The state’s unemployment rate experienced a slight drop, as jobless figures in August showed an 11.5 percent unemployment rate compared to July’s figure of 11.7 percent. While a number of economists see the figure as a reason for slight optimism, Sam McClary of the South Carolina Employment Security Commission says indications are that the state may have not seen the worse just yet.

“I think its going to be a few years before we feel like it’s over. I still think we’ve got some rough months ahead of us. over the last three months we have lost people in the labor force because the unemployed have quit looking for work but eventually they’re going to come back in searching for jobs and that is going to push the unemployment rate up.”

McClary says South Carolina’s economy seems to lag behind the rest of the country by about six months. The national unemployment rate for August was 9.7 percent. [Read more...]

The South Carolina Department of Commerce and AGM Imports announced Tuesday that the company has built its new distribution facility in Jasper County. The $6 million investment is expected to generate 15 new jobs. AGM Imports just recently completed a new distribution facility in Hardeeville.

Chief financial officer Douglas Smith said they are pleased to move forward with plans for a new facility in the Lowcountry. The new facility will allow them to meet demand from their customers in the area and throughout the region.

The new facility will be a sales center as well as serve all other AGM showroom locations, which are in Charleston, S.C., Charlotte, N.C., and Atlanta. In addition, the company also sells granite slabs to builders and fabricators who possess the ability to cut slabs and install them in consumer homes. AGM Imports is in the process of moving from its current location to the new building. The company plans to begin hiring for the positions in the next two months.

Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce, said that the company’s decision to locate its new facility in South Carolina is a strong testament that “their business-friendly climate, excellent workforce and market access are working to grow existing businesses and attract new investment.” Taylor added that it is especially gratifying to see this new operation begin in Jasper County, one of the state’s rural areas.