SCBIZ Daily for March 16, 2021

First F-16 arrives under Lockheed sustainment contract

Lockheed Martin’s Greenville facility received its first F-16 fighter jet from the U.S. Air Force March 9 as part of a $900 million contract secured in December to provide sustainment and depot-overflow services for an undetermined number of F-16s.

Charleston’s diverse economy stays resilient in 2021

The Charleston Metro Chamber presented the 2021 Economic Forecast on March 10 and reported the economy’s diversification and strong workforce are key to driving the region’s stability and success over the past year.

S.C. Secretary of State warning businesses about scam

Mark Hammond’s office said it has received multiple complaints about a letter sent to businesses purporting to provide a ‘SC Certificate of Status’ for $87.25. Such a certificate is not issued or required by the state, Hammond said.

Lowcountry nonprofits share space after real estate struggle

Nonprofit organizations have collaborated on a commercial real estate project to transform a wholesale furniture warehouse in North Charleston into an Opportunity Center. Upon completion, all four organizations will become equal owners of the building at 8570 Rivers Ave., aligning their offices and their similar missions.

South Carolina unemployment rate tops 5% in January

The state’s 5.3% unemployment rate represented a drop from December 2020’s revised rate of 5.6%, according to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. The leisure and hospitality industry reported a loss of 3,800 jobs.

S.C. nursing home COVID-19 infection rate worst in U.S.

South Carolina’s nursing homes still have the highest resident COVID-19 infection rates of any state in the nation, according to a recent AARP report, despite a dip in staff and resident infections. Staffing issues also continue to present a challenge.

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