With the never ending “Days of Our Governor” soap opera continuing to suck all the oxygen out of the South Carolina political scene, you might be surprised to learn that other “stuff” is happening in the Palmetto State.
In fact (gasp), there’s actually some good economic news … which is pretty amazing when you consider the fact that our state government pretty much conspires on a daily basis to keep private sector jobs and capital investment from coming to South Carolina. Or growing from within South Carolina, for that matter.
Anyway, here’s a lazy Saturday recap of some of the information that’s flowing our way …
Oh, and to sent FITS a press release, just email us or visit our contact page …
RED VENTURES BREAKS GROUND
A ribbon cutting? In S.C.?
On Wednesday, Red Ventures, an online marketing and sales company, held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new facility in Lancaster County, South Carolina. According to the S.C. Department of Commerce, Red Ventures is bringing 1,000 new jobs to South Carolina and is investing $20 million into its headquarters.
“Today is a celebration of the investment you all are making in this state,” Gov. Mark Sanford said. “It’s a celebration of those 1,000 jobs that will come over time that will make a difference in a lot of people’s lives. More than anything today is a celebration of the confidence you have in the people of this state.”
CAN YOU HEAR THEM NOW?
We hear you, dude.
Verizon Wireless is spending $40 million to build a new customer service center in Richland County, S.C. – a move that will solidify its commitment to the Palmetto State.
“With our lease being up, it was the perfect time … to look for a new site, a different site to continue to house the 1,500 employees,” said Verizon’s Sharon Maestas.
About 100 construction jobs will be created as a result of the project.
No word yet on whether the “Verizon Guy,” a.k.a. Connecticut actor Paul Marcarelli, will make it for the groundbreaking …
SCGOP NAMES HEADQUARTERS
K-Flo: Bad ideas never looked this good.
The SC Republican Party may have no principles and no money left to support its candidates in the 2010 elections, but it does have a newly renamed state headquarters, the Roger Milliken building.
Named after the famous Upstate textile magnate, you’ll recall that this is the project we ripped a few months ago, with good reason.
Anyway, for whatever reason, SCGOP Chairwoman Karen Floyd still thinks this was a good idea.
“Mr. Milliken is both a visionary and a great steward of our Party, and his generosity will pay dividends for the state GOP for years to come,” Floyd said. “By entering the 2010 election cycle with no mortgage debt, we will be able to devote more of our resources to the Party’s core mission of electing more Republicans, and we can’t thank Mr. Milliken enough for making that possible.”
Floyd is also spending money raised by the “Millken Match” fundraising drive to make the GOP headquarters more environmentally friendly. Bleck.
In her defense, though? She’s hot … very, very hot …
BARRETT BLASTS “REFORM” BILL
"That's it. That's the bill I didn't vote for."
U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett blasted a so-called “Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” on Friday, a bill that creates a new financial regulatory agency armed with all sorts of unprecedented regulatory powers.
“I voted against H.R. 4173 because this bill will destroy jobs and hinder economic growth by creating additional costs and burdens for our American businesses and consumers,” Barrett said in a statement. “With our nation’s unemployment rate still above 10 percent, this is the last thing that we need.”
The bill – which passed by a 223-202 margin – creates a new government bureaucracy, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. That agency will administer new fees, regulations, and reporting requirements.
“Some of the most troubling provisions in this bill include the creation of a permanent bailout fund, a dramatic expansion of the powers of the Federal Reserve and the imposition of massive new taxes that will ultimately be passed on to the consumer,” Barrett added.
Joining Barrett in opposing the bill were Reps. Henry Brown, Bob Inglis and Addison Graves “Joe” Wilson. Voting in favor of the legislation were Reps. Jim Clyburn and John Spratt.
By Calhoun Fawls December 12, 2009 at 9:52 am
Don’t mess with Mr. Roger. He was out creating jobs when your grandfather was in diapers.
By Liberty for Me December 12, 2009 at 10:10 am
Awesome new jobs….
“Voting in favor of the legislation were Reps. Jim Clyburn and John Spratt”….Did this even need to be said.Tote the commie line
By Ynot December 12, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Gresham Barrett makes me nauseated.
By Todd December 12, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Ynot: And McMaster, Bauer, McLeod, Drake and Sheheen don’t make you nauseated?
By Designated Driver December 12, 2009 at 3:52 pm
No mention of the big Ceips and Scarborough wedding? Did she invite you to do the heroin … uh, i meant play at their reception?
By Tom Degan December 14, 2009 at 11:09 am
Don’t hold your breath waiting for whole chapters to be written about HR 4173 in the history books. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 it ain’t. This proposed new law is so riddled with loopholes it might as well be rendered next-to-useless. It was passed 223 to 202 – with not one Republican legislator voting in favor of it. Not one. Even a law as watered down as this one is unacceptable to these fools. That fact alone illustrates more than any other the moral bankruptcy of that hideous party.
HR 4173 is merely a baby step in the right direction. For three long decades these knuckleheads were permitted – by law – to run roughshod over our economy, looting our national treasure in the process. As Sam Cooke once sang, “a change is gonna come”. So much more needs to be done. So many old laws need to be re-instituted. Imagine cleaning up a blood bath with a Kleenex. That is basically what HR 4173 amounts to.
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
Goshen, NY