Charleston Regional Business Journal - September 7, 2020 by SC Biz News

BEST ADVICE Brandi Sellers, Left Brain Collaborative

PAGE 4 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 19 ■ CHARLESTONBUSINESS.COM

Part of the

SEPTEMBER 7 - 20, 2020 ■ $2.25

network

New distributor promotes minority-owned wineries By Holly Fisher

Taxing situation

Reduced accommodations taxes are causing issues for organizations across S.C. Page 7

Deeply funded

Charleston Harbor project sees renewed political support with money in place. Page 14

Contributing writer

hree years ago, Brooke Lago and Jonella Orozco met in a wine class at the Culinary Institute of Charleston. Actually, they met on the last day of class when Orozco asked if anyone had job leads. Lago

chimed in with details on an opening with her employer, the Carolina Yacht Club. The two became co-workers and best friends. Lago went on to work at Belmond Charleston Place, and Orozco became the sommelier at Peninsula Grill; earlier this year, Peninsula Grill offered Lago a management position. Then, COVID-19 hit. The two

Business Decisions

See MANTRA, Page 10

Education, commerce, coronavirus Data in COVID era intersects with business, schools and social issues

Technologic shift

Benefitfocus names new CEO from within its ranks after executive steps down. Page 9

By Barry Waldman

Contract finalized by Lockheed to provide 90 of the jet fighters from the Upstate. Page 17

INSIDE

Charleston’s only tea farm removed the word “plantation” and initiated a branding change. Many businesses are considering how to respond to the recent racial unrest that carries implications for social change and the bottom line. Page 6

Contributing Writer

he COVID-19 pandemic and its reverberating impacts on schools have created a massive strain on America’s educational systems. Its impact has been borne disproportionately by segments of American society that repeatedly bear the greatest burdens of shocks to the system: those at the bottom of the educational and economic ladder. The numbers are familiar: The high school dropout rate for white students in the tri-county area is 17%, for Black students it is 35%. Median income for white non-Hispanics is $44,800, for Blacks it is $31,000, and for Hispanics, $28,000. As schools went virtual during the pandemic, a lack of access to broadband internet left 40% of local Black children without any education at all. At a panel discussion from the Charleston

S.C-made F-16s

Upfront................................. 2 SC Biz News Briefs................. 3 Best Advice........................... 4 In Focus: Manufacturing.................... 15 List: Manufacturers.............22 Bonus List: Industrial Staffing Agencies................25 At Work...............................27 People in the News...............27 Business Digest....................27 Viewpoint............................ 31

friends were both furloughed and collecting unemployment while they waited for the restaurant to reopen. On the heels of the coronavirus came another pivotal moment for 2020 — the killing of George Floyd and the subsequent out-

Photo/Teri Errico Griffis

See EDUCATION, Page 8

Banking on film

As popular Netflix show resumes production in Charleston area, film commission says incentives run out quickly for television and film. Page 11

Upfront

BRIEFS | FACTS | STATEWIDE NEWS | BEST ADVICE

Palmetto State among best for pandemic employment July 2019

Charleston

9.2%

2.6%

Columbia

7.7%

2.9%

Florence

8.4%

3.3%

Greenville

7.9%

2.7%

Source: S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, July 2020

Change in unemployment claims 25 20 15 10 5

Rank

State

Oregon

Pennsylvania

North Dakota

New Jersey

West Virginia

South Carolina

Connecticut

Maine

Vermont

Maryland

ON THE

“We have really resilient businesses. We have the ingredients to a secret sauce that most states don’t have.”

RECORD

-15

+20.91%

State

+12.95%

Rank

+8.16%

-1.26%

-3.95%

-10

-5.00%

0 -5

-18.48%

States recovering from pandemic unemployment

July 2020

24.11%

That’s the 13th-highest in the country. Georgia has the highest percentage at more than 3,207% since the pandemic started, and Connecticut was the lowest, but that state still saw a 627% increase.

Region

-26.06%

In South Carolina, jobless numbers in the state’s primary markets in July showed continued struggles from cases of COVID-19 compared to the previous year. Since the pandemic began, South Carolina has experienced an increase of more than 1,485% in requests for unemployment benefits, the Wallethub analysis found.

-33.67%

Even though unemployment numbers are dropping, 16.3 million American workers were still out of work by the end of August, and new claims for unemployment benefits were topping more than 1 million a week.

Unemployment in S.C. metro areas

Percentage*

-20

West Virginia

Missouri

Pennsylvania

North Dakota

Vermont

Connecticut

Maine

-35

Oregon

-30

South Carolina

-25 Wisconsin

outh Carolina is in the top 10 for states recovering from the coronavirus outbreak, a research analysis by Wallethub found. The company looked at three specific data markers, including unemployment claims compared to 2019, claims compared to the start of the year and since the start of the pandemic.

*Indicates change in claims for jobless benefits in late August compared to the start of 2020. Source: Wallethub

— Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette

WEBSITE: www.CharlestonBusiness.com

@CRBJ

@CRBJnews

facebook.com/CharlestonBusiness

September 7 - 20, 2020

www.charlestonbusiness.com 3

SC Biz News Briefs DENMARK

thank you

Columbia Regional Business Report

FOR BEING PART OF ECCO'S CIRCLE OF SUPPORT!

Construction on Dominion-owned solar facility in Denmark underway Construction has begun on a 6-megawatt solar facility in Bamberg County that will generate enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 1,000 homes. The Dominion Energy-owned facility is expected to begin operating in the fourth quarter. The Denmark facility is one of three solar arrays purchased from Charleston-based Southern Current that have long-term power purchase agreements with Dominion Energy South Carolina, according to a news release. The arrays, which include Blackville Solar in Barnwell County and Yemassee Solar in Hampton County, have a generating capacity of 23.2 MW. All three are expected to enter serThe 6-megawatt facility in Bamberg County will vice this year, according to the release. generate enough energy to power the equivalent Dominion Energy also plans to of 1,000 homes and is one of three arrays Dominion purchase the 12-MW Trask East Solar facility in Beaufort County from Southern has acquired from Southern Current. (Photo/ Provided) Current in September. That facility also has a power purchase agreement with Dominion Energy South Carolina, which has more than 971 MW of solar capacity on its system. “We have fully embraced adding solar generation on our system and making it accessible for all customers as we work to help build a clean, sustainable energy future of South Carolina,” Danny Kassis, vice president of customer relations and renewables for Dominion Energy South Carolina, said in the release.

ANDERSON

Upstate credit unions Anderson Federal and SC Telco merge, take new name Anderson Federal Credit Union and SC Telco Federal Credit Union are set to merge early next year after members voted for the decision proposed in late June. The new entity, called Spero Financial, will comprise more than 59,000 members, $525 million in assets and 10 banking locations throughout the Upstate and Midlands, according to a news release. Brian McKay will be president and CEO of the company, which will be based in Greenville. “With over 150 collective years of helping South Carolinians improve their financial lives, it’s only fitting that our new name should have its origin in our home state’s most recognizable symbol — the Great Seal of South Carolina,” McKay said in the release. “There, we read the Latin motto ‘Dum spiro spero,’ meaning ‘While I breathe, I hope.’ ‘Spero’ means hope — a word that’s deeply rooted in our unchanging mission and cooperative spirit of people helping people.” The name was chosen also to highlight the sparrow-like characteristics of the company: agility, vigilance and adaptability, the release said. Spero Financial’s logo and other branding elements will be unveiled later this year as SC Telco transitions to its new name, the release said. Anderson Federal locations will be rebranded in early 2021. AUGUST 17-SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 ■ $2.25

network

Businesses use billions to save 658,000 S.C. jobs By Andy Owens

VOLUME 23 NUMBER 15 ■ GSABUSINESS.COM

Part of the

Charter flight companies pitch convenience and privacy as a selling point to conduct business travel through smaller airports. (Photo/Provided)

Rapid response

Clemson researchers are on the trail of a faster COVID-19 test. Page 9

Sprucing up

TAP TRANSITION

Bierkeller Columbia finding new ways to reach customers in pandemic

Mystery seeds

Unsolicited packets could be invasive or contain pests. Page 4

SCANA fallout

Former COO sentenced on federal fraud charges. Page 13

INSIDE

Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 4 In Focus: Financial Services .............23 List: Accounting Firms .......24 Bonus List: Credit Unions ....27 At Work ............................. 29 Viewpoint ........................... 31

By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

am Moses didn’t know exactly what to expect when he stepped into the shed. Moses, a Columbia economic development attorney, had been invited to a friend of a friend’s backyard to discuss a business venture over beers. After a few sips, Moses was sold, and a partnership that would bring a taste of Germany to the Midlands was formed. Bierkeller Columbia has grown from its homebrew-by-way-of-Bavaria founding in 2016 into a popular popup beer garden that draws thousands of people to locations such as the banks of the Congaree River for seasonal gatherings at Riverfront Park. Though facing challenges necessitated by the coronavirus to its business model, Bierkeller Columbia and founder and owner Scott Burgess are committed to continuing to produce authentic German beer — and more of it. “We can’t make as much as we could sell,” said Moses, Burgess’ friend and business partner. “We’re kind of at that crossroads. We can make 1,000 barrels a year, but we can’t go any further until we have another partner with more capacity or do it ourselves.” Bierkeller Columbia operates out of Swamp Cabbage Brewery at 921 Brookwood See BIERKELLER, Page 7

illions of dollars in federally backed loans flowed onto the balance sheets of 63,000 S.C. companies over the past few months, all against a backdrop of a global pandemic that transformed into an economic crisis. The Paycheck Protection Program, quickly passed by Congress under a larger coronavirus relief package, made low-interest loans available for businesses to keep employees safely at home but still on a company’s payroll. In thousands of loan applications, S.C. businesses said the money would help save a total of 657,957 jobs across the state after coronavirus shutdowns began cutting demand for products and services in early March. Many of the companies receiving loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act are small businesses, and 88% of the loans in South Carolina were under $150,000. On the other end of the scale, some loans went up to $10 million. An analysis of Small Business Administration data by SC Biz News shows that the fallout from the pandemic threatened employees in every county with job losses and salary reductions. Statewide unemployment in February was 3.2%, a rate that had held steady for eight months. By May, the jobless rate had risen to 12.4%, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce reported, before dipping back down to 8.7% in June. Elena Bottari, co-owner and CFO of Mariplast North America in Greer, said a loan saved jobs and maintained salaries for workers at her company. The Italy-based manufacturer has 21 employees in South Carolina. See PPP, Page 26

Women of Influence

Meet the 2020 class of influential women making the Midlands a better place to work and live. Page 15

Managing in a pandemic

Architects weigh in on statues

A different view on value of monuments. Page 13

Tough times, careful plans

Financial planners have advice for assessing risk in trying times. Page 20

INSIDE

rnorton@scbiznews.com

he shutdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic started with a flurry of activity for general aviation airports as people turned away from commercial flights. Charter flight companies that operate out of general aviation airports such as the Greenville Downtown Airport saw a sudden spike as people tried to find another way home. “If you go back to the beginning when it was first announced about the pandemic, things kind of locked down and you saw charter spike for about two weeks with people trying to get back to other states and other countries,” said Doug Goldstrom, president of sales and marketing for Special Services Corp., based at the Greenville Downtown Airport. “We did a lot of international flying during that time to get people out, and to get some back, and then the charter business stopped. And there was nobody flying because most of charter business is business related.” That’s when April arrived, a bleak month for aviation generally, and aviation airports mirrored the decline suffered by

Attorneys from Ogletree Deakins follow developments. Page 10

Leading Off .......................... 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 C-Suite ................................ 4 In Focus: Banking and Finance ............................. 17 LIST: Accounting Firms....... 18 At Work ..............................22 Viewpoint ...........................23

SUMMER 2020

By Ross Norton

aowens@scbiznews.com

B Mixed-use development planned for Forest Acres. Page 3

2020 CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

Providing help and hope to neighbors in need. Find out more at ECCOcharleston.org

MARA DISINFECT

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay clean and help stop the spread of disease

• Non-irritating, no rinsing required • No added dyes or perfumes • FDA-compliant • Made in the USA • Value-size bottle

Made in SC

.SHO P LOCAL

See AVIATION, Page 1

South Carolina strikes chord with niche instrument industry By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

Tom O’Hanlan, Booker Labs, Liberty

Spotlighted by Pink Floyd to the Beatles to Eric Clapton, some might call the Leslie speaker the unassuming backbone of classic rock and roll. Tom Booker O’Hanlan called the spinning speaker a hobby horse — until the Sealevel Systems CEO became one of few people in the world to refurbish the vintage speakers commercially from his Liberty-based BookerLab.

“It’s a fun sport, if you will,” O’Hanlan said about collecting the now 13 Leslie speakers that jumpstarted his work at BookerLab in 2018. “And I don’t even play keyboards. I’m just enamored with the technology.” In the late 1930s, Don Leslie invented the titular speaker, a cabinet with a revolving hornlike amplifier, to marry the doppler effect to the Hammond organ. Over the decades, musicians like John Lennon experimented with the speaker to torque their voice — as in the Beatles’ otherworldly cut “Tomorrow Never See INSTRUMENTS, Page 6

Economic upheaval S.C. industries respond to unprecedented shutdown

Tom O’Hanlan in BookerLab, which started with his fascination with speakers. (Photo/Molly Hulsey)

In Focus

Commerce Department Audit

Examination shows lack of transparency in business recruiting Page 17

County Spotlight: Dillon | Trending: COVID-19 in S.C. | S.C. Delivers

ColumbiaBusinessReport.com

No-rinse hand and surface sanitizer, 8 oz. bottle

AUGUST 10 - AUGUST 23, 2020 ■ $2.25

network

Smaller airports see faster ascent

SC Biz News 1439 Stuart Engals Blvd. Suite 200 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Part of the

Fair to go

S.C. State Fair will offer drive-through food, exhibits. Page 2

ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 11 ■ COLUMBIABUSINESSREPORT.COM

EAST COOPER COMMUNITY OUTREACH

GSA Business Report

With publications in Charleston, Columbia and the Upstate, as well as a statewide magazine, SC Biz News covers the pulse of business across South Carolina. Above are excerpts from our other publications.

2020 Golf Tournament Sponsors

GSABusiness.com

SCBIZmag.com

888.253.2778 | contact-mna@marabu.com | www.marabucares.com

www.charlestonbusiness.com

LOWCOUNTRY NEWSROOM Executive Editor - Andy Owens aowens@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3142

September 7 - 20, 2020

Best Advice

BRANDI SELLERS

FOUNDER, LEFT BRAIN COLLABORATIVE By Beverly Barfield | Photography provided

Senior Copy Editor - Beverly Barfield bbarfield@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3115 Editor, Custom Publishing Division Steve McDaniel smcdaniel@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3123

A WINDING PATH

Staff Writer - Teri Errico Griffis tgriffis@scbiznews.com • 864.849.3144

degree in arts management

Brandi Sellers earned a

Research Specialist - Paige Hardy phardy@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3125

from the College of

Digital Editorial Assistant - Alexandria Ng ang@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3124

on to a 15-year career in

MIDLANDS NEWSROOM

a student “and was really

Editor - Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7542

good at their software

UPSTATE NEWSROOM

hired by The Gibbes

Editor - Ross Norton rnorton@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1222

Museum of Art while still

Associate Editor, Custom Publishing Division Jim Tatum jtatum@scbiznews.com • 864.720.2269

Blackbaud product, and

Charleston before going the software industry. She worked in advancement as

systems.” She then was

in college, managing a then Blackbaud hired her as a consultant right after she graduated. Sellers

Staff Writer - Molly Hulsey mhulsey@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1223

has led projects for some of the largest established

LOWCOUNTRY ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

nonprofit organizations in

Senior Account Executive - Robert Reilly rreilly@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3107

the country and a global professional services firm,

Account Executive - Sara Cox scox@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3109

among others. She has now founded her own company,

“THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth

President and Group Publisher Grady Johnson gjohnson@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3103 Creative Director - Ryan Wilcox rwilcox@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3117

Surround yourself with great people and then empower them to do great things. Not a single person becomes

where she employs her

successful without others. In my career, I have found that building relationships and allowing people to shine

skills to provide companies

not only makes everyone successful, but builds a team and culture that makes people want to work together.”

with analytical solutions, such as implementing

Accounting - Robin Tillotson ar@pbmbrands.com • 336.605.1025 Subscription Services service@bridgetowermedia.com • 877.615.9536 CUSTOM MEDIA DIVISION Director of Business Development Mark Wright mwright@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3143

software or helping small

INTERESTING FACT

Between her junior and senior years of college, Sellers sold her car and took a five-month working holiday in London, working in development at the Museum of London. She also once once worked as a consultant for Oprah’s Angel Network.

Events Account Executive - Melissa Tomberg mtomberg@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1220 Events Manager - Kim McManus kmcmanus@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3116

Left Brain Collaborative,

businesses determine their overhead costs.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Charleston Regional Business Journal (USPS 18822) is published biweekly, 27 times per year, including one special issue in February, by SC Biz News. P.O. Box 446, Charleston, SC 29402. Periodicals postage paid at Charleston, SC. Mailing address: 1802 Dayton St., Suite 101, North Charleston, SC 29405. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Subscription Services PO Box 1051 Williamsport, PA 17703-9940

Annual subscribers receive 27 issues of the Business Journal including The Book of Lists and Newsmakers, plus four special supplements: Profiles in Business, Event Planning Guide, Market Facts, and Giving. One year (27 issues) for $57.95; two years (54 issues) for $92.95; three years (81 issues) for $ 129.95. Subscribe, renew, change your address or pay your invoice by credit card online at www.charlestonbusiness.com or call 877-615-9536.

NWS Company LLC A portfolio company of BridgeTower Media

The entire contents of this newspaper are copyright by NWS Company LLC with all rights reserved. Any reproduction or use of the content within this publication without permission is prohibited. SCBIZ and South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

September 7 - 20, 2020

T:10"

www.charlestonbusiness.com 5

Your business is always on. Your internet should be too.

T:12.25"

With AT&T Internet for Business, you get fast, highly reliable internet thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made for business. It features Internet Backup, so even if the power goes out, our wireless network automatically keeps you connected. Go to att.com/BizInternet or call 855-432-1500 to learn more.

Ranked #1 Highest in Customer Satisfaction by J.D. Power among Small/Medium Business Wireline Service For J.D. Power 2020 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards

www.charlestonbusiness.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

Tea garden, others rebrand amid social justice conversation By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

he company behind North America’s only tea farm underwent a quiet name change in June, replacing the word “plantation.” It’s now Charleston Tea Garden — a name that partner William Hall said more appropriately represents the Wadmalaw land. There was no public pressure advocating for the update and there was no publicity announcing it, as Hall said he and his partners sought neither praise nor to stir up further conflict regarding the word. “It was simply the right thing to do at the right time,” Hall said. A third-generation tea taster who studied formally in London, Hall came to own the land then known as Charleston Tea Plantation in 1987. Seeking additional financing in 2003, he partnered with his longtime friends at Bigelow Tea — a Connecticut-based, family-owned company with 65 years of experience in the specialty tea business. Seventeen years later, the partners have taken a hard look at the business’s name, like so many others in the South who have built a legacy of tourism on a history that was founded on slavery. “Plantation” was never an ideal representation of the land anyway, Hall said. He started his commercial business in 1987, more than a century after the Civil War ended and enslaved people were freed, changing the labor system upon which plantations were based. The name also confused guests who assumed there’d be a plantation house. While there had never been any major outcries or backlash regarding the garden’s original name, the Bigelows said they have always been sensitive to the fact that the word “plantation” carries significant pain for many in the country and throughout the world. So together with Hall they changed it. “Today there are so many voices calling for positive action, building the appropriate awareness to drive meaningful change,” the company said in a statement. “Bigelow Tea has worked hard to create an environment of inclusion and equality but as an organization and as individuals, we know we can always do better.” The change was small at first, starting in 2019 with the Bigelow tea variety Plantation Mint. The name had elicited a number of derogatory statements over the years, Hall said, and the Bigelows renamed it Perfectly Mint late last year. With calls for social justice growing louder, and then erupting in protests after the death of George Floyd while he was in police custody, and with the conversation particularly targeting national monu-

Charleston Tea Garden (above) and Geechie Boy Mill (left) are among several Lowcountry businesses changing their names as the nation grapples with race relations. (Photos/Teri Errico Griffis)

ments and company names, Hall said the conversation surrounding a rebranding of the tea garden came up again this year. “The Bigelows asked what I would think about changing our name here and I said sure,” Hall said. Updating plantation to the word “farm” was a closer description, but Hall worried it wouldn’t be as appealing to tourists. Instead, he and the Bigelows moved forward with pushing the company’s legal business name, Charleston Tea Gardens, to the forefront. Dropping the “s” made for a softer transition. “I can’t say it’s not a big deal because we know how harmful that word can be to certain people. But it was the right time,” Hall said.

To rebrand or not to rebrand

Charleston Tea Garden is one of a handful of businesses throughout the area to address its name in response to the national conversation. On July 1, Geechie Boy Mill on Edisto Island announced that it would rebrand, although no official name change has been released yet.

“Please understand that this will be a slow process as we have to do the trademarks, packing, etc. Once we know that our new name is a go, we will let you know,” the company said in a news release on Aug. 20. But not all companies feel the need to change their name, despite the current conversation. Charleston-based Dixie Vodka considers the South to be a dynamic, ever-evolving place and stood by their name in a June statement. “We’re proud to be called Dixie Vodka,” they said. “As the singular nickname for the region for 200 years, ‘Dixie’ represents the South of the present, at any given point in time. The South has not always represented things we are proud of, but there is plenty to love and learn about from our collective history and much to be proud of today,” the company said. “Through the Dixie Vodka brand, we aim to positively reflect the South of today, representing the best of the region not just at home, but across the country.”

Deciding what names should change and what monuments should be taken down throughout the South requires thoughtful consideration, says Marion Burns, chair and interim executive director of the Penn Center, an African-American cultural and educational center on St. Helena Island. “We can’t do it carte blanche, he said. “History is history, but I think we need to be careful.” Some changes make perfect sense to him, such as taking down the John C. Calhoun statue in Marion Square; for others, he suggested the state create a committee comprising all races who could create informed, thoughtful decisions. Removing the word “plantation,” however, is something he can relate to, having lived in a Beaufort community named Colleton River Plantation for 17 years. He was one of only a handful of Black residents in the community. “When I think of ‘plantation,’ I think of my great-grandparents who were slaves and the negative connotation,” he said. “They were treated awful. I didn’t go through those things, but I’m mindful it happened and don’t need to be reminded every day.” CRBJ

Reach staff writer Teri Errico Griffis at 843-849-3144.

September 7 - 20, 2020

www.charlestonbusiness.com 7

Loss of tourism-related taxes has statewide impact By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

he CEO of one of the largest festivals in the area is saying that the lack of incoming accommodations tax funds is going to severely hinder people from coming to Charleston to spend money. The state is anticipating the loss of millions of dollars in tax revenue as a result of tourism being down in 2020. The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is one of many events that count on accommodations tax money for their nationwide marketing. SEWE President and CEO Jimmy Huggins said the annual event is still planned for February, and he hopes to find funding to make up for the organization’s $13,700 loss. The state is now anticipating $3.9 million in total revenue, down from its original estimate of $8.4 million, said Matthew Frohlich, deputy CFO for Charleston. An additional $2.5 million in fund balance — reserves the state has been able to add in — brings that total slightly closer to the goal, but it still isn’t enough to offset the projected loss. Each year, municipal and state accommodations taxes are broken up to support various efforts, festivals, organizations

Tourism funding from the state is shorter than anticipated this year, and organizations across the Lowcountry are having to re-evaluate their budgets to try to make up the difference. (Photo/File)

and other tourism-related projects across the state. In Charleston, accommodations taxes help the city’s general fund, capital improvements and the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s budget to promote tourism. If people aren’t staying in hotels, the businesses aren’t paying these taxes, creating a statewide trickle-down effect. SEWE’s Huggins said, “All of this severely effects our ability to market the event and bring people in from out

of town who spend the money here in Charleston. When we are afforded funding from these different entities, we count on it to come in.” Because Mount Pleasant and Charleston impose their own hotel taxes, the hit there comes twice as hard. The lack of revenue also affects recipients of Community Assistance & Accommodations Tax grants, who were set to receive $2.36 million of funding from the city directly — contingent on the money being there, Frohlich said.

“We find ourselves in a situation where we’re having to project the revenue throughout the course of the year and adjust expenditures,” Frohlich said. “We’ll re-evaluate in the third quarter and will take it on a quarter-by-quarter basis.” With a sheer lack of revenue during the pandemic, the state has been able to pay out just $592,000 through the first two quarters. Recipients were notified in writing that future payments are unable to be made without incoming money. “We also advised them, similar to the county, that we don’t see much opportunity in 2021 to re-establish that funding,” Frohlich said. Other projects affected by the Municipal and State Accommodations Tax Fund include the upkeep of the downtown Market Head Hall and the refurbishment of the Low Battery sea wall, both improvements beneficial to the tourism industry, according to Charleston’s 2020 formal budget. The State Accommodations Tax Fund also supports the free downtown area shuttle and publication of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Visitors Guide. CRBJ

Reach staff writer Teri Errico Griffis at 843-849-3144.

BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE!

LIMITED PACK AGES REMAIN – SECURE YOUR PREMIUM SPACE TODAY! MAY 17-23, 2021 | THE OCEAN COURSE | KIAWAH ISLAND GOLF RESORT Contact Ben Rhodes, BRhodes@pgahq.com | 843-580-1582

www.charlestonbusiness.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

EDUCATION, from Page 1

Regional Business Journal, experts discussed what schools, government, businesses and society can do to reimagine the way education is delivered in a post-pandemic world. “COVID-19 has illuminated the interconnectedness between financial stability ... health, education, and I would say race,” said Tri-County Cradle to Career CEO Phyllis Martin, whose nonprofit forms the backbone of a collaboration of schools, businesses and civic organizations addressing local educational issues through a collective impact model. The panel said that the death of George Floyd, which galvanized civil rights advocates and awoke the nation to the reality of racial injustice, has created space for a discussion of how to make a more equitable educational system. The panelists said they hope that when students return to school, the educational system will be one designed in the 21st century for today’s schoolchildren. “Returning our system back to the way it educated pre-COVID really isn’t the goal here,” Martin said. “We have to return better. We have to ask ourselves who was the education system built for and how is that working and what are the changes we need to make? We have to ensure that all children, especially those impacted by systemic racism, have access to resources and supports that they need to thrive.”

On the eve of the new school year, significant uncertainty remains about how schools will educate children. Many parents deem the in-school option too risky to the health of their children or family. The virtual option may not be possible for less-educated and low-income families who must work outside the home. Research by the Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that about 70% of those with bachelor’s degrees can telework; 30% of those with no college can. Fewer than one in nine adults lacking a high school diploma are in a position to telework. “Education gives you flexibility as to how much you’re able to work at home or to actually have the option to have your children at home and schooling them during this time,” said Kendra Stewart, director of the Riley Center for Livable Communities at the College of Charleston. Hundreds of millions of dollars are available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to build out broadband infrastructure, said John Simpkins, a constitutional lawyer, former Obama administration official and president of an economic and educational reform nonprofit. He encouraged business groups to engage with the S.C. congressional delegation to access those funds. What can businesses do to support their employees? The National Partnership for Women and Families and the National Employment Law Project have created a best practices guide for the

Phillis Martin (from left), CEO of Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative, joins Kendra Stuart from the College of Charleston during the panel discussion. (Photo/Kim McManus)

pandemic. It recommends, among other things, providing two weeks of emergency paid sick time to workers while they quarantine or care for a sick loved one; offering increased flexibility in work schedules; establishing safe workplace protocols like mandated masks and hand sanitizing; maintaining benefits for furloughed workers; and exploring work-sharing plans to reduce job losses. Businesses’ core strengths are critical to managing COVID-19: adapting and adjusting, planning for a variety of futures, working with ambiguity and embracing technology. Cradle to Career is in the process of assembling a business collaborative to address this issue. Because every sector of society has a vested interest in the education of the next generation, this group will attempt to create “a roadmap that allows children to get on and stay on the path to economic mobility,” Martin said. Employees can help their employers as well, by following protocols to stay free from COVID-19, said Stewart — distancing and masking indoors, distancing or masking outdoors, and eschewing public

CRBJ

A FAILING SEWER OR DRAIN PIPE AT YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS DOES NOT MEAN EXPENSIVE REPAIRS AND DAMAGES !

Charleston and Avison Young are open for business! Although we are socially distancing, we never stop working for you. We are here to help you with all your commercial real estate needs. A special thank you to all the first responders and essential workers for their service, clients for their trust in us and our employees for their dedication.

FREE ESTIMATES

We hope everyone continues to be healthy and safe. Avison Young

indoor dining and drinking where masking is impossible. Employees can also contribute by sharing sacrifice and communicating their needs, said Simpkins. “Sometimes the answers are just sitting in a conversation,” Martin said. Simpkins says education must serve three roles in 21st-century American life: to create workers, people and citizens. The disruption caused by COVID-19, he said, opens space to reform the current system to account for these roles. “My hope is that we can capture some learning and really understand that there are multiple ways of delivering instruction, creating educational environments that can be responsive to the needs of students ... and focusing more on how to learn than on what to learn,” he said. “We want to enable people to be self-directed learners and be critical consumers of content, and that will shift outcomes,” he continued. “What we’re seeing in terms of low graduation rates are an effect of a system that really isn’t designed to achieve what I think those three roles of education should be.”

Charleston.

BEFORE

- RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL - INDUSTRIAL

AFTER

Drain Cleaning Cast Iron Pipe Repair Camera Inspections Root Removal Hydro-Jetting Sewer Pipe Relining 843 725 7200

1315 Ashley River Road, Charleston, South Carolina 29407

avisonyoung.com

(843) 212-4111

ROOTERNOW.COM

September 7 - 20, 2020

www.charlestonbusiness.com 9

North Charleston chemical company Ingevity names new CEO

Staff Report

specialty chemicals company in North Charleston has named a new CEO after a six-month search. The previous CEO left earlier this year for what the company called “personal conduct” matters. Ingevity said that John C. Fortson will be company’s new president and CEO as of Sept. 1. He will also serve on the board of directors.

Benefitfocus president, CEO steps down

Staff Report

aymond August has stepped down as president and CEO of Daniel Island tech firm Benefitfocus. He has been succeeded by Stephen Swad, the company’s CFO since 2019, but August will stay with the company through the end of 2020 to ensure a seamless transition, a news release said. “Benefitfocus plays an important leadership role in the industry, and we’re doing the work to build a truly great company,” Swad said in a statement. “We are immediately focused on strengthening our products, platform, talent and tools, with the help of BuildGroup, to better Swad serve our customers.” BuildGroup closed on an $80 million stock investment in Benefitfocus in June. Alpana Wegner, who has served as vice president and corporate controller since December 2017, will succeed Swad as CFO. “With the team in place, and bolstered by the strategic partnership with BuildGroup, I’m excited about our future together at Benefitfocus,” board chairman Mason Holland said.

Fortson joined Ingevity in 2015 and has served as executive vice president, CFO and treasurer. He will remain in the latter two roles on an interim basis until Fortson permanent replacements are found, the company said in a statement. Former president and CEO Michael

Wilson resigned because of “matters relating to personal conduct,” the company said in February. At the time, Ingevity’s board of directors appointed Chairman Richard Kelson as interim president and CEO. “John presented the board with a compelling vision and strategy for ‘Ingevity 2.0,’ based on his familiarity with the company and its unique culture,” Kelson said. “His business acumen and credibility with capital markets, combined with

his innate leadership skills, make John an ideal selection for Ingevity’s next CEO.” Prior to his leadership roles at Ingevity, Fortson served as vice president, CFO and treasurer of AAR Corp.; prior to that he spent 15 years in investment banking. “Our strategy remains fundamentally the same,” Fortson said. “However, we will focus on sustainability, customer centricity and innovation to drive growth. It’s a new day for the company, and we’re ready to get to it.” CRBJ

“Operating in Charleston for nearly a century has given us a long-term perspective and a strong appreciation for all things local: our community, customers and employees. Our bank is no different and South State has been a great partner to us. Whatever our needs, they’ve been there for us.” Dillard Stevens BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Richard Salmons Jr. PRESIDENT

Richard Salmons III COMMERCIAL DIVER

Salmons Dredging

CRBJ

“We are immediately focused on strengthening our products, platform, talent and tools.” Stephen Swad CEO, Benefitfocus CHS - ADMAG - CRBJ - Salmons Dredging.indd 1

1/11/19 9:09 AM

www.charlestonbusiness.com

MANTRA, from Page 1

cry against racial injustice. For Lago and Orozco, the movement reaffirmed another place where inequality could be found: minority-owned wineries.

A business idea comes together

As Orozco, who is Mexican American, was researching Mexican American wines to add to Peninsula Grill’s diverse wine list, she kept hitting roadblocks. It was Lago almost impossible to find a distributor that carried wines from small, minority-owned producers. “Jonella started realizing (minority-owned) wineries were not representOrozco ed in South Carolina unless you order online through their website,” Lago said. “Through her previous experience with distributors, she knew how hard it was to get them to carry a new wine. She said to me, ‘I think I want to open a wine distribution business.’” In four hours at a local Waffle House, the friends hammered out a lean business plan, roughed out a list of wine producers

September 7 - 20, 2020

they wanted to represent, and generated ideas for restaurants and bars that might support their work. The newly formed Mantra Wine Distributors will focus on wines produced by vintners around the world with Black, female, Latinx, indigenous and LGBTQ owners. The business, Lago said, is the only wine distributor in the nation focused on this niche. One of the first wineries to sign with Mantra is Twisted Cedar Wine, wholly owned by the Cedar Band of Paiute Indians in Utah.

Finding startup cash

To get the business off the ground, the women launched a GoFundMe campaign, hopeful that, in light of everything going on in the country, theirs would be a cause people could get behind. By early August, they had raised almost $3,000 for Mantra Wine Distributors — far short of the $30,000 they needed. For a business startup, $30,000 is a pretty small amount. Plus, the women are working to keep expenses down, forgoing a commercial space and working from a spare room in Lago’s house. But taxes, legal fees and licensing fees are unavoidable, Lago said. And they need the funds to purchase initial stock from the wineries, so that they have something to sell. Both women have been collecting unemployment since they were fur-

loughed in the spring — a financial cushion while they worked on the new business. They are expecting to return to work at Peninsula Grill this month. Orozco could work full time, and Lago might work part time at the restaurant and part time on Mantra Wine Distributors. They said banks aren’t issuing loans right now, and Lago said they are looking for investors who want to back this innovative venture. “Once we get that wine moving, the money from selling the wine goes into buying more wine. And the profits will start to come,” Lago said. She added that she doesn’t want to hesitate to sign new wineries but that it’s hard to move forward when she doesn’t know if the money will be there.

Introducing new wines to Charleston

What Lago and Orozco lack in cash, they make up for in passion, experience and knowledge. These women know wines. They know hospitality and fine dining. They can recommend unique wines from small producers that would be perfect for certain restaurants, Lago said. “We’re not just taking them any wines,” she said. “It’s something that will pair with the food and has a story that ties in.” Across the United States, there are 60 Black-owned wineries; five of those are in South Carolina. But Lago said they won’t offer con-

tracts to just any minority-owned winery. “We’re thoughtful about who want to represent and our portfolio,” she said. “We can’t market seven chardonnays.” The restaurants Lago has approached are intrigued, and the wineries are excited about the prospect of having a distributor. Small wineries rely on online sales, private tasting rooms and wine clubs; their wines rarely make their way to restaurant wine lists. Lago said distributors typically can’t generate profit from small producers — less product made by a small winery yields less demand — so they tend to focus on larger winemakers. While South Carolina may not be as well known for wines as California or New York, Charleston gets a fair amount of recognition, Lago said. Peninsula Grill is one of the top-rated restaurants in the world. “This is why Charleston matters,” Lago said, noting the number of tourists visiting the city and its reputation as a “mecca of food.” “Charleston is a doorway to food and beverage,” Lago said. “There’s so much movement here. You never know who you’re going to reach.” With Mantra Wine Distributors, Lago and Orozco hope they can help minorityowned wineries reach a larger audience in Charleston and beyond. And if they can secure financial support, Charleston restaurant-goers may be sipping wines from new locales very soon. CRBJ

FAST. UNFILTERED. FRESH.

Insights into insurance Brought to you by South Risk Management, LLC The independent brokers of South Risk Management provide a window of understanding into such topics as: • How COVID-19 is changing everything, including insurance. • The rising threat ballooning jury awards pose to insurers and the insured. • How cybersecurity insurance protects against a growing threat.

CRBJBizWire.com

Dedicated to serving up business announcements fast & unfiltered.

Get your message in front of the top decision-makers in the Lowcountry as they stay up-to-date on the people and businesses making moves in the Lowcountry.

• Why the reputation of vaping as a safe alternative is eroding.

For advertising information, contact Grady Johnson at (843) 849-3103 or gjohnson@scbiznews.com

READ NOW: SOUTHRISK.BTMBIZ.COM

September 7 - 20, 2020

www.charlestonbusiness.com 11

The Netflix series Outer Banks, which is filmed at locations across the Lowcountry, has returned to production for season two. (Photo/Provided)

Outer Banks resumes filming in Lowcountry By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

he Netflix series Outer Banks, which returns to film season two on Monday, is anticipated to add millions of dollars in direct spending to the S.C. economy. The show, set in North Carolina but filmed in the Charleston area, spent $31.4 million in South Carolina in 2019 and employed 1,305 residents, said Dan Rogers, senior project manager at the S.C. Film Commission. Outer Banks, which was the No. 1 show on Netflix three weeks after it debuted in May, features a teenager and his three friends as they search for a treasure linked to his father’s disappearance. The series films throughout the Lowcountry in locations like the Old Village and Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant and the Hunting Island lighthouse. It’s economically advantageous for South Carolina to host a TV series over a feature film, because production takes longer, which leads to more money being spent locally. For comparison, Rogers said 2018’s Halloween shot for 25 days, while Outer Banks filmed for 101. That accounts for more than 21,600 room nights in Charleston-area hotels. The state currently has two TV shows — along with Outer Banks is HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones, starring Danny McBride, who co-wrote Halloween and helped bring that production to the area. Rogers said that in addition to room and board, other local expenses include meals and catering, rental cars and furniture, dry cleaning needs, printing supplies, outdoor toilets and bottled water from grocery stores — the list goes on. “The bulk of the jobs come from the state, and this is new money that wasn’t there before,” Rogers said. Over the past five years, South Carolina’s film industry has brought in nearly $338 million in direct spending and accounted for 19,718 hires, Rogers said. Part of the draw to film in South Carolina is that the state offers $15 million a

year in incentives to recruit new projects. A portion of the money each production spends in the state — it must be more than $1 million — is returned in tax credits, Rogers said, pending audits by the Department of Revenue. With The Righteous Gemstones’ large budget and Outer Banks receiving $7.2 million in rebates for season one, most of that $15 million is quickly depleted. It’s a small budget when likened to Georgia’s unlimited tax credits, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Film productions have spent $2.2 billion in the Peach State so far this year, the department said. In 2019 alone, Rogers said the S.C. Film Commission turned down 29 potential projects because the state ran out of incentives. “The Southeast is so well-respected that people always want to come shoot here. We have great weather, great crew and great locations,” he said. While the coronavirus has created question marks for the entertainment industry worldwide, Rogers said the main impact in South Carolina has been delayed production. The Righteous Gemstones originally hoped to resume filming this summer, but production has been pushed back until early 2021 because of the pandemic. “There’s big money being spent and we all want to make sure it’s done safely and right,” Rogers said. To maintain a safe environment for Outer Banks’ production, crew members will be tested multiple times a week and will work in zones while on set, Rogers said. Only a few people will be in close contact to the actors and cameras. And 90% of Outer Banks is filmed outdoors, rather than on a sound stage. “It shows that it can be done, given the precautions that everyone needs to take. There’s big money being spent and we all want to make sure it’s done safely and right,” Rogers said.

Helping South Carolina Companies Grow

D E V E LO P YO U R WO R K F O R C E W I T H ON-DEMAND TRAINING SCMEP now offers SCMEP Online, a new online training portal specifically for manufacturers. We realize time is valuable and flexible online learning provides critical training in a wide array of operational disciplines. Learn how SCMEP Online can streamline your training program by visiting SCMEP-ONLINE.org

COLUMBIA 250 Berryhill Road, Suite 512 Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 252-6976

SCMEP GREENVILLE 250 Executive Center Dr. Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29615 (864) 288-5687

CRBJ

Reach staff writer Teri Errico Griffis at 843-849-3144.

SCMEP is a not-for-proﬁt 501(c)3 organization afﬁliated with The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a network of more than 60 MEP centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

www.charlestonbusiness.com

Photo/Gareth Blayney, www.gbdigitalcapture.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

www.charlestonbusiness.com 13

VANTAGE POINT

Shem Creek stayed deserted during the height of the statewide shutdown. Does your office have an interesting Vantage Point? Email us at vantagepoint@scbiznews.com.

DETAILS Latitude: 32.791715 | Longitude: -79.882295 | Status: Airspace over public waterway | Time of day: Lunchtime

www.charlestonbusiness.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

Charleston Harbor deepening project on schedule, fully funded By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

he Charleston Harbor deepening project is fully funded and on schedule to achieve a depth of 52 feet by mid-2022. Once the project is completed, Charleston Harbor will be the deepest on the East Coast. The Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, S.C. Ports Authority, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Joe Graham Cunningham joined ports authority CEO Jim Newsome and COO Barbara Melvin last week to give an update on the project. Previously, the port said the cost Cunningham would be a little over $509 million. The projection as of now is closer to $558 million, and it has been funded through state and federal dollars. Of the five dredging construction projects for which contracts will be awarded by the Army Corps, three have

Three of the project’s five dredging contracts have been awarded, and the last two are expected to be awarded by the end of the year. (Photo/Provided)

been awarded so far. The final two are expected by end of year, according to the SCPA. “We’re in a good situation as far as realizing that project, and it’s a real success story because we will have done a deep-draft navigation project in slightly over 10 years’ time. That doesn’t sound that fast to most people, but in the navigational deepening business it’s very fast,” Newsome said.

With the harbor deepening, the port will be able to accommodate massive post-Panamax ships — which are already calling on the SCPA — at any time of day, regardless of tidal restrictions. “In a couple years from now, we’re going to be ready to handle any ship in the ocean, 24/7, and that will be a godsend to our state and the port of Charleston,” Graham said. Graham was one of the first federal

leaders to engage in talks to deepen the port back in 2012. He said at the news conference that the project is transformational for the port and the state, adding that one in every five jobs is connected to S.C. ports. Cunningham said the deepening project is something he’s focused on since entering office. While funding the project has been an accomplishment, he considers the bipartisan support for it in such a divided government an even bigger gain. In addition to the deepening of Charleston Harbor, S.C. Ports has been building the Hugh Leatherman Sr. Terminal as part of its six-year capital improvement plan. Phase one of the terminal is set to open in March, with two more phases to follow. At full buildout, the terminal will double port capacity. It will be able to handle four ships of 14,000 TEUs — an industry measurement equivalent to a 20-foot container — as well as a 19,000-TEU ship. The Leatherman terminal also will add 700,000 TEUs of capacity to the port. It will have a 1,400-foot wharf, 25 hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes, and five 169-foot-tall ship-to-shore cranes — some of the tallest on the East Coast. CRBJ

Reach staff writer Teri Errico Griffis at 843-849-3144.

NOMINATE TODAY! HONOR THE HEROES AMONG US! The Business Journal will honor people and organizations that have a passion for health care and compassion for patients with a virtual event on December 3rd.

Nominate a Health Care Hero in one of these categories: • • • • •

Volunteer First Responder Physician Health Care Professional Trident Construction Health Care Engineer

• • • • •

Community Outreach Nurse Health Care Researcher Service/Therapy Animal COVID-19 Response

Complete the online nomination form today: bit.ly/crbj2020hchnoms

Nominations close on September 25, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

12:00 – 1:30 p.m

Wednesday, December 3 Presented by:

For sponsorship information, call Grady Johnson at (843) 849-3103.

Virtual Event

Sponsored by:

For sponsorship info, contact Grady Johnson at gjohnson@scbiznews.com

#CRBJPES

IN FOCUS: MANUFACTURING

www.charlestonbusiness.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

MANUFACTURING BRIEFS Swedish manufacturer FlexQube moves to Spartanburg

Swedish manufacturer FlexQube is locating in Spartanburg Community College’s Spark Center SC to partner with manufacturers in the Upstate automotive market. The company builds modular, flexible material-handling carts for use in manufacturing plants. According to a news release, the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Futures Group, Upstate SC Alliance and Spartanburg Community College helped FlexQube pinpoint a new location central to their distribution and manufacturing markets across North America and Europe. Anders Fogelberg, FlexQube CEO, said the move is an important transition for the company’s foray into the North American market.

Pellet company to begin operations in Effingham, in Florence County

Effingham Pellets LLC, a subsidiary of Charles Ingram Lumber Co., is investing $5.4 million to establish operations in Florence County. The newly formed company manufactures and supplies wood pellets for export sale to Europe. The new facility, located at 4905 Ingram Bypass in Effingham, is expected to be online by June 2021. It will produce pellets to be burned in place of coal at power plants across Europe. Ten jobs are expected to be created. Charles Ingram Lumber Co., founded in 1931, grows trees for pulpwood and saw timber. The Effingham company also owns and operates a lumber mill. Florence County Council Chairman William Dorriety Jr. said, “Innovative ideas, such as creating useful products from previously unused material, are a representation of the unique opportunities Florence County has to offer.”

JIDA Industrial Solutions Inc. and Global Trade Logistics is expected to bring 78 jobs to the area. (Photo/Provided)

Industrial company, subsidiary start operations at Greer’s Metro Court

JIDA Industrial Solutions Inc. and its subsidiary, Global Trade Logistics, have established operations in Greenville County at 154 Metro Court in Greer. The $4.5 million investment is expected to create 78 jobs over the next five years, according to a news release from the S.C. Commerce Department. JIDA Industrial Solutions specializes in intelligent material handling with a focus on the automotive industry. Global Trade Logistics offers third-party logistics for companies, including supply chain distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, warehousing and truck parking, according to the release. The companies are operating at a new facility, a 150,000-square-foot industrial space, part of which has been certified as a foreign trade zone, the release said.

SteelFab to undertake $5 million expansion, create 28 jobs

Florence County is the site of SteelFab Inc.’s planned $5 million expansion, a move expected to create 28 jobs. SteelFab Inc. is an American Institute of Steel Construction-certified fabricator of structural steel with 15 locations nationwide. It provides welding, coating, assembly, fabrication and other services

PROUDLY SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE 2008 6 Licensed Professional Surveyors • 17 Survey Crews Latest Trimble Robotics and GPS • LEED AP Professional Staff Charleston County “SBE” Certified • 3D Laser Scanning • Power Generation • ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey • Boundary • Construction Staking • Dock Permits Charleston | Georgetown

• Residential • Commercial • Aviation • Topographical • Landfills

843.554.7777 | www.plssc.com

for steel products. “This project is SteelFab Inc.’s largest capital expenditure in its Florence plant since opening in 1988,” Rob Rutherford, SteelFab Inc.’s S.C. Division president, said in a news release. The expansion of the facility at 1220 Steel Road in Florence will increase capacity for cutting, drilling and fabrication. A third production line will be created, and two existing lines will be relocated. Construction is expected to be complete by the second quarter of 2021, with the overall expansion done by 2025.

Loctek bringing ergonomic products, 10 jobs to Clarendon County

Loctek, a manufacturer of ergonomic products, is investing $5 million to establish operations in Clarendon County. The new facility is expected to create 10 jobs. Founded in 1999, Loctek designs and manufactures height-adjustable desks and other products for offices. Loctek CEO Lane Shaw said, “With the help of Clarendon County, the state and a highly skilled local workforce, we believe that this will be a formula for success both for Loctek and the Clarendon County community.” The facility, located at 1979 Joe Rogers Jr. Blvd. in Manning, is expected to be completed by March. It will offer warehousing, shipping and receiving. Clarendon County Council Chairman Dwight Stewart said, “Our strategic location with supplier access to the Port of Charleston proves once again to be the driving factor behind a company like Loctek in deciding to locate in Clarendon County.”

KRA Operations LLC locatesd 1st U.S. facility in Newberry County

KRA Operations LLC, a subsidiary of South Korea-based Precision Co. Ltd., has established its first U.S. operations in

Newberry County with an $11.5 million investment expected to create 57 jobs. The 110,000-square-foot metal stamping and injection molding facility will serve existing clients in South Carolina, according to a news release from S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s office. The facility, located in the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park, is fully operational. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project, and a $400,000 set-aside grant was awarded to Newberry County to assist with site preparation and building construction.

Silgan Containers expanding Lancaster County operations

Metal food packaging manufacturer Silgan Containers is investing $9.7 million in its Lancaster County operations in a move expected to create 16 jobs during the next five years. Silgan Containers, founded in 1987, makes metal containers for shelf-stable food and general product lines. Its Lancaster County facility, located at 1531 Camp Creek Road, manufactures cans for customers across the Southeast. “Silgan is proud to make this investment in Lancaster, S.C., which will provide job security and opportunities to our great team of employees in Lancaster,” Silgan plant manager John Wilbert said in a news release. “The state and county’s positive business climate combined with an excellent workforce have helped make this investment possible.” The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. “Silgan Containers is one of our most respected manufacturers, and the new jobs and investment are very much welcomed and appreciated,” Lancaster County Council Chair Steve Harper said. — Staff Reports

@CRBJ Follow us on twitter for the inside scoop on local business news.

Follow @CBRJ on twitter to get breaking news and information on businesses in the Lowcountry. For advertising information, contact Grady Johnson at (843) 849-3103 or gjohnson@scbiznews.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

IN FOCUS: MANUFACTURING

www.charlestonbusiness.com 21

2020 | SOUTH CAROLINA

MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE AND EXPO The Most Significant Manufacturing Event of the Year Presented by:

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO October 29th–30th, 2020

Join us virtually for the most significant manufacturing event of the year! The SC Manufacturing Conference and Expo – the state’s most significant manufacturing event of the year -- is going virtual! The two-day conference will stream live on October 29th-30th. Will it be as informative and all-encompassing as the traditional live event? We think absolutely it will! The virtual format will provide the type of convenience needed for nationally-renown speakers to fit us into their busy schedules. We are in the process of scheduling those speakers and formulating the agenda now. More details to come, but this is what you can expect: • Virtual Expo that includes live chat feature, video and link uploads, and more! • 10 Keynote Speakers • Three CEOConversations on Industry 4.0 • Conversations with Facility Managers on Industry 4.0 • Three CEOConversations on Workforce Challenges • Conversations with HR execs on Workforce Challenges

• Economic Outlook Presentations on Aerospace and Auto Industries • Manufacturing Excellence Awards • The Future of Aerospace Event • Building the Workforce of the Future Event • Executive Women in Manufacturing Panel Discussion • 20 Training Classes on a Wide Variety of Topics • And MUCH More!

For more information and the complete Agenda, visit www.scmanufacturingconference.com Conference Partners:

Contact Melissa Tomberg at mtomberg@scbiznews.com or call 864-720-1220 for sponsorship opportunities or to reserve your virtual booth.

IN FOCUS: MANUFACTURING

www.charlestonbusiness.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

Manufacturers

Ranked by No. of Employees in the Charleston Area Company

Phone / Website / Email

Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded

Purchasing Manager

Boeing South Carolina 5400 International Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29418

312-544-2000 www.boeing.com

Lane Ballard 1916

7,000

Fabrication, assembly and integration of major 787 Dreamliner components and interiors; final assembly and delivery of 787 Dreamliner airplanes; engineering design and production support; information technology

Robert Bosch LLC 8101 Dorchester Road North Charleston, SC 29418

843-760-7000 www.bosch.us

Gitta Unger, Kai Woerner 1974

Gitta Unger

1,800

Manufacture fuel injectors, pumps and anti-lock

Mercedes-Benz Vans LLC 8501 Palmetto Commerce Parkway Ladson, SC 29456

843-695-5000 www.mbvcharleston.com

Arnhelm Mittelbach 2006

1,700

Assembly of Sprinter vans for the U.S. market

Volvo Car USA 1801 Volvo Car Drive Ridgeville, SC 29472

844-827-5268 www.volvocars.com/us

Marc Gombeer, Helena BergstromPilo, Stephanie Mangini 2015

1,500

Manufacturing plant in Ridgeville; builds S60 midsize sedan for global distribution; plant has 2.3 million square feet of manufacturing space

Santee Cooper 1 Riverwood Drive Moncks Corner, SC 29461

843-761-8000 www.santeecooper.com customercare@santeecooper.com

Charlie Duckworth, Mark Bonsall, Pamela Williams 1934

Byron Rodgers

1,069

State-owned electric and water utility

Nucor Steel Berkeley 1455 Hagan Ave. Huger, SC 29450

843-336-6000 www.nucor.com

Mike Lee 1996

Bob Judy

1,000

Sheet and beam steel from recycled scrap metal

Detyens Shipyards Inc. 1670 Drydock Ave., Building 236, Suite 200 North Charleston, SC 29405

843-308-8000 www.detyens.com drydock@detyens.com

1962

Roy Caraway

350

Ship repair, conversions and dry docking services

The Urban Electric Co. 2120 Noisette Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29405

843-723-8140 www.urbanelectric.com info@urbanelectric.com

Dave Dawson 2002

263

Catalogued collection of more than 300 interior and exterior fixtures designed and manufactured in-house

W International 2040 Bushy Park Road Goose Creek, SC 29445

854-429-1535 www.winternational.net scinfo@winternational.net

Michelle Fowler 2019

Zachary Landry

255

Supplier to the shipyards in support of building the new fleet of submarines and aircraft carriers for national defense

Kion North America Corp. 2450 W. 5th North St. Summerville, SC 29483

843-875-8000 www.kion-na.com marketing.na@kiongroup.com

Daniel Schlegel, Max Heller, Jonathan Dawley 1985

Kam Patel

215

Assembly of forklifts and pallet jacks; distributor of parts for material handling equipment

Pegasus Steel LLC 1 Alliance Drive Goose Creek, SC 29445

843-737-9900 www.pegasussteel.com sales@pegasussteel.com

Sonya Mitchum Joyner, Portia Sisk, Tony Deering 2007

155

Complex structures for construction, industrial, mining and earth-moving, power generation, oil and gas, transportation, shipbuilding, defense and government industries

Sonepar USA 4400 Leeds Ave., Suite 500 Charleston, SC 29405

843-872-3500 www.soneparusa.com communications@sonepar-us.com

Rob Taylor 1998

155

North American headquarters; business-to-business supplier of electrical and safety products and related services and solutions

Eaton Aerospace Group, Fuel & Motion Control Systems Division 7230 Cross County Road North Charleston, SC 29418

843-207-3232 www.eaton.com

Charles P. Roark 1911

Chris Fortner

148

Manufactures aerospace component products and machined aircraft parts

Amalie Oil Co. 4950 Virginia Ave. North Charleston, SC 29405

843-266-0505 www.amalie.com info@amalie.com

Billy Ackerman 1903

Matt Helms

120

Automotive, fleet, industrial and specialty lubricants

Hubner Manufacturing Corp. 450 Wando Park Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

843-849-9400 www.hubner-group.com info@hubner-group.com

Ron Paquette 1995

Metal Trades Inc. 4194 S.C. Highway 165 Hollywood, SC 29449

843-889-6441 www.metaltrades.com busdev@metaltrades.com

Shaun Flynn, Rusty B. Corbin 1962

Briteline Extrusions Inc. 575 Beech Hill Road Summerville, SC 29485

843-873-4410 www.briteline.net dbagwell@briteline.net

Edward L. Kabine, Diane K. Bagwell, Kenneth H. Kabine 1953

AstenJohnson 4399 Corporate Road Charleston, SC 29405

843-747-7800 www.astenjohnson.com info@AstenJohnson.com

Kevin Franks 1987

Venture Aerobearings LLC 8701 Palmetto Commerce Parkway Ladson, SC 29456

843-695-2800 www.ventureaerobearings.com

Metalworx Inc. 340 Deming Way Summerville, SC 29483 Leatherwood Manufacturing Inc. 4355 Dorchester Road North Charleston, SC 29405

Employees

Get back to business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; safely.

Call today about workplace entry solutions.

Products Manufactured

| On-site COVID-19 Testing Justine Articulation systems (bellows), passageway systems, specialty bumpers, airplane walkway Schotters, Ines 103 | On-site Antibody Testing

coverings

Kristi Rowe | On-site Flu Shots

100

Heavy steel fabrication; heavy steel components as an OEM supplier; barge construction; power transformer tanks; ship repair; large pressure vessels and tanks built to Section VIII

Small aluminum extrusions; heat treat; buff and brush, brite dip and etch anodize; powder coat; manual and CNC fabrication; serves the shower door, decorative trim, lighting and transportation markets

Schmelzer

Tommy Kay

Doctors Care Employer Health Services Mike Cuggy

Global manufacturer for the paper industry, supplying paper machine clothing like press fabrics, forming fabrics, dryer fabrics and other advanced filtration fabrics to paper mills and pulp mills

843-402-0999 www.metalworxinc.com lsawer@metalworxinc.com

| DOT Physicals Kit Palmer | Drug Screens Michael L. Sawer Ronald Roan | On-site Biometrics 1997

| Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Compensation Manufacturer of jet engine bearings | Occupational Medicine Machining, fabrication, finishing, assembly and engineering services specializing in medical, 67| On-site Medical Centers aerospace and military and sawmill

843-744-4500 www.leatherwoodmfg.com sales@leatherwoodmfg.com

Michael G. Leatherwood 1986

Employers.DoctorsCare.com

2007

Cindy Eustace

Contract manufacturing, aerospace, military, commercial and transportation equipment and components; precision metal fabrication, five-axis CNC machining, turning and milling; coordinate-measuring machine systems

888-845-6887 | Sales@DoctorsCare.com

Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to lists@scbiznews.com.

Researched by Paige Hardy

2040 Bushy Park Road Goose Creek, SC 29445

www.winternational.net scinfo@winternational.net

Michelle Fowler 2019

Kion North America Corp. Summerville, SC 29483

843-875-8000 www.kion-na.com marketing.na@kiongroup.com

Daniel Schlegel, Max Heller, IN FOCUS: MANUFACTURING Jonathan Dawley Kam Patel 215 1985

www.charlestonbusiness.com Assembly of forklifts and pallet jacks; distributor of parts for material handling equipment

Pegasus Steel LLC 1 Alliance Drive Goose Creek, SC 29445

843-737-9900 www.pegasussteel.com sales@pegasussteel.com

Sonya Mitchum Joyner, Portia Sisk, Tony Deering 2007

155

Complex structures for construction, industrial, mining and earth-moving, power generation, oil and gas, transportation, shipbuilding, defense and government industries

Sonepar USA 4400 Leeds Ave., Suite 500 Charleston, SC 29405

843-872-3500 www.soneparusa.com communications@sonepar-us.com

Rob Taylor 1998

155

North American headquarters; business-to-business supplier of electrical and safety products and related services and solutions

Eaton Aerospace Group, Fuel & Motion Control Systems Division 7230 Cross County Road North Charleston, SC 29418

843-207-3232 www.eaton.com

Charles P. Roark 1911

Chris Fortner

148

Manufactures aerospace component products and machined aircraft parts

Amalie Oil Co. 4950 Virginia Ave. North Charleston, SC 29405

843-266-0505 www.amalie.com info@amalie.com

Billy Ackerman 1903

Matt Helms

120

Automotive, fleet, industrial and specialty lubricants

Hubner Manufacturing Corp. 450 Wando Park Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

843-849-9400 www.hubner-group.com info@hubner-group.com

Ron Paquette 1995

Justine Schotters, Ines Schmelzer

103

Articulation systems (bellows), passageway systems, specialty bumpers, airplane walkway coverings

Metal Trades Inc. 4194 S.C. Highway 165 Hollywood, SC 29449

843-889-6441 www.metaltrades.com busdev@metaltrades.com

Shaun Flynn, Rusty B. Corbin 1962

Kristi Rowe

100

Heavy steel fabrication; heavy steel components as an OEM supplier; barge construction; power transformer tanks; ship repair; large pressure vessels and tanks built to Section VIII

Briteline Extrusions Inc. 575 Beech Hill Road Summerville, SC 29485

843-873-4410 www.briteline.net dbagwell@briteline.net

Edward L. Kabine, Diane K. Bagwell, Kenneth H. Kabine 1953

Tommy Kay

AstenJohnson 4399 Corporate Road Charleston, SC 29405

843-747-7800 www.astenjohnson.com info@AstenJohnson.com

Kevin Franks 1987

Mike Cuggy

Global manufacturer for the paper industry, supplying paper machine clothing like press fabrics, forming fabrics, dryer fabrics and other advanced filtration fabrics to paper mills and pulp mills

Venture Aerobearings LLC 8701 Palmetto Commerce Parkway Ladson, SC 29456

843-695-2800 www.ventureaerobearings.com

2007

Kit Palmer

Manufacturer of jet engine bearings

Metalworx Inc. 340 Deming Way Summerville, SC 29483

843-402-0999 www.metalworxinc.com lsawer@metalworxinc.com

Michael L. Sawer 1997

Ronald Roan

Machining, fabrication, finishing, assembly and engineering services specializing in medical, aerospace and military and sawmill

Leatherwood Manufacturing Inc. 4355 Dorchester Road North Charleston, SC 29405

843-744-4500 www.leatherwoodmfg.com sales@leatherwoodmfg.com

Michael G. Leatherwood 1986

Cindy Eustace

September 7 St. - 20, 2020 2450 W. 5th North

Zachary Landry

255

Supplier to the shipyards in support of building the new fleet of submarines and aircraft carriers for national defense

Researched by Paige Hardy

Take your events online

South Carolina’s leader in Metal Recycling With many of your clients and prospects working from home, now is a great time to engage them through a webinar.

Container & Onsite Service

Hosting a webinar is a powerful way to connect with your target audience, and with the Charleston Regional Business Journal - you won’t have to worry about any of the logistics.

Usable Steel Sales

Whether you’re looking to move an in-person event online, or just need to generate quality sales leads, our team can help provide turnkey service from marketing to execution! What is included in your webinar: • 45-60 minute webinar • Dedicated project support • Email marketing • Social media • Print ad

For more information, please contact Grady Johnson at gjohnson@scbiznews.com or (843) 849-3103.

Since 1893

Dismantling & Removal

843-722-7278 | charlestonsteelandmetal.com | 843-722-1340

IN FOCUS: MANUFACTURING

www.charlestonbusiness.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

Manufacturers

Ranked by No. of Employees in the Charleston Area Company

Phone / Website / Email

Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded

Purchasing Manager

Low Country Case & Millwork Inc. 4144 Carolina Commerce Parkway Ladson, SC 29456

843-797-0881 www.lccm.com david@lccm.com

Robert J. Stasiukaitis, David M. Stasiukaitis 1990

Constance Polacek

Manufacture and install high-end commercial casework and architectural millwork, manufacture and install solid surface countertops, including integral sink bowls and integral backsplashes

Capital Electric Supply 4801 Rivers Ave., Suite A North Charleston, SC 29406

843-745-6900 www.capitalelectricsupply.com michael.clifton@capitalelectricsupply.com

Mike Hensley 2000

Electrical supplies for contractors and industry

Charleston's Rigging & Marine Hardware Inc. 1210 Truxtun Ave. North Charleston, SC 29405

843-723-7145 www.charlestonsrigging.com sales@charlestonsrigging.com

Jessica Sage, Skip Sawin 1988

Scott Salisbury

Custom wire rope, chain, nylon slings and assemblies used in rigging, lifting and securing; standard wire rope slings, braided slings, tire lifters, tire straps, chain bridles, custom weight lifting straps and accessories, boat straps, tow straps, animal straps, tag lines, rope swing

Zuuk International Inc. 3567 Meeting Street Road North Charleston, SC 29405

843-414-8500 www.zuukinternational.com info@zuukmail.com

F.J. Keaney 2009

Zuuk Accounting

ASME/NBBI fabrication of pressure vessels, industrial piping fabrication and heat exchangers

Protego (USA) Inc. 9561 Palmetto Commerce Parkway Ladson, SC 29456

843-284-0300 www.protego.com us-office@protego.com

Lore Samyn-Klein, Chris Mason 2002

Lee Maxwell

Safety devices and tank equipment; flame arresters and vents

Alfa Supply Inc. 5912 Campbell St. Hanahan, SC 29410

843-747-5111 www.abbysbest.com alfa@alfasupply.com

Cyrus Alfieris 1991

Storable and dehydrated food products manufacturing and distribution

Charleston Tea Garden 6617 Maybank Highway Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487

843-559-0383 www.charlestonteagarden.com jknight@rcbigelow.com

William B. Hall, Bryn Riley, Jane Knight 1987

Charleston Tea Garden tea

Coastal Hydraulics Inc. 2251 Technical Parkway Charleston, SC 29406

843-572-5714 www.coastalhydraulics.net brett.bennett@costalhydraulics.net

Brett Bennett 1982

Brett Bennett

Fabrication, assembly, repair, refurbishment, rebuilding, maintenance, design and replacement sales of hydraulic and pneumatic systems and components for industrial and mobile equipment applications

Modulant Inc. 7410 Northside Drive, Suite 220 North Charleston, SC 29420

843-743-2888 www.modulant.com

Alfred "Chip" Johnson 1989

Software development, data management, systems integration and IT staffing

Alpha Sheet Metal Works Inc. 9525 Hamburg Road Ladson, SC 29456

843-821-6665 www.alphamachine.com jschady@alphamachine.com

Joseph W. Schady 1956

Joseph Schady

Custom metal fabrication

Weil's Mattress Co. 4290 Piggly Wiggly Drive North Charleston, SC 29405

843-722-2585 www.southernladymfg.com

Ritchie Weil 1914

Ritchie Weil

Manufacturing wholesale mattresses to retail stores, hotels and resorts, colleges, cruise ships and custom design

Southeast Industrial Equipment Inc. 9861 U.S. Highway 78 Ladson, SC 29456

843-552-4825 www.sielift.com contacts@sielift.com

Freddie B. Sims 1993

Freddie Sims

Toyota forklifts; new, used and rental equipment, service, parts, warehouse products, automation solutions and dock and door products and services throughout S.C., G.A., N.C. and V.A.

ATS World Packaging 7370 E. Spartan Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29418

843-266-0010 www.atsworldpackaging.com troth@atsworldpackaging.com

Tom Roth 1997

Sean Patrum

Custom crating and packaging products and services, including warehousing and distribution, and export and import compliance

Multiplastics, division of Curd Enterprises Inc. 476 Long Point Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

843-881-0323 www.multiplastics.com sales@multiplastics.com

Paul D. Spies, Deborah D. Herbert 1952

Venessa Manigault

Plastics vacuum forming, pressure forming and twin-sheet forming, fabrication and assembly; comprehensive design-lab and engineering services for custom plastic parts and packaging; PPE development and production

Firefly Distillery 4201 Spruill Ave. North Charleston, SC 29405

843-577-1405 www.fireflydistillery.com info@fireflyvodka.com

Scott Newitt, Jay Macmurphy 2008

Fran Collins

Distillery making sweet tea vodkas, spirits

Wheeler Industries Inc. 7261 Investment Drive North Charleston, SC 29418

843-552-1251 www.wheeler-ind.com sales@wheeler-ind.com

Bill McTighe, Diana Abercrombie 1919

Diana Abercrombie

Journal bearing, oil rings, motor replacement bearings, labyrinth seals, insulated bearing seats, hydrodynamic bearing design, EDM services

Abrasives South Inc. 2696 Rourk St. North Charleston, SC 29405

843-747-9941 www.abrasives-south.com sales@abrasives-south.com

Jim Carter, Kim Carter 1978

Converter of coated abrasive belts, sheets, discs and rolls; every size in any grit and backing for the wood, metal, automotive, aerospace and foundry industries

Custom Equipment Co. Inc. 2700 S.C. Highway 41 Charleston, SC 29492

800-922-6120 www.cecmhs.com sales@cecmhs.com

Bobby Riggs, Robbie Lewis 1978

Robbie Lewis

Storage, i.e., racks, cabinets, lockers, shelving; logistics, i.e., carts, conveyors, tuggers, dollies; facilities, i.e., modular offices, mezzanines, wire partitions and physical barriers; packaging

Latin Collection 455 Fleming Road, Suite A Charleston, SC 29412

843-873-7855 www.mycomfy.net scuzmar@latincollection.com

Ruth Mogrovejo 1998

Ruth Mogrovejo

Manufacturer and importer of premium Alpaca socks and scarves

R2P Innovations 1 Alliance Drive Goose Creek, SC 29445

843-737-9900 www.r2pdoors.com info@r2pdoors.com

Kirk Ferguson, Blanche Sullivan, Tony Deering 2016

Blanche Sullivan, Kirk Ferguson

Forced entry and bullet-resistant protective doors; military-grade materials, tested and customizable to accommodate a variety of commercial and residential security needs and architectural preferences

Vencor Inc. 455 Fleming Road, Suite C Charleston, SC 29412

843-795-6680 www.vencorinc.com sales@vencorinc.com

Samy Cuzmar, Esthela Cuzmar 1994

Jackie McGhee

Laser engraving, laser etching, laser marking

Employees

Products Manufactured

Researched by Paige Hardy

IN FOCUS: MANUFACTURING

September 7 - 20, 2020

www.charlestonbusiness.com 25

Industrial Staffing Agencies

Ranked by % of Placements Made in the Industrial/Manufacturing Sectors in the Charleston Area % Industrial / Recruiters / Employees

Permanent Placements / Avg. Temps 2019

Kevin D. Young 2015

100% 4 30

843-308-9663 www.staffzone.com cdeluca@staffzone.com

Costa DeLuca 2004

Alternative Staffing Inc. 1505 Remount Road North Charleston, SC 29406

843-744-6040 www.alternativestaffing.com recruiting@alternativestaffing.com

Kudzu Staffing / Kudzu Medical 7455 Cross County Road, Suite 5 North Charleston, SC 29418

Company

Phone / Website / Email

Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded

Prime Drivers Staffing 3294 Ashley Phosphate Road, Suite 2-A North Charleston, SC 29418

843-329-7998 www.primedrivers.com chs@primedrivers.com

Staff Zone 1653 Remount Road North Charleston, SC 29406

Placement Services

Specialization

Contract to hire; industrial staffing; permanent placement; temporary

Transportation and logistics

100% 5 8

250

Contract to hire; industrial staffing; temporary

Additional Lowcountry office located at 3750 Rivers Ave.; general and skilled labor, specializing in construction, industrial staffing, American Traffic Safety Services Association-certified highway flaggers

Jan Cappellini 1993

90% 5 14

100 500

Contract to hire; industrial staffing; permanent placement; temporary

Manufacturing, light industrial, logistics, warehousing, distribution, clerical

843-225-0123 www.kudzustaffing.com info@kudzustaffing.com

Sharese Kline, Otisha Summersett, Toni Pantuosco 2006

85% 2 4

20 85

Contract to hire; executive recruiting; industrial staffing; permanent placement; professional employer organization; temporary

Construction, warehouse, general labor, assisted living, school districts

EmployPro Staffing Services 3294 Ashley Phosphate Road North Charleston, SC 29418

843-329-7997 www.employpro.com chs@employpro.com

Kevin D. Young 2015

80% 4 100

1 100

Contract to hire; industrial staffing; permanent placement; temporary

Warehouse and logistics

M&M Staffing 705 Old Trolley Road, Suites F and G Summerville, SC 29485

843-873-9727 www.mandmstaff.com info@mandmstaff.com

Lana Musti, Zoya Makarchenko 2007

80% 4 8

10 250

Industrial staffing; temporary

Logistics, production, skilled labor, temporary to permanent

Hammes Staffing Services 7685 Northwoods Blvd., Suite 8H North Charleston, SC 29406

843-554-4720 www.hammeshr.com info@hammeshr.com

Brett Hammes, Mike Powers 1965

75% 7 8

100 575

Contract to hire; executive recruiting; industrial staffing; permanent placement; temporary

Manufacturing, import and export representatives, warehouse and distribution, accounting, administrative, customer service, IT

Remedy Intelligent Staffing 7250 Rivers Ave., Suite 702 North Charleston, SC 29406

843-576-0800 www.remedystaffing.com don.green@remedystaff.com

Melissa Gibson, Stephanie Barone, Don Green 1965

75% 7 7

87 485

Contract to hire; executive recruiting; industrial staffing; permanent placement; temporary

Logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, supply chain management, administrative support, customer service, search and placement

Gallman Personnel Services Inc. 201 Sigma Drive, Suite 300 Summerville, SC 29468

843-554-5555 www.gpsjobs.net gpscharleston@gpsjobs.net

Jeff Gallman, Nanci Fields, Mary Jane Sorrell 1985

70% 6 28

24 250

Contract to hire; executive recruiting; industrial staffing; permanent placement; temporary

Industrial, administration, medical, direct hire

Tradesmax Staffing 2557 Ashley Phosphate Road North Charleston, SC 29418

843-203-3510 www.tradesmaxstaffing.net charleston@tradesmaxstaffing.net

Madison White 2001

70% 2 4

65 200

Contract to hire; executive recruiting; industrial staffing; permanent placement; temporary

Skilled trades, carpenters, welders, iron workers, administrative, warehouse, heavy machinery, construction, hospitality, drivers, superintendents, project managers

Express Employment Professionals 6541 Rivers Ave., Suite C North Charleston, SC 29406

843-744-2266 www.expresspros.com john.byrnes@expresspros.com

John Byrnes 2004

60% 4 9

30 300

Industrial staffing; permanent placement; temporary

Warehouse, forklift, assembly, mechanics, CNC machine operators, administration, accountants, management

Management Recruiters of the Lowcountry LLC 1228 Aruba Circle Charleston, SC 29412

843-628-5021 www.mrlowcountry.com tom@mrlowcountry.com

Tom Sykes 2011

60% 1 1

12 -

Contract to hire; executive recruiting; industrial staffing; permanent placement

C-level, engineers, plant managers, directors and vice presidents

Aerotek Inc. 4401 Belle Oaks Drive, Suite 400 North Charleston, SC 29405

843-746-5800 www.aerotek.com bstefani@aerotek.com

Bryan Stefani 1983

50% 20 25

150 1000

Contract to hire; executive recruiting; industrial staffing; permanent placement; temporary

Health care, call center, administrative, accounting, purchasing, manufacturing, general labor, assembly, skilled trades, engineering, design, architecture, software engineering, defense, avionics, aviation mechanics

Dunhill Staffing Systems 1459 Stuart Engals Blvd., Suite 300 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

843-375-0031 www.dunhillstaff.com kwh@dunhillstaff.com

Neil Whitman, Katie Henderson, David Abner 2001

50% 5 7

23 60

Contract to hire; executive recruiting; industrial staffing; permanent placement; temporary

Permanent placement in technical, finance and accounting, sales, office administration, IT Temporary placement in finance, office, accounting

Spherion Staffing 4995 Lacross Road, Suite 1050 Charleston, SC 29406

843-554-4933 www.spherion.com

Mary Barrineau, Pam Thompson 1994

50% 9 11

60 600

Contract to hire; executive recruiting; industrial staffing; permanent placement; temporary

Engineering, finance and distribution

HTI 3691 Ladson Road, Suite 102 Ladson, SC 29456

843-970-7860 www.htijobs.com ssawyer@htijobs.com

David Sewell, Herbert W. Dew, John Knight 1999

45% 8 5

18 48

Contract to hire; executive recruiting; industrial staffing; permanent placement; professional employer organization; temporary

Engineering, automotive, supply chain management, accounting, administrative, maintenance, human resources, sales; on-site management; business planning; customer service

Condustrial Inc. 3125 Ashley Phosphate Road, Suite 128 North Charleston, SC 29418

864-235-3619 www.condustrial.com info@condustrial.com

Alan R Barrionuevo 2002

30% 3 10

10 235

Contract to hire; industrial staffing; temporary

Construction, marine services, industrial

McNaughton Staffing LLC 1637 Savannah Highway, Suite 201 Charleston, SC 29407

843-556-1505 www.mcnaughtonstaffing.com jobs@mcnaughtonstaffing.com

Amy McNaughton 2008

25% 4 4

19 426

Contract to hire; executive recruiting; industrial staffing; permanent placement; professional employer organization; temporary

Administrative, clerical; hospitality; warehouse; manufacturing; medical office

Researched by Paige Hardy

www.charlestonbusiness.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Meet the fastest-growing companies in SC! SC Biz News is pleased to present the Roaring Twenties, the competition honoring the fastest-growing companies in South Carolina. Join us on October 15 for a virtual event highlighting each company and featuring the reveal of the 2020 rankings in the small and large business categories. Register online: bit.ly/2020roaring20reg

EVENT DETAILS: 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m

Thursday, Oct. 15

Streaming Event YouTube

Presented by:

For sponsorship information, contact Grady Johnson: 843.849.3103 | gjohnson@scbiznews.com.

#R20SC

At Work

BUSINESS DIGEST | PEOPLE IN THE NEWS | HOT PROPERTIES | PEER TO PEER

People in the News

Business Digest

College of Charleston to offer new engineering major

The College of Charleston is now offering a major in engineering. Thirty students are enrolled to earn a Bachelor of Science in systems engineering, focusing on the concept, architecture and design of a project. Engineers including those from Boeing, Bosch, Mercedes-Benz and others helped design the curriculum; an industrial advisory board was established to help ensure that it remains relevant to industry needs. The college will also offer a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering in the fall, a step toward its goal to expand the school’s engineering offerings and to implement a new school of engineering. Fundraising objectives include raising a half million dollars for scholarships and designing an engineering lab with equipment, software and instruments that include the latest robotics technology. BMW has made a donation to the program.

Berkeley Community Cares holds food distribution event

Divaris Real Estate to manage retail space in Hoffler Place

Divaris Real Estate Inc. has been appointed to manage the retail space in the mixedused property, Hoffler Place, located in Charleston. Hoffler Place is a midrise student apartment building at 595 King St., in Charleston’s central business district. The retail portion on the first floor of the seven-story building at Hoffler Place totals 12,000 square feet. It comprises four units ranging from 1,276 to 5,892 square feet. One space has been leased to Vietnamese noodle restaurant Pink Bellies.

Brazilian steakhouse Galpao Gaucho opens on East Bay in Charleston

Galpao Gaucho has opened at 167 East Bay St. in downtown Charleston. This Brazilian steakhouse is inspired by Gaucho culture and the dining tradition of the Brazilian cowboy. The menu includes 17 different cuts of meats served tableside, a salad bar, side dishes, dessert and happy hour specials. A mimosa brunch is offered from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the weekends, as well as live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturdays. A large upstairs space can be booked for events with up to 300 people. Socially distanced indoor seating, outdoor seating and takeout are available.

The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce’s new program, Berkeley Community Cares, held its first food distribution in Cainhoy. More than 240 boxes of food were distributed. Representatives and volunteers from the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, Lowcountry Food Bank, Berkeley Community Mental Health Center, Grace Impact Development Center, Ernest Kennedy Center, Berkeley County School District and Berkeley County Sheriff ’s Office attended.

Citibot launches web chat product for local government websites

Citibot, which provides interactive chat solutions for local government, has a new fully integrated web chat product to help municipalities automate customer service for website visitors. Citibot Web Chat is a built-in web assistant that integrates with municipal websites and interacts with visitors to provide answers See BUSINESS DIGEST, Page 29

NONPROFIT The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired S.C. board has elected new members and officers for the 20202021 fiscal year: Robert M. Baldwin, Baldwin Baldwin and Associates LLC, as chair; Carol S. Clement, Clement, Crawford and Thornhill Inc., as vice chair; Kristen Gayeski-Tinkler, Carolina Eyecare Physicians LLC, as secretary; Joe WarBrady ing, Evening Post Industries, as treasurer; Clay W. Hershey as immediate past chair; B. Karl Jantzen as board member emeritus; and Charleston City Councilman Karl L. Clawson Brady Jr. and Samuel R. Clawson Jr. an attorney with Clawson Fargnoli LLC, as board members. Brady is the District 5 councilman, representing outer West Ashley and Johns Island. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Wake Forest University and a Master of Science in nonprofit management with a concentration in leadership from Northeastern University. He is a certified fundraising executive and a certified nonprofit professional. Clawson’s work focuses on life-altering injuries and wrongful death. He attended the University of the South, the University of South Carolina and the State University of New York Maritime College. The Junior League of Charleston has announced its 2020-2021 leadership team. The board of directors includes Beth Meredith, president; Laura Cole, executive vice president; Kellie Lawson, executive vice president-elect; Meghan Norvell, treasurer; Megan Arnold, recording secretary; Casey Vigrass, director of nominating; Meredith Clark, Ann Treat and Kelsey Willey, active directors at large; Liz Morris, active director at large and director of marketing; and Greer Polansky, Liz Slade and Nancy Muller, sustainer directors at large. The management team includes See PEOPLE, Page 28

www.charlestonbusiness.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

People in the News PEOPLE, from Page 27

Target your market in an upcoming issue of the Charleston Regional Business Journal

SEPTEMBER 21

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

List: IT Services and Networking Companies

Advertising Deadline: September 7 OCTOBER 5

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT List: Post Graduate Degree Programs Bonus List: Private Schools

Advertising Deadline: September 21 OCTOBER 19

ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION (AEC) List: General Contractors

Advertising Deadline: October 5 NOVEMBER 2

BANKING AND FINANCE

List: Banks Bonus List: Financial Brokerage Firms

Advertising Deadline: October 19

For advertising information, call Grady Johnson at (843) 849-3103

Caitlin Maguire, vice president of communication; Ruby McChesney, vice president of community; Gwen Dennis, vice president of fundraising; Aris Ferguson, vice president of finance; Claire Gatlin, vice president of membership; Lauren Mann, vice president of placement; Charlotte Gray, vice president of sustainers; and Kelly Nix, vice president of training.

CONSTRUCTION Robbins Construction Group has hired Alex Hauser as a project manager and Michael Sanchez as a project engineer. Hauser earned a Bachelor of Science in construction engineering and management with a minor in green engineering from Virginia Tech. Sanchez earned a Bachelor of Science in construction management from Appalachian State University.

Thomas J. Cullum has been promoted to project manager at Cullum Constructors Inc. Cullum started with the company in 2010 working summers as a craft Cullum helper. Since earning a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Clemson University in 2014, he has worked in the estimating department and has assisted with the management of commercial and industrial construction projects.

ENGINEERING Hauser

Sanchez

Frampton Construction Co. LLC has promoted Craig Calhoun to CFO, Selby Austin to project manager, Adam Smith to superintendent and Will Pratt Calhoun to assistant project manager. Calhoun has experience in accounting, business development, risk management, human resources, project management, investments and acquisitions. Austin will be responsible for managing construction projects from startup through closeout, with a focus on schedule, budget, quality, safety and client satisfaction. Smith will be overseeing the on-site operations of construction projects while maintaining schedules, following quality standards and ensuring safety and compliance at the site. Pratt will manage projects with subcontractors, assisting with estimating project scope and costs, and providing on-site management of construction projects. Liollio Architecture has hired Cameron Foster to its design studio. Foster enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2010. After leaving the military, he earned a Bachelor of Science in architec-

ture from Portland State University and a Master of Architecture at Clemson University. Foster’s work with Liollio consists of community and health care projects.

Foster

The American Society of Civil Engineers honored the The Citadel School of Engineering by recognizing faculty members Col. Ron Welch and Kweku Brown, and alumnus Jim O’Connor. Welch, dean of the engineering school, was the winner of the Le Tellier Cup for outstanding lifetime achievement. He has served in academic appointments in higher education over 29 years. His career includes 25 years of service as an officer and colonel in the Army before his retirement from the Corps of Engineers in 2007. As a result of his vision, mechanical engineering and construction engineering were added as two new undergraduate degrees at The Citadel. He also led the creation of Master of Science degrees in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. Brown, an assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering, was recognized as educator of the year. He passed the professional engineer exam this year and is in the process of submitting his application. Brown has also been selected as a national delegate for the Minority Faculty Development Workshop at Harvard University and now serves as a faculty adviser for the student chapters of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers and the Institute of Transportation Engineers. Brown received engineering bachelor’s degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. He earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Connecticut and Clemson University, respectively. O’Connor, a 1989 Citadel graduate and vice president in Johnson Mirmiran and Thompson’s Charleston office, has been recognized as engineer of the year. The I-26 Volvo Car Interchange project, for which he served as chief engineer, was also honored as project of the year. O’Connor earned a Master of Science from Rutgers University. He is a professional engineer in several states and is a chartered engineer in Ireland.

September 7 - 20, 2020

www.charlestonbusiness.com 29

Business Digest BUSINESS DIGEST, from Page 27

to questions, make service requests and directly contact staff. It fully integrates with websites and back-end customer service systems.

Patrick Family Foundation awards $5,000 to visually impaired program

The Patrick Family Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to support the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina’s Own Your Life program. The program provides personal independence and vocational rehabilitation training for adults in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties who are blind or visually impaired or who have a progressive eye condition.

Charleston Heart Specialists doctor implants device to cut heart risk

Electrophysiologist Darren Sidney of Charleston Heart Specialists has implanted a next-generation device in a patient that reduces the risk of stroke for those with atrial fibrillation. To implant the device, a small cut is made in the upper leg and a narrow tube is inserted. The doctor then guides the device into the left atrial appendage of the heart. The procedure, called left atrial appendage closure, took place at Trident Medical Center. The new device is about the size of a quarter and is made from light and compact materials commonly used in many other medical implants.

New interactive map to help people in need find food along S.C. coast

The Lowcountry Food Bank has partnered with the College of Charleston’s Riley Center for Livable Communities to launch a new online, interactive Lowcountry Food Finder Map. The map helps people in need find free food in the 10 coastal S.C. counties served by the food bank. The website includes three types of food distribution sites: Lowcountry Food Bank partner agency sites, coastal S.C. school district sites and additional food resource sites.

15 staff members and includes 20 fueling stations and a carwash. Outdoor seating, curbside pickup, contactless ordering and self-checkout stations are available. Another Refuel store is expected to open at 2220 Middle St. on Sullivan’s Island.

Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union opens new location in Summerville

Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union has opened its newest branch office at 343 Brighton Park Blvd. in Summerville.

Charleston Home Watch earns 2nd-year accreditation

Charleston Home Watch has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association for the second year. The association was formed in 2009 to establish industry standards for home watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada.

Minority-owned retail store opens 1st S.C. location in Moncks Corner New retail convenience store opens in Nexton in Summerville

Refuel Market has opened a new location at 605 Brighton Park Blvd. in Summerville. The convenience store includes a fresh food menu, a variety of coffee flavors and blends, and a selection of bottled wines and beers. The store has employed

The Garden of Yoni has opened its first retail store location, The Hive, in Moncks Corner, offering products made by local black-owned businesses. Products come from the Garden of Yoni, Art 2 Beauty Boutique, Bee Natural, Alonica & Co., Crown 2 Heel Essentials, Jazzy Jewelz, Bee Natural Oils, The Ryan Timothy Collection, Essentially Her LLC and Mur-

Your invitation to pivot.

phys Love. Items sold include body care products, hair care, candles and bath care.

Charleston Southern waives test score requirement for 2021

Charleston Southern University will waive standardized test score requirements for spring and fall 2021 applicants with at least a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA. Applicants will be evaluated for academic scholarships and financial aid upon acceptance. Students who do submit test scores may provide SAT, ACT or Classic Learning Test exam scores. In-state applicants are still encouraged to take the SAT or ACT, as it is a requirement for the state’s Palmetto Fellows scholarship. Test scores are also important for the Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence scholarship.

SeamonWhiteside industrial park project ranked 7th in the nation

SeamonWhiteside’s Camp Hall project was named the seventh-best industrial park in the nation by Business Facilities Magazine. Camp Hall was the only park in the Southeast to make the list. SeamonWhiteside’s roles in the project included comprehensive master planning; comprehensive rezoning support for planned development zoning; and design, permitting and construction administration for initial sewer and natural gas infrastructure, among other responsibilities.

T N E V E I PLANN

IDE NG GU

| 2019

Business event planners are hungry for effective solutions to virus-related restrictions placed on traditional meetings. More than ever, your business needs to showcase your pivot to solutions that help event planners navigate the current situation and your ability to pivot back to in-person events. Advertise in the Event Planning Guide!

Publication Date: November 16

Advertising Deadline: October 12

For advertising information, contact Grady Johnson at (843) 849-3103 or gjohnson@scbiznews.com

www.charlestonbusiness.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

Committed to delivering you directly to South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newcomers. Your brand reaches your target audience. We customize these magazines for leading real estate companies, who, in turn distribute the magazines directly to their prospects who are actively looking for homes, to local school districts, large and small businesses and their local Chambers of Commerce.

CONTACT US TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE. Grady Johnson (843) 849-3103 or gjohnson@scbiznews.com. PUBLICATION DATE: November 30, 2020

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: October 30, 2020

Viewpoint

VIEWS, PERSPECTIVES AND READERS’ LETTERS

What manufacturers should know about the EEOC

he Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against an employee or a job applicant based on membership in protected classes. The agency has the authority to investigate charges of discrimination against employers, includROLAND J. ing manufacturers, DE MONTE that are covered by the law. Most employers with at least 15 employees are covered (20 employees in age discrimination cases). Although the Department of Labor usually is at the forefront of manufacturers’ minds regarding federal agencies

scrutinizing their workplace practices — think employee safety and wages, immigration matters and unfair labor practices — the EEOC may investigate employee claims of discrimination, disability and religious accommodations, retaliation, harassment, and pay disparities. A single EEOC charge filed by an employee can provide the EEOC an opening to explore other claims, such as for systemic discrimination of an entire class of allegedly aggrieved employees. Indeed, so far in 2020, the EEOC has filed lawsuits against manufacturers for a variety of claims involving alleged sexual harassment, retaliation, disability discrimination and equal pay violations. The EEOC has forced large public settlements from manufacturers to resolve pending lawsuits brought by the agency, and to resolve pre-suit charges, with some settlements reaching close to seven figures.

EEOC investigations, and the litigation that can result from them, can be more costly and intrusive than private lawsuits. If they end in settlements, the terms usually become public through EEOC news releases and court orders, often placing onerous burdens on a company for many years. The last period of great economic stress, the Great Recession, saw a spike in EEOC activity, some initiated by workers filing charges claiming the economic justifications for their separations were pretext for discrimination and retaliation. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, with a large segment of the country focusing their attention on social justice, employers — especially manufacturers — should ensure their equal employment opportunity policies are being implemented and kept up to date, and that employees and

managers are receiving meaningful training on these policies. Doing so provides the first line of defense against charges filed with the EEOC, and possibly stops issues before they become lawsuits. Manufacturers also might audit their employment practices, including hiring procedures and pay differentials, and have counsel perform these audits under attorney-client privilege. Even when disparities in hiring or pay between protected groups are not intentional, the EEOC can pursue investigations and lawsuits under a theory of disparate impact. CRBJ

Roland J. De Monte is a Principal in the Cleveland office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He represents employers in matters involving claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, breach of contract, unpaid wages and denial of accommodations. He can be reached at Roland.DeMonte@jacksonlewis.com.

Navigating the legal minefield of employees’ return to work

mployers face a host of potential legal pitfalls as businesses that were closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic reopen and new virus hot spots continue to emerge across the county. As guidance from state and federal agencies continues to evolve, employers should AMY JORDAN develop a plan to WILKES safely bring employees back.

Furloughed or laid-off workers

Employers should have legitimate, business-related reasons for asking certain employees to come back while leaving others at home and should document. Even if the decision is motivated by concern for the employee’s well-being, recalling only certain classes of workers may lead to discrimination claims. Workers who refuse to return to work without good cause will generally be disqualified from unemployment benefits. If an employee reasonably believes there is a danger of being infected with COVID-19, for example because of a suspected case in the workplace, the employee cannot be disciplined or discharged for refusing to come to work. Finally, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act is in effect until Dec. 31, so employees are entitled to up to 80 hours

of paid sick leave when they cannot work for certain reasons related to COVID-19. In addition, employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of paid family leave when they are unable to work because they must care for a child under 18 whose child care provider is closed for COVID-19. In light of the piecemeal and often convoluted guidance issued by federal agencies since the act was passed, the Department of Labor recently launched an interactive online tool to help employees determine whether they qualify for leave as a result of COVID-19.

Workplace safety concerns

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration recently issued return-towork guidance that encourages employers to develop and implement policies to address “preventing, monitoring for, and responding to any emergence or resurgence of COVID-19 in the workplace.” Specifically, OSHA suggests employers focus on hazard assessment, hygiene, social distancing, identification and isolation of sick employees, workplace controls and flexibilities, and training. OSHA is focusing on employers’ “good faith” efforts in complying with applicable standards so it is important for all employers to take appropriate measures and document those practices. In particular, employers should document their safety plan and train all employees on the measures in place to protect against further spread of the virus.

If employees raise complaints about unsafe working conditions, those complaints should be investigated. Both OSHA and the National Labor Relations Act prohibit retaliation against employees who make good faith complaints.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Since many return-to-work guidelines recommend screening employees for COVID-19, employers should ensure they are acting in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Employees may be tested to determine whether they have an active case of COVID-19 as a condition of returning to work, but employers may not require employees to undergo antibody testing, which the EEOC considers to be an unlawful medical examination. In addition to testing, employers may also take employees’ temperatures and may ask employees if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Employers who screen employees should have clear and consistent guidelines for: • Screening procedures to be used. • The criteria for failing the screening. • How to respond if an employee refuses. • How to respond if an employee fails. If the employer uses medical questionnaires, the questions should be narrowly focused to collect only data that is relevant to assessing the COVID-19 threat. Access to medical information should be limited to human resources or management with a need to know. All medi-

cal information must be kept confidential and stored separately from personnel files. If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, employers should inform anyone the employee may have come into contact with of their possible exposure but should maintain confidentiality and not disclose the name of the employee without the employee’s written consent. Employees with “high-risk” medical conditions may seek reasonable accommodations under the disability act. But a non-disabled employee is not entitled to an accommodation to protect a disabled family member from potential exposure. An employer may not take any adverse action against an employee merely because the employee has a disability identified as high-risk by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. An employee’s disability does not pose a direct threat simply because it is listed on the CDC’s high-risk list. The direct threat determination must be made after an assessment of the employee’s disability. Even if the employee’s disability poses a direct threat, the employer cannot exclude the employee unless there is no reasonable accommodation the employer can make. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, employers should work with legal counsel to ensure compliance. CRBJ

Reprinted with permission from the American Bar Association. Amy Jordan Wilkes is a partner at Burr & Forman LLP. She can be reached at awilkes@burr.com.

www.charlestonbusiness.com

September 7 - 20, 2020

New branch in Mt. Pleasant. Deeply rooted in helping businesses thrive.

We’re excited to be a part of the Mount Pleasant business community. But while we’re new to the neighborhood, we are not new to business banking. We’ve been recognized as a “Best Brand”* for businesses as a result of helping companies of all sizes achieve their unique goals. We’re ready to help with yours. Let’s get started. Schedule an appointment at fnb-online.com/Charleston.

429 W. Coleman Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC Member FDIC NYSE: FNB

*Recognized by Greenwich Associates as a 2019 Greenwich Excellence and Best Brand Awards winner in commercial and small business banking.