2013 gsa newsmakers

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December 30, 2013 - January 12, 2014 www.gsabusiness.com Volume 16, No. 30

FROM OUR SPONSOR

FROM THE EDITOR

In 2013, GSA Business marked its 17th anniversary by packing up and leaving the old office on Washington Street for larger space near Haywood Road better suited to our growing staff and operations. Weve launched new publications, improved existing products, expanded

our events and hired additional staff to support future growth, too. Thats our abbreviated story for 2013. Im sure each of you has yours.

Choosing which news stories to include in this second edition of Newsmak-er was no easy task. The Upstates business community is too large, too diverse and too successful to capture all the news from the year in one publication.

We picked business news for this publication with an eye toward economic growth and trends for 2014 and beyond. We selected stories we felt most im-pacted the business community and reflected the Upstates culture. Remem-ber, the entire Upstate business community has a role in the news that fills these pages, so here is your 2013 yearbook.

The stories on these pages reflect abbreviated and updated versions of those that ran in GSA Business print publications earlier this year. An editors note complements each page to add context, spotlight a trend to watch, or just note a tidbit of information that might otherwise be overlooked.

On behalf of the entire GSA Business staff, I hope you enjoy looking back at the past 12 months and archive this publication to chronicle Upstate business news through the years.

Heres to a prosperous 2014.

Scott Miller, EditorGSA Business

Publisher - Lisa Jones [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 101

UPSTATE NEWSROOM

Editor - Scott Miller [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 102

Copy Editor - Don Fujiwara [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 106

Staff Writer - Bill Poovey [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 104

Staff Writer - Ashley Boncimino [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 103

Graphic Designer - Jean Piot [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 105

Graphic Designer - Mallory Baxter [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 115

MIDLANDS NEWSROOM

Editor - James T. Hammond [email protected] 803.726.7545

Staff Writer - Chuck Crumbo [email protected] 803.726.7542

Special Projects Editor - Licia Jackson [email protected] 803.726.7546

LOWCOUNTRY NEWSROOM

Managing Editor - Andy Owens [email protected] 843.849.3142

Senior Copy Editor - Beverly Barfield [email protected] 843.849.3115

Staff Writer - Liz Segrist [email protected] 843.849.3119

Staff Writer - Ashley Barker [email protected] 843.849.3119

Editorial Assistant - Chris McCandlish [email protected] 843.849.3119

Research Specialist - Melissa Verzaal [email protected] 843.849.3104

Senior Graphic Designer - Jane Mattingly [email protected] 843.849.3118

Graphic Designer - Andrew Sprague [email protected] 843.849.3128

UPSTATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Account Executive - Pam Edmonds [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 110

Account Executive - Susan Hurst [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 111

President and Group Publisher - Grady Johnson [email protected] 843.849.3103

Vice President of Sales - Steve Fields [email protected] 843.849.3110

Creative Director - Ryan Wilcox [email protected] 843.849.3117

Director of Audience Development - Rick Jenkins [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 112

Event Manager - Kathy Allen [email protected] 843.849.3113

Audience Development & IT Manager - Kim McManus [email protected] 843.849.3116

Audience Development Specialist - Jessica Smalley [email protected] 864.235.5677 ext. 116

Event Planner - Jacquelyn Fehler [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 113

Accounting Manager - Vickie Deadmon [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 100

CUSTOM MEDIA DIVISION

Director of Business Development - Mark Wright [email protected] 843.849.3143

Account Executive - Rene Piontek [email protected] 843.849.3105

Account Executive - Steven Umphlett [email protected] 864.235.5677, ext. 109

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2013

4 NEWSMAKERS 2013 | GSA Business

2013NEWSMAKERS

S.C.S.C.S.C.

Top10

AUTOMOTIVE $2.125 BILLION 2,614 JOBSPLASTICS $123 MILLION 417 JOBSFOOD PROCESSING $85 MILLION 523 JOBSINFORMATION SERVICES $12 MILLION 1,110 JOBSCUSTOMER SERVICE CENTERS $4 MILLION 860 JOBS

S.C. ATTRACTS $2.88 BILLION IN NEW CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN 2012South Carolina began the year with economic momentum. These announcements from 2012 are bearing fruit in 2013, as the companies behind them are opening facilities or beginning construction.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY ACTIVITY

TOP ANNOUNCEMENTS BY INDUSTRY SECTOR

MANUFACTURING $2.729 BILLION 5,207 JOBSDISTRIBUTION $66 MILLION 864 JOBSSERVICE $81 MILLION 3,233 JOBS

for jobs

BMW MANUFACTURING CO.

SPARTANBURG

$900 million

1,000

RED VENTURES

LANCASTER

not announced

1,000

COUNTY

INVESTMENT

ANNOUNCED JOBS

PHYSICIANS CHOICE LABORATORY SERVICES LLC

YORK

$24.1 million

364

BRITAX CHILD SAFETY INC.

YORK

$26 million

243

WNS NORTH AMERICA INC.

RICHLAND

$ 4.25 million

750

AVX CORP.

GREENVILLE

$14 million

279

NEXANS

BERKELEY

$85 million

200

SHUTTERFLY INC.

YORK

not announced

600

ROSS STORES INC.

YORK

not announced

600

MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA INC.

ANDERSON, LEXINGTON

$750 million

500

Key

AUTOMOTIVE

$2.125 BILLION

MANUFACTURING

$2.729 BILLION


EDITORSNOTE

NEWSMAKERS 2013

February 11-24, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 8 $2.00

see CHANGE, page 4

SC Deals A listing of all M&A activity in South Carolina for the fourth quarter. PAGE 11

Tire tracksMichelin announces the latest in a string of expan-sions. PAGE 3

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2Around the state .............. 5In Focus: Banking & Finance: Mergers and Acquisitions ................... 11At Work .......................... 19People in the news ........ 20News briefs ................... 22Viewpoint ....................... 23

Business Brokerage FirmsPAGE 12

Law Firms M&A SpecialistsPAGE 16

THE LIST

M&A taleThe sale of one Upstate microcap company could signal a larger trend. PAGE 11

WERE LOOKING FOR REALLY CREATIVE TYPES TO COME HERE ARTISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, VIDEOGRAPHERS, DESIGNERS.

Peter Barth, The Iron YardEntrepreneurs converge on Main Street, PAGE 10

by Liz [email protected]

T he Poinsett Highway Corridors revi-talization is on the horizon.The corridor, a former textile hub, connects Greenville and Travelers Rest and

is peppered with dilapidated and abandoned buildings. Graffiti and faded signs remind the community of many former businesses. Power lines litter the skyline and uneven sidewalks line the streets. The area we call Poinsett is actually the

long-neglected place where older elements of Greenville County and the city of Greenville

collide in so many ways. Old residential, old industrial, old commercial and old infrastruc-ture, said Greenville County Councilman Butch Kirven. Yet for many, this is the front door to Greenville and Greenville County. This is an important neighborhood for those that work here, live here and pass through here.

Change comes to Poinsett Highway

CASTING SHADOWS

see CASTING, page 8

New Class A space shakes up the downtown office marketby Liz [email protected]

New Class A office space in down-town Greenville is attracting new businesses to the market and caus-ing some local companies to abandon older offices for new space.

Greenville-based Hughes Development Corp. continues to expand its downtown footprint, with three office projects, possibly a fourth, within two city blocks. There is a demand for office space in downtown Greenville, but the demand is definitely for higher-end office space, said Brian Reed, vice president of client services with the CBRE The Furman Co.

Clemson University announced plans last year to relocate its MBA program and professional development services from the Bowater building, which sits adjacent to Falls Park, into Hughes Project One devel-opment at Washington and Main streets in downtown Greenville.Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP followed

Hughes Project One, center, will add 385,000 square feet of office space to downtown

Greenville. Hughes also plans to revamp the Bank of America building, left. (Photo/Liz Segrist)

Construction momentum continues in downtown Greenville, with more hotels, apart-ments and mixed-use space on the way. The questions moving forward are at what point does the district reach its saturation point, particularly with hotels, and how far beyond Main Street will development go.

Bank of America Plaza Piazza Bergamo Project One 2 N. Main St.

Photos by Liz Segrist. SOURCE: City of Greenville, Hughes Development Corp., The Iron Yard, Windstream

Hughes Development Corp. and its investors purchased the building for $9.8 million with plans to upgrade it for future tenants. The 15-story, 196,000-square-foot building has three vacant office floors. An adjacent hotel also is planned.

Hughes Developments mixed-use, two-tower development is nearly complete, with tenants including CertusBank, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, Clemson University, Anthropologie, Smith Moore Leathwood and Brooks Brothers.

The city of Greenville invested roughly $4 million in the transformation of this walkway into a gathering space. Denver-based Civitas developed a design with water features, moveable tables and chairs, landscaping and lighting, among other features.

Windstream Corp. vacated 88,000 square feet and moved down the street into the Landmark Building earlier this year. Hughes Development, the building owner, may redevelopment the building. Small startups are using the space in the meantime.

1

1 2 3 4

2

4

3

Downtown Greenvilles Office MarketVACANCY RATES Class A vacancy: 13.4%Class B vacancy: 21.3%RENT Class A: $20.12 per square feetClass B: $16.40 per square feetSOURCE: CBRE The Furman Co., data as of the third quarter 2013

Casting Shadows

Tenants have opened at Hughes Developments Project One high-rise at Main and Washing-ton streets in downtown Greenville.

Plans are in the works for an adjacent Aloft Hotel and parking garage.

North on Main, JHM Hotels opened its renovated Hyatt and outdoor NOMA Square and later purchased land at Spring and Washington streets.

An apartment complex opened at Spring Street and East McBee.

The U.S. government acquired land to build a federal courthouse across from the county courthouse on East

North StreetCharleston-based The Beach Co.

plans a mixed-use development at the intersection of University Ridge and Church Street

The Croft Co. Inc. plans to build an apartment complex at 121 Rhett St.

Hughes Investments filed an applica-tion to build an eight-story apartment complex with ground-floor commercial space on Broad Street.

These projects are reshaping Green-villes continuously evolving core busi-ness district, and more development is in the works.

Major development projects changing downtown Greenvilles skyline.


EDITORSNOTE

NEWSMAKERS 2013

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H HH H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

H H H

H H H

March 25 - April 7, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 11 $2.00

see RAMA, page 10

see UNIONS, page 6

App for thatLocal businesses take advantage of new technologies. PAGE 11

Monkey businessZoo generates returns for community, plans expansion. PAGE 3

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2Around the state .............. 5People in the news ........ 20News briefs ................... 22Viewpoint ....................... 23

IT Services & Networking Cos.PAGE 12

Software Cos.PAGE 16

THE LIST

Deep waterSome question East Coast ports ability to handle massive ships. PAGE 8

MANY INVESTORS THAT CONSIDERED INVESTING IN MY COMPANY TOLD ME THAT I CANT GROW A GOOD-SIZED TECH COMPANY HERE. Damien Stevens, Servosity IT SECTOR GROWS AMID CHALLENGES. PAGE 11

Rama breathes new life into Hellers visionby Liz [email protected]

D .J. Rama was 30,000 feet up in the air, flying from Greenville to California, when it struck him Noma Square.I was playing with pen and paper and scribbling constantly to find a name that fits the buzz of what this area means, Rama said of the North Main area in front of the Hyatt Regency Greenville. This reminds me of a square in Europe where people come together to eat and drink, where they can people watch, lis-ten to live music and find amateur artists trying to make their mark on the world.

This is the vision Rama, the president of Greenville-based JHM Hotels Inc., has for the renovations of the Hyatt Re-gency Greenville on North Main Street in downtown Greenville and the gathering space in front of it.The renovation plans, announced in 2012, called for three tenants and a restaurant in Noma Square. The Roost restaurant opened earlier this year. Kil-wins Chocolates and Ice Cream, will be its first retail tenant, with plans to open this summer. The other two tenants

STATE OF THE UNION

UNIONS REACHING ACROSS SOUTHEAST, IS S.C. NEXT?UNIONS HOLD FIVE S.C. ELECTIONS IN 2012

There were five union elections held in South Carolina in 2012, according to the

National Labor Relations Board. Four of the five elections were successful.Republic Services Allied Waste Service, Fort Mill

Employees: All drivers.

Union: International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Election held: Jan. 6, 2012

Results: Win, 30-24

Alsco Inc., Spartanburg and Little River locations

Employees: Drivers and mechanics.Union: International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Election held: Spartanburg/Feb. 28, 2012; Little River/April 5, 2012Results: Spartanburg win, 7-0; Little River win, 6-1

Durham School Services, SummervilleEmployees:

Drivers and monitors.


Election held: April 13, 2012

Results: Win, 85-66

Intertape Polymer Group, ColumbiaEmployees: Production

and maintenance employees.

Union: United Steelworkers


Results: Loss, 142-77SOURCE: National Labor Relations Board

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH



WE FELT THAT WE WERE HIS (FORMER MAYOR MAX HELLERS) TRUSTEES OF

THAT HOTEL. D.J. Rama, JHM Hotels Inc. president

Led by Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolinas right-to-work status remains an entrenched roadblock to any unionization efforts here. But, efforts to organize are worth moni-toring, as unions make headway in other Southeastern states.

H H H

STATE OF THE UNIONUNIONS REACHING ACROSS SOUTHEAST, IS S.C. NEXT?

UNIONS HOLD FIVE S.C. ELECTIONS IN 2012There were five union elections held in South Carolina in 2012, according to the

National Labor Relations Board. Four of the five elections were successful.

SOURCE: National Labor Relations Board

Republic Services Allied Waste Service,

Fort Mill

Employees: All drivers.


Election held: Jan. 6, 2012

Results: Win, 30-24

Alsco Inc., Little River

Employees: Drivers and mechanics.



Results: Win, 6-1

Alsco Inc., Spartanburg

Employees: Drivers and mechanics.


Election held: Feb. 28, 2012

Results: Win, 7-0

Durham School Services, Summerville

Employees: Drivers

and monitors.



Results: Win, 85-66

Intertape Polymer Group, Columbia

Employees: Production

and maintenance employees.

Union: United Steelworkers


Results: Loss, 142-77





H H H

Even as union membership de-clines, labor organizations continue to march across the Southeast, moving closer and closer to South Carolina.

Union activity was high in Alabama last year, and United Auto Workers are campaigning in Mississippi. In Tennessee, Volk-swagen is con-sidering ways its union in Ger-many could inte-grate into its U.S. operations.

While elec-tions remain sparse in the Palmetto State, unions see industrial growth in South Carolina as an opportunity, according to

several local labor attorneys and union representatives. The automotive and aviation clusters, particularly, continue to attract jobs and suppliers to the Pal-metto State. Some experts expect unions will ratchet up efforts in the state as it has

in other parts of the Southeast.

Internat iona l Association of Machinists and Aerospace Work-ers, or IAM, began attempts in 2012 to organize the Boe-ing plant in North Charleston.

Faurecia and Johnson Controls,

both Cottondale, Ala.-based automotive suppliers, voted to join the UAW within six months of one another in 2012. Also

in Alabama, the UAW represents work-ers at Johnson Controls plant; ZF Indus-tries automotive parts manufacturing facility; and the Inteva plant. The UAW is campaigning at Nissan in Canton, Miss., too.

The unions will finish working where they are and go somewhere else. South Carolina is clearly on the map because of its automotive and aviation-related jobs, said attorney Lewis Smoak with Ogle-tree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak and Stewart.

South Carolina is clearly on the map because of its automotive and aviation-related jobs.LEWIS SMOAK OGLETREE DEAKINS


EDITORSNOTE

NEWSMAKERS 2013

The former site of the Greenville Mall had sat largely vacant since 2006.Magnolia Park continued to add big

names as it nears full occupancy on Woodruff Road in Greenville.

Property owner Menin Development Inc. recently added national retailers Nordstrom Rack and Destination XL, along with national restaurant chains Yard House and Tucanos Brazilian Grill to the lineup at its mixed-used develop-ment.

The 800,000-square-foot property is now 90% committed and will be fully opened and occupied before the end of 2014, according the Palm Beach, Fla.-based development group. Other businesses slated for open-ing include outdoor retailer Cabelas, a Dave & Busters restaurant and entertainment complex, Toby Keiths I Love This Bar, Allen Tate Real Estate, Baba-ziki Mediterranean Grill and Beef Jerky Outlet.

Costco, Regal Cinemas and Rooms To Go are already operating in Magno-lia Park, alongside Toys R Us and Babies R Us, Cheddars, Select Comfort, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill and Bad Daddys Burger Bar.

Magnolia Park is at the site of the for-mer Greenville Mall, which was demol-ished last year.

April 22 - May 5, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 13 $2.00

see COMPANIES, page 10

SEE STORY, PAGE 8

LocalizeManufacturers are looking to locate closer to customers. PAGE 14

Lets play 2Spanish manufacturer plans second Upstate facility. PAGE 4

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2Around the state .............. 5In Focus: Global Trade .... 11People in the news ........ 20News briefs ................... 22

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

Third-party logistics providersPAGE 12Foreign-owned companiesPAGE 16

THE LIST

0 to 100Upstate company takes product global to 100 markets in just two years. PAGE 11

WE ARE DEFINITELY AWARE OF THE HURDLE THAT THERE WILL BE SOME CLIENTS THAT ARE MAYBE A LITTLE HESITANT TO COME TO A FIRM RUN BY TWO YOUNG WOMEN. Amanda Gallivan, Christophillis & Gallivan P.A.At Work. PAGE 19

by Liz [email protected]

Caterpillar Inc.s decision to move work from its plant in Japan to Athens, Ga., last year was expect-ed to have a ripple effect into South Car-olina and Anderson County reaped some of the benefits earlier this month.

Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar moved production of small tractors and mini hydraulic excavators to Athens in part because of the ports in Savannah and Charleston. Caterpillar plans to build a $200 million plant that will eventually employ 1,400 people. Now, two of its Illinois-based suppliers are moving into the Upstate.Moline, Ill.-based McLaughlin Body Co., a metal-components and operator-stations manufacturer, and Minonk, Ill.-based SMF Inc., a metal fabrication company, will both establish new pro-duction operations in Anderson Coun-ty this year.Ive been thinking about this expan-sion for the last 10 years, McLaughlin Body Co. CEO Tom McLaughlin said of the family-owned company. We were nudged by Caterpillar and it seemed like the right time. McLaughlin Body Co. is the first supplier of the new Caterpillar facility in Georgia to locate in South Carolina. McLaughlins operations have been in Il-linois since 1902, and this will be its first operation out of its home state.

CLEANINGSpring

Mall site cleared for new development

Crews demolish the section of the Greenville Mall that once was Montgomery Ward. The site

is being cleared for new development, including a Cabelas retail store. (Photo/S. Kevin Greene)

Caterpillars Ga. plant lures metal companies to Anderson County

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYTwo metal manufacturers from Caterpillars home state announced plans within the same week to set up shop in Anderson County.

Magnolia Park illustrates Greenvilles ability to attract big-name retailers and per-haps signals that recessionary development lulls are in the past. But, the mas-sive development could add traffic woes to one of the Upstates most congested corridors.

Magnolia Park taking shapeCabelas plans a spring 2014 opening at Magnolia Park, the site of the former Greenville Mall, which was demolished. The 66-acre retail park has added new construction and is now 90% occupied or committed. (Image/Provided)

Magnolia

Existing structure Planned development

blossoms

It was not until recently that we got the traction we needed to develop. MARC YAVINSKY MENIN DEVELOPMENT INC.

Left: Greenville Mall is demolished. Right: Cabelas under construction.


EDITORSNOTE

NEWSMAKERS 2013

May 6 - 19, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 14 $2.00

Crowdfunding JOBS Act could create new capital-raising opportunities, if SEC would set the rules.PAGE 18

Hockey townRoad Warriors report increased home attendance in first year under new ownership.

PAGE 4

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2 Around the state .............. 5In Focus:

Banking & Finance ......... 13People in the news ........ 26News briefs ................... 29Viewpoint ....................... 31

SBA LendersPAGE 16

Office SuppliersPAGE 22

THE LIST

SC DealsA listing of South Carolina mergers and acquisitions during the first quarter.PAGE 13

The inland port comes ashore

by Bill [email protected]

Duke Energys request to raise rates for a third time since 2010 this time by an average 15.1% has businesses charged up.The public needs to rise up, residential and business owners, said Frank Knapp, president and CEO of the S.C. Small Business Chamber of Commerce, a Columbia-based group with more than 5,000 members. He called Dukes proposed increase unjustified. Duke Energys filing for a $220 million annual increase is set for a July 31 hearing before the S.C. Public Service Commission in Columbia.

The request would increase rates by an average 16.3% for residential customers, 14% for com-mercial customers and 14.4% for industrial users. Dukes South Carolina rates are among the lowest in the Southeast, but rates are determined in part by utilities profit margins, or return on equities. At the proposed rates, Duke is requesting a return on equity of 11.25%, up from 10.5%. The PSC, the states utility regulator, must determine whether to allow that increased profit margin and decide what Dukes customers can afford. Public hearings are set for June 20 at Spartan-

burg Community College, June 24 at the Green-ville County Council Chambers and June 27 at the

Homes on Moore Street will be razed to add room near the rail. Acquiring the properties raised the price tag for the project, as did a plan to double the facilitys freight capacity. Full story. Page 10Is Dukes rate hike justified?State regulators will attempt to answer that as some question whether the utility should be allowed an 11.25% profit margin, up from 10.5%

see DUKE ENERGY, page 8

I WAS ON THE BRINK OF FAILURE OR SUCCESS MANY TIMES AND IT IS A SCARY, THIN LINE.Jason Fletcher, Greenville restaurateurAt Work. PAGE 25

Photo/Liz Segrist

Raising electricity rates has become a trend, as utilities invest heavily to upgrade dated energy-generation facilities. Still, South Carolina utility costs rank low nation-ally and are attractive to industry moving to the market.

Duke Energy raised South Carolina electric rates for the third time in three years, as it invests heavily in upgraded utility infrastructure and energy-generation capabilities.

But per a settlement agreement with several protesting parties, Duke will not return to state regulators with a rate hike request until 2015 at the earliest.

The S.C. Public Service Commission approved a rate increase of $119 million, about half of what Duke initially pro-posed.

The move allows Duke a return on common equity the maximum profit margin of 10.2%.

The utilitys request for its third in-crease in three years prompted howls of opposition at a series of public hearings.

About 1,700 people registered with the PSC as opponents.

With the increased approved by PSC, cus-tomers will pay an av-erage of 5.53% more the first year and 2.63% more starting in September 2014.

In addition to the rate increase, the PSC directed Duke Energy to use $3.5 million at shareholder expense to pro-vide $2.5 million for public-assistance programs, manufacturing competitive-ness grants, economic development and/or education-workforce training programs. Another $1 million will be allocated by the utility through the Of-fice of Regulatory Staff to support senior outreach and public education initia-tives.

*Rates for each utility are for 2011, the most recent year for which data was available. Duke also raised rates in South Carolina in 2012, bringing its average up 7.38, according to figures provided by the company.

SOURCE: U.S. Energy Information Administration

Competitive rate Duke Energy Carolina, despite rate increases in recent years, maintains the lowest utility rates in the Southeast.

Aver

age

rate

(cen

ts p

er k

ilow

att h

our)

Duke (S.C.) Knoxville Utilities Board

Duke (N.C.) Georgia Power Co.

Tenn. Valley Authority (N.C.)

Florida Power & Light Co.

Alabama Power Co.

SCE&G

$1

$6

$2

$7

$3

$8

$4

$9

$5

$10

$0

6.86*7.53

8.83 9.099.24 9.61

9.8910.22

CHARGING UP ELECTRIC RATES

A resident speaks at a public hearing on Duke Ener-gys rate increase. (Photo/Bill Poovey)

A Duke Energy substation (Photo/Duke Energy)


EDITORSNOTE

NEWSMAKERS 2013

Hotel construction is a good sign for the economy, but a surge in new activity cre-ates questions about how much the market can bear. Additionally, older hotel prop-erties may need to invest in renovations to compete.

May 20 - June 2, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 15 $2.00

see MILL, page 6

No vacanciesRising occupancy rates build interest in hotel development.

PAGE 11

Sequester effectLockheed Martin could bring private commercial business back to Greenville.PAGE 2

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2 In Focus: Commercial & Residential Real Estate ... 11People in the news ........ 20News briefs ................... 22Viewpoint ....................... 23

Commercial Real Estate Cos.PAGE 12

Residential Real Estate Cos. PAGE 16

THE LIST

Insurance for saleInsurer opens Upstate retail store ahead of health care reform coverage mandates.PAGE 8

Heidi and Joe Trull relocated from New Orleans to Anderson one month before Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. The move was quite fortuitous.At Work. PAGE 19

Aging S.C. infrastructure a liabilityEXECUTIVE SUMMARYDOT estimates the loss to businesses from choked and limited access roads and bridges at $2.6 billion over seven years.

Change from withinby Liz [email protected]

J agged shards of glass shine in the sunlight from the broken windows of the Plush Mill, which has stood vacant along High-way 123 in Greenville for more than 30 years.Weeds climb the exterior walls. Doors marked men and women in peeling paint still stand. But when Dot Russell looks around the Plush Mill, she sees Ster-lings rebirth on Greenvilles West Side.The Sterling Land Trust, a group of residents led by Russell, wants to acquire the 77,000-square-foot mill and attract a private developer

RELATED STORYResidents hold on to Sterling memories .....6

The Sterling community hopes to revitalize its neighborhood through the renovation of the Plush Mill, but time is running out.

Dot Russell leads an effort to acquire and renovate the mill. (Photo/Liz Segrist)

see ROADS, page 4

by Mike [email protected]

The trucks that haul lumber for Log Creek Timber Co., based in Edge-field, can weigh 80,000 pounds.The company harvests timber in 10 coun-ties in the Savannah River corridor. The typi-cal distance from timber tracts to mills in Au-gusta, Newberry or Eastover is 50 to 80 miles. But the Log Creek Timber drivers workday is not typical. Because loaded timber trucks are not allowed to cross aging state bridges that are in disrepair, detours typically add 10 to 15 miles to each trip.This is one of the costs of South Carolinas

continuing problem with highway infra-structure. According to a December report prepared by an S.C. Department of Transpor-

tation Commission task force, the condition of the states highway system and the current funding levels for repair and replacement projects foretell a guaranteed decline in the system over the next 20 years.The task force, chaired by DOT commis-

sioner Craig Forrest, concluded that the con-sequences of failing to act include deteriora-tion of roads and bridges, reduced highway safety, posting or closing of bridges, increased traffic congestion, increased vehicle upkeep

Booking in South Carolina A look at hotel occupancy and room rates in March 2013 compared with March 2012.

57.9%

Anderson/Clemson

Greenville Spartanburg South Carolina

United States

68.0% 59.0% 62.5% 63.7%3.5% 3.0% -5.3% 2.4% 0.4%

Occupancy Rates 2013

Rooms available

With occupancies around 60% and room rates at $78, some developers wouldnt think hotel construction would be so hot.

With that kind of occupancy and rate, lenders wont feel comfortable providing construction financing to build hotels. It will be very selective for those that meet true demand or meet a segment not being met, said Green-ville-based JHM Hotels Inc. President DJ Rama. With that being said, down-town is booming and people are look-ing for a convenience factor to stay down there.

Downtown Greenville, particularly, is ripe with hotel development, includ-ing a planned Embassy Suites by Wind-sor Aughtry, a boutique Aloft Hotel, a Homes 2 Suites by Hilton and a yet-to-

be-branded hotel from Clemson-based development company Accente Group. JHM purchased land last year at Spring and Washington streets in downtown Greenville for future expansion, but there are no specific plans drawn for a hotel at this time.

Still, the trend isnt limited to down-town Greenville.

Recently opened and planned proj-ects include Candlewood Suites off Woodruff Road in Greenville; a Mi-crotel Inn & Suites off Woodruff Road, within walking distance of Magnolia Park; a Marriott Courtyard in Clem-son; the Holiday Inn Express in Clem-son; and Hampton Inns in Easley and Seneca.

Spartanburg-based Pinnacle Hospi-tality plans to develop a branded hotel at the Westgate Towncenter.

Hotel development swells, particularly in downtown Greenville

The Candlewood Suites (Photo/Liz Segrist)

The planned Aloft Hotel. (Rendering/Provided)

The Candlewood Suites (Photo/Liz Segrist)


EDITORSNOTE

NEWSMAKERS 2013

June 17 - 30, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 17 $2.00

Time or money?Federal legislation would let employees choose how to receive overtime compensation.PAGE 11

Grades are in National survey grades South Carolina on business friendliness.

PAGE 2

INSIDELeading off .......................2 In Focus: Law .................11People in the news .........20News briefs ....................22Viewpoint ........................23

Law FirmsPAGE 12

Business Communication Cos. PAGE 16

THE LIST

Front and centerCenterPoint Properties is the first to develop on airport-owned land adjacent to the S.C. Inland Port in Greer.PAGE 10

THOSE WERE THE LONGEST 37 DAYS OF MY LIFE. WE WERE WATCHING IT PLAY OUT ON THE NEWS AND IN THE COURTS. Lori Raad, talking about working on the George W. Bush presidential campaign. At Work. PAGE 19

SOLDIERING ON AT HOMEby Liz [email protected]

Nate Moore remembers the distinct whistle of mortars whizzing past his head in Afghanistan.He recalls running to help his fellow soldiers after trucks had detonated two improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. He remembers being knocked down; his vision going white. He remembers his head pounding and ears ringing as his com-rades pulled him from beneath a truck.You never forget the sound of that mortar whistle. You dont know where it will fall or where to run to, said Moore, a Marine combat engineer and team leader of his infantry regiment. After youre hit, the pain isnt something you think about. You just keep moving.

the transition from active duty to the civilian workforce can be a difficult one; employers and others are trying to help

see VETS, page 8

New insurer sets up as nonprofit co-opby Bill [email protected]

A fledgling, federally subsidized health insurer organized as a nonprofit co-op has jumped in line with the likes of well-known competitors BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna and UnitedHealthCare to start selling policies in South Carolina when enrollment for the Affordable Care Act starts Oct. 1. Born from an $88 million federal loan, the Consumers Choice Health Plan has opened offices in Greenville and North Charleston with a total of about 28 employees. Organized

as a co-op, its employees have spent the past year promoting their employer as South Car-olinas only member-governed, nonprofit health insurer.

My teams job is to make sure we are vis-ible, that people understand who we are, Anita Maxwell, the co-ops director of com-munity relations, said in the Greenville office.

Consumers Choice is vying for a spot in a government-organized marketplace that will offer subsidized coverage in South Carolina for some small businesses and for individuals whose incomes are within 400% of the federal poverty level, or up to a $90,000 income for a family of four.

We are not selling anything right now, Maxwell said. We do let them know we will be an option for them.Starting in January, most health insur-

ance sold to individuals and small businesses will have minimum coverage requirements,

see CO-OP, page 6

Around 160 soldiers returned to South Carolina earlier this month after a

yearlong mobilization and deployment in Afghanistan. (Photo/Liz Segrist)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThis new insurer used an $88 million federal loan to open its doors before enrollment under the Affordable Care Act begins Oct. 1.

The century-old Greenville Health System continued its expansion in 2013 with a merger, new part-nerships in research and academics, and a new name.

GHS ditched the old Greenville Hos-pital System name and logo, as it looks to be known as more than a hospital.

In 2012, GHS opened a new four-year medical school in partnership with the University of South Carolina, for ex-ample, along with a $60 million health sciences education building. It also ac-quired the assets of the Cancer Centers of the Carolinas, adding 10 offices, 26 doctors and 330 employees.

Momentum continued in 2013 as GHS finalized its affiliation with Lau-rens County Health System, giving it a sixth medical campus and about 500 ad-ditional employees.

Additionally, GHS expanded its clini-

cal research and academic capabilities through new partnerships with Clem-son University, Furman University and the University of South Carolina.

In November, GHS Cancer Institute and USC School of Medicine announced the creation of the nations first human performance lab to focus on cancer fa-tigue.

These partnerships and expansion of medical education earned GHS the designation of academic health center this year by the association of Academic Health Centers. Only about 2% of health care systems in the U.S. are academic health centers, which are teaching hos-pitals that provide a range of care from routine to highly complex; develop new technologies and treatments; provide patients first-in-region access to clinical trials; conduct research and educate new health care providers.

GHS followed up the construction of a $60 million health sciences education building and opening of a four-year medical school, with the merger of the Lau-rens County Health System and expansions in clinical research with university partnerships. What will the next big investment be?

GHS: NEW NAME, MORE EXPANSIONS

About GHS6 medical campuses10,925 employees623 physicians189 resident physicians114 medical students

A University of South Caro-lina medical school profes-sor conducts tests for a new human-performance lab at Greenville Health System. (Photo/Provided)


EDITORSNOTE

NEWSMAKERS 2013

BMW hiring practices may be under the microscope, but all employers should watch this case. The lawsuit serves as notice that the EEOC will more aggres-sively investigate and prosecute employers if it suspects they have blanket poli-cies that prohibit employment based on criminal backgrounds.

Amid expanding production, prepping to build a new model and hiring hundreds of people, BMW Manufacturing Co. was hit with a racial discrimination lawsuit by the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission.

The case is pending, and the outcome could impact not just BMW, but all em-ployers.

The EEOC issued a reminder in 2012 that some criminal background checks of prospective employees are considered racial discrimination. While the laws on hiring and discrimination did not change, the EEOCs guidance served as notice that it would enforce those laws more strictly.

BMW was the first employer sued since that guidance was issued, along with discount retailer Dollar General.

The government suits contend the companies violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits dis-crimination on the basis of race and na-tional origin. The EEOC has taken the position that indiscriminate use of arrest and conviction records to bar employ-

(Photo/BMW Manufacturing Co.)

Expanding Upstate employer becomes focus of governments charge against discrimination

BMW sued

What employers should know

A blanket policy prohibiting the hiring of people with criminal records is discriminatory.

Employers must demonstrate why a specific conviction hinders an applicant from performing specific job duties.

Arrests do not mean criminal conduct occurred; some could have been acquitted.

Employers could face damages based on lost earnings or even future earnings. Punitive damages could be added to the judgment as well.

SOURCE: Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd

ment has a disparate impact on blacks and Hispanics.

BMW has denied any wrongdoing and noted that it has a highly diverse workforce.

Chris Gantt-Sorenson, an employ-ment attorney with Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd in Greenville, said employers need to be aware of the EEOCs new inter-pretation, which says when you have a blanket policy against hiring an applicant

with a prior record, that is going to vio-late longstanding Title VII statutes. She said EEOCs change places on employers the burden to explain how a conviction is going to be job related and consistent with business necessity.

She said employers should not ask about criminal records on applications without some caveat that says the re-sponse will not determine the employers hiring decision.

July 8 - 21, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 18 $2.00

see BMW, page 6

Bankrupt and soldGreenville company was pushed into bankruptcy after an employee embezzled funds.PAGE 7

Merging for healthThe chairman of the S.C. Hospital Association pre-dicts a flurry of hospitals merging and affiliating as a matter of surviving.PAGE 4

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2 In Focus: Energy ............ 11People in the news ........ 20News briefs ................... 22Viewpoint ...................... 23

Utility ProvidersPAGE 12

Security System Cos.PAGE 16

THE LIST

All aboardNew passenger rail line could connect Upstate to Charlotte and Atlanta.PAGE 9

AFTER 50 MILES, I WAS CARRYING MY DOG, SO I HAD TO RETHINK THE TRIP.Brian Hibbard, Hibbard Fine Arts Gallery At Work. PAGE 19


The U.S. Equal Employment Opportu-nity Commission issued a reminder last year that some criminal back-ground checks of prospective employees are considered racial discrimination. The laws on hiring and discrimination did

not change, but the EEOCs guidance issued in April 2012 served as notice that it would enforce them more strictly.In June, BMW Manufacturing Co. in Greer

became one of the first to be sued since the warning was issued.The EEOC filed separate discrimination

suits against BMW in Spartanburg and in Chicago against Goodlettsville, Tenn.-based

discount retailer Dollar General in June, al-leging the companies policies on criminal background checks for hiring discriminated against minorities. EEOC spokeswoman Kim-berly Smith-Brown said in an email that the federal lawsuits are the first ones filed since the new enforcement guidance was approved in April 2012.

EEOCs new anti-discrimination charge begins at BMW

Farm to tableLocal restaurants, grocers, farmers work to promote locally produced goodssee STORY, page 10

Top: Swamp Rabbit Cafe. Right: Farmer Jeff Isbell (Photos/firnFoto)


NEWSMAKERS 2013

Port

We have seen interest from people Ive never thought and segments Ive never thought. I think were going to

look back on this as a really great idea.Jim Newsome, S.C. State Ports Authority

Will businesses follow? moves inland

EDITORSNOTE

The S.C. Inland Port is expected to attract industrial customers and warehouse and distribution centers, and the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is market-ing around 1,500 acres for development right near the port facility. BMW and Adidas are the only known customers at the inland port so far, however.

August 12 - 25, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 20 $2.00

A quarterly recap of M&A activity in South Carolina.PAGE 13

No. 81Spartanburg jumped 217 spots in a national ranking of the best cities for job growth.

PAGE 2

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2 In Focus: Banking & Finance ......... 13People in the news ........ 20News briefs ................... 22Viewpoint ....................... 23

BanksPAGE 14

Credit UnionsPAGE 17

THE LIST

Geared upZF Transmissions grand opening ended with another expansion announcement. PAGE 3

KNOW THE MARKETDo you know how Upstate residents spend money on

health care? How our cost of living compares? Find out those answers and learn more about the Upstate in our annual Market Facts publication.

INSIDE

S.C. tourism vows to collect from Bounce Agencyby Bill [email protected]

T he Bounce Agency Inc., a defunct Greenville-based advertising firm that held South Carolinas national tourism marketing account for more than 30 years, has filed for bankruptcy still ow-ing $366,000 to the state tourism agency. The firms lone shareholder and CEO,

Carlos Jimenez, said he no longer feels personally obligated to pay the debt as he agreed to in 2012. To go back to that would be so painful,

Jimenez said. Its basically in the books. No, I dont feel responsible for it. I did feel bad. We returned like $1.7 million that we didnt have.

Jimenez, 64, later said he regretted those comments but added that he

does not have the resources to repay the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, or PRT. Jimenez said he is an art-ist and is doing some freelance work. He said PRT might be able to collect someday when I die.

When I said I hope it goes away, I did mean that, he said. Im a see BOUNCE, page 4

PAGES 6-12

Contrasting views onHaywood Roadby Bill [email protected]

Some business owners in the Hay-wood Road area describe what they see outside their doors as ghost town-like, with huge swaths of empty parking spaces and lifeless storefronts. Looking just across and down the road, this perennial frontrunner among Greenville retail sectors is bustling.Annual surveys of the city retail corri-dors performances show Haywood Road and Woodruff Road going back and forth as No. 1, far ahead of the others. Haywood was on top with more than $650 million in gross sales in 2011, but finished second to Woodruff s more than $700 million in 2012.The Haywood Road corridor five minutes from downtown is anchored

see HAYWOOD, page 6

Workers renovate the Crosspointe Plaza shops near Haywood Road. (Photo/Bill Poovey)

Economic development officials have called the S.C. In-land Port a game-changer for the Upstate. In Virginia, officials credit the development of an inland port with attracting 39 companies, $748 million in private invest-ment and 8,000 jobs.

That facility was built two decades ago, but the S.C. State Ports Authority has similar aspirations.

So far, though, BMW Manufacturing and Adidas are the only known customers, though Eastman Chemical and John Deere in Tennessee are interested.

The inland port, which opened in October, was built within a few miles of the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, In-terstate 85 and BMW Manufacturing.

More than 250 acres of private land is available for purchase sur-rounding these entities, according to a list from several Upstate real estate firms. Additionally, the airport is unlocking around 1,500 acres of its land for private development, including a large tract that abuts the ports land.

We are actively recruiting other companies, S.C. Ports Author-ity CEO Jim Newsome said in October, as he and Gov. Nikki Haley received a tour of the fledgling operation.

The inland port is intended to speed international cargo ship-ments between the Port of Charleston, the Upstate and neighboring states. Norfolk-Southern is expected to initially move about 40,000 containers by rail through the inland port annually, and Newsome said he expects the intermodal facility will handle 100,000 lifts an-nually within five years.

Newsome said opening the port with BMW as its only customer is not a surprise and allows the authority to make sure the opera-tion works right. Newsome also said prospective customers want to see it operating before signing on.

AMONG THE NATIONS TOP EXPORT MARKETSStats are for the Greenville metropolitan area in 2012

$12.3 billion merchandise value exported4.7% increase from 201127th largest export market in the U.S.51% of S.C. exports originated in the Upstate

Top destinations for Upstate exports:China, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom and German.

Top exports for the Greenville metro area:Plastics and rubber products, machinery, computer and electronic products, chemicals and transportation equipment.

SOURCE: International Trade Administration

Top 5 countries exporting to S.C., 2012

Germany $7.099B

China $5.450B

Mexico $2.784B

Canada $2.618B

Japan $1.426B

Source: U.S. Census

A Norfolk Southern train at the S.C. Inland Port. (Photo/Bill Poovey)


NEWSMAKERS 2013

EDITORSNOTE

Food trucks could be another piece to the puzzle that makes Greenville a special place to live, but the city of Greenvilles new ordinance still does not allow food trucks to operate in public spaces without special-events permits. There are limited food truck options as a result.

Restaurants going mobile

Asada

Chocolate Moose

Fuddruckers

Henrys Hog Hauler

Kona Ice

Neue Southern

Thoroughfare

The city of Greenville

has licensed seven

foodtrucks

Mobile 7

In response to the popularity of food trucks in Greenville, the city stream-lined the permitting process, en-abling food truck vendors to pay a $500 annual permit to operate, rather than requiring them to apply for special-event permits and pay $25 each time they set up shop.

Our current ordinances pre-date the rise in the success of food trucks across the country, ac-cording to the ordinance. Rec-ognizing their popularity, it is important to provide a mechanism that gives reasonable struc-ture to how they, and other mobile vehi-

cles, operate in the city of Green-ville.

The new ordinance also en-ables truck vendors to do business within 250 feet of a brick-and-

mortar res-taurant on private property. In order to park any closer, food trucks would have to receive written permission from the restaurant.

Its a win-win for the food truck business and the parks if we could get something

working for them to be allowed on pub-lic property, Greenville City Council-woman Amy Ryberg Doyle said.

Its a win-win ... if we could get something working for them to be allowed on public property.AMY RYBERG DOYLE, GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL

Cooks prepare food in the Asada food truck. (Photos/File)

July 8 - 21, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 18 $2.00

see BMW, page 6

Bankrupt and soldGreenville company was pushed into bankruptcy after an employee embezzled funds.PAGE 7

Merging for healthThe chairman of the S.C. Hospital Association pre-dicts a flurry of hospitals merging and affiliating as a matter of surviving.PAGE 4

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2 In Focus: Energy ............ 11People in the news ........ 20News briefs ................... 22Viewpoint ...................... 23

Utility ProvidersPAGE 12

Security System Cos.PAGE 16

THE LIST

All aboardNew passenger rail line could connect Upstate to Charlotte and Atlanta.PAGE 9

AFTER 50 MILES, I WAS CARRYING MY DOG, SO I HAD TO RETHINK THE TRIP.Brian Hibbard, Hibbard Fine Arts Gallery At Work. PAGE 19


The U.S. Equal Employment Opportu-nity Commission issued a reminder last year that some criminal back-ground checks of prospective employees are considered racial discrimination. The laws on hiring and discrimination did

not change, but the EEOCs guidance issued in April 2012 served as notice that it would enforce them more strictly.In June, BMW Manufacturing Co. in Greer

became one of the first to be sued since the warning was issued.The EEOC filed separate discrimination

suits against BMW in Spartanburg and in Chicago against Goodlettsville, Tenn.-based

discount retailer Dollar General in June, al-leging the companies policies on criminal background checks for hiring discriminated against minorities. EEOC spokeswoman Kim-berly Smith-Brown said in an email that the federal lawsuits are the first ones filed since the new enforcement guidance was approved in April 2012.

EEOCs new anti-discrimination charge begins at BMW

Farm to tableLocal restaurants, grocers, farmers work to promote locally produced goodssee STORY, page 10

Top: Swamp Rabbit Cafe. Right: Farmer Jeff Isbell (Photos/firnFoto)


EDITORSNOTE

NEWSMAKERS 2013

Airport prepping for developmentby Bill [email protected]

The Greenville-Spartanburg Inter-national Airports first land-lease venture near the S.C. Inland Port will generate about $140,000 annually, and land rental income from GSPs other acreage near the rail-truck exchange could total another $420,000 a year once developed.Centerpoint Properties in a 30-year, extendable land-lease agreement with the airport is developing a 417,000-square-foot distribution center on 45 acres near Interstate 85. Centerpoint is not identify-ing the tenant but Michael Murphy, the Oak Brook, Ill.-based companys chief development officer, said the project will


Trucking companies have heard the predictions: There will be more trucks operating around the S.C. State Ports Authoritys intermodal container yard when it opens in October at Greer and fewer big rigs will be hauling intermodal containers between Charleston and the Upstate.What truckers say they are not hearing: What

deals are their customers being offered to switch from trucks to Norfolk Southern, their rail com-petitor given exclusive access to the new facility? Who will get the new port business?Truckers say that for them, those answers

will determine the winners and losers.That seems to be the most secretive thing in the world, said G&P Trucking Co. President Clifton Parker, who said he is optimistic about new opportunities the port will offer.Parkers company acquired land near the in-

land port with hopes of landing business there.S.C. Trucking Association President and Chief Associate Rick Todd said there is a lot of uncertainty about what the new rail yard means for the industry that the organization he leads has represented since the 1930s.For the truck lines that have historically

been doing a longer dray from Charleston to that point along Interstate 85 or back this will

July 22 - Aug. 11, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 19 $2.00

see DEVELOPMENT, page 6

Pickens and Easley may develop a trail along an old railway, as the Swamp Rabbit Trail continues to count its successes in Greenville County. Page 2

see TRUCKS, page 7

Done dealGreenville developer Hughes cleared to renovate Columbias Bull Street property. PAGE 5

Rebate checkInsurers owe South Carolin-ians $6.2 million in rebates.PAGE 8

Settlement dealDuke Energy is open to lowering its rate hike request.PAGE 10

INSIDELeading off .......................2 In Focus: Mid-Year Economic

Forecast .........................11People in the news .........20News briefs ....................22Viewpoint ........................23

Largest EmployersPAGE 12

Automotive Industry Manufacturers PAGE 16

THE LIST

Truckers play waiting game over inland port

A sign indicating Centerpoints development underway on GSP land. (Photo/Bill Poovey)

THIS IS NOT A GET-RICH-QUICK SCHEME. ITS A PASSION FOR ME.Don Richardson, Quest Brewing Co.At Work. PAGE 19

(Photo/Mallory Baxter)

HOTon the Trailon the Trail

Trail projects like the Swamp Rabbit have proven to be fruitful for business. A study by Furman University found that businesses that relocated near the Swamp Rabbit Trail reported a 30% to 50% increase in sales. Look for the cities of Pickens and Easley to move forward on the development of a similar trail project in 2014.

HOTAsecond-year study of the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail shows the trail is attracting tourists to Greenville County and is a catalyst for new business development.

More than 400,000 people used the trail during year two, up from nearly 360,000 in the first year. Five new businesses also opened or relocated near the trail.

The study found that businesses that relocated near the Swamp Rabbit Trail reported a 30% to 50% increase in sales in year two. Annual revenue from trail users ranged from $50,000 to $400,000, according to managers and owners sur-veyed.

The news comes as Greenville Coun-ty has discussed expanding the trail. The city of Simpsonville has expressed ex-

tending the trail into the Golden Strip.Additionally, city officials in Easley

and Pickens approved a joint purchase of an 8.5-mile stretch of railroad to be developed into a recreational trail be-tween the towns. Each city intends to pay $250,000 to acquire the old Pickens-Doodle rail line. Additional investments will be needed to build a recreational trail grants are being sought.

on the Trail

Bikers on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. (Photo/Mallory Baxter)


NEWSMAKERS 2013

HAYWOOD ROAD

$582 MILLION

DOWNTOWN

$1,182 MILLION

MAULDIN ROAD

$489MILLION

FAIRFOREST WAY/

STREET

$117MILLION

AUGUSTA

ROAD NORTH

$182MILLION

LAURENS

BOULEVARD

$88MILLION

WADE HAMPTON

DRIVE

$433MILLION

PLEASANTBURG

STREET

$23MILLION

PENDLETON

AVENUE

$60MILLION

STONE

ROAD

$14MILLION

RUTHERFORD

Several auto dealerships have renovated their massive showrooms on Greenvilles Motor Mile in recent years, including Sitton Buick GMC, Fairway Subaru and Big O Dodge

Chrysler Jeep.

Construction continues downtown, bringing new office and retail tenants, including consumer destinations such

as Anthropologie and Tupelo Honey Cafe and large employers like CertusBank,

Clemson University, Smith Moore Leath-erwood and Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd.

Haywood Mall remains the anchor, but two large retailers have left the Hay-wood Road corridor Toys R Us and Babies R Us moved to Woodruff Road. TJ Maxx is replacing Toys R Us, but the former Babies R Us remains vacant.

LAURENS ROAD SOUTH

$534 MILLION

WOODRUFF ROAD

$712 MILLIONA new Cabelas store should boost spending even more on Woodruff Road as the long-vacant site of the Greenville Mall gets a makeover, with Dave & Busters and other retailers and restaurants moving to the area.

FOLLOWING THE MONEY IN GREENVILLEThe graphic tracks gross sales for 2012 in the major commercial cor-ridors within the city of Greenville. Figures include gross sales for all types of business licenses retailers, restaurants, hotels, services, offices and others. Figures provided by the city of Greenville.

Illustration/Mallory Baxter

EDITORSNOTE

The citys major commercial corridors continue to attract investment for new office and retail construction, particulary downtown Greenville and Woodruff Road, so look for spending figures to increase for these corridors next year.

Aug. 26 - Sept. 8, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 21 $2.00

see TEMP, page 6

Photo/Mallory Baxter

Career readyCommunity leaders discuss the transformation of educationPAGE 9

Nuclear wasteCourt ruling could pave way for removal of nuclear waste in South Carolin PAGE 3

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2 In Focus: Education & Workforce Development ... 9People in the news ........ 20News briefs ................... 22Viewpoint ....................... 23

Computer Training Cos.PAGE 12

Executive Recruiters PAGE 16

THE LIST

Clean investmentS.C. laws hinder investment in clean energy projects PAGE 4

FORMER HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES BARRY MORGAN, LEFT, AND DIXON HOWARD REUNITE

OVER PIZZA. At Work. PAGE 19

Times are good to be a temp-staffing firm by Bill [email protected]

Executives at employment place-ment agencies in the Upstate see uncertain financial times as good times. They are cashing in on uncertain-ty about fluctuations in product demand and employee health care costs.We are growing. Ive opened up three new offices in the last 30 days, said Staff-ing Consultants Executive Vice President Tommy Keef. Staffing Consultants recently moved its headquarters from Asheville to Easley and has opened offices in Anderson and Charleston.

Keef said there are lingering questions about employee health care costs as the Affordable Care Act plays out. Right now everything is up in the air because of not knowing what Obam-acare is going to do, Keef said. They dont know how to regulate it. Temporary staffing firms pay the sala-ries and benefits of employees they place

GREENVILLE$GREENVILLE$ MONEY DISTRICT

2010

49,510

57,473 59,675

JOB PLACEMENT Jobs at S.C. placement agencies

2011 2012SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Gross sales topped $1 billion in downtown Greenville last year. See how much spending was reported in Greenville's other commercial corridors. Page 8


EDITORSNOTE

NEWSMAKERS 2013

September 9 - 22, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 22 $2.00

see ROBO, page 6

see PARK, page 7

Teeing offBMW Charity Pro-Am making big impact on Upstate philan-thropy, economy PAGE 4

In the bankSouth Carolina-based banks outpacing the nation in earnings gainsPAGE 2

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2 In Focus: Research & Innovation .................... 9People in the news ........ 16News briefs ................... 18Viewpoint ....................... 19

Innovative CompaniesPAGE 12Law Firms Intellectual Property LawPAGE 14

THE LIST

National attentionUpstate firms make list of nations fastest-growing businesses.PAGE 3

Andersons down-town getting a splash of green by Bill [email protected]

A terraced, 1-acre park with spray fountains for children, a wall of cascading water, a stage for en-tertainers and plenty of green space to sit and relax is about to open in downtown Anderson. The $2.8 million green project devel-oped by Trehel Corp. is expected to open to the public Sept. 21.Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts and other officials attended a $25-a-person reception Friday where the Carolina Wren Park was publicly named. Naming the park after South Carolinas state bird is linked to a promotion of a new chil-drens book commissioned by the city: Little Wren Lost and the Teakettle Call.Roberts said the park will be open dai-ly for the public and will also be available

Pickens building a dynasty in mechatronicsby Bill [email protected]

T hey are part of a long champi-onship run in mechatronics. These ambitious students de-sign, program and build robotic con-trols and other high-tech gadgets in an Upstate classroom-laboratory. Learn-ing in an environment that sometimes requires safety goggles, their skills have

AN R&D MILESTONENew Greenwood research center viewed as key to growing bioscience sector Page 9

Laboratory technologist Ken Barmore conducts research at the DNA isolation lab at the Greenwood Genetics Center.

(Photo/Greenwood Genetics Center)

AFFORDABLE CARE ACTExperts break down the health care reform act; 1st in a 3-part series PULL-OUT SECTION INSIDE

Names of private-sector partners for the new research campus have not been re-leased and the hope was that those business relationships would be nailed down quickly, so look for news on that in 2014.

This summer Clemson Universi-ty and the Greenwood Genetic Center announced plans for a new 17,000-square-foot genetics re-search center to be built in the Green-wood Research Park. The park features 165 acres available for re-search and devel-opment projects related to medi-cine and genetics.

The genetics expertise of the center and Clem-sons presence as a major research university gives the park what should prove to be an at-tractive combination for corporate partners in the fields of genetics and

pharmaceutical research and produc-tion.

This new Clemson project is an im-portant milepost in the two entities

eight years of co-operation, said Steven A. Skin-ner, director of the Greenwood Genetic Center. While the new facilities wont be a huge building, its a big move forward in col-laboration.

This is a ma-jor, big step for us,

Skinner said. We hope this is the key that will start bringing in partnerships.

An opening date for the new build-ing has not been set.

AN R&D MILESTONENew Greenwood research center viewed as key to growing bioscience sector

This is a major, big step for us. We hope this is the key that will start bringing in partner-ships.

Steven A. Skinner, Greenwood Genetics Center

The Biopharmaceutical Industry In S.C.

SOURCE: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

Supported more than 18,000 jobs in 2011

Directly employed 4,800 people

Paid an average salary of about $73,000

Generated $2.4 billion in economic output

Supported an additional $1.8 billion in products and services

Lynn Rimsky, a research laboratory technologist at Greenwood Genetic Center, prepares to load a sample to analyze gene expression. (Photo/Greenwood Genetic Center)


NEWSMAKERS 2013

EDITORSNOTE

Sept. 23 - Oct. 6, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 23 $2.00

see PROTERRA, page 15

Medical MilestonesClinical trials pumpbillions into S.C.PAGE 16

Brighter OutlookEconomist predictsrising GDP growthPAGE 3

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2 In Focus: Manufacturing ..................19People in the news ........ 32News briefs ................... 34Viewpoint ....................... 35

Composite ManufacturersPAGE 26

Industrial Staffing Agencies PAGE 28-29

THE LIST

Eating OutHospitality tax collectionsrise a surprising 10%PAGE 9

INSIDE The Greenville Chamber details the market forces influencing the Upstate economy in its latest Economic Scorecard.

THE $25M MAGNETTHE $25M MAGNETMajor public investment in industrial training expected to lure new business, but project details remain private. Page 13


I n a manufacturing sector flush with government money, electric bus maker Proterra Inc. has customers coming back for more. Even at almost $1 million each twice as much as traditional diesel- and gas-powered rides the Greenville-based companys EcoRide buses are getting snapped up by transit companies cashing in

on clean-air grants.Garrett Mikita, the companys president and CEO, said demand for the buses is rap-idly escalating and stems from the 9-year-old companys proven technology, significant fuel savings, more predictable operating ex-penses and reduced maintenance costs.Our company has grown significantly to

accommodate this increasing demand, dou-bling our number of employees and adding a second production line, Mikita said.

We expect sustained growth as our fleet increases and more transit agencies gain ex-perience with our product, Mikita said.In 2011, Proterras battery-powered

EcoRide became the first heavy-duty elec-tric transit bus to complete the federally re-quired durability and reliability testing at the Bus Research and Testing Center in Altoona, Pa.

Proterra grows as clients cash in on federal money

Healthcare RoundtableExperts offer tips to navigate ObamacarePullout section inside

(Photo/Bill Poovey)

Workforce-training initiatives are becoming increasingly important as the Upstates economic development community tries to recruit employers to the region. Green-ville County made a big public investment, $25 million, in Greenville Techs new campus.

The economic development com-munity expects Greenville Tech-nical Colleges new campus to attract industrial employers, and Green-ville County Council approved a $25 million bond issue for the campus with that mind.

Students from Greenville County high schools will be considered key re-cruits when Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI) starts training pros-pects for advanced manufacturing jobs.

Clemson University students could use the new Greenville Technical Col-lege campus as well, likely for research.

CMI, announced in 2013, will pro-vide industrial training, R&D labs and space for startup manufacturers.

Greenville Tech and Clemson an-nounced that with Greenville County

schools as a partner they plan to inte-grate K-20 students in innovative mod-els of training, coupled with traditional dual enrollment programs, tours and camps when CMI opens in 2015.

One goal is to provide students a bridge between certificate-level pro-grams, associate degrees and bachelors degrees. CMI will also offer space to ac-commodate fledgling companies and for manufacturers to create prototypes.

Hydraulic equipment manufacturer Bosch Rexroth is among companies that have made financial commitments to the project. The company has already made a donation of equipment valued at more than $400,000 that will eventually be used at CMI.

Mike McCormick, Bosch-Rexroths vice president and technical plant man-

New Greenville Tech campus may attract industry, bridge educational levelsager, said in an email statement that the agreement between Greenville Tech and Clemson starts the process to bridge the longstanding silos in our STEM ed-

ucational system. STEM, the acronym of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, combines rigorous aca-demic concepts with real-world lessons.

INDUSTRIALMagnet School

Doug Wilson of Bosch-Rexroth demonstrates training equpment that will be used at Green-ville Techs Center for Manufacturing Innovation. (Photo/Bill Poovey)


EDITORSNOTE

NEWSMAKERS 2013

June 3 - 16, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 16 $2.00

see CLINIC, page 6

LaunchpadClemson University MBA pro-gram helps students launch business after graduation.PAGE 10

Interpreting fairnessSens. Graham and Scott disagree on the Market-place Fairness Act, which would allow states to tax online sales.

PAGE 2

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2 In Focus: Health Care Heros .......... 11People in the news ........ 28News briefs ................... 30Viewpoint ....................... 31

Biotech/ Biomedical ManufacturersPAGE 25

THE LIST

WE HAVE THE HEROES OF THE HEROES HERE. David PowellHealth Care Heroes Page 11


With all but a small edge of South Carolina complying with federal ozone standards, the state could contentedly sit back and take a deep breath. Instead, some state officials and commu-nity leaders say they smell trouble coming with the summertime pollutant. The director of the states Department of Health and Environmental Control has warned that the Environmental Protection Agency may change air quality standards to put most of the Upstate among 25 counties at risk of becoming ozone attainment vio-lators. In addition to health and environmental concerns, a nonattainment label would carry economic development repercussions.DHEC Director Catherine Templetons letter to state senators said all of South Carolina, ex-cept a small part of York County that the EPA has linked to Charlottes nonattainment area, complies with the ozone standard set in 2008. The letter said that with a stricter ozone stan-

Stricter ozone standards could result in vehicle inspections, a moratorium on building permits and restrictions on spending federal highway money.

see AIR, page 8

Dean Hybl, executive director of Ten at the Top, discusses the impact of vehicle idling on ozone levels. TATT is leading a collabora-tion of businesses and other organizations to

improve air quality before the EPA adopts stricter standards that could hinder economic development. (Photo/Bill Poovey)

The dirt behindair qualityMedical clinic bypasses FDAat foreign site


A Greenville biomedical researcher who has worked for years developing a radia-tion- and chemotherapy-free cancer treatment has opened a clinic in the Cayman Islands.Thomas Wagner, Ph.D., said the offshore location is the best available option while the Food and Drug Ad-ministration decides if his treatment regimen will be approved for use in the United States. Wagner said the clinic, which is more than 1,000 miles away from Greenville, is open because his immu-notherapy treatment is a lifesaver and can benefit patients now. He said the FDAs responses to his series of clini-cal trials have been encouraging but he predicts a final decision is still years away.

Stephen King, a spokesman for the FDAs center for drug evaluation and research, said in an email that the FDA is unable to discuss any drug applica-tions that may or may not be pending before the Food and Drug Administra-tion or regarding clinical trials.Wagners treatment at the clinic, Perseus PCI or Personalized Cancer

Cancer starts in all of us about 10 times a day. Thomas Wagnercreator of Perseus PCI

Free rentCity of Spartanburg awards rent subsidies to lure three businesses downtown. PAGE 4

Three new retailers won spots on Spartanburgs Main Street as part of the citys effort to fill va-cant storefronts by subsidizing rents.

Nearly 60 hopeful businesses entered into Spartanburgs Main Street Challenge. Seven finalists were selected to pitch their business concept to an audience of rough-ly 270 people at the Hub-Bub Showroom

in downtown Spartanburg. The winners each received a cash in-

centive of $12,000 provided by the city to be used as rent assistance. Additional in-kind incentives such as marketing as-sistance, printing, accounting and tax preparation will be provided by local busi-nesses.

The competitions selection committee,

consisting of local business people and ed-ucators, announced the Local Hiker, Motte & Sons Bootlegging Co. and Haute Mama as the winners this year. Local Hiker and Haute Mama are operating, with Motte & Sons planning to open in early 2014. The selection committee reviewed the finalists business plans, considering sus-tainability, financial backing and fit within

the available spaces. We decided to think out of the box,

said Patty Bock, the city of Spartanburgs economic development director who spearheaded much of the competition. We want to fill empty storefronts with retail businesses, generate more sales revenue downtown and create more con-sumer traffic.

Comparing downtownsFigures are for retail space in downtowns Greenville and Spartanburg.

Spartanburg joins Fountain Inn, Travelers Rest, Anderson and Greer among numer-ous Upstate cities to invest in downtown revitalization projects, and Mauldin has created a plan to develop a downtown district it doesnt currently have.

FIGHTING FORMain Street

Main Street Challenge Winners

Sara McClean Riddle received funding to open Haute Mama, a retail store offering maternity clothing, educational resources and exercise classes for expectant mothers.

Michael Motte, his wife, Eugenia, and 21-year-old son, John, received funding to open a family-owned moonshine and rum distillery in downtown Spartanburg.

Michael and Kathy Silverman received funding to open the Local Hiker, an outdoor equipment store offering products for camping and backpacking.

Vacancy

10.7%

4.2%

Rent per square foot

$11.31

$13.96

SOURCE: CBRE The Furman Co.

Spartanburg

Greenville

Looking down Main Street in Spartanburg. (Photo/Scott Miller)


NEWSMAKERS 2013

After 15 years, the Bi-Lo Center is no longer the Bi-Lo Center. At a cost of $4.5 million, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System has acquired the naming rights to the arena. For the next 10 years, the 15,000-seat athletic, entertainment, education-al, convention and cultural center will be the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, or The Well. The change was effective Oct. 1.

A study showed that events at the 15-year-old arena generated about $57 million annu-ally for the local economy in fiscal 2010-2011.

Bi-Lo acquired the naming rights for $3 million when the center first opened in 1998. Its contract expired Oct. 1 and the grocery chain had right of refusal to extend it. The grocery chain, formerly headquartered in Mauldin, relocated its corporate offices to Jacksonville, Fla., last year following its acquisition of Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.

The arena is home of the Greenville Road Warriors hockey team and also hosts national music acts, the circus, professional wresting events, ice-danc-

ing shows, monster-truck rallies and other events.

Mark Nantz, CEO of the nonprofit Catholic health system sponsored by Bon Secours Ministries, said at the Sep-tember announcement that the arena will be a big part of the systems commu-nity wellness outreach.

We think our job is to help our com-munity be well, Nantz said.

He said the health systems new partnership with the arena is a way to use mar-keting dollars to touch people.

Greenville Are-na District Board Chairman Jeff Gilstrap said in a statement that the agreement with

the health system will expand the fi-nancial capacity of the arena and will improve our financial situation.

A three-year, almost $15 million renovation of the arena includes a new curtain system, a ribbon board, roomier seating along the front rows, suite up-grades and digital displays in the con-course area. City and county officials provided $13.1 million for the renova-tions.

BYE BYE BI-LO; Bonjour Bon Secours

by the numbers

$4.5 million amount Bon Secours St. Francis Health System paid for naming rights

1998 opening date

$63 million development cost

15,000 seats

$57 million annual economic impact

$3 million amount Bi-Lo paid for naming rights

15 years ago

wellness arena

This is a high-profile exit for Bi-Lo, which relocated its headquarters from Mauldin to Jacksonville, Fla. At the same time, its a big marketing move for Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, which faces stiff competition in an evolving health care industry.

EDITORSNOTE

We think our job is to help our community be well.

MARK NANTZ BON SECOURS ST. FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM

by Ashley [email protected]

Despite selling more homes and devel-oping on long-idle lots, those in the industry report little to no new groundbreaking on new subdivisions for single-family detached homes. This, combined with a decreasing supply of foreclosed or bank-held lots, may equate to a

future lot shortage that could inflate housing prices.

It seems the time of the cheap single-family lot may be at an end. Decreasing inventory of unfinished lots may cause a shortage in the real estate market, affecting homebuilders and buyers alike when it comes to pricing in the Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson re-gions.

If theres a severe shortage, then thats go-

ing to start driving land prices up and driving developing costs up, said Verdae Develop-ment Inc. President and COO Rick Sumerel. It becomes classic law of supply and demand.Data from Market Opportunity Research

Enterprises shows an increase in the num-ber of single-family residential lots sold while at decreasing average prices in the recent

October 7 - 20, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 24 $2.00

see LOT SALES, page 6

RebrandedAfter 15 years, the Bi-Lo Center is no longer the Bi-Lo CenterPAGE 2

INSIDELeading off ...................... 2 In Focus: Health Care ....... 9People in the news ........ 16News briefs ................... 18Viewpoint ....................... 19

Retirement CommunitiesPAGE 12

Home Health Care AgenciesPAGE 14

THE LIST

Now openS.C. Inland Port opens this month in Greer.PAGE 4

THE REALITY IS, TRYING TO MAKE A GAME THATS SUCCESSFUL IS A LITTLE BIT LIKE TRYING TO MAKE YOUR WEALTH OFF A LOTTERY TICKET.Bryan Martin, Rice Bowls

At Work. PAGE 15

Diminishing lot inventory could increase housing prices

Healthcare RoundtableExperts offer tips to navigate ObamacarePullout section inside

Upstate locals use entrepreneurial experience to industry hop with style at Greenville-based Coast Apparel. PAGE 7

Coast Apparel executives Blayne Henderson, left, and Chad Odom. Photo/Ashley Boncimino

Top gearCU-ICAR chief says driver-less vehicles coming fastPAGE 8

The Bi-Lo Center is now The Well. (Rendering/Provided)

CONTINUING PARTNERSCONTINUING PAPARTNERS

REGIONAL VISIONARY REGIONAREGIONA OL VISIONARARYRY

NEWSMAKERS 2013

Industrial expansioncontinues

M ichelin North America wrapped up 2013 by opening a new tire plant in Anderson County and eyeing its next move, pos-sibly an expansion in Greenville County.

The tiremaker spotlights a growing list of expanding industrial companies in the Upstate, along with ZF Trans-missions, Colgate-Palmolive, Carbures, BorgWarner and many others.

In December 2012, Greenville County Council approved tax incentives aimed at a Michelin expansion. The measure, which would reduce the companys tax assessment ratio from 10.5% to 4% as part of a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, would require Michelin to invest at least $200 million and create at least 125 new

full-time jobs. Nothing has happened since that measure was approved.

Michelin NA Chairman and Presi-dent Pete Selleck, however, said in De-cember 2013 that he has been in contact with the county recently. He said expan-sion announcements could be made in 2014.

The new 80,000-square-foot Ander-son facility is part of a $750 million in-vestment that included an expansion of the companys Lexington plant as well.

The Anderson County plant will pro-duce the worlds largest tires for more than 1,300 mining operations around the world. The facility was completed in 17 months, making it the fastest green-field construction in Michelins history.

EDITORSNOTE

Capital investment seems down in 2013, but 2012 figures were inflated by $550 million and $900 million Upstate investments by Michelin and BMW, respectively. Look for BMW to continue hiring throughout the year as it completes its expansion, and potentially, look for another announcement from Michelin.

by Ashley [email protected]

Right now, South Carolina is all about nuclear, but that could change. For years, natural gas has been a second choice when it comes to power and energy, but with the explosion of shale gas in North America, advances in technology and the cavernous price gap between U.S. natural gas prices and those in the rest of the world,

natural gas is poised to be the next big thing in power. One indicator? Big companies in the Upstate like GE, Duke Energy and Sempra U.S. Gas & Power are investing heavily in it. Our customers are leaning more and more

on that natural gas, said David Williams, vice president of sales at Fluor Corp., which is de-signing and building power projects around the world. Its cleaner. You can build those companies very quickly. Theyre far less ex-pensive than the other options. Theyre more

reliable with the technology now, with the ad-vanced gas turbines that are coming into the market now.

Nuclear power plants still supply 51% of the states net electricity generation in 2011, according to the U.S. Energy Information Ad-ministration. But the recent glut of cheap nat-ural gas down to $3.62 in September from an average of $8.86 per million British thermal

November 4 - 17, 2013

www.gsabusiness.com

Volume 16, No. 26 $2.00

see GAS BOOST, page 9

Now recruitingNewly opened S.C. Inland Port eyes additional customersPAGE 7

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