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  • December 4, 2012

    Mobile Office Coming Soon to Belton, SC

    Belton City Hall

    The staff for U.S. Senator Jim DeMint will provide a mobile office for the Belton area on Thursday, December 13, 2012.

    Susan Aiken - Regional Director for the 3rd Congressional District and Seth Blanton - Senior Constituent Service Representative, will be available to Belton area citizens seeking assistance with the grants process, Social Security disability, veterans issues and any other federal issues.

    For more information, constituents can contact Senator DeMint’s Greenville office at (864) 233-5366.

    WHO:
    Staff from the office of U.S. Senator Jim DeMint

    WHERE:          
    Belton City Hall, 306 Anderson Street, Belton, SC

    WHEN:            
    10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Thursday, December 13, 2012

    CONTACT:       
    Seth Blanton, (864) 233-5366

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  • November 30, 2012

    Small Business Profile: Stewart Builders

    By Ian Headley, 2nd District Regional Director

    Stewart Builders

    The office of Stewart Builders is located in downtown Aiken. It is one of the many historic homes in the city and was restored by Stewart Builders.

    Stewart Builders in Aiken began almost 60 years ago and maintains a strong legacy today.  Three generations of the Stuart family have led the company as it has quite literally built Aiken, South Carolina.  J.E. Stewart founded the company as a home builder and diversified it into commercial and industrial construction.  Today, Stewart Builders offers design and engineering services to clients in Aiken and around the Southeast.

    The bad economy has hampered local businesses that are frequent clients of Stewart Builders, but the company is primed for growth as the economy slowly emerges from recession.  Senator DeMint recently visited Stewart Builders and met with all three generations of the Stewart family.  In spite of the current, challenging business environment Stewart Builders serves as a great example of what free Americans can build through their hard work.

    To see more of Senator DeMint's recent visit to Stewart Builders, click here

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  • November 21, 2012

    Thanksgiving

    The wood burning stove was so hot it seemed to glow with pride as my grandmother fed it more wood logs.  Eighty-four years old and agile, “granny” seemed to glide around the kitchen like a ghost.  It was our ritual - she cooked and I talked - after we had our coffee of course.  I reveled in my five-year-old heart how granny allowed me such great-grandson liberties as drinking coffee and grown-up conversation.  No one in the family, including my mother, could overrule granny’s practices. 

    That deep level of love produced in me the desire to one day be a rich man so that I could take care of my granny forever.  It would mean a new house for her that was not drafty and floors without holes in them.  There would be no more washing clothes on a rusty scrub board, and a maid to do all the cooking and cleaning.  In an effort to conceal the full revelation of my plans until I was able to deliver on them, I made reference to my wonderful plans for her most improved future.  I was surprised by her response. 

    “Child, God has blessed me so much. I’m already powerfully thankful.  I wouldn’t trade anything for my journey."

    What?! I did not share in her thankfulness.  The answer puzzled me for years, and eventually left my memory.    Not long ago I was standing in my kitchen when tears rose in my eyes.  I was gliding around the kitchen preparing my family a dinner, drinking a hot cup of coffee and having a conversation with my wife.  My granny crossed over into heaven almost 25 years ago, and I finally found the answer. 

    Thanksgiving is a state of being... not an event.  Let us as a nation remember how blessed we are daily.  I never received the chance to deliver on my dreams for my granny.  What I realize now is that she gave me the gift of thanksgiving.  Our nation, much like our lives, experiences turbulence and upheaval.  Elections will come and go.  And every house, including the White House, will one day fade away.  So let us be thankful for our journey and God’s blessings because one day in His favor is better than a thousand elsewhere.   

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  • November 6, 2012

    Hiring Our Heroes Event Planned in Myrtle Beach

    Hiring Our Heroes

    Senator DeMint is excited to announce his participation the US Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative. The senator will support the planning efforts of a hiring fair in Myrtle Beach on January 16th, 2013. This event will help assist veteran job seekers, active duty military members, Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses with finding job opportunities in the community.

    In addition to the hiring fair, Senator DeMint’s office will be collaborating with SC Works to host workshops throughout the Grand Strand and Pee Dee areas. These workshops will provide job seekers with information on how to build a civilian resume and tips on how conduct a job interview. Stay tuned for more information!

    If you are a job seeker or employer and interested in participating in this free event, please register here.

    Hiring Our Heroes

    Myrtle Beach Hiring Fair

    Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel

    2101 N. Oak St.

    Myrtle Beach, SC

    Wednesday, January 16, 2013

    9:00am-12:00pm

     

    For additional questions about the event, you may contact Pamela Gregory in Senator DeMint’s office at pamela_gregory@demint.senate.gov or the US Chamber at hiringourheroes@uschamber.com.

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  • September 21, 2012

    JetBlue in the Lowcountry

    JetBlue

    Last week, JetBlue Airways announced plans to begin nonstop service to the Charleston International Airport beginning February 28, 2013.  This will be the first South Carolina destination for the airline, and they will offer two nonstop flights daily to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport and one daily nonstop to Boston’s Logan Airport. 

    As Charleston continues to produce a world-class tourism experience, the move by JetBlue will allow even more Americans the opportunity to experience one of the greatest destinations in the world.  This is an especially exciting time for the Holy City and South Carolina.


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  • September 19, 2012

    The Good Samaritan... in Orangeburg

    Samaritan House

    Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. – Proverbs 19:17

    Samaritan House of Orangeburg began their good work in 2001 serving the communities of Bamberg, Calhoun, and Orangeburg counties.  Samaritan House could be labeled a shelter for the homeless, but to many it means more than a place to eat and sleep. It's home. 

    The organization provides housing, meals and other assistance to individuals and families.  When you speak with residents, many agree the structure is demanding, but Samaritan House goes above and beyond the scope and breadth of what many shelters provide. 

    One resident noted how the House once took in a hospice patient who was in need.  Probably the most outstanding success story comes from a former resident, who says she was so impacted by her stay at Samaritan House that she chronicled her experience there and later had it published as a book.  The story doesn’t end there.  She later was offered a staff position at Samaritan House and has been employed there helping others, as she was helped, for the last 18 months. 

    A tough economy and budget constraints have Samaritan House tightening its financial belt, but that has not affected the positivity that permeates the Samaritan House atmosphere.  It reminds me of man who received an award for taking in eight children into his home after raising his own children and retiring.  At his acceptance, the crowd waited to hear from the man with a heart of gold.   He only said five words, “Some talk, and some do”.  

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  • September 12, 2012

    Clemson named a top 25 public university

    Clemson University ranks 25th among national public institutions, according to U.S.News & World Report’s annual guide to “America’s Best Colleges.”  

    Additionally, Clemson ranks 7th among “up-and-coming schools” that have made “the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities.” The university also is recognized for writing in the disciplines.

    “It’s significant to be ranked among the nation’s top 25 public universities for the fifth consecutive year. It reflects the high quality of Clemson students, faculty, staff and alumni, and the high value of a Clemson education,” said Clemson President James F. Barker.

    Recognition for “writing in the disciplines” highlights outstanding academic programs commonly linked to student success. Clemson consistently receives recognition for making writing a priority at all levels of instruction and across the curriculum. Clemson was identified as one of 21 colleges and universities in the nation that make writing a priority across all disciplines.

    Clemson was ranked #58 in engineering schools among all institutions, public and private, whose highest degree is a doctorate.

    “Prospective students and their parents are sensitive to these rankings, and they play a factor in student recruitment,” said Robert Barkley, director of undergraduate admissions at Clemson. “They become aware of Clemson’s strong academic reputation and commitment to student success. Being recognized as one of the top universities in the nation helps us compete for top students and enhances the value of the Clemson degree.” 

    The 2013 Best Colleges guidebook is available online and at newsstands.

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  • September 7, 2012

    Central South Carolina: Center of the Nuclear Power Renaissance

    A little known fact about South Carolina is that it is one of seven states that get more electricity from nuclear power than any other source.  In fact, SC got 51% of its electricity from nuclear in 2011 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.  And that number is sure to grow.

    South Carolina Electric & Gas Company and Santee Cooper, the state owned utility, received approval from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission to construct two new nuclear power units at the existing V.C. Summer plant outside Columbia in Jenkinsville.  The two utilities ultimately provide electricity to over 2.5 million South Carolinians.  Just across the Savannah River outside Augusta, Georgia the Southern Company is also constructing two new nuclear units.

    As a result, South Carolina has more than its fair share of nuclear engineers, a $90,000 per year job.  Compare that to the average salary in SC: $38,000.

    Aside from nuclear engineers there are many other related occupations that will be growing at these two sites.  Additionally, the Savannah River Site near Aiken has an aging workforce that needs young talent.

    Combining all these factors and interviewing companies in the nuclear field, an economic development organization in SC has determined that over 10,000 new nuclear employees will be needed in the corridor from Columbia, SC to Augusta, GA over the next decade.  That organization, the SRS Community Reuse Organization, created its Nuclear Workforce Initiative to help residents near the Savannah River Site qualify for jobs in this growing industry.

    Responding to the market demand for more nuclear workers and joining the Nuclear Workforce Initiative, local technical colleges and universities have stepped up to form a unique bi-state partnership to help educate local residents to qualify for these new jobs.  For example, Aiken Technical College has created a Nuclear Welding training program and a Quality Control program to enable transitioning workers to get certified in high demand positions.  Augusta State University is adding Nuclear Science tracks to its Physics and Chemistry degrees.

    The future is bright for nuclear and for the nuclear workforce in Central South Carolina.

    Find out More:

    http://www.srscro.org/nuclear-workforce-initiative/education-programs/

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  • September 6, 2012

    Clemson University study cites economic impact on state

    CLEMSON — More than $1.83 billion in economic output, nearly 25,000 jobs and a net return to state taxpayers of $77.4 million annually. That’s the sum of Clemson University’s economic impact on the state of South Carolina, according to a new study released Tuesday.

    The university also contributes $114.9 million in net local government revenue and $980.3 million in additional household disposable income. The figures are from 2010, the most recent year of the 10-year period analyzed.

    The study, conducted by Clemson’s Strom Thurmond Institute for Government and Public Affairs, concludes the university is a significant job creator, a major driver of economic activity and a net funder of state and local government, contributing millions more in revenues than it receives in annual state appropriations.

    The report was commissioned to coincide with this year’s 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, which created the land-grant system of universities to expand access to higher education and support economic development — initially for the nation’s agricultural and mechanical industries. Clemson is a member of the land-grant system, and was founded in 1889 for the dual purpose of being “a high seminary of learning” and developing “the material resources of the state,” according to the will of founder Thomas Green Clemson.

    “From the beginning, Clemson University’s mission has been to further the prosperity of South Carolina, and its campus has always been the entire state,” said President James F. Barker. “This report provides just one indication of how large an impact Clemson has had and will continue to have on South Carolina’s economic health.”

    Since 2001, Clemson’s total impact on net state government revenues has exceeded annual state appropriations to the university by an average of $31.1 million. Over the 10-year period studied, Clemson’s impact on economic output averaged $1.65 billion per year.

    The study does not include the economic impact of Clemson’s 60,000 alumni living, working and paying taxes in South Carolina, and does not attempt to quantify the social and quality-of-life impact of the university’s research, public service and cultural programs.

    The report also excludes jobs created by private companies located at Clemson’s innovation campuses, such as BMW’s information technology research center at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville.

    “This is a very conservative economic impact study, limited to those economic factors that can be directly attributed to activities at or by the university,” said Robert T. Carey, STI research associate.

    University activities modeled in the study includes operations, outsourced services, capital expenditures, and student and visitor spending on and off campus, Carey said.

    While the majority of economic impact is concentrated in the Upstate, every county in South Carolina receives some economic benefit from Clemson because of the university’s statewide Public Service Activities (PSA), which operated five agriculture and forestry research centers and an Extension officer in all 46 counties.

    Other details from the report show:

    • PSA accounted for 1,756 jobs statewide, $133.4 million in economic output, $9.6 million in net local government revenue, and $12.99 million in net state revenue in 2010;
    • The Clemson Conference Center and Inn, which comprises the Madren Conference and Continuing Education Center, the Walker Golf Course and the Martin Inn, created 345 jobs, $15.96 million in economic output, $382,700 in net local government revenue, and $1.4 million in net state government revenue statewide in 2010;
    • Athletic events generate 1,200 jobs locally due to spending by attendees who travel from outside the Clemson area;
    • Athletic events generate $115.3 million in economic output statewide, $6.1 million in net local government revenue, and $8.2 million in net state revenue;
    • An average home football game accounts for 198 jobs, $10.3 million in total output, $733,000 in net state revenue and $542,000 in net local government revenue.

    “While significant, these numbers only scratch the surface of Clemson’s value to the state of South Carolina and the Upstate region,” said Barker. “As a research university, our primary contributions are well-educated graduates, direct impact on key industry sectors such as agribusiness, automotive and manufacturing, and the innovations and new knowledge created through research.

    “It also doesn’t factor in the significant contributions to quality of life from community service, outreach programs, continuing education opportunities, and the availability of amenities such as the Brooks Performing Arts Center, the S.C. Botanical Garden and the Clemson Experimental Forest.”

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  • September 4, 2012

    Experience SC Festival

    Experience SCPhoto: Rock Hill Herald

    Rock Hill came alive with enthusiasm for the 2012 "Experience South Carolina" festival September 1st through 4th. 

    This festival highlighted the diversity of food, music and people of South Carolina.  A number of musical acts performed in a variety of styles, from beach music to gospel, and guests were able to purchase locally-grown produce, handmade arts and Gullah sweetgrass baskets in the Old Towne Market. 

    The Catawba Indian Nation also performed several drum and dance routines and offered Native American crafts and pottery.

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