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COLUMBIA, S.C. – NCGS, Inc. (link is external), a clinical research organization (CRO) supporting the pharmaceutical industry, is expanding its Charleston County operations. The company is constructing a new corporate headquarters, which will bring $10 million of new capital investment and create 80 new jobs.
Founded in 1984, NCGS is a privately-held, international, full-service CRO which specializes in conducting and managing clinical trials. Focusing on complex areas of clinical development, such as oncology, infectious diseases and critical care, NCGS has worked on the approval or expanded approval of 34 drug, biologic and diagnostic products.
Currently located at 288 Meeting Street in Charleston, S.C., the company will be moving into a new corporate headquarters after completing renovations in the spring of 2017. The new headquarters will be located at 16 Charlotte Street in Charleston, S.C. Hiring for the new positions will begin immediately, and interested applicants should visit the company’s careers page online (link is external).
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project.
QUOTES
“NCGS’ core mission is to help develop new drugs that improve our lives. This is an exciting time of unprecedented discovery in our industry, and NCGS is proud that our success will translate into growth for our beloved Lowcountry community. Our continued expansion and success, not only impacts new jobs, but furthers our philanthropic impact on the community.” –NCGS CEO Nancy C.G. Snowden
“The fact that the partnership between NCGS and our great state continues to result in growth and success for both parties is something to be proud of. We have one of the friendliest environments for business in the world, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for NCGS.” –Gov. Henry McMaster
“Today’s announcement reinforces an increasing trend – that South Carolina is ‘Just right’ for corporate headquarters. We’re excited to celebrate, not only this tremendous new investment from NCGS, but also the 80 new jobs to Charleston County.” –Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt
“NCGS’ expansion is continued proof that Charleston County provides a positive business climate and unparalleled resources to foster growth. The county council thanks NCGS for their endless commitment to our community.” –Charleston County Council Chairman Victor Rawl
“Congratulations to NCGS on the expansion of their downtown operations. Charleston is a great place to live, work and raise a family, and I look forward to welcoming NCGS to their new corporate headquarters this spring.” –Charleston Mayor John J. Tecklenburg
“We were excited to learn of the NCGS expansion, and to have the opportunity to help facilitate the move to their new corporate headquarters. Their growth supports a promising future for Charleston County in the life sciences sector.” –Charleston County Economic Development Director Steve Dykes
Media Release: Boat Building Company Adding 370 Jobs in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A company that makes fishing boats plans to expand its operations in South Carolina and hire another 370 employees.
The state commerce department said in a news release Thursday that Scout Boats plans to spend nearly $11 million on the expansion of its operations in Summerville.
The company plans to add several new models to its product line.
Scout Boats makes a variety of coastal fishing boats ranging from 17 feet to 53 feet in length.
A new facility is designed to accommodate a new 53-foot luxury yacht model.
About Scout Boats
Scout Boats was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Summerville, South Carolina.
To prepare the wheat berries: Sort through wheat berries carefully, discarding any stones. Rinse well under cool running water. Place in a large heavy saucepan. Add water and salt Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Drain and rinse. (Makes about 4 1/2 cups.)
To prepare the hot cereal: Place oats, raisins, milk (or soymilk) and salt in a large, microwave-safe bowl. (No microwave? See Stovetop Variation.) Stir to combine. Microwave on High, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Stir in 1 1/4 cups cooked wheat berries and microwave again until hot, 1 to 2 minutes more. Let stand for 1 minute. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve. (Refrigerate or freeze leftover wheat berries.)
Tips and Notes:
Make-Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate the cooked wheat berries (Step 1) for up to 2 days or freeze airtight for up to 1 month.
Look for wheat berries in natural-foods markets in bulk or other near whole grains. Contrary to popular belief, they do not require an overnight soak before cooking. Simply boiling them for 1 hour soften the kernels and produces their characteristically chewy texture.
Toast slivered almonds in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.
Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata
Ingredients:
8 eggs
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup sliced red bell pepper
1 bunch scallions, trimmed and sliced
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
Instructions:
Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler.
Whisk eggs, oregano, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Heat oil in a large, ovenproof, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper and scallions and cook, stirring constantly, until the scallions are just wilted, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and cook, lifting the edges of the frittata to allow the uncooked egg to flow underneath, until the bottom is light golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Dot the top of the frittata with cheese, transfer the pan to the oven and broil until puffy and lightly golden on top, 2 to 3 minutes. Let rest for about 3 minutes before serving. Serve hot or cold.
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Tip: Let cool, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day; serve cold.
Black Bean & Chipotle Tostadas with Creme Fraiche
Ingredients:
8 5- to 6-inch corn tortillas
* Canola oil cooking spray
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup sliced garlic
2 cups cooked or canned, rinsed black beans, (see Tip)
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp salt, divided
1/4 tsp ground chipotle pepper, plus more for garnish
6 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup low-fat milk
1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tbsp crème fraîche, or sour cream
Instructions:
Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 375°F.
Coat tortillas on both sides with cooking spray. Place on 2 baking sheets. Bake, turning once, until light brown, 12 to 14 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until just beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add beans, water and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and chipotle. Mash the mixture with a potato masher or large fork to the consistency of a chunky puree. Cover to keep warm and set aside.
Beat eggs, egg whites and milk in a large bowl. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the egg mixture and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, folding and stirring frequently with a heatproof rubber spatula, until almost set, 2 to 3 minutes.
To assemble tostadas, spread each tortilla with about 1/4 cup bean mixture. Top each with 1/4 cup scrambled eggs and sprinkle with chipotle pepper, if desired. Serve garnished with onion, cilantro and a small dollop of crème fraîche (or sour cream).
Tips and Notes:
Tip: To cook beans from scratch
1. Pick over 1 pound dry beans to remove any pebbles or broken beans and rinse well under cold water. Place in a large bowl, cover with 3 inches of cold water and soak for 4 to 24 hours.
2. Drain the beans and place in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover them by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, skimming off any debris that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender, 1 to 2 hours (cooking time will vary with the type and age of the bean). When the beans are nearly soft, stir in 1-1 1/2 teaspoons salt, to taste. Makes about 6 cups. Refrigerate leftover beans (in the cooking liquid) for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Crispy P0tatoes with Green Beans and Eggs
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh or cooked green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 lbs boiling potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice, or 5 cups diced cooked potatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp salt
* Freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 large eggs
* Pinch of paprika, (optional)
Instructions:
If using fresh green beans, cook in a large saucepan of boiling water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold running water.
Heat oil in a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat until hot enough to sizzle a piece of potato. Spread potatoes in an even layer and cook, turning every few minutes with a wide spatula, until tender and browned, 15 to 20 minutes for raw potatoes, 10 to 12 minutes for cooked. Stir in the green beans, garlic, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper.
Crack each egg into a small bowl and slip them one at a time into the pan on top of the vegetables, spacing evenly. Cover and cook over medium heat until the whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your taste, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle the eggs with paprika, if desired, and serve immediately.
Mango Coconut Green Smoothie
Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut water
1/3 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 cup chopped kale
1 cup frozen banana slices (about 1 medium banana)
1/2 cup frozen mango
1 tbsp flaxseed or flaxmeal
1-2 tsp pure maple syrup or honey (optional)
Instructions:
Add coconut water and cottage cheese to a blender, then add kale, banana, mango, flaxseed (or meal) and sweetener (if using); blend until smooth.
Gingerbread Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups white whole-wheat flour (see Tips)
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups buttermilk (see Tips)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tbsp canola oil
2 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
Whisk flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Whisk egg, buttermilk, applesauce, oil, molasses, sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, add the wet ingredients and whisk just until combined. Resist overmixing—it will make the pancakes tough.
Let the batter sit, without stirring, for 10 to 15 minutes. As the batter rests, the baking powder forms bubbles that create fluffy pancakes and the gluten in the flour relaxes to make them more tender.
Coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Without stirring the batter, measure out pancakes using about 1/4 cup batter per pancake and pour into the pan (or onto the griddle). Cook until the edges are dry and you see bubbles on the surface, 2 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown on the other side, 2 to 4 minutes more. Repeat with the remaining batter, coating the pan with cooking spray and reducing the heat as needed.
Tips and Notes:
Make-Ahead Tip: The mixture of dry ingredients can be stored airtight for up to 1 month; the batter can be refrigerated for up to 1 day; cooked pancakes can be frozen airtight, in a single layer, for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
White whole-wheat flour, made from a special variety of white wheat, is light in color and flavor but has the same nutritional properties as regular whole-wheat flour.
No buttermilk? You can make “sour milk” as a substitute: mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup nonfat milk; let stand for about 10 minutes before using.
You can scroll through any YouTube music video to find the cliché “Music is officially dead” in the comment section, unless you’re watching Samantha Fish.
She’s a homegrown artist from Kansas City, Missouri, who’s cultivated the fervor of a rock and roll sound, but with a serving of blues on the side. While her latest album Chills&Fever, which features R&B gems from the ‘60s and ‘70’s produced by Bobby Harlow and featuring The Detroit Cobras, dishes soul as the entrée, Fish platters rock as the appetizer. Her sounds are intertwined together, so fans are stuffed and satisfied. However, they’ll always be hungry for more.
Whether Fish belts out her pain as in the Nina Simone classic “Either Way I Lose” or opts for an up-tempo backdrop against her sultry croons of Charles Sheffield’s “It’s Your Voodoo Working”. her childhood memories set the tone.
“I grew up listening to everything. My father and uncles played rock ‘n’ roll and heavy metal, but my dad and his friends would play bluegrass, country, blues. There was a lot of different genres that influenced me. I just listen to anything,” she says.
Fish’s bodies of work will always mirror what she feels. While people may know her with a guitar in hand, she’s freed from any box, definition, or label. She’s her own person, and her own artist.
Unlike her last three albums, her fourth album highlights her talent unhinged.
“I was always restrained when I went into the studio. I could hear every flaw magnified, so I would get performance anxiety. I recorded Chills&Fever with a different mindset, though,” she says. Her producer Bobby Harlow had her record in a quirky motel, or a “crazy-ass motel,” as Fish would say. He wanted her to feel like Ray Charles, for example. The legend had little room for error in the music business, so he had to put his heart and soul into his craft. Well, Harlow wanted Fish to feel the same pressure. His plan would only work if Fish did the heavy lifting.
Photo Credit: Brian Rozmanwork if Fish did the heavy lifting.
“In the past I was too self-conscious to give my all, but I threw [my everything] into Chills&Fever,” she says. She realized how her “flaws” and “imperfections” gave her album the oomph that made her songs worthwhile. Nobody wants to go through horrific heartbreak, insecurity, or infidelity, but her experiences make Fish’s work relatable. No wonder she’s grown her fandom, played in France, Germany, and New Zealand, and jammed alongside icons like Buddy Guy, Steven Tyler and Alice Cooper.
The Missourian’s accomplished so much, and her events and encounters are just as noteworthy as her Billboard Blues Albums Chart position of Chills&Fever, which is currently at #5. Her ultimate goal goes beyond the praise and accolades, though. She just wants to make her audience feel. “I want to inspire people,” she says.
While she would love to win a Grammy (She is human, after all.), she strives to give others what music has given her: life.
The essence of music is found in the soul of the songwriter. The ability to harness emotion, derive an engaging composition and share that vulnerability to an audience is the true spirit of lyrical and musical poetry. Artists enter into this world for various reasons; fame, fortune, girls, boys, but a rare few are born with a spirit to sore beyond the material images behind musicians and expose us to the human side of existence where life, music, art and emotion come together as one. A little band from Aiken possess just those rare traits, Kenny George Band.
I had an opportunity to sit with lead singer Kenny George last weekend, ahead of their appearance at The Royal American on April 29th, and what he shared reinforced my own personal passion for music.
Now 31, Kenny began playing his first instrument at age 8. Taking up the violin, because it was one of only two instrument taught in his small Southern school. Now, 24 years later, Kenny and his band are playing 180 shows a year, about to release a new album and on the cusp of a breakout.
Along with Kenny, Bucky Brown, Center Ely, Brooks Andrews and Scott Rankin comprise this Southern rock and acoustic band who has been winning audiences over for years and we are excited to join the fan base and fortunate enough to learn more about Kenny and the band.
Inspired by the Americana sound and Southern California music scene, Kenny has been influenced by some of the greatest artists of our generation including Whiskeytown, Wilco, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Jackson Browne and The Eagles. This fusion of influences coupled by a band who combines acoustic and rock, makes for a symphony of music and lyrics that derive a memorable live music experience.
In my research, I found the tune “Hard to Think About”, a moving song of heartbreak with a message of hope. I asked Kenny about this tune. “It is written about an ex that I had back home in Aiken. I wrote it very hung over on my couch after we broke up. It is one of those ones that came out easily and quickly. We have been working to bring it back into the shows. The steel part is so pretty.”
This started to paint a picture of my head. Often-times, we romanticize a song expecting a grand fantasy of a story to compliment the lyrics, but when we learn the story behind the song, we soon realize, musicians are human like each of us, but they use music as their outlet. It was this realism that shows the raw courage of this band.
When we sat down and got comfortable, Kenny got candid and here is a little of our conversation:
CD: “How do you mentally prepare for such a physically rigorous tour schedule each year given that you have done over 240 shows in the last two years.”
KG: “In honesty, we fell into it. I don’t think too much about it. We try to buckle down. The more we get to know the venues, the easier it gets. We want to make sure we are well rehearsed. It soon becomes second nature. The hard part is missing home. It can be emotionally exhausting. Sometimes, when you finally get a weekend off you don’t know what to do because you are so accustomed to performing every night.”
CD: “What will fans expect from the new album ‘Borrowed Trouble’ that they may not have heard in Gunshy?”
KG: “There are a lot of changes to the new album. This record is more like a rock record with a country sound to it (instrumentation). Gunshy was written over a period of 5 or 6 years. These songs, I wrote all together. It is a road record with love songs written into it. Gunshy was more acoustic based.
We also worked with Shawn Gess (producer) to make a more-beefy sounding record. We wanted a more united and cohesive sound. Tried more rhythm to create a more live sound.
We use Studio DigitalHalo in Aiken. I’ve been working with Shawn almost 15 years. We are so well connected at this point. Shawn worked on my very first single. The current band members have been together for almost 10 years now. The band glues together well on stage now and they have a strong tight sound.”
CD: “Do you feel the Southeast is enough to draw inspiration or is there more of the world you need to see to harness your sound?”
KG: “I think where we live in the Southeast you could live for 80 years and be able to write something new, even live here forever and be inspired. Though, I really want to grow the band and its market and range and experiences. I haven’t done a lot of major traveling outside of the band. We have gone to St Louis and Jersey and seen a lot of cool stuff, but I would like to get out more and grow the fan base. This last album is influenced heavily by the road and our experiences over the last few years.”
CD: “Much like the iconic Bruce Springsteen, you are using your live performances to connect with your fans. What do you want your fans to take away from your shows?”
KG: “Running on Empty album was a huge influence. I probably have 3 copies next to me. That entire album is about life and how the road treats you. I want everyone to have a really good time listening to something they can connect to. I am bad at talking about this stuff. I want to make an emotional connection through the lyrics, tone and performance. I want them to feel better after a live show. When you talk to them and get to know them from town to town, you hear personal stories. Little things like that mean a lot to me.
We got an email last week from a girl and her boyfriend who saw us five years ago when they first developed feelings for each other. and now five years later, they are coming again and wanted a signed copy of the album. Personal stories like that are so important to us.”
CD: “Tell me about the roots of the band. How did you all come to be?”
KG: “My father was a really talented dude. One of his buddies played music. When I started playing electric guitar, his buddy asked if they could sit in during the practice space. That was the first time with Bucky Brown (drummer). I sat in on a couple of shows. It was sweet they let me watch. They did covers and had fun with me being the 16-year old kid on stage. That was 17 years ago. I started a few high school and college bands with different folks. When I moved home at 22, I knew I wanted to do my own project, so I called Bucky. He brought in a petal steel guitar player. Center Ely. We also brought in a bass player named Charles, but we couldn’t buckle down on a bass player. In fact, went through 6 or 7 bass players for the first 3 or 4 years.
I found my drummer, while buying drum heads at a shop in Augusta. Brooks Andrews was the little brother of the cashier at the music store. We got introduced and the rest is history. Now, he is the best guitar player in the band.
Scott came in a year and a half later. He called me to fill in for his band. We had met, but never played together. It seemed seamless when we played this 4-hour gig. We just clicked.
We started doing acoustic shows together and then added Scott permanently to the band. Scott brought in a full sound on vocals and extra meat on rhythm guitar.
I love acoustic, so getting into electric was a big transition for me.
We all had various experiences on the road so had a lot to share as we came together.
Scott brought the business side together. He has brought a lot out of us.”
As the interview started to wind down, we got into a discussion about the upcoming tour.
“I am excited about the entire tour coming up.” Kenny exclaimed. They are opening with a big alley show in their hometown of Aiken, supported by the mayor who is also a bass player. As Kenny put it, “we want to put on a big show for the hometown fans.” What a way to motivate a big tour on the road.
“Royal American show will be amazing. We have played there twice and excited to get back there. It was a blast with a great crowd.”
“For the first leg, we wanted to pick places we knew we would get the crowd we wanted. We want to create an atmosphere. We have rehearsals in the next few weeks to make sure we are tight. I have new songs I am working on we will perform.”
Finding the most suitable Charleston home for sale is no more a hassle, as the premier real estate firm in the area announces their interactive map search feature in their website. With the help of this online map search, it’s now a lot easier for a buyer to find a real estate in his/her preferred location throughout Charleston.
Whether someone is relocating to Charleston, or wants to buy a new home in the area, Premier One is the professional and trustworthy real estate firm to rely upon. The real estate firm has a vast listing of Charleston homes and other types of properties. They also offer an advanced search feature that precisely matches the search criteria of a property buyer to suggest the best homes for sale in the area. Besides, their new and interactive map based search feature allows buyers to find properties in their preferred location.
According to the spokesperson of the firm, the location based search covers a number of locations throughout Charleston, including Goose Creek, Isle of Palms, James Island, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Folly Beach, North Charleston, Summerville, West Ashley, Daniel Island, and Edisto Island. Besides the online search, the firm has a team of experienced real estate professionals who are committed to finding the best properties throughout the area that can best meet a buyer’s requirements.
Premier One deals in a wide variety of properties in Charleston, available in different budgets. Based on the budget of a buyer, they can shortlist the most suitable properties in the area that a buyer can choose for their own living or for investment purposes. The spokesperson reveals that they can guarantee the best prices for both buyers and sellers, because of their local presence. They know the local real estate market in Charleston and have a good reputation among homeowners in the area. This is the reason why can rest assured of the best prices when completing a real estate deal through them.
To know more about their interactive search feature or to search a property in Charleston, one can visit the website http://gopremierone.com/.
About Premier One
Premier One has evolved over decades of real estate service to bring an enhanced level of commitment to their clients that is truly “Premier”. Each agent of the firm has undergone extensive training to meet clients’ needs. They have affiliations and contacts nationally and in the local market so that they can give clients an access to premier resources with an advantage of buying or selling homes, land, or commercial property. They maintain up to the minute listing detail on every home in the area and syndication through dozens of the major real estate search engines.
For Media Enquiry –
Contact Person: Tom Wingard
Telephone: 866-337-3127
Email: Info(at)GoPremierOne(dot)com
Website: http://gopremierone.com
New “Next in Tech” Index Identifies Cities Across the Nation Fostering Startup Creation and Job Growth
One million additional jobs per year can be created if pro-startup and entrepreneurship policies put in place
Washington, D.C. — TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, and the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) today unveiled groundbreaking research that shows that encouraging the creation of dynamic startups across the nation can create one million new jobs per year.
The study, conducted by Dr. Michael Mandel of the Progressive Policy Institute on behalf of TechNet, found growing evidence that dynamism is returning to our economy. Net establishment formation is accelerating to pre-recession levels, showing that new companies are being formed and existing enterprises are expanding. Additionally, 48% of net establishment formation is happening outside of the 35 largest metro areas, clearly indicating the dynamism is spreading.
To further examine this spread of dynamism and “Startup Economy” jobs throughout the nation, the study identifies 10 technology hubs and 25 “Next in Tech” cities with a thriving startup environment. At the top of the “Next in Tech” index are Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, Dallas, Raleigh-Durham, Worcester, and Philadelphia.
“Startup culture, which began in the garages of Silicon Valley, has spread across the nation,” said Linda Moore, president and CEO of TechNet. “From Provo to Portland and Nashville to New Orleans, entrepreneurs are launching new ventures in the hope that they can become the next big thing. Startups like these are the economic engine that drives job creation. In 2014, companies in their first five years of life created 2.2 million jobs, while firms older than five years created only 450,000 jobs. That’s remarkable, and it means that if we put the right policies in place to support startups, we can create one million new, good-paying jobs each year.”
“Policymakers on the national, state, and local level must pay close attention to startups — encouraging their formation and removing the obstacles to their growth,” said Dr. Mandel. “Put simply, this requires better regulatory policy, improved access to talent, and better access to markets and capital. Such startup friendly policies do not necessarily require large amounts of money. They do, however, require governments to do things differently than before. We need one million additional jobs annually from young firms. It won’t be easy — but it’s the only way that the U.S. can grow.”
“These long established industries that are transforming and becoming redefined by emerging technologies are not just based on the coasts, but are across America — in every city and corner of the country,” said Terry Howerton, co-founder and CEO of TechNexus Venture Collaborative. “The industry and domain expertise to apply new technology — and the jobs created by this disruption — are best suited for the communities where today’s startups and corporations exist, everywhere. That’s why smart public policy at the federal, state, and local levels is critical to keeping these new jobs distributed around the country.”
Startup Agenda
The study concludes that the goal of startup policy should be to spur the creation of an additional one million jobs in young firms each year. This requires the adoption of a multi-pronged federal, state, and local “Startup Agenda” including:
Improving access to capital through updated rules that make crowdsourcing easier and put in place tax incentives to encourage investment in early stage, high growth local companies.
Fostering access to talent by ensuring that STEM and computer science is taught in every school in America, developing worker retraining programs, and reforming high-skilled immigration policies that encourage entrepreneurship.
Opening up access to markets through trade policies that encourage U.S. exports.
Instituting a pro-innovation regulatory and fiscal policy and reducing the burden of regulation and taxation on small companies.
About TechNet TechNet is the national, bipartisan network of technology CEOs and senior executives that promotes the growth of the innovation economy by advocating a targeted policy agenda at the federal and 50-state level. TechNet’s diverse membership includes dynamic startups to the most iconic companies on the planet and represents more than two million employees in the fields of information technology, e-commerce, advanced energy, biotechnology, venture capital, and finance. TechNet has offices in Washington, D.C., Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Sacramento, Austin, Boston, Seattle, Albany, and Tallahassee.
About PPI The Progressive Policy Institute is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. PPI is developing fresh proposals for stimulating U.S. economic innovation and growth; equipping all Americans with the skills and assets that social mobility in the knowledge economy requires; modernizing an overly bureaucratic and centralized public sector; and, defending liberal democracy in a dangerous world.
Media Release: CHARLESTON, S.C. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations, at Charleston seaport seized an estimated $1.1 million in counterfeit mobile phone accessories, including phone cases, chargers, cables, and headphones on March 14. The merchandise arrived into the port from China and was destined for upstate South Carolina.
Counterfeit merchandise seized by CBP officers at Charleston Seaport
The shipment details were scrutinized and it was determined that the cargo was worth a closer look. Examination and appraisal revealed 85,000 individual accessories bearing images and markings from Apple, USB, Bluetooth, Blu-Ray, LG, Marvel, DC Comics, Hello Kitty, and Dr. Dre. Representatives from these companies confirmed their images and markings were being used without their permission, making them counterfeit and subject to seizure.
In addition, 38,000 power adapters were discovered bearing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mark, signifying they’d been tested in an accredited FCC laboratory and met certain operating standards. These were found to be unauthorized markings as well – a potentially significant safety risk to unwitting consumers.
CBP continues to work hard to protect legitimate businesses from unlawful use of their intellectual property.“I’m proud of the work our officers and import specialists are doing to keep counterfeit merchandise, some of which could be dangerous to consumers, out of U.S. commerce,” said Charleston Acting Area Port Director Joanne Fogg. “CBP continues to work hard to protect legitimate businesses from unlawful use of their intellectual property.”
Counterfeit power adapters seized by CBP officers at Charleston Seaport
If you have information about counterfeit merchandise being illegally imported into the U.S., CBP encourages you to submit an E-Allegation. The E-allegation provides a means for the public to anonymously report to CBP any suspected violations of trade laws or regulations related to the importation of goods into the U.S.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the U.S. while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. CBP conducts inspection operations and intercepts currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture products and other illicit items at U.S. ports of entry nationwide. View CBP Snapshot to learn some of what CBP achieves “On a Typical Day.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Charleston, S.C. (April 07, 2016) – Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, today announced that Mary Beth Westmoreland, Blackbaud’s chief technology officer, has been named one of the 2017 Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by the National Diversity Council. This definitive list honors the most extraordinary female leaders, influencers and achievers impacting the technology industry.
Mary Beth was recognized for her leadership in Blackbaud’s transformation to a cloud software company that is innovative, agile, and successful, for her mentorship to inspire other women and for her commitment to corporate citizenship. She was named alongside women executives from other leading software companies including Angela Ahrendts of Apple, Safra Catz of Oracle, Ana Corrales of Google, Peggy Johnson of Microsoft, Virginia Rometty of IBM and Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook.
“I want to thank the National Diversity Council for the honor of being named an influential woman in tech alongside these amazing leaders,” said Mary Beth. “But it’s the work of our talented engineers, architects, designers and all of our staff that made this possible. They challenge and inspire me every day, and I’m proud to share this recognition with them. I’m excited to be a part of an innovative, purpose-driven team and company that is truly powering an ecosystem of good.”
The National Diversity Council is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering a learning environment for organizations to grow in their knowledge of diversity and inclusion. The annual list recognizes female executives, influencers and achievers who contribute to the growth or strategic direction of their organization; demonstrate a commitment to corporate citizenship, integrity and ethical behavior; and serve as role models and mentors to inspire future generations of female professionals.
About Blackbaud Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good community—nonprofits, foundations, corporations, education institutions, and individual change agents—Blackbaud connects and empowers organizations to increase their impact through software, services, expertise, and data intelligence. The Blackbaud portfolio is tailored to the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions for fundraising and relationship management, digital marketing, advocacy, accounting, payments, analytics, school management,grant management, corporate social responsibility, andvolunteerism. Serving the industry for more than three decades, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.
Media Contact Nicole McGougan
Public Relations
843-654-3307 media@blackbaud.com
Late night dining on James Island. A phrase often reserved for pub food, comfort food, modified menus filled with carbs and fried delights. That is what we have come to expect from James Island late night edibles. Don’t get us wrong, there is an appreciation and market for late night urges with Paisano’s, Smoky Oak, Marco’s and Huddle House accommodating the needs of the night owls.
What about the patrons whose day has gotten away from them and before they know it, the time is 10:30 PM and they want a really good salad or pan seared chicken? Maybank Public House has answered your prayers. (1970 Maybank Highway, James Island, SC)
Seven days a week, this eatery offers a full menu in the bar area until 12:30 AM. Whether you are catching a late movie at the Terrace or a show at The Pour House, they are ready to please.
In a recent visit, we were taken back by the exception quality of customer service, food offerings and overall hospitality. We wanted to take a moment and provide you a visual of what our experience entailed. Upon arrival, we were offered to take a seat where we were comfortable and greeted immediately with two menus, napkins and silverware. It was a five star hosting experience. After two glasses of water arrived a few moments later, we learned of some of the great dining options.
We took a few moments with the menu and decided to shared the Smoked Gouda and Pecan Smoked Bacon Mac and Cheese and and the Arugula, Beet, Green Bean and Goat Cheese Salad. These two dishes were exceptional with fresh local ingredients and flavor that remained on the pallet after each bite. Yet, even before we ordered, we had a challenge determining our appetizer and salad selection. From lamb sliders to blue crab and spinach dip, steamed clams, fried green tomatoes or BBQ shrimp, there were no bad options and that posed quite a challenge. We feel we made the right choice for this visit.
Smoked Gouda and Pecan Smoked Bacon Mac and Cheese
The Mac and Cheese was a virtual explosion of intense flavor, soft pasta and well blended mix of cheese and bacon to ensure every fork full was filled with the right mix. This dish alone was a meal for two so expect to not leave hungry at the end of your evening. The salad can compete with any of the five star downtown restaurants in presentation and taste.
This eclectic menu, offers an array of soups, salads, flat breads, burgers, and features including Shrimp and Grits, Fish N’ Chips, Pan Seared Chicken, Seafood Linguini and Red Curry Rubbed Salmon.
During our stay, we paced out meal with some long conversation. During that time, our services was exceptional. There was proper spacing between the appetizer and salad and we never felt any rush during our entire stay.
If dining isn’t your goal and having a cold beverage or glass of vino is more your preference, Maybank offers 18 craft beers on tap and a full menu of red, white, rose and bubbly wine selections.
Though the air was brisk, most nights are ideal for outdoor dining. There are available tables if you wish to dine under the stars.
The dining area closes at 10:00 PM leaving only the bar area open, but during the day, the restaurant is in full operation and we love the design of the building offering a separation point between the dining area and bar area so patrons have the option of fun conversational bar crowd or quiet intimate dining room ambiance.
Stumbling on this gift of late night dining got us in the door, but the warm and professional customer service, exquisite flavor packed food and complete experience is what wants us coming back.
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