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Lowcountry

South Carolina #2 in the nation in new industrial manufacturing projects planned in Nov-Dec 2022

January 18, 2023 by 0 Comments
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New industrial manufacturing planned projects grew 50% from November to December 2022

IMI SalesLeads announced today the December 2022 results for the newly planned capital project spending report for the Industrial Manufacturing industry.  The Firm tracks North American planned industrial capital project activity; including facility expansions, new plant construction, and significant equipment modernization projects. Research confirms 177 new projects in December compared to 118 in November in the Industrial Manufacturing sector.

The following are selected highlights on new Industrial Manufacturing industry construction news.

INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING – BY PROJECT TYPE

Manufacturing/Production Facilities – 151 New Projects

Distribution and Industrial Warehouse – 75 New Projects

INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING – BY PROJECT SCOPE/ACTIVITY

New Construction – 64 New Projects

Expansion – 58 New Projects

Renovations/Equipment Upgrades – 60 New Projects

Plant Closings – 15 New Projects

INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING – BY PROJECT LOCATION (TOP 10 STATES)

  • New York – 16
  • South Carolina – 14
  • Michigan – 12
  • North Carolina – 10
  • Ohio – 9
  • Texas – 9
  • Tennessee – 8
  • Massachusetts – 7
  • Wisconsin – 7
  • California – 6

Largest Planned Project

During the month of December, our research team identified 22 new Industrial Manufacturing facility construction projects with an estimated value of $100 million or more. 

The largest project is owned by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, who is planning to invest $12 billion for the construction of a manufacturing facility adjacent to their existing under-construction plant in PHOENIX, AZ. Completion is slated for 2024.

Top 10 Tracked Industrial Manufacturing Projects

GEORGIA: 

Automotive mfr. is planning to invest $5 billion in the construction of an EV battery manufacturing facility in CARTERSVILLE, GA. They have recently received approval for the project. Completion is slated for 2025.

SOUTH CAROLINA: 

Battery component mfr. and recycling company is planning to invest $3.5 billion for the construction of a manufacturing, recycling, warehouse, and office complex in CHARLESTON, SC. Construction will occur in phases and is expected to start in early 2023.

TEXAS:

Optical communication products mfr. is planning to invest $3 billion for the expansion of its manufacturing facility in SHERMAN, TX. Construction is expected to start in 2025, with completion slated for 2028. 

ARIZONA:

Startup battery mfr. is planning to invest $1.2 billion for the construction of a manufacturing facility in TUCSON, AZ. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

ALABAMA:

Solar panel mfr. is planning to invest $1.1 billion for the construction of a 2.4 million sf manufacturing facility in TRINITY, AL. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for 2025.

MICHIGAN:

Paper and packaging product mfr. is planning to invest $1 billion for the renovation and equipment upgrades on its manufacturing facility in ESCANABA, MI. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

GEORGIA:

Automotive component mfr. is planning to invest $926 million for the construction of a 1.2 million sf manufacturing facility in RICHMOND HILL, GA. They have recently received approval for the project. Construction is expected to start in early 2023, with completion slated for 2024.

SOUTH CAROLINA:

EV battery mfr. is planning to invest $810 million for the construction of a 1.5 million sf manufacturing facility in FLORENCE, SC. They have recently received approval for the project.

MICHIGAN:

A pharmaceutical company is planning to invest $750 million for the expansion and equipment upgrades on their processing facility in KALAMAZOO, MI. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

COLORADO:

Semiconductor equipment mfr. is planning to invest $600 million in the construction of a manufacturing facility in COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for Summer of 2024.

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Lowcountry

Coastal Community Foundation Granted $16.6 Million to Nonprofits in 2022

January 18, 2023 by 0 Comments
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In the last year, Coastal Community Foundation granted $16.6 million to nonprofit organizations. This funding was distributed to organizations in three countries and 38 states, with 71% of the money remaining in the state of South Carolina. $5.2 million went to organizations that applied for CCF grants and $11.4 million was directed by donors to causes they are most passionate about.

Coastal Community Foundation received 35% more contributions from donors than the previous year, a total of $59.3 million in 2022.

“CCF is proud the community continues to prioritize charitable giving,” said President and CEO Darrin Goss. “With the rising cost of day-to-day expenses, we know nonprofit organizations will be trying to stretch each dollar further in 2023. We look forward to providing more grants to these groups in the year ahead, while working closely with donors to reach their charitable goals.”

In the last 25 years, Coastal Community Foundation granted a total of $300 million to nonprofit organizations.

CCF has several grant deadlines approaching in January and February. This grant cycle has opportunities for nonprofits in the fields of education, special needs, individual artists, neighborhood groups, housing, and healthy waterways. Nonprofits interested in applying can find more information here.

Lowcountry

Top 10 Local Places to Eats selects its Best Restaurants in Charleston, SC (New Video)

January 17, 2023 by 0 Comments
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We have selected the top 10 best restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina (2023) – These are the top places to eat in Charleston, SC.

Whether you live nearby or are looking to plan your next trip to the area, make sure you stop at one of these Charleston restaurants.

Here are the 10 best restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina (2023)

  • Poogan’s Porch
  • Husk
  • Eli’s Table
  • Lewis Barbecue
  • Fleet Landing Restaurant
  • Magnolias
  • Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
  • Hyman’s Seafood
  • Swig & Swine
  • Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar
Lowcountry

Charleston-North Charleston, SC was the 2nd highest growth metro in the nation in new job creation

January 16, 2023 by 0 Comments
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Ninety-five metro areas in the United States had increases in nonfarm employment from November 2021 to November 2022. The metro with the second highest growth with an increase of 6.6% or 24,900 new jobs is Charleston/North Charleston, South Carolina.

Ninety-five metro areas had increases in nonfarm employment from November 2021 to November 2022, while 294 were essentially unchanged.

The over-the-year employment increase in the top 3, Atlantic City-Hammonton, New Jersey, was 9,400, while Charleston-North Charleston, South Carolina, had an increase of 24,900 and Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Illinois, had an increase of 11,400. 

Source link – Bureau of Labor Statistics

Lowcountry

Charleston Fire Department offers free smoke alarms, inspections

January 16, 2023 by 0 Comments
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The Charleston Fire Department is providing free smoke alarm services to Charleston area residents. 

According to CFD, Charleston residents are eligible for free smoke alarms, alarm installation or replacement batteries for existing smoke detectors. 

Anyone interested in services can book a visit from fire crews by going to charleston-sc.gov.

Click ‘submit a request’ and then select ‘smoke alarm.’ Complete the form and submit it when finished.

Lowcountry

DHEC Awards Twenty South Carolina Schools as ‘Champions of the Environment’ including 2 in Charleston County

January 15, 2023 by 0 Comments
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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Twenty South Carolina schools were chosen to receive grants that will support the education of the next generation of environmental stewards, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced today.

“Champions of the Environment” awards are issued each school year to foster environmental education and action in South Carolina’s classrooms, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Teachers apply for grant funding by outlining their educational project that focuses on pollution or waste reduction, water or energy efficiency, or preservation of natural areas. The grant program is sponsored by DHEC, Dominion Energy, and Sylvamo, with assistance from the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina.

“We’re excited to award grants to such a large number of schools this year,” said Amanda Ley, DHEC’s coordinator for the Champions of the Environment program. “This is the largest number of projects we’ve awarded in the program’s history.” Ten schools won $2,500, four schools won $2,000, and six schools were awarded $1,000.

This year’s projects include gardens, habitat restoration projects, litter prevention, citizen science, waste management, and alternate energy sources. The 2022-23 Champions of the Environment winners are:

$2,500 winners

  • Ashley Hall School, Charleston County
  • Beechwood Middle School, Lexington County
  • Coastal Montessori Charter School, Georgetown County
  • Dacusville Middle School, Pickens County
  • Glenforest School, Lexington County
  • Liberty STEAM Charter School, Sumter County
  • Mid Carolina High School, Newberry County
  • Richland Two Institute of Innovation, Richland County
  • Trident Academy, Charleston County
  • Waccamaw High School, Georgetown County

$2,000 winners

  • Brookdale Elementary School    , Orangeburg County
  • Lugoff Elgin High School, Kershaw County
  • Palmetto High School, Anderson County
  • Plain Elementary School, Greenville County

$1,000 winners

  • Darlington Middle School, Darlington County
  • Greer Middle College Charter High School, Greenville County
  • Leaphart Elementary STEAM Magnet, Lexington County
  • Mitchell Road Elementary, Greenville County
  • Swansea High Freshman Academy, Lexington County
  • Wellford Academy of Science and Technology, Spartanburg County

For more information, including descriptions of each winning project, visit www.scdhec.gov/champions.

Lowcountry

3 Charleston area black owned small businesses selected as recipients of a Heinz Black Kitchen Initiative grant

January 13, 2023 by 0 Comments
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This may come as no surprise, but Black-owned small businesses have been disproportionately hit by high inflation not long after recovering from COVID-19 related losses. I’m sure we can both agree that these restaurants play an influential role in Charleston’s food scene – beyond offering delicious food, America’s Black-owned food businesses also each paint a distinct picture of a multifaceted Black culture and cuisine, and so their survival is essential to the fabric of our country. 

To help keep these restaurants alive and thriving, the Heinz Black Kitchen Initiative just announced the 65 Black-owned food businesses selected to receive grants of either $25,000 or $15,000 this year.

For the second consecutive year, in partnership with The LEE Initiative and Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice, a coalition of industry leaders doing the work to benefit Black-owned restaurants and communities, Heinz donated over $1M to fund the grants.

The recently announced recipients feed communities throughout the country, and many Charleston favorites made the list of grantees: My Three Sons of Charleston, Bert and T’s Desserts, and Carolina Cookery. 

Launched in 2021, the Black Kitchen Initiative aims to celebrate and preserve the legacy of Black food by breaking down the barriers that keep Black voices and Black cooking on the margins of American culinary culture. This year’s grants follow a successful first year; in 2021, the LEE Initiative, SRRJ, and Heinz awarded over $1 million in grants to 72 businesses.

In addition to donating over $1M dollars, Heinz will:

  • Celebrate recipients, their business ventures, and their stories on Heinz.com/blackkitchen
  • Tap into its over 200,000 followers on social media across the @Heinz and @Heinz_US social platforms to spotlight the grant recipients
  • Reward each grant recipient with a unique cast iron pan trophy to commemorate recipients selection and involvement with the Black Kitchen Initiative.

As put by the Heinz team, “The partnership is about more than just saving restaurants; it’s about preserving Black culture today and into the future.” 



Lowcountry

Unique Experience: Historic Charleston: Charming Downtown – Outdoor Escape Game

January 13, 2023 by 0 Comments
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About this event

‘Dinner and a movie’ is so 2021! Especially when the movie is now played out in the real-world. Let us explain!

The route you’re going to follow in the city is sprinkled with charming and picturesque places, fun clues and challenges, and romantic stories of past and present.

The experience will play out like you’re the main characters of a movie, only that you’re experiencing everything in first person! Fun dialogue, intrigue, and unexpected interactions are guaranteed.

Enjoy a postcard walk of historic downtown Charleston. These streets and structures have been walked by presidents and foreign dignitaries, generals and soldiers, slaves and slave traders, and pirates and merchants. You will see houses, churches, graveyards, and enjoy stories of some of the people and places that helped shape this city’s rich history. 

Click to Register

HOW IT WORKS❓

1. Book your tickets 🎫

2. Download the Questo app – it’s free 📲

3. Head to the starting point📍Available 24/7Pause and resume anytime.You can play offline

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

The game is an interactive activity where you are guided by a mobile app through the city. With it, you follow directions and solve very fun puzzles, riddles, and cryptic codes.

During the game, you will also visit popular and hidden places in the city while learning fun (and we mean it) stories about them. This is a storytelling experience just as much.

The people doing these city exploration games gave them an average rating of 4.7/5 around the world. Join the playground too!

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More about Questo 🚶‍♀️

Questo is an urban entertainment platform offering thematic real-world exploration games. It is currently available in over 130 cities 🌎 and has entertained hundreds of thousands of players already. As of today, the app offers more than 300 different experiences created by a growing network of local content creators and event organizers.

Food & Bev - Lowcountry

5 Reasons Why Beaufort, SC Is The Ultimate Two-Night Getaway Destination

January 12, 2023 by 4 Comments
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An hour and a half south of Charleston, the small South Carolina town of Beaufort is the perfect destination to visit with your family 

Recently, my family and I were able to take a two-night getaway to The Emerald in Beaufort, SC. Whenever we plan to travel with our two-year-old son, I always get a bit of ‘motherly anxiety’ regarding our plans, the logistics of getting around, and most importantly, keeping my toddler happy and entertained. Our stay at The Emerald not only surpassed our expectations but secured a place on our list of easy getaways to make a repeat visit to. Below I will explain more about why this stunning town ranked so highly on our list for a family-friendly, mini-vacation spot:

#5 A Charming Waterfront Town

Beaufort, SC is one of the most picturesque small towns that we’ve ever visited. Everywhere you look you’re greeted with beautiful harbor views, Spanish moss, and the famously recognizable lowcountry marshes. Between dining on the waterfront, strolling through the Beaufort Tree Walk, or chatting on the swings in Waterfront Park, everywhere you look is “picture perfect”.

#4 1.5 Hours From Downtown Charleston

As many parents can attest, it’s not always my idea of ‘fun’ to travel with a toddler. From packing up half of your house to entertaining your children during the trip, logistically a long trip can be a nightmare. Thankfully, Beaufort, SC is only an easy hour-and-a-half trip from the Charleston peninsula. Not only is it a shorter drive, but the trip also takes you through country roads and along scenic lowcountry marshes so you don’t have to worry about massive traffic or unexpected delays either. 

#3 A Variety Of History And Activities

Beaufort, SC is home to an unbelievable amount of preserved history due to the civil war not being fought within the town. In addition, it is also home to a lot of Gullah Geechee culture. With such rich and diverse history within the town, you will have so much to see and learn about during your visit. 

For the kids, there is A LOT of beautifully landscaped outdoor green space to run around and play. The renovated waterfront park playground is incredible and even has designated sections for toddlers and older kids to play safely. When you visit Bay Street, you will also be greeted with a variety of small boutiques with treasures from local artists, culinary gifts, clothing, and toys which makes the shopping experience fun for everyone. Make sure to swing by Bay Street Jewelers to check out the beautiful Beaufort Destination Collection of jewelry that honors this special town.

#2 The Food

I can’t begin to rave about Old Bull Tavern enough. Two words: Butterscotch Pudding! As a newly designated lover of butterscotch, I would make the trip down to Beaufort just to eat that pudding! 

Simply put, the food in Beaufort was awesome, especially for seafood lovers such as myself. The shrimping industry is booming within the town which is reflected on the local restaurants’ menus. In fact, the shrimp salad at Plums also secured a spot on my list of favorite bites and sips during our time there. In addition, you can’t go wrong with trying the tomato pie at Lowcountry Produce, the chocolate macadamia caramel from The Chocolate Tree, and the iced coffee from Scout Southern Market (head to the back of the store)!

#1 The People

If I had to guess, I would say that the phrase ‘southern hospitality’ originated in Beaufort. The Beaufort locals that we had the pleasure of meeting absolutely made this trip. Anne and the amazing staff at The Emerald went above and beyond to welcome us with a special treat and answer all of our questions. Megan from Visit Beaufort, Emma from Emma’s Earth Shop, and Wayne, the ultimate tour guide, made sure that we got a full lesson on what makes Beaufort so special. From the local boutique employees, to the restaurant managers and waitstaff, everyone that we met went out of their way to make us feel welcome, special, and even doted upon (in my son’s case). 

On our last night in Beaufort, we visited Old Bull Tavern, where we met the incredible team of Oscar, Sydney, and our server, Derek. On our way out, Derek remembered that my son was turning two and pulled out his wallet to gift my son his first two-dollar bill for his birthday. This act of kindness was so incredibly touching and memorable. People like Derek who welcome families into their establishments with open arms are the number one reason why Beaufort is the ultimate getaway from Charleston!

To book your getaway at The Emerald in Beaufort, SC please email AllHospitalityTeam@gmail.com or visit: https://theemeraldbeaufort.guestybookings.com/listings