South Carolina Business Review

Each year our next guest’s magazine launches an awards contest looking for unique and attractive products made in the South that they feel are set up for success.  And the deadline for entering this year’s “Made in the South” awards program is fast approaching.  Mike Switzer interviews Caroline Clements, associate editor at Garden and Gun magazine in Charleston, SC.

When it comes to poultry production, you can probably guess that our state has a lot of chicken and turkey farms.  And you’d be right, of course. But you may not know that we are also home to the oldest and largest quail farm in the country. Mike Switzer interviews Brittney Miller, second-generation owner of Manchester Farms in Columbia, SC.

Most everyone is familiar with the importance of asset allocation when building a portfolio. You know, making sure your investments are properly diversified across different asset classes. But our next guest says that placing the right investments in the right accounts is also important, especially if you’re interested in maximizing after-tax returns. Mike Switzer interviews Bailey Davis, a portfolio manager with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, SC.

It’s Monday, and that’s when we like to take a look at current business issues that are trending across our state and discuss them with one of our fellow news media friends. This week, Mike Switzer interviews Jessica Holdman, a reporter with the South Carolina Daily Gazette in Columbia, SC. Jessica tells us about Santee Cooper looking at raising rates for its electricity customers, the statehouse looking at trying to lower insurance bills by offering options on glass deductibles, and a buyer may be showing up for part of the land in Rock Hill where the Panthers’ football practice facility was supposed to be built.

Since 2022, our next guest has led internal communications, local media relations, and community engagement for a global automotive company’s Lowcountry operations.  For her work there, she was recently honored as the 2026 South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce Association’s Manufacturing Woman of the Year.  Mike Switzer interviews Katherine Bergmann, communications and community relations director for Volvo Car’s U.S. operations in Ridgeland, SC.

Like just about every business these days, banking also continues to evolve.  Which means bank customers also may need to evolve to keep up.  Mike Switzer interviews Scott Frierson, president of The Southern Bank in Greenville, SC.

Do you remember when doctors used to make house calls?  Nope, me neither.  But we have learned recently about a lawyer who only makes house calls.  Mike Switzer interviews Aashini Shrivastav, an estate planning attorney in Charleston, SC:  Cardinal Wills

With the Iran war generating energy shocks worldwide and a higher cost of living here at home, what are the forecasters saying about the US economic outlook?  Should we fasten our seat-belts and prepare for a 2026 recession?  Mike Switzer interviews Bruce Yandle, Dean Emeritus at the College of Business & Behavioral Science and Alumni Professor of Economics Emeritus, both at Clemson University.  He is also the Distinguished Professor of Economics at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center which publishes his Economic Situation Report.

Mike Switzer interviews Zach Giroux, executive editor of SCBiz, which publishes a monthly statewide business magazine.  Zach tells us about MUSC expanding in Charleston, a candy company coming to Orangeburg, and a solar company coming to Laurens County.

AI continues to make inroads into the business community and at what appears to be an ever increasing pace.  Which is why our next guest’s university is working hard to bring companies and organizations up to speed on the latest developments and how to use them to spur growth.  Mike Switzer interviews Mark Cecchini, associate dean for Executive Education at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. 

In its ninth year, our next guest’s festival has grown from a grassroots gathering into a destination for world-class music in our capital city. In fact, the festival’s reputation is now one of legendary, Grammy award-winning and internationally acclaimed artists.  Mike Switzer interviews Mark Rapp, founder and director of the ColaJazz Foundation, host of the ColaJazz Jazz and Roots Festival returning May 15-16 to Columbia, SC.

It’s common knowledge that the most likely path to earning a higher income is going to include some level of higher education. Even if you already have an upper-level job. So, our next guest says “Why not go back to college?” Mike Switzer interviews Ron Magnuson, director of the Executive MBA program at the College of Charleston.Disclaimer: College of Charleston is a financial supporter of SC Public Radio.

So you’ve finished your taxes and found that you had to send the IRS a check when you weren’t expecting to.  Our next guest says that before the end of this year, there may be a strategy you can put into place that could lower that possibility.  Mike Switzer interviews Brian Blackwelder, a certified financial planner with Anchor Investment Management in Columbia, SC.

It’s Monday, and that’s when we like to take a look at current business issues that are trending across our state and discuss them with one of our fellow news media friends.  This week, Mike Switzer interviews John McDermott, business editor of the Post and Courier in Charleston, SC.  John tells us that the SC Ports is addressing high operating costs at its newest terminal and Palmetto Railways reopens the old Hampton and Branchville rail line.

The National Science Foundation recently awarded over $100 million dollars to 17 universities across the country to grow and strengthen the research-to-market ecosystem.  Our next guest’s Upstate University received some of that money.  Mike Switzer interviews Craig Kinley, coordinator of the STRIDE program at the Watt Family Innovation Center at Clemson University.  Disclaimer: Craig Kinley is the 3rd Congressional District commissioner for SCTEV.

SC Launch, the investment affiliate of the South Carolina Research Authority, has announced a $400,000 investment in our next guest’s company, because of their work making AI more efficient.  Mike Switzer interviews Chris Thibault, CEO of QWERKY AI in Columbia, SC.

Big economic development projects have been happening across our state for the past few years and joining us today is an organization in the Upstate that posted near record numbers last year.  Mike Switzer interviews Allen Smith, president and CEO of One Spartanburg.

Last year’s tax law included a new savings account for newborn children called a Trump Account. Our next guest says that, as a result, many parents are asking him if they should open one of these for their children. Mike Switzer interviews Thomas Manly, a certified financial planner with Hobbs Group Advisors in Columbia, SC. trumpaccounts.gov

Mike Switzer interviews Jessica Holdman, a reporter with the South Carolina Daily Gazette in Columbia, SC.  Jessica tells us about a new solar factory coming to Laurens County and how the state commerce and natural resources departments are arguing about who’s responsible for the land development cost overruns at Scout Motors in Richland County.

Each year, the InnoVision Awards program recognizes an individual who has made sustained contributions to technology and community advancement in our state.  Our next guest is that person.  Mike Switzer interviews Rob Cheng, founder and CEO of PC Matic and recipient of the 2025 Dr. Charles Townes Individual Achievement Award.

Our next guest’s company was recently recognized with the 2025 InnoVision sustainability award for their work helping farmers become more efficient and sustainable using sensors, AI, and robotics.  Mike Switzer interviews Ritubarna Banerjee, president and CEO of Advent Innovations in Columbia, SC.

Economic growth in our state’s rural counties has always been a challenge.  Our next guest’s organization is working hard to improve that situation in two of those counties.  Mike Switzer interviews Enterick Lee, with the Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber in Barnwell, SC.

With many of our minds on taxes at this time of year, our next guest says after-tax returns on your investments should be top of mind, as well.  Mike Switzer interviews Ashton Lawrence, a certified financial planner with Mariner Wealth Advisors in Greenville, SC.

Mike Switzer interviews Alan Cooper, founder and editor of three online business news websites in South Carolina: MidlandsBiz, UpstateBizSC, and LowCountryBizSC. Alan tells us about historic renovations and new uses for old buildings and land in Columbia and the coast.

The Midlands is home to the largest public library building in our state, more than twice the size of its closest competitor in Charleston.  Its system includes 13 locations and over 1.3 million books and non-print resources.  And as of last August, they have a new leader.  Mike Switzer interviews Tamara King, executive director of the Richland Library in Columbia, SC.

Our state has had a few major economic development announcements regarding data centers but recently we’ve also been hearing a lot about data centers "taking" from the community — specifically power and water.  Our next guest’s company is right in the middle of this argument.  Mike Switzer interviews Paul Quigley, with AIRSYS North America in Greer, SC.

The only Signature PGA golf event in our state is coming soon, bringing with it a significant economic and charitable impact to the Lowcountry.  Mike Switzer interviews Steve Wilmot, tournament director of the RBC Heritage presented by Boeing, April 13-19.  

Chaos in the Mideast is causing chaos in the financial markets.  Should we sell?  Should we sit tight?  Mike Switzer interviews Wes Johnson, a certified financial planner with ACT Advisors in Charleston, SC.

Our next guest is an undergraduate student at the University of South Carolina who recently won the 2025 InnoVision Technology Development Award for a new medical device designed to improve respiratory safety. Mike Switzer interviews Shrihan Ganesh Babu, founder of CuffWay in Elgin, SC.

Over the last several years our next guest’s Midlands business community has seen almost $500 million in completed and planned private and public investments. How have they done it?  Mike Switzer interviews Abby Anderson, executive director of the Congaree Vista Guild in Columbia, SC.

As you are probably aware, the current administration in Washington canceled a lot of federal grants last year that has significantly affected the nonprofit community.  One example came to our attention last summer when we interviewed Mary Hipp of Feed and Seeds in Greenville which manages a food share program.  But now we’ve learned that a new federal grant has been awarded to help with this situation.  Mike Switzer interviews Ron Jones, director of the Greenville County Schools Food and Nutrition Services.

Our next guest’s company recently received a $250,000 investment from SC Launch to help them continue to grow their geolocation business for the construction industry. Mike Switzer interviews Landon Messal, CEO and founder of SiteMarker in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

The Trump administration’s war foray has thrown economies across the world into a lurch.  Our state has been doing great since the pandemic lurch but how will we fare this time?  Mike Switzer interviews Frank Hefner, Director Office of Economic Analysis and Professor of Economics at the College of Charleston.  Resource mentioned: The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

It’s Monday, and that’s when we like to take a look at current business issues that are trending across our state and discuss them with one of our fellow news media friends.  This week, Mike Switzer interviews John McDermott, business editor at the Post and Courier in Charleston, SC.  John tells us about International Paper selling its Georgetown mill, Charleston’s newest waterfront luxury hotel is about to open after years of delays, and the state Supreme Court ruled that Amazon owes SC $12.5 million in sales taxes in a dispute going back to 2016.

In case you missed it earlier this year, the Columbia Metropolitan Airport named a new leader.  He’s had a couple of months on the job now so we thought we’d check in to get his thoughts.  Mike Switzer interviews Chris White, the new President & CEO at the airport, as of January 5th.

Growth of a start-up business often hits a plateau as the founder struggles to maintain a healthy work-life balance.  Our next guest says that neuroscience may provide the answer.  Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Joseph Drolshagen, a business coach and consultant in Mountain Rest, SC.

Student loan borrowers have faced a lot of challenges over the years, from the government’s on again/off again debt cancellations, to just plain unaffordable payment plans.  Our state has nearly 775,000 federal student loan borrowers (14% of the state’s population) collectively owing a total of $30 billion.  Our next guest says recent legislation may cause more challenges.  Mike Switzer interviews Ray Jones, chief product officer for the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation in Columbia, SC.

For many years we have been hearing about a coming financial apocalypse: the stock market is crashing, Social Security is running out of money, inflation is making so much unaffordable, all causing a lot of worry for one group in particular: retirees. But our next guest says you might be surprised to find out what the real number one concern is for retirees.  Mike Switzer interviews Noel Swain, a certified financial planner with ProVest Wealth Advisors in Spartanburg, SC.

An update of the news, events and issues that are trending right now across our state's business community.  Mike Switzer interviews Alan Cooper, founder and editor of three online business news websites in South Carolina: MidlandsBiz, UpstateBizSC, and LowCountryBizSC.  Today, Alan tells us about our state’s participation in International Women’s month.

Beginning this year, our next guest’s professional women’s tennis tournament will award equal prize money—a historic milestone that makes it the first standalone WTA 500 tournament to voluntarily increase prize money to match comparable ATP 500 events for men.  Mike Switzer interviews Bob Moran, tournament director of the Credit One Charleston Open women’s professional tennis tournament, coming to Daniel Island March 28 through April 5th.

The 2025 InnoVision awards were announced late last year and our next guest’s group of students won the Community Service award, which is given for innovations that improve life in our state’s communities.  Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Elaine Parshall, an engineering instructor and head of the Robotics Program at the SC Governor's School for Science + Mathematics in Hartsville, SC.

There’s a new graduate degree available in finance in our state now thanks to its recent accreditation.  Our next guest says it will allow more students here to prepare for careers in corporate finance, investment management, real estate analysis, corporate banking and more.  Mike Switzer interviews Vince Intintoli, director of the new Master of Science in Finance program at Clemson University’s Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business.

Estate planning is probably not anyone’s favorite thing to do, but for most people, it is a good idea.  Our next guest says that his favorite way to approach this is what he calls an estate planning “fire drill.”  Mike Switzer interviews Jon Robertson, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia.

Our next guest’s team of reporters recently won 12 awards at the South Carolina Press Association’s annual awards banquet, including two announced as surprises at the event.  Mike Switzer interviews Jessica Holdman, a reporter with the South Carolina Daily Gazette in Columbia, SC.

The craft beer industry has been struggling over the past few years maybe because too many breweries opened up and then there was the pandemic and its resulting inflation.  But our next guest says the industry is far from dead and will be demonstrating that at their upcoming festival in the Midlands.  Mike Switzer interviews Jordan Skeen with the SC Brewers Guild in Columbia, host of their annual beerfest, “Crafted in Carolina: A Celebration of South Carolina’s Brewers and Artisans,” which will take place March 21st at Segra Park.  She joins us by phone from her brewery: Local Legend Brewing Company in Hilton Head.

Our next guest’s education technology company has developed an AI tool that creates emotionally responsive virtual patients in an effort to help future clinicians improve results in real-world healthcare environments.  And that’s why the company was named the recipient of the 2025 InnoVision Award for Education.  Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Jeff Borckhardt, a professor at the Medical  University of South Carolina in Charleston and the founder of Figment Learning Labs in Mount Pleasant, SC.

There’s been plenty of news over the past year about electric vehicles, mostly not positive: tax incentives have disappeared causing the major car companies to pare back their EV manufacturing plans.  Yet over 90% of current EV owners (full disclosure: myself included) say they would only consider buying an EV for their next vehicle.  And our state could be seriously affected by these trends since some of our biggest economic development announcements over the past few years are involved in the EV industry.  So let’s get an update from our resident EV industry expert, Alan Buck, organizer of the annual Drive Electric event, in Columbia, SC.  April is Drive Electric Earth Month.

Every day, millions of Americans are scrolling through YouTube and their social media accounts in search of quick financial insights. While many creators share information with good intentions, a growing number of what our next guest says are being referred to as “finfluencers” are individuals who don’t have serious qualifications but still offer opinions or guidance on investing, budgeting, cryptocurrency, and other financial topics.  Mike Switzer interviews Gyles Laney Headley, a certified financial planner with Jeter Hrubala Wealth Strategies in Isle of Palms, SC.

It’s Monday and that’s when we check in with one of our business journalist friends to get their take on the latest news across our state’s business community.  Mike Switzer interviews Ross Norton, managing editor of SCBiz, which publishes a monthly statewide business magazine.  Ross tells us about some new music venues opening in Greenville, SC and why that trend across the state is good for business.

You’ve probably heard that the long abandoned nuclear plants in Jenkinsville, SC may soon be resurrected.  Santee Cooper, the owner of the facilities, has reached an agreement with a purchaser and our guest today is here to give us an update.  Mike Switzer interviews Jimmy Staton, president and CEO of Santee Cooper in Moncks Corner, SC.  Resource: SCNuclear.com