Opportunity Zones (or O-zones) are a hot topic lately. Forbes has a good write up featuring Senator Scott (Charleston) who was a co-sponsor of the Investing in Opportunity Act. The act provides tax incentives for investors and corporations to invest in these defined zones. We have a few in the Upstate. An historic mill in Greer could be one of the first beneficiaries of the new program. (UBJ)
Mauldin is booming. Since 2016, construction spending has increased 150 percent to more than $46 million with no end in sight. (Greenville Journal)
Spartanburg’s minority business accelerator is set to begin its first program in October. The program offers business training, mentoring, networking and potential access to capital. (GoUpstate)
The city of Greenville buries its power lines. (Greenville Journal)
Automotive
Mercedes-Benz opens $500 million Sprinter plant in North Charleston and lands a deal to build 20,000 vans for Amazon. (Autoblog)
Volvo Cars, which has a plant near Ridgeville, SC, is asking for an exemption to tariffs on a mid-size SUV it imports to the U.S. from China. (Post and Courier)
Logistics
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport breaks ground on a $30 million warehouse and expanded apron. It can currently accommodate only one 747-800 at a time on its cargo apron. The expansion will increase the capacity to three. The airport has moved from No. 84 to 72 on the Federal Aviation Administration’s list ranking airport cargo data. (GSA Business)
The Port of Charleston set an all time container cargo record. This can mainly be attributed to larger ships traveling from Asia to East Coast ports via the expanded Panama Canal. (Post and Courier)
Tech
SeeDaten relocates to the Spark Center.
“SeeDaten partnered with Germany-based IOXP (Input Output of Experience) to deliver reality, augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) learning and process analysis software and techniques to automotive OEM/Tier 1 manufacturing, healthcare/nursing — clinical/academia, equipment manufacturing and technical services, and manufacturing industries.” (Union Daily Times)
Boeing is testing exoskeleton vests to assist workers. (Post and Courier)
Food and Entertainment
Gather GVL (a food hall constructed of shipping containers) announces four more tenants and breaks ground at 126 Augusta Road. (UBJ)
Owners of the Streatery food truck (Spartanburg) will open a brick-and-mortar restaurant at 401 E. Kennedy St. in the site formerly occupied by The Farmer’s Table. (GoUpstate)
Rick Erwin Dining Group is opening a new seafood restaurant at Haywood Mall. (UBJ)
Greenville has a new professional soccer team. (Greenville Journal)