Calendar FEB. 3-8: South Carolina Economic Developers’ Advanced Symposium. At the College of Charleston’s Tate Center for Entrepreneurship, downtown. The symposium is a five-day course designed to provide an advanced education experience in theory and fundamentals of economic development in South Carolina. Cost: $850; reserve by Jan. 3. Information: e-mail TateRegistration@cofc.edu or visit www.cofc.edu/~tate.
Accolades & More The South Carolina Aging in Place Coalition has installed the following officers and board members: Chairman Paul Franklin; Vice Chairman and Chairman Elect Janet Schumacher; Treasurer Harry Fendrich; David Heilman and Cheryl Ericson to the membership committee; Barbara Franklin and Maureen Maguire to the education committee; and Dick Giffen and Margaret Agee to the transportation committee. Additionally, the coalition has established an Outreach Initiative for 2008 to be chaired by John Jenkins.
People in the News Amanda Jackson, Matt Hamilton and Tammy Scott have joined The Art Institute of Charleston. Jackson was hired as the school’s registrar. Formerly, she was the associate registrar at The Art Institute of Charlotte, N.C. Hamilton was hired as an assistant director of admissions for the school. Originally from Spartanburg, Hamilton comes to The Art Institute from the telecom industry, working previously as an account executive for US LEC Corp. Scott was hired as the school’s receptionist. She was previously a social worker in Indianapolis. The Art Institute also appointed Terry C. Fox as executive director of career and student services; Clare Kehoe as assistant director of admissions; and Christopher D. Stallard as a culinary instructor.
An entrepreneur’s tale: A wild ride, soft landing By Bill Settlemyer As most Business Journal readers know by now, I recently sold my business to Brown Publishing Co. Early reactions from friends and readers have ranged from a hearty “Congratulations!” to cautious concern about whether I had sold the business under duress instead of by choice.
Investigation leads to Ladson By Dan McCue An investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s office into a defense industry kickback scheme that led investigators to Ladson-based Force Protection Inc. will continue despite a guilty plea by a former employee, a U.S. Attorney said.
Bankrupt: Firetruck maker reorganizes By Dan McCue American LaFrance’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy jolted fire departments across the country. The Summerville-based emergency vehicle manufacturer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Jan. 28 citing inventory problems that have been plaguing the company since late last summer and slowing demand from its municipal customers, who have been feeling the pinch of a faltering economy.
Local utilities put nuclear plans on hold By Molly Parker The utility industry’s attempt to re-establish nuclear energy as a credible power source for the future is like trying to come back to work after a long vacation or hitting the gym after skipping several months of workouts.
SPA prepares for arrival of mega-ships in Charleston By Dan McCue The Port of Charleston has been marketing itself as “Big Ship Ready” for years. In March, the port community will be putting muscle to that slogan as the Grand Alliance, a global consortium of shipping firms, replaces its current North Atlantic fleet with ships that have a third more cargo capacity.
Annexation laws under fire for ‘shoestring’ easements By Scott Miller Annexation reform that could fill unincorporated “doughnut holes” and cut “shoestring” easements that allow cities to annex non-bordering land could be up for debate this month.
To protect and preserve By Molly Parker A two-month honeymoon in Africa sharing nature with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda was enough to convince a young Dana Beach to pursue a career in conservation.
Slow sales could dampen commercial property tax relief By Scott Miller Slumping consumer spending could cast a shadow over property tax relief that took effect last June, making it even more difficult for the state to expand relief to business owners.
Bus ads could generate millions for school districts By Scott Miller A desperate need for school funding around the state could subject children to advertising and marketing campaigns that some parents can’t afford, but that could put millions into district coffers.
SCSU trustees resign during presidential search By Scott Miller
Two trustees at South Carolina State University have resigned in disgust over the firing of former President Andrew Hugine.
The move creates two board vacancies in the middle of the university’s search for a new leader, but board Chairman Maurice Washington said the resignations will not hinder the ability to hire a new president by July 1. …
State offers four options for Interstate 95 interchange By Dan McCue The S.C. Department of Transportation has identified four design alternatives for a proposed full interchange at the intersection of Interstate 95 and U.S. Highway 301 in Orangeburg that could cost between $37.2 million and $56.8 million.
Dorchester County moves ahead with 2 a.m. closings By Dan McCue Dorchester County Council moved forward with a proposal to require nightclubs serving alcohol to close by 2 a.m. in spite of pleas from bar owners that the council consider alternatives.
Jafza selects Charleston’s ATM as lead consultant By Dan McCue Applied Technology and Management of Charleston has been chosen to spearhead the first phase of Jafza International’s development of a 1,300-acre logistics, distribution and manufacturing center that the Dubai-based firm is developing in Orangeburg.
Rivers Federal Building moves into private ownership By Molly Parker An Atlanta-based developer has spent $15 million to acquire the asbestos-filled L. Mendel Rivers Federal Building at the edge of historic Marion Square in downtown Charleston.
Coastal insurance takes another hit By Scott Miller State Farm Insurance is cutting wind and hail coverage to its coastal South Carolina homeowners beginning in March.
City Market’s future concerns vendors By Kathleen Dayton Just a few months past its 200th birthday, Charleston’s City Market awaits a new management team with revitalization plans that have longtime vendors and shopkeepers in the market feeling both excited and nervous.
Adventure to set sail again By Molly Parker The Adventure may soon sail again at Charles Towne Landing. In early December, the state awarded a $1.4 million contract to a wooden shipbuilding company in Maine to reproduce the old Adventure that sank into disrepair several years ago.
Putting commuter rail on fast track is Riley’s hope By Molly Parker The phrase “commuter rail” has been hot on Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr.’s lips recently, but with so many policy decisions up in the air, most notably about who would foot the multimillion-dollar bill, it seems that train is still a long time a-comin’.
CSO inches back into the black By Kathleen Dayton Last year, they were playing on a string and a prayer. One year later, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra is financially in the black and its operations are sound, thanks to a strategic plan that included an appeal for support directed to the local business community as well as to private donors.
Chasing tourists, making a living By Scott Miller At 64 years old, Jim Wallace professes to be the oldest pedicab driver in town, carting tourists around the peninsula. It’s an interesting job full of stories. He once biked a 325-pound Mississippi woman and her overweight son after they chided him that he couldn’t do it.
Being historic is no longer enough to lure lots of visitors By Kathleen Dayton Jam-packed restaurants, full hotels and a growing list of accolades that rate Charleston at the top of the nation’s travel destinations should mean the area’s paid attractions, including historic sites, are raking in money from ticket sales.
Heed emotional intelligence when developing your career By Barbara Poole By the time this column is published, the S.C. Democratic primary will be history. We will have cast our vote as a state for who will populate the Democrats’ ticket in the November general election. But for now, the heat is on, and it’s as fascinating a race as any I can remember in a very long time.
A glimpse at Sales 2.0 — the potential and pitfalls By Keith Rosen For those of you who attended the first-ever Sales 2.0 conference in San Francisco recently, you’re probably thoroughly overwhelmed as well as in a state of awe like many of the people I met with.
Wachovia president finds balance between family and career By Kristen Poland A teenage musing turned out to be a bit of serendipity that changed Rick Redden’s life. As he was driving down U.S. Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant one day in 1987, Redden noticed a recently built bank and decided—out of the blue—that banking sounded like a good career.
Wildlife expo head merges outdoorsmanship with business savvy By Kristen Poland An outdoorsman at heart and a businessman by trade, Jimmy Huggins combines his two passions as president and CEO of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. An open mind and a mutable business savvy have been his hallmark contributions to the festival that has prospered under his leadership.
