South Carolina Business Review

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 th...

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 retur...

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 Pub...

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 re...

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 th...

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 situ...

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 i...