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Opinion: South Carolina Economy Relies on Efficient Truck Transportation

Over the past year, we’ve all had to adapt to new norms because of the pandemic. When we were told to stay at home to slow the spread of COVID, we banded together as a country and did so. With so many people unable to leave their homes and travel to their local stores to purchase essential products, our country turned to online shopping.

Online shopping isn’t going anywhere either, as e-commerce sales are expected to grow even after the pandemic reaches an end. With this major uptick in online ordering comes a heightened need for U.S. cargo carriers. From delivering masks, hand sanitizer, and critical vaccines to food and clothes, cargo carriers helped maintain supply chains and our economy in a time when we saw countless businesses forced into closure.

Online retailers rely heavily on freight delivery carriers such as FedEx, UPS, and a number of other surface transportation companies to get the American people what they need. Nearly 70 percent of the freight moved each year in the U.S. is transported by truck. With the U.S. heavily dependent on freight trucks for shipping, it’s important that our country’s transportation system and trucks are positioned to match up with increasing cargo and demands for capacity.

To further stimulate economic recovery from the pandemic, delivery trucks need to be able to carry cargo at maximum capacity. However, the solution of a modest length increase in freight trailers continues to be thwarted by a 40-year old regulation that limits tandem truck trailers to be 28-feet in length. It’s hard to believe that our country’s transportation system is still held back by a regulation enacted before the emergence of the internet, e-commerce and cell phones, and it’s time to modernize regulations to meet our current needs.

Though 20 states currently allow twin-33 trailers, the trailers are banned from crossing state lines which hinders a huge amount of interstate commerce. According to Americans for Modern Transportation, “studies have shown that twin 33’ trailers can move the same amount of freight with 18% fewer truck trips, reducing the congestion and allowing consumers and businesses to realize the $2.8 billion annually in lower shipping costs with quicker delivery times.”

The federal law limiting twin trailers to 28’ in length directly holds back South Carolina’s economy, as we are missing out on a chance to more rapidly push out our goods, especially given that our top export is transportation equipment. As South Carolina continues to grow as one of the largest state exporters, experiencing a 74% growth in state exports between 2008 and 2018, our state needs to set itself up for even more growth in the next 10 years. Our people rely on the success of our exports as well, and in 2016 alone South Carolina exports supported over 157,000 jobs.

Additionally, if we were able to add a mere five feet to our trailers, the results would not only benefit our economy, but also our environment. The adoption of 33-foot twin trailers, commonly known as twin-33s, would save hundreds of millions of gallons in fuel, significantly lower carbon emissions, and lead to fewer trips on the road. Twin-33 trailers increase the capacity of each truck trip by more than 18 percent over the current twin-28’ configuration, and their efficiency and sustainability would help ensure economic and environmental success for our state and country.

As our country climbs out of the pandemic, our cargo carriers should not be hindered by decades-old regulations. We need our lawmakers to remove these regulations in order to add desperately needed capacity to our transportation system and help fuel our economic recovery. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and  Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) needs to recognize this issue and fight for our economy, our environment, and the South Carolina businesses and consumers who depend on efficient truck transportation and supply chains. It is time for our country and industry to move forward.

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Hold Your Horses! The Carolina Cup Is Coming in May

The 86th Annual Carolina Cup is coming up on May 22, 2021. 

Carolina Cup is an annual horse race in Camden, South Carolina, where friends and family gather to enjoy a fun-filled day in the infield. A variety of local vendors are also present for racegoers to explore. 

The race takes place at the Springdale Race Course at 200 Knights Hill Road. “Springdale Race Course is situated just on the outskirts of town, and hosts two of the most important steeplechases on the yearly calendar, the extremely popular Carolina Cup in the spring and the prestigious Colonial Cup in the autumn.”

The gates open at 9:00 am and the race begins at 1:00 pm. General Admission tickets are currently $45 and can be purchased online. Racegoers can also purchase tickets for a package or to one of the individual luncheons taking place on race day.

To keep both attendees and staff safe, the Cup will enforce a variety of COVID-19 safety protocols including social distancing and requiring everyone to wear face masks. 

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Eat & Drink

Best Farmers Markets in South Carolina

‘Tis the season for fresh local produce! South Carolina is home to some delicious produce – all of which is locally farmed. Check out some of these farmers markets around the state, where you can get your hands on some local fruits and vegetables.

Charleston Farmers Market

This Marion Square-based farmers market has been providing fresh produce and local goods to residents and tourists alike since 1989. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the farmers market is currently running as the “Charleston Essentials Market,” only allowing certain local vendors to participate – but is still a must-see market. It is set to run through November.

Greenville State Farmers Market

Located at 1354 Rutherford Rd in Greenville, SC, the Greenville State Farmers Market houses both retail sheds and farmers stalls for consumers to browse through. They are open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, all year-round – except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Pee Dee State Farmers Market

The Pee Dee State Farmers Market sits on fifty-five acres of land, which was previously used as farmland. In addition to fresh produce, customers can also explore the largely expanding industries of horticulture and floriculture. Located on US Highway 52, this farmers market is open year round and is a great place to stop on the way to Myrtle Beach.

South Carolina State Farmers Market

The South Carolina State Farmers Market houses a plethora of fresh produce from farmers and vendors from around the state. While this state farmers market runs year round, the peak season for local produce is April through October. The South Carolina State Farmers Market is located at 3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia, SC.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Expanded in South Carolina

As of Wednesday, March 31st, any South Carolinian aged 16 and older is eligible to schedule and receive their COVID-19 vaccine, marking South Carolina’s move to Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

In an effort to get as many individuals vaccinated as possible, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster made the decision to skip Phase 1C, which would have only included individuals aged 45 and older, and opened up the vaccine eligibility to include more people.

In a statement on the decision to open vaccine eligibility, DHEC Director Dr. Edward Simmer said, “We started by making vaccines available to those who were most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19; the elderly, those with high risk of exposure at work, and those with medical conditions that worsen the effects of COVID-19…we are now able to offer three very safe and effective vaccines to all South Carolina residents over the age of 16 – another step on our path to take control of COVID-19 instead of it controlling us and getting back to normal.”

Click here to find a COVID-19 vaccination center near you and schedule your vaccine.

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South Carolina Was One of the Most Popular Moving Destinations in 2020

2020 was a year filled with uncertainty and change for many people. In addition, millions of people picked up their lives and moved across the country. 

The United Van Lines recently released their 44th Annual Nation Migration Study, which highlighted an ongoing trend of Americans moving to either westbound or southbound, with South Carolina being named the second most popular moving destination.

Idaho topped the list of highest percentage of inbound migration (70%), while South Carolina came in a close second (64%) followed by Oregon (63%), South Dakota (62%) and Arizona (62%). 

The study indicated that the majority of migrations were primarily due to individuals’ jobs – people finding a new job or receiving a job transfer. In South Carolina’s case, more people moved to the Palmetto State due to retirement (38%), work (26%), family (19%) and lifestyle (18%). 

The states with the greatest number of outbound migrations included New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Connecticut and California.

In a statement on this year’s findings, Eily Cummings, director of corporate communications at United Van Lines said, “As the largest household goods mover in the country, United Van Lines’ data-driven insights uniquely point to national trends and, this year particularly, the resounding impact of COVID-19 on moving choices and the moving industry. For example, as more people experience job and lifestyle changes amid the pandemic like remote working, we’re seeing they have more flexibility in where they can live – many choosing to move from urban to more rural areas.”

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5 Southern Podcasts Worth Listening To

Those of us unable to leave the house have a lot of free time right now, and what better way to spend your time than brushing up on some podcasts? Grab your headphones and listen to any one of these auditory gems to learn more about food, travel, and true crime across the region.

The Fall Line

This true-crime podcast digs deep into cold cases that have received little — if any — public attention, particularly cases involving marginalized communities.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B–z1cHpAL7/

Southern Fried True Crime

This series aims to explore “the dark underbelly of the deep South,” usually covering a single narrative per episode. The series is one of Podcast Magazine’s top 50 shows for April.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Lwm-Yph7i/

Gravy

Coming from the Southern Food Alliance, Gravy is a journal and podcast duo of original narratives that are “fresh, unexpected, and thought-provoking,” filled with chefs, farmers, and more.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pxF0HpDqI/

Florida is Sinking

This “native podcast of the strangest state” covers current news both normal and bizarre. Learn more about current community events, and strange headlines about the infamous “Florida Man.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B362KqAhqYA/

This is My South

Season one of this historical podcast has covered a variety of colorful stories, discussing everything from a ventriloquism museum in Kentucky to “slug burgers” eaten by Elvis in Mississippi.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Z3ouqp01Z/

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Animal Cams Are Live! Check Up On Your Favorite Animals At The Zoo!

Feature Image Source: San Diego Zoo

While people across the nation self-quarantine at home, many museums, zoos and animal care facilities are inviting the public to enjoy wildlife from their couches. Here are just a few ways to enjoy animal life while staying safe at home.

South Carolina Aquarium

Locals can join the Aquarium for a “virtual road trip through South Carolina” every day at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Facebook. The Aquarium will be hosting virtual visits showcasing the state’s regions and the fascinating wildlife that call South Carolina home.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-vTzgTlmub/

Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

All Smithsonian museums, including the National Zoo, continue to be closed with no definitive reopening date. Their website offers several webcams (including one monitoring baby cheetah cubs!) and provides a link to educational activities for children related to the animals.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-xj4jZJzMK/

Lions, tigers, and meerkats, oh my!

Want to see more? EarthCam.com is a wonderful site that features a variety of animal webcams from zoos across the country. Check in to see manatees in Florida, elephants in Tennessee and giraffes close to home in Greenville.

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Santee Cooper South Carolina Coronavirus Funding

Santee Cooper’s Actions Caused Certain Senators To Derail Emergency Coronavirus Funding Legislation

The South Carolina Legislature was called back earlier this week for what was supposed to be a quick one-day session to pass a piece of emergency legislation that would help prevent a government shutdown and provide emergency funding to address the coronavirus crisis. But a familiar roadblock caused that plan to crumble.

While this was expected to be a quick vote, a resolution in the legislation involving Santee Cooper prevented senators from coming to an agreement, while House members decried action taken by Santee Cooper in recent days to deceive the legislature into believing they had negotiated a deal with Central Electric cooperative.

The latest move by Santee Cooper has angered many including Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina CEO, Mike Couick and Speaker of the House Jay Lucas.

Couick was quoted as saying “I grew up watching ACC basketball and Dean Smith mastering the game of four corners. If Santee Cooper is an expert at nothing else, it is an expert at delay, and delay of reform and transformation…”

In a letter to Santee Cooper’s leadership, Speaker Lucas wrote, “If state law gave me or the House of Representatives the authority, I would seek the immediate unqualified removal of each member of the Santee Cooper Board and the dismissal, for cause, of the entire senior management. Unfortunately for the people of South Carolina, I do not have that authority. However, I do predict and will applaud your ultimate removal from your positions in the appropriate manner.”

You can read the full letter from Speaker Lucas here.

The proposed emergency legislation included plans for COVID-19 funding, education funding for teacher salaries, funding to ensure South Carolina primaries can still take place safely on June 9, and other necessary government-funded operations that would allow the state to continue to run in the case that a budget isn’t passed before the start of the next fiscal year.

It also included a provision to postpone the debate on Santee Cooper and prevent the utility from engaging in any long-term contracts of more than a year until the work on what should be done with the state-owned utility is fully explored.

As reported by the AP, Santee Cooper spokeswoman Mollie Gore apologized for their actions in an email calling the utility’s words ‘presumptive and premature’.

Moreover, Governor McMaster slammed Santee Cooper on Twitter, saying, “There appears to be no tactic or action too deceitful or reckless for the leaders of Santee Cooper to employ,” accusing the utility of exploiting the current pandemic to avoid a sale or any type of reform.

Senators, on the other hand, debated the resolution for over five hours only to come back with an amended resolution that sent it back to the House for review. Certain senators such as Senator Rankin and Senator Grooms refused to approve the emergency legislation needed to keep the state running because of their support for Santee Cooper and did not want to put any limitations on the utility despite their history of mismanagement and lack of transparency.

Currently, there are plans for either the House or Senate to return to take further action.

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