Briefs
Graham advocates tougher drilling rules U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R–SC) argues in favor of requiring relief wells in deep–water exploration as pre–emptive strikes against possible blowouts. The blowout in the Gulf of Mexico appears unstoppable until a relief well is drilled. Under new offshore drilling legislation Lindsey favors, S.C. would collect a 37.5 percent share from oil and gas finds.
Speaking of oil spills... ...Spartanburg–based Milliken & Co. is using nanofiber technology to help with cleanup of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Milliken Research has developed and patented a very high throughput process with nanofibers that are about 1 percent the diameter of human hair. The super–absorbant nanofibers are capable of absorbing two or three times the current market standard. Over the history of Milliken, the company has accumulated more than 2,200 patents and holds more patents than any privately–held company in the country.
Plug In Carolina Seven unnamed S.C. cities will be the first part of a Plug In Carolina statewide network of public electric refueling stations anticipating local sales of electric vehicles including the Ford Focus, the Nissan Leaf, and the Chevrolet Volt. Plug In Carolina (a nonprofit sponsored by SCE&G, Duke Energy, and Santee Cooper) has selected AeroVironment Inc. of Monrovia, Calif. to supply, install, and support the charging network. The network is expected to be fully operational by December 1.
Automobiles On Thursday, June 3, leading automobile manufacturers with operations in S.C. met in Charleston at the S.C. International Trade Conference, a three–day discussion on the future of the port and the S.C. economy. Andreas Maas, president and CEO of Daimler Vans Manufacturing, said learning the difference between a European education system and an American education system was a
“shocking experience,” according to the Charleston
Regional Business Journal. “In general,” Maas said, “the education in Europe is much, much higher there than here.”
More automobiles Fiat is yet to announce where it intends to build its Alfa Romeo 169, the new executive four–door saloon powered by a range of engines including a 400 hp V8. The 169 is aimed for the American market.
Charleston’s performing arts venues Columbia’s Township Auditorium is about to hold its opening concert with Tony Bennett after a $12 million redo, mostly paid by Richland County and none by the city and very little by private contributions. Mayor Riley of Charleston recently announced a $142 million planned overhaul of the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, half covered by the city and half covered by private donations. The city’s $71 million is targeted for new administration offices, and the private $71 million goes into the auditorium renovation. The auditorium’s seating will be reduced from 2,700 to 1,800 for improved sight lines and acoustics. During the current run of Spoleto, the Dock Street Theater reopened after a $15.5 million update. The Charleston school district’s downtown Memminger Auditorium was updated in the past few years for $6 million.
Unemployment trust fund On Thursday, June 3, Governor Sanford signed legislation to require many businesses to pay more into the state’s unemployment trust fund. There are 20 new categories to set rates. In the first category, the companies that have used the system the least over the past 10 years will not see a rate increase for 2011, paying as little as $26.97 per worker per year. The highest category, the companies that have used the system the most will pay $1,186 per worker. The state will repay its federal debt, currently almost $900 million and growing, by 2015 and fully rebuild the trust fund by 2020.
Come what May The S.C. Arts Commission board, chaired by Columbia’s Bud Ferillo, recently announced the appointment of Ken May as the executive director of the S.C. Arts Commission. May joined the commission in 1985, and he has been its acting director since May 2009. The board’s executive search committee conducted a three–month national search and reviewed 230 applicants.
