The Buzz | an Economic Development Podcast

Burnie and Kara get into some GOOD NEWS with Dorchester County Economic Development Director John Truluck. We discuss the the details of Dorchester Co.'s recent Walmart announcement (a major win), opportunity zones, COVID-19, re-shoring, honey harvests and a little reality television.. Never a dull moment over here. Listen now!

For episode 19, Kara and Burnie sat down with Jim Stritzinger (Revolution D, Inc. Founder, President & CEO), an expert in rural broadband infrastructure development and deployment. You may have heard him referred to as "Mr. Broadband;" he's been in the industry for decades, but is working double-time trying to get South Carolina connected. We discuss how S.C. is deploying rural broadband, how the allocated CARES Act funds come into play (and how far they'll really get us), what exactly defines 'high-speed internet,' and much more. Listen now!

Kara and Burnie sit down with South Carolina State Treasurer Curtis Loftis about all things budgets - how he has saved South Carolina and South Carolinians, alike, huge amounts of money. We discuss COVID's impact on the state's budget, revenue, small businesses and much more (Treasurer Loftis brought the jokes). Listen now!

Our dynamic co-hosting duo sit down with Swati Patel, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce EVP of Public Policy, Of Counsel, and Chamber Foundation President. We did not ask her about having the longest title(s) of any of our guests to date. We did ask her about the Chamber's public policy priorities (notably, liability protections), and where they stand with the legislature. We also discuss broadband, essential workers, and how legislation gets passed. 

This week, Burnie +  Kara sat down with SC Technical College System President Dr. Tim Hardee for an update on higher education and workforce development in the Palmetto State. We discuss everything from how students are retooling due to the pandemic, to how the technical college system is adjusting its approach for students, to workforce development programs like readySC and SC WINS - and MUCH more! Listen now.

Burnie and Kara sit down with Nick Kremydas, CEO of the South Carolina Association of Realtors, and discuss all things real estate: taxes, trends (residential and commercial), local legislation, COVID-19 impact, pandemic response + adjustments, and MUCH more. Stream this episode to hear the latest on real estate around South Carolina.

Need a legislative primer? We did, too. South Carolina's 2020 legislative session was anything but normal, so cue veteran lobbyist (and renowned tennis phenom) Sunnie Harmon to catch us up to speed. She spoke to Kara and Burnie about what the legislature accomplished before its unusually early sine die, what we can (or might) expect from the legislature when they return to Columbia, and how COVID-19 has changed the way business is done around the state house. Check out that - and MUCH more - on this episode of The Buzz!

Kara and Burnie chat with John Lummus, leader of Upstate SC Alliance, a regional alliance based in - you guessed it - the Upstate. Representing 10 counties, John and his team have their fingers on the pulse of quite a bit of economic development action. Check out our interview with John, where the trio discuss hot topics like reshoring, COVID-19's impact on Upstate businesses, tax revenue projections, addressing workforce shortage, and some of the things Upstate SC Alliance has on their radar for the next 20 years.. All that and MUCH more on this episode of The Buzz!

**Producer's note: this interview was done before Governor McMaster's announcement reopening attractions on 5/20/20, so some conversations may be out of date**

Burnie and Kara interview Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President + CEO Karen Riordan for a business update from the Grand Strand. The trio discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Myrtle Beach businesses, how they plan to bounce back, and how we might expect the city to reopen. Join us for that, and MUCH more, with Karen Riordan!

Burnie and Kara catch up with a friend abroad - United States Ambassador to Switzerland & Liechtenstein Ed McMullen. Ed, a South Carolina local, began working with the Trump administration during the 2016 election as the Trump campaign lead in the Palmetto State. The trio chat about the impact of COVID-19 on Switzerland and, more broadly, Europe, as well as the status of international countries reopening for business and tourism. Burnie was also curious about what European businesses really think about American closures and precautions due to COVID-19, and how it could impact the possibility of re-shoring, especially in South Carolina. Tune in for all that, plus MUCH more - this was a fun one!