Friday Five: December 14, 2019

The Friday Five is back this week. We’re just looking out for you as a you head to those Christmas parties over the next few days.

1. On Wednesday, South Carolina teachers from nine counties advocated for an issue long overdue–higher salaries and better funding for K-12 schools. Though many teachers expressed their preference not to partake in a walk-out, frustrations are exponentially intensifying, placing them a position where they may have no other choice.
2. Earlier this week, a $25 million dollar grant was announced by the United States Department of Transportation to support the expansion of the Inland Port Greer and the extension of Norfolk Southern’s Carlisle Passing Siding. Rob Martinez, the Vice President of Business Development and Real Estate at Norfolk Southern said it best, “completion of the Upstate Express Corridor is an essential component for each partners shared growth and we are grateful for this opportunity to build for South Carolina’s future.”
3. Clemson University’s idea of expanding the workforce? Creating an application called, “Task Analysis Life”, which enables those with intellectual impairments to prepare for the workforce.
4. Senator Tim Scott’s hard work and determination advocating for the creation of Opportunity Zones resulted in a success for economically distressed areas due to an executive order signed by the President. The executive order created a new White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council to ensure that the goal to strengthen these Opportunity Zones is properly and appropriately executed.
5. Serving since 2003, Representative Mike Pitts of Laurens will resign from the South Carolina House of Representatives before the 2019 Legislative Session with other aspirations in mind–becoming the next director of the S.C. Conservation Bank.

No bonus this week. We’ll leave you with our best holiday wishes and hopes for your sanity if you’re braving the mall this weekend!