Ahoy! Sailing industry in Charleston weathering economic storms By Molly Parker Just before the kickoff of Charleston Race Week, Tripp Fellabom was a little down. The struggling economy has kicked the wind out of his business’ sails. That’s not good for anybody, but it’s particularly hard to accept if you make a living selling sails.
KapStone’s strategy: Stability and growth By Dan McCue Roger W. Stone, chairman and CEO of KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp., didn’t mince words the April morning he sat down with financial analysts to talk about his planned purchase of MeadWestvaco’s kraft paper mill in North Charleston.
Property tax reform slows real estate sales By Molly Parker California businessman Ray Ruaif says he’ll think twice before making another major investment in South Carolina. Earlier this year, he closed on a $2.2 million shopping center in Summerville, only to find out later that his property taxes will be a lot higher than, probably close to double, what the previous owner paid.
Jerry Zucker’s life defined by his deeds, not his years By Dan McCue Newspaper and magazine writers loved to refer to Jerry Zucker as a “mystery man.” After all, all of his corporate holdings were privately held, he rarely granted interviews, and he was a self-made billionaire, an achievement many would make reference to but few could really fathom.
Budget tightening targets $18.5 million in grants By Scott Miller Gov. Mark Sanford has asked lawmakers to eliminate $18.5 million from the state’s Competitive Grants program, which he calls a “legislative slush fund.”
Local fisherman reels in reality television show By Molly Parker After years of fishing the world’s waters, Adam Paul is finally reeling in the big one: a TV show. GillznFinz.com LLC, headquartered on East Bay Street in downtown Charleston, recently scored a contract with Leverage Sports to produce a reality-based sports fishing show that will air in a minimum of 30 U.S. markets starting June 1.
Michelin head says Jasper port development critical to S.C. By Dan McCue James Micali, chairman and president of Michelin North America, said public officials from South Carolina and Georgia had taken an “excellent first step” toward developing a new cargo container terminal in Jasper County.
Enhanced inland infrastructure may curb congestion By Dan McCue Ports did a good job responding to escalating trade volumes in the early part of this century, but if the industry is going to avoid a congestion crisis in the future, more must be done to improve inland infrastructure, according to Jim Newsome, vice president of the Hapag Lloyd Steamship line.
Berkeley County: The Lowcountry’s boom town By Molly Parker In the history of South Carolina, only twice has a county nabbed $1 billion in corporate investment in a single year. Both times it was Berkeley County.
Berkeley County chamber pushing penny tax increase By Molly Parker Goose Creek Mayor Michael Heitzler can sense the “growing angst” in Berkeley County as the expanding business and residential population puts a squeeze on area roads, causing gridlock in some locations.
Roper St. Francis moving on $10M project By Molly Parker Roper St. Francis is poised to apply to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control to relocate the Berkeley Ambulatory Surgery Center from Moncks Corner to its new facility at Carnes Crossroads.
Berkeley County getting ready for growth surge By Scott Miller Population growth has not caught Berkeley County by surprise. Some area communities are struggling to handle growth. Dorchester County, for example, placed a six-month moratorium on new development as it tries to tame the overcrowding in schools and congestion on the roads.
Berkeley County economic development director resigns By Molly Parker Despite his helping to nab $1.3 billion in corporate investment last year, including a Google data center, Berkeley County’s economic development director said he was given the choice in late April to either resign or be fired.
Dangerous knowledge: What we know can hurt us By Keith Rosen I recently purchased some advertising space in a national magazine. I have been a subscriber for years and knew everything I needed to know to select them as an advertising vehicle. I called them with one intention, to place an order.
Don’t look now, but your customers are talking about you online By David L. Rawle I recently had my annual physical. (Good news: I have the heart of a 20-year-old.) Through our annual physicals, we find out how our body is doing. We talk to our doctors, whom we trust and have a relationship with, and then, one hopes, we make the lifestyle adjustments that will give us a better report next year.
Today's Profile: Mary Gatch, DwellSmart By Holly Fisher Mary Gatch’s decision to open a retail store for “green” products and building materials was a direct result of her personal experience.
