AGP Executive Report

Special Election Watch: South Carolina Republicans are lining up for a special GOP primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, with at least 10 candidates filing and a two-week sprint to the Aug. 11 vote; if no one wins a majority, there’s an Aug. 25 runoff, and Graham’s sister Darline Graham Nordone is stepping in as the interim appointee. Manufacturing & Trade: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and SC AG Alan Wilson joined Century Aluminum leaders at the Mt. Holly plant to tout a major expansion tied to tariffs, saying the project boosts U.S. primary aluminum output by about 10% and adds 150-plus jobs in Berkeley County. Local Business & Growth: A Fort Mill judge upheld a 2024 zoning ruling against Silfab Solar’s light-industrial classification, keeping the dispute centered on whether the plant can operate near schools. Workforce & Household Impact: South Carolina officials say record-low unemployment claims point to a strong job market, but concerns remain about access to benefits under tighter rules and caps. Tech, Privacy & Public Safety: York County and Rock Hill are expanding Flock Safety cameras, drawing privacy and accuracy worries even as officials cite solved cases. Financial Literacy: An Upstate Federal Credit Union student-run branch at Crescent High School is teaching kids banking basics through hands-on accounts and classroom visits.

Manufacturing & Trade: Century Aluminum is marking a major Mt. Holly expansion that boosts U.S. primary aluminum output by about 10% and grows its workforce to 600-plus, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Dr. Peter Navarro and S.C. AG Alan Wilson scheduled to attend. Energy & Grid: Utilities across South Carolina are ramping up power infrastructure as data centers surge, with Duke Energy saying large-load customers help cover upfront grid costs. Digital Economy: SCETA launched ASCENDSC™, a statewide framework meant to align AI, compute infrastructure, energy, digital identity and privacy policy around transparency and public trust. Local Growth vs. Rules: Fort Mill Schools is pressing state and county leaders to restrict Silfab Solar after a zoning ruling found the company’s manufacturing isn’t allowed in its light industrial district. Real Estate Tech: Hive MLS was named a finalist for Inman’s 2026 Innovator Award, highlighting innovation in MLS operations and customer experience. Business & Compliance: TaxBandits is promoting a streamlined platform for July 31 payroll filings, combining Form 941 with certain state withholding and unemployment reporting. Policy & Privacy: A federal lawsuit alleges DHS used data gathered from immigration observers to strip Global Entry and TSA PreCheck privileges. Health Care: The Ensign Group reported Q2 results with higher earnings and said demand and occupancy improved across its skilled nursing and senior living portfolio. Markets: Stocks rose and oil fell as the U.S. and Iran entered a pause in fighting, easing near-term economic pressure.

South Carolina Politics & Elections: The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee kept South Carolina as the first-in-the-nation Democratic primary for 2028, elevating the state’s Black electorate as a key early decision point. South Carolina Senate Race: With Lindsey Graham’s death driving a fast GOP scramble, Darline Graham filed to run for the full term and a crowded field is taking shape, including Russell Fry and Ralph Norman as frontrunners in early polling. Hospitality Insurance: South Carolina bar and restaurant owners may get a new liquor liability insurance option through a partnership between the South Carolina Bar and Tavern Association and Ragnar Hospitality Insurance, aimed at easing premium and coverage shortages. Energy & Industry Compliance: South Carolina-based Domtar faces a proposed $1.5 million DOJ settlement tied to alleged Clean Air Act and state air/water violations at its Ashdown, Ark., kraft mill, with required pollution-control upgrades. Public Health: The CDC reported U.S. measles cases in 2026 have hit a 35-year high, surpassing all of 2025, as vaccination rates continue to slip. Data Centers & Water: A long-delayed Virginia study warns groundwater declines are likely in a key aquifer and urges tighter rules on industrial water withdrawals—an issue resonating as data-center growth spreads. Business & Jobs: Detpak opened its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, supporting global expansion and supply-chain reliability.

Regulatory Watch: South Carolina’s Public Service Commission denied landowners’ bid for reconsideration and approved the Canadys natural gas power plant in Colleton County, clearing the way for a 71-mile pipeline from Georgia. Public Safety & Privacy: A national look at Flock license-plate reader misuse highlights how SC has seen officers fired for alleged abuse, adding pressure on local oversight. Housing & Costs: Cities and states are targeting parking minimums to ease housing costs and boost supply, a move that could reshape development rules across the Carolinas. Food Safety: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,200 cans of organic lentil soup in 28 states due to a pull-tab defect that can cause spoilage; separately, FDA-linked investigations tied a Texas egg recall to 98 Salmonella illnesses in 17 states. Local Growth & Land Use: Lexington County is weighing how to handle incoming data-center proposals, while Berkeley County prepares another vote on the Lake Village development amid resident concerns over roads and rural character. Business Expansion: Sports tech firm TMRW Sports is reportedly considering Charleston for a new HQ, with incentives and job projections driving the competition.

GLP-1 Access Gap: Massachusetts Medicaid stopped covering GLP-1 weight-loss drugs July 1, leaving about 22,000 beneficiaries facing $150–$450 monthly costs and risking weight rebound—part of a broader Medicaid retreat in states like Michigan and Rhode Island. Food Safety: More than 19 million eggs were recalled after a Salmonella outbreak sickened at least 98 people across 17 states, including South Carolina; consumers are urged to check cartons and avoid recalled lots. Hospitality Insurance: South Carolina bars and restaurants may get more options as the South Carolina Bar and Tavern Association partners with Ragnar Hospitality Insurance to offer liquor liability coverage amid rising premiums. Higher Ed Funding: Morris College awarded nearly $150,000 in scholarships to 130 student scholars, citing continued need for access as federal aid rules shift. Local Business Spotlight: Oliver Gospel Roastery in Columbia was named a 2026 Best of South Carolina Coffeehouse for its community mission. Public Health Policy: Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood and similar clinics are set to resume where states allow it after a nationwide one-year ban expired. Real Estate & Risk: A Realtor.com report says homebuyer demand remains strong in high-risk areas, but the risk often shows up later in insurance premiums, HOA fees, and financing.

Local Business Recognition: Oliver Gospel Roastery in downtown Columbia was named among South Carolina’s 2026 Best of South Carolina Coffeehouses, with the award tied to the shop’s mission supporting people experiencing homelessness across the Midlands. Public Finance & Housing: Foreclosure filings nationwide jumped 71% from 2020 to 2025, with South Carolina among the states showing elevated activity as home prices stay near record highs. Banking Consolidation: Columbia’s Optus Financial announced a merger with North Carolina’s M&F Bancorp to form a new institution with $1B+ in assets and 10 locations across both Carolinas. Data Center Backlash: Orangeburg County approved a moratorium on new data center construction after residents raised concerns about land, water, health impacts and affordability; the move follows similar pauses in nearby counties. Transportation Security: TSA Gold+ is expanding to allow private contractors at checkpoints, with Charleston International Airport among the first South Carolina sites to opt in. Food Safety: Fresh & Ready Foods recalled certain spicy breakfast burritos distributed across multiple states, including South Carolina, due to undeclared soy and sausage. Politics & Voting: The DNC’s plan to keep South Carolina first in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary is already sparking debate over which party wing benefits.

Liquor Liability Insurance: The South Carolina Bar and Tavern Association teamed with Ragnar Hospitality to expand access to liquor liability coverage for bars and restaurants as owners say premiums keep climbing and insurers keep pulling back. Food Safety: Fresh & Ready Foods recalled limited “Sprig & Sprout” and “Fresh and Ready” spicy breakfast burritos sold in vending machines and grab-and-go markets across multiple states, including South Carolina, after undeclared soy and sausage were found in products labeled vegetarian. Public Safety Tech: Two Greer police officers were fired for misusing Flock license plate reader cameras, reigniting debate over oversight of automated surveillance. Hospitality Health Watch: Taylor Farms issued a statement amid the broader cyclosporiasis investigation, saying it removed potentially implicated product and suspended iceberg lettuce sourcing/production from central Mexico. Politics & Business Calendar: The DNC set South Carolina as the first Democratic presidential primary state in 2028 (Jan. 22), with New Mexico, Nevada, New Hampshire, Michigan and Virginia following. SC Economy/Health Risk: Measles cases hit a new U.S. record, with experts warning vaccination rates are slipping and South Carolina’s prior outbreak remains a key reference point.

Food Safety Recall: Amy’s Kitchen recalled more than 15,000 cases of Organic Lentil Soup (Light in Sodium) after a defect in the can’s “easy open tab” raised spoilage concerns; the affected lot (60D0924) was distributed in South Carolina, and consumers are urged not to eat the soup and to return it for a refund. Public Health: South Carolina is seeing a rise in cyclosporiasis tied to a national outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce, with 23 cases confirmed statewide so far—health officials are urging shoppers to be cautious with fresh produce. Aviation Security: Charleston International Airport is among the first airports expected to adopt TSA Gold+, a program that lets private contractors handle passenger screening while TSA keeps oversight—part of a broader effort to reduce disruption during federal shutdowns. Workforce & Innovation: The South Carolina Research Authority is a founding partner in the NSF Grid Modernization Engine for the Carolinas, with an initial $15 million investment and potential up to $160 million over a decade, targeting grid modernization and job creation. Politics & Business Climate: The U.S. expanded its Ratepayer Protection Pledge for AI data centers, adding utilities and data center firms—including Duke Energy and Southern Company—aimed at preventing ratepayers from absorbing new infrastructure costs. Local Economy/Construction: Dorchester Paws is building a $12 million animal shelter and veterinary clinic in Summerville, with a mid-2027 completion target.

South Carolina Housing & Real Estate: A Columbia investor portfolio tied to USC student housing demand is listed at $8 million, showing how tight on-campus options are boosting rental returns. Mortgage Market: The state’s 2025 Mortgage Log shows 200,286 applications in 2025, up 9.5% from 2024, while the average APR slipped to 6.5% and refinances rose. Home Prices/Foreclosures: National data points to a 71% jump in foreclosure filings from 2020 to 2025 as home prices hit record highs, with South Carolina among the states seeing elevated activity. Banking: Black-owned Optus Financial and M&F Bank announced a merger expected to top $105 million, aiming to build a larger African American-owned institution. Energy & Industry: EnerSys is refining plans for a Greenville lithium cell facility with about $150 million in revised DOE support and incentives totaling about $200 million from South Carolina/Greenville County. Local Growth Controls: Orangeburg County advanced a one-year moratorium on data center developments amid concerns about impacts and unclear details. Politics: Former Gov. Mark Sanford launched a GOP Senate bid to replace Lindsey Graham, joining a crowded field around Darline Graham’s Trump-backed run. Consumer/Health: South Carolina is monitoring cyclosporiasis cases as a national outbreak continues.

State Budget Deal: South Carolina lawmakers say they’ve reached a tentative 2026-27 budget compromise, but it still needs final passage; the deal includes teacher and state employee raises, a smaller homeowner tax break, and postpones decisions on many local earmarks. Transportation & Growth: SCDOT is holding a public open house Aug. 6 on two Aiken County intersection improvement projects (Bettis Academy/Whaley Pond and Whiskey/Powderhouse). Public Safety & Privacy: Flock Safety license-plate-reading cameras are expanding nationwide, and South Carolina communities are debating privacy and oversight as the devices move beyond private neighborhoods into public streets. Food & Health: Taylor Farms’ iceberg lettuce recall tied to cyclospora now covers distribution across 27 states, including South Carolina, as public health officials warn of rising measles cases nationwide. Local Economy & Jobs: Century Aluminum is set to celebrate an Mt. Holly expansion that boosts U.S. primary aluminum output by about 10% and grows its workforce to 600-plus. Real Estate & Tax Policy: The SC Court of Appeals ruled that for ATI exemptions, the pre-sale fair market value—not value plus pre-sale improvements already reflected in an appraisal—must be used.

Health Coverage Red Tape: A South Carolina-linked patient story highlights how plan changes and approval delays can strand people needing life-saving transplant meds, raising alarms about coverage consistency. Public Safety & Surveillance: City leaders remain split over whether to continue a Flock Safety license-plate camera contract, as residents worry about misuse and immigration enforcement access. Banking Deal: Optus Financial and M&F Bancorp announced a merger under the Optus Bank banner, creating the nation’s largest Black-owned financial institution with $1.27B in assets and a deal valued above $105M. Aviation Security: TSA’s Gold+ private screening model is expanding to Tampa, Des Moines and Charleston airports, drawing pushback from the TSA workers union. Weather & Power: Charlotte-area storms could trigger outages, with Duke Energy outage maps and safety guidance in focus. Education & Workforce: UNCF launched an HBCU Work-Integrated Learning Accelerator backed by JPMorganChase and Lumina to build career-connected pathways. Politics With Business Impact: Democrats and Republicans are jockeying over the 2028 primary calendar, with South Carolina emerging as a top contender. Charter School Opening: American Leadership Academy Blythewood cut the ribbon on a new K-12 campus, signaling continued growth in local education investment.

PFAS Settlement: Chemours agreed to a $450 million settlement with the EPA and DOJ over alleged PFAS releases into the Cape Fear, Delaware, and Ohio rivers, a move that keeps the “forever chemicals” fight front and center for South Carolina-linked litigation. Food Safety: The national cyclosporiasis outbreak has surged to 4,173 lab-confirmed cases across 41 states, while South Carolina reports fewer than two dozen cases; recalled lettuce tied to the outbreak has reached 27 states, including SC. Healthcare Dealmaking: Erlanger Health signed a non-binding letter of intent to partner with Prisma Health, with officials citing $2 billion in strategic capital investments and a goal of long-term sustainability. Upstate Growth & Jobs: Fortified Solar will invest $22.75 million to expand in Greenville County, adding 151 jobs and targeting full production by October. Local Infrastructure Politics: Greenville County voters will decide in November on a proposed penny sales tax to address roads and bridge shortfalls, after a 8-3 council vote. Legal & Civil Rights: Democrats launched a congressional inquiry into a DOJ legal opinion that could make it easier for states to keep people with mental illness institutionalized rather than funding community care. Workplace Injury Claim: A Charleston port truck driver won a confidential $325,000 settlement after a traumatic brain injury claim was initially denied. Public Safety Tech: A Greenville-area expansion of surveillance and related privacy fights continues to draw scrutiny as communities challenge the cost and reach of systems like Flock Safety.

Food Safety Watch: The CDC says cyclosporiasis cases have climbed to 4,173 lab-confirmed cases across 41 states, with thousands more pending confirmation, as the six-week reporting lag continues. Recall Roundup: Fresh & Ready Foods recalled limited batches of spicy breakfast burritos over undeclared soy, while Amy’s Kitchen recalled more than 184,000 cans of organic lentil soup due to potential spoilage. Local Industry Growth: Fortified Solar is investing $22.75 million in a new Greenville County facility, adding 150+ jobs to expand steel solar roofing manufacturing. Packaging Manufacturing: Detpak opened a U.S. paper-based packaging facility in Spartanburg, aiming to improve supply reliability and create 50+ local jobs. Entrepreneur Ecosystem: A new ESO Network will let South Carolina startup groups share coworking and conference space statewide at little to no cost. Politics & Business Climate: Candidate filing opened for South Carolina’s special GOP U.S. Senate primary to replace Lindsey Graham, with multiple contenders expected before the July 28 deadline.

South Carolina Budget Delay: With the fiscal year budget still unresolved 20 days in, agencies are stuck on last year’s funding levels, raising fresh alarms for SNAP and Medicaid as lawmakers wait to release about $34M for SNAP admin costs and nearly $100M for Medicaid reimbursement stability. Special Senate Primary Filing: Candidate filing opens Tuesday at noon for the Aug. 11 GOP special primary to replace late Sen. Lindsey Graham; Darline Graham says she’s running for a full term, with Russell Fry, Ralph Norman, and Mark Lynch also in the field. AI/Data Centers Watch: DOE selected DC Blox (with Amentum) to develop a 1GW AI data center campus at the Savannah River site, while South Carolina’s $80M data-center push draws scrutiny over power and job promises. Medical Innovation: Lexington County’s ElectroWire Medical won FDA clearance for its LightningWire transseptal puncture system, targeting first in-human procedures in August. Food Safety/Recall: Taylor Farms expanded its iceberg lettuce recall tied to cyclospora risk after earlier test claims were walked back as false positives. Telecom Infrastructure: Google connected a new transatlantic subsea cable system, linking Myrtle Beach to Portugal, boosting U.S.-Europe data capacity. Local Public Safety: Four arrests followed a case involving a registered sex offender working near children at a Pawleys Island church and academy.

South Carolina Senate shakeup: Sen. Darline Graham Nordone confirmed she’ll run for a full six-year term in the Aug. 11 special Republican primary, moving from appointed caretaker to candidate after President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Elections & voting access: SC election officials are coordinating with the U.S. Department of Justice to keep the compressed primary timeline compliant for military and overseas absentee ballots, including a plan to mail ballots by Aug. 1. Food safety: Taylor Farms expanded its voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce shipped to 27 states, including South Carolina, tied to a cyclospora outbreak; the company says it’s removing implicated product and stopped sourcing from an implicated Mexico lot. Energy & workforce: The National Science Foundation’s $160 million “Grid Modernization Engine” is backing a Carolinas effort to modernize the electric grid, with York Technical College leading workforce development. Consumer finance: New federal data shows student loan defaults are surging nationwide after pandemic-era protections ended, with South Carolina among states seeing elevated delinquency. Public integrity: A South Carolina nursing assistant in Oconee County was charged with using a patient’s credit card for personal purchases.

Food Safety: The FDA walked back a Cyclospora alert tied to Taylor Farms lettuce, saying a re-test was a false positive and urging removal of the affected product from the market. Consumer/Legal Watch: A law firm is also spotlighting the recall, while Walmart and Taco Bell have already pulled certain Taylor Farms lettuce tied to the outbreak. Higher Ed & Household Finance: Student loan defaults hit a record $233 billion, with about 1 in 5 federal borrowers more than nine months behind as pandemic-era protections fully unwind. South Carolina Business & Tech: South Carolina will receive $280,000 from a multistate 23andMe settlement after a 2023 data breach exposed genetic data of more than 80,000 state residents. Local Economy/Community: Saga Communications elevated Charleston GM Paul O’Malley to a senior revenue role focused on digital and local ad growth. Energy/Regulation: Two South Carolina landowners filed for reconsideration over the PSC approval of the Canadys natural gas power plant, arguing environmental impacts weren’t properly weighed. Corporate/Nonprofit: Sharonview Federal Credit Union selected Creatio to modernize member service across the Carolinas. Business Recognition: SCBIZ named 43 leaders as 2026 Icon Honors recipients.