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Figure announces commercial agreement with BMW Manufacturing to bring general purpose robots into automotive production in South Carolina Plant

January 21, 2024 by 0 Comments
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SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Figure, a California-based company developing autonomous humanoid robots, today announced that it has signed a commercial agreement with BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC to deploy general purpose robots in automotive manufacturing environments.

Figure’s humanoid robots enable the automation of difficult, unsafe, or tedious tasks throughout the manufacturing process, which in turn allows employees to focus on skills and processes that cannot be automated, as well as continuous improvement in production efficiency and safety.

“Single-purpose robotics have saturated the commercial market for decades, but the potential of general purpose robotics is completely untapped. Figure’s robots will enable companies to increase productivity, reduce costs, and create a safer and more consistent environment,” said Brett Adcock, Founder and CEO of Figure. “We look forward to working side-by-side with BMW Manufacturing to integrate AI and robotics into automotive production.”

Under the agreement, BMW Manufacturing and Figure will pursue a milestone-based approach. In the first phase, Figure will identify initial use cases to apply the Figure robots in automotive production. Once the first phase has been completed, the Figure robots will begin staged deployment at BMW’s manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Beyond the deployment of humanoid robots in an automotive manufacturing environment, BMW Manufacturing and Figure jointly will explore advanced technology topics such as artificial intelligence, robot control, manufacturing virtualization, and robot integration.

“The automotive industry, and with it the production of vehicles, is evolving rapidly. BMW Manufacturing is committed to integrating innovative technologies in our production systems to drive our future forward as an industry leader and innovator. The use of general purpose robot solutions has the potential to make productivity more efficient, to support the growing demands of our consumers, and to enable our team to focus on the transformation ahead of us,” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing.

About Figure

Figure is an AI Robotics company developing autonomous general purpose humanoid robots. Our Humanoid is designed for initial deployment into the workforce to address jobs that are undesirable or unsafe, and to support supply chain and manufacturing on a global scale. Figure is based in Sunnyvale, California.

For more information about Figure, visit www.figure.ai.

BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC

BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC is an indirect subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich, Germany, and assembles the BMW X3, X3 M, X5, X5 M and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles; the BMW X4, X4 M, X6 and X6 M Sports Activity Coupes; and the BMW XM. In addition to the South Carolina manufacturing facility, BMW Group subsidiaries in North America include sales, marketing, and financial services operations in the United States, Canada and throughout Latin America; a manufacturing plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico; and a design firm and technology office in California. For more information on BMW Manufacturing, visit www.bmwusfactory.com.

SOURCE Figure AI Inc.

Lowcountry

1,500+ Students, Educators to March to the Capitol for January 26 School Choice Rally with Gov. McMaster

January 21, 2024 by 0 Comments
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Celebration to feature marching bands, dance teams, remarks from state leaders

Learn how to apply to South Carolina’s new Education Scholarship Trust Fund

COLUMBIA, S.C., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — K-12 education is on the move in South Carolina, with the state’s first education savings account scholarship for low-income students launching this year. In celebration of all of the state’s learning options — from traditional public schools to microschooling — more than a thousand students, parents, and educators will rally at the South Carolina Capitol on Jan. 26, 2024.

The festive event will kick off with a 9:30 a.m. pep rally at the University of South Carolina Alumni Center (900 Senate St. in Columbia) featuring the talents of students from across the state. Cheer squads, dance teams, choirs, and school bands will perform during the upbeat rally. Following the showcase, students and their families will participate in a spirit-filled march to the State Capitol at 10:45 a.m., accompanied by cheers and the sound of a band.

At 11 a.m. at the State Capitol, a program of diverse speakers will highlight South Carolina’s options, the importance of school choice to the Hispanic community, and personal stories of educational leadership and students finding success. A highlight of the program will be Gov. Henry McMaster’s presentation of the official proclamation of South Carolina School Choice Week.

Students and families will wrap up the State Capitol programming with a group photo — “South Carolina’s largest-ever selfie” — and a performance of the official National School Choice Week dance.

A parent workshop, including a catered lunch, will take place at 1 p.m. in the Alumni Center upstairs ballroom. The workshop will provide information to families about South Carolina’s recently passed ESA bill, the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, which begins accepting applications on Jan. 15. Led by Americans for Prosperity SC, the workshop will answer parent questions about the new scholarship and guide them through the application process.

“It is such a wonderful experience to be a part of the synergy created by gathering a diverse group of students and parents from various school options. Oftentimes, parents are not aware of the available educational choices but they want the best educational environment where their children can thrive. Our event brings awareness to the various available education choices for students,” said Cheryl Cromwell, executive director of Charleston RISE.

This celebration is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week (NSCW), which will feature more than 26,000 school choice events across all 50 states to raise equal and positive awareness of the traditional public, public charter, public magnet, private, online, and home education options available for families. In South Carolina, more than 350 celebrations will take place in schools and homes during the Week.

The Columbia celebration is organized by Charleston RISE and Palmetto Parents Alliance, in collaboration with a variety of schools and organizations across the state.

Families can learn more and RSVP for the free event at columbiaschoolchoiceevent.com.

National School Choice Week (NSCW) informs, inspires, and empowers parents to discover the K-12 education options available for their children, including traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and homeschooling. Every January, tens of thousands of schools, organizations, and individuals plan unique events and activities to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options in their communities. The Week is a project of the nonpartisan, nonpolitical National School Choice Awareness Foundation.

SOURCE National School Choice Week

CONTACT: Cheryl Cromwell, Charleston RISE, ccromwell@charlestonrise.org, (843) 754-3341

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Lowcountry

Do you know about the Palmetto Porch Podcast powered by Discover South Carolina?

January 19, 2024 by 0 Comments
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What is the Palmetto Porch Podcast?

Hosted by Devyn Whitmire, this podcast takes you throughout the state of South Carolina to some of the most charming and somewhat unknown parts of our great state.

Venture beyond the usual destinations and discover the charming towns, friendly people and delightful experiences that capture the essence of the Palmetto State.

Where can I download and/or listen to the Podcast?

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Click HERE to listen on your favorite streaming platform.

Lowcountry

Motto Mortgage Brokerage opening new location in North Charleston, SC on February 1, 2024

January 19, 2024 by 0 Comments
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New mortgage brokerage franchise in North Charleston invites the community for an afternoon of refreshments and networking in celebration of its office opening

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Motto Mortgage, the first-and-only national mortgage brokerage franchise brand in the United States focused on transparency and compliance, has a new office in North Charleston, South Carolina. Motto Mortgage Thrives is now open and serving all markets throughout The Palmetto State.

Motto Mortgage Thrives will hold a grand opening celebration on Thursday, February 1, 2024, from Noon – 3 p.m. ET at its office located at 1042 E Montague Ave, Suite G2. Real estate professionals and community members alike are invited to attend the event and guests will enjoy complimentary refreshments, the opportunity to network with peers and the Motto Mortgage Thrives team and explore exclusive mortgage offerings for your home buying journey.

Motto Mortgage Thrives is a customer-first, full-service mortgage brokerage established by Jenna Richardson. Jenna’s passion for entrepreneurship has led her on a diverse and successful career path over the last 15 years. Previously, she spent a decade at Google where she excelled as a program manager overseeing tech projects globally and earning herself the 2023 Women of Color STEM Technology Rising Star award for her outstanding contributions. As chief operating officer at Real Estate House International (REHI), Jenna’s keen eye for properties and negotiation skills earned her recognition as a 2021 Charleston Realtor of Distinction. When she’s not helping her clients achieve their goals of homeownership, Jenna is dedicated to supporting her community, local causes and educational programs, and is a leader in racial justice initiatives.

“We are thrilled to be open for business in North Charleston and we are looking forward to personally introducing ourselves to the community at our grand opening event. Motto Mortgage Thrives offers an advantageous alternative to the traditional mortgage bankers currently operating in South Carolina,” said Jenna Richardson. “We provide the scope, scale and support of a large retail lender, while offering the flexibility, autonomy and exceptional service of a local mortgage broker that knows how to navigate the intricacies of the home buying process in your market.”

Jenna Richardson will also serve as the mortgage loan originator for the office. Jenna’s deep knowledge and commitment to excellence position her as a leading force in the mortgage industry, empowering clients to realize their homeownership dreams.

“At Motto Mortgage Thrives, we’re not just another mortgage company – we’re advocates for transparent and personalized mortgage solutions that ensure our clients feel supported and informed throughout the whole process,” Jenna Richardson went on to say. “Our team prioritizes the customer experience at every level, and our innovative approaches and unique service offerings help to make homeownership more accessible.”

Loan originators in the Motto Mortgage network have access to competitive loans from various wholesale lenders and work hard to give homebuyers choices – because no loan is one-size-fits-all. A digital mortgage experience is available for borrowers who would prefer to conduct business remotely.

For more information about the grand opening celebration, please contact Motto Mortgage Thrives at (843) 900-7212.

Each Motto Mortgage franchise is independently owned, operated and licensed.

About Motto Mortgage Thrives:
Motto Mortgage Thrives (NMLS #2481020) is a locally owned and operated full-service mortgage brokerage serving all of South Carolina, located at 1042 E Montague Ave, Suite G2, North Charleston, SC 29405. To learn more, please visit www.MottoMortgageThrives.com or call (843) 900-7212.
Jenna Richardson, NMLS #2486184

SOURCE Motto Mortgage

Lowcountry

Goose Creek, SC based HYDERA, a portfolio company of Pacolet Milliken, announces successful JV partner buyout and continued growth in 2023

January 18, 2024 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — HYDERA, a wholly-owned portfolio company of Pacolet Milliken (“Pacolet”), announces the previously-completed acquisition of OURAY’s interest in the joint venture and a successful finish to 2023, the Company’s first full year of operations.

Located at Bushy Park in Goose Creek, SC, HYDERA is a full-service International Organization for Standardization (ISO) container depot that specializes in servicing the needs of the bulk liquids transportation industry. HYDERA provides cleaning, storage, heating, repair, testing and maintenance of ISO containers.

The business capped a successful 2023 marking several significant milestones, including an injury-free safety record, the successful JV partner buyout, and significant year-over-year growth in revenue and profitability. “Pacolet’s acquisition of the remaining equity interest in HYDERA positions the business to continue its strong growth and demonstrates our commitment to building a leading ISO tank services provider in the Charleston market and beyond,” commented Kent Fonvielle, Co-Head and COO of Pacolet Power & Infrastructure.

Lance Jordan, Co-Head and Chief Investment Officer of Pacolet Power & Infrastructure also commented, “we are pleased with HYDERA’s exceptional safety record and organic growth in the Charleston market, and we continue to seek expansion opportunities in other complementary markets.”

About PACOLET MILLIKEN

Headquartered in Greenville, SC., Pacolet is a family-owned investment firm that owns and manages a diverse set of power & infrastructure and real estate assets located across the United States. Pacolet Power & Infrastructure owns a diverse set of power, renewables and infrastructure assets, including a regulated electric portfolio, an industrial utilities company and a substantial solar and landfill gas portfolio. Pacolet Real Estate has a national portfolio of industrial, multi-family, office, and retail properties, and currently focuses on multi-family and industrial warehouse development in the Southeast, the Southwest and Southern California. In both Divisions, Pacolet seeks to positively impact the communities in which it operates and be a steward of the environment from a generational perspective.

https://www.pacoletmilliken.com

SOURCE Pacolet Milliken LLC

Lowcountry

Charleston County Parks Opens Paddle Sports Launch at Folly Beach Boat Landing

January 18, 2024 by 0 Comments
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(FOLLY BEACH, SC) — The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission recently opened a new paddle sports launch at its Folly Beach Boat Landing.

The launch features seven new vehicle-only parking spaces, with a walkway leading to the floating dock system. At the end of the floating dock are two pull-through launch systems designed for kayaks and canoes. These launch systems provide a stable platform for getting in and out of the water. The paddle sports launch area is created specifically for paddle sports craft, so motorized craft/boats will not be permitted to launch from or tie up to the new dock.

This project was funded by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission along with the City of Folly Beach.

Also part of the project was the creation of a new seating area with benches to enjoy views of the Folly River. This portion of the project was funded by the City of Folly Beach Tourism and Visitor Promotion Committee.

The Folly Beach Boat Landing is located on the Folly River and is accessible from Center Street across the river from Crosby’s Seafood. The landing receives a high volume of users, so in order to make it available to as many people as possible, proper parking etiquette is enforced. Vehicles with trailers should park in the lot’s longer trailer spaces, and vehicles without trailers should park only in the shorter spaces as designated.

Additional information on the Folly Beach Boat Landing, including rules for its use, are available at ccprc.com/boating. The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission maintains 19 public boat landings throughout Charleston County. For additional information, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.

The mission of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission 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 four day parks, three beach parks, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, a historical plantation site, an interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities.The park system also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs, volunteer opportunities, and more. For more information, call 843-795-4386 or visit www.charlestoncountyparks.com.

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Charleston Daily welcomes Sophie Lewallen: A Valuable Addition to Our Dynamic Team!

January 18, 2024 by 0 Comments
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We are honored and thrilled to introduce Sophie Lewallen, Charleston Daily’s newest Intern and team member. Her passion, thirst for knowledge, exploratory nature and authentic demeanor of caring is such a perfect complement to the Charleston Daily culture and vision.

We are so excited to see how her personal vision and ideas will amplify your experience with Charleston Daily.

Let’s learn more about this amazing College of Charleston Junior who will help us take our publication to new amazing levels!

About Sophie

Sophie Lewallen, a product of a tight knit family from Hamilton, New Jersey, has found herself living in Charleston, South Carolina. In the pursuit of chasing a life on the southern coast, a born and bred Jersey girl, Sophie is enjoying good music, great food, and meeting good people in the Charleston area.

A College of Charleston junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in Business Administration, she is on her path of discovering where her passion lies within the marketing sector. Sophie enjoys learning and new experiences as she values personal growth and self improvement.

She is interested in community engagement and is looking forward to meeting new people. With a love for all Charleston has to offer, Sophie is eager to embark on her journey with the Charleston Daily.

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Lowcountry

Flying Biscuit Café is coming to West Ashley, SC! Grand Opening Monday January 29, 2024

January 17, 2024 by 0 Comments
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Flying Biscuit Café Debuts New Location in the Heart of Charleston, South Carolina

The Iconic All-Day Breakfast Franchise Opens in West Ashley Neighborhood 

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – January 16, 2024 – The Flying Biscuit Café has announced its latest restaurant, located in the bustling West Ashley neighborhood of Charleston, South Carolina, will open to the public on Monday, January 29th, 2024. Flying Biscuit Café West Ashley is the second Charleston area location for the all-day breakfast chain, which has been serving its famous biscuits and southern-inspired meals with fresh ingredients to customers throughout the Southeast for more than 30 years. 

The new West Ashley based Flying Biscuit Café will also be the second franchise location for owner Summer Lee, who opened the concept in Greenville, South Carolina in 2019. “As the birthplace of Charleston, West Ashley is home to some of the city’s best neighborhoods and is full of history and beauty, making it the perfect destination for the Flying Biscuit Café,” noted Lee. “I’ve been wanting to open in West Ashley for several years, and I believe our Greenville location, with all its growth, newfound tourism and nearby attractions, has prepared me well for the next level here in Charleston.”

Lee has seen great success in Greenville, establishing Flying Biscuit as a popular dining staple as well as a leading philanthropic partner within the community. Similar to her efforts in Greenville, Lee is already working to develop strong ties to the West Ashley neighborhood with plans to give back to schools and other local non-profits and charities, while also sponsoring area sporting events and organizations. 

To celebrate the opening, Flying Biscuit West Ashley will offer $1 and $5 daily grand opening specials throughout the week of January 29th, 2024. Highlights will include Friday’s special of $5 Shrimp & Grits and $5 Burgers and Sandwiches.  

Flying Biscuit Café opened its first location in Candler Park, Atlanta, in 1993 and has expanded to 33 franchise locations across the Southeast with several more in the pipeline for openings throughout 2024. Bringing the best of southern comfort food and 20,000 freshly made biscuits to customers every week, each location delivers southern-inspired breakfast and lunch all day, seven days a week. The chain also delivers a variety of healthy options to accommodate vegan, gluten-free and other dietary preferences of today’s customers. 

The new Flying Biscuit Café in West Ashley is located at 2245 Ashley Crossing Drive, Unit 16, Charleston, South Carolina 29414. Operating hours are 7am-2pm Monday-Friday and 7am-3pm Saturday & Sunday. The restaurant will also offer takeout and catering and can be contacted at westashleycharleston@flyingbiscuit.com. For more information on The Flying Biscuit Café visit https://www.flyingbiscuit.com/. 

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About The Flying Biscuit Café

The Flying Biscuit Café specializes in southern-inspired breakfast and brunch options like GA peaches & cream waffles, stuffed French Toast, and pancake tacos. The fast-growing café has recently expanded the menu into lunch with burger and sandwich options like the Hot-Lanta Chicken Sandwich and Fried Green Tomato BLT, along with delicious Shrimp & Grits. Aside from making an average of 20,000 fluffy biscuits each week in store, the Flying Biscuit kitchen travels and can cater events of any size with breakfast & lunch buffets, party trays, and individual box meals. Founded in Atlanta in 1993, Flying Biscuit currently has 33 locations with several more under development. For more information, visit www.flyingbiscuit.com.

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Old Towne Creek County Park Construction Update – January 17, 2024

January 17, 2024 by 0 Comments
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Exciting progress has been made on the construction of Old Towne Creek County Park. Much work has been done on the new walking trails, and when complete, the new park will feature over a mile of trails. Renovation has also begun on the existing building, historically called “The Rain Hut,” that will be the Park Center when complete. Foundation and slab work has also begun on the park’s Learning Center building. In addition work continues on the dike within the park that will become part of the walking trail system. The park is on track to open in 2025.

For more information on the future park, please visit https://ccprc.com/1728/Old-Towne-Creek-County-Park.

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