Honda Talon Voted ‘Coolest Thing Made in SC’

The Honda Talon, a side-by-side power sports vehicle, has earned the title of the Coolest Thing Made in SC after a two-month contest that yielded more than 218,000 votes from the public.

The Honda Talon 1000R-4 Fox Live Value, which is manufactured by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. South Carolina Manufacturing in Timmonsville, received the most votes in the final round of voting in the 3rd annual Manufacturing Madness contest hosted by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance and presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

“Congratulations to the team that produces the Honda Talon for earning the title of the Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina,” said Sara Hazzard, president and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance.

She added, “This recognition not only showcases one of South Carolina’s world-class companies but also celebrates our state’s robust manufacturing industry and skilled workforce.”

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. South Carolina Manufacturing began operations in Timmonsville, South Carolina in 1998.

As the global source for all Honda side-by-side vehicles, the facility has produced 3.8 million power sports products over the last 25 years and employs 1,000 associates.

The Honda Talon 1000R-4 Fox Live Value is enjoyed by motocross and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster congratulated officials from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. South Carolina Manufacturing during an event announcing the winner at the Statehouse.

Said McMaster: "South Carolina has established itself as a manufacturing powerhouse, fostering an environment where companies thrive and make innovative products."

He added, "The impact of this industry, evident in its tremendous investments and job creation, undeniably enhances the quality of life in South Carolina. We take great pride in what we make and the manufacturers who call the Palmetto State home."

The competition’s other three finalists included:

High Noon Sun Sips, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Fort Lawn.

Fire Sprinklers, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc., Liberty.

Signa Hero MRI Scanner, GE HealthCare, Florence.

The four products advanced to the final round after an initial field of 166 products were nominated. The top 16 vote-getters from the list of nominations advanced to the Manufacturing Madness bracket.

From there, weekly voting trimmed the field in half until voters selected the winner from the final group of four.

All nominations and votes were cast at the contest website — scmanufacturingmadness.com — set up by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance.

Previous winners of the contest are Steel, made by Nucor Steel Berkeley, in 2022 and the F-16 Fighting Falcon, made by Lockheed Martin, in 2023.

SCRA Announces New Member Company, Grant Funding

Katalyst Corporation was accepted as a South Carolina Research Authority Member Company.

FireGator, Lumiq, Notey, Ortho-Dx, and SkilRedi received new grant funding.

All SCRA Member Companies receive coaching and access to SCRA’s Startup Resources, can apply for grant funding, and have the potential to be considered for investment from SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc.

Katalyst Corporation LLC has been accepted as an SCRA Member Company. The Greenville-based information technology startup is a software-as-a-service platform that provides comprehensive services to at-risk populations.

The solution produces one centralized platform for greater accountability across multiple service sectors, data that provides real-time insights into impact of services, blockchain to ensure data protection, and AI to give program managers insight to guide better decisions and policies.

FireGator LLC received a $50,000 Acceleration Grant. The Greenwood-based startup specializes in automatic fire suppression systems for buses, motor coaches, farm equipment, construction equipment, and heavy machinery.

They protect the engine compartments and battery storage areas from brake or wheel hub fires and in-cabin fires.

Lumiq Inc. received a $25,000 Project Development Fund Grant. The Charleston-based information technology startup’s product, LightMap, displays and uses colored lights to project real-time information about the world around us within beautifully printed artwork, including airport weather, city traffic, boating conditions, and more.

Notey Inc. received a $25,000 Project Development Fund Grant. The Cayce-based information technology startup has built the first-ever AI-enabled, fully gamified music lesson app.

Notey partners with music teachers and students to add excitement to practice sessions and can work with music teachers and schools to integrate existing curricula into the game.

Ortho-Dx Inc. received a $50,000 Acceleration Grant. The Hilton Head Island-based life sciences company has developed a wireless sensor system to monitor the stability of surgically placed orthopedic implants utilizing near-field inductive technology.

SkilRedi Corporation received a $25,000 Academic Startup Grant. The Clemson University-incubated information technology startup provides comprehensive training programs that enable individuals to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to pursue careers in advanced technologies.

SkilRedi’s learning management system utilizes virtual and augmented reality and digital twin interfaces to train technicians and elevate workforce skills.

Grant funding is made possible, in part, by SCRA’s tax credit program, the Industry Partnership Fund, and its contributions that fuel the state’s innovation economy.

Officials say contributors to the IPF receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit, making it an easy and effective way to help one of the fastest-growing segments of the South Carolina economy.

Chartered in 1983 by the state of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, South Carolina Research Authority fuels the state’s innovation economy through the impact of its comprehensive services to technology-based startups, academia, and industry.

SCRA provides funding and support to accelerate the growth of academic startups; high-quality lab and administrative workspaces; facilitation and funding for partnerships between and among industry, startups, and academic institutions; assistance and funding for the relocation of technology-based companies to South Carolina; and coaching and funding for startups that may also receive investments from its affiliate, SC Launch Inc.

Leadership Greenville Celebrates 50 Years of Service

By Donna Isbell Walker

Leadership Greenville, the Greenville Chamber’s leadership development program, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and on Wednesday, April 3, the city honored the program with a special proclamation.

April 3 was declared Leadership Greenville Day, and John DeWorken, a Greenville City Council member and a Leadership Greenville graduate of Class 27, read the proclamation at an event at Unity Park.

Over the past 50 years, the program has graduated more than 2,400 individuals who complete community service projects as part of the 10-month program.

Speaking to the current Leadership Greenville class, which was gathered at Unity Park, DeWorken told the members that he’s proud of his time with the organization and pleased to see the work that is done by each class.

The program started in 1974, and various classes have worked on such projects as the Swamp Rabbit Trail, Nicholtown Community Center, and the Reedy River Corridor, which later became Falls Park.

“It takes leaders like yourselves to make these things happen,” he said.

In addition to Leadership Greenville, the Greenville Chamber recently announced the creation of IMPACT Fellows, akin to a graduate-level program for Leadership Greenville alums.

That program is expected to launch in 2026.

Adoptive parents: Don’t forget about the Adoption Tax Credit

Taxpayers who adopted or started the adoption process in 2023 may qualify for the adoption credit, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

This credit can be applied to international, domestic, private and public foster care adoption, IRS officials said.

Here is some basic information to help people understand this credit and whether they can claim it when they are filing their taxes:

* The maximum adoption credit taxpayers can claim on their 2023 tax return is $15,950 per eligible child.

* There are income limits that could affect the amount of the credit.

* Taxpayers should complete Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, to figure how much credit they can claim on their tax return.

* An eligible child must be younger than 18. If the adopted person is older, they must be unable to physically take care of themselves.

* This credit is non-refundable. This means the amount of the credit is limited to the taxpayer's taxes due for 2023. Any credit left over from their owed 2023 taxes can be carried forward for up to five years.

* Qualified expenses include:

Reasonable and necessary adoption fees.

Court costs and legal fees.

Adoption related travel expenses like meals and lodging.

Other expenses directly related to the legal adoption of an eligible child.

In some cases, a registered domestic partner may pay the adoption expenses. If they live in a state that allows a same-sex second parent or co-parent to adopt their partner's child, these may also be considered qualified expenses.

Expenses may qualify even if the taxpayer pays them before an eligible child is identified.

For example, some future adoptive parents pay for a home study at the beginning of the adoption process.

IRS officials said these parents can claim the fees as qualified adoption expenses.

Taxpayers who adopt their spouse's child can't claim this credit.

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