Textiles According to studies by Clemson University and N.C. State University, the S.C. textile industry has $21 billion in annual sales among its 912 companies employing almost 65,000 workers.

Charlotte's future in college football UNC Charlotte Chancellor Phil Dubois recently recommended a new football program to his board of trustees. The board agreed. The first football team should begin play in 2013. The UNC Charlotte campus claims 23,300 students, including 5,200 graduate students.

Charlotte's future in real estate education The UNC Charlotte Center for Real Estate brought in $4.4 million from its recent fund- raising efforts. Two Charlotte- based companies with significant standings in S.C., Bank of America and Wachovia, contributed $500,000 each.

S.C. ports Bernard Groseclose of the S.C. State Ports Authority recently announced 260,800 jobs generated by the state's ports. The ports' annual income is $11.8 billion, while the ports' annual impact on the state's economy is $44.8 billion.

First Citizens In the first week of November, First Citizens Bank acquired Orangeburg- based Community Resource Bank and its 10 full- service offices in Orangeburg, Sumter, Blythewood, Ridgeway, and Winnsboro.

Can Columbia get it from Scana? Cincinnati, Ohio, was paid $3.5 million from Duke Energy as a contribution to the city's $100 million streetcar initiative. The $3.5 million contribution was part of the settlement of an electric- rate case between Duke and the city.

Engineers S.C. ranks among the top five states for employment in several engineering occupations. In three categories, S.C. has the second- highest employment concentration of engineers in the U.S.: health and safety engineers, industrial engineers, and chemical engineers. The state ranks fourth in the country for its employment concentration of nuclear engineers, and the state is ranked first in employment concentration for nuclear power operators and nuclear technicians.

Columbia software helping kids Columbia- based Accelerations Educational Software (AES), a leading developer of software for autism and other developmental disorders, has entered into a partnership with Qatar- based Anzima to introduce AES programs in the Middle East benefitting children with special needs. Anzima plans to introduce an English version of the DT Trainer, the first product developed by AES. DT Trainer helps children with autism, as does the Activity Trainer, a video modeling software also expected to be introduced to the Middle East by the Anzima/AES partnership. All software will soon be offered in Arabic.

Collexis Outsell, an IT research firm, recognized Columbia- based Collexis as one of five rising stars in its field of scientific, technical, and medical (STM) information.

Columbia architects win local awards The American Institute of Architects Greater Columbia section announced Honor Awards for two buildings by Watson Tate Savory Architects: Multipurpose Building for Technical College of the Lowcountry and New River Campus for USC Beaufort. An Honor Award was also the recognition afforded Quackenbush Architects + Planners for The Center for Knowledge, Richland School District Two.

Jobless N.C. unemployment hit 7 percent in October, and S.C. scored 8 percent, the highest in 25 years. S.C. shed 14,800 jobs in September. Allendale County's unemployment rate of 17 percent was the state's highest. Richland County's unemployment rate was 7.1 percent. The national unemployment rate for October was 6.5 percent.

S.C. revenue The state's yearly revenue projection is 9.5 percent below the total the Legislature used to write the state's budget. The State Budget Office is facing a drop of $689 million from original revenue projections, so far.

S.C.discounts The SCDOT's construction contracts for highways and bridges for the months of August, September, and October attracted bids $15 million less than expected. The SCDOT in the three months put 93 projects out to bid with estimates totaling $172, and the bids came in at $157.

Young Professionals shall gather at the river The Third Annual Midlands Young Professionals Holiday Party is set for Wednesday, December 10, 6 pm inside The Hall where Senate meets the Columbia Canal. More than 300 made it last year. Advance tickets are $20; at the door, $25. All proceeds go to Toys for Tots. For more information, call 979.4097 or email info@ourcor.org.