S.C. Wildlife Federation Executive Director Ben Gregg Retires After Decades Of Effort To Protect Wildlife And Habitats: The Wildlife Federation is focused on conservation, not environmentalism, he says, an important distinction since many associate environmentalism with more radical measures. “We’re more inclusive. It’s about habitat protection.”It’s a business-friendly stance that has earned the support of many large industries statewide, including BMW, Fuji, Michelin, and Westinghouse, which seek the organization’s expertise through WAIT. “We believe that business and conservation have a lot in common,” Gregg says. “There might be points where we disagree, but overall, there is a lot of common ground.” (Columbia Business Journal)

The median home sales price dropped in the Charleston, Greenville, and Spartanburg metros from Q2 2018-Q3 2018, according to the February Housing Reports from the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond. The Columbia area saw an increase of 1.57 percent. 

According the National Association of Realtors, the average home price in Columbia was $174,000 (+5.57% YoY), $286,000 in Charleston (+7.19%, YoY), $216,000 in Greenville (+8.32% YoY), and $174,000 in Spartanburg (+10.62% YoY).

Across the state, the number of new private housing permits is down -0.38% YoY, although there was a month-to-month increase from September to October of 9.01%. 

In Greenville the number of new permits dropped -21.44% in October, while Charleston (+15.4%), Columbia (+13.68), and Spartanburg (+48,2%) saw increases. Year over year, all four metros have seen growth: Greenville, +25.07%; Charleston, +0.37%; Columbia, 1.01%; and Spartanburg, 12.17%.
***

6 restaurant openings to look forward to in the Midlands (The State) 

Duke plans its first rate hike in 6 years. Here's why small households will pay the most. (Greenville News)

Pot is legal in 10 states, but the industry still can’t use banks. Will Congress change that? (The State)


Half-naked woman shuts down airport, causes flights to circle and be canceled, SC cops say (The State)


After 25 years, Charleston’s shuttered Navy base still has ‘a long way to go’  (Charleston Post and Courier)

Trump's Tariffs Took a Bite Out of Once-Booming Solar Job Market (Bloomberg)Amazon Slashed Prices at Whole Foods; Now They’re Shooting Back Up (WSJ)


Your Smart Light Can Tell Amazon and Google When You Go to Bed (Bloomberg)


AR Will Spark the Next Big Tech Platform—Call It Mirrorworld (Wired)The Wire
Leadership Columbia Class Of 2019 Announces Class Project

Christian Brothers Automotive Celebrates New Shop In Lexington With Grand Opening Event

SCBIO Announces 2019 Board Of Directors, New Members

TEDxGreenville Sets Lineup For March 29 Talk 

Topgolf Looking To Fill 350 Positions At New Greenville Location