Recent Articles from Staff Report
$5 billion approved in first week of PPP loans
Approximately 60,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan applications submitted by nearly 3,000 lenders were approved from Jan. 11-Jan. 17. The program reopened to community financial institutions last week and is now open to all lenders.
Columbia Chamber of Commerce to honor local businesses
The 2021 Columbia Impact Awards will honor contributions to the business community and projects which contribute to the character of the Midlands. The event will feature a keynote address from the president of Mark Anthony Brewing.
DEW launches mobile app to monitor unemployment claims
The free app, downloadable at app stores, allows users to complete weekly certification requirements and check claim status from smart phones. Initial claims still must be submitted via computer or mobile internet browser.
Beer, music, food on tap for Savage Craft’s Jan. 30 grand opening
The West Columbia brewery offer a selection of beers and upscale appetizers beginning at 1 p.m. The transformation of the 3,200-square-foot building, once a city hall and a fire station, has been in the works for more than two years.
South Carolina Chef Ambassadors to serve second year
The four chefs selected to represent the state in 2020 will serve a second year in those roles. The Chef Ambassador program was established in 2014 to promote the state as a culinary destination.
Initial unemployment claims top 8,600 for week
South Carolina saw 8,635 initial claims filed for the week ending Jan. 9 as the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce began paying a second extended federal benefit. Greenville County had a state-high 842 claims.
14 projects receive S.C. Commerce Department funding
The grants are part of the department's Relentless Challenge program, which supports technological innovation in local initiatives statewide. Since 2013, the program has awarded more than $7 million to 41 organizations.
SC Green Industry Association to hold conference and trade show
The event, which will feature more than 70 exhibitors and nine industry speakers, will be held Jan. 28 and 29 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Up to $10,000 in college scholarships will also be awarded.
Home Depot leases 68,040 square feet in Midway Logistics VI
The speculative industrial building in West Columbia's Lexington County Industrial Park broke ground last October. The 192,780-square-foot, Class A warehouse is Magnus Development's sixth development in the park.
Executive budget focuses on small businesses, education
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster's 2021-2022 budget also calls for investments in broadband expansion, workforce training and law enforcement and would allocate $500 million to the state's reserve fund.
Lancaster, Chester county broadband networks receive $1.6 million
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $1.6 million in Lancaster and Chester counties as part of a $16 million grant package for broadband expansion in rural Illinois, Oregon and South Carolina.
SCBIO 2021 conference set for Feb. 16-17
The online conference, featuring national speakers and award presentations, will address how South Carolina's $12 billion life science industry can recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration is available online.