Sonoco expands Hartsville–based Sonoco completed the acquisition of Associated Packaging Technologies for about $120 million the first of July. Sonoco expects the move to contribute $150 million in additional annual sales. Founded in 1993, Associated Packaging Technologies manufactures annually about 3 billion containers for the frozen food industry.

BMW needs another 500 people The BMW Greer plant needs to bring on board another 500 workers, contingency associates, in the next few months for production of the next generation BMW X3. BMW’s plant expansion is nearing completion at a cost of $750 million, and production should begin in the fall. BMW’s contract personnel staffing partner, MAU, will be hiring the 500 contingency associates. Applications may be made online: www.mau.com/bmwjobs

Report card According to a recent study by Ball State University, South Carolina received a B for manufacturing, which is above average, but the state got a C– for logistics, a D for human capital, and also a D for venture capital. The state flunked in the areas of productivity and innovation, an F in each. On the other hand, the state did get an A for global reach. The report card for all 50 states was produced by Ball State’s Center for Business and Economic Research. To see how each state is ranked, visit http:// cber.iweb.bsu.edu/research/ 2010/.

Ups and downs On the first of July, the S.C. Public Service Commission unanimously approved a 4.88 percent rate increase for SCE&G to be phased in over the next three years. SCE&G’s rate increase helps with its costs building the Lake Murray backup dam and also in installing emissions reduction equipment, both undertaken to meet federally mandated environmental and safety regulations. Meanwhile, the PSC approved Progress Energy’s request to reduce its electricity rates. In the past two years, the costs of coal, natural gas, and other fuels have decreased, and Progress Energy has negotiated lower–priced fuel contracts. In both cases, the shareholder–owned parent corporations for SCE&G and Progress Energy expect what the PSC must do is allow them to maintain targets for the annual return on common equity: SCANA, 10.7% and PGN, 8.9%. As of mid–morning, July 13, Progress Energy (PGN) was $41 per share, up from $35.98, the 52–week low. SCANA was $38.03, up from $31.75, SCANA’s 52–week low.

Nearby transit improvements, Part I According to the Charlotte Business Journal, Charlotte has been approved by the Federal Transit Administration for $25 million in funding to start construction on a 1.5–mile segment of a 10–mile streetcar line with a total cost estimate of $450 million to $500 million. Charlotte City Council must vote to approve the $25 million grant and $12 million in matching funds. The city has already spent $15 million on construction and engineering on this line.

Nearby transit improvements, Part II Both the downtown and Midtown Atlanta Community Improvement Districts have passed resolutions supporting creation of a streetcar system in Atlanta. Atlanta City Council voted 11–3 Tuesday, July 6, to seek $52.1 million for a 2.6–mile system that would run from Centennial Olympic Park to the King Center. The federal money would be matched with $10 million from the downtown CID and $10 million from the city.

Nearby transit improvements, Part III The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority is building 24 new shelters with real–time, automatic vehicle location software on buses and at stops. Across the country, transit systems have used similar technology. In Columbia, the technology, known at NextBus, is working on the USC shuttle bus system. NextBus also services transit systems in more than 20 states. In Charleston, the 24 shelters are being funded with $625,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

Providence receives national recognition For the fourth consecutive year, Providence Heart & Vascular Institute has received a three–star rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The highest category of quality, the three–star rating is awarded to only about 10 percent of hospitals.

Informed vs. uninformed

The Daily Report of the Columbia Business Report

conducted an informal survey among its readers and among those who responded, 84 percent said Alvin Greene was elected the Democrat U. S. Senate nominee because voters went to the polls uninformed and uneducated about the candidates.