Electrician Contractor in Columbia, SC

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina State Fair announced the first increase to its statewide college scholarship fund in a decade, upping it from $300,000 to $500,000, on March 7.

Each year the State Fair awards scholarships to 50 students across the state. Starting this year, the scholars will receive $10,000 over four years, a $4,000 per student increase from last year, about a 67 percent boost.

“Our commitment has always been to education and making an impact on future generations. We are honored to expand this program and create more opportunities for each of our scholarship recipients,” State Fair board President Cantey Heath Jr. said.

The hike in scholarship funds came on the heels of the State Fair’s return and bounce-back year following the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith attributed the $200,000 bump partly to new attractions separate from the annual fair, which started after the main event’s return from the two-year slump.

“Some of our newer events, such as the Spring Fair Food Drive Through and Carolina Lights, are enabling us to bring in additional revenue, which ultimately reflects in how much we are able to invest back in our community,” Smith said.

Any high school senior in the state can apply for the scholarship, dubbed the “Ride of Your Life Scholarship” by the State Fair. With nearly $5 million awarded over the past 25 years, the scholarship is partly need-based and partly based on academic and extracurricular achievement. Students must have a 3.0 GPA and enroll in at least 30 credit hours each academic year.

The 50 recipients will each be paid $2,500 per year for tuition, housing, computers or textbooks at a South Carolina college or university.

“Although I had exemplary grades ... I still had some funds missing,” said Chelsea Gourdine, a 2022 recipient of the scholarship and Keenan High School graduate. “The Ride of Your Life Scholarship has really given me the opportunity fulfill my education dreams.”

“I always dreamed of going to college, escaping my hometown and furthering my education. With the Ride of Your Life Scholarship, I’m able to do that,” said Sheridan Carpenter, a Lander University student out of Edgefield County who also received the scholarship last year.”

The application deadline for the S.C. State Fair scholarship is March 15.

COLUMBIA — Richland County will consider a $90 million proposal for apartments in downtown Columbia near the South Carolina State Museum.

The development, known for the time by code name Project Wichita, would be built on nearly 6 acres at 1409 Huger St. owned by South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., according to documents filed with Richland County.

The document does not say how many units the development will have but the proposal does call for a 643-space parking garage and 42 surface-parking spaces for downtown visitors.

Environmental remediation on the site, which once housed a gas plant, is part of the proposal, as is a small park. There are also road, water, sewer and electric improvements planned.

To help cover the cost of these improvements to public infrastructure, valued at $21.6 million, the developer is seeking a 10-year, 50 percent tax credit.

The project marks the third multifamily development proposed around The Vista entertainment district on downtown Columbia’s west side.

Developer Ben Arnold wants to build a 183-unit apartment complex on property he owns near the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The University of South Carolina Development Foundation has plans for a 938-bed student apartment complex called Gadsden + Greene near Colonial Life Arena. And where Huger and Blossom streets meet, a St. Louis-based developer is gathering approvals for a 960-bed college apartment complex called VERVE Columbia.

Richland County Council is expected to take the first of three required votes on the proposal on March 7.

The city of Columbia will also have to sign off on the deal.

Columbia’s South Kilbourne neighborhood could soon be getting more housing.

Developer Lafaye Custom Homes is hoping to turn a 1.8-acre lot at the corner of Overbrook Drive and Suber Street into an enclave of 32 townhomes.

When finished, it would join other similar multi-unit housing developments in the area, including a row of townhomes across the street at 3845 Overbrook Drive and an apartment complex next door called Concord Oaks.

Several area residents have voiced reservations about the project as the developer works to secure city approval to move forward.

At one recent City Council meeting, would-be neighbors of the project said they worried it didn’t fit the character of the area and that it would increase traffic in a residential corridor. Residents also worry about the loss of a house built in 1946 that currently sits on the property.

Some residents also questioned if aging water and sewer infrastructure in the area can support 32 new homes.

Pastor Jeff Scott at Calvary Baptist Church, located across the street from the proposed townhomes, said at one point last November, a water line broke that made the road in front of the church impassable for three weeks.

The city has slowly been replacing aged water lines, but the work is expensive and slow-moving.

Wyman Bowers, vice president of Lafaye Custom Homes, said he has been discussing the project with the South Kilbourne Neighborhood Association for months. He believes the current site plan that will be reviewed by the Columbia Planning Commission March 9 is a “win-win” for residents and his company.

Neighbors have asked where the influx of new residents would park their vehicles, worried their streets would become crowded with new people. In response, Bowers said his team doubled the number of parking spaces from what is legally required — from 34 spaces to 68.

Bowers said the project also will add needed sidewalks, which are scarce in the area.

In response to the infrastructure concerns, Bowers said he doesn’t have control over making those repairs, but he believes the added development will put more attention on those needs.

Lafaye Custom Homes has established a niche as infill developers, Bowers said. That means they look for undeveloped land, usually in the middle of an already developed area. He said they have done similar projects in the Rosewood and South Kilbourne area in the past.

Bowers said he believes more housing of any kind will add value to the area.

“Unless we get more housing, the price of homes to buy or to rent is just going to continue to increase,” he said.

The company has not yet decided whether the homes will be for purchase or used as rentals, and a price point for the units also has not been determined, Bowers said.

The project could begin construction in 2023, Bowers said, but noted it can be a slow process to go from a site plan to construction.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 21 Florida women's tennis squad will hit the road this weekend, heading north to Columbia, S.C., for a noon ET matchup with the No. 32 Gamecocks on Saturday, March 11 at the Carolina Tennis Center.

SERIES HISTORY VS. SOUTH CAROLINA Florida (6-3, 1-1 SEC) and South Carolina (6-5, 1-1 SEC) meet for the 52nd time in program history on Saturday, with the Gators holding a 46-5 lead in the overall series. The Orange & Blue have won the last two matchups, including a tight 4-3 decision last season on April 16, 2022, inside the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex. In Columbia, Florida boasts a 19-1 mark against the Gamecocks.

IMPORTANT DUB The Gators picked-up their first victory in the Southeastern Conference last Sunday, taking down No. 34 LSU in Gainesville, 4-1. After pulling away to clinch the doubles point, the home squad got victories from then-No. 61 Carly Briggs, Alicia Dudeney and Bente Spee to claim the win. Briggs' win was perhaps one of the most impressive of her career, taking down No. 11 Kylie Collins in straight sets for the 6-3, 7-5 edge.

ITA RANKINGS In the latest ITA Rankings, the Gators find themselves ranked No. 21 as a team. Individually, Carly Briggs leads the way with a ranking of No. 47, while Sara Dahlstrom and Anastasia Sysoeva both remain in the rankings as well, sitting at 119th and 121st, respectively. The doubles tandem of Briggs and Rachel Gailis also appear in this week's rankings, entering as the No. 60 doubles squad.

SEC STRONG The SEC is one of the top conferences in collegiate tennis, with 11 teams finding themselves in the latest top-75 rankings from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Among the Power Five conferences, the SEC's 11 ranked-teams are tied for the second most with the Big Ten, while the ACC leads the way with 13. Ten teams from the PAC 12 and nine squads from the Big 12 round out the Power Five conferences.

THE ROAD AHEAD Florida's upcoming schedule will continue to prove difficult, meeting four ranked teams over their next four matches. With No. 32 South Carolina awaiting on Saturday, the Gators will return home the following weekend for home matchup with No. 17 Vanderbilt and No. 53 Kentucky before welcoming No. 6 Michigan on Wednesday, March 22. By the time of their matchup with the Wolverines, the Orange & Blue will have competed against seven-consecutive opponents ranked in the ITA top-75.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Carter Lumber, a leading building materials supplier, today announced plans to expand its South Carolina footprint with new operations in Florence County. The company’s $26 million investment will create 80 new jobs.

Headquartered in Kent, Ohio, Carter Lumber is a privately held, family-owned company with more than 170 locations across the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. In addition to lumber, the company sells a broad range of building supplies including decking, doors, kitchens, siding and windows. Carter Lumber is the fourth largest professionally focused lumber and building materials supplier in the nation.

With existing operations in Easley and Rock Hill, this will mark the company’s third South Carolina location and first facility in Florence County. Located at 305 West Myrtle Beach Highway in Johnsonville, Carter Lumber’s plans include renovating a 120,000-square-foot facility in Florence County to manufacture roof and floor trusses along with hanging interior door units. This location will also serve as a millwork warehouse for stock mouldings, and the products from the Florence County facility will be delivered to residential, commercial and multi-family job sites.

Operations are expected to be online by the third quarter of 2023. Individuals interested in joining the Carter Lumber team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project. The council also awarded a $100,000 Set-Aside grant to Florence County to assist with the costs of site preparation and building construction.

QUOTES

“Carter Lumber has done business in South Carolina since the 1970s, and it has always been a pro-business state filled with opportunities to grow. That same spirit exists in the state today, and we are excited to be opening this location to take advantage of those many opportunities. The manufactured products this new facility will produce are vital to builders in the region as it continues to grow. We look forward to partnering in that growth today and into the future.” -Carter Lumber President Jeff Donley

“South Carolina is a place where businesses come to thrive, and Carter Lumber's investment is another testament to that fact. Congratulations to Carter Lumber, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“We are proud that Carter Lumber continues to do business in South Carolina. The company’s investment, new jobs and new operations represent increased opportunities for Florence County and underscore the ongoing success that is possible within our state.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“We congratulate Carter Lumber on their decision to locate in Florence County! The 80 new jobs that Carter Lumber will create will positively impact the Johnsonville community for years to come. We look forward to supporting Carter Lumber as they begin operations in southern Florence County.” -Florence County Council Chair Willard Dorriety

“The North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) is excited to welcome Carter Lumber to Florence County. We are honored to be part of their most recent expansion in South Carolina and look forward to their investment bringing jobs and opportunities to the region.” -NESA Executive Committee Chairman Yancey McGill

FIVE FAST FACTS

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today nominated William H. Floyd to be the next executive director of the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW). Previously the agency's chief of staff, Floyd has served as acting executive director since March 1, following the retirement of Executive Director Dan Ellzey.

"With tens of thousands of jobs created in just the last few years, it is paramount we have a leader at DEW who can help strengthen our workforce and fill these jobs," said Governor Henry McMaster. "With his experience as chief of staff and 35-year career as a certified labor and employment specialist, William Floyd is the right person to lead the agency forward and build upon the strong foundation already in place at DEW."

Prior to joining DEW, Floyd practiced law for 35 years as a certified labor and employment law specialist and has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. He has served on the S.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors as well as the Chamber’s Human Resource and Manufacturing Committees. He also served on the S.C. Bar Employment and Labor Law Section and Military Law Section. For a copy of Floyd's biography, click here.

“Great things are happening in South Carolina, and I am privileged to be part of this growth and activity as the Acting Executive Director,” said William Floyd. “I have spent my career as a lawyer learning the workforce needs and challenges of employers and employees. I am excited about approaching these challenges through full-time public service. As Acting Executive Director, I hope to continue the momentum of this great workforce agency and work to help coordinate an efficient and effective workforce development system on behalf of jobseekers, employers and the state.”

Floyd was screened by the South Carolina Senate's Committee to Investigate Candidates for DEW Tuesday morning.

Floyd received his undergraduate degree from Wofford College and his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

The governor’s appointment is subject to senate approval.

Floyd, 60, and his wife Ellen are residents of Lexington and have three adult children. A copy of his headshot can be found here.