05.23.2023

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Today’s Forecast

66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.

We’re taking you to business school 💼

The top industries and employers in the Columbia metro area

A view down Main Street from the state house steps. | Photo by COLAtoday

The Columbia metro area is constantly growing with new industries and businesses that contribute significantly to our $44 billion economy. So when we told you about our guide to the region’s five key industries and five major employers, we knew there would be more stats to report down the road.

The Midland’s recent boom has included several high profile announcements so far this year. More specifically, here’s a look at six new businesses that have announced investments:

New jobs in the Midlands

Blanchard Machinery Company | Construction | ~30 jobs | The construction equipment supplier is opening new operations in Calhoun County. The company’s $46 million investment will create 30 new jobs and transfer 150 existing jobs from its Lexington County operations to the new facility.

Cooperative Electric Energy Utility Supply, Inc. | Utility, Energy | ~100 jobs | The consumer-owned electric materials supplier plans to expand operations in Lexington County, making a $52 Million investment.

Cirba Solutions | Energy | ~300 jobs | Cirba Solutions — an electric vehicle battery materials facility — is investing $323 million to establish operations in Richland County.

FN America, LLC | Manufacturing | ~100 jobs | The United States subsidiary of global firearms manufacturer, FN Herstal plans to expand its Richland County operations. The company’s $18 million investment will create approximately 102 new jobs.

The new Scout electric vehicles will be manufactured in the Midlands. | Photo via Scout Motors

Scout Motors | Automotive | ~4,000 jobs | Volkswagon is entering the electric off-road vehicle arena under the Scout Motors nameplate and building those cars at a new facility coming to Blythewood.

SEM Wafertech Inc. and Solar4America Technology Inc. | Energy | ~300 jobs | The renewable energy company will invest $65.9 million in its Sumter County manufacturing facility.

Now see who is hiring

Events

Tuesday, May 23

Backyard Beekeeping For The Curious | Tuesday, May 23 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $35 | In this class, you’ll be introduced to the basics of what it takes to start and maintain a beehive in your yard.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Charleston RiverDogs | Tuesday, May 23 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Miller Lite $2 Tuesday ($2 Hot Dogs, popcorn, fountain sodas & 12oz Miller Lites)*
Grease is the Word at Town Theatre | Tuesday, May 23-Sunday, May 28 | Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St., Columbia | $15 | You, ho, hoooo should go see this showing of Grease at Town Theatre.

Wednesday, May 24

Happy Hour Meet & Greet | Wednesday, May 24 | 4-6 p.m. | Indah Coffee, 2238 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | Preservation staff will provide quick 5-10 minute presentations on a variety of popular preservation topics throughout the two-hour event.
Incubus | Wednesday, May 24 | 7:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia | $57.50-$87.50 | Hear Incubus’ 2000’s radio hits like “Pardon Me,” “Drive,” and “Wish You Were Here.”

Thursday, May 25

Irmo Library Donation Day | Thursday, May 25 | 2-5 p.m. | Irmo Branch Library, 6251 St Andrews Rd., Columbia | Free | Books may be dropped off curbside at the side entrance to the library, where Friends volunteers will assist in unloading.
Vanderpump Rules REUNION Pt. 1 Watch Party | Thursday, May 25 | 7-10 p.m. | femme x Columbia, 1501 Richland St., Columbia | $10 | There will be a Power Point Presentation about the cast for those who want a quick download of who dated who, who cheated on who, and why this is all so completely bonkers.

Friday, May 26

2 Slices, Hillmouse, Stay Here, Som’bout | Friday, May 26 | 7 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $12-$15 | Charleston band 2 Slices plays indie music you can dance to.

Saturday, May 27

South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival | Saturday, May 27 | 12-5 p.m. | South Carolina State Fair, 901 George Rogers Blvd., Gate 6, Columbia | $5-$50 | Enjoy craft beers from around the state along with some of SC’s best mobile eateries.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Concert

🎶 Experience Nashville songwriters right here in Cola

Nashville Nights happens every Friday starting June 2 through August 11. | Photo provided by Steel Hands Brewing

Music City meets Soda City. Nashville Nights Summer Concert series, a free music experience hosted by Steel Hands Brewing, kicks off on Friday, June 2 at 6 p.m. featuring singer-songwriter Channing Wilson.

Hosted by Nashville singer-songwriter and SC native Michael Haney, the series features talented artists traveling from Nashville, TN. Inspired to give back, Haney teamed up with Steel Hands Brewing to create a one-of-a-kind listening experience for music fans to enjoy the sounds and the stories that inspired these artists’ lyrics, honoring and preserving the legacy of songwriting.*

See the lineup

News Notes

Closed

Fusco’s Market, a staple of the Irmo community for six years, has announced its closure with a heartfelt Facebook message to patrons. The restaurant’s final day of operation was yesterday.

Sports

The Gamecock baseball team closed out regular season play this past weekend winning one of three games vs. Tennessee. Next up, they’ll head to the SEC Tournament in Hoover, AL to face No. 11 seed Georgia today at 9:30 a.m. Tune in here. (Gamecocks Online)

Outdoors

Cheers to 40 years. River Runner Outdoor Center located at 905 Gervais St. in the Vista celebrated its 40th anniversary on Saturday. River Runner has hundreds of kayaks and canoes for sale and is the primary source of canoe + kayak rentals in the Midlands.

Drink

Caffeinate for a cause. Dunkin’ Donuts Iced Coffee Day is back today where $1 from each iced coffee sold will be donated to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. Last year, the initiative raised $1.8 million for 93 local children’s hospitals nationwide.

Number

$300,000. That’s the amount of the winning Palmetto Cash 5 lottery ticket sold at the Food Lion at 2529 Broad St. in Camden. Check your pockets — the winner has 180 days to claim the prize. (The State)

Weather

Expect cooler-than-average temperatures and low humidity through Sunday as two storm systems remain off the Carolina coast. Hurricane season officially begins next week on June 1.

Today Is

Tito’s Tuesday at Boku Kitchen and Saloon. Sip on $5 Tito’s cocktails all day and enjoy happy hour specials from 4-7 p.m.*

Concert

Ready to jam, COLA? Southern Fried Circuit is a charity concert featuring musician, philanthropist, and SC native Darius Rucker and one of country music’s most celebrated female voices, Lindsay Ell. Presented by Upcountry Fiber, this event is dedicated to celebrating and connecting Upstate South Carolina communities. Snag tickets.*

Eat

You’re in for a sweet treat, COLA. The Robinson Room is reopening Friday, May 26 in the former Good Life Cafe location (1614 Main St.) with new menu items. Indulge in an array of small plates, sip handcrafted cocktails, and check out the new design.*

Active

Contemplating an e-bike purchase? Upway — the No. 1 certified e-bike provider — sells top-quality electric bikes up to 60% cheaper than retail. Shop top e-bike brands in new or like-new condition. Bonus: Your bike will ship right to your door, so you can immediately experience the sheer joy of effortless travel.*

Open

Say “I do” to The Dales Biergarten and Bottle Shoppe

From wedding venue to the The Dales Biergarten and Bottle Shoppe

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The Dales is in the old Springdale House & Gardens wedding venue. | Photo by The Dales Biergarten and Bottle Shoppe

After 15 years as a wedding venue, The Springdale House and Gardens has opened as The Dales Biergarten and Bottle Shoppe at 3150 Platt Springs Rd., near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE).

The location that’s cherished by many couples will now serve as a space for the local community to drink, dine, and gather in a pet-friendly social space.

The Biergarten has 16 beers on tap, including a mix of domestic and craft brews with a rotating cast of food trucks. This week it will host Mary’s Aprepas, Size Matters BBQ Truck, Paella South, and Cafe Strudel. Check here for the full schedule.

The Dales is open Monday-Friday from 4-10 p.m., and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on weekends.

The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

I was excited to learn that The War Mouth and Transmission Arcade were teaming up for a special collaboration dinner on July 17 featuring menu items from bygone favorite restaurant Yesterdays. Popular dishes like the Arkansas Traveler are already popping up in the comments as a top request, but my personal request is the Chicken and Grits.

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