#ColumbiaAgenda: Tourism Grows, SC Volvos, Nephron Pharmaceuticals, Five Points, Ghost Kitchens, Space Force
Feb 20, 2019 10:36AM ● By Chris Haire
The tourist industry in South Carolina grew for the sixth straight year in 2017, S.C. Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Director Duane Parrish announced yesterday at the Governor's Conference on Tourism and Travel. The new findings bring the valuation of the sector to $22.6 billion, up 6.6% from the previous year, placing the industry just above aerospace at $19 billion and forestry at $21 billion. Other notable industries include automotive ($27 billion) and agriculture ($42 billion).
The most recent statewide accommodation tax figures signal similar growth, with tax collections increasing 2.4% fiscal year to date compared to the previous year. From June-Nov. 2018, accommodation tax collections was $44 million, up from June-Nov. 2017's $43 million.
Fiscal year to date, tax collections are up in Charleston (3.9%), Beaufort (6.2%), Richland (3.9%), and Spartanburg (11.8%) counties, while figures are down in Greenville (3.2%) and Horry (0.8%) counties.
Occupancy rates across South Carolina were down 0.3% from Jan.-Dec. 2018. Both the South Atlantic and the U.S. as a whole experienced occupancy rate increases, 0.1% and 0.5% respectively.
However, some reports indicate that travel to the U.S. is beginning to slow.
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The most recent statewide accommodation tax figures signal similar growth, with tax collections increasing 2.4% fiscal year to date compared to the previous year. From June-Nov. 2018, accommodation tax collections was $44 million, up from June-Nov. 2017's $43 million.
Fiscal year to date, tax collections are up in Charleston (3.9%), Beaufort (6.2%), Richland (3.9%), and Spartanburg (11.8%) counties, while figures are down in Greenville (3.2%) and Horry (0.8%) counties.
Occupancy rates across South Carolina were down 0.3% from Jan.-Dec. 2018. Both the South Atlantic and the U.S. as a whole experienced occupancy rate increases, 0.1% and 0.5% respectively.
However, some reports indicate that travel to the U.S. is beginning to slow.
***
Breastfeeding could become easier for working moms with this SC proposal. Here’s how. (The State)
Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation Implements Kit Check for Serialization of All Prefilled Syringes (Cision)
A ban on bans: Are SC legislators killing local control as favor for Big Business? (The State)
SC’s largest bank seeks to balance cost-cutting and growth, plans to shutter branches (Post and Courier)
Greenway Could Connect Five Points to Congaree River (Free-Times)
Virtual restaurants on the rise in Atlanta and beyond (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Honda to Shut Plant in Brexit-Shaken Britain (Manufacturing.Net)
The race to 5G wireless tech is on. A report finds Americans may have an early lead. (Washington Post)
The US Air Force Has Won Control of the Space Force (Defense One)
MIT scientists are using lobsters to develop a new form of flexible body armor (Washington Post)
Does the Walton family earn more in a minute than Walmart workers do in a year? (Washington Post)
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Can a robot pick a strawberry better, faster, and cheaper than a seasonal farmworker? (Washington Post)
66% of workers polled want a 4-day workweek—why just 17% of their employers offer it (CNBC)
The Wire
Maxwood Furniture, Inc. Locating New Distribution Center In Marion County
SCRA Announces Seven New Client Companies
RockBox Fitness To Open Two Columbia Locations
Gov. Henry McMaster Removes Entire Richland County Election Board
50 Most Influential
Tod Augsburger
Lexington Medical Center
Lexington Medical Center
President & CEO
Tod Augsburger has served as the president and CEO of Lexington Medical Center since 2015. Augsburger has extensive senior experience in health care leadership in the Midlands and around the country. Before serving as president and CEO of Lexington Medical Center, he was the hospital’s senior vice president and chief operating officer for 16 years. Previously, Augsburger worked at the Ohio Health System in Columbus, Ohio as corporate vice president of integration, vice president of clinical ancillary services, and vice president of operations.
Augsburger received a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Michigan in 1989 and a bachelor of science in finance from Michigan State University in 1985. He is a fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives and received the S.C. Healthcare Executive of the Year award in 2003 from the S.C. Hospital Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives.