Columbia SC News Update 01-06-2011

Solar company lands in Blythewood

California-based AQT Solar will bring its second manufacturing facility to Richland County and expects to create 1,000 jobs. A University of South Carolina official calls the move a major victory for Innovista’s economic growth.

SCE&G to add customer service center in Vista

S.C. Electric & Gas Co. will build a new center on half of the 6-acre site in the Vista that it bought back from the city of Columbia. The site, which formerly house the utility’s bus barn, needed extensive environmental remediation work.

Convention center to welcome millionth visitor

The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center is set to welcome its 1 millionth visitor on Friday. The visitor is expected to attend the Spring 2011 University of South Carolina Provost’s meeting and will receive a basket of items representing the city of Columbia and Richland and Lexington counties.

Nuclear conference to be held in Columbia

Columbia is slated to host the Small Modular Reactor conference April 19 and 20 at the Marriott Hotel downtown. Industry experts think small nuclear reactors are thought to be the next wave in nuclear power generation, driven by a desire to reduce costs and to move power generation away from the power grid.

Tech firm sets internal revenue records, is now hiring

In order to accommodate additional demand, Unitrends increased its number of employees in 2010 by about double, added a new office in Boston, added channel partners and secured $4.5M in new funding.

S.C. BlueCross Foundation grants more than $2M

The foundation has allocated more than $30.1 million since it was founded in 2003 to address issues such as childhood health, community health, the need for no-charge medical clinics, mental health, obesity, diabetes, nursing and health research.

Wells Fargo Private Bank names senior vice president

J. West Summers III has been named senior vice president and senior trust and fiduciary specialist at the company’s office in Columbia. In his role, he will work to bring together banking, brokerage and portfolio management to create customized, comprehensive wealth management strategies for clients.

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