Friday Five: 12.7.18

It has been a while, but we’re back with our Friday Five — a quick look at five political or business stories that you may have missed. It’s all in an attempt to make you look smarter at your church coffee hour Sunday.

1. Discussion of BMW’s second U.S. plant presents potential wins for the Upstate once again, dependent on the trade war, that is. During the L.A. Auto show late November, Harald Krueger, the CEO of BMW, mentioned the engine plant idea, stating, “We have talked for the past few years about an engine plant to support our North American production and sales, and now with increasing production levels in North America, we are again investigating this option.” Given the Upstate is already home to BMW’s auto assembly plant it makes sense for the engine plant’s location to be nearby.
2.  According to the Labor Department, U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate has remained at 3.7%.
3. On Thursday, “The Bloomberg 50” highlighted “the people who defined global business in 2018.” Following pop-star, Taylor Swift on the list, is South Carolina’s own, Senator Tim Scott. Senator Scott’s noteworthy accomplishment of 2018 was his leadership on encouraging long-run investments in low income communities nationwide, also known as opportunity zones.
4. Robert M. Hitt, III, will continue as Secretary of Commerce for South Carolina in some great news for the booming Upstate economy. Governor Henry McMaster made the announcement on Thursday. Bobby Hitt was appointed under Nikki Haley’s administration in 2011 and his work has labeled him as a “highly effective partner in South Carolina’s economic development efforts” according to Governor McMaster.
5. President Trump announced Heather Nauert to replace Nikki Haley at the United Nations. According to a White House official, this position will no longer be a cabinet-level position so if Heather Nauert is confirmed, her role at the UN will not be as significant as her predecessor’s.

Bonus: This week, America, and the world, said goodbye to former President George H.W. Bush. A true statesman and servant, President George H.W. Bush left another legacy before passing away- his admiration for colorful socks. The business behind it all? John’s Crazy Socks. Click here for the touching story of how a 21 year old with down syndrome, obsessed with socks, became a young entrepreneur, inspired to give back – just like George H.W. Bush.