AGP Executive Report

Health Care Policy: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states will get $500 Obamacare refunds starting in October, tied to alleged “user fee” overcharges from the federal exchange. Auto Industry: Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume says the company is looking at rugged, truck-style SUVs and pickups for the U.S. to help its turnaround as China demand weakens. Energy & Utilities: Wynson Securities says NextEra and Dominion’s all-stock combination is moving forward after shareholder approval, aiming to serve about 10 million utility accounts across the Carolinas and beyond. Solar Manufacturing: Suniva secured $835 million for a 4.5 GW PERC cell plant in Laurens County, targeting 564 new jobs and completion by June 2027. Local Business & Real Estate: Hooked on the Water is preparing to open a multi-concept lakeside dining and entertainment destination on Lake Murray in late 2026. Consumer Watch: Walmart expanded a frozen-berry recall to Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend in 16 states, including South Carolina, over possible E. coli contamination. South Carolina Economy Snapshot: New ZIP-level Social Security data shows 29617 had about 6,350 retired-worker beneficiaries in December 2024, up year over year.

Insurance & Risk: AAIS says its FLAMES fire-loss scoring framework is now approved for use by homeowners insurers in South Carolina and Indiana, aiming to better match premiums to local fire risk and community mitigation efforts. Public Safety & Community: SRP Federal Credit Union teamed with Shepeard Community Blood Center for a blood drive that drew 55 donors and 49 pints, enough to save up to 147 local lives. Health Care Policy: President Trump announced $500 Obamacare rebate checks for nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including South Carolina, with payments expected to start in October. Politics & Economics: Trump also renewed his “Trump dividend” pitch—$5,000 to every adult if Republicans keep House and Senate control—framing it as a U.S.-spent “dividend” tied to GOP midterm outcomes. Energy & Environment: Dominion Energy will begin lowering Lake Murray this fall to manage aquatic vegetation and protect water quality, with boaters urged to use extra caution. Business & Growth: Alston Construction promoted David Babb to vice president/general manager of its Carolina business unit, overseeing operations and growth across the Carolinas. Local Business: O’Charley’s abruptly closed all South Carolina locations, including Summerville and a Charleston-area Underground Chuck’s site. Transportation: The I-75 rebuild in Monroe County, including replacement of the River Raisin Bridge, is set for public details at an MDOT open house.

Food Security: A South Carolina farmer, Willie Capehart, is teaming up with Harvest Hope Food Bank to help fight hunger across 20 counties, highlighting how local agriculture partnerships can stretch food supply. Politics & Economy: President Donald Trump kicked off a first-ever Republican midterm convention in Dallas, offering $5,000 “dividends” to adults if Republicans keep House and Senate control, while early coverage also flagged empty seats and a heavy focus on culture-war messaging. Capital Markets/Regulation: The SEC proposed rescinding the investment adviser “pay-to-play” rule, arguing existing anti-fraud rules may be enough and that the current ban is too burdensome. Energy & Workforce: Duke Energy Foundation awarded $180,000 to nine South Carolina technical colleges for construction-focused workforce training and industry certifications. Local Business & Courts: A Summerville clothing company, Born United, agreed to pay Buc-ee’s $850,000 in a trademark settlement over use of the beaver logo. Real Estate/Development: Jasper County is considering a one-year moratorium on new data centers and related facilities to study environmental and infrastructure impacts, while Spartanburg County’s public safety committee is holding hearings demanding “credible evidence” on risks from data centers. Higher Ed: USC marked its 225th anniversary and touted record enrollment growth and financial strength during its State of the University address. Downtown Revitalization: Columbia unveiled a Main Street lighting project designed to brighten historic tree-lined blocks and improve the downtown experience for residents and businesses.

Nonprofit Giving: Foundation for the Carolinas’ fundholders awarded more than $150M through 3,700+ grants to nonprofits in Q2 2026, pushing year-to-date giving to nearly $350M. Robocall Crackdown: South Carolina AGs joined a bipartisan push urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules to stop illegal robocalls from reaching consumers. Solar Manufacturing Standards: ES Foundry says its Greenwood, S.C. plant earned ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001/45001 certifications after an integrated audit with zero major and zero minor nonconformities. Cancer Care Push: Charleston officials are set to review plans for MUSC’s proposed $1B, 14-story cancer hospital designed to consolidate inpatient and outpatient services. Legal Spotlight: A judge ordered Alex Murdaugh’s retrial to be held in Sumter County, with jury selection set for April 5, 2027. Public Safety & Fraud: SLED charged a former Spartanburg County Detention Center contract employee with stealing $14,846 in cash deposits and making unauthorized card transactions. Housing Finance: VA reported 2,162 Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in South Carolina in Q2 2026 totaling $797.7M. Manufacturing Investment: USA Rare Earth broke ground on a $1.2B rare earth metal and magnet facility in Blacksburg, targeting 490 high-skill jobs. Local Development: Greer City Council approved a major Blaize Ridge design review change, converting eight townhome lots into five single-family lots.

Alex Murdaugh Retrial Venue Set: A judge ruled the high-profile double-murder retrial will move to Sumter County, citing the need for a fair jury after extensive publicity and a prior jury-tampering scandal; the retrial is tentatively set for April 2027. Public Safety Funding: Moncks Corner secured a $4 million state earmark for a new Fire Station 3 along U.S. Hwy. 52, aiming to cut response times from about seven minutes to two as growth accelerates. Local Business Dispute: Condado Tacos’ Greenville closure is now tied to a landlord lawsuit seeking more than $51,000 in back rent and fees, alleging missed minimum rent payments. Economic Development & Energy: Suniva completed an $835 million capital raise to expand U.S. solar cell manufacturing capacity to 5.5 GW, funding a second major facility. Conservation Deal: Upstate Forever permanently protected 800+ acres in Laurens and Union counties via new conservation easements, preserving farms, forests, water, and wildlife. EV Policy Watch: A new Southeast electrification report will be discussed in a Sept. 10 webinar, tracking EV and charging momentum across the Carolinas and neighboring states.

Franchise & Jobs: Eggs Up Grill named multi-unit franchisee Ken Bates (Tennessee/North Carolina) IFA Franchisee of the Year, highlighting operational leadership and system growth. Healthcare Restructuring: Trinity Health plans permanent layoffs tied to IT roles in Michigan, with WARN notice covering about 557 workers at its Livonia site. Commercial Real Estate: Charleston’s long-awaited Four Seasons Hotel and Residences is moving forward with a new contractor and timeline—groundbreaking expected by year-end and completion pushed to 2030. Infrastructure & Growth: Designs for the first five miles of the Saluda Grade Trail near Landrum are ~60% complete, with permitting ahead of schedule and nine road crossings planned. Local Economy & Education: Aiken Chamber’s First Friday event featured updates from Aiken Technical College and USC Aiken, including reported regional economic impact and enrollment growth. Energy Costs: Fuel prices hit a record Labor Day high nationally, driven by Iran-war and refinery-related pressures. Consumer Tech Security: Altera added post-quantum cryptography support to Agilex 3 and Agilex 5 FPGAs, aiming to help protect long-life systems. Retail Closure: Columbia’s Brittons clothier will permanently close by Dec. 24, ending nearly 80 years in business.

Gas Prices & Cost Pressure: Labor Day gas hit record levels, with the U.S. average regular price at $4.14 a gallon as drivers cite Iran-linked supply worries and refinery issues—keeping South Carolina families and travelers from taking their usual trips. Local Elections Staffing: Richland County is hiring paid poll workers for Nov. 3, with pay up to $185 and multiple onboarding dates set in Columbia. SC Politics (2nd District): The race for South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District is heating up ahead of November, with incumbent Joe Wilson pitching permanent tax cuts and Zion Khalifa emphasizing protecting local funding and community priorities. Public Safety Tech Backlash: South Carolina’s growing use of automatic license plate readers is drawing renewed criticism after reports of vandalism and concerns about tracking and misuse. Business Growth: Eggs Up Grill says it has reached 110 restaurants, highlighting franchising momentum in South Carolina and beyond. Consumer Fraud Watch: Aynor logged one BBB scam report in July, tied for 62nd among SC cities, as national fraud losses continue to climb.

Meta Settlement: South Carolina is set to receive nearly $247 million from a $17.1 billion multistate deal with Meta over alleged harms to children and teens on Instagram and Facebook, with new limits on daily use and overnight access plus stronger age verification and parental controls. Infrastructure & Jobs: State leaders say infrastructure spending could deliver a $66 billion economic impact (FY2021-2028) and support about 140,000 permanent jobs, with major road, bridge and storm-resilience projects including I-26 widening and Lake Marion bridge work. Local Sports Economy: Lancaster County will break ground next week on a $36.9 million Regional Athletic Complex with turf baseball and grass soccer fields, aiming to draw regional tournaments and boost sports tourism. Education Rankings: Clover High (52nd), Indian Land (61st) and Rock Hill-area schools (including Northwestern at 73rd) moved in the latest U.S. News Best High Schools rankings, with college readiness/AP-IB performance driving much of the spread. Energy Costs: Labor Day gas prices hit record highs nationwide, and South Carolina’s average is about $3.75, as Iran-related supply and refinery issues keep pressure on fuel costs. Food Safety: A Chilean supplier expanded an E. coli recall to Walmart’s Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend in 16 states, including South Carolina. Community Branding: Fort Mill was certified as the newest Keep America Beautiful affiliate, formalizing local litter-prevention and beautification efforts. Business Spotlight: Armstrong Air’s Orangeburg, S.C. manufacturing footprint and product testing highlight the state’s HVAC industry, even as refrigerant phase-downs raise questions for manufacturers.

Labor Day Fuel Costs: AAA says regular gas averaged $4.14 a gallon heading into the holiday—near a record high—driven by the Iran-related Strait of Hormuz disruption and refinery issues, with drivers in the Carolinas and beyond feeling the pinch. Power & Jobs: Duke Energy filed a 2026 Carolinas Resource Plan with South Carolina regulators that would add major solar, gas, storage, and new nuclear capacity through 2041, aiming to meet rising winter peak demand. Defense Shipbuilding: Huntington Ingalls Industries says it’s targeting a 15% year-over-year shipyard throughput increase in 2026, hinging on workforce growth, infrastructure upgrades, and a broader maritime supply chain. State Budget Watch: In Focus South Carolina breaks down the new $15 billion budget, including higher teacher starting pay, income-tax relief, homestead changes for seniors, and funding for roads/bridges and technical colleges. Food Safety: FDA recalls expand for frozen berries potentially linked to E. coli, including Walmart Great Value products in 16 states; South Carolina also saw multiple retail food establishments earn B or C grades in August. Regulators & Media: FCC Chair Brendan Carr says the agency is “looking at a lot of actions” to address fake polls and partisan coverage ahead of midterms. Local Business/Community: The Anderson County Library System pushes free library card sign-ups, highlighting broad access to services and resources.

Autonomous Vehicles & Regulation: Tesla began paid Cybercab robotaxi rides in Austin, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an audit of about 1,000 vehicles to test compliance with federal safety rules. Food Safety: The FDA expanded a frozen-berries recall tied to possible E. coli contamination, including Great Value products sold at Walmart in 16 states, with no illnesses reported for that specific item. Retail Food Inspections: South Carolina Department of Agriculture reports show Lancaster County had one B and one C grade at Smalls Food Center (Heath Springs) after follow-up issues, while York County logged multiple B and C grades, including Earth Fare Deli and a Fort Mill food truck. Local Business & Workforce: Charlotte County Economic Development named Wofford- and Port Charlotte–alum Jordan Ingman to its “40 Under 40” program, highlighting career-readiness work through his school and mentoring efforts. Public Policy & Tech: The FCC said President Trump is “over the target” on demands for punishment over “Meet the Press” anchor Kristen Welker’s reporting, while signaling potential guidance on fake polls. Health & Consumer Risk: A national report says mold lawsuits are rising as homeowners push builders to pay for moisture-related construction problems.

Politics & 2028 Watch: Gavin Newsom is leaning into South Carolina’s role as Democrats’ first presidential primary state, but voters there are already flagging his California brand as a liability for a national run. Local Business & Growth: Paris Baguette is moving into Greenville’s Woodruff Road corridor with a new Magnolia Park bakery café, betting on the Upstate’s retail momentum. Workforce & Education: Aiken’s Chavah Greene is among the MBA “to watch,” with her path through Clemson and Accenture Strategy underscoring the region’s talent pipeline. Consumer & Risk: Clorox Puerto Rico recalled 6.3M Mistolin/Lestoil bottles after possible Pseudomonas contamination, a bigger deal for immunocompromised travelers using SC-area short-term rentals. SC Economy & Governance: An editorial takes aim at South Carolina’s charter-school transparency law, arguing enforcement gaps are undermining public accountability. Sports Business: The PGA Tour’s 2028 Championship Series locks in RBC Heritage (Hilton Head) and Truist Championship as top-tier stops.

Local Business Spotlight: Saltwater Moving is doubling down on local ownership in the Charleston market as national moving chains expand, arguing that Lowcountry street layouts and coastal conditions matter for service quality. Autonomous Tech Watch: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an audit of Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi hours after Austin launch, setting up a potential fight over whether the vehicle can legally operate without traditional controls. Consumer Safety & Food: Walmart shoppers in multiple states were told to check freezers after frozen berry products were recalled over possible E. coli contamination, with South Carolina included in the affected footprint. Fraud & Consumer Risk: BBB Scam Tracker data put Hopkins among South Carolina’s lower-ranked cities for scams in July, but still logged an employment scam involving package reshipping and compromised personal info. Energy & AI Infrastructure: Santee Cooper is partnering with Google Cloud to roll out AI-driven load forecasting and financial planning tools. Retail Expansion: Paris Baguette plans a new Greenville cafe on Woodruff Road, bringing its pastry-and-coffee format to a high-traffic Upstate corridor.

Robotaxi Oversight: Tesla’s Cybercab paid rides in Austin are triggering a U.S. safety audit of about 1,000 vehicles after NHTSA flagged how the cars meet federal rules—raising the stakes for Musk’s push into broader deployment. Road & Infrastructure: SCDOT says multiple Florence, Darlington and Marion County bridges are slated for replacement, with updates to come as bidding and procurement move forward. Public Health: Two separate recalls of 0.9% saline IV bags are underway after fiberglass or iron-oxide particles were found in sealed solutions, with South Carolina among affected states. Food Safety: A frozen-berry E. coli outbreak tied to a Chilean supplier has grown to 17 illnesses, and Walmart shoppers in 16 states—including South Carolina—are urged to check freezers for recalled Great Value products. Local Courts/Business: A Folly Beach property owner filed a lawsuit seeking repayment of short-term rental registration fees after a judge ruled the city’s STR ordinance illegal; the city has appealed. Law Enforcement: SLED charged a former Pacolet officer in Spartanburg County with bank fraud, prostitution and obstruction of justice. Energy/AI: Santee Cooper partnered with Google Cloud to roll out AI-driven load forecasting and financial planning tools.

South Carolina Legal: Joe Rice, cofounder of Motley Rice and a major force in big plaintiff cases, died Sept. 3, leaving behind a national reputation for high-stakes litigation and community impact. Public Safety & Courts: A federal grand jury indicted seven Chesterfield County residents tied to an alleged dogfighting operation, with authorities saying it’s the largest single-property dog seizure in South Carolina history—over 100 dogs seized and charges including Animal Welfare Act violations and firearms. Business & Industry: Flex agreed to buy EPC Power for $4.4 billion, aiming to boost its data-center power tech with 800V DC and grid-forming capabilities as AI facilities push higher-density architectures. Energy & Infrastructure: N.C. DOT said it spent nearly $70 million designing I-77 toll lanes in Charlotte, with a proposed reimbursement mechanism raising the stakes for local approval. Consumer & Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data put Bonneau among cities tied for 44th in South Carolina for July scam reports, underscoring ongoing fraud losses. Workforce & Economy: Greenville County leads South Carolina employment with more than 300,000 workers, while unemployment rates across the Upstate remain in the mid-single digits.

Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters said an unauthorized party accessed files tied to its C-Track case management platform, affecting court systems in South Carolina and other states and territories. Higher Ed & Taxes: The Trump administration proposed stripping private schools’ tax-exempt status if they provide race-based targeted help, a move that could reshape how colleges and universities fund scholarships and programs. Local Infrastructure: Charleston County approved more than $7 million for Main Library renovations, aiming for more flexible, community-driven spaces. State Business Leadership: SC Commerce named Patrick Turner general counsel, tapping decades of regulatory and business law experience. Energy & Utilities: Santee Cooper asked to intervene in the Dominion-NextEra megamerger, arguing the deal’s impact on South Carolina matters as regulators review the transaction. Ports & Trade: U.S. Army Corps and SC Ports launched a feasibility study on deepening the upper Charleston Harbor to boost competitiveness and support North Charleston Terminal modernization. Consumer & Health: A Great Value organic triple berry recall expanded to 16 states, including South Carolina, over potential E. coli contamination. Workforce: DEW and SC Works are set to host a Capital City Career Expo with 80+ employers in Columbia. Labor Day Costs: Gas prices are surging ahead of the holiday, with AAA projecting a new record. Employment Rights: EEOC sued a Charlotte-area company alleging it fired a pregnant worker after she miscarried, claiming violations of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

Affordable Housing: FG Communities completed its acquisition of a 59-homesite manufactured housing community in Easley, strengthening its South Carolina footprint near Greenville. Workforce & Hiring: SC Works Midlands held a Dislocated Workers Job Fair in Winnsboro for people displaced after the MLILY Mattress Company fire, connecting attendees with 41 employers and dozens of openings. State Economic Signals: South Carolina collected $1.3 billion in individual income taxes in Q1 2026, down 36.8% from the prior quarter, according to Census data. Energy & Grid Tech: NextEra and Santee Cooper say AI tools are already cutting costs—NextEra reports $20M in savings this year, while Santee Cooper expects further gains from AI forecasting. Workforce Development Award: Gov. McMaster and DEW named Savannah River Nuclear Solutions the 2026 Workforce Champion for student outreach, internships, and its no-cost apprenticeship school. Public Safety & Compliance: SC AG Alan Wilson announced charges against a Lexington assisted-living housekeeper accused of exploiting four vulnerable residents by using their debit cards. Food Safety: Hodo Chili Crisp Lightly Fried Tofu was recalled in 29 states over possible ink contamination. Cyber Risk: Thomson Reuters disclosed a C-Track breach tied to exposed court records across multiple states, including South Carolina.