BMW continues expansion

Albeit recession time, BMW's Greer plant still intends to complete its $750 million expansion, enough to accommodate 500 new jobs. The 1.5-million- square- foot expansion is to make the BMW X3. All told, upon completion of the new expansion, BMW is expected to make 200,000 vehicles a year.

As does Wal- Mart

To include 1,000 jobs in S.C., Wal- Mart plans to add 22,000 people to its work force as part of opening about 150 new or expanded stores in the U.S.

Bankruptcies

According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, S.C. bankruptcy filings increased 22 percent over the 12 months ending March 31. Most business bankruptcy filings were Chapter 7, liquidation, which increased 161 percent.

College football in Charlotte

The UNC Charlotte Board of Directors recently declared a one- year delay at the least in beginning a football program. The school is suffering a sluggish response to seat licenses sales. The board has reduced its start- up budget from $45 million to $19 million.

Golf fans can't wait for 2014

For the first time in history, both the men's and the women's 2014 U.S. Open tournaments will be played in back- to- back weeks at the same golf course, Pinehurst No. 2, June 12- 15 for the men's and June 19- 22 for the women's.

Soccer fans are curious about 2018 and 2022

The U.S.'s application to host soccer's FIFA World Cup in 2018 and in 2022 is due in May 2010. The USA Bid Committee has requested proposals from 37 cities, which includes Atlanta. FIFA's 24- member executive committee will name the two host nations for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in December 2010.

Charlotte No. 3 in the Southeast

A new study at UNC Charlotte covering nine Southeastern metro areas (employment and labor, income and productivity, livability and connectivity, new economy, and equity and diversity) found Charlotte third overall. Charlotte came in first in income and productivity. The Raleigh- Durham area came in first overall, followed by Austin, Texas. Atlanta was fourth, followed by Dallas, Texas; Richmond, Va.; Nashville, Tenn.; Tampa, Fla.; and Jacksonville, Fla.

Natural order

South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., the largest subsidiary of Scana Corp., filed recently for a 2.53 percent overall increase to its natural gas base rates. SCE&G filed under the terms of the Natural Gas Rate Stabilization Act, which means the 10.25 percent targeted return on common equity can't be missed by more than 0.5 percent above or 0.5 percent below the target, or a rate adjustment will be necessary.

Clemson cuts 450 positions

Even though Clemson University has recently increased in- state tuition by 4.5 percent, the school cut 450 employment positions.

New business

The USC Small Business Development Center has moved into the USC Technology Incubator on its third floor at 1225 Laurens Street. The SBDC is available for free consulting and managerial assistance. Call 777-5118.

Unemployment

The S.C. jobless rate climbed in May to 12.1 percent. Allendale County scored the highest unemployment rate in the state at 22.1 percent. In North Carolina the unemployment rate is 11.1 percent, while in Georgia it's 9.7 percent.

Downtown Columbia gets a boost

HealthPort, a health- care information technology company, has announced a move of 140 employees from Northeast Columbia to 1401 Main Street, the northwest corner of Main and Washington.

So you think we got it bad?

In California, where a $24 billion deficit is the country's worst, the governor has suggested releasing thousands of prisoners early and closing more than 200 state parks. Also, under debate in California is raising the cigarette tax from $0.87 a pack to $2.37. Across the country, the total budget gap among all the states comes to $121 billion for the coming fiscal year. For the current fiscal year, the budget deficit totals $102.4 billion.

Arts economy

According to a CMA- commissioned study, the Columbia Museum of Art adds $23 million to Columbia's annual economy. In 2007, the museum's visitor count was 108,000 people, and in 2008, it was 128,000. The museum's annual operating budget is $3.3 million.

Competition

Hugh McColl, retired Bank of America CEO, addressed the Charlotte Chamber recently, reminding his audience, "Nobody ever got anywhere without planning." He cited Charlotte's unfinished light- rail line as the single most important project in his recent memory. The Charlotte Center City Partners is working on its 2020 Plan, foresight to steer uptown Charlotte through the next decade as McColl chases the Southern branch of the Rhode Island School of Design. Columbia and USC make for a better fit with RISD, but Columbia doesn't have Charlotte's money or Charlotte's McColl.