Author: Charleston Daily

Charleston Daily is a concept in community. Its mission is to promote, assist, and celebrate in everything Charleston, South Carolina. By partnering with businesses, community leaders, volunteers and events, we are spreading the love that is Charleston. As this city continues to grow and prosper, we want to help spread the message to all about how wonderful this community is. Charleston is about the people, community, water, land, history, heritage and the true southern warmth it brings with each and every day.

Lowcountry

SEM Wafertech Inc. and Solar4America Technology, Inc Establishing First South Carolina Operations in Sumter County – $66M and 300 new jobs

April 26, 2023 by 0 Comments
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Congratulations to SEM Wafertech Inc. and Solar4America Technology, Inc. on establishing their first South Carolina operations in Sumter County! The company’s $65.9 million investment will create 300 new jobs.

SEM Wafertech Inc. (SEM Wafertech) and Solar4America Technology, Inc. (Solar4America), both 100% owned by SPI Energy Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: SPI), a global renewable energy company, today announced plans to establish their first South Carolina operations in Sumter County. The $65.9 million investment will create 300 new jobs.

SEM Wafertech is a leading solar wafer manufacturer in the United States. The new facility will help meet the increasing need for locally sourced solar wafers as the demand for solar power continues to grow in the U.S. SEM Wafertech is targeting delivery and production of its first solar wafers in the U.S. by the end of 2023, with capacity ramping to three gigawatts by 2024.

Solar4America is a prime solar module manufacturing company that produces “Made in the USA” solar modules. In combination with its facility in Sacramento, California, the new South Carolina facility will allow Solar4America to manufacture a wider variety of solar panels for customers, with an aim to increase capacity to 2.4 gigawatts by the end of the year.

SEM Wafertech and Solar4America plan to occupy an existing building located at 1150 Clipper Road in Sumter, where they will design, build out and install a world-class silicon wafer slicing facility. Silicon wafers produced in the facility will be used in a variety of applications, including photovoltaic cells and semiconductors. Solar panels will serve commercial, residential and industrial energy generation and storage needs.

Operations are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023. Individuals interested in joining the team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project. The council also awarded a $1.5 million Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) grant to Sumter County to assist with the costs of water and wastewater improvements and building improvements.

QUOTES

“As a global renewable energy company making American-made solar wafers and modules, we recognize the importance of having a strong domestic supply chain to meet the fast-growing demand for affordable solar power. We plan to bring the highest-quality domestically produced solar wafers and modules to market, enhancing our nation’s manufacturing capabilities with a long-term investment that will create good paying jobs for South Carolina.”
-SEM Wafertech Inc. and Solar4America Technology, Inc. Chairman Denton Peng

“South Carolina has proven it has the business environment and workforce in place to attract innovative companies like SEM Wafertech and Solar4America. This $65.9 million investment is yet another win for the state, and we anticipate a long and fruitful partnership.”
-Gov. Henry McMaster

“We are pleased that SEM Wafertech and Solar4America decided to establish in South Carolina. Sumter County is well-equipped to support global solar companies because of its world-class environment. Congratulations, and we welcome them to the state.”
-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“I am personally thrilled to welcome SEM Wafertech and Solar4America to Sumter County, succeeding many exciting investments announced in recent months across South Carolina. With an investment of more than $65 million and the creation of 300 new jobs, SEM Wafertech and Solar4America will be welcome additions to the region, and to our state’s growing number of globally recognized renewable energy and EV-related companies — continuing to make our state’s economy diverse and prosperous. I welcome them to the Sumter family, where I know we will create an enduring partnership in our community.”
-Speaker of the S.C. House of Representatives Murrell Smith

“We are thrilled to add another company to our growing family of industrial leaders in Sumter and are enthusiastic about the corporate investment and jobs that will be a result of this project. The city of Sumter is also proud to partner with the company to support the needed infrastructure improvements for high quality industrial water and wastewater services.”
-City of Sumter Mayor David Merchant

“One of the most rewarding tasks as the chair for Sumter County Council is to participate and celebrate in the growth of our community. We are excited to welcome our new industrial partner and see our manufacturing sector continuously diversifying. We are committed to the utmost extent to your success in Sumter.”
-Sumter County Council Chairman James T. McCain Jr.

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • SEM Wafertech Inc. (SEM Wafertech) and Solar4America Technology, Inc. (Solar4America), both owned by SPI Energy Co., Ltd., are establishing their first South Carolina operations in Sumter County.
  • The $65.9 million investment will create 300 new jobs.
  • SEM Wafertech is a leading solar wafer manufacturer, and Solar4America is a prime solar module manufacturing company.
  • Located at 1150 Clipper Road in Sumter, S.C.
  • Individuals interested in joining the team should visit the company’s careers page.

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Lowcountry

Charleston County Parks breaks ground on Old Towne Creek County Park (West Ashley)

April 25, 2023 by 1 Comment
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West Ashley site to be developed as a passive public park

[WEST ASHLEY] – The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) broke ground on Old Towne Creek County Park on April 25 for Phase 1 Development of this West Ashley site.

Purchased by CCPRC from the Lowcountry Land Trust in 2011, Old Towne Creek County Park was a site that, up until recently, was only open to the public for low-impact special events such as the Wine Down Wednesday series. The property is located in West Ashley on Old Towne Road alongside Old Towne Creek. It is a 67-acre former estate dotted with open fields among groves of live oaks, and offers views of Charles Towne Landing, Old Towne Creek and the surrounding salt marsh. 

CCPRC’s vision for the park is that it will provide a welcoming space for all that includes accessible trails and boardwalks, scenic marsh views, a nature-inspired playground, and opportunities to learn about the site’s history and ecology.

“We are proud to break ground on this very special property, and look forward to creating a park that will not only be a recreational destination for the Lowcountry, but also a place where visitors can learn about some of West Ashley’s unique history,” said Kevin Bowie executive director of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission.

Phase 1 Development will include the below:

  • Renovations of an existing building
  • Roof replacement of existing stable buildings
  • New restroom/pavilion building
  • New maintenance building
  • New accessible boardwalks and overlooks
  • Playground with inclusive play elements and surfacing
  • Accessible crushed stone pathways and concrete sidewalks
  • Landscaped areas with irrigation
  • Signage/wayfinding
  • Natural history and cultural resource interpretation signage
  • Small amphitheater
  • Parking areas
  • Decorative fencing and gates along frontage
  • Preservation of old brick entry and gates, and repurposed as a pedestrian entrance
  • New paved vehicular entryway and deceleration/turning lane on Old Towne Road
  • Site lighting, various utility additions and upgrades
  • Reconstruction of an existing impoundment
  • Creation of the Charleston County Parks Foundation Giving Tree, an outdoor art installation and fundraiser

Background on the property

The site where Old Towne Creek County Park now sits was once well known as Ashem Farm. It was home to Charleston preservationist couple Emily Ravenel Farrow and Ashby Farrow, and Mrs. Farrow’s St. Andrews Riding Academy. In 2005, Mrs. Farrow established a conservation easement with the Historic Charleston Foundation to protect the property from future development. The easement stipulates that the site must provide public benefits, such as scenic views, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, education, and historic preservation. Mrs. Farrow’s actions have ensured that future generations of people and wildlife would be able to enjoy all the resources Old Towne Creek has to offer. After her death in 2011, the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) purchased the land from the Lowcountry Land Trust. The planning process has been guided by a steering committee, and public input sessions were held in 2017. Initiated in 2017, the park master planning process included guidance from a steering committee of local stakeholders. During park master planning and throughout the design process, CCPRC and various regulatory authorities provided numerous opportunities for public comment.

Old Towne Creek County Park will remain closed to the public during the construction period. Phase 1 Development is expected to be completed in mid-2025. For updates on the construction project and opening of Old Towne Creek County Park, please visitwww.ccprc.com/oldtowne [direct URL]. This website will be updated periodically with information and photos of the construction progress.

Old Towne Creek County Park is located at 1400 Old Towne Creek Road in West Ashley and is owned by CCPRC. The mission of CCPRC is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes six regional parks, three beach parks, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, a historic plantation site, a skate park, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, an interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities. CCPRC also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs and much more. For more information on CCPRC, call 843-795-4386 or visit www.charlestoncountyparks.com.

Lowcountry

South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority provides $1.369B in funding to 200 communities

April 25, 2023 by 0 Comments
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This week, the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority announced that $1.369 billion in ARPA funding has been awarded to over 200 communities across all 46 counties. Funding will support improvements for clean drinking water, sanitary sewer and stormwater resilience.

“The vital infrastructure improvements these funds will deliver across South Carolina will be a game changer,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “The availability of critical services not only improves the immediate quality of life for our citizens, but it also makes our state more attractive for impactful and sustained economic development.”

See the full list of awardees: https://ria.sc.gov/sciip/

Lowcountry

Two College of Charleston Graduate Programs Ranked in Top 100 by U.S. News & World Report

April 25, 2023 by 0 Comments
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Two of the College of Charleston’s master’s programs have been recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Graduate Schools for 2024. The College’s one-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) programranked within the Top 100 Best Business Schools, and the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program ranked within the Top 100 Best Public Affairs Programs.

The College’s MBA program came in at No. 81 in this year’s rankings, an impressive 17-point improvement from last year. 

“Our MBA program is on the rise,” says Paul Schwager, dean of the College of Charleston School of Business. “This latest ranking proves that the high-touch, relationship-based education we offer is still valued by our students and employers.” 

The 149 full-time MBA programs on this year’s list were ranked based on career placement success, student excellence and qualitative assessments by experts. 

“This national recognition validates the hard work of faculty, staff, alumni, students and our executive volunteers,” says Ron Magnuson, executive director of graduate and executive programs for the School of Business. “We are proud to be recognized among the top MBA programs in the nation.” 

Also recognized as one of the best in the nation is the College of Charleston’s M.P.A. program.

“The M.P.A. program is excited and honored to receive this recognition of the quality of our program from our peers,” says Matt Nowlin, associate professor of political science and interim director of the program. “This is due to the dedication and hard work of our faculty, students and alumni. We are committed to continuing to promote the value of public service and providing a high-quality education to future public leaders.”

Designed for prospective students looking to further their education beyond college, the Best Graduate Schools rankings evaluate programs in a variety of disciplines. By collecting graduate school data annually, U.S. News is able to present the most current figures on enrollment, job placement, faculty and other critical quality indicators that help prospective students make informed decisions. For more information about how the rankings are calculated, visit USNews.com.

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Lowcountry

14 Places to Visit during a Weekend in Charleston, SC – New Video by Travel Ready Rosy

April 24, 2023 by 1 Comment
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Travel Ready Rosy has captured her journey through the Lowcountry and shared this new video with 14 places to visit in a weekend in Charleston, SC:

These 14 places could be easily visited in a weekend. Beautiful place to relax and enjoy with Kids and Adults in Charleston, South Carolina.

1. Rainbow Row

2. Joe Riley Waterfront Park

3. Pineapple Fountain

4. The Battery

5. City Market

6. Philadelphia Alley

7. King Street

8. Charleston Water Taxi

9. USS Yorktown

10. Cypress Gardens

11. Cypress Gardens Aquarium

12. Butterfly Garden

13. Swamp Boat Tour

14. Isle of Palms Beach

Lowcountry

Summerville, SC breaks ground on new Saul Alexander Pickleball Courts

April 24, 2023 by 0 Comments
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Summerville, SC Parks & Recreation is excited to announce the project launch of the new Saul Alexander Pickleball Courts (650 S Laurel St, Summerville, SC 29483), with the official groundbreaking ceremony this morning on April 12, 2023

The Saul Alexander Pickleball Courts project will involve the renovation of existing courts at Saul Alexander Park, transforming them into four state-of-the-art pickleball courts. The project will also include the installation of new, energy-efficient lighting to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for players during evening hours.

This project has been made possible through the generosity of a local community member who provided a significant donation to fund the improvements. The Town of Summerville is grateful for this contribution, which demonstrates the strong sense of community and support for local recreational opportunities.

The Summerville Parks and Recreation Department is proud to be partnering with the recently formed 501(c)(3) organization, the Summerville Parks Foundation. This collaboration will allow for the continued enhancement and maintenance of the parks and recreational facilities throughout the town, providing additional opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the great outdoors.

Lowcountry

Top 10 Airbnbs in Charleston, South Carolina – New Video

April 24, 2023 by 0 Comments
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Welcome to our latest AirBNB Top 10 list. In this video we give you a virtual tour of the 10 best AirBNB Charleston, SC for April 2023. We’ve scoured all of the posts and picked the most stunning stays available. Don’t miss out on your chance to book your dream vacation and make memories that will last a lifetime. Links to each stay below:

Enjoy this latest list by hiwiremedia:

#10 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/68038774…

#9 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/82176260…

#8 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/47903084

#7 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/33009801

#6 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/68904881…

#5 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/73038373…

#4 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/67185176…

#3 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/66983390…

#2 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/67750731…

#1 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/41235005

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Lowcountry

Charleston, South Carolina Summer Beach Bucket List

April 24, 2023 by 0 Comments
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Who doesn’t love going to the beach, walking with the sand beneath our toes listening to the Zac Brown Band?  Or maybe laying out and working on an even tan and taking momentary breaks between pages on your Kindle.  Those days of bath temperature ocean water and scorching sun are upon us for a few months.

We think this is the perfect time to plan your Charleston Daily Beach Bucket List.  Why can’t the beach be filled with adventure.  We want to make it easy and provide you with a list of activities to complete at the beach.

Take a week; a month or six months, but make a game out of it and play with your friends and family.

Beach Bucket List

  • Spend at least one day at each of: Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms and Edisto Beach
  • Watch a sunrise _____
  • Watch a sunset  _____
  • Surf or boogie board _____
  • Rent a jet ski motor across the ocean _____
  • Go Fishing off the pier ______
  • Read a really good book from start to finish ______
  • Spend the day at the beach without your smartphone _____
  • Build a sand castle (no age limit on sand development) _____
  • Hunt and find 5 sharks teeth _____
  • Hunt and find a sand dollar _____
  • Tell ghost stories at night by a fire or flashlight _____
  • Watch a movie at the beach ______
    • Find a full conch shell _____
  • Have a picnic on the beach _____
  • Have a long walk with coffee or a latte (Iced or Hot) ______
  • Play bocce ball, football and volleyball (all in one day) ______
  • Spot a dolphin _____
  • Write a poem about the beach or a message in a bottle _____
  • Take a crazy and fun BFF or family picture ______
  • Write something cute and adorable in the sand ______
  • Get buried in the sand
  • Have a fun beach Olympics with your friends (relays, balloon toss, egg balance, etc.) _____
  • Do beach yoga ______
  • Have a beach scavenger hunt ______
  • Paint a picture of the beach ______
  • Play guitar or have a sing along _____
  • Take a long relaxing nap (Don’t forget the sunscreen) ______
  • Take an unbelievable picture or selfie (Ex:  You holding the sun as it sets in the sky / Jump and look like you are flying) – Or a group picture of everyone jumping in the air ______
  • Take professional wedding, anniversary or special couple dress up pictures ______
  • Send a picture to a friend that is somewhere cold or not near the ocean saying “Wish you were here” ______
  • Build a fort out of sticks and shells _____
  • Write ” I Love Charleston” in the sand _____

There you have it.  It is official.  You have your bucket list.  Print it out, keep it with you and enjoy having fun at the beach.

Breaking down the five area Charleston Beaches

Tips for visiting Charleston County Beaches

Lowcountry

U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina Collects Over $50 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2022 

April 23, 2023 by 0 Comments
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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina collected $50,690,774.37 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2022. Of this amount, $11,935,768.98 was collected in criminal actions and $38,755,005.39 was collected in civil actions.  The District of South Carolina also worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect $10,438,936.69 in criminal and civil cases pursued jointly by these offices.

“Making crime victims whole, forfeiting property used to commit crimes, and recovering money bilked from our taxpayers are critical components of our justice system,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs.  “Our Criminal Division, Civil Division, Asset Forfeiture Unit, and Financial Litigation Unit work day in and day out to claw back ill-gotten gains and ensure victims are compensated, and we will continue to dedicate resources to holding wrongdoers financially accountable.”

In August 2022, Philips RS North America, LLC, formerly known as Respironics, Inc., agreed to pay a total of $24,750,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it provided kickbacks to durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers to induce them to choose Respironics’ respiratory equipment for federal healthcare program beneficiaries.  Of the $24,750,000 settlement, state Medicaid programs received $2.13 million.  A relator (also known as a whistleblower) disclosed the alleged fraud by filing a qui tam action and received approximately $4.3 million of the federal settlement amount.  Additionally, Respironics entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS-OIG.

The matter was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Daniel A. Spiro of the Fraud Section of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth Warren and Johanna Valenzuela of the District of South Carolina.  The lawsuit resolved by this settlement is captioned United States, et al., ex rel. Respiratory Care., LLC v. Respironics, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-02913-BHH (D.S.C).  The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. 

Additionally, in United States v. Lavoie et al, Case No. 4:21-cr-00585-RBH (D.S.C.), the U.S. Attorney’s Office recovered $586,805 in restitution owed to the IRS for tax violations.  Daniel A. Lavoie and Enrique R. Reyes pleaded guilty to charges related to employment tax fraud and hiring unauthorized aliens.  They operated or assisted in the operation of a construction company that used unlicensed check cashers to facilitate under-the-table cash payments to employees, many of whom were unauthorized aliens.  The off-the-books payments defrauded the United States out of applicable employment taxes on the employees.  Lavoie and Reyes were each ordered to pay $293,402.50 in restitution for tax violations, all of which has been recovered.  The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carrie Fisher Sherard and Anne Hunter Young of the District of South Carolina. 

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Carolina, working with partner agencies and divisions, also collected $6,130,476 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2022.  Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

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Contact

CONTACT PERSON:   Brook Andrews, First Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Brook.Andrews@usdoj.gov, (803) 929-3000

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