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🚢 SC’s export sales sailed to $37.3 Billion

South Carolina’s export sales soared to $37.3 Billion in 2023
Scout motors
Scout Motors unveiled the new Scout Traveler SUV + the Scout Terra truck. | Photo by @richlandcountysc
Did you know — South Carolina’s export sales soared to $37.3 billion in 2023, marking an 18% increase over the previous year’s figures? According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, as stated in a press release from the office of Governor Henry McMaster, US exports were down 2.2%.

The highlights

SC’s automotive industry emerged as the leading sector in the state’s exports + our state’s exports reached 211 countries in 2023.

SC’s top five exported commodities in 2023:
  • Completed passenger vehicles
  • Aircraft + parts
  • Machinery + mechanical appliances
  • Plastics
  • Rubber
Fun fact: For eight years in a row, our state was the national leader in the export of tires, with sales reaching $1.8 billion — representing 34.3% of the total US market share.

As of October 2023, SC produces ~144,000 tires a day. The S.C. Department of Commerce credits Michelin with the launch of the state’s globally recognized tire industry after coming to SC ~50 years ago + SC now has 12 manufacturing plants across the state.

Local automotives

Michelin’s Lexington County manufacturing site has been creating tires since Oct. 29, 1981, and has been in operation for over 40 years. Interested in working for Michelin? Check out 14 job openings at the Lexington County branch (2420 Two Notch Rd.).

You can’t talk about the automotive industry in SC without speaking about the recent addition of Scout Motors in the Midlands, which broke ground in February.

Here’s what this $2 billion investment means for the Midlands:
  • Scout vehicles will produce ~200,000 annually when the facility is at full production capacity + has the potential to create 4,000+ jobs.
  • Vehicle production is targeted to begin by the end of 2026, with the first retail sales of trucks and SUVs occurring soon thereafter.
Interested in other top industries + employers in the Columbia metro area? We’ve got a guide for you.
 
Events
Tuesday, March 5
  • Gamecock Baseball vs. The Citadel Bulldogs | Tuesday, March 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Founders Park, 431 Williams St., Columbia | $12-$15 | Spend an evening at Founders Park and watch the Gamecocks in their midweek matchup.
  • Dorsia Pasta Making Class | Tuesday, March 5 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | GoodLife Cafe, 1216 Taylor St., Columbia | $75 | Master the techniques needed to impress your friends and family with your homemade pasta creations.
  • Silent Book Club | Tuesday, March 5, Tuesday, April 2 | Times vary | Graduate Hotel, 1619 Pendleton St., Columbia | Free | No discussion is required but will be available before and after a silent reading hour.
  • Sip and Plant Workshop: Carnivorous Planters | Tuesday, March 5 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $45 | Enjoy an interactive workshop + learn what makes carnivorous plants thrive.
Wednesday, March 6
Thursday, March 7
  • Public Tour: Darrel Ellis and Interior Lives | Thursday, March 7, Sunday, March 10 | Times vary | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free with admission | Take a guided tour of two featured exhibitions that explore identity, domesticity, and family through various lenses.
Friday, March 8
  • Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo | Friday, March 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $20-$77 | Established in 1979, the come watch this rodeo with its indoor Bulls and Broncs format.
Saturday, March 16
  • Socks in The Frying Pan at Newberry Opera House | Saturday, March 16 | 8 p.m. | Newberry Opera House, 1201 McKibben St, Newberry | $30-$40 | Get ready to be transported to a world where traditional Irish music meets vibrant contemporary sounds with Socks in the Frying Pan, an award-winning trio from County Clare, Ireland.*
Calendar events here
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News Notes
Opening
  • The Congaree Vista Guild will host the grand opening of The Hollow, a new wild game restaurant and bar, on Wednesday, March 6 at 823 Gervais St., beginning at 3 p.m. The forest-to-table eatery offers rustic American cuisine featuring bison, duck, boar, rabbit, fish, and vegetarian options alongside botanical cocktails.
Sports
  • The No. 1, Gamecock women’s basketball team completed a perfect regular season with a 76-68 victory over the Lady Vols. This marked their 47th consecutive SEC win and their 57th straight win at home. (Gamecocks Online)
Drink
  • Discover The Saint, a new zero-proof libation lounge debuting at this year’s St. Pat’s in Five Points festival. Enjoy a curated array of non-alcoholic beverages from beloved Columbia establishments like Kao Thai, Backstreets Grill, Smoked, and Indah Coffee.
Opening
  • Join the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Peach Cobbler Factory’s new Lexington store (5570 Sunset Blvd.) on Thursday, March 7, at 11:30 a.m. Enjoy 12+ flavors of cobblers, cookies, puddings, and more.
Community
  • The White House recognized the City of Columbia’s Grocery Access Pilot (GAP) program, a partnership with Instacart, in its challenge to end hunger and build healthy communities initiative. The program offers residents in food deserts free Instacart memberships + stipends for delivery fees. (Cola Daily)
Finance
  • Get rewarded for your everyday banking. AllSouth has a new Premium Checking account where you can earn their premium rate of 4.00% APY* on balances up to $10,000 (*APY = Annual Percentage Yield). Simply open an account online or stop by one of their 23 Midlands locations.*
Listen
  • Who are the top candidates on the Carolina Panthers to be cut, traded, or extended? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Fun Fact
    • Smart printers can monitor ink levels and send new cartridges directly to your door before you run out. Get a $10 credit for HP Instant Ink.*
    6AM City In-house
     
    Read

    📚 Discover Open Book 2024

    Discover Open Book 2024: a literary series featuring renowned authors partnering with All Good Books
    open book 2024.png All Good Books
    All Good Books was the official seller for Open Book 2024. | Photo by @all_good_books
    All Good Books announced it is the official seller for Open Book 2024 — a literary series hosted by Elise Blackwell + sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences. The spring event will feature authors Hernan Diaz, Lauren Groff, Robin Coste Lewis, and Claire Jiménez. All events are free and held at 6 p.m. in USC’s Capstone Building.

    Authors + speaking dates:

    Hernan Diaz, author of “Trust”
    • Eli Jelly-Schapiro will speak on Diaz’ “Trust” on Monday, March 18
    • Diaz will speak in person on Wednesday, March 20
    Lauren Groff, author of “Matrix”
    • Holly Crocker will speak on Groff’s Matrix on Monday, March 25
    • Groff will speak in person on Wednesday, March 27.
    Click the button below to explore more authors and our local author’s City Guide.
    2 more authors
    The Buy

    The Buy 3.05.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
    Prepared Hero’s Emergency Fire Blanket, a highly-rated staple to have on hand in your kitchen or yard. It’s easier to use than common fire extinguishers + leaves no mess behind, too.
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    The Wrap
     
    Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

    Today’s edition by:
    Sam
    From the editor
    USC’s men’s basketball team, with their current 24-5 record, rose to No. 17 in the AP Top-25 poll + No. 16 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, marking their fifth consecutive week in the top-25. With 12 SEC wins, the team is enjoying one of its strongest seasons in years and this is the latest in the season the team has been ranked since 1998.
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