Duke's two new nuclear reactors Duke Energy recently asked the South Carolina Public Service Commission for permission to collect $64.4 million in development costs from its 500,000 S.C. customers to proceed with two new nuclear reactors in Cherokee County. The $64.4 million is 28 percent of $230 million in approved pre- construction costs. The other 72 percent will have to come from Duke's North Carolina customers. Columbia- based Scana and its subsidiary SCE&G (in partnership with Santee Cooper) are moving forward with plans for two new reactors in Jenkinsville, the existing site of the V.C. Summer nuclear plant.

A health- care idea for South Carolina The North Carolina Institute of Medicine runs a Web site helping the uninsured find health care. There are 1.5 million uninsured in N.C., and they are invited to search nchealthcarehelp.org for free health care or at least something at reduced costs.

Another health- care idea In April 2006, Gov. Romney's Massachusetts Legislature passed a health- care bill intended to bring the state closer to near- universal coverage within three years. Uninsurance among working- age adults fell by almost half in the first year, dropping from 13 percent in 2006 to 7 percent in late 2007.

Citizens' committee openings The deadline to apply is Monday, June 30, 2008, and the vacancies include: Central Midlands Transit Authority Board of Directors, handicapped's slot; Design Development Review Commission, architect's slot and two neighborhood representatives' slots; Richland County Board of Assessment Appeals, city resident's slot; Planning Commission, city resident's slot. Board of Zoning Appeals, city resident's slot. To hear more information and to apply, call the City Clerk at 545.3045, or send a request to cityclerk@columbiasc.net.

Unbroken China On Tuesday, June 24, 11 am until noon, the S.C. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Commercial Service are holding a conference on exporting to China, which should give a thorough orientation to participants in the upcoming (September 4- 13, 2008) S.C. Export Mission to the People's Republic of China. For more information and for registration, visit www.regonline.com/ChinaOpportunity. The U.S. is the world's No. 1 importer nation, and China is No. 2 with about $1 trillion in imports for the past year.

Richland County scores Strategic Resource Company (SRC), an Aetna Company, will soon expand its corporate office and headquarters in Richland County. According to the S.C. Dept. of Commerce, SRC specializes in creating and implementing medical plans with various optional coverages specifically tailored for hourly employees. The expansion will result in the creation of 40 new corporate office jobs. Later, the SRC anticipates adding another 60 jobs as the company reaches predictable growth levels in the next five years.

Jobs fair attracts thousands On Wednesday, June 11, the booths of 44 employers were visited by 3,700 jobs seekers inside the Cantey Building at the State Fairgrounds. Called the Employment Expo Wednesday and sponsored jointly by the S.C. Employment Security Commission and The State newspaper, the event's draw reflected the state's high unemployment rate, which is the third highest in the country.

Among the nation's top 20 The Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital was recently rated No. 19 out of the 113 children's

hospitals that responded to a survey by U.S.News & World

Report ranking the nation's premier pediatric hospitals in the heart and surgery category.

Money for the arts The South Carolina Arts Commission awarded $1,982,396 to S.C. communities, arts organizations, and schools for the 2008- 2009 fiscal year, supporting 278 grantees in 40 counties.

First Citizens expands Columbia- based First Citizens Bancorporation has acquired Merchants and Farmers Bank of Madison County, Ga. Merchants and Farmers Bank will continue to operate separately under its name as a subsidiary of First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc.