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Lowcountry

South Carolina Lawmaker proposes tax of $500 for people moving to the Palmetto State

February 27, 2023

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

South Carolina state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch has proposed a bill, dubbed the “Yankee Tax,” that would require new residents to pay up to $500 to move to the Palmetto State.

If passed by state referendum, new residents moving from out-of-state to South Carolina would be required to pay two one-time fees: $250 for new driver’s licenses and $250 for vehicle registrations.

The money raised from the additional $250 tax would go toward the state’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges and common community spaces.

Senator Goldfinch points to South Carolina residents as inspiration for the bill.

“Our quality of life has been diminished by the almost 4 million people that have moved here in the last decade.” Goldfinch said. “And we anticipate another million people moving here in the next decade. Everybody is concerned about their quality of life.”

The New Resident fee referendum will be available for debate on the South Carolina Senate floor next week, Goldfinch said. If passed, counties will vote on it in their general elections in 2024.

Lowcountry

Charleston District and Dorchester County Sign Agreement to Restore Polk Swamp

February 27, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

St. George, S.C. — On February 15, 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District and Dorchester County signed a Project Partnership Agreement to design and restore approximately 290 acres of bottomland hardwood forest in Polk Swamp to a more natural condition.

The restoration will connect high functioning bottomland hardwood forests located upstream and downstream of the project area, expanding wetland corridors and reducing habitat fragmentation which will benefit species such as the American Wood Stork. To accomplish the restoration, channel blockages and invasive species will be removed and keystone bottomland hardwood species such as cypress and tupelo will be planted.

In 2010, Dorchester County, South Carolina requested the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District’s assistance to complete a reclamation project “to restore the Polk Swamp ecosystem to a more natural condition”. The Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment was completed in Nov 2015 and the Final Report was approved by South Atlantic Division in 2016.

In 2022, $99,000 was provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to negotiate a Project Partnership Agreement and scope the preconstruction, engineering, and design (PED) phase for the restoration of Polk Swamp.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025 and will take three years to fully implement due to multiple phases of invasive species removal and native planting.

The degradation has been attributed to the restriction of flow through the swamp’s stream channels caused by a large number of trees being blown down by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Since then, an estimated 205 acres of bottomland hardwood forest has died.

“This signing allows us to move into the next phase of the project, preconstruction, engineering and design, also known as PED,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Johannes, district commander, U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Charleston District. “The team can now start studying the design and engineering that will go into restoring this beautiful ecosystem. Once PED is complete and funding is received, we will move into the construction phase, projected to begin in 2025.”

The Polk Swamp project area is located west of the Town of St. George in Dorchester County, South Carolina. St. George is located approximately 50 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina.

Contact
Dylan Burnell
843-409-3550
dylan.l.burnell@usace.army.mil
69A Hagood Ave., Charleston SC 29403

Lowcountry

Former Columbia, South Carolina Mayor Appointed to White House Office of Public Engagement

February 27, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday announced the appointment of former Columbia, South Carolina, Mayor Steve Benjamin as a top adviser, filling a key White House role from a state that has become crucial to the Democratic Party ahead of the 2024 election cycle.

Benjamin will become director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. He takes over from another former mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, who had assumed the role in June and is returning to Atlanta, officials said.

Benjamin will oversee White House efforts “to ensure community leaders, diverse perspectives, and new voices have the opportunity to inform the work of the President in an inclusive, transparent and responsible way,” according to the White House. In a release, Biden called Benjamin a “longtime public servant” whose “deep relationships across the country” would well serve the administration.

Benjamin, 53, has long been considered a rising star in Democratic politics, serving three terms as Columbia’s mayor, and the first Black mayor in the city’s history. Serving as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and African Americans Mayors Association, Benjamin spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention and was among the candidates considered for Hillary Clinton’s running mate that year. He opted not to run for a fourth term in 2021.

The appointment comes at a time when Benjamin’s home state is becoming even more critical to Democrats as they face the 2024 presidential campaign. Earlier this year, the Democratic National Committee voted to hold their first nominating contest of the next cycle in South Carolina, supplanting Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada in an effort to more deeply represent the desires of Black voters.

In South Carolina’s 2020 primary, Benjamin met with nearly all of the 2020 Democratic White House hopefuls, offering advice as they wound their way through South Carolina, a state in which support from Black voters is critical to Democratic candidates’ success. Benjamin initially gave his endorsement to former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg before supporting Biden, who scored a thundering win in the state’s primary.

Benjamin also served in the administration of Gov. Jim Hodges, who in 1998 was the most recent Democrat elected to South Carolina’s highest office. Earlier this year, his wife, DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, was sworn in as a judge on the 4th US. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, appointed to the post by Biden.

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Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP

Lowcountry

The Sanctuary (Kiawah Island) One of Only Five Triple Five-Star Hotels in The US

February 27, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Kiawah Island, SC – For the first time in its nearly 20-year history, The Ocean Room, Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s premier steakhouse, has earned the Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide. In doing so, it joins The Sanctuary and The Spa at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in being recognized by the world-renowned authority on excellence in hospitality.

By earning the Five-Star ranking in three categories, The Sanctuary become one of only five hotels nationwide and one of only 14 globally to claim a “triple” Five-Star rating for hotel, spa and restaurant.

This marks the fifteenth consecutive year the luxury hotel and spa have earned the coveted distinction.

“We could not be more honored than to have The Ocean Room join The Sanctuary hotel and spa among the proud ranks of Five-Star honorees,” says The Sanctuary General Manager Bill Lacey. “I want to recognize the chefs and the entire front-of-house for their pursuit of culinary excellence that has resulted in this recognition. Being awarded Five Stars is a testimony to the tireless pursuit of excellence by everyone in the restaurant and throughout the hotel.”

The Forbes Travel Guide is the only independent global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas.
To learn more about The Sanctuary Hotel and Spa at Kiawah Island Golf resort, visit www.kiawahresort.com.

To view the full Star Ratings for 2023 and learn more about how Forbes Travel Guide determines its Star Ratings, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com

ABOUT KIAWAH ISLAND GOLF RESORT
Located along 10 miles of pristine beach less than 30 miles south of Charleston, S.C., Kiawah Island Golf Resort consistently ranks as one of the country’s top resorts. It includes The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the resort’s Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond 255-room hotel and spa, nearly 500 private villas and luxury homes, and five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2012 PGA Championship and 2021 PGA Championship. For 12 of the past 14 years, the resort has ranked as the number-one tennis resort in the world by TennisResortsOnline.com, and features acclaimed recreation and nature programs. For more information, visit www.kiawahresort.com.

CONTACT
Bryan Hunter, Director of Public Relations
843-768-2749 | bryan_hunter@kiawahresort.com

Lowcountry

Let’s halt all construction for 3 years to let Charleston breathe – Commentary

February 26, 2023

by Charleston Daily 3 Comments

By Mark A Leon

This goes out to our city council representatives, elected officials and individuals of influencial power in Charleston County.

Time to Process Change

Most of us have to go back to 2013 to remember the gorgeous Charleston city skyline without cranes presenting its urban pollution.

The constant residential and commercial development has stretched in all directions with construction vehicles clogging the roadways, building materials damaging the natural landscape and real estate signs more rampant than the American flag.

As a long-time resident, I feel it’s time to take a step back breathe and process.

Like any type of consumption, the brain can only process so much to maintain a sense of mental balance.

Palmetto Pride

Charleston is evolving into a mecca of extraordinary opportunity for business and technology, experimental modern architecture and recreational havens.

We continue to take pride in where we were, where we are going and promises of a better tomorrow, but…..

Let’s recharge and refresh

For long time residents, we are feeling pain of this growth and given the social climate with a focus on mental health, it may be time to step back.

Whether it is 3 years or even 1 year, the mental well-being of our community is at stake.

We call to you, our elected voice, please consider looking for resolutions that will give us time to decompress and process the evolution of our city.

Lowcountry

Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening for CORA Physical Therapy on Johns Island – March 2, 2023

February 24, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

We are looking forward to this months
after hours and Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening as it will be hosted by CORA PT and
then networking next door at the Natural…

March 2nd – 5:00pm to 7:30pm

Ribbon Cutting/After Hours for CORA PT to be held next door at The Natural3297 Maybank Hwy Suite 301,Johns IslandCome make some great new connections !

We look forward to seeing you there!
All are welcome to attend and there is no
cost, just come with your business cards
and ready to enjoy the evening!

Location & Time
Ribbon Cutting/After Hours for CORA PT to be held next door at The Natural3297 Maybank Hwy Suite 301,Johns Island

Lowcountry

Bintelli, a Charleston-based manufacturer of electric vehicles and golf carts, expanding for the 3rd time in three years

February 23, 2023

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

A Charleston-based manufacturer of electric vehicles and golf carts has expanded for the third time in three years and expects to add 20 more employees.

Bintelli LLC more than doubled its space, going from 65,000 square feet to 174,000 square feet, making room for growing demand for its products and the employees needed to fill that demand.

A company spokesperson said Bintelli started 2021 with 24 employees and started 2022 with 52 before closing the year with 102. The company added eight more workers in the last month and expect to add at least 20 more by the end of the year, he said.

It’s no secret that every move we make is to continue to deliver on having the best program possible,” Jason Perske, vice president of Bintelli, said in a news release. “This expansion is another step in solidifying ourselves at the forefront of the industry. While faster order fulfillment and greater inventory availability is going to be an incredible asset for our dealer family, I’m far more excited about what this means for the additional levels of support we can offer. I’m excited for all of our dealerships to share in this huge announcement and incredibly thankful for all the support they show us every day. We wouldn’t be here without them.”

The company has tripled the size of its dealer network in the last year, accounting for some of the rise in demand. Its product also was ranked by Golf Cart Resource as 2022’s Best Low-Speed Vehicle and Best Street-Legal Golf Cart in a consumer poll.

“This new facility is a testament to the amazing work our dealer family has done over the last few years,” Bintelli founder and President Justin Jackrel said in the release. “As we are now operational in what I believe is the largest LSV manufacturing facility in America, we’re going to be able to even better support our dealer family with the additional vehicles, parts and support they need to continue their rapid growth nationwide,”

In addition to the recent facility expansions, Bintelli has also put a major focus on expanding its support and production staff to better assist its dealer network, the release stated. Over the last 12 months, its dealer support team has increased by 500% which has rapidly decreased average delivery time for parts shipments and decreased response and wait times for dealership needs. Focusing on more than just the sale of vehicles, Bintelli has tripled the size of its parts and after-sale service department.

“What an amazing feeling to finally move into our new home,” Kevin Marques, Bintelli’s facility manager, said in the release. “This facility is like no other — massive is an understatement. We couldn’t have done this without the hard work and dedication of our staff and all their efforts to make this a smooth transition. I’m thrilled to see the success and impact we will have on the EV community with our new home.”

“It is a great feeling being a Bintelli dealer knowing that we have the support, commitment and communication from the brand and employees at the corporate office,” Tom McMenanin, president of Toms River Auto Group, said in the release. “There is not a question that doesn’t get answered, a call that doesn’t get a returned call, or an email that doesn’t get a reply. If you are a new dealer coming in to the Bintelli family you will be able to hold your head up high representing the Bintelli brand.”

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Lowcountry

Largest gift in Roper St. Francis Foundation history will support patients and caregivers

February 22, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

$5 million gift from the Parker’s Community Fund will establish the Roper St. Francis Foundation Parker’s Community Impact Fund

CHARLESTON, S.C., Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A landmark $5 million gift from the Parker’s Community Fund will establish the Roper St. Francis Foundation Parker’s Community Impact Fund, which will support community health initiatives and the caregivers of Roper St. Francis Healthcare.

The Parker’s Community Fund was created by Parker’s convenience store founder and CEO Greg Parker and Parker’s in 2020 and awards grants to qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations demonstrating positive, measurable impact in one or more of the following focus areas: Healthcare, Education, Hunger and Heroes.

The Parker’s Community Fund investment – the largest gift in the history of the Roper St. Francis Foundation – was announced at the 17^th annual Roper Xavier Society Gala on Feb. 11 at the Charleston Gaillard Center as donors, leaders and caregivers celebrated the spirit of generosity and mission of Roper St. Francis Healthcare.

“At Parker’s, we think it’s extremely important to give back to the community and to be a force for positive change,” said Greg Parker, founder and CEO of Parker’s and Parker’s Kitchen. “We are truly honored to support the patients and caregivers at Roper St. Francis Healthcare and are inspired by the healthcare system’s vision for the future. Parker’s and Roper St. Francis Healthcare share a commitment to the Lowcountry community and to improving lives.”

Greg Parker opened his first convenience store in Midway, Ga. in 1976. Today, he leads a nationally acclaimed company that was named the 2020 Convenience Store Chain of the Year and is widely known for high-quality food service, strategic growth, the cleanest stores in the industry and cutting-edge technology. An advocate of giving back to the community, Parker established the Parker’s Community Fund in 2020. Over the years, Parker’s has donated more than $30 million to support charitable causes across coastal Georgia and South Carolina.

“We are deeply grateful to Greg and the Parker’s Community Fund for helping to fuel programs that support our community and caregivers,” said Dr. Jeffrey DiLisi, president and chief executive officer of Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “Greg sees what a healthcare system can do to enrich care, not just within our hospital walls, but in all corners of our community. This transformational gift will help us expand upon the work we are already doing to increase access to care in the Lowcountry.”

In recognition of the gift, Roper St. Francis Healthcare will name its six existing emergency rooms in honor of the Parker’s Community Fund. This includes four acute care emergency rooms at Roper Hospital, Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital, and two freestanding emergency rooms at Roper Hospital Diagnostics and ER – Northwoods, and Roper Hospital Diagnostics and ER – Moncks Corner Medical Plaza.

The Parker’s Community Impact Fund will support programs at the core of Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s not-for-profit mission. This gift will enhance numerous existing priorities including:

Greer Transitions Clinic
assistance for uninsured and underinsured patients
debt-free degree programs and career development services for Roper St. Francis Healthcare teammates
youth apprenticeships
on-the-job training for historically marginalized communities
emerging initiatives to help Roper St. Francis Healthcare meet its 2030 vision.

“Ensuring teammate success and serving our patients and community are central to Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s mission of ‘healing all people with compassion, faith and excellence,'” said Stacy L. Waters, president of the Roper St. Francis Foundation. “We are extremely thankful for this incredibly generous gift from the Parker’s Community Fund. This historic and visionary gift will have an extraordinary impact for generations to come.”

In addition, this landmark gift will also establish the Parker’s Community Fund Healthcare Hero Award, which will be announced annually at the Foundation’s Roper Xavier Society Gala.

“The award will honor the Roper St. Francis Healthcare caregiver who demonstrates the core values of our mission and will be anchored by our Honor Your Caregiver program, a platform for patients to express their appreciation to their caregiver,” Waters said.

Parker’s previously endowed the Parker’s Emergency and Trauma Center at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Ga., made a record $5 million donation to create the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University and named Parker’s House, the first facility for unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness in coastal Georgia. The company’s Fueling the Community charitable giving program has donated more than $1.8 million to support area schools in South Carolina and Georgia.

About Roper St. Francis Healthcare

As the area’s only private not-for-profit healthcare system, Roper St. Francis Healthcare chooses purpose over profits by putting our extra money back into our system to help meet the health needs of our community. The healthcare system features four flagship hospitals: Roper Hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital and Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital. In an emergency, the healthcare system offers six strategically placed ERs. With roughly 6,000 teammates, RSFH is one of the Lowcountry’s largest private employers with nearly 1,000 doctors representing almost every medical specialty. RSFH’s 657-bed system consists of 117+ facilities and services across five counties. For three consecutive years, Roper St. Francis Healthcare has been voted a “Best Place to Work” by Modern Healthcare Magazine. Learn more: rsfh.com.

About Parker’s

Honored as the 2020 Convenience Store Decisions Chain of the Year, Parker’s is strategically redefining the nation’s convenience store industry, offering customers high-quality products, freshly prepared food and superior customer service at retail stores throughout southeast Georgia and South Carolina. Headquartered in Savannah, Ga., Parker’s has a commitment to exceeding customer expectations and has repeatedly been recognized as one of the nation’s leading convenience store and food service companies. The company has been included on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in America six times and has been voted the #3 Gas Station Brand in America by USA TODAY readers. Parker’s Kitchen, the popular food-centric brand under the Parker’s umbrella, serves world-famous hand-breaded Southern Fried Chicken Tenders as well as made-from-scratch mac ‘n’ cheese, a breakfast bar and daily specials. Learn more: parkerskitchen.com.

Media Contact:
Andy Lyons
843-513-3791
andy.lyons@rsfh.com

Lowcountry

IKO investing $363M and 180 jobs into Chester County establishing its first South Carolina operations

February 22, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

IKO ESTABLISHING SOUTH CAROLINA OPERATIONS IN CHESTER COUNTY

$363 million investment will create 180 new jobs

IKO, a leading, global manufacturer of roofing products, today announced plans to establish its first South Carolina operations in Chester County. The company’s $363 million investment will create 180 new jobs.

Established in 1951, IKO is a worldwide leader in the roofing, waterproofing and insulation industry for residential and commercial markets. With over 35 manufacturing facilities throughout North America and Europe, IKO offers a broad range of products for commercial and residential roofing and waterproofing, in addition to rigid insulations for roofing and walls.

Located less than one mile apart along the S.C. Highway 9 industrial corridor in Chester, IKO’s South Carolina operations will consist of two facilities. The company will remodel an existing facility on Lancaster Highway to manufacture fiberglass while concurrently building a new 325,000-square-foot manufacturing plant on Cedarhurst Road to produce fiberglass mats that will be used for production at its United States’ shingle factories. The two facilities will be IKO’s first wholly-owned glass and glass mat facilities in South Carolina.

Operations are expected to be online by late 2025. Individuals interested in joining the IKO team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project.

QUOTES

“IKO is very pleased to be opening its first wholly-owned glass and glass mat facilities in South Carolina. This is just the latest of many significant investments IKO has made to support a growing U.S. market presence. We are tremendously gratified by the warm welcome we have received from the state and local governments, and as a family run business, we look forward to joining the Chester County business community family for many years to come.”
-IKO Chief Executive Officer David Koschitzky

“IKO’s announcement is a strong endorsement of the assets and potential of not just Chester County but all of rural South Carolina. This major $363 million investment and 180 new jobs will greatly strengthen the Chester County economy and set the stage for a brighter future. We look forward to growing our relationship with IKO for years to come.”
-Gov. Henry McMaster

“Congratulations to IKO on establishing its first South Carolina operations in Chester County. South Carolina continues to be the state that provides businesses with the resources and support to establish and excel. We look forward to a strong partnership with IKO for years to come.”
-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“PPG and then Nippon were part of our community since 1996, so I was saddened when the plant shut down in February 2020. We are delighted that IKO selected Chester County to not only reopen the fiberglass production plant, but to also build a new mat plant here. Welcome to Chester County!”
-Chester County Council Chairman Joe Branham

“We are thrilled to welcome IKO to the I-77 region! IKO is a leader in advanced materials, which is a great fit for the existing sectors in Chester County. One of the advantages is the strategic location along the I-77 corridor that allows companies to tap into both the Charlotte and Columbia metros, providing a labor shed of more than 1.3 million people.”
-I-77 Alliance Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Finn

FIVE FAST FACTS

IKO is establishing its first South Carolina operations in Chester County.
The company’s $363 million investment will create 180 new jobs.
IKO is a leading, global manufacturer of roofing products.
The company’s South Carolina operations will be located less than one mile apart along the S.C. Highway 9 industrial corridor in Chester, S.C.
Individuals interested in joining the IKO team should visit the company’s careers page.

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Lowcountry

Volvo looks to add 1,300 jobs for fully electric SUV to be built in Ridgeville, South Carolina

February 22, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

More details were revealed Wednesday about Volvo’s fully electric SUV that will be built in Ridgeville – and the massive effort it will take to roll them off the assembly line.

The Volvo EX90 made its debut in November as the Swedish car company’s new fully electric vehicle.

David Stenström, Volvo Cars USA VP manufacturing Americas, said at the 12^th annual South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance Automotive Summit on Wednesday that it will feature recycled plastics for the interior, which will be all animal/leather-free, among many other top-of-the-line and sustainable features.

He said it’s been a big challenge, but they are confident in overcoming those challenges.

The biggest of those challenges being:

Fifty percent more machines will need to be installed ahead of building the EX90s at Volvo’s Ridgeville plant — in addition to 1,300 new team members to be hired for its launch. The new employees will need to undergo eight weeks of training.

The fully electric Volvo EX90 will be built at its Ridgeville plant. (Photo/Volvo)

It takes seven years to design, build and then launch a new vehicle, said Stenström.

“The competition will be brutal for Volvo,” said Stenström. “If you’re not out there being the first, you probably will not survive (in this industry). But there is nothing hindering us from expanding what we have today and with the right people there is nothing we can’t do.”

Volvo CEO Jim Rowan said the EX90 ushers in a new era for safety for Volvo drivers and passengers.

“Born electric, born with lidar. The start of a new era of electrification, technology and safety,” Rowan said in a video presentation at the end of September. All Volvo EX90s will come with a combination of the latest technology powered by an understanding of the car’s outside environment and the person driving the vehicle, the company said.

Greenville and Spartanburg County Councils approved Volvo Cars USA’s fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements in October. The FILOT applies to specific sites occupied by parts makers in the Upstate to prepare the company’s Ridgeville plant for building the electric SUVs.

Stenström said by 2025, they plan for a zero-carbon neutral site, in addition to these other mid-decade business ambitions:

50% fully electric sales;
1.2 million units sold;
40% CO²reduction per car; and
50% online sales in the U.S.

Long-term Volvo ambitions include climate neutral company by 2040, pure electric car company by 2030, circular business by 2040, and recognized leader in responsible business. Currently, 90% of the EX90’s build is localized.

“South Carolina is blessed to have Volvo Cars here, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds as Volvo continues to innovate and grow here,” said Sara Hazzard, president and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance.

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