Steven Pearce, president and CEO of the South Carolina I-77 Alliance, said Aug. 17, 2022, he is resigning to take a job in St. Louis. 

Pearce made the announcement at the alliance’s annual economic development summit in Richburg. 

As the alliance’s president and CEO, Pearce oversees development of the organization’s strategic direction, branding, lead generation, research, and investor relations, as well as various strategic initiatives of the board.

He works closely with state, regional, and local partners to market the region as a premier location for expanding and relocating businesses in targeted industries and geographies around the world. 

He partners with the public and private sector to leverage their collective strengths to amplify the region’s story and to serve as subject matter experts.

Previously, Pearce was senior vice president of business recruitment at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, at which he provided oversight for all economic development efforts that led to the creation of new jobs and investment across the 15-county bistate Charlotte region.

Additionally, he led the organization’s business retention and expansion initiative.

During his tenure at Charlotte’s alliance, Pearce led the team to four straight Mac Conway Awards from 2017 – 2020. Site Selection’s Mac Conway Awards for Excellence in Economic Development recognize the top local and regional economic development agencies in the U.S. 

In 2019, Pearce was recognized as a Top 50 Economic Developer in North America.

He holds a Master of Business Administration and bachelor’s in marketing from East Carolina University.

Established by the counties’ economic development offices, the South Carolina I-77 Alliance is a nonprofit economic development organization that seeks to position and market Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Richland, and York Counties as a world-class business location to attract investment, quality jobs, entrepreneurs, and professional talent along the I-77 corridor of South Carolina.

Pet Supplies Plus, a leading, full-service pet retail company, announced plans to establish a new distribution center in Orangeburg County.

The company’s $53 million investment will create 275 jobs, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

Founded in 1988, Pet Supplies Plus, a subsidiary of Franchise Group, Inc., is one of the largest pet retail franchises in the United States, offering customers a wide assortment of natural pet foods, goods and services.

Located in 40 states, Pet Supplies Plus has more than 630 stores, the majority of which are independently owned and operated by franchisees.

Located in the Shamrock Commerce Center at the intersection of U.S. 301 and Interstate 26 at Exit 154, the company’s new, state-of-the-art distribution center will increase its distribution capabilities across the Southeast, Commerce officials said.

The new operation will be the company’s fourth distribution center located within the U.S.

Operations are expected to begin in early 2023, and readySC will assist with the recruitment process, Commerce officials said.

For more information on opportunities with Pet Supplies Plus, go to the company’s careers page. 

The SC Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project. 

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announced the acquisition of Columbia, S.C.-based Obsidio, Inc., a privately-held company that has developed the Gel Embolic Material (GEM) technology used for embolization of blood vessels in the peripheral vasculature.

Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure intended to obstruct or reduce blood flow to an abnormality or tumor to stop hemorrhaging, reduce the size of malignant and benign tumors, and stabilize venous and arterial malformations.

Recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the GEM technology is a semi-solid, proprietary material packaged in a ready-to-use form, thus reducing the preparation time required for many embolization procedures.

Physicians deliver the GEM agent through a catheter, and its gel-like composition enables controlled placement within patient anatomy.

Unlike solid and liquid embolics that can take time to form an obstruction to blood flow, once placed, the GEM technology conforms to the targeted vasculature, immediately creating a barrier. 

"The GEM technology combines benefits of currently available embolics, such as precise control of a solid and malleability of a liquid, to create a unique technology that offers procedural efficiency and a more personalized therapy for patients," said Peter Pattison, president, interventional oncology and embolization, Peripheral Interventions, Boston Scientific.

"This acquisition strengthens our interventional oncology and embolization portfolio with a differentiated solution for physicians and their patients suffering from hemorrhages, cancer and other debilitating conditions."

Company officials said the transaction is expected to be immaterial to Boston Scientific's GAAP and adjusted earnings per share in 2022.

Specific terms of the transaction haven’t been disclosed.

Columbia, S.C.-based M. B. Kahn Construction Co., Inc. said it will open a new Charlotte office this summer.  

“Charlotte was a sensible choice for us and for our clients,” says Bret Estridge, executive vice  president. “Opening this office underscores M. B. Kahn’s ongoing commitment to effectively serve  our clients throughout North Carolina.”  

The 95-year-old company’s new Charlotte location is another mark of its continued growth in some of the  largest markets throughout the Southeast.

Company officials said it will play a critical role in expanding contracting efforts for  public and private clients, and serve as the next step in growing that market within the region. 

M. B. Kahn provides a variety of construction services in all  market sectors. In operation since 1927, the company has been recognized as one of the Southeast’s leading  construction firms and is consistently ranked as one of Engineering News-Record’s Top General  Contractors.