#ColumbiaAgenda: Tourism Grows, SC Volvos, Nephron Pharmaceuticals, Five Points, Ghost Kitchens, Space Force

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. ***Breastfeeding could become easier for working moms with this SC proposal. Here’s how. (The State)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 anches (Post and Courier)