I was honored by the Manufactured Housing Institute of South Carolina on Thursday 04.18.13 with the Legislator of the Year for 2012. Most legislation dealing with Manufactured Housing regulations run through Senate Labor, Commerce, & Industry. I’ve always been more confident in the forces of free market competition than government regulation. We have a thriving, competitive market for manufactured homes and we need to keep it that way.

The yearly statement of economic interest for elected officials was due Monday, April 15. I didn’t get mine posted until Thursday April 18th. Why? I forgot. No spin. No excuses. I made a mistake. Ooops. I goofed. If you want to see the report, click here

Alarm clock rings…fall outta bed, Trip on the rug, put a lump on, my bed, Spill my breakfast on the, kitchen floor, But I learned to not do that anymore
I say oops…Oh, well I goofed again, It’s really no big deal, Everyone in the world knows, how it feels to say, Oops! I goofed again
I would toss and tumble all, night long, If I worried every time I did, something wrong, So I pour more sugar on my, humble pie, Get back up and give it one more try
I say oops…Oh, well I goofed again, It’s really no big deal, If I slip and trip on a , banana peel..I say, Oops! I goofed again
If something goes wrong it wasn’t, my intention, But it might turn out to be a, brilliant invention, The tower of Pisa turned out great, Even though it started as a, big mistake
I say oops…Oh, well I goofed again, It’s really no big deal, Everyone in the world knows
how it feels to say, Oops! I goofed again, Everyone in the world knows, how it feels to say
Oops! I goofed again

SMF Inc. locating new production facility in Anderson County $5.8 million investment expected to create 146 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – SMF Inc., a full-service metal fabrication company, today announced that it will establish its new production facility in Anderson County. The $5.8 million investment is expected to generate 146 new jobs over the next five years.

“Our company continues to expand and we look forward to beginning our operations at our new site in Anderson County. South Carolina provides an excellent location for us, a great business environment and the workforce talent we need. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials as we’ve moved forward with our plans,” said Brian Brown, president of SMF Inc.

SMF Inc. will locate a new manufacturing plant in an existing building at 131 Harvester Court in Anderson County. The company will provide a range of metal fabrication services, including torch and laser cutting, sawing, forming, machining, welding, painting and assembly. The plant is expected to begin operations in early July.

“It’s exciting to see more companies like SMF Inc. decide to put roots down in South Carolina. We understand what businesses need in order to do well, and more companies are choosing to bring job-creating investments to the Palmetto State. We celebrate SMF’s decision to invest $5.8 million and create 146 new jobs in Anderson County,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

Since January 2011, South Carolina has recruited more than $8 billion in capital investment and more than 21,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector.

“Manufacturing continues to be a key part of our economy. South Carolinians know how to make things, and make them well. When a manufacturer like SMF Inc. decides to call the Palmetto State home, it adds to our manufacturing renaissance and creates jobs that help make the surrounding communities sustainable,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

“SMF’s choice to join the Anderson County business community is proof of our growing success to attract a quality company; one which garners 95 percent of its business as a Tier One supplier to original equipment manufacturers – Fortune 500 clients. We are proud to welcome SMF to our community and pledge our continuing efforts toward a successful future for both SMF and Anderson County,” said Anderson County Council Chairman Francis Crowder.

The company will begin hiring for the new positions in June. Anyone interested in job opportunities with the company should contact SC Works Anderson office at that time.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits.

For more information about SMF Inc., please visit the company’s website at www.smf-inc.com.

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Jeff Taillon
(803) 734-5129|Direct Line

Gov. Nikki Haley’s newly established Regulatory Review Task Force meeting Thursday

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Nikki Haley’s newly established Regulatory Review Task Force will hold their first meeting Thursday, April 11 at 4:00 PM in the Edgar Brown Building Room 252 on the Statehouse Grounds. The Regulatory Review Task Force was created by Executive Order 2013-02. Its mission is to develop a report that evaluates South Carolina’s current regulatory burdens on all sizes and types of businesses in South Carolina, which will be submitted to Gov. Haley by November 15, 2013.

Regulatory Review Task Force members who will be present are:

Mark Lutz (Task Force Chairman)
Senator Tom Davis
Senator Brad Hutto
Representative Eric Bedingfield
Dan Dennis (Small Business Representative)
Dana Beach (Environmental Representative)
Patrick Caster (Healthcare Representative)
Charles “Buddy” Young (National Federation of Independent Business Representative)
Phil Waddell (South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Representative)
Nick Odom (South Carolina Manufacturer’s Alliance Representative)

WHO: Gov. Nikki Haley’s Regulatory Review Task Force

WHAT: Regulatory Review Task Force meeting

WHEN: Thursday, April 11, 4:00 PM

WHERE: Room 252, Edgar A. Brown Building, 1205 Pendleton Street (Corner of Pendleton and Sumter), Columbia

NOTE: The Regulatory Review Task Force has created an email account to allow for public input from residents across South Carolina who are unable to attend the meeting. The email address is GovRegTaskForce@sccommerce.com.

To ensure all comments are given due consideration, please:

1. Provide your name, your company’s name, and your contact information.
2. Specify and cite the statute, rule, regulation or policy to which each comment applies.
3. If the comment applies to a proposed statute, rule, regulation or policy, provide a copy of or reference to the proposal.
4. Specifically state how the statute, rule, regulation or policy unduly burdens you or your business.
5. If possible, provide alternative approaches or language you believe will reduce the burden of the provision on you or your business while still meeting the intent or goal of the statute, rule, regulation or policy.
6. Submit to the Regulatory Review Task Force by electronic mail to GovRegTaskForce@sccommerce.com.

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McLaughlin Body Company establishing new facility in Anderson County
First Caterpillar supplier to locate in S.C. will invest $22 million, create 250 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – McLaughlin Body Company, a manufacturer of operator protection systems, will locate a new manufacturing facility in Anderson County. The $22 million investment is expected to generate 250 new jobs over the next five years.

“The search for a new location was extensive and we felt South Carolina and Anderson County was the best choice for us,” said John Mann, president of McLaughlin Body Company. “Our new location provides our company an excellent opportunity for business development in this region of the country. South Carolina also provides a great business environment and with the excellent training resources provided by the state, we are confident of being able to access the required skilled workforce that we need for our products. We sincerely appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials.”

McLaughlin Body Company, based in Moline, Ill. since 1902, will locate their new subsidiary operation in the industrial park at 5121 Old Pearman Dairy Road, pending final approval by the Anderson County Council on April 15. The facility will manufacture operator stations and complex metal componentry. This location is strategically located to supply heavy-equipment manufacturers located in the southern and eastern regions of the U.S. The manufacturing facility will be the company’s first operation outside of its home state. Additionally, the company is the first supplier of the new Caterpillar facility in Georgia to locate in South Carolina.

“We understand what businesses need in order to do well, and that’s why more firms like McLaughlin Body Company are choosing to establish operations in our state. We celebrate the company’s decision to invest $22 million and create 250 new jobs in Anderson,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “Today’s announcement is the result of Team South Carolina’s efforts.”
Since January 2011, South Carolina has recruited more than $8 billion in capital investment and more than 21,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector.

“Manufacturing continues to be a creator of wealth and jobs for South Carolina. McLaughlin Body Company’s decision to locate new operations here provides another boost to our state’s manufacturing renaissance and is another sign that firms see the Palmetto State as just right for business and just right to find success,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

The expected date to have the facility fully operational is the first quarter of 2014. The new operation will create employment opportunities for a variety of skilled manufacturing and technical positions including engineering, robotic weld programming and welding.

“We are very pleased to welcome the McLaughlin Body Company to Anderson County,” said Anderson County Councilman Tommy Dunn. “After looking at several states in the Southeast, the company chose Anderson County as the home for their new facility. Attracting a company of this caliber and reputation to our county was a team effort with many partners, all of whom worked together to make this day a reality.”

The company will phase in hiring for the new positions as it ramps up to full production with various product introductions over the next several years. The initial hiring will commence in the third and fourth quarters of 2013, and the company will partner with readySC for recruitment and training for the new operation.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a Governor’s Closing Fund grant for $4 million for building acquisition and approved job development credits.

McLaughlin Body Company is a manufacturer of operator protection systems, including cab enclosures and metal components for construction, military, agriculture and other heavy-duty vehicles. For more information about the company, please visit www.mclbody.com.

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