South Carolina industry recruitment reaches $9.12 billion in 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) today released its 2025 industry recruitment results, marking a milestone for rural economic development. From January to December 2025, South Carolina announced total capital investment of $9.12 billion, representing the third-highest year for industry recruitment on record and more than 8,100 new jobs. Rural recruitment of both capital investment as well as new jobs accounted for more than 40% of the overall totals – the highest percentages since 2010.
“South Carolina continues to bring in record years in economic development, and this third-highest year for industry recruitment is further proof that our strategy is working,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “Our success in rural communities shows that opportunity exists in every corner of our state. By investing in our workforce and supporting pro-business laws and policies, we continue to bring in thousands of jobs that benefit South Carolina families and strengthen our entire state.”
Rural recruitment accounted for $4.25 billion, or 46%, of total announced capital investment and more than 3,500, or 44%, of total announced new jobs. Rural projects span agribusiness, automotive, energy, and wood and paper products – reflecting South Carolina’s increasingly diverse economy and the competitive strengths of the state’s rural workforce, infrastructure and quality of life.
Of the 82 total announced projects, 34 chose rural communities – described as county development Tiers III and IV, as calculated annually by the S.C. Department of Revenue – ensuring long-term opportunities across every region of the state.
“Rural success is deliberate – driven by strong collaboration among state leadership, local economic developers and committed partners – and fuels economic growth in every corner of the state,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “South Carolina’s milestone in rural recruitment in 2025 underscores our commitment to bolstering the potential of these communities and supporting the diverse growth that strengthens every part of the economy and every region of the state.”
For more details on the state’s announced economic activity in 2025,click here or visit S.C. Commerce’snewsroom. A complete list of announced projects since 2011 can be found via the“Inform SC” data hub.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – In a preview of his soon to be released 2026 executive budget, Governor Henry McMaster today announced he will recommend the General Assembly appropriate an additional $1.1 billion in new money from the state budget to keep road projects moving and on schedule despite inflation.
In the last four years, Governor McMaster and the General Assembly have approved state budgets that have contained $1.4 billion in funding for new construction and improvements to state-owned roads, bridges, highways, and interstates. There are currently almost $7 billion in construction projects underway across the state, up from $2.7 billion in 2017.
Nationally and here in South Carolina, inflationary construction and labor cost increases have the potential to create crippling delays and busted budgets for major construction projects currently underway and soon to break ground.
“Over the last several years, South Carolina has made tremendous progress improving our roadways, with major projects underway in every corner of the state,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “Our population is skyrocketing, and inflation is driving up construction costs, creating potential delays. We can’t make more time, but we can use this new surplus money to keep road projects moving and on schedule.”
The governor’s proposal follows a request made to him from South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Secretary Justin Powell seeking additional funds to keep the department’s current construction projects moving and on schedule in the face of inflationary challenges.
According to Secretary Powell, three prime examples of current construction costs that have increased from 2022 to today are:
The widening of I-26 between Charleston and Columbia: $2.02 billion to $3.03 billion, or a 50% increase
The widening of I-95 from the Georgia border to Point South: $977 million to $2.27 billion, or a 132% increase
Carolina Crossroads (Columbia’s Malfunction Junction): $2.062 billion to $2.751 billion, or a 33% increase
Additional funds will also help SCDOT move forward with getting additional interstate widening projects shovel ready in the next few years, including I-85 in Anderson and Oconee counties and I-77 in York and Chester counties.
Another example of how inflationary cost increases have impacted SCDOT is the number of miles of two-lane highway which can be paved using one penny of the state’s gas tax: In 2017, SCDOT could pave 114 miles; In 2025, SCDOT could only pave 87 miles.
Since 2017, SCDOT has placed more than 10,000 miles of roadways (nearly a quarter of the state’s 41,000 mile highway system) under paving contract, replaced or rehabilitated over 450 bridges, and completed major interstate improvements, including projects on I-85, I-20, and I-26.
Governor McMaster will release his executive budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year in the coming days.
Columbia, S.C. (January 15, 2026) – William B. Dukes, of Lexington County, was named Vice-Chairman of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission at the Commission’s January 15, 2026 meeting in Columbia.
“I’m truly honored to continue in this leadership role with the SCDOT Commission,” said Dukes. “We’ve made great progress, and I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners, our partners, and SCDOT’s dedicated team on delivering results that benefit every South Carolinian.”
Dukes is owner of Blue Marlin Restaurant.
A graduate from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Dukes received an ROTC commission in the US Air Force. A Vietnam veteran, Dukes served in the US Air Force for four years and attained the rank of Captain.
In 1981, Dukes co-founded and developed the Longhorn Steakhouse chain.
Dukes was founder and Chairman of Honor Flight of SC, with more than 2,000 World War II and Korean War veterans honored. He was appointed by the Secretary of the Army to be the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army representing South Carolina and served in this capacity from 2014-2018.
Dukes was a member of the Lexington-Richland Airport Commission, where he first began serving in 2002; served as member of the Newberry College Board of Trustees; is a former Director of the Columbia and Charlotte Chambers of Commerce; a former advisor to the SC Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging; past member of the USC Educational Foundation; and past chairman of the Columbia Convention Center Authority.
Dukes received The Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, from the Governor of South Carolina.
About SCDOT
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is the state agency with oversight of South Carolina’s network of highways and bridges, including responsibilities such as planning, design, construction, financing, and roadway safety. To ensure the nation’s fourth-largest highway system is prepared to serve the needs of South Carolina’s growing economy and population, SCDOT has developed a Strategic 10-Year Plan that addresses improvements to the state’s highway and bridge systems. Learn more at scdot.org.
Beaufort, South Carolina Area Annual Events & Festivals – 2026
Annual festivals and events happen year-round in Beaufort, South Carolina, so there is never a dull moment for locals and visitors. You can plan to attend these special events and take advantage of the fun times while you are here. Our festivals can make the most of any stay in the area memorable. Explore foodie favorites, craft fairs, air shows, and events celebrating our rich history and the arts. If you’re traveling with the whole family, we can also help you find kid-friendly activities that the youngest tourists in your crew won’t want to miss!
CHARLESTON, SC — January 14, 2026 — Spoleto Festival USA today announced its 2026 season, running May 22–June 7, 2026, featuring more than 110 performances across opera, dance, theater, music, jazz, and community programs. The season arrives at a pivotal national moment—the 250th anniversary of the United States—and is shaped by a unifying theme of freedom of expression, reflecting the role of the arts as a catalyst for connection.
“Freedom of expression is at the heart of why this Festival exists,” said Mena Mark Hanna, General Director and CEO of Spoleto Festival USA. “In this moment—marking 250 years of American history—our 2026 season invites audiences to experience bold new work, revisit enduring masterpieces, and encounter artists who compel us to listen, reflect, and imagine together.”
The 2026 season brings the America 250 theme into focus through a wide-ranging group of programs that reflect the nation’s history, artistic voices, and enduring spirit of expression. Highlights include Renée Fleming & Béla Fleck: The Fiddle and the Drum (May 23), celebrating Appalachian folk traditions; An Evening with Ken Burns, presented by Bank of America (May 27), featuring music and discussion drawn from his latest documentary,The American Revolution; George + George (May 29, 30, 31), a world-premiere comedy set at Valley Forge exploring liberty and censorship;Martha Graham Dance Company’s Graham 100 (May 22, 23, 24, 25), celebrating the enduring legacy of visionary choreographer Martha Graham; an all-American orchestral program featuring Aaron Copland’sAppalachian Spring (May 31); Storytelling Through American Composers (June 5,6)by the Festival Chorus; and a robust slate of jazz performances that honor jazz as a defining American art form rooted in freedom, innovation, and cultural exchange.
Dynamic storytelling takes center stage in this season’s dance lineup, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, which spans contemporary and classical traditions. MacArthur Fellow Ayodele Casel presents The Remix (June 4-7), a high-energy tap performance blending live music, storytelling, and virtuosic choreography that celebrates the legacy of American tap. Scottish Ballet returns with the U.S. premiere of Mary, Queen of Scots (May 28-30), a sweeping narrative ballet featuring live music by the Festival Orchestra, dramatic storytelling, and striking visual spectacle.
Extending beyond the stage, Spoleto continues its tradition of free community programming that celebrates Charleston’s cultural heritage while expanding access to world-class art. The Untold Story Behind Porgy & Bess (June 2) examines the complex history of one of America’s most iconic operas, tracing its roots in Charleston’s Gullah-Geechee culture and its lasting impact through live music, excerpts from Lauren Waring Douglas’ forthcoming documentary, and a discussion moderated by WCBD News 2 anchor Carolyn Murray. The Duchy (May 31), a new play by Tony-Award winner Denis O’Hare, will be presented as a table reading, offering audiences an exclusive first look at the work and insight into the creative process before its full production in a future Spoleto season.
The season’s opera offerings showcase Spoleto’s commitment to honoring historical repertoire while presenting bold, inventive approaches that engage audiences of all ages and experience levels. The Old Maid and the Thief (May 22, 25,27, 29), a Spoleto production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s 1939 radio opera, is reimagined as a live radio-drama with hand-crafted sound effects, period microphones, and on-stage musicians, creating a witty, immersive, and accessible entry point for opera newcomers. Dido and Aeneas (May 23, 26, 28, 30), Circa’s U.S. premiere, fuses Purcell’s iconic 1689 opera with acrobatics and modern orchestration under conductor Patrick Dupré Quigley, crafting a visually stunning and emotionally intense reinterpretation.
Marking her inaugural season as Music Director of the Festival Chorus, Amanda Quist brings the Festival Chorus and Orchestra together for a landmark performance of Mozart’s Mass in C Minor (May 29),one of Mozart’s most breathtaking achievements with soaring arias and radiant choral passages. The Festival Chorus also turns its focus to American voices in Storytelling Through American Composers (June 5, 6), a program that explores identity, memory, and community through choral works by American composers at the historic St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.
Offering audiences sweeping orchestral grandeur, intimate artistry, and the thrill of world premieres, the Festival Orchestra’s symphonic programming unfolds under the direction of Music Director Timothy Myers. The Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 (May 24) alongside the world premiere of Michael Abels’ new work for cello and orchestra, featuring Grammy-winning cellist Zuill Bailey, as well as Mahler’s Symphony No. 1(June 4) paired with Paul Wiancko’s new violin concerto written for Livia Sohn. American masterworks are further highlighted in Appalachian Spring and American Classics (May 31) at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, featuring music by Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, and Jessie Montgomery.
At the heart of the Festival’s intimate musical offerings, the Bank of America Chamber Music series—led by Charles E. and Andrea L. Volpe Director of Chamber Music Paul Wiancko—invites audiences into a close exploration of artistry and collaboration. The 2026 series features Allison Loggins-Hull as the Suzan D. Boyd Composer-in-Residence, contributing new works and fresh perspectives. Presented in the historic Dock Street Theatre, these concerts highlight the precision, nuance, and expressive power of chamber music while offering a uniquely immersive Festival experience.
Theater programming in 2026 ranges from inventive solo performance to visually arresting physical theater and family-friendly works. Broadway star Patrick Page appears in All the Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain (June 3, 5, 6, 7), a solo show tracing the evolution of iconic Shakespearean villains through humor, analysis, and theatrical storytelling. Australia’s Circa presents Humans 2.0 (May 24-25), a visually stunning physical theater piece exploring trust, strength, and human connection through acrobatics and ensemble movement. Family audiences are invited to experience imaginative performances such as Dead as a Dodo (May 29-31)and Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer (May 23-25), blending puppetry, music, and storytelling to entertain and inspire younger festivalgoers.
A cornerstone of American culture, the Wells Fargo Jazz series showcases artists who embody freedom, resilience, and continual reinvention. Performances include Terence Blanchard (May 26), honoring Miles Davis and John Coltrane while connecting their revolutionary spirit to his own genre-defying work; Jason Moran (June 1), reimagining Duke Ellington’s legacy through improvisation and visual storytelling; rhythm-driven celebrations byPedrito Martinez Group (June 3) and Charleston native Quentin E. Baxter (May 30), linking Afro-Cuban, Gullah-Geechee, and Lowcountry traditions; and Jazz Artists-in-Residence Sullivan Fortner (June 5–6) and Mali Obomsawin (May 23-24), who illuminate the genre’s evolving narrative, rooted in Black and Indigenous histories.
Set beneath the open sky in Charleston’s historic and iconic Cistern Yard, Live at the Cistern features some of Spoleto’s most sought-after performances: Punch Brothers (May 24), progressive string band; The Mountain Goats with William Tyler and Yasmin Williams (May 31), acclaimed indie-folk ensemble; Indigo Girls (June 2), folk-rock duo;Molly Tuttle (June 4), Grammy-winning bluegrass guitarist; Emmylou Harris (June 5), country and Americana legend; Colin Meloy(June 6), frontman of The Decemberists; and Brandi Carlile (June 7), Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, closing the Festival in a final performance sponsored by Wells Fargo.
Tickets for the 2026 season go on sale January 30, 2026, with Festival donors enjoying early access through a pre-sale. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit spoletousa.org.
SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA Spoleto Festival USA was founded in 1977 by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti, who sought to create an American counterpart to the annual Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, which he had founded in 1958. Spoleto Festival USA is internationally recognized as America’s premier performing arts festival. For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with performances in opera; theater; dance; and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music. With General Director & CEO Mena Mark Hanna at its helm, the 2026 season takes place from May 22 to June 7 in various locations throughout Charleston. Spoleto Festival USA is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.
Professional bull riding champion Michael Lane embodies the rare combination of grit, poise, and perspective that defines the sport at its highest level. Last weekend, Lane brought that spirit to Charleston, South Carolina, where he competed and met fans, sharing stories of his journey from a determined four-year-old to one of the leading figures in professional bull riding.
Lane’s entry into the sport started early and naturally. Born in 1990, he grew up alongside the rise of Professional Bull Riders (PBR), founded just three years later. Surrounded by the western lifestyle and guided by supportive family members, the pull toward the arena was immediate. “I had a brother-in-law that rode at amateur levels, and I went with him, and I seen that the little kids started riding sheep… I told my parents that I wanted to ride on that. I didn’t want to lead them around,” he recalled. From sheep to calves, to junior bulls and high school rodeo, each step strengthened his commitment and sharpened his skills.
Now 18 years into his professional career, Lane credits consistency, preparation, and mindset for his longevity. Bull riding is a sport measured in seconds but forged over decades, and Lane approaches the moments before the chute gate opens with remarkable composure. “Calm, cool mind,” he said. “I try not to be thinking a whole lot, just very present and in that moment.” That presence allows him to channel focus rather than fear, a trait that separates elite competitors from the rest.
Equally important to Lane is the work no one sees. Training, repetition, and discipline form the backbone of his success. As he explains it, confidence is not conjured—it is earned. “I’m a firm believer that action removes doubt,” Lane said. “All the action that I take throughout the week and all the work that I put into it my whole career removes any doubt… When you work that hard, you show up knowing you’re going to do good, not hoping you’re going to do good.” His words reveal not only an athlete’s philosophy but a life lesson applicable far beyond the arena.
Among his many accomplishments, one memory rises above the rest: the 2015 World Finals, where he rode three of his five bulls. The achievement was made unforgettable by family. “My mother was still alive and was still there to support me and see that,” Lane shared, noting that those moments remain some of the most meaningful of his career.
Today, Lane balances competition with fatherhood, encouraging his daughters’ love for the western lifestyle—barrel racing yes, bulls maybe not. He offers simple, heartfelt advice to young riders who hope to follow in his footsteps: “Make sure you’re having fun doing it and work hard. If that’s what you want, then go after it. Pursue everything you have.”
Charleston fans saw more than a champion last weekend; they saw a humble athlete grounded in family, faith in his work, and deep respect for the sport. Michael Lane continues to ride not only for victory but for the love of the life that bull riding built—one ride, one memory, and one community at a time.
The Charleston premiere of Ayad Akhtar’s “McNeal” comes to Pure Theatre January 15 through February 7, 2026.
About the Play
Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar delivers a thrillingly vicious portrait of genius, ambition, and betrayal, as a literary icon faces down old grudges, new technology, and the price of his own myth.
Good writers borrow, great writers steal. Jacob McNeal is a great writer, one of our greatest, and a perpetual candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. But he also has an estranged son, a new novel, old axes to grind, and an unhealthy fascination with Artificial Intelligence. From Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar, McNeal is a startling and wickedly smart examination of the inescapable humanity—and increasing inhumanity—of the stories we tell.
Starring
Sylvia Jefferies Ryka Khannao Camille Lowman* Andrew Puckett Sam Smith Journey Townsend Joy Vandervort-Cobb°* David Whalen°
The mission of the Town of Summerville’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drone) Program is to offer aerial services in a manner that is safe, responsible, and transparent. We aim to enhance the safety and well-being of the citizens of Summerville through the strategic and ethical use of drone technology.
Overview:
The Town of Summerville’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Program is a multi-departmental initiative that employs drone technology to optimize various facets of municipal services and public safety. The program involves trained operators from the Police, Fire, GIS, Public Information, and Planning Departments, among others. While the Police Department uses drones for search and rescue missions and suspect apprehension, the Fire Department utilizes them for fire monitoring and emergency response planning. GIS and Planning Departments use drone-acquired data for terrain mapping, infrastructure planning, and land-use studies. The Public Information Office leverages the technology for real-time information dissemination during public events or emergencies. Compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and a strong commitment to privacy rights are foundational to the program. A robust system of accountability and transparency, including detailed flight logs and monthly public reporting, ensures responsible use across all participating departments.
Meet the Program Team
Town Program Manager: Chris Makowski, Public Information Officer
Public Safety Program Manager: Andre Lafon, SPD Air Support Unit
Summerville Public Safety Pilots: Andre Lafon, Ian Anderson, Jagger Kenyon
Know Before You Fly: An education campaign to educate prospective users about the safe and responsible operation of drones and/or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Restaurant Week South Carolina kicks off January with an 11-day celebration featuring counties from across South Carolina and will run from January 8-18, 2026.
Participating restaurants in the Lowcountry and throughout the state, from fine to casual dining, will feature new menu items, offer fan favorites, and multi-course menus during Restaurant Week South Carolina.
History is the core of existence. It is the glory of triumph, the tears of pain, innocence lost, discovery found and the roots of who we are. In the Lowcountry, the importance of history could not be more vital to our future. As we continue to uncover the past, we make the right decisions to lead us into the fate of generations to come.
There is a theater company whose founders, Chris Weatherhead and Clarence Felder each have brought over 50 years of theatre, television and cinema experience to their mission of preserving history, uncovering its unanswered questions and bringing thought-provoking and life-changing theatre to the Charleston area community.
Actors Theater of South Carolina continues to bring professional theatre and promising original works to the stage and they are the center of our business spotlight
As they begin their 30th year in the Lowcountry, let us learn a little bit more.
Mission
Actors Theater of South Carolina (ATSC) is a professional theatre and motion picture company dedicated to productions of excellence in professional theatre and camera arts, new works by South Carolinians, training for professionals and projects about unsung heroes of the American Revolution in South Carolina and the works of William Shakespeare.
History
Actors Theater of South Carolina [ATSC] is one of the few professional theatres in South Carolina which also has a film division. It was founded 24 years ago by theatre, film, and television entertainment veterans, Clarence Felder and Chris Weatherhead.
We will celebrate 30 years in 2025!!
Included in our 105 successful live theater productions since 1995, are…
“Frederick Douglass…No Turning Back”, “Beethoven: His Women & Music”, 2: Goering At Nuremberg”, “Southern Men”, “Whispers and Dreams: Voices of Carolina Slave Children”, and “PIRATES! The Revenge of Col. Rhett”,“Rainbow of a Different Color,” all chosen to perform at Piccolo Spoleto International Theatre Festival in Charleston.
ATSC trains actors, writers, and directors in professional theater and motion picture skills.
Our film division, MOVING IMAGES GROUP has created two independent award-winning feature films and seven shorts:
All For Liberty and John Laurens’ War, are
both about extraordinary heroes of the American Revolution in South
Carolina. These films have won nine international film awards.
ATSC received a major grant from SC Humanities for John Laurens’ War. Facebook: All For Liberty & John Laurens’ War – The Movie. Website: www.JohnLaurensWarMovie.org
“ALL FOR LIBERTY”,directed by Chris Weatherhead and produced by Ron Mangravite, stars Clarence Felder. “ALL FOR LIBERTY” also won two awards from the SC Sons of the American Revolution and 1st Prize in Media from the Texas DAR, and a DOVE Foundation Family Seal of Approval for age12+
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