AGP Executive Report

Data Center Rules: South Carolina lawmakers are weighing new limits for data centers, including water-recycling cooling systems, on-site power and restrictions on where facilities can be built. A bill is being drafted for the 2027 session as communities debate power use, water needs and local oversight. AI Education: USC’s AI Institute hosted a workshop to help older adults spot scams and better understand AI, with sessions on cybersecurity, mental health and data infrastructure. Research: USC scientists helped analyze Swedish sediment cores, finding clues that challenge the idea a volcanic eruption triggered the Younger Dryas cooling period nearly 13,000 years ago. Nuclear Industry: Westinghouse plans to invest $1 billion in a Richland County nuclear-fuel plant, a major addition to South Carolina’s energy manufacturing sector. Cybersecurity: SLED is investigating a possible cyberattack affecting online services for the city of Columbia.

Nuclear Energy: Westinghouse plans a $1 billion expansion of its Richland County facility to produce next-generation nuclear fuel, a major investment in South Carolina’s energy industry. Biotech: Diagnostics company OraTek is establishing its headquarters in Spartanburg through a partnership with Palmetto InnovaSphere. Cybersecurity: SLED is investigating a possible cyberattack affecting City of Columbia services; the extent of the incident has not been reported. Broadband: Wire 3 has begun construction in Easley, adding to the region’s communications infrastructure. Electric Vehicles: BMW’s next-generation iX5 will be built at its Spartanburg plant, bringing the all-electric model to the South Carolina production line. Research Support: A new grant will help South Carolina small businesses compete for federal research contracts. Science Outreach: The State Museum’s planetarium brings back its Northern Lights show Nov. 1, explaining the science behind auroras.

Nuclear Technology: Westinghouse plans to invest $1 billion in its Richland County facility, expanding production of advanced nuclear fuel. Diagnostics: OraTek Diagnostics is establishing its headquarters in Spartanburg through a partnership with Palmetto InnovaSphere, adding to the Upstate’s tech sector. Broadband: Wire 3 has begun construction in Easley, bringing new broadband infrastructure to the area. Research: Clemson and the University of Hawaiʻi will lead a federal program to improve coffee and cacao production. Accessible Tech: Meta and the Palmetto Council of the Blind are distributing smart glasses to blinded veterans in the Upstate, offering a new tool for independence. Conservation: Gov. Henry McMaster created a commission to coordinate land protection, as South Carolina pursues a goal of conserving up to 10 million acres by 2050.

Diagnostics: OraTek Diagnostics is establishing its headquarters in Spartanburg through a partnership with Palmetto InnovaSphere. The company is developing saliva-based tests for public health and law enforcement, with possible future healthcare uses. Nuclear Energy: Westinghouse plans to invest $1 billion in a Richland County plant to make next-generation nuclear fuel, expanding South Carolina’s role in the nuclear industry. Research and Innovation: A new grant will help South Carolina small businesses compete for federal research contracts, while Clemson and the University of Hawaiʻi will lead a federal effort to boost coffee and cacao production. Assistive Technology: Blind veterans in the Lowcountry can receive Meta smart glasses at no cost, offering hands-free tools for reading text, making calls and translating speech.

Nuclear Energy: Westinghouse is building a $1 billion fuel plant in Richland County to make advanced LEU+ fuel, with production expected to start in 2030. The project will bring commercial-scale production to the Columbia site and add a new U.S. facility for a process not made here at fleet scale in more than 50 years. Data Centers: At a South Carolina rally, President Trump floated asking tech companies to pay residents $10,000 to $15,000 for hosting data centers, but offered no plan or mechanism to require payments. Cybersecurity: South Carolina’s law enforcement division is investigating suspicious activity on Columbia’s city network. Several online services are affected, while emergency, water and payment systems remain operational. Research and Startups: The SBA awarded the South Carolina Research Authority $185,000 to recruit tech-focused entrepreneurs and help them pursue federal research and development grants and contracts. Public Health: A Medical University of South Carolina-led analysis found regular vaping among 15- to 17-year-olds was more common among girls than boys in 2024: 7.8% versus 4.6%.

Nuclear Fuel: Westinghouse is investing about $1 billion in a new Richland County factory to make advanced LEU+ nuclear fuel. Construction is underway, with operations expected to start in 2030. Cybersecurity: Columbia is investigating suspicious network activity that disrupted several online city services. SLED is leading the investigation; emergency, police, fire and utility systems remain operational. Health Research: A Medical University of South Carolina study found girls ages 12 to 17 have outpaced boys in e-cigarette use since 2021, a shift researchers say should alert parents. Research Partnerships: Clemson and the University of Hawaiʻi will lead a federal program to strengthen coffee and cacao production, building on research into crop resilience. Startup Funding: Charleston’s Catalyst by Beemok pitch competition is offering early-stage companies up to $2 million in investment; last year’s finalist, cancer-treatment startup Torpedo Bio, has since secured funding and expanded its team.

Assistive Technology: Blind and low-vision veterans in South Carolina are receiving Meta smart glasses that use AI to describe surroundings and read print, offering another tool for greater independence. Youth Health Research: A study led by MUSC researchers found teen girls have vaped at higher rates than boys since 2021; regular use among girls ages 15 to 17 rose to nearly 8% in 2024, prompting calls for stronger prevention and support. Agricultural Innovation: Clemson University and the University of Hawaiʻi are leading a federally funded program to improve coffee and cacao production, linking South Carolina research with global agricultural needs.

Public Health Research: MUSC researchers found regular vaping among girls ages 15–17 rose to 7.8% in 2024, compared with 4.6% among boys, reversing a long-standing pattern. The study analyzed national survey data from 2014 to 2024. Agricultural Innovation: Clemson and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will lead a federal program to improve coffee and cacao production. Advanced Manufacturing: Nestlé plans to move production of its professional food pouches from Ohio to Gaffney, South Carolina, by 2027; its Solon research and development operations are expected to remain open. Search-and-Rescue Technology: Upstate law enforcement agencies use wearable radio transmitters through Project Lifesaver to help locate people with conditions such as autism, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia who wander from home.

Youth Health Research: MUSC researchers found that teen girls now vape more than boys, with regular use among girls ages 15–17 rising to 7.8% in 2024. The decade-long study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, calls for stronger prevention and support. Research Security: The University of South Carolina was among seven universities singled out by the Pentagon for taking extra steps to secure research ties with foreign institutions. Across 30 schools, audits led to more than 80 relationship terminations. Agricultural Innovation: Clemson and the University of Hawaiʻi will lead a federal Innovation Lab to improve coffee and cacao production, backed by a $40 million grant. Advanced Materials: Aiken-based AGY supplied specialty glass-fiber yarn for the new permanent roof at Tropicana Field, where the material reinforces large composite panels.

Research Security: The University of South Carolina was among seven universities the Pentagon praised for going beyond required reviews of foreign research ties. The 30-school effort led to more than 80 relationship terminations or other actions. Youth Health: A new study from MUSC researchers finds girls have vaped at higher rates than boys since 2021, with the gap widest among older teens. Researchers say prevention and intervention remain urgent. Advanced Materials: Aiken-based AGY made the glass-fiber yarn reinforcing the new roof membrane at Tropicana Field, a large-scale use of South Carolina-made material. Agricultural Research: Clemson and the University of Hawaiʻi will lead a federal program to boost coffee and cacao production.

Advanced Materials: Latrobe Magnesium says its Australian demonstration plant is nearing first metal production as it develops plans for a 50,000-ton-a-year magnesium operation in South Carolina. The company reports nonbinding customer commitments for 64% of the proposed plant’s initial capacity. Agricultural Research: Clemson University and the University of Hawaiʻi will lead a federal coffee-and-cacao research lab, with $8 million for its first year. The work will develop crops better able to withstand disease and drought and support farms in the U.S. and partner countries. Cybersecurity: South Carolina Army National Guard members strengthened cyber readiness at Cyber Fortress 2026, according to the Guard. Manufacturing: Seven automotive suppliers plan to spend $82 million in South Carolina, adding to the state’s expanding high-tech manufacturing base.

Agricultural Research: Clemson will co-lead a new federal coffee-and-cacao research lab with the University of Hawaiʻi, starting with $8 million in funding. The five-year effort aims to develop crops that withstand disease and drought and improve farming methods for small producers. Research Oversight: USC received a rare USDA “critical” citation after a deer mouse died in a lab cage without food; inspectors found routine checks failed to catch the problem. Surveillance Technology: A former Savannah police officer was fired for sharing her license-plate camera login with her ICE-agent husband. Investigators counted 788 searches tied to South Carolina plates, raising concerns about access to local camera networks. Research Infrastructure: A transportation research center planned at South Carolina State University in 1998 remains largely in design after $11 million in federal funds were spent; early plans placed the complex on private property, and design documents were repeatedly rejected.

Agricultural Research: Clemson will co-direct a new federal Coffee and Cacao Innovation Lab with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, developing crops and farming methods to help growers withstand disease and drought. The program has an initial $8 million commitment. Research Oversight: USC received a rare USDA “critical” citation after a deer mouse died in a laboratory cage without food; the inspection also found daily checks failed to catch the problem. Clean Energy: Developer energyRe secured $815 million for 360 megawatts of South Carolina solar projects. Cybersecurity: The South Carolina Army National Guard tested its cyber readiness at Cyber Fortress 2026. Agricultural Education: South Carolina State University’s research and extension program will take over Freewoods Farm near Myrtle Beach, expanding its role in preserving and teaching Black agricultural history.

Biopharma: West Columbia-based Nephron Pharmaceuticals has named Haywood Miller interim CEO after Lou Kennedy’s departure. The company says it remains focused on manufacturing medications and has support from secured lenders. Agricultural Research: South Carolina State University’s 1890 Research and Extension initiative will take over Freewoods Farm near Myrtle Beach, expanding its role in preserving the history of Black farming. Clemson will also co-lead a new U.S.-funded coffee and cacao research lab, with $8 million committed for its first year. Environment: Summerville’s updated comprehensive plan aims to protect tree canopy and greenspace as development grows, including through buffers between neighborhoods and new projects. Tech Workforce: Upstate employers in professional, scientific and technical services filed 26 H-1B petitions in 2025; 24 were approved. Public Health: South Carolina is among states working with the CDC’s emergency response program as measles outbreaks spread.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: West Columbia-based Nephron Pharmaceuticals has named Haywood Miller interim CEO after Lou Kennedy’s departure, as the company says it will continue its transformation and growth plans. Research: Clemson will co-lead a new U.S. State Department-funded coffee and cacao research lab, with an initial $8 million for its first year and an award lasting up to five years. Biotech: Obatala Sciences is establishing Charleston County operations, with a reported $656,000 investment. Advanced Manufacturing: USA Rare Earth has broken ground on a planned $1.2 billion South Carolina magnet plant. Clean Energy: energyRe secured $815 million for 360 megawatts of solar projects in the state.

Innovation: South Carolina’s InnoVision Awards named finalists in AI, biotech, sustainable agriculture and software; winners will be announced Nov. 5 in Greer. Coastal Research: A new $8 million federal project will test using dredged sediment to restore salt marshes, including a site near the Savannah River, with Audubon South Carolina among its partners. Advanced Manufacturing: Seven automotive suppliers plan to spend $82 million in South Carolina, while a proposed $1.2 billion rare-earth magnet plant signals another major manufacturing investment. Agricultural Science: Clemson will co-direct a new federal coffee-and-cacao research initiative, funded by a five-year, $40 million grant to the University of Hawaii. Clean Energy: Developer energyRe secured $815 million for 360 megawatts of solar projects in South Carolina.