Smurfit Kappa Expands US Footprint With First SC Operation in Anderson County

Smurfit Kappa, a global leader in providing paper-based packaging solutions, said it is expanding its U.S. footprint by establishing the company’s first South Carolina operation in Anderson County.

The $68 million investment will create 200 new jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster.

“As a global company, Smurfit Kappa has numerous options when establishing a new facility. We recognize the significance of this project and are confident that our pro-business economic climate will reinforce that South Carolina is the right choice,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III.

Part of the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 Index, Smurfit Kappa has more than 350 production sites in 36 countries; 22 in Europe, 13 in North and South America, and one in Africa.

The company designs, manufactures and supplies paper-based packing products to surround, promote and protect interior contents.

The company expects to acquire a new 259,000-square-foot facility located at 1105 Scotts Bridge Road in Anderson.

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.

South Carolina Has Fifth Highest Student Debt Per Borrower

A new study has revealed that South Carolina has the fifth highest student debt per borrower.

Higher education research group Degree Choices analyzed data from the Office of Federal Student Aid to determine which states had the highest average student debt per borrower:

Maryland

Topping the list for the states with the highest amount of student debt per borrower is Maryland, with an average debt of $43,116. In total, Maryland’s student debt stands at $36.7 billion across 851,200 borrowers.

Georgia

The state with the second highest student debt per borrower is Georgia, with an average debt of $41,775. Georgia’s total student debt of $70.6 billion is spread across 1.69 million borrowers.

Virginia

Virginia has the third highest amount of student debt per borrower. The state’s total student debt is $43.8 billion spread across 1.1 million borrowers, equating to an average student debt of $39,599.

Florida

With an average debt of $38,683, Florida has the fourth highest student debt per borrower. Florida has 2.72 million total borrowers, while the state’s total student debt is $105.4 billion.

South Carolina

The state with the fifth highest student debt per borrower is South Carolina, with an average student debt of $38,360. The state’s total student debt is $29.1 billion across 758,600 borrowers.

Illinois

Illinois is sixth on the list of states with the highest student debt per borrower, with an average student debt of $38,349. A total of 1.65 million borrowers hold $63.1 billion of student debt in Illinois.

Delaware

The state with the seventh highest amount of student debt per borrower is Delaware, with an average debt of $38,174. The First State has $5.1 billion of student debt across 133,600 borrowers.

North Carolina

With an average student debt per borrower of $38,143, North Carolina has the eighth highest student debt per borrower on average. In total, 1.35 million borrowers hold $51.6 billion of student debt in North Carolina.

Vermont

Vermont has the ninth highest student debt per borrower. Vermonters hold $3 billion of student debt across 78,800 borrowers, giving an average student debt per borrower of $38,071.

Hawaii

Hawaii rounds out the top 10 states, with an average student debt of $37,995. The Aloha State’s 123,700 borrowers hold $4.7 billion in student debt.

United, Houston Airport System Invest More than $2B in Terminal B Transformation

United Airlines and the Houston Airport System (HAS) announced a landmark investment in United's hub at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) with United's Terminal B Transformation Program.

Airline officials said the ambitious project is set to redefine the air travel experience and cater to the future needs of an estimated 36 million passengers. The program encompasses the construction of 40 new gates for both domestic and international travel, ensuring a cutting-edge experience for travelers.

United flies from South Carolina airports to Houston.

The Terminal B transformation includes expanding curbside and roadway capacity, along with expanding the ticketing lobby, offering passengers convenience through dynamic signage, intuitive wayfinding systems and a ground-level check-in area. The third floor is expected to house a streamlined security processing area.

Once through security, the New Terminal B North expansion comprises two new passenger concourses, replacing the 1969-era Flight Stations. The Terminal B North Concourse, spanning approximately 765,000 square feet over three levels, will house 22 narrow-body gates.

Additionally, a large United Club at the mezzanine level will offer unobstructed views of the airfield, set to become the largest club in the United system.

The Terminal B South Concourse project involves converting 30 gates that house smaller, 50-seat regional jets to accommodate larger, two-class regional jets . Unlike in the current terminal, all flights will be boarded via jet bridge.

The concourse design caters to a multitude of travelers and is expected to feature amenities like a sensory room, a multimedia interactive United-branded "park," and comfort zones for passengers with disabilities that provides a quiet space for those needing to decompress between TSA and boarding processing.

The project will also include two major concessions hubs, offering 115,000 square feet of state-of-the-art food and retail space including unique dining and shopping experiences.

The baggage claim hall will be expanded, and a new baggage handling system, equipped with advanced baggage tracking technology, will support increased capacity.

United Airlines expects to invest more than $1.9 billion in the Terminal B Transformation Program and the city of Houston expects to fund $624 million in enabling projects required for the program. 

Make it a 'Home Safe Home' for the Holidays

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, many injuries and deaths associated with celebrating the holidays can be prevented by putting safety in practice while purchasing toys for children, cooking your holiday feast or decorating your home.

Did you know?

A new CPSC report found there were 11 deaths, and an estimated 145,500 emergency department-treated (ED) injuries in 2022 associated with toys for children 12 years and younger.  

CPSC, in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), seized more than 1.1 million dangerous or illegal toys in fiscal year 2023. Of those, nearly 101,000 toy seizures were lead related.

Thanksgiving Day is the peak day for cooking fires, with an average of 1,600 cooking fires occurring on this day – more than three times the daily average of cooking fires. 

On average, there are about 160 Christmas decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with over 40 percent of the incidents involving falls. 

Follow our safety tips for toys, cooking and decorating in our print and share poster and video below and visit CPSC’s Holiday Safety Information Center for more information.

For information in Spanish, visit: Seguridad en días festivos | CPSC.gov.

Allow us to tell your company's Business Narrative. Send your press release to David Dykes or for more information email [email protected]