The Buzz | an Economic Development Podcast

Food and beverage manufacturing is an economic development sub-sector that's taking off across the Carolinas, so Nexsen Pruet is diving deeper into the subject. Why is this taking off here, and why now? Attorneys John Skvarla (Raleigh) and Julie Medich (Charleston) join The Buzz to discuss trends they are seeing, as well as to highlight NP's upcoming Food & Beverage Friday Webinars. Both sessions are *free* and *virtual,* so anyone can join from anywhere (need we say more?). 

Session 1 of Food & Beverage Friday explores Innovation in the Food and Beverage Industry, while Session 2 will cover Workforce Issues in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry. ( <- Click for more details and to register)

Shennice Cleckley is a small-business owner, SHE-EO, and mom, among MANY things. Recently, she spoke with Burnie and Kara about her role as a Google Digital Coach. In this position, she helps educate and equip South Carolina small business owners - especially minority business owners - with the *FREE* tools they can use to promote, grow and sustain their business. Looking for new customers? Don't know who your target customers are or should be? Shennice can help with that, and MUCH more. Listen to hear more, or visit Shennice online to register for a class.

In South Carolina, among many things, we love seeing our businesses thrive, and we love our beautiful outdoors. Ethel Bunch explains how Sustain South Carolina is the organization at the intersection of industry and conservation, bringing together Palmetto State business leaders to discuss, set, and achieve their sustainability goals. 

Is your company pushing to expand its ESG performance? Sustain SC is the "E" in that equation - and they may be able to help your company. 

Find out more at www.sustainsouthcarolina.org.

Business seems to have been BOOMING in Lancaster County as of late. So, what's the secret? We may not have gotten a magical recipe, but we did have a *golden* conversation with Jamie Gilbert. To what does the county attribute its success? How are they battling some of the emerging industry challenges? Listen in - it's always fun to catch up with Jamie.

This week, we're bringing the TAX FACTS. Specifically, property taxes. We spoke with Dr. Daphne Kenyon to get the details on the Lincoln Institute's recent report on the state of South Carolina. With a foreboding title ("A Deep Dive on South Carolina's Property Tax System: Complex, Inequitable and Uncompetitive"), Dr. Kenyon explains the key findings and what it really means. Commissioned by the South Carolina Chamber Foundation and South Carolina Realtors to better understand how the South Carolina property tax system could be improved. Buckle up, and tune in!

What exactly is the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness? We guarantee you've seen them, or maybe you know President & CEO Susie Shannon. Or, perhaps you've seen one of their several clusters (SC Aerospace, SC Logistics, Transform SC, SC Tech, or SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance).

We deep dive with Susie about who is the Council - what they do, and how they do it. How does one organization advance the competitiveness of an entire state? Susie doesn't give away the secret sauce, but she does give us a great look behind the curtain. 

Nonwoven fabrics surround us every day - wipes, hygiene products, face masks. What are they? How are they made? Today, we sit down with David Rousse, President of INDA (Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry). 

Dave explains what nonwovens are - how they're made, material sourcing, how manufacturers have easily adjusted to nonwovens production and why the Carolinas (and the southeast) are a hotbed for manufacturers. Learn more about this industry, and how they're helping to safely and quickly create solutions for PPE manufacturing. Listen now!

It's been 8 months (!) since we've last spoken to SC Realtors CEO Nick Kremydas - and a lot has changed in that time. As COVID continues to play out, the Palmetto State's residential real estate industry has seen significant impacts. As Nick says, with high demand and very low inventory, it's truly a seller's market. Click here to see SCR's latest market reports from around the state, and tune in today for a great update on residential real estate!

Today, we're joined by SC Technical College System representatives Michelle Fehr and Karmen Hewitt to discusses the EZone (Enterprise Zone Retraining Program) retraining program. Did you know that your company could earn 67% back on expenses for tools and programs used to retain your employees? Are you taking advantage of available incentives? Tune in and find out more about EZone - what it is, who is applicable, how to apply and MUCH more! Listen in!

David Edwards, CEO of Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District, joins Kara & Burnie on #TheBuzz. Edwards details traffic levels, investment projects and hints at a major announcement coming soon! You don’t want to miss this!