December Update from Georgetown’s Mayor-Elect Jay Doyle
December 10, 2025
Citizens of Georgetown, First, let me extend to each of you my best wishes for the upcoming holiday season. May you find joy and happiness with your friends and family.…
Read MorePosted in: georgetown-sc-gazette Category: economic-development, government, on-the-move, op-ed
Lack of affordable housing is hurting schools
December 8, 2025
By Mario E. Brown We hear a lot about educators leaving their profession, and that there is a looming teacher shortage across the country. While we often hear about low…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, op-ed
💖 Celebrating World Kindness Day: Today and Every Day
November 12, 2025
November 13 is World Kindness Day, a day that reminds us all how being kind to one another helps us make a positive impact in our lives and communities. While…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, georgetown-sc-gazette Category: on-the-move, op-ed
Consolidation Was the Right Move for the Lowcountry’s Water Future
September 22, 2025
By Becky Dennis Director of Operations Kiawah Island Utility Water is our most precious resource, and the responsibility to deliver it safely and reliably is one we take seriously locally…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: economic-development, environmental, on-the-move, op-ed, utilities
Free Speech is Free—But Not Free of Consequences
September 15, 2025
by Brenda Stewart, Publisher Laurens County Buzz In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the nation is once again confronting the fragile balance between free expression and responsibility. His death…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, headlines, on-the-move, op-ed
Rooftops, Retail, and a Recipe for Growth: Building for Lexington’s Future
August 13, 2025
By Bobby Alexander President Pyramid Contracting What happens when one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing and most affluent counties needs a place to shop, dine, and work? A commercial construction boom…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: op-ed
529 updates in ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ give South Carolina families even more flexibility for educational savings
July 21, 2025
By State Treasurer Curtis Loftis As administrator of South Carolina’s Future Scholar 529 Plan, I’m happy to share that recent passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act spells good…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move, op-ed
Saving Lives: Addressing Misconceptions in Organ Donation
July 20, 2025
By David DeStefano President & Chief Executive Officer We Are Sharing Hope SC Every myth that undermines trust in organ donation equals a life not saved. Every time someone hesitates…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, op-ed
How to Make To‑Do Lists Work in a World Full of Distractions
June 29, 2025
In a world flooded with digital noise, constant notifications, and shifting priorities, staying organized and focused is harder than ever. Research from Harvard Business Review and Psychology Today confirms what…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: on-the-move, op-ed
OP-ED: Amid Budget Fights, One Conservative Clean Energy Idea Gains Ground
June 13, 2025
By Evan Patrohay With the reconciliation debate in full swing and the fate of clean energy subsidies hanging in the balance, many environmentally minded conservatives like myself are paying careful…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: economic-development, energy, environmental, government, on-the-move, op-ed
Powering South Carolina’s Future: Energy, Innovation, and Opportunity
June 12, 2025
by Susie Shannon, President & CEO of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness South Carolina stands at a pivotal moment to secure its position as the location of choice for…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: economic-development, on-the-move, op-ed
Not Perfect, But Progress: What the New SC Liquor Liability Law Means for You
May 19, 2025
By Diane Hardy, Executive Director of the Mom and Pop Alliance of SC It’s a Wrap! The 2024-2025 SC legislative Session is officially over. It has been one long and…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, hospitality, law, on-the-move, op-ed, restaurant
Beyond the 30% Rule: Redefining Home Affordability in Upstate South Carolina
March 13, 2025
By Mario Brown, Affordable Upstate In the Upstate of South Carolina, the term “affordable housing” often circulates in discussions about community and economic development. But what does it really mean…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, op-ed, residential-real-estate
Building Trust, One Meal at a Time: How Serve & Connect is Transforming Communities Across the Carolinas
February 6, 2025
Ten years ago, I took the first step toward healing and change after losing my husband, Greg, a Forest Acres Police Officer, who was tragically shot and killed in the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: non-profit, on-the-move, op-ed
Finding Gratitude in Resilience: A Thanksgiving Reflection
November 26, 2024
On Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude, even in the face of hardship. This year, Laurens County has faced immense challenges that tested our collective strength and…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, on-the-move, op-ed
Richland County becoming a leader in South Carolina’s manufacturing surge
November 19, 2024
By Jeff Ruble Director, Richland County Economic Development Office Located in one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation, Richland County is in the midst of an economic surge marked…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: economic-development, manufacturing, on-the-move, op-ed
Why Sheriff Leon Lott is the only choice
October 22, 2024
Popular law enforcement leader is up for re-election By W. Thomas Smith Jr. This is an easy story to write – easy in one way, challenging in another (which I’ll…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, op-ed
The urgent need to address China UnionPay’s influence in the credit card industry
July 2, 2024By Kyle Johnson As lawmakers continue to crackdown on China’s growing threat to the U.S., it’s time for Congress to turn its attention to the credit card industry, another area…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: government, on-the-move, op-ed
Conservation and Clean Energy Strengthen South Carolina Businesses, Communities
June 12, 2024
Conservation and clean energy are becoming increasingly important to protecting the natural beauty of our state while supporting a stronger, more resilient American economy. To that end, South Carolina is…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: energy, on-the-move, op-ed
South Carolina needs federal permitting reform
June 3, 2024By Adam B. Jones Executive Director American Council of Engineering Consultants of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham played an important role in passing strong, commonsense infrastructure legislation that is…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, op-ed
How women are shaping South Carolina real estate through legacy and influence
March 19, 2024
By Reah Smith 2024 President of the South Carolina Association of REALTORS® As temperatures are increasing and interest rates are stabilizing, South Carolina’s real estate market is bracing for…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: on-the-move, op-ed
The proposed Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) is not good for small business
December 19, 2023
By Chris Merritt Merritt Roofing In 2016, I started Merritt Roofing, a small business serving homeowners in York County, SC and the greater Charlotte, NC area. Over these past seven…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move, op-ed
Israel will prevail in this war
October 19, 2023
Intangibles are some of the primary reasons why PART 2: Analysis by W. Thomas Smith Jr. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO I was in Israel and on the Palestinian Authority-controlled West Bank,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, op-ed
They are ABLE
October 2, 2023
By State Treasurer Curtis Loftis Administrator for the Palmetto ABLE Savings Program How important is stability, peace of mind or independence to you? These qualities are always top of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: conversations, on-the-move, op-ed
Two thought-provoking questions by Governor McMaster
January 31, 2023
By Alan Cooper Publisher [I spoke about this topic on the South Carolina Business Review on Monday, January 30 – listen here] During the State of the State address, Governor…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, op-ed
How South Carolina businesses can prepare for an economic downturn
January 12, 2023
By Thomas Anderson Following a global pandemic, South Carolina finance executives have redefined adaptability with warp-speed reconfiguration of capital investment plans. With a potential economic slowdown on the horizon in…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: advice, banking-and-finance, economic-development, on-the-move, op-ed
Pay for Richland deputies isn’t about politics: It’s about taking care of those who protect
November 28, 2022
By Sheriff Leon Lott – “Northern California Sheriff announces indefinite suspension of daytime patrols citing catastrophic staffing shortage. – “Philadelphia Police to allow unarmed civilian traffic officers, offer recruitment bonuses…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, op-ed
Rural South Carolina: Building Healthier Communities for the People Who Power America
November 17, 2022
By Dr. Saundra Glover South Carolina State Director USDA Rural Development As we celebrate National Rural Health Day this year, we are reminded that a strong community is rooted in…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, op-ed
Teamwork – effective and fun!
October 27, 2022
By Jeff Becraft One of the most epic moments in my life happened in a grocery store. It was on an alumni trip back in the Youth Corps days. There…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, op-ed, the-arts
The History of Clinton is Rich and the Future is Bright
October 10, 2022
By Joseph Dyches One of the greatest things about a thriving downtown is that it can rarely be defined by a single building or business. In many cases, a small…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: on-the-move, op-ed
Supporting financial stability for South Carolinians with disabilities
August 15, 2022
By State Treasurer Curtis Loftis Nearly 800,000 people in South Carolina live with a physical or mental disability. Many of them are able and willing to work, yet our state…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: government, on-the-move, op-ed
Low-quality patents are a threat for small businesses
July 22, 2022
By Austin Meyer Since founding X-Plane in 1995, a flight simulator that allows pilots to practice without getting in a plane, my work has always been focused on increasing safety…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, op-ed
With summer here, time for officials to focus on power reliability
July 11, 2022
By Cline Jones In the wake of COVID, most Americans for the first time have been forced to face an ugly truth: supply chains are more fragile than we ever…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: energy, on-the-move, op-ed
Government charge cards require stringent oversight
April 20, 2022
By Richard Eckstrom, S.C. Comptroller Government procurement cards, known as p-cards, are intended to streamline routine purchases such as for office supplies and small dollar items. Functioning like credit cards…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: accounting, government, on-the-move, op-ed
Pension plan shortfall demands lawmakers’ attention
March 8, 2022
By Richard Eckstrom, S.C. Comptroller It definitely doesn’t get the attention it deserves, but it’s among the most severe financial problems facing South Carolina today: The state retiree pension plan…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, government, on-the-move, op-ed
Op-Ed: The time is here to let voters decide on Sunday liquor store sales
March 7, 2022
Opinion Editorial By Ed McMullen Chairman, Cheers! Let South Carolina Decide Elected representatives in Columbia are currently debating legislation that will help South Carolina businesses compete in the 21st century.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: economic-development, government, law, on-the-move, op-ed
Was Normal Good Enough?
February 18, 2022
By Erinn Rowe CEO Harvest Hope Food Bank As the CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank, I have seen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic firsthand. I have seen a…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move, op-ed
Is the omicron variant Mother Nature’s way of vaccinating the masses and curbing the pandemic?
February 1, 2022The characteristics of the COVID-19 omicron variant has many people wondering if it could act as a vaccine of sorts, inoculating enough people to effectively bring about herd immunity. By…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: health-care, on-the-move, op-ed
State Guard volunteers help people during emergencies
January 17, 2022
By Richard Eckstrom, S.C. Comptroller One Saturday a month, hundreds of folks from across the state come together at sites in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville for a day of military-style…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: government, on-the-move, op-ed
Let’s Put South Carolina First
January 13, 2022
By John Boyanoski, Rosylin Weston and Chip Felkel The State of South Carolina has roughly $6 billion dollars in relatively unexpected money to spend in the next five years due…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: government, on-the-move, op-ed
S.C. a national leader on timely financial reporting
November 29, 2021
By Richard Eckstrom, S.C. Comptroller Each fall, my office releases the state’s financial report for the prior fiscal year. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, commonly called a CAFR, is a…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, government, on-the-move, op-ed
South Carolina’s role in the fight against suicide
November 17, 2021
By Jim Harris The statistics concerning suicide are sobering, and the issue impacts many more people than most of us realize. We see the headlines when we lose celebrities like…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, op-ed
Building I-73 is in the state’s best interest
October 25, 2021
By Richard Eckstrom – S.C. Comptroller Supporters of a proposed stretch of interstate connecting I-95 to Myrtle Beach recently got a couple of pieces of welcome, long-awaited news. A judge…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, op-ed, transportation
Business is Always Personal
September 27, 2021
By Brian T. King, Founder and President, A M King “This is just business. It’s not personal.” I remember the first time I heard those words. It is a…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: advice, construction, op-ed
Five tips for getting your house ready to list this fall
August 24, 2021
By Joan Herlong Kids are going back to school, people are planning their last summer vacations and your clothes tend to stick to the backs of your legs and arms…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: advice, op-ed, residential-real-estate
America is better than what we’re witnessing right now
August 19, 2021
By Tom Mullikin It’s been nearly two decades since that fateful September morning in 2001 when four commercial airliners were hijacked by Al Qaeda terrorists and flown into the World…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: military, on-the-move, op-ed
Colliers Op-Ed: Three Things Hoteliers Should Start Doing Today
May 6, 2021
Some hoteliers hit the pause button in March 2020 with COVID-19’s arrival to wait and see what would happen, but now is the time to set things into motion again.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, commercial-real-estate, on-the-move, op-ed
Why Greenville?
April 13, 2021
By Andrew Kurtz President and CEO of Kopis Chances are you’re reading this because you are interested in learning more about potential tech careers or Greenville, or (we hope) both. Located…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, op-ed
Business Trends to Watch in 2021: Adapting to the New Normal
February 25, 2021
By Brian T. King Founder and President of A M King The events of 2020 reshaped business significantly. The changes we experienced did not occur in ripples, but more…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: advice, construction, op-ed
What Critical Thinking Really Is
February 22, 2021
By Steven J. Pearlman, PhD I’ll let you in on a secret: defining critical thinking is typically a trap. It’s a trap because critical thinking encompasses so many things. For…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, op-ed
