SC Labor Market, Other Conditions

South Carolina payroll employment gained 1,900 jobs (0.1 percent) in December. The unemployment rate remained at 3.0 percent.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond:

* South Carolina payroll employment gained 1,900 jobs (0.1 percent), on net, in December. The most jobs were added in transportation, trade, and utilities (2,400 jobs). The most jobs were lost in leisure and hospitality (1,900 jobs).

* Since December 2022, total payroll employment increased by 59,600 jobs (2.6 percent), on net. Employment in the state was up 5.9 percent from before the pandemic (February 2020). The most jobs were added year-over-year in education and health services (15,200 jobs). Manufacturing experienced the largest decline (100 jobs).

* The unemployment rate in South Carolina remained at 3.0 percent and was 0.3 percentage point below its reading from a year ago. The December unemployment rate was 0.1 percentage point above its pre-pandemic February 2020 reading.

* Residential permitting activity decreased 17.9 percent in South Carolina from October to November but was up 5.1 percent from its level a year ago.

* According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values in South Carolina appreciated 8.6 percent from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023.

Ruppert Landscape Enters South Carolina Market with Acquisition of The Greenery of Charleston

Ruppert Landscape, LLC, an industry-leading provider of commercial landscaping services, said it has expanded its services in South Carolina with the acquisition of The Greenery of Charleston.

Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Owned and operated for 15 years by Andrew Dupps, The Greenery of Charleston is a leading commercial landscape maintenance and installation provider in the Charleston market.

Together with partners Dennis Hensley and Tom Murray, along with the support of approximately 320 team members, the company serves customers in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, James Island, Johns Island, Kiawah Island, and Summerville.  

Officials said the acquisition of The Greenery of Charleston aligns with Ruppert's vision to continue to expand the company's footprint within current and adjacent markets.

In 2022, Ruppert Landscape partnered with San Francisco-based private equity firm Knox Lane to support and accelerate its growth objectives.   

"When deciding on a partner, Ruppert's culture really resonated with us," Dupps said. "Their track record of growth, customer service, and passion around development and opportunity for team members aligns perfectly with our priorities."

Ruppert Landscape, founded as a family and employee-owned business is headquartered in Laytonsville, Maryland.

Ruppert’s 2,300 team members serve customers from over 40 branches primarily throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S.

Knox Lane is a growth-oriented investment firm comprised of a team of investors and operators with a shared work history and a track record of partnering with leading companies to accelerate transformational growth.

South Carolina-Based Wealth Management Group Strengthens National Presence in 2023 Expansion

Apollon Holdings, the parent company of Charleston, S.C.-based Apollon Wealth Management, LLC and Apollon Financial, LLC, nearly doubled its assets under management to over $6 billion over the course of 2023, standing apart, officials said, in a growth arena dominated by high interest rates and aggressive acquirers.

Apollon’s offering of independence, strategic support for advisors, and its stand-out client experience, resonated in the marketplace, leading to a year of high-caliber talent acquisition and key expansion in three states, the officials said.

Apollon Wealth’s year of momentum culminated with the addition of Catalyst Wealth Management in Atlanta, GA, and Piershale Financial Group in Barrington, IL, as well as a team of four advisors led by Owen Malcom located in Peachtree Corners, GA.

Additionally, Apollon Financial acquired Foxen Financial in Hinsdale, IL. With these moves, more than 70 Apollon advisors now serve their clients in locations across the United States.

The following advisors joined in 2023:

Kyle Foresman (Chicago, IL)

Mike Teel (Hoboken, NJ)

Patrick Floyd (Columbia, SC)

Wesley Davis (Sarasota, FL)

Jason Rosener (Denver, CO)

Aymen Kaboub (Chicago, IL)

Brooks Johnson (Charleston, SC)

Brad Humphries (Columbia, SC).

2023 also saw Apollon Wealth Management’s hiring of industry veteran Teresa Matthews-Fletcher as senior vice president of Operations, who has assisted in the firm’s recruiting efforts.

Habitat Greenville launches 12th CEO Build

A group of Greenville business and community leaders pledged to help build a new Habitat for Humanity of Greenville home.

The 12th Habitat Greenville CEO Build will include: Scott Weaver of Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union; Jane Harrison Fisher, chairwoman of the 2023 CEO Build as well as chief operating officer with Coldwell Banker Caine; Bob Morris of the Community Foundation of Greenville; John Boyanoski of Complete PR; Stephen Davis of Davis and Floyd; Phil Howard of Ethox Chemicals; Chris Bailey of Greater Greenville Association of Realtors; Tommy Jenkins of Greenville Maintenance Services; and Keith Miller, Ph.D., of Greenville Technical College.

It also will include: Seabrook Marchant of Marchant Real Estate; Kerri Paulino of Meritage Homes; Hank McCullough of Piedmont Natural Gas; Josh Covington of QLM and Southern Harmony; Brian McKay of Spero Financial; Steve Spinks of Spinx; David Lominack of TD Bank; Randy Hunter of Terminix; Delisa English of The Blood Connection; Steve Magruder of Warehouse Services, Kirsten Zinkann of Kirsten Zinkann Real Estate; Mike Coggins of South State Bank; Douglas Deitz of The Reynolds Company, Walmart Distribution and John Castile of the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority.

Each participating CEO pledges company funding and staff volunteer hours to help build the project houses. They also work on-site personally during construction alongside their own team members, community volunteers, and future Habitat families to broaden their perspectives on issues of importance to our community. 

The project house will be at 115 Sturtevant Street in the Bramlett community off of White Horse Road. A wall raising will take place Feb. 13 at the Bon Secours Wellness Center.

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County opened its doors in 1985 to bring families, community partners, and volunteers together to construct affordable, energy-efficient homes that help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance.

As of May 2023, Habitat Greenville has completed the construction of 405 homes.

Habitat Greenville received the 2017 Builder of the Year award from EarthCraft, and in recognition of financial health, accountability, and transparency, maintain a 4-Star Charity status by Charity Navigator.

Allow us to tell your company's Business Narrative. Send your press release to David Dykes or for more information email [email protected]