TODAY'S HEADLINES | APRIL 17, 2012

Passenger traffic inches upward at Columbia airport

After years of declining passenger traffic, the Columbia Metropolitan Airport notched eight straight months of increases in the number of people flying out of the Midlands. Airport Executive Director Dan Mann said it is too early to say if passenger traffic has rebounded, but the report is a good sign that the economy is on the upswing.

S.C. home sales continue to climb

So far this year, homes in S.C. are selling faster and at higher prices than they did during the first quarter of 2011, according to data released by the SC Realtors. Sales are up 6.1% statewide, while sales price ticked up 2.1% and average days on market dipped 1.1%.

AGY Holding Corp. appoints Ferguson interim CFO

Jay W. Ferguson brings nearly 30 years of experience to Aiken-based AGY, including 20 years at GE in financial management roles and seven years in private equity-held companies. AGY is a producer of fiberglass yarns and high-strength fiberglass reinforcements.

South Atlantic Bank Q1 earnings increase threefold

The Myrtle Beach-based bank said net income in the first quarter rose to $453,006 from $146,228 a year earlier. The results were attributed to a 19.1% increase in net interest income fueled by loan growth, along with improvement in non-interest income and expense control.

Midlands leaders kick off Green Business Challenge

Midlands government and business leaders are challenging work places in the region to become more environmentally friendly by joining the five-month sustainability competition open to work places of all sizes in Richland and Lexington counties.

Job of the Week

Environmental Express, a laboratory supply company, seeks an outside technical sales representative. This position is responsible for developing relationships with customers and growing accounts in their assigned territory through the promotion and selling of the company’s products. A bachelor’s degree, preferably in a science or related field, is required. Learn more or apply here.