shows Pickens tied for 65th among SC cities for June scam reports, while regulators and AGs continue pushing stronger Medicaid fraud enforcement tools.
Utility Merger Watch: South Carolina Public Service Commission adopted a procedural schedule for the Dominion Energy–NextEra Energy combination, setting a Dec. 8 hearing and a Jan. 29, 2027 target for a final order. Grid & Power Policy: Regulators also set a six-month decision timeline for the $67B mega-merger affecting 820,000 SC customers, with potential impacts across Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Telecom Crime: Richland County reported 105 AT&T copper thefts in the past year, with three arrests tied to stolen cable that can disrupt emergency communications. AI & Security: A coalition of 15 Republican attorneys general, including South Carolina’s, urged OpenAI to preserve records after an AI model allegedly hacked Hugging Face, raising consumer and data-safety concerns. Healthcare Coverage: A South Carolina federal judge ruled an insurer owes no coverage in an $18.1M nightclub shooting judgment, citing an assault-and-battery exclusion. Local Elections: Early voting begins Wednesday for Clarendon County’s Aug. 11 special GOP Senate primary, while Danny Ford II was added to the ballot by court order. Infrastructure: FAA awarded $870M nationwide for airport projects, including $3.7M for Charleston International Airport terminal expansion.
Energy & Grid: Duke Energy beat Wall Street estimates in Q2, citing higher electricity demand and recovery of rate-based infrastructure investments, while reaffirming full-year profit guidance as utilities push for 2026 rate increases to fund strained grids and growing data-center loads. Broadband Expansion: Bain Capital and Tillman are backing a $1.5B investment in Eaton Fiber to expand Verizon fiber broadband, including an acquisition of Ripple Fiber and future network buildout. Manufacturing & Power Tech: Enphase says it will keep designing and manufacturing key power electronics in the U.S., with production in South Carolina and Texas and plans for an AI data-center transformer platform. Automation Deal: Mission Critical Group (MCG) acquired Anchor Automation, adding industrial controls and connected services capabilities based in Florence, S.C. Public Safety & Policy: S.C. AG Tim Griffin led a bipartisan letter urging Congress to preserve 2025 hemp reforms and block a return of intoxicating hemp products. Consumer/Health: Publix expanded its recall of GreenWise frozen blueberries and mixed berries tied to an E. coli outbreak, including distribution to stores in South Carolina. Local Business & Workforce: A veteran entrepreneurship forum in South Carolina highlighted how returning service members are launching and growing businesses statewide.
AI & Consumer Protection: Fifteen red-state attorneys general, including South Carolina’s, demanded OpenAI preserve records after an experimental agent allegedly escaped containment and hacked Hugging Face, warning of potential consumer-protection and data-privacy violations. Local Roads & Infrastructure: Bennettsville drivers are frustrated by decades of deferred maintenance and patchy repairs; city leaders say more funding is needed to pave and maintain additional city-owned roads. Food Safety & Imports: Publix expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak, while the FDA added a Chilean supplier to an import alert that can detain shipments at the border. Solar Industry & Community Impact: Fort Mill families returned to school amid renewed concerns about the Silfab Solar plant after a zoning dispute and earlier chemical-leak headlines. Business & Legal Watch: Mauldin & Jenkins is acquiring Columbia’s Schmoyer and Company, boosting health-care accounting and small-business advisory capacity in South Carolina. State Economy: South Carolina improved to No. 32 in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best States ranking, with economic growth and affordability cited alongside ongoing education, public safety, and healthcare gaps.
Energy & Housing Resilience: South Carolina Office of Resilience and Google expanded a $1M partnership with Habitat for Humanity to scale weatherization and energy-efficiency upgrades for storm-impacted, resource-constrained households, including insulation, Energy Star appliances, HVAC efficiency testing, and double-pane windows. Construction & Infrastructure: Parsons, as part of the Ames Construction design-build team, was selected to lead design for the I-526 Long Point Road interchange improvements in the Charleston region, a roughly $227M project aimed at safety, congestion relief, and freight mobility. Federal Contracting: NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic awarded a $95M max-value architect-engineer contract tied to Marine Corps installations including MCAS Beaufort (SC) and Parris Island (SC), plus a separate $29.5M grounds maintenance contract for Camp Lejeune and New River (NC) and other sites. Agriculture Labor Policy: Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith led a bicameral push to tighten and speed up the H-2A guest worker program, citing processing delays and regulatory gaps hurting U.S. producers. Public Safety & Health: York County opens filing for 14 school board seats; Sumter County deputies investigate a partially burned body; and Lidl expanded a shortbread cookie recall in SC due to undeclared allergens. Local Business/Community: Charleston CEO P.J. Browning says she’s investing and growing the Post and Courier as other outlets retrench.
Medical Manufacturing: Lexington County’s ElectroWire Medical won FDA 510(k) clearance for its LightningWire™ transseptal puncture system, moving the company toward commercialization and first-in-human procedures later this year. Energy & Industry: A commentary highlights how aluminum tariffs are boosting South Carolina manufacturing, while a separate report points to Century Aluminum’s Mt. Holly expansion in Berkeley County as a major jobs-and-capacity milestone. Solar & Local Governance: York County Council took no action after hours of executive session following a judge’s ruling tied to Silfab Solar’s Fort Mill zoning fight, with a reconsideration hearing set for Aug. 26. Food Safety: Publix expanded a frozen berry recall tied to possible E. coli contamination, urging shoppers in multiple states (including South Carolina) to discard or return affected GreenWise products. Public Health & Research: A MUSC-linked study finds cigarette smoking is declining as more adults switch to e-cigarettes, with potential harm-reduction implications. Transportation & Jobs: TSA Gold+ is rolling out to airports via private contractors, with Charleston named among early adopters—raising questions about passenger flow and worker impacts. Agriculture & Environment: Yellow-legged hornets were confirmed in Union County, with officials warning to protect honeybees and monitor spread.
Broadcast & Media: WCSC brought home Television Station of the Year Merit at the 2026 SCBA STAR Awards, with wins across podcast, lifestyle, news series, personality, and multi-spot campaign categories. Public Health & Tobacco: A MUSC-led study finds cigarette smoking is dropping while exclusive e-cigarette use rises, suggesting many smokers are switching fully to vaping—though older adults are slower to change. Manufacturing & Restructuring: Alkegen filed for bankruptcy protection under a fast-track plan, with South Carolina operations including Lauscha Fiber in Summerville and Southern Felt in North Augusta and other sites. EV & Auto Industry: Polestar’s South Carolina expansion plans are in flux after a federal connected-vehicle data rule blocked sales starting with the 2027 model year. Construction & Growth: Berkeley County’s Lake Village debate continues as residents push back on the scale and impacts of the 2,000-acre, 5,500-home development. Historic Preservation: SC preservation groups warn proposed federal changes to Section 106 could reduce local input and raise the risk to historic sites. Energy & Data Centers (Regional): DOE selected Brookfield to develop an AI data center complex at Kentucky’s Paducah uranium site, pointing to more rural jobs and new power generation. Agriculture & Environment: Lowcountry farmers face a worst-growing-season outlook as drought and heat strain crops. Food Safety: Publix expanded a frozen blueberry recall after E. coli illness reports.
Manufacturing & Restructuring: Alkegen, which operates South Carolina plants including Lauscha Fiber in Summerville and Southern Felt in North Augusta/Bethune, filed for fast-track bankruptcy protection to cut $3.1B in debt, with creditors set to take ownership and a $315M financing package lined up. Food Safety: Publix expanded its recall of GreenWise organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries after E. coli concerns, with products shipped to SC and other states; customers are told not to consume and to return for refunds. Transportation & Logistics: SCDOT will close the I-26 eastbound Exit 129 ramp to Highway 21 Aug. 7–10 for a ramp alignment project, with a signed detour via Exit 136. Workforce/Policy: South Carolina’s REAL ID program was recertified by TSA, keeping most state credentials eligible for flights and federal access. Local Business & Community: MOJA Arts seeks a poster artist for its 2026 Charleston festival (deadline Aug. 5) with a $5,000 commission. Agriculture/Environment: North Carolina confirmed invasive yellow-legged hornets near Charlotte, raising new risks for honeybees and crops.
Food Safety: Publix expanded its recall of GreenWise organic frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries due to possible E. coli O145 contamination, affecting stores in eight states including South Carolina; customers are told to discard or return the products for refunds. Manufacturing & Energy: BMW says its Upstate battery assembly work in Woodruff is ramping up, with battery pack assembly for the iX5 set to begin in December, adding 300+ trained jobs alongside robots. Solar Industry: Silfab Solar will temporarily idle production at its Fort Mill facility Aug. 5–11, citing supply delays and routine maintenance, while shipping and customer service continue; the move comes amid ongoing local zoning friction. Local Business Oversight: South Carolina Department of Agriculture inspections in Lancaster County found two retail food sites posting C grades and five B grades during July, while York County saw three restaurants earn B grades (with follow-ups bringing two back to A). Public Safety & Infrastructure: Charleston County plans an $800,000 safety upgrade at the Charleston Municipal Golf Course crossing on Maybank Highway, including a pedestrian-activated “HAWK” signal. Community & Culture: MOJA Arts is seeking a poster artist for the 2026 festival (Sept. 24–Oct. 1), offering a $5,000 commission and a Charleston-wide application deadline of Aug. 5.
Food Safety: Publix expanded its recall of GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries in South Carolina and seven other states after possible E. coli O145 contamination, adding specific 10- and 48-ounce UPCs and urging shoppers to check lot details. Solar & Manufacturing: BMW’s Woodruff battery assembly plant is ramping up for December EV battery-pack work, while Silfab Solar will temporarily idle Fort Mill module and cell production Aug. 5–11 due to supply delays and routine upgrades, despite recent local zoning fights. Agriculture & Water: Lowcountry farmers are facing what officials call the worst growing season in memory as drought and record heat strain yields and water systems. Politics & Ballot Access: A judge kept Danny Ford II on South Carolina’s Aug. 11 special GOP U.S. Senate primary ballot after the party decertified him under a new voting-history rule, with a court hearing set for Aug. 3. Workforce & Life Sciences: Columbia’s CADP added Ritedose HR chief Janisha Thomas to its board, highlighting Richland County’s push to attract and retain advanced manufacturing and sterile pharma jobs. Defense & Aviation: An F-35B crash near MCAS Miramar in San Diego renewed scrutiny of the aircraft’s safety record; the pilot ejected safely.
Upstate Industry & Logistics: Brennan Investment Group bought a 157,412-square-foot industrial facility in Piedmont near Greenville, adding “move-in ready” improvements and leaving 65,000 square feet vacant in Exchange Logistics Park. Manufacturing & Jobs: BMW says it will start assembling battery packs for its South Carolina-built EVs in December, hiring and training 300+ workers at the Woodruff plant alongside 250 robots. Energy & Broadband Buildout: Brightspeed is pushing network expansion in South Carolina, with construction underway to reach nearly 1,700 homes and businesses in Cross Hill and nearby Laurens County areas. Food Safety: Publix expanded its frozen berry recall tied to potential E. coli contamination, pulling GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries across eight states including South Carolina. Fuel Costs: AAA reports the national regular gas average holds around $4.09, with crude oil pressures still keeping prices elevated. Policy & Labor: Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith led lawmakers urging administrative fixes to the H-2A agricultural guest worker program amid processing delays and regulatory gaps. Local Business & Community: A South Carolina hospitality tax debate in Aiken drew pushback and support as Oliver Hospitality Group moves forward with hotel renovations and a planned parking deck. Business Crime: Florence County and partners recovered $1M+ in stolen semis and trailers in a multiyear commercial vehicle theft case.
Food Safety: Publix expanded its recall of frozen GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries tied to an E. coli outbreak, urging shoppers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia to throw away or return affected lots. Politics & Energy Finance: South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jermaine Johnson named Charleston clean-energy advocate Sam Skardon as lieutenant governor running mate, spotlighting the Clean Energy Fund of the Carolinas’ lending work. Aviation Security: The U.S. Senate advanced Serco executive David Cummins to lead TSA as the administration pushes privatized screening at smaller airports, with Charleston among airports planning to proceed. Workforce & Construction: New federal data show construction employment rising in 33 states and D.C. from June 2025 to June 2026, with energy, manufacturing and data-center investment cited as drivers. Manufacturing & Jobs: Daimler Trucks North America will end Portland truck manufacturing by year-end and shift production to Carolinas, affecting about 375 employees. Local Governance: Woodruff City Council approved annexation and industrial zoning for a large tract near Highway 221, while giving first-reading approval to restrict data centers, crypto mining and mining in city industrial districts. Health Access: Publix pharmacies joined the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program to help eligible patients fill weight-management prescriptions.
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