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South Carolina In Top 20 for Business  

Lowcountry Oyster Co. to Expand Production with Colleton County Facility

Lowcountry Oyster Company is expanding its operations with the construction of a $6.4 million seafood processing and cross-dock facility in Green Pond, South Carolina.

The Colleton County facility is projected to create 30 jobs, according to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.

With a state-of-the-art chilled water wet storage system and climate-controlled processing and holding areas, including over 10,000 square feet of refrigerated space, the facility will be the first of its kind in the state, officials said.

In addition to increasing Lowcountry Oyster Co.’s production from 5,000 oysters to 20,000 oysters an hour, the new facility can also serve other seafood producers and buyers, the officials said. 

"This expansion will allow us to reach more oyster lovers than ever before in the Southeast and beyond,” said Trey McMillan, Lowcountry Oyster Co. founder and owner.

McMillan added, “Giving back to the community has always been important to us as a company, so we are excited about bringing economic opportunity to this area." 

The project is supported in part by a grant from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Growing Agribusiness Fund, which was created in 2023 to increase the capacity of companies in South Carolina engaged in the processing, packaging, manufacturing, distribution, storage, and transportation of agricultural products.

“Lowcountry Oyster Co. is a true South Carolina agribusiness success story,” said South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “I’m thrilled that their continuing success will benefit rural South Carolina and our seafood industry as a whole.”

The project was also supported by Colleton County and the SouthernCarolina Alliance.

City of Columbia and Columbia Clean Energy Companies Rejuvenate Hydrogen Fueling Site

The city of Columbia has partnered with Columbia-based companies aich2 and ImaGEN to rejuvenate a hydrogen refueling station, marking, officials said, a significant milestone in the region’s clean energy journey.

The rejuvenated fueling site will serve as a demonstration hub and catalyst for future hydrogen projects, supporting the city plans to launch a hydrogen bus system.

The combined growth of these projects will enhance the local economy and establish the Midlands as a leader in hydrogen technology, the officials said.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our community,” said Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. “It allows us to transition our bus system to clean energy and position the Midlands as a hydrogen energy leader through this revolutionary technology.”

In 2023, the city leased the former fueling station to ImaGEN, envisioning a safer and more efficient hydrogen fueling system.

Officials said ImaGEN’s new, innovative Tru-H2 hydrogen generation system overcomes challenges that once faced the older fueling station and offers a viable path of power for the station.

“The system works by storing hydrogen as a solid and generating it directly at the point of use,” said Ron Seftick, ImaGEN CEO. “This approach ensures safe and efficient transportation in any quantity—something no other hydrogen energy solution can accomplish.”

To accelerate the commercialization of this groundbreaking technology, ImaGEN partnered with clean energy company aich2.

Founded with the mission to combine the technology and talent needed to accelerate the hydrogen revolution, aich2 is dedicated to transforming large parts of the economy through hydrogen energy.

The fueling station is just one piece of a broader effort by the team, which also includes plans to render existing backup power generators obsolete with a hydrogen-based competitor.

“This technology enables hydrogen energy to scale across our economy at an unprecedented pace compared to traditional methods,” said Eric Brown, aich2 CEO and co-founder.

Brown added, “Our solution could be deployed to fueling stations across North America well before existing hydrogen hub plans come to fruition.”

AU’s Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute at South Carolina and Joseph F. Rice School of Law at USC to Host Luncheon on Succession Planning

The Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina at Anderson University (FEISC), in collaboration with the Family and Small Business Program at the Joseph F. Rice School of Law at the University of South Carolina, is hosting an exclusive panel discussion and luncheon that will provide resources for family-owned businesses that are preparing for a new generation of ownership.

“Taking it to the Next Level: Succession Planning in the Family Enterprise” takes place Oct. 2, 2024, on the campus of the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Brad Bechtold, executive director of the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina at Anderson University.

The panel will include insights from Bill Kaneft, board chairman of Colonial Packaging, and Beau Kaneft, president and CEO of Colonial Packaging.

Together, they will share their journey and what they’ve learned navigating the complex transition from first- to second-generation leadership of family-owned businesses.

“Succession planning is a critical issue for family businesses looking to ensure their legacy and long-term success. Many families are stuck and do not have an actual plan for succession for a multitude of reasons,” Bechtold said.

Bechtold added, “We are thrilled to have Bill and Beau Kaneft from Colonial Packaging join us to share their journey and provide actionable insights for other family enterprises facing similar challenges.”

“Family-owned businesses are most vulnerable when transferring from generation to generation. Who will take over the business when you are no longer running it? An attorney can help you identify and tailor a succession plan to suit your needs. We’re excited to hear about Colonial Packaging’s successful journey,” said Benjamin Means, professor of law and the John T. Campbell Chair in Business and Professional Ethics at the Joseph F. Rice University of South Carolina School of Law. 

He is also the director of the Family and Small Business Program.

Attendees will gain knowledge on best practices for succession planning, learn from real-world examples and network with other family business leaders.

Officials said the event promises to be an educational experience for anyone involved in or interested in the future of family enterprises.

Event Details:

Date: October 2, 2024

Location: Joesph F. Rice School of Law, USC, Columbia, SC

Time: Luncheon begins at 12:00 p.m. and concludes at 2:00 p.m.

The Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina at Anderson University is dedicated to supporting family businesses through education, research, and outreach.

The Institute provides resources and programs designed to address the unique challenges faced by family enterprises.

The Family and Small Business Program at the Joseph F. Rice School of Law at the University of South Carolina offers specialized legal education and support for family and small businesses.

The program focuses on legal issues, governance, and strategic planning to help businesses thrive. https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/law/centers/family_small_business/

For more information and to register for the luncheon, go to www.familyenterpriseinstitutesc.org or contact Brad Bechtold at [email protected]

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