AGP Executive Report

SC Politics Runoffs: South Carolina’s GOP governor race and statewide Republican primaries head to June 23 runoffs after no winner cleared a majority, with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and AG Alan Wilson leading the governor field and York/Lancaster’s 5th District setting up a Dittmer vs. Climer matchup. Healthcare Pricing Watch: Trump administration warnings target hospitals that haven’t posted required price information, including Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties—raising the stakes for transparency compliance. Drones for Public Sector: The South Carolina Interagency Drone Users Consortium returns with a July 15 symposium in Columbia focused on drone tech, rules, and real-world government use cases. Food Industry Regulation: A new report finds nearly 1 in 5 U.S. packaged foods still contain synthetic dyes as the FDA’s voluntary phase-out faces uneven industry follow-through. Energy/Trade Pressure: U.S. strikes on Iran and threats of more action keep Strait of Hormuz risk in focus, with knock-on effects for fuel markets and shipping. Local Business & Jobs: Greenville’s GADC marked 25 years and $94B in economic impact, emphasizing talent, housing, and transportation as the next drivers for industry growth. Sports/Community: Kevin Schnall was named USC baseball head coach on a five-year, roughly $7M deal, signaling a push to rebuild the program.

Waste & Recycling Procurement: Meridian Waste is launching a new Richland County contract with 13 McNeilus refuse and recycling vehicles, including Zero Radius automated side loaders and heavy-duty rear loaders, plus a new Midlands service facility and trained crews for day-one operations. Housing & Development: Irmo’s planning process is moving ahead on a 300-unit, market-rate apartment project on Columbiana Drive, positioned as different from a prior income-restricted proposal that was blocked. Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa leaf powder supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting additional FDA recall coverage. State Politics (Runoffs): South Carolina’s GOP governor primary is headed to a June 23 runoff between Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and AG Alan Wilson; on the GOP side, Lindsey Graham won his Senate primary outright while the attorney general race advances to a runoff between Stephen Goldfinch and David Stumbo. Maritime/Coastal Industry Policy: Rep. Nancy Mace and Southern legislators backed the “shrimp honesty” SHRIMP Act, pushing NOAA and partners to develop a portable testing method to verify shrimp country of origin. Construction/Infrastructure: Church Street Bridge work is in its final stage before a June 15 reopening.

South Carolina Primary Day: Voters head to the polls today for the June 9 statewide primaries, with races for governor, attorney general, agriculture commissioner and U.S. Senate driving attention as Trump’s influence remains a key factor. Healthcare Expansion: Novant Health marked a major construction milestone in Greenville with a topping-out ceremony for a new 20-bed hospital, expected to open in late 2027. Life Sciences & Jobs: Rock Hill City Council approved a $300M-plus Novant Health medical campus on about 25 acres at Palmetto Research Park, targeting life sciences and adding an estimated 255 full-time jobs. Energy & Manufacturing: Qcells began manufacturing silicon solar cells at its Cartersville, Georgia integrated factory, strengthening domestic solar supply chains that compete with South Carolina’s existing solar manufacturing footprint. Industry & Materials: Ingevity CEO Dave Li and CFO Phillip Platt will speak at the Wells Fargo Industrials & Materials Conference on June 11. Housing Signals: A broader report flags rising mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures as an affordability warning sign. Local Business & Tourism: Carowinds is building Rip Roarin’ Falls, a 2027 water ride pitched as record-setting and aimed at boosting the York County tourism engine.

Life Sciences & Economic Development: Palmetto InnovaSphere is partnering with Main Street Labs in downtown Greenville to serve as the programming and operational partner for the life sciences hub, adding shared lab infrastructure and tenant onboarding to help early-stage biotech scale without heavy upfront equipment costs. Workforce & Manufacturing Training: Greenville County Schools and Greenville Tech are expanding welding education to address a national shortage, boosting capacity at the Golden Strip Career Center and moving instruction into a new Center for Welding and Automation Excellence with robotics and advanced training labs. Housing & Growth: Columbia approved permits for a 300-unit apartment complex near USC’s Greek Village, a $63.5M project with amenities like a pool and spa, signaling continued downtown multifamily development. Energy & Cost of Living: South Carolina’s drought remains despite wetter-than-normal May; nearly all areas are still under drought conditions, with 4.6M residents affected—an ongoing risk for water-dependent industries. Fuel Prices: Gas prices are easing in parts of the state and the Grand Strand as crude and regional supply dynamics cool, offering some relief for summer travel demand. Public Safety & Logistics: A Greenville-area construction of new school and local infrastructure updates continue, while statewide attention also stays on major election turnout and primary-day logistics.

Workforce & Training: Greenville County Schools and Greenville Tech are expanding welding education to tackle a national shortage, adding a Center for Welding and Automation Excellence and more pathways for students. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reports show South Carolina fuel prices staying volatile, with one Horry County station posting the lowest diesel at $4.75/gal (week ending May 30) and Greenville County’s lowest E15 at $4.39/gal—while statewide averages remain higher than last week. State Policy & Food Security: New SNAP restrictions are rolling out across many states, including South Carolina, limiting purchases of items like soda, candy, and certain prepared desserts. Digital Assets: South Carolina enacted a digital asset protections and regulatory framework law that exempts developers and miners from licensure and preserves enforcement against fraud. Local Industry & Growth: USA Rare Earth is planning a $1.2B magnet plant in Blacksburg, SC, signaling continued investment in advanced materials manufacturing. Politics: The June 9 SC Senate primary will decide who challenges Sen. Lindsey Graham, with multiple GOP and Democratic candidates filing. Business Expansion: PopUp Bagels is officially entering South Carolina with its first Charleston location and plans for more statewide openings.

Upstate Manufacturing & Energy Policy: A new magnet factory is coming to South Carolina’s Upstate, with layoffs expected this summer, while lawmakers also move on tax breaks for companies turning landfill methane into energy and new taxes on vapes. Data Centers vs. Drought: A Guardian analysis finds most planned U.S. AI datacenters are slated for drought-hit areas, raising fresh pressure on water and power in the Southeast and beyond. SC Politics & Business Climate: With South Carolina’s June 9 primaries approaching, key governor and congressional races hinge on whether candidates clear majority thresholds to avoid runoffs—an outcome that can quickly reshape state policy priorities. Healthcare Cost Crunch: A major investigation looks at patients seeking “risky medicine” at cash-only alternative clinics, where upfront payments can leave people with debt and regret. Ag & Jobs Spotlight: A Lexington County “Cowfish” night with the Farm Bureau raised $4,000 for young farmer and rancher programs, underscoring agriculture’s scale in SC. Fuel Watch: Gas prices continue to cool in parts of the state, with multiple counties reporting weekly lows around the high-$3 to mid-$4 range for regular.

Defense & Aerospace: Fairchild Air Force Base’s SkyFest 2026 drew big crowds with a high-thrust F-16 Viper Demonstration Team show and major aircraft displays, with the Shaw Air Force Base-based team highlighting service members overseas. Energy Infrastructure: A major oil-and-gas pipeline company has filed court actions seeking surveying access from Hampton and Colleton landowners, as the project faces strong local opposition. Nuclear Policy: Congress is weighing a push to require U.S. deployment of transportable nuclear microreactors to the Indo-Pacific by Jan. 1, 2030, with Guam’s delegate raising concerns about transparency and engagement. Healthcare Business: HCA Healthcare is expanding South Carolina urgent care by acquiring about a dozen MedCare clinics, rebranding locations to HCA CareNow. Local Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports some of the week’s lowest prices in SC—midgrade at $3.99 in Horry County and regular as low as $3.59 in Laurens County—while diesel lows include $4.59 in Pickens County and $4.71 in Greenwood County. Politics: Rep. Nancy Mace says Trump’s endorsement of her opponent, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, didn’t land with grassroots conservatives, calling it a “dog fight.”

Urgent-Care Expansion: HCA Healthcare is buying about a dozen MedCare urgent-care clinics across South Carolina, including eight along the Charleston-to-Grand Strand corridor, and rebranding them as HCA CareNow—another sign hospital systems are doubling down on “doc-in-a-box” care. Gubernatorial Politics: Rep. Nancy Mace says President Trump’s endorsement of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette didn’t move the needle with grassroots conservatives, setting up a tight primary and possible runoff. Nuclear Diplomacy Watch: Reports say Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner consulted nuclear experts at Oak Ridge as Iran talks enter a critical phase, with an MOU still not fully settled. Data Center Backlash: A South Carolina editorial argues lawmakers must balance public needs—power, water, and environmental protection—against data-center growth, after earlier efforts to add modest controls were blocked. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy data show South Carolina gasoline averaging about $4.04/g, down week over week, while diesel averages around $5.12/g statewide.

Banking Leadership: Bank of America named Chip McLeod president of Upstate South Carolina, succeeding Stacy Brandon, as the firm looks to deepen client and community ties across its local lines of business. Small Business Relief: The SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for Georgia small businesses and private nonprofits hit by drought, with eligibility also extending across multiple states including South Carolina. Healthcare & Community: Hundreds of swimmers are set for the 10th annual Swim Across America–Charleston-Kiawah to raise funds for MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center, including support for engineered immune cell therapies. Energy & Fuel Costs: GasBuddy data show South Carolina’s weekly averages easing, with regular gasoline averaging about $4.04 statewide for the week ending May 30, while diesel and E85 prices vary by county. Public Policy & Industry Pressure: A Clemson trustees transparency dispute and a separate national fight over an Air Force detonation range in Guam both underscore how permitting and governance decisions can ripple into industry operations. AI Concerns: New reporting highlights growing fears about AI systems becoming harder to control, alongside broader debate over AI’s real-world risks.

Banking Leadership: Bank of America named Chip McLeod president of Upstate South Carolina, succeeding Stacy Brandon, as the firm targets market-share growth across its eight lines of business. Energy & Property Rights: A pipeline company filed 88 court petitions seeking survey access for a proposed natural gas pipeline tied to a new Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper power plant in Colleton County, with landowners and groups citing ACE Basin impacts. Aviation Supply Chain: Boeing’s North Charleston 787 ramp is hitting pinch points, including GE Aerospace engine delivery delays and passenger-seat certification backlogs, as the planemaker aims to reach higher monthly production rates. Data Center Zoning: Greenwood County Council advanced data center zoning rules as conditional uses, despite resident calls for a moratorium and concerns over water, power, noise, and public health. Workforce Development: Gulfstream expanded its apprenticeship pipeline, bringing 60+ high school graduates from Georgia and South Carolina into full-time training roles. Cost of Living: New EIA-based mapping shows residential electricity prices rising in many states, with South Carolina up about 7.7% year over year. Transportation: SCDOT’s Highway 17 widening in the Myrtle Beach area is nearing completion, with work expected to finish by end of 2026. Fisheries Policy: A legal fight over red snapper rules has halted what would have been the longest season in years, reflecting broader pressure to loosen fishing regulations.

Upstate Jobs: Fairfield County posted the strongest job growth in South Carolina, up 5.9% from Sept. 2024 to Sept. 2025, as leaders cite industrial expansion and workforce efforts. Local Incentives: Clinton City Council advanced its 2026-27 budget and approved rezoning plus annexation tied to an RV park and cabins. Workforce & Tech: Teachers from Georgia and South Carolina trained at the Georgia Cyber Center to bring cybersecurity and computer science skills back to classrooms. Energy Costs: Gas prices continue to cool in South Carolina, with AAA noting the national average down nearly 20 cents and multiple counties reporting lower regular, midgrade, premium, and diesel prices. Manufacturing & Investment: Red Metals secured $10M for U.S. copper supply chain efforts, while USA Rare Earth is pushing a $1.2B magnet manufacturing plan in Cherokee County. Aviation Industry: Saudi Ambassador Princess Reema bint Bandar visited Boeing’s Charleston facilities tied to Riyadh Air’s 787 work. Fusion Funding: Helion closed a $465M Series G, nearly tripling valuation, aiming for commercial fusion power this decade. Legal/Markets: Bragar Eagel & Squire filed new investor alerts and class action investigations tied to POET, Zillow, Blaize, Wix, and others.

Local Power Grid Tension: Aiken County residents and officials are again pushing back on a planned power transmission line, arguing the route impacts property owners and community life even as utilities say upgrades are needed for grid resiliency and growth. Manufacturing & Jobs: Red Metals secured $10M seed funding for a planned $70M copper refining facility in Charleston County, aiming to reshore copper processing and create about 45 jobs. Immigration Enforcement at SC Plant: South Carolina’s “Ghost Story” operation led to federal detention of 48 workers and indictments of six, including two managers, tied to alleged fraudulent identity documents used for employment. Coastal Industry: South Carolina’s commercial shrimp season opened with sustainability checks underway, but shrimpers say rising fuel costs are squeezing profits. Business & Community: Greenville’s Hidden Hills Drive sees a new $1.4M Charleston-style home listing, while local real estate groups are gearing up for June networking and investor education events. Energy Costs Watch: AAA reports U.S. gas prices are easing week over week, with uncertainty tied to global oil supply and shipping risks.

Immigration Enforcement at SC Manufacturer: ICE detained 48 workers and two managers at Burnstein von Seelen Precision Castings in Abbeville during “Ghost Story,” while state charges were filed against the managers tied to alleged use of forged IDs. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy data for the week ending May 30 shows South Carolina regular averaging $3.99; lows included $3.51 in Aiken County and $3.68 in Dorchester County, with diesel averaging $5.12 statewide. Politics & Business Climate: U.S. Rep. William Timmons faces GOP primary challengers David Atchley and Robert E. Lee in SC’s 4th District, with redistricting and “America First” messaging driving the race ahead of June 9. Manufacturing Milestone (Regional): Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America unveiled its first Kia Sportage Hybrid and first hybrid vehicle built there in Bryan County, Georgia—another sign of continued auto investment in the Carolinas region. Aviation/Trade Watch: Boeing delivered Riyadh Air’s first two 787-9 Dreamliners, with one departing from Boeing’s Charleston facility—highlighting ongoing aerospace supply-chain pressure.

Critical Minerals & Manufacturing: USA Rare Earth says it has secured access to up to $1.6B in CHIPS Act funding and earlier announced a $1.2B South Carolina magnet factory, aiming to build a domestic rare-earth supply chain and boost jobs in the Upstate. Agriculture & Cost Pressure: South Carolina’s GOP primary for agriculture commissioner is set for June 9 as farmers warn fertilizer and diesel costs are squeezing margins, with the winner overseeing inspections and market expansion. Food Security: Harvest Hope Food Bank is launching free summer meal distributions across South Carolina for kids under 18, with grab-and-go kits meeting USDA nutrition standards. Port & Logistics: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public input on potential changes to Charleston Harbor dredging, starting an Environmental Impact Statement that could adjust timing and maintenance practices. Local Governance & Growth: Greenville County Council advanced its $473M FY2027 budget, including pay raises, road work, economic development, and renewed talks on a penny sales tax. Energy Policy: Vote Solar is pushing data-center accountability rules nationwide, arguing new power demand should be matched with new clean supply to avoid rate hikes. Elections: South Carolina voters head to the polls June 9 for the primary, with early voting running through June 5 and runoff rules if no candidate tops 50%.

Rare Earth Manufacturing Push: USA Rare Earth says it will invest $1.2B in a magnet and refined metals facility in Cherokee County, targeting April 2028 operations and about 490 jobs, as it builds a “mine-to-magnet” supply chain to reduce reliance on China. CHIPS Funding Access: The company also signed agreements for up to $1.6B in U.S. Department of Commerce CHIPS Act support, adding to earlier private capital and expanding its domestic rare-earth processing and magnet manufacturing plans. Upstate Power-Line Supply Chain: Austrian Mosdorfer will open its first U.S. factory in Oconee County, investing about $44.55M and creating 107 jobs to make high-voltage transmission components, with operations expected by Q3 2027. Defense Tech Expansion: Integer Technologies plans to expand on the LSU campus, creating 23 jobs tied to maritime intelligence and autonomy software work. Logistics Under Pressure: A Sierra Army Depot shipment effort highlights how teams coordinated trucks, documentation, and contingency steps to move a critical “hot” fuel-system order on a tight deadline. Workforce & Community: A WalletHub study ranks Louisiana among the worst states for nurses, underscoring staffing pressure that can ripple into healthcare capacity. Public Safety Policy: Sen. Lindsey Graham reintroduced legislation to stiffen penalties for “smash-and-grab” firearm thefts from licensed dealers, citing ATF data that shows South Carolina has been hit. Health Breakthrough: MUSC researchers report a depression treatment that can help some patients recover in days, aiming to speed relief when standard therapies fall short.

Rare Earth Manufacturing: USA Rare Earth will invest $1.2B in Cherokee County to build a magnet manufacturing and rare earth metals facility, targeting 490 jobs and commissioning in 2028 to support defense, aerospace, semiconductors, AI and energy. Housing Redevelopment: Charleston County approved a $1.6M subsidy to help convert a vacant hotel into affordable efficiency apartments, with 100 units tied to low-income rent limits for 30 years. Environmental Cleanup Watch: South Carolina environmental officials say they found no link between a Greenwood County property tied to “Project Buckeye” and the Lake Greenwood fish kill, ending further investigation on that parcel. Public Works & Safety: SCDOT will close a Spartanburg intersection for a roundabout starting June 5, and residents continue pushing for faster improvements to the Reflectance Drive area after fatal crashes. Workforce Pipeline: BPW joined SCRWA’s Pre-Apprenticeship H2O program, bringing hands-on training to prepare students for water and wastewater careers. Tourism Restoration: Hunting Island’s lighthouse reopened after a $4.75M stabilization and preservation project. Health & Food Safety: FDA/CDC reopened a salmonella supplement investigation after additional illnesses tied to imported moringa leaf powder. Energy Costs: South Carolina households are bracing for higher summer bills, with a state-focused survey asking residents to share what they’re seeing.