State Hits Another Record-Setting Month of Those Working

South Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November increased to 3 percent from October’s estimate of 2.9 percent, according to state officials.

“As we close out the year, South Carolina’s economic growth continues as the state hits another record-setting month of 2,398,350 individuals working. That number is up more than 5,000 from October and is a significant increase of more than 104,000 people since November 2022,” said S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Executive Director William Floyd.

“While the unemployment rate edged up slightly to 3 percent from October’s number of 2.9 percent, we saw more people joining the labor force month-over-month, indicating that people are entering the workforce and finding jobs. And pay remains competitive as average hourly earnings are now at $30.48,” Floyd said.

According to DEW officials:

* The seasonally adjusted, monthly survey of households estimated the number of South Carolinians working increased to 2,398,350. That’s an increase of 5,136 people over the October 2023 estimate, and a significant increase of 104,700 people over the November 2022 estimate.

* The estimate of unemployed people increased to 73,346. That’s an increase of 1,473 people from October’s estimate and a decrease of 4,111 from the November 2022 estimate. Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased to 3.7 percent from October’s estimate of 3.9 percent, according to the Current Population Survey.

* The state’s estimated labor force (people working plus unemployed people looking for work) increased to 2,471,696. That’s an increase of 6,609 people over the October 2023 estimate, and a significant increase of 100,589 individuals over the November 2022 estimate.

Industries reporting job gains were Leisure and Hospitality (+3,800); Education and Health Services (+1,900); Other Services (+1,200); Construction (+700); Government (+500); and Professional and Business Services (+300).

The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,100); Manufacturing (-200); Financial Activities (-200); and Information (-100) industries declined.

From November 2022 to November 2023, South Carolina’s economy picked up more than 60,000 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs.

Industries with strong growth were Education and Health Services (+16,200); Leisure and Hospitality (+14,700); Professional and Business Services (+8,800); Government (+8,200); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+7,300); Construction (+2,600); Financial Activities (+2,000); Other Services (+1,200); and Information (+600).

Manufacturing (-900) declined.

Amtrak Reaches Next Major Milestone in Long Distance Train Service

Amtrak is taking a major step towards improving overnight, cross-country train travel by issuing a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to railcar manufacturers to begin the replacement of Amtrak’s current Long Distance fleet.

The multi-billion-dollar procurement will start reequipping a fleet that provides vital train service from coast to coast and is made possible through funding provided by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Congress.

“We believe in the future of our Long Distance service,” said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia. “Amtrak’s Long Distance network provides vital mobility and an economic link for communities around the country. A new Amtrak Long Distance fleet will help us modernize and transform the service to meet the needs of customers now and into the future.”

Officials said the new fleet will allow Amtrak to introduce an updated product that meets current and future market expectations, improves customer experience, reimagines onboard accessibility and mobility, improves operational efficiency, and bolsters sustainability, resiliency, and ridership.

This step follows a formal Request for Information (RFI) issued in December 2022—sent to potential railcar builders defining and describing the scope of replacing the Long Distance fleet. Multiple suppliers responded to the RFI in early 2023, which helped to shape the RFP.

The RFP outlines requirements to improve core elements of Long Distance service, including coach seating, private rooms, food service, enhanced accessibility, and route experience.

Following vendor selection, critical steps of final design, development and production are expected to occur over the next several years. Fleet deliveries are projected to begin in the early 2030s.

“The Federal Railroad Administration firmly believes that intercity passenger rail service, including Long Distance service, has an important role to play in America’s transportation network,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose.

Bose added, “Millions of Americans depend on Long Distance service annually as a transportation alternative to congested highways and airports, and they deserve a modern, safe, and convenient experience.”

The Long Distance fleet replacement RFP is one of several Amtrak investments aimed at upgrading and enhancing the Long Distance customer experience — including refreshing passenger car interiors, restoring stored equipment to active service and improving stations, onboard amenities, sales and support channels.

Recent highlights include:

* Purchasing 125 ALC-42 Long Distance locomotives, with more than three dozen already in service. Made in the U.S., these locomotives are cleaner, faster, more fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly than their predecessors.

* Investing $28 million for interior upgrades to 400 bi-level Superliner and 49 Viewliner cars. Nearly 200 Superliner cars have been refreshed and are now in revenue service and the Viewliner refresh will begin in 2024.

* Restoring and repairing 63 idled railcars by the end of 2024.

Amtrak travelers can reach more than 500 destinations across 46 states, including South Carolina, and parts of Canada. 

Amtrak Long Distance ridership grew by more than 12 percent across the network in FY23 (Oct. 2022-Sept. 2023), serving nearly 3.9 million customer trips.

United Community Banks, Inc. Names John James to Board of Directors

United Community Banks, Inc., the financial holding company for Greenville, S.C.-based United Community, a top 100 US financial institution, added industry veteran John James to its board of directors.

James is an accomplished financial executive with more than 35 years of experience driving growth, increasing shareholder value, and optimizing organizational policy.

James' experience includes senior-level positions at Bank of America, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

In his most recent roles, he served as SVP – Americas Legal Entity Controller Executive and SVP – Corporate Controller for Bank of America, where he worked for 17 years.

While there, he played an integral role in helping to successfully manage through the 2008 financial crisis and the ongoing regulatory environment.

He was also a champion for process improvement focused on increasing operational efficiencies, reducing operational risk and improving control environments by sponsoring and leading various projects and initiatives.

Additionally, James played an integral senior financial role in the integration of several acquisitions including MBNA, Countrywide, and Merrill Lynch, among others.

James graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in finance and a Bachelor of Science in accounting.

He retired from Bank of America in June 2022 and splits his time between Charlotte, N.C., and Sullivan's Island, S.C.

International African American Museum Offers Free Admission, Programming In Honor of Emancipation Day

The International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina, will offer complimentary admission on Jan. 1, 2024, in commemoration of Emancipation Day.

Watch Night and Emancipation Day activities and programs are set for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 and will honor and celebrate the spirit of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality embodied by these anniversaries.

Emancipation Day stands as a monumental day in American history, marking the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation and the liberation of countless African Americans from the bonds of slavery.

To mark this historic occasion, the museum has partnered with sponsors to create a weekend of activities and programs including a daytime “Watch Night” event, IAAM’s participation in Charleston’s annual Emancipation Day parade, and free admission to the museum.

Officials said the opportunity for open access to the museum is made possible through the support of Boeing. The museum’s participation in the Emancipation Day programming is the inaugural 2024 program in the TD Bank Program Series. 

“We are thrilled to open our doors and welcome everyone to join us in commemorating both Emancipation Day and Freedom’s Eve. These commemorations symbolize not only the end of a tragic chapter in history, but also the resilience and triumph of the African American journey,” said Tonya Matthews, Ph.D., president and CEO of the International African American Museum.

She added, “We are grateful to our sponsors – Boeing and TD Bank – whose unwavering commitment to community impact and inclusive storytelling have made our participation in these celebrations both possible and also accessible to our community."

And she said, "IAAM is always excited to work with partners to amplify its mission with an open invitation to all to immerse themselves in the rich narratives, legacies, and cultural treasures of the untold stories of the African American journey.” 

The museum will be open with complimentary sponsored admission on Jan. 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., while tickets last. Visitors planning to attend Jan. 1 are strongly encouraged to reserve timed ticket entry at the museum's website, iaamuseum.org.

Registration is required for some of the weekend’s programming and more information can be found on the IAAM website.

Schedule of Events

Dec. 31, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Freedom’s Eve “Watch Night” Program – the historic Morris Brown AME Church, together with the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission will host a daytime Watch Night Service and Emancipation Proclamation celebration. Watch Night is a 160-year-old tradition, also known as “Freedom's Eve,” as it serves to commemorate the date of Jan. 1, 1863, when Gullah Geechee people in South Carolina and across the South began to emerge from bondage as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation. No registration required. 

Jan. 1, 12:00 pm– 3:00 pm

Emancipation Day Parade & Celebration – Charleston's Emancipation Day Parade, recognized as the nation's longest continuously running parade to commemorate the day, begins at Burke High School and ends at Gadsdenboro Park in front of the museum. IAAM will participate in the parade with a float and as part of the community gathering and reflections ceremony at the end of the parade. IAAM President and CEO Dr. Tonya Matthews will be one of the speakers. There will be entertainment, food trucks, and more. No registration required. 

Jan. 1, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Onward From Freedom's Eve – The International African American Museum, as part of the TD Bank Program Series, will celebrate the anniversary of the day, January 1, 1863, when enslaved people throughout the slave-holding states emerged from bondage with the Emancipation Proclamation. The new year, or “Freedom's Eve,” as it is historically known to many, holds tremendous significance within the Gullah Geechee and broader African American community. Freedom’s Eve provides the opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon stories and sentiments of freedom. Featured will be a conversation with Sunn m'Cheaux, artist, activist, social commentator, and Gullah/Geechee Charleston, S.C., "binya" (native), who will explore how to continue to carry this legacy of freedom forward. Registration required.

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