May 28, 2012 - Columbia Regional Business Report

Skills GapEducation strugglesto prepare workers.Page 2

Defensive MovesBanks seek to shedTreasury-held shares.Page 3

In FocusAssembly Street overhaul to reduce on-street parking.Page 9

At WorkSocial networking, blogging is Shop Tart’s business.9

COLUMBIAUNDER

CONSTRUCTION

INSIDE

Upfront .............................2

In Focus: Architecture, Engineering,Construction ...................9List: Architecture firms ........16

SIOR ...............................17At Work ..........................19

Economics Column ........20

People in the News .........21

Business Digest ..............22

Calendar .........................23

Viewpoint ........................23

PRSRT STD

US POSTAGE PAID

COLUMBIA SCPERMIT 380

389 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Suite 200, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

By James T. [email protected]

When Leadership Columbia’s current class looked around for a project, they settled upon a major upgrade

of facilities at Columbia’s Free Medical Clinic on Harden Street.

These mid-career business people didn’t

just see it as charity for people with no health insurance; keeping the Free Medical Clinic viable diverts people from the region’s trauma centers, where episodic care can be expensive. That translates into higher health care costs in hospital rates and health insurance premiums for employers and employees.

The Leadership Columbia class built a cover for the walkway leading to the front door of the

clinic, to protect clients of the clinic who often line up for services before it opens for business. They built a bench on the walkway so that sick or elderly people can sit while they wait. They renovated the four toilets in the clinic, replaced the waiting room furniture, and solicited a trove of supplies for the facility from area business

Free clinics seen as good for business

See clinicS, Page 8 ➤

May 28 - June 10, 2012 www.columbiabusinessreport.com Volume 5, No. 11 • $2.00

Congress approvesEx-Im Bankreauthorization

By James T. [email protected]

Since 2007, the Export-Import Bank has assisted exports sales valued at $533 mil-lion from South Carolina companies.

A total of 43 South Carolina-based export-ers benefited from the Export-Import Bank’s financing, according to the bank’s data.

Those figures likely will soar as Boeing Co. begins exporting passen-ger jets from its North Charleston assembly plant. Some $30 billion in loans have been made since 2007 to assist Boe-ing’s sales to overseas buyers.

In Columbia, Avantech exported $6.6 mil-lion worth of high-tech equipment to Japan to remove radioactive contaminates from trapped seawater in the nuclear reactors destroyed in the Fukushima tsunami. Export-Import Bank financing helped make those sales possible, according to the bank’s data.

But, U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., tried to

See cOnGReSS, Page 5 ➤

THE RIGHT

MOVEExECutIvE SuMMARy

The Export-Import Bank provided $32 billion in financing last year — all at no cost to the tax-payer.

PAGE 9

Last June, Accuride paid $22 million for the assets of Forgitron Technologies in Camden. Today, the company is riding surging demand for its large vehicle wheels.Page 6

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“I see no evidence that

competitor nations like

China are getting out

of the ex-im business. I

cannot . . . support unilateral disarmament.”

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham

Explaining why he supported reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank

“heard in the

report”

Education struggles to closeskills gap of S.C. workers

As South Carolina’s economy expands, the state must develop better ways of pro-viding its workforce with the technical skills needed to land a job. That’s the consen-sus among panelists at a Power Breakfast discussion on education and the workforce hosted by the Columbia Regional Business Report.

“There’s a disparity in the skills gap between those seeking work and the needs of employers,” said Abraham Turner, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. He said there are five people competing for each job. Most likely, he said, few of those out of work have the skills needed to fill the position.

State Education Superintendent Mick Zais said public schools need to move away from the “one-size-fits-all model” to one that accommodates how children learn. Pub-lic education, Zais said, needs to drop the assumption that every child needs to pursue a college education. Only 25% of jobs require a four-year degree or higher, he said.

But 75% of jobs require skills beyond a high school diploma, said Midlands Tech president Sonny White.

Panel participants echoed results of a survey sponsored by the World Economic Forum that 10 million manufacturing jobs worldwide go unfilled because of a grow-ing skills gap. The survey reported that 67% of respondents said there was a moderate to severe shortage of available qualified workers. More than half of the respondents believe the shortage will worsen. Among manufacturers, 83% expect the shortage of production workers will worsen.

Public education doesn’t do a good enough job preparing students, participants said. White said Midlands Tech spends $15 million a year on remedial classes before students can pursue their training.

The state does a good job of training its workforce for manufacturing, said Jim Reyn-olds, CEO of Total Comfort Solutions and co-chairman of the New Carolina Educa-tion and Workforce Development Task Force. One reason why BMW decided to build its new X4 model in Spartanburg County is the high quality of the workforce, he said.

While the schools can help remedy the problem, Catherine Horne, president and CEO of EdVenture, said learning doesn’t just happen between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., 180 days a year. “Families, particularly parents, need to be a more active part in education,” Horne said, “and in many ways the schools need to learn how to use that relationship.”

S.C. extends life of Conservation BankGov. Nikki Haley signed legislation earlier this month extending the sunset clause

of the state Conservation Bank from 2013 to July 1, 2018.The bank, created a decade ago, has helped protect more than 150,000 acres of

forestland, parks, farm land, wetlands and other property from development. The bank helps property owners enter into conservation easements.

The bank is funded by a portion of annual state revenue from document stamp fees. In her executive budget, Haley recommended $7.5 million for the bank for the fiscal year 2012-13, which begins July 1.

Continental Freight Services acquiredby Michigan company for $3.4M

Blythewood-based Continental Freight Services, a non-asset third-party logis-tics company, has been sold to XPO Logistics Inc.

XPO, based in Buchanan, Mich., said it bought Continental for $3.4 million with a potential earn-out of up to $300,000.

Continental, which has satellite offices in Texas, Florida and North Carolina, gen-erated $22 million in revenue over a 12-month period ending March 31, XPO said.

“Continental is a good strategic fit because we can scale it up quickly by adding salespeople and carrier capacity,” said Bradley Jacobs, chairman and CEO of XPO. “Our cold-start program is running ahead of plan. Given our cold-start perfor-mance and healthy backlog of acquisition candidates, we’re comfortable with our target of a $500 million revenue run rate by year-end.”

XPO reported revenue for the first quarter of 2012 was $44.6 million, a 7.4% increase over the initial three months of 2011. XPO’s revenue for 2011 totaled $177.1 million.

Continental Freight has been providing truckload brokerage services since 1980.

www.columbiabusinessreport.com 3May 28 - June 10, 2012

Institution City tARP investment Amount repaid

First Community Corp. Lexington $11.35 N/A South Financial Group Inc. Greenville $347.00 $130.18 First Financial Holdings Inc. Charleston $65.00 $55.93 Security Federal Corp. Aiken $18.00 $18.00 Tidelands Bancshares Inc. Mount Pleasant $14.45 N/A GrandSouth Bancorp. Greenville $15.30 $15.30 Congaree Bancshares Inc. Cayce $3.29 N/A SCBT Financial Corp. Columbia $64.78 $64.78 Greer Bancshares Inc. Greer $9.99 N/A BankGreenville Greenville $1.00 N/A Regional Bankshares Inc. Hartsville $1.50 N/A Southern First Bancshares Inc. Greenville $17.30 N/A HCSB Financial Corp. Loris $12.90 N/A First Reliance Bancshares Inc. Florence $15.35 N/A Provident Community Bancshares Inc. Rock Hill $9.27 N/A

Clover Community Bankshares Inc. Clover $3.00 N/A

Peoples Bancorp. Inc. Easley $12.66 $12.66 CoastalSouth Bancshares Inc. Hilton Head Island $16.02 N/A TCB Corp. Greenwood $9.72 $9.72 Atlantic Bancshares Inc. Bluffton $2.00 N/A total $649.88 $306.57

treasury investments in S.C. banks (millions)

First Community Corp. raisingcapital to buy back tARP stock

First Community Corp. of Lexing-ton has proposed a public offering of up to $12.5 million in shares of its common stock, par value $1 per share.

The holding company for First Com-munity Bank said it would use the estimat-ed $11.5 million in proceeds to repurchase all of its outstanding Series T Preferred Stock and, potentially, the warrant issued to the U.S. Treasury as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

First Community Bank operates 11 offices in Lexington, Richland, Newberry and Kershaw counties. It is the 20th larg-est bank in South Carolina measured by deposits, according to the FDIC’s June 2011 ranking, with a 0.7% maket share.

The U.S. Treasury is divesting bank own-ership it acquired in the TARP program of 2008 and 2009. The Treasury auctioned the $65 million in stock it had in Charleston’s First Financial Holdings Inc., the parent of First Federal Bank.

While no other auctions have been announced, more are likely. Greenville-based Southern First Bancshares Inc., which has operations in the Midlands, registered 17,299 preferred shares owned by the Treasury in advance of a potential auction. Southern First will not receive any proceeds from the sale. The preferred stock pays a 5% annual dividend until 2013, when it will increase to 9%. Southern First Bank is the 14th largest bank in the state, with a 0.82% market share, according to the FDIC.

First Community, Southern First and First Financial were among 20 South Carolina-based banks to receive investments from the Treasury through the TARP program. So far, seven of those banks have repaid and are no longer part of the pro-gram. In some cases, the Treasury lost money.

Through TARP, the federal government still owns stakes in about 343 banks and is owed roughly $12 billion. The department said its options are to sell or restructure the investments, or wait for banks to repay.

4 www.columbiabusinessreport.com May 28 - June 10, 2012

Export-Import Bank assists South Carolina companies to sell their products overseas

Nationwide, the biggest beneficiary of Export-Import Bank loans was the Boeing Co., with more than $30 billion in loans for products exported by four different units of the aerospace company.

Midlands exporters with Export-Import Bank loans

Exporter Location Total Loans Total export salesHarsco Corp. West Columbia $42.8 million $42.8 millionTranscon Trading Co. Irmo $17.9 million $17.9 millionImagemap Inc. Columbia $8.3 million $11.9 millionCompass Management Lexington $6.1 million $6.1 millionAvantech Inc. Columbia $2.7 million $6.7 millionProgressive Alloy Steels Florence $1.7 million $5.2 millionCarbis Inc. Florence $1.5 million $1.5 millionTransfer Point Inc. Columbia $780,914 $780,914Compass International Lexington $720,000 $720,000Supremes LLC Columbia $228,502 $228,502Shakespeare Co. Newberry $103,314 $103,314Bridge to Life Columbia $55,700 $55,700

Top five exporters in S.C. with Export-Import Bank loansSage Automotive Greenville $18 million $210 millionHarsco Corp. West Columbia $42.8 million $42.8 millionJ.W. Aluminum Co. Goose Creek $38.1 million $38.1 millionMount Vernon Mills Mauldin $36.7 million $36.7 millionConfluence Holdings Easley $30.6 million $30.6 million

Source: U.S. Export-Import Bank

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Total exports supported in South Carolina, 2007-2012:

$533 millionatlas TM

Where We Are.gov

The National Atlas

Less than $5,000,000

$5,000,000 to $24,999,999

$25,000,000 to $74,999,999

More than $75,000,000

Loan disbursements by Congressional District

43Total exporters assisted statewide:

Total small businesses assisted with loans: 22

Hottest exporting region:4th Congressional District (Greenville, Spartanburg)

Top 3 destinations for exported goods:

Mexico, China, Britain


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kill the bank’s reauthorization in the Sen-ate. He was on the opposite side of the issue from South Carolina’s senior senator and fellow Republican, Lindsey Graham, and much of the state’s business establish-ment. The Senate, with Graham’s urging, approved the reauthorization on May 15 and boosted its lending limit to $140 mil-lion from $100 million.

The biggest beneficiary regionally of Ex-Im Bank financing has been the Fourth Congressional District, compris-ing Greenville and Spartanburg coun-ties and part of Union County. That’s DeMint’s home territory, one he repre-sented for three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. The largest single ben-eficiary of Export-Import Bank financ-ing in the state has been Sage Automo-tive Interiors, based in Greenville, with $210 million in exports assisted by the Ex-Im Bank, according to the bank’s data.

The U.S. House voted 330-93 on May 9 to continue the Ex-Im Bank for three years, a measure assistant Democratic leader Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., said would sustain U.S. jobs, especially in South Carolina. The measure was sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Clyburn said that last year, the Ex-Im Bank supported nearly 300,000 American jobs. “This reauthorization is a no-brainer,” he said. Clyburn also said the Ex-Im Bank provided $32 billion in financing last year — all at no cost to the taxpayer — and more than 80% of those transactions directly supported small businesses in 2011.

Clyburn noted that the Boeing Co., which employs 6,000 people in North Charleston, depends upon Export-Import Bank financing to sell its jets abroad.

James McNerney, chairman of the board, president and CEO of Boeing, has been pointed in his comments about the importance of Export-Import Bank financing for his company’s products.

“Eight out of every 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners now built in South Caro-lina are expected to be purchased by international customers who are eligible for and regularly seek export credit sup-port from Ex-Im,” he said. “Without this support, many of our customers would choose to purchase airplanes from Airbus, made in Europe, built by European labor, sold with the aggressive backing of multiple European export credit agencies. Jobs in South Carolina are at risk without an extended and robust reauthorization for Ex-Im.”

Graham also noted the Ex-Im Bank loans in selling Boeing planes abroad.

“Eighty percent of the Boeing 787s pro-duced in North Charleston will be sold to companies who are eligible for and routinely use Ex-Im financing,” Graham said. “Boeing’s competitor, Airbus, relies on three export-import banks located in France to help sell their airplanes to inter-national customers.

“One-third of the General Electric

gas turbines produced in Greenville sold overseas use Ex-Im financing. In the case of Boeing and General Electric, the avail-ability of Ex-Im financing is the difference between staying viable in South Carolina or dramatically reducing their business. Simply put, for South Carolina businesses like these to be successful in the interna-tional marketplace, Ex-Im has to be reau-thorized.”

Without naming anyone, Graham alluded to the Ex-Im Bank’s opponents.

“I also respect those who chose a dif-ferent path and voted against reauthoriza-tion,” Graham said. “I believe American companies could compete and thrive in a

world without Ex-Im banks and this would be the ideal outcome. However, that world does not exist today.”

DeMint hangs his opposition to the Export-Import Bank on a free-market phi-losophy that says businesses should stand or fall on their own merits, not because of government assistance. DeMint urged South Carolina voters in an email to South Carolina voters to “stop Washington politi-cians from micromanaging our economy.”

“Any time government hands out favors, they’ll be unfair to someone,” DeMint wrote. “When Washington picks winners and losers, in the end taxpayers always lose, and Ex-Im is no exception.”

But Graham said competing nations have ex-im banks far larger and more aggressive than ours.

“China’s export bank is larger than many European nations combined. Cana-da, one-tenth the population of the United States has an ex-im bank that is three times as large as the United States.”

“I see no evidence that competitor nations like China are getting out of the ex-im business, and I cannot, in good con-science, support unilateral disarmament,” Graham said. cr

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Reach James T. Hammond at 803-401-1094, ext. 201.

CONGRESS, continued from Page 1 ➤


Camden Accuride plant meets demand for wheelsBy Chuck Crumbo

[email protected]

With projections showing the commercial vehicle indus-try’s demand for aluminum

wheels peaking in the next couple of years, Accuride Corp. saw an opportunity to increase manufac-turing capacity for aluminum wheels.

So last June, Accuride, which last year posted $936.1 million in revenues, paid $22 million for substantially all

the assets of Forgitron Technologies in Camden. Forgitron, a commercial and military wheel manufacturer, at that time was a portfolio company of Massachusetts-based Kamylon Capital.

Not only did Accuride get a modern, 80,000-square-foot plant in the deal, it also retained 80% of Forgitron’s work-force of about 80 employees.

A few months later, Accuride announced plans to spend another

$8.7 million to expand the facility’s pro-duction lines and hire 25 more workers.

“Kershaw County is very fortunate that Accuride chose to locate here,” said Peggy McLean, director of the Kershaw County Economic Development Office.

“This is so important because not only did they save the jobs of many of our citizens, they chose to expand, which means new jobs. And as we know, jobs drive the economic success of our com-munity.”

Located on Camden’s outskirts near the interchange of U.S. Highway 521 and Interstate 20, the plant will increase Accuride’s aluminum wheel manufac-turing capacity by 21% in North Amer-ica. Accuride also has an aluminum wheel plant in Erie, Pa., and is building one in Monterrey, Mexico.

While the acquisition strength-ened Accuride’s core product offering, it also put the Evansville, Ind.-based manufacturer closer to original equip-ment and after-market customers in the Southeast, said Don Krampe, director of operations at the Camden facility.

The company considered other expansion options and locations for a new facility, but due diligence pointed Acurride in the direction of South Car-olina, Krampe said.

“We approached all options,” Krampe said. “This made sense from the stand-point of where our customers reside, the type of workers in this state we needed to run this type of facility, and the com-mitment of the local and state govern-ment.”

The Kershaw County Coun-cil approved on April 10 — the day Accuride announced the expansion — a fee in lieu of taxes agreement.

Accuride paid $22 million for the former Forgitron Technologies facility in Camden. Photo/Jeff Blake

ExECutIvE SuMMARy

Last June, Accuride paid $22 million for substantially all the assets of Forgitron Technologies in Camden.


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“It is exciting to see that Accuride, one of our industry neighbors, is grow-ing and prospering,” said Kershaw County Council Chairman Gene Wise. “This is the solid result of the supportive pro-business climate we enjoy.”

The new hires will be trained through readySC, a division of the South Carolina Technical College System, Krampe said.

“New jobs mean increased opportu-nities for our citizens and especially our young people,” McLean said. “So the continued success of our existing indus-tries and the recruitment of new indus-tries result in a higher quality of life for everyone.”

There is competition for workers from such manufacturing neighbors as Haier America, a Chinese appliance manufacturer, and Hengst of North America, a Germany-based automo-tive parts manufacturer, which are in Steeplechase Industrial Park where Accuride also is located.

“We’re trying to make sure we have a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work,” he said.

The unemployment rate in the coun-ty was 7.5% in April, well below the state average of 8.8%. Recent plant closures and layoffs have helped the company in recruiting additional workers.

The Camden location gives Accuride “greater flexibility to balance produc-tion between three aluminum wheel plants,” added Rick Dauch, CEO and president.

With demand for its wheels expected to peak around 2013-14, the Camden facility allows Accuride to ramp up production much sooner than if it had chosen to build a new plant or acquire a plant that had manufactured a different product.

“It was a lot quicker to provide addi-tional volume,” Krampe said.

A number of factors are driving growth in the North American com-mercial vehicle industry for alumi-num wheels, Dauch said. Those factors include fuel economy, residual value and aesthetics.

Before Accuride began making wheels at Camden, it stopped produc-tion for a brief period to convert the facilities to the company’s brand stan-dards. Plant manufacturing systems and controls, as well as customer order management and sales programs were integrated into Accuride systems.

Workers who stayed through the acquisition also had to learn some new ways of doing things. Everyone was willing to pitch in, Krampe said.

“The people in this area are good,” Krampe said. “They’re friendly, hard-working and open to change.”

One-piece wheels are made from alu-minum billets supplied to the Camden plant by manufacturers in Kentucky and Canada, Krampe said.

A wheel is fashioned from a solid billet of aluminum heated up to 900

degrees, and then extreme pressure is used to force the billet between the forging dies. The forged profile then is placed in a spin machine that shapes the rest of the wheel’s rim. Computer-

controlled lathes and milling machines remove excess stock, and form the hub bore, hand holes and bolt holes.

The finished product yields a shiny wheel that’s strong enough to han-

dle the heavy loads hauled by heavy trucks.

So far, the Camden facility is on track to meet the company’s produc-tion goals, Krampe said.

And Krampe added that he has been impressed with the workforce and sup-port that Accuride has received from the local community.

“It’s been a good group of people to work with,” said Krampe, a native of Henderson, Ky. “We’re extremely for-tunate to be here in South Carolina.” cr

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Reach Chuck Crumbo at 803-401-1094, ext. 204.

the Camden location gives Accuride “greater flexibility to balance production between three aluminum wheel plants.”

Rick Dauchpresident and CEO,

Accuride Corp.


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owners.Overall, the benefit to the Free Clinic

was 1,700 hours of labor by the class mem-bers, $19,000 of in-kind donations from area businesses, and $11,000 in supplies for the clinic’s operations.

The Free Medical Clinic fills a critical void. Krisdee Foster, who chairs Leader-ship Columbia, said there are 72,000 unin-sured people in Richland and Lexington counties. Last year, clinic patients soared to 13,495 from about 10,000 in 2010. That included 1,343 new patients. Medications dispensed jumped to $5.33 million from $3.94 million in 2010.

Dennis Coker, executive director of Columbia’s Free Medical Clinic, said the impact is incalculable of “the ripple effect of more than 60 leaders in the region who now know what we do here.”

Coker said because of the services pro-vided by the Free Medical Clinic, 17% of people with chronic diseases got better, in large part because of lower blood sugar lev-els and weight loss. While indigent people can get treatment at hospital trauma cen-ters — at a high cost to the public — those people do not receive continuing care for chronic illnesses. At the free clinic, they can get ongoing care.

Mayor Steve Benjamin said the Lead-ership Columbia contribution to the Free Medical Clinic “is indicative of the caring

of the business leadership in Columbia.”All 42 clinics have seen demand for

their services soar.Dr. Frank Bowen, director of the Free

Medical Clinic at Hilton Head Island and chair of the South Carolina Free Clinic Association, said the need is great. The free clinics see 52,000 patients, provide 175,000 patient visits a year and deliver $60 million of medical services annually.

“Without free clinics, our patients get sicker until they are admitted to hospi-tals for complex illnesses,” he said. “When you eat at a restaurant, the person pulling dishes out of the dishwasher is our patient. We want the free clinics to be in a position to become a real resource for whatever the future health care system is going to be in South Carolina,” he said.

The largest health insurance provider in the state is one of the businesses trying to

help the clinics meet the surge in need.Earlier this month, the BlueCross

BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation announced it would give $5.25 million to the South Carolina Free Clinic Associa-tion to provide subsidies to all the clinics. The grant also envisions resources for the association to better organize its activities statewide and development a certification program to ensure a standard level of care across the free clinic system.

BlueCross has donated money to Free Medical Clinics for years, said Harvey Gal-loway, executive director of the BlueCross foundation, but he was surprised when he learned that some of the clinics were getting nothing. Funneling the money through the association will help address that issue, he said.

Amanda Berrier, executive director of the Free Medical Clinic Association, said Galloway “is really about the details, and we needed that.”

“We are saving people’s lives,” Ber-rier said, and offered the example of a 57-year-old woman who was caring for her 87-year-old mother. The caregiver had lost her health insurance in a divorce, and was diagnosed with cancer of the cervix. Ber-rier said the woman has been treated and is now cancer-free because of a Free Medical Clinic.

The BlueCross foundation provides other grants to meet critical needs in health care, such as subsidizing nursing educa-

tion. Since it was established in 2003, the BlueCross foundation has made $40 mil-lion in grants to programs from promoting childhood health to addressing the epi-demic of obesity and diabetes.

Galloway has spent 42 years at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, running some of its major divisions. He told directors of Free Medical Clinics ear-lier this month he now has the best job in South Carolina, delivering the ceremonial big checks to foundation beneficiaries.

But Galloway has a very serious side; he aims to use the foundation’s resources and grants as leverage to improve health care education, efficiency and delivery.

Galloway said he doesn’t believe the uninsured and underserved will magical-ly go away with the advent of the federal Affordable Care Act. “My bet is the num-ber of uninsured will stay about the same as it is. Some estimates even suggest the numbers may grow,” he said.

Coker said the Columbia clinic is car-ing for a family who once supported it with regular donations. But because of job losses in the recession, that family now relies on the free clinic for medical services. Coker said he is keenly aware that many people are just one paycheck from being with-out health insurance or other resources to obtain health care. cr

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Reach James T. Hammond at 803-401-1094, ext. 201.

CliNiCS, continued from Page 1 ➤

Galloway

LIStArchitecture Firms, Page 16

BONuS LISt SIOR, Page 17In Focus:

Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC)

Construction, engineering and architectural firms are working hard in the Midlands, as you’ll see in the projects listed in this edi-tion of Columbia Under Construction. the number and variety of projects being devel-oped indicates the strength of the industry recovering from a recession.

thank you to everyone who submitted projects for this issue. We’ll be looking for more in the next quarter.

Feature your project in the next issue of Columbia Under Construction.Project submission deadline is Aug. 24 for the Sept. 17 edition.For more information, contact Leslie Burden at 843-849-3123 or [email protected].

Fields Health Clinic LLC 3926 Devine St.Columbia This 4,000-square-foot medical building features a brick and stucco masonry exterior with a custom storefront system. Additional highlights to the exterior include custom landscaping, wall sconces and an 86-foot brick masonry retaining wall. Internally, the medical building is equipped with all ADA requirements, custom flooring and cabinetry and functional and decorative lighting. Both windows and HVAC units are high efficiency. Architect: LTC Architects, Columbia.General contractor: Cohn Construction Ser-vices LLC, Columbia.Engineer: Michael Ray, HB Engineering, Lexington.Completion date: Jan. 27, 2012.

Next issue’s Focus: Statehouse Review

Assembly Street overhaul to reduce on-street parking

By Meagean [email protected]

A landscaped median and reduced street parking are coming to Assembly Street where the city’s

busy center thoroughfare passes through the University of South Carolina campus.

USC and Richland County Transport Committee earmarked $5.8 million to improve the 1100 block of Greene Street and half-mile of Assembly Street between Pendleton and Blossom streets.

The S.C. Department of Transporta-tion, city of Columbia and Central Mid-lands Regional Transit Authority will partner with USC for the project. USC also has sought funding from the Federal Transit Authority.

The improvements are expected to begin this fall and be finished by fall 2013. Changes include a widened, landscaped median in the center of Assembly Street to replace metered parking spots, a fence to prohibit jaywalking, extended curbs at the intersections, improved sidewalks with pedestrian-scale lighting and the addition of bus stop shelters.

All metered parking on Greene Street will be removed to add bike lanes. The intersections along Assembly Street at Greene and Devine streets will restrict left turns in all directions, and the Assem-bly intersections at Greene and College streets will prohibit right turns on red.

Construction is expected to finish before the opening of the new Darla Moore School of Business on the south-west corner of Assembly and Greene streets. Once the business school opens at its new location in 2014, pedestrian traf-fic is expected to triple. The pedestrian-focused improvements are in line with the university’s vision to make Greene Street the “corridor” and heart of campus.

“We’re ramping up transit and want more commuting,” said Derrick Huggins, associate vice president for transporta-tion and logistical relations at USC.

Huggins said USC plans to add direct routes for students using the buses and will schedule the transit around class changes. Current shuttle schedules on campus employ designated routes and don’t run concurrent with class changes.

“We want a paradigm shift, a cultural change in the way people get around on campus. The parking in this area is not

good,” Huggins said. “We’re going to promote carpooling, biking and walk-ing. We’re discouraging people from just jumping into cars to get to class. That’s what the bike lanes and sidewalks are for.”

Although USC and SCDOT are sure the changes will improve public safety, some businesses on Greene Street are concerned about the removal of parking.

“That’s going to be bad for our busi-ness. It’s going to be rough,” said Kathy Weathersby, manager at the South Caro-lina Book Store on the corner of Devine and Main streets.

Weathersby said she has not yet filed a comment on the project as she did not see the notice for the public information meeting on May 8, but she plans to do so.

“I have mixed emotions about it,” she said. Conversion of the parking lot behind her store from a rented lot to a metered one might help to balance the removal of meters on Greene Street, she said.

According to other business owners on Greene Street, owners and managers were notified of the proposed changes and the public information meeting via letter.

Brad Grey, pastor at Greene Street United Methodist Church, attended the public information meeting and is con-cerned about the removal of meters.

“Our biggest concern is just the lack of parking,” Grey said. “I’m all for the safety and welfare of pedestrians, but we’ve got an older congregation and only 12 spaces

in our parking lot.”The average Sunday service would not

pose a parking issue because the church has permission to use USC’s law school parking lot. However, Wednesday night church would present problems because attendees park in the church lot and on Greene Street, Grey said.

“Our congregation needs to park close to the church. We just want that to be heard,” he said.

Julie Barker, SCDOT project manager on the improvements said about 10 writ-ten comments have been filed, but she expected more comments before the May 23 deadline. “There are some concerns of parking on Greene Street and a few people concerned about parking for the Koger Center,” she said.

Barker said she has received ques-tions about bike lanes and said she gets the impression people want more changes to improve pedestrian safety. “Generally, once we explain our reason-ing, everybody understands our safety issue. Anyone who has walked across Assembly knows how dangerous it is,” she said.

Once the comment period closes, SCDOT, USC and the city of Columbia will see what can be done with design and construction to address the issues raised.

“There’s a little bit of growing pain, but it’s for the safety and greater good,” Hug-gins said. cr

br

A new landscaped median would replace the concrete walkway and metered parking spaces in the half-mile section of Assembly Street where the major thoroughfare passes through the USC campus. Photo/James T. Hammond

COLUMBIAUNDER

CONSTRUCTION

10 www.columbiabusinessreport.com May 28 - June 10, 2012IN FOCUS: ArChIteCtUre, enGIneerInG, ConStrUCtIon (AeC)

6837 North Trenholm RoadColumbia Arcadia’s Edge is the first apartment community in South Carolina to achieve Silver Certifica-tion through the National Green Building Standard by the National Association of Homebuild-ers. Arcadia’s Edge features a clubhouse, salt water pool, walking trails and a waterfront park with multiple social gathering areas revolving around Roper Pond. The apartment homes feature an abundance of natural lighting, hardwood floors, stone countertops, tiled backsplashes, tankless hot water heaters and stainless energy star appliances.Developer: Estates Inc., Columbia.Architect or firm: Steinberg Design Collaborative, Inc., Houston.General contractor: McCrory Construction Company, Columbia.Civil engineer: BP Barber, Columbia.Mechanical and plumbing engineer: Carolina Engineering Group Inc., Greenville.Structural engineer: Structural Consulting Group-Alpharetta, Ga. Estimated completion date: April 2012.Estimated total cost of project: $12.2 million.

Moore Orthopedics first floor buildout104 Saluda Pointe DriveLexingtonThis 9,000-square-foot design-build project completes the shell build-out program at the Moore Orthopedics facility on U.S. Highway 378 in Lexington. All work was completed in a highly active clinical environment with ongoing patient activity. The design includes clinical spaces, physician’s offices, waiting rooms, two X-Ray rooms, a cast room and extensive custom cabinetry. Architect or firm: Jeff Lewis Architects, Columbia.General contractor: Hood Construction, Columbia.Estimated completion date: January 2012.

www.columbiabusinessreport.com 11May 28 - June 10, 2012 IN FOCUS: ArChIteCtUre, enGIneerInG, ConStrUCtIon (AeC)

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Robert Mills House1616 Blanding St.ColumbiaThe Historic Columbia Foundation is performing an extensive renovation/restoration of the Robert Mills House, a nationally recognized and registered historic landmark. The project includes the complete replacement of mechanical systems, along with miscellaneous high priority restorations to interior and exterior components. Exterior work includes stucco column repairs, masonry restoration and installing new stone pathways. Interior elements include restoration of plaster walls, ceilings and other finishes.Developer: Historic Columbia Foundation.Architect or firm: John Milner Associates Inc.General contractor: Hood Construction, Columbia. Estimated completion date: Spring 2012.Estimated total cost of project: $775,000.

South Carolina Student Loan8906 two Notch RoadColumbiaThe scope of this project called for a complete gut-and-redo, with expedited product acquisi-tions, complete interior demolition, an early delivery full-service data center with UPS and generator back-up systems, an executive office suite, formal boardroom, training rooms, multiple break rooms and large open finished areas housing call and data processing depart-ments. Upgrades included all MEP’s, along with new roofing and exterior water-proofing systems to optimize long-term building ownership and ongoing operations cost. Architect or firm: Ashley Scott, 1x1 Design, Columbia.General contractor: Hood Construction, Columbia.Estimated completion date: February 2012.


St. Andrews Park Recreational Center920 Beatty RoadColumbiaLocated at the existing St. Andrews Park Recreational site, the new one-story, 15,600-square-foot St. Andrews Park recreation facility will consist of a new gymnasium, classrooms, game rooms, meeting rooms, crafts room, weight room, kitchen and an office for use in the St. Andrews Community in Richland County. Outside the recreational center, a 16,500-square-foot swimming pool will be constructed with the addition of a second parking lot to the exist-ing facility. This new facility will supplement the existing tennis courts, soccer, softball and baseball fields that were originally dedicated on the 20-acre site in March 1970. Developer: Richland County Recreational Commission, Columbia.Architect or firm: LCM Design Group Inc., Columbia.Construction manager: M. B. Kahn Construction Co. Inc., Columbia.General contractor: J.C. Wilkie Construction, Lexington (site); Arnold Construction Family Corporation, Columbia (building and finishes); Hill Plumbing & Electrical Co. Inc., Sumter (plumbing); Pierce & Catoe Mechanical Contracting Inc., Columbia (HVAC); Buriss Electrical Inc., Lexington (electrical). Engineer or firm: Alliance Consulting Engineers Inc., Columbia.Estimated completion date: 2012.

City Of Columbia Parking GarageSumter and taylor streetsColumbiaThe new 524-car, 6-level parking structure was designed to blend in with the existing down-town context. The building’s exterior cladding is comprised of stone, groundface concrete block, precast concrete and brick. Leasable tenant space is located along Taylor Street to promote activity and help generate interest at the street level for customers and passersby. There also will be pedestrian access directly to Main Street from the rear of the parking garage through a secure, well-lit, landscaped connector. This new investment by the city will support existing businesses and residences and provide support for future economic growth in the City Center area.Owner: City of Columbia.Architect: LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD., Columbia.General contractor: Contract Construction Inc., Irmo.Structural engineer: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Raleigh, N.C.MEP engineer: Buford Goff and Associates, Inc., Columbia. Civil engineer: Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc., Columbia.Estimated completion date: June 2012.


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Gold’s Gym450 Killian RoadColumbiaThe 42,000-square-foot, two-story gym is located off of Interstate 77 at the Killian Road exit. The project scope includes the construction of a full-sized basketball court, an indoor swimming pool, saunas and steam rooms, spaces for designated fitness classes, a tanning salon and a collection of exercise equipment. One signature amenity will be a Cardio Cinema room where gym members can work out on one of 20 pieces of equipment while watching a movie theater-style screen with surround sound system. Developer: The Burriss Corp., Irmo.Architect: J.R. Bernlohr, Annapolis, Md. General contractor: M. B. Kahn Construction Co. Inc., Columbia.Engineer: James F. Turner Engineers, Dallas, Estimated completion date: September 2012. Estimated total cost of project: $5 million.

Westwood High School 180 turkey Farm RoadBlythewoodThe new multi-story, 370,000-square-foot high school, including a new district stadium, is designed for 1,750 students and constructed on a 100-plus acre site. The new facility is LEED registered and expected to achieve LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Features include ample day lighting, an energy efficient ice storage HVAC system and use of the site drainage system to provide water for the irrigation system. The building includes 16 science rooms, four collaboration rooms, an auditorium, running track on the mezzanine level of the gym, an auxiliary gym, as well as baseball, softball and track facilities.Developer: Richland School District Two.Architect: AAG Associates, Beaufort.Construction manager: M. B. Kahn Construction Co. Inc., Columbia.Engineer: Owens & Associates, Mount Pleasant; Johnson & King Engineers, Columbia; Pow-ers Engineering, Columbia.Estimated Completion Date: August 2012. Estimated total cost of project: $61 million.


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Heathwood Dining Commons3000 S. Beltline Blvd.ColumbiaThis project consists of a two-story, 13,000-square-foot, full-service cafeteria with commer-cial kitchen. LEED Silver certification is being pursued, and features include an integrated audio/visual system, allowing the cafeteria to double as a multi-function space for the gath-ering of the student body, faculty and staff. Developer Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia.Architect or firm: Heyward & Woodrum, LTD., AIA, Columbia. General contractor: Boyer Commercial Construction Inc., Columbia.Engineer or firm: Kyzer and Timmerman Structural Engineers, West Columbia.Estimated completion date: May 2012.Estimated total cost of project $3.6 million.

Firestone Complete Auto Care310 Harbison Blvd.ColumbiaThe new facility is approximately 8,500 square feet and will consist of a showroom area, offices, an alignment pit and nine vehicle lifts. The 10-bay service area, which is roughly 4,300 square feet, will house state-of-the-art tools and equipment. The building structure will consist of metal stud walls and will have concrete masonry units and a brick veneer exterior finish. Architect: CASCO, St. Louis.General contractor: North Lake Construction Co. Inc., Lexington.Estimated completion date: July 2012.Estimated cost of project: $1.1 million.

Greater Lexington Chamber& visitor’s Center311 West Main St. LexingtonThis new 7,000-square-foot, multi-purpose building will be a modern administrative facility that will house the offices of the Lexington Chamber and provide space for a visitor’s center. Architect: Craig A. Otto Architect, Inc., Lexington.General contractor: North Lake Construction Co. Inc., Lexington.Estimated completion date: Early October 2012.Estimated cost of project: $1 million.


Darla Moore School of BusinessDarla Moore School of Business1014 Greene St.ColumbiaThe new Moore School will be an environmentally sustainable facility with a cantilevered and glass design that maximizes natural light within. Through the coordinated efforts of USC, the Darla Moore School, and a Department of Energy grant, the project team will be pursuing a rating of Net-Zero, meaning the facility will generate at least as much energy as it will consume. The first floor of the facility will be the learning level and feature 35 classrooms designed with the latest technology and maximum flexibility. Other features on this level include a 250-seat auditorium, skylights, movable walls, and a 500-seat lecture/performance hall which is a result of a collaborative partnership with the USC School of Music. The main level of the building will house a visitors’ center, a café, a digital library, a trading room with stock market ticker boards, the student career services center, the office of business communications, and a large pavilion area for lectures and special events that opens to an expansive, outdoor courtyard landscaped with clusters of Sabal Palmetto trees. The third floor features executive education, additional executive-type classrooms with advanced telepresence technology, a conference center wing with meet-ing spaces and administrative offices. The fourth floor will contain faculty offices, doctoral space and a research lab. The rooftop will include additional collaboration and special events pavilions; areas designated for photovoltaic panels; and feature both green and white spaces which will reduce heat and improve energy efficiency.Architect: Rafael Vinoly Architects PC, New York.General contractor: TBD.Construction managers: Cumming-SMG, Columbia; Brownstone Construction Group, Columbia; Gilbane Building Company, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.Engineer or firm: Stevens & Wilkinson, Columbia.Estimated completion date: December 2013.Estimated total cost of project: $106.5 million.

Columbia Airport Restroom ProjectColumbia Metropolitan Airport3000 Aviation WayWest ColumbiaThis project consists of a complete renovation and upgrade to all public restrooms at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, including water-conserving plumbing fixtures, energy efficient light fixtures, ceramic tile, toilet partitions, toilet accessories, acoustical ceilings, vanities and cleaning gates.Developer: Richland-Lexington Airport District, West Columbia.Architect or firm: Heyward & Woodrum LTD., AIA, Columbia. General contractor: Boyer Commercial Construction Inc., Columbia. Mechanical engineer: Felkel & Hastings, Columbia.Electrical engineer: John Ray Williams & Associates, Columbia.Estimated completion date: Phase 1 April 2012; Phase 2 August 2012.Estimated total cost of project: $1.03 million.


Architecture FirmsRanked by No. of Registered Architects in the Columbia Area

CompanyPhone / Fax

WebsiteArchitects /

Total Employees Major ServicesTop Local Official(s) /

Year FoundedBrennan Group LLC1233 Washington St., Suite 500Columbia, SC 29201

803-788-7717803-788-7671

www.brennansc.com

1218

Master planning, design for criminal justice, commercial, senior living facilities andsocial housing

James Brennan, Will Brennan1992

Stevens & Wilkinson1501 Main St., Level GColumbia, SC 29201

803-765-0320803-254-6209

www.stevens-wilkinson.com

1138 Architecture, engineering, interior design

Robert T. Lyles, Keith Branham, T. Ashby Gressette,Robby Aull

1978

The LPA Group Inc., a unit of Michael Baker Corp.700 Huger St.Columbia, SC 29201

803-254-2211803-779-0482

www.lpagroup.com

8137

Architecture, planning, interior design, construction administration, environmentalscience, engineering

Paul A. Holt1981

JHS Architecture: Integrated Design1812 Lincoln St.Columbia, SC 29201

803-252-2400803-252-1630

www.jhs-architects.com

718

Health care, resort and multifamily, corporate, educational, interior and mechanicaldesign

Douglas E. Fraser1986

Jumper Carter Sease Architects412 Meeting St.West Columbia, SC 29169

803-791-1020803-791-1022

www.jcsarchitects.com

720 Architectural design, interior design, civil engineering L. Todd Sease, Joel M. Carter

1938

Watson Tate Savory Liollio Architecture1316 Washington St., Suite 100Columbia, SC 29201

803-799-5181803-799-5757

www.wtsliollio.com

730 Full architectural services, LEED-certified

J. Sanders Tate, Michael S. Watson, Thomas M.Savory2011

CJMW Architecture201 W. Main St.Lexington, SC 29072

803-957-9373INP

www.cjmw.com

610 Architecture, interior design, master planning Larry Wilund

1906

Garvin Design Group1209 Lincoln St.Columbia, SC 29201

803-212-1032803-212-1074

www.garvindesigngroup.com

612 Commercial, education, sports and recreation, religious, civic, performing arts Scott Lawton Garvin

2003

The Boudreaux Group1330 Lady St.Columbia, SC 29250

803-799-0247803-771-6844

www.boudreauxgroup.com

513 Architecture, interior design, planning, sustainable design, historic preservation

Heather A. Mitchell, R. Randall Huth, John A.Boudreaux

1976

GMK Associates Inc.1201 Main St., Suite 2100Columbia, SC 29201

803-256-0000803-256-9610

www.gmka.com

583

Architecture; mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering; planning; design-build;construction services; interior design

Thomas P. Monahan, J. Bruce Barragan, Jeffrey L.Baker1966

Quackenbush Architects & Planners1217 Hampton St.Columbia, SC 29201

803-771-2999803-771-2858

www.quackenbusharchitects.com

510 Architecture, interiors, planning Doug Quackenbush, Barb Haller

2004

Carlisle Associates Inc.1015 Gervais St.Columbia, SC 29201

803-252-3232803-799-9054

www.carlisleassociates.com

422

Master planning and site selection; architectural design; civil, structural, mechanicaland electrical engineering

T. R. Zanders1977

LS3P Associates Ltd.701-A Lady St.Columbia, SC 29201

803-765-2418803-765-2419www.ls3p.com

411 Strategic visioning, architecture, interior architecture Mary Beth Branham, Allen Taylor, Lisa Lyles

1963

LTC Associates Inc.912 Lady St., Suite 300Columbia, SC 29201

803-254-9082803-252-7200

www.ltcarch.com

48 Architecture, interiors, planning J. Wes Taylor, John Taylor

1995

Carter Goble Lee1619 Sumter St.Columbia, SC 29201

803-765-2833803-779-8518

www.cartergoblelee.com

319 Correctional, detention, justice, government, law enforcement Stephen A. Carter, Robert T Goble, Joe Lee

1974

Catalyst Architects212 W. Main St.Lexington, SC 29072

803-358-6565803-358-6566

www.catalystarch.com

35 Architecture D. Wayne Rogers, Heather B. Stallworth

1988

Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects P.A.9133 Two Notch RoadColumbia, SC 29223

803-765-9011803-765-2011

www.scn-architects.com

31

Architecture; space planning; master planning; interior design; consulting; feasibilitystudies

James C. Stewart1971

Studio 2LR Inc.801 Gervais St., Suite 201Columbia, SC 29201

803-233-6602803-233-6613

www.studio2LR.com

36 Architecture, interior design, planning Wes Lyles, Gretchen Lambert, Tripp Riley

2005

CDA Architects1122 Lady St., Suite 810Columbia, SC 29201

803-799-6502803-799-2014

www.cdacolumbia.com

213

Architecture; interior design; sustainable design and LEED consulting; adaptive reusedesign; programming; facility analysis

Curt Davis, Sheryl A. Abbott, Debbie Bowman1984

Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung International Inc.1219 Assembly St., Third FloorColumbia, SC 29201

803-799-0444803-799-1499www.hgbd.com

210

Architecture, planning, interior design, structural engineering, civil engineering,surveying

Timothy D. Williams, Peter W. Stewart1987

Jackson & Sims Architects7 1/2 S. Main St.Sumter, SC 29150

803-773-4329803-778-1642

INP

24 General architecture, educational, commercial John Jackson, Walter Sims

1993

John Bowman Architect P.A. Inc.2422 Devine St., Suite CColumbia, SC 29205

803-799-1084803-252-2786

www.jbaarchitecture.com

23 Municipal, educational, commercial, health care, religious, residential John D. Bowman

2004

LRC Architects & Planners1180 Columbia Ave., Suite 201Irmo, SC 29063

803-781-1451INP

www.lrcarch.us

24 Health care, institutional, commercial, ecclesiastical, justice, education L. Ray Clark, William F. Woods, John P. Beals

2007

McCreary Snow Architects P.A.3111 Devine St.Columbia, SC 29205-1845

803-771-6267803-771-6264

www.msarch.net

24

Architectural design, sustainable design, LEED-accredited, master planning,programming aviation planning, construction oversight

Deborah A. Snow, Joel McCreary1992

Molten-Lamar Architects808-C Lady St.Columbia, SC 29201

803-771-7008803-771-4375

www.moltenlamar.com

24 Residential, commercial, renovation Dick Lamar

1977

Shepard & Associates3547 Dreher Shoals Road, Suite 6Irmo, SC 29063

803-407-8284803-407-8206

INP

27 Roofing and waterproofing evaluation and design Blount Shepard

2001

1x1 Design221 Pickens St.Columbia, SC 29205

803-834-4048803-834-4082

www.1x1design.com

12 Residential and commercial architectural, interior design and planning services Asheley Scott

2011

Architrave Inc.730 Blanding St.Columbia, SC 29201

803-252-6636803-779-1739

www.architraveonline.com

14 Religious, historic preservation, residential and fire department architecture Allen Marshall, Dale Marshall

1988

LEED=Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. INP=Information not provided. Because of space constraints, only the top-ranked companies areprinted. For a full list of participating companies, visit www.scbiznews.com/data. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur.Send additions or corrections to List Research, 389 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Suite 200, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, fax to 843-849-3122 or go towww.scbiznews.com/data and click "Add Data."

Researched by Beverly Barfield


Developer associate

Stephen J. Koewler, SIORMiller-Valentine GroupColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-798-3800www.mvg.com

Industrial specialist

Benjamin E. Brantley, SIORCBRE ColumbiaColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-744-6855www.cbre.com/columbia

George T. McCutchen, CCIM, SIORGrubb & Ellis Wilson KiblerColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-779-8600www.wilsonkibler.com

G. Alan Moyd, CCIM, SIORGrubb & Ellis Wilson KiblerColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-779-8600www.wilsonkibler.com

Charles W. Salley, SIORColliers InternationalColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-254-2300www.colliers.com/columbia

Nick P. Stomski, SIORNAI Avant LLCColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-744-9859www.naiavant.com

Office specialist

Marsha A. Davis, SIORColliers InternationalColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-401-4284www.colliers.com/columbia

Bruce T. Harper, SIORNAI Avant LLCColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-744-9805www.naiavant.com

H. Paul Hartley Jr., SIORNAI Avant LLCColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-744-9824www.naiavant.com

Jeff K. Hein, SIORNAI Avant LLCColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-744-9825www.naiavant.com

C. Marshall Kibler, CCIM, SIORGrubb & Ellis Wilson KiblerColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-779-8600www.wilsonkibler.com

David C. Lockwood, CCIM, SIORColliers InternationalColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-401-4211www.colliers.com/columbia

Martin A. Moore, CCIM, SIORCBRE Columbia

Columbia, SCDirect phone: 803-744-6842www.cbre.com/columbia

Mac Ogburn, CCIM, SIORCBRE ColumbiaColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-779-7777www.cbre.com/columbia

Dick C. Stanland Jr., SIOR retiredNAI Avant LLCColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-744-9858www.naiavant.com

Billy Way, CCIM, SIORGrubb & Ellis Wilson KiblerColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-779-8600www.wilsonkibler.com

Beronica M. Whisnant, CCIM, SIORNAI Avant LLCColumbia, SCDirect phone: 803-744-9836www.naiavant.com

SIOR MembersListed alphabetically by last name

Architecture FirmsRanked by No. of Registered Architects in the Columbia Area

CompanyPhone / Fax

WebsiteArchitects /

Total Employees Major ServicesTop Local Official(s) /

Year FoundedCraig A. Otto Architect Inc.334 Old Chapin RoadLexington, SC 29072

803-957-9004803-957-2050

INP

12 Schools, churches, retail Craig A. Otto

1994

Davis & Floyd Inc.240 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 305Columbia, SC 29210

803-256-4121803-254-4549

www.davisfloyd.com

114

Master planning, needs assessment, building programming; existing facility evaluations;design of new buildings; design for renovations and expansions; in-house

multidisciplinary engineering; LEED sustainable design

Jennifer L. Bragg, Eric S. Dickey, Walter M. Carns1990

Davis Architecture Inc.24 Office Park CourtColumbia, SC 29223

803-699-0844866-475-8597

www.davisarchitecture.com

12 Commercial, residential, religious facilities, renovations, retail upfit Matt Davis

1995

Design Collaborative Inc.3710 Landmark Drive, Suite 408Columbia, SC 29204-4046

803-782-4488803-782-3995

www.designcollaborativeinc.com

14 Architecture, interiors, graphics planning Don E. Golightly, Beth Rials

1973

E. Ralph Walden & Associates524 Portia RoadBlythewood, SC 29016

803-333-9610803-333-9612

INP

11 Churches, planning, design-build, construction management E. Ralph Walden

1980

Heyward & Woodrum Ltd.3144 Carlisle St.Columbia, SC 29205-1810

803-312-0066803-312-0057

INP

11

Commercial, residential, renovations and additions, historical restorations, buildinganalysis, feasibility reports

Lawrence Woodrum1964

J. Lesesne Monteith, Architect1201 Hampton St., Suite 1AColumbia, SC 29201

803-256-5529803-929-0384

INP

10 General architecture, office buildings, commercial upfit, residential J. Lesesne Monteith

1991

LCM Design Group Inc.334 Old Chapin RoadLexington, SC 29072

803-356-6123803-957-2050

INP

13 Educational, commercial, industrial Larry Thompson

1994

Robert J. Probst, Architect1712 Cofield DriveWest Columbia, SC 29169

803-939-1111803-939-1111

INP

12 Commercial architecture, historic preservation Robert J. Probst

1996

Summers & Associates Architects1540 Russell St.Orangeburg, SC 29115

803-536-0025803-331-4485

INP

12 Consulting architect J. West Summers

1965

Von Ahn Design LLC153 Chapin RoadChapin, SC 29036

803-518-2281INP

www.vonahndesign.com

12

Residential architecture; custom home design and planning; constructionadministration; design consultation; green design; 3D renderings

Pete von Ahn2006

Woolpert Inc.2000 Center Point Drive, Suite 2200Columbia, SC 29210

803-731-0261803-731-0132

www.woolpert.com

0 B14 Civil engineering, surveying, architecture, landscape architecture Bill Spearman

1993

LEED=Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. INP=Information not provided. Because of space constraints, only the top-ranked companies areprinted. For a full list of participating companies, visit www.scbiznews.com/data. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur.Send additions or corrections to List Research, 389 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Suite 200, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, fax to 843-849-3122 or go towww.scbiznews.com/data and click "Add Data."B Architects for this office work out of Woolpert's Charlotte and Atlanta offices.

Researched by Beverly Barfield

By Meagean [email protected]

Anne Postic is no rookie when it comes to social media.

The Columbia blogger uses Facebook, where her alias the Shop Tart has 3,601 “likes,” and Twitter, where she has 3,083 followers. Postic said her blog, which informs readers where to shop, what to buy and where to go to lunch in Columbia, would be impossible without social media.

Postic began her career in the Web world in 1999, when she worked at iVillage.com in technical support and customer service. At a time before wide-spread social networking, iVillage was home to message boards, intended most-ly for women, on topics ranging from pregnancy and parenting to fashion and fitness.

“I learned a lot about how people interact on the Web. That was before Facebook, so people reached out to each other in different ways. It’s been interest-ing to watch the changes over the years,” Postic said.

“There are so many people using social media now, whereas it used to be people who were already into using comput-ers. It’s fascinating to watch how people interact. I never thought the iVillage job would have anything to do with my even-tual career, but I guess it has.”

Postic has been the Shop Tart for four years now, and has a passion for both locally owned business and writing. She married her passions years ago with her first blog, The Daily Digress. To Postic’s surprise, the blog became hugely popu-lar in Columbia and her readers wanted more, particularly shopping advice. Thus, the Shop Tart was born.

Postic’s current blog, theshoptart.com, receives more than 30,000 views per month, around 1,300 per day on week-days. She boasts advertisements from countless local businesses such as El Burrito in Five Points to Momo’s Bistro to Pout on Devine Street. Despite ad rev-enue and a huge following, Postic said she runs the blog primarily because she enjoys it.

“A lot of people think Shop Tart is more successful than it is. I make very little money off of the site, and I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t care about Columbia and the locally owned businesses here,” she

added.“Though it isn’t exactly lucrative, it’s

great to have the opportunity to write without waiting for a freelance assign-ment.”

Postic recently began working with Shout Fire Brands, a local multimedia company located in West Columbia. The company specializes in video produc-tion, advertising, branding, photography, graphic and Web design. Here, Postic writes and edits copy and does social media and creative work.

Postic said the job just sort of hap-pened.

“When (the director of accounts) found out I was looking, she suggested Shout Fire. It’s a good fit for me, because I can do a little bit of everything and there are a lot of things I want to learn. Though I’ve done a lot of writing, I need to learn about pretty much everything else,” she said.

At Shout Fire, Postic has begun

dabbling in art direction and proposal writing. She also consults and manages and works to obtain accounts for the company. Since beginning in January, she has gained two of her own accounts for creative work.

Postic currently is a board member at the Nickelodeon Theatre, an avid sup-porter of the arts, a self-proclaimed yoga junkie, a wife and mother of three. She said she suspects readers might think she is shallow and selfish for choosing to write about shopping and eating, but she remains unfazed.

“I started the site to make people more aware of local businesses and how to shop them without necessarily spending more than they would in a national chain,” she said.

“People think I’m more fun than I am. I do like being social, but I would rather stay home and cook (and) then watch a movie on Netflix any night of the week,” she said. cr

br

At Work:People in the News 21

Business Digest 22Calendar 22

Viewpoint 23

People, places and happenings across the Midlands

People in the NewsBANKING & FINANCE

Westminster resident Gary Alexander earned re-election to the AgFirst Farm Credit Bank board of directors. He will serve a four-year term that began on Jan. 1. Alexander is the owner and opera-

tor of Alexander Farms Inc., a poultry production and property development business in Seneca.

See PeOPle, Page 21 ➤

See BuSineSS diGeSt, Page 22 ➤

See calendaR, Page 22 ➤

MAy 29

Business Network International St. Andrews chapter. 7:15 a.m., Lizard’s Thicket, 7569 St. Andrews Road, Irmo. Info: Adam Phelps, 803-941-3650.

Calendar

Business Digest

The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation presented a $5.25 million grant to the South Carolina Free Clinic Association on May 4. From left are foundation executive director Harvey Galloway, S.C. Free Clinic Association executive director Amanda Berrier, S.C. Department of Health and Human Services director Tony Keck, free clinic board chairman Dr. Frank Bowen and S.C. Sen. John Scott. (Photo provided)

S.C. BlueCross Foundation grant to help mission of state free medical clinicsThe BlueCross BlueShield of South Car-olina Foundation presented a check for $5.25 million to the South Carolina Free Clinic Association on May 4, enabling the 42 member-clinics across the state to have a centralized, integrated and multifaceted support system. The system will include such functions as establishing a statewide certification program and special projects

Social networking, blogging is Shop Tart’s business

Alexander

Anne Postic Pastimes: Art, yoga and the beach Education: Bachelor’s degree in modern languages at McGill University, Montreal; master’s degree in social work at University of South Carolina


The recent elections in Europe have made stock investors nervous. But, the U.S. economy has solid under-

pinnings, so the odds on a problem in Europe derailing it seem relatively small.

Invariably, news regarding debt prob-lems in Greece and elsewhere in Europe creates angst in the stock market. Thus far, the S&P 500 index is only about 3.0% below its highest level for the cycle. A drop of that magnitude can be

erased easily in a matter of days. The more important question is whether

the U.S. economy remains fundamentally sound. There is no question in our minds that is the case. Here is why.

The payroll employment gains in March and April were surprisingly small. But, we believe strongly that weather distortions biased the data on the high side during the winter months and skewed them in the opposite direction in the spring. Over the course of the past five months, private sec-tor employment increased on average by 212,000 per month. During the particularly warm winter months, there was more hir-ing than usual and the reported monthly gains were surprisingly robust. But then in the spring when employment typically rises sharply, the gains were smaller than nor-mal because so much hiring had occurred earlier. Thus, a more accurate barometer of employment gains throughout the entire period is probably the average increase of 212,000. If this assessment is correct, we will soon see employment gains once again exceed 200,000.

If the labor market were weakening, an early indication of the problem would become apparent from initial unemploy-ment claims which are a measure of layoffs. Claims did rise for a couple of weeks -- pre-sumably because of the floating nature of the Easter holiday -- but they have since fallen back close to the very low levels reported in mid-March.

The unemployment rate has declined by a percentage point in the past eight

months to 8.1%. Many economists believe that the drop is much faster than should have occurred given the moderate pace of economic activity. But perhaps it is not that surprising after all. There are two mea-sures of employment in the United States. The first is “payroll employment” which, as the name suggests, measures the num-ber of workers that are on some company’s payroll. Those are the statistics widely dis-cussed every month following the release of the employment report.

But, there are also many self-employed workers in this country that are not cap-tured in the payroll data. Fortunately, there is an alternative measure of employment, known as “household employment” which includes both workers that are on a com-pany’s payroll and self-employed workers. This is the employment measure used in the calculation of the unemployment rate. During the course of the past eight months when the unemployment rate fell so rapid-ly, payroll employment rose by 200,000 per month. Household employment, which includes self-employed workers, climbed by 265,000 per month. This makes a cer-tain degree of sense to us. Older workers, and many who may have been unemployed for a long period of time, may have decided to start their own businesses to generate enough income to pay their bills. This pro-cess should continue in the months ahead, hence we anticipate that the unemploy-ment rate will fall to 7.6% by year-end.

We might also become nervous if con-sumer sentiment were to ratchet down-ward. But that is not happening. In May, consumer sentiment climbed to its highest level since January 2008. Consumers are apparently happy about the current pace of job creation, the rapid descent of the unemployment rate, the early stages of a rebound in housing and now a rapid drop in gasoline prices.

Oil prices always rise in the first part of a year and decline thereafter. Typically, the descent begins in May or June. This year, it started in April, but it appears to be very legitimate. Prices at the pump thus far have fallen 4.0% to $3.79. But prices in the wholesale market have dropped 15%. Clearly, pump prices are headed signifi-cantly lower, most likely to sub-$3.50 per gallon.

News about debt problems in Europe is always unnerving.

But from where we sit, the economic fundamentals in the U.S. appear sound, so we expect the recent stock market sell-off to be short-lived. cr

bj

Reach economist Stephen D. Slifer at [email protected].

Stock market jitters will be short-lived

Stephen D. Slifer


STAFFING AND MEDICAL SERVICES

HELPING PUT SOUTH CAROLINA BACK TO WORK

LET SNELLING WORK FOR YOU TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR NEXT EMPLOYEE OR JOB IN 2012!

Call for an office tour and meet your HR team.

LEXINGTON: 803.359.7644COLUMBIA: 803.790.7171

ESTABLISHED 1982

IN BUSINESS FOR 30 YEARS

Elizabeth TrenbeathPresident

ServingLexington

andRichlandCounties

Submit items to [email protected] with “People,” “Business Digest” or “Calendar” in the subject line, or fax to 843-849-3122. Publi-cation is subject to editorial discretion.

People in the News

LAW

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. have added three consultants in the areas of regulatory affairs, public policy and legislative activities. Jeff Thordahl, Billy Routh and Kim Varnadoe Kent have been added to the firm’s governmental relations team in the firm’s Columbia office located at 1201 Main St. The trio is part of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd’s sub-sidiary called Copper Dome Strategies LLC. The group also works with Mike Tongour, special counsel, who heads the firm’s federal legislative office in Wash-ington.

Four Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarbor-ough attorneys have been promoted to partner in the Columbia office. The new partners are Matt Bogan, Julie Flaming, Chris Genovese and Jeremy Hodges.

Attorneys Harry Lightsey and Sally Rogers have joined Nexsen Pruet’s public policy and governmental affairs group. They will work closely with Bob Coble in the firm’s Columbia offices on Main Street, which is located in the block across the street from the South Carolina Capitol. For three decades, Lightsey has worked as an attorney and executive. Rogers represents businesses and profes-sionals at the South Carolina Statehouse and before regulatory agencies.

EDuCAtION

Sumter school board member Larry Addison and Lexington Two board member Cheryl Burgess were among those who were elected to the South Car-olina School Boards Association board of directors at the association’s annual business meeting held on Dec. 3. The board is comprised of 22 members who are elected to four-year terms. Also, Lex-ington Two school board member Beth Branham was elected to a one-year term as the association’s vice president, and Robert Gantt of Lexington and Richland Five was elected as treasurer.

NONPROFIt

The South Carolina Wildlife Federa-tion has hired Harley Carpenter, an

experienced fund-raiser, to support the organization’s efforts to conserve South Carolina’s invaluable wildlife and natural resources. A Harts-ville-native, Carpen-ter brings more than a decade of experi-

ence in non-profit and higher education settings to her new position, most recent-ly serving as director of development at USC’s College of Education.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Colum-bia, which serves Richland and Lex-ington counties, added two new board members and elected officers for 2012. The new board members are Michael Friday, manager in the I/S audit manage-ment office at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, and Ben Glenn, a CPA with Bauknight, Pietras and Stormer P.A. The officers are chair Tina Cundari, Sowell Gray Stepp and Laffitte LLC; chair-elect Ernest Pringle, vice chancel-lor for information services and chief information officer, University of South Carolina Aiken; treasurer Andy Low-rey, CEO of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank; and secretary Gerald Patton, regional sales director of Pepsi Bottling Group.

tECHNOLOGy

Robby Hill, of HillSouth based in Flor-ence, has been named to the Empact100 list of the country’s top young entrepre-neurs and was recognized in a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C. The award winners were selected to be honored for their accomplishments and positive impact on the American econ-omy. Hill started HillSouth, an informa-tion technology consulting services firm, while still in high school at the age of 16. HillSouth serves companies, non-prof-its and other organizations all over the Southeastern U.S. by providing consult-ing services in all areas of technology and developing custom applications.

REtAIL & SALES

J.D. Byrider’s Columbia franchisee was named a Franchise of the Year at the company’s annual awards program dur-ing the convention in Ranchos Palos Verdes, Calif. J.T. Gandolfo was chosen because of a commitment to customer service, sales excellence and for sharing best practices with other J.D. Byrider franchisees. The franchise, opened in 1999, is one of two stores for Gandolfo. The location also received a President’s Award, which is given based upon store

earnings, portfolio quality and customer service rankings.

INSuRANCE

Allstate agency owner Bill Tindall received the Agency Hands in the Com-munity Award for his commitment to helping others. With this award came a $1000 grant

from The Allstate Foundation for the Children’s Chance in Columbia, where Tindall volunteers. The Allstate Foun-dation awards more than $1 million every year to nonprofit organizations across the country in honor of dedi-cated agency owners who give back. To be eligible for nomination, Allstate agency owners must volunteer, men-tor or lead a nonprofit of their choice. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The South Carolina Chamber of Com-merce presented 54 South Carolina leg-islators with the third annual Business Advocate Award at the chamber’s Busi-ness Speaks event held Jan. 17. Rec-ognition was given to members of the General Assembly who scored 100% on the Chamber’s 2011 Legislative Scorecard. Columbia-area legislators who were rec-ognized included Sens. John Courson, of Richland County, and Ronnie Cromer of Newberry County and Rep. Murrell Smith, of Sumter County.

BANKING & FINANCE

Sarah Ford has joined First Citizens as business development relationship man-ager and will be responsible for creating and executing a strategy that focuses on increasing the bank’s competitiveness, with a particular emphasis on business develop-ment in Columbia’s downtown area. Prior to joining First Citizens, Ford served as a project manager of global business devel-opment for the South Carolina Depart-ment of Commerce. Ford received her bachelor’s degree from Wofford College.

Spence Cosby has joined Homeown-ers Mortgage Enterprises as managing director and chief operating officer and will work from the company’s Columbia headquarters. Cosby brings more than 30 years of experience in leading and growing a multi-state mortgage banking company. Prior, Cosby oversaw regional office expansion from the Carolinas to New England.

LightseyRogers

Carpenter

Tindall


Submit items to [email protected] with “People,” “Business Digest” or “Calendar” in the subject line, or fax to 843-849-3122. Publication is subject to editorial discretion.

to implement statewide or regional efforts that would strengthen individual clinics’ capabilities. The SCFCA and its members will receive $1.75 million a year for three years, totaling $5.25 million.

Accident Fund honors Columbia agencyAccident Fund Insurance Co. of America announced four South Carolina agen-cies as recipients of its 2011 President’s Club Award. The company based in Lansing, Mich., presented the award to the independent insurance agencies that meet specific criteria, including writ-ten premiums that exceeded $1.5 mil-lion, a cumulative loss ratio of 52% and premium retention of 78% or higher. The Midlands’ company recognized was KeenanSuggs Inc. in Columbia.

Robinson, McFadden and Moore sign lease at Bank of America PlazaPaul Hartley, SIOR, and Macon Lovelace, both members of NAI Avant’s office bro-kerage team, recently completed a new long-term lease extension with Robin-son McFadden and Moore P.C., in Bank of America Plaza. Hartley and Lovelace represented the landlord in the transac-tion. Bank of America Plaza is located on Main Street, a block from Columbia’s City Hall and the Richland County Judi-cial Center.

Governor’s School recognizedThe S.C. Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics took home one of five awards in the second annual Przirembel Prize competition at the 2012 InnoVenture Conference held on May 8. The Przirembel Prize is awarded each year to outstanding collaborations of diverse organizations that are significant in scope. The school

won in the category of Collaboration in K-12 Education for its efforts in bringing together its growing alumni base, the state’s three research universities, the four state engineering colleges and hundreds of statewide companies and business leaders.

Sonoco earns sustainability Star Award at N.C. facility Sonoco Recycling LLC, a unit of Sonoco and one of the largest packaging recy-clers in North America, announced that Sonoco CorrFlex’s Winston-Salem, N.C., facility has received a silver-tier Sonoco Sustainability Star Award for diverting a minimum of 95% of its waste from landfill. Created to rec-ognize customer and Sonoco facilities for achieving significant milestones in landfill diversion and waste stream reduction, the program is composed of three tiers: Gold Star Awards recognize facilities that have achieved 99% landfill diversion; Silver Star for over 95%, and Bronze Awards for significant reduction.

Lincoln Harris expands into Columbia Lincoln Harris, a southeast-based, full-service commercial real estate firm, has recently expanded its operations to Columbia. Tammy Moore, vice president and senior director of asset management, will lead the new office which will offer a full complement of corporate real estate, property management and leasing ser-vices. The new office is located at 1004 Gervais St., Suite 217.

Miller-Valentine Group, GKN Aerospace begin work on Orangeburg facilityMiller-Valentine Group began the man-ufacturing facility improvements for GKN Aerospace’s new 150,000-square-

foot assembly facility located in Orange-burg. The operation will support GKN’s recently awarded production contract to support the HondaJet business jet. The facility will launch production of the all composite HondaJet fuselage assembly in August. Miller-Valentine is scheduled to complete the facility and its improve-ments for GKN Aerospace’s manufactur-ing and office requirement by the second half of 2012.

Resolution recognizes Mungo award from building industry magazineColumbia Rep. Chip Huggins and Rep. Nathan Ballentine on April 26 presented a resolution to honor The Mungo Com-panies for being named America’s Best Builder 2012 by Builder magazine. The America’s Best Builder award honors the best new home builders in the country, based on overall achievement in hous-ing and excellence in finance/operations, design/construction, customer service/quality, community/industry service and marketing.

KeenanSuggs earns Uniphy contractKeenanSuggs, South Carolina’s largest independent insurance firm, has been selected by Charleston-based Uniphy to manage the medical malpractice insur-ance program for its 700-member phy-sicians located in Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester counties. Uni-phy is a physician association that allows physicians to maintain independent medical practices by providing profes-sional and group purchasing services.

Sovereign Homes to build in Lake Carolina Lake Carolina, a residential master-planned community, announced Sover-

eign Homes purchased home sites within Lake Carolina’s gated Peninsula neigh-borhood and will begin construction on six homes. Sovereign Homes specializes in building luxury homes in the finest neighborhoods of Columbia and this marks the builder’s first presence in Lake Carolina. The homes are expected to start in the mid-$300,000 price range.

Southern Community Services earns AAMC designationSouthern Community Services LLC recently earned the Accredited Asso-ciation Management Company desig-nation from Community Associations Institute. Southern Community Services is the only Midlands-based management company, and one of only 150 manage-ment companies nationwide, that has earned the highest level of professional recognition in the community associa-tion field. SCS specializes in the man-agement of multi-tiered associations of single family residential neighborhoods, condominiums, park-o-miniums and business parks from offices in Columbia, Charleston and Edisto Island.

Columbia gets new ad agencyJuana Quick has established a new marketing and advertising agency, queue LLC, with corporate offices in the Columbia area and in Raleigh, N.C. Quick will serve as president of the full-service regional agency. Agency expertise includes branding and corporate identity; media planning and placement; creative services; public relations and event planning; print and collateral design; video, audio and broadcast production; web design and interactive, and social media.

Business Network International Capital City chapter. 11:30 a.m., Za’s Brick Oven Pizza, 2930 Devine St., Columbia. Info: Jernell Simmons, 803-726-4752.

MAy 30

Small Business Interaction of Columbia. 11:30 a.m., Brookland Baptist Banquet & Convention Center, 1066 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia. Networking group of local professionals. Only one spot per profession is available. RSVP: 803-446-1462.

Columbia Executives and Owners Association. 7 a.m., Capital City Club, 1201 Main St., 25th floor, Columbia. The association is for the promotion and generation of business for its members. Info: Garry Beasley, 803-463-8735.

Business Network International Midlands chapter. 12:00-1:30 pm, Brookland Baptist Church Conference Center, 1066 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia. Info: Dave Heffron 803-673-0214.

Sandhills Business Group. 7 a.m., Le Pepe at Sandhills, 10 Forum Dr., Columbia. Info: Drew Welp, [email protected] or 803-794-2506 ext 4.

JuNE 5

Women’s Business Connections group. 8 a.m., Albie’s Place, 2001 Hampton St., Columbia. Breakfast buffet, $6.95. Info: Donna Freeman, [email protected] or 803-260-3310.

Business Network International St. Andrews chapter. 7:15 a.m., Lizard’s Thicket, 7569 St. Andrews Road, Irmo. Info: Adam Phelps, 803-941-3650.

Business Network International Capital City chapter. 11:30 a.m., Za’s Brick Oven Pizza, 2930 Devine St., Columbia. Info: Jernell Simmons, 803-726-4752.

JuNE 6

Columbia Executives and Owners Association. 7 a.m., Capital City Club, 1201 Main St., 25th floor, Columbia. The association is for the promotion and generation of business for its members. Info: Garry Beasley, 803-463-8735.

Business Network International Midlands chapter. 12:00-1:30 pm, Brookland Baptist Church Conference Center, 1066 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia. Info: Dave Heffron 803-673-0214.

Sandhills Business Group. 7 a.m., Le Pepe at Sandhills, 10 Forum Dr., Columbia. Info: Drew Welp, [email protected] or 803-794-2506 ext 4.

Business Digest

Calendar

columbiabusinessreport.com/community

Scan this QR code using a code-scanning app on your cell phone to link to view the full calendar online.

Several weeks ago, I was asked to give my “last lecture” to a group of students. The topic was to discuss

the changes I witnessed in the 47 years since I first set foot on this campus as a student in 1965. One of the questions gave me pause: “you’ve told us about what you’ve remembered from your days at Carolina, what should those of us who are students now remember in 2052?” There were some easy answers, but there was one that really should matter the most.

My answer was that some of you don’t fully appreciate what a great university this is, the school that will soon be your alma mater. You are not alone. Some fac-ulty members don’t always appreciate this place. And, there are some in the state who do not credit USC, or higher educa-tion itself, for what it is today.

Rankings are bandied about willy-nilly and there are times when questions can be raised about their accuracy. But, they do mean something. It matters that we have highly ranked programs in busi-ness administration, engineering, history, English and other disciplines. The bottom line, alumni-to-be, is that USC is not only a wonderful place, it is a great school.

Carolina’s greatness didn’t just drop out of the sky, or spring from the earth like kudzu. The education you received is the result of the labors of countless men and women over two centuries, through good times and bad, to bring USC to this place in time. At this point, a brief accounting of how that occurred is appropriate.

South Carolina has two state mottos: One is “Prepared in mind and resourc-es.” It was chosen by our state’s founding fathers, some of whom were among our nation’s founding fathers. They knew that to make the state and nation successful and prosperous, future generations must be well-educated, to be prepared for a post-revolutionary world.

Prior to the American Revolution, South Carolina’s elite sent its sons abroad for college — to Geneva, Switzerland; Leyden, Holland, and Oxford, England.

South Carolina had more men receive law degrees in England than the other 12 colonies combined. Education was expensive and even someone as wealthy as Henry Laurens lamented the absence of a college in South Carolina.

The history of higher education here is a manifestation of a desire by South Car-olinians to see that an ever-larger portion of the state’s young people are prepared in mind and resources. In 1785, the General Assembly chartered colleges in Charles-ton, Ninety Six and Winnsboro. In 1795, a college was chartered in Beaufort. None of these four became true colleges.

In 1801, the South Carolina College was chartered in part to unite the dispa-rate sections of the state. It was to be pub-licly funded. Following the Jeffersonian ideals of meritocracy, it was to be open to any qualified young white male. Before the Civil War, denominational colleges for men such as Erskine, Furman and Wofford appeared. In the 1850s, denomi-national colleges for women, such as Columbia College, opened.

After the Civil War, education was one of the most persistent goals of the newly freed men and women. Colleges such as Claflin, Allen and Benedict were the result of denominational support of higher education for African-Americans. From 1873 to 1877, the University of South Carolina opened its doors to stu-

dents regardless of race. And, in 1885 our school became the first land-grant insti-tution in the state. During the 1890s, the state opened three institutions of higher education: Winthrop, Clemson and the Colored Normal, Agricultural, Industrial, and Mechanical College (now South Car-olina State). Each of these provided new publicly funded higher education oppor-tunities previously unavailable for young Carolinians. Also, during the 1890s, USC opened its doors to women.

In the 1950s, USC opened its first regional campus. The number of cam-puses has fluctuated, but today there are eight campuses serving 47,000 students from the mountains to the sea.

In the 1960s, the first of what would eventually become a system of 16 tech-nical schools opened in Greenville. In 1972, they became technical colleges. In both instances, they opened doors and provided additional higher educational opportunities here.

Our founding fathers understood the need for higher education. They were willing to invest in higher education because they knew that the state would reap benefits many fold. In the 21st cen-tury, there are those who lack the courage, the spirit and the wisdom of our found-ing fathers. They denigrate higher educa-tion as unnecessary; as a frill. They are unwilling to invest in it, saying the costs

should be borne by those who receive the education. The fact that the community itself would benefit is ignored.

Here are a few undeniable facts. USC economist Doug Woodward, in a recent address at Furman University’s Riley Institute, noted that if the percentage of South Carolinians obtaining college degrees could be increased, the state would reap a tremendous economic ben-efit. An average full-time worker who earns a bachelor’s degree before the age of 25 will make in excess of $1.2 million more in her/his lifetime than a person with just a high school diploma. Current-ly, 28% of the population of the U.S. has a bachelor’s degree. In South Carolina, the figure is 24%. Increasing the number of Carolinians getting a college degree just to the national average would boost our state’s economy in ways that hardly could be matched by any other means.

According to Woodward, by 2030—that’s a generation—just about the time your children will be graduating from Carolina, the 4% increase in the percent-age of college-educated citizens would:

• Add $6.9 billion in total personal income.

• Create some 44,500 jobs.• Increase South Carolina’s gross

product by $7.3 billion.All it will take is for you to remem-

ber that you have reaped the benefit of the labor of others. Because of that, you have an obligation as citizens to work to see that others have the advantage of an excellent college education. And, it will rebound not only to your benefit but to that of your children and the entire state.

South Carolina’s founding fathers took a quotation from Virgil’s Aeneid: “Pre-pared in mind and resources” as one of our state’s mottos. These men were in a desperate fight, but their motto exudes confidence in the destiny of South Caro-lina. If we ignore the words, wishes and wisdom of our founding fathers, we are betraying a sacred trust. Each of us here must ensure that the citizens of South Carolina have the opportunity for a qual-ity college education, so they can be pre-pared in mind and resources to face chal-lenges in the 21st century.

If we fail them, our second state motto is meaningless. For, while they might still be breathing, we will have denied them hope for the future. cr

br

Viewpoint: Views, perspectives and readers’ letters

USC historian cites risk of slightinghigher education in South Carolina

Walter Edgar, whose South Carolina history class has been one of the most popular courses at the Uni-versity of South Carolina for many years, taught his last regular class earlier this month.

On May 5, Walter Edgar, author of “South Carolina, a History,” addressed graduating students of the University of South Carolina. Edgar is retiring after 40 years on USC’s history faculty. This col-umn is condensed from his remarks.

May 28, 2012 - Columbia Regional Business Report

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Transcript of May 28, 2012 - Columbia Regional Business Report