| Inaugural student pitch competition now accepting entries The inaugural SC Innovates 2020, a statewide student pitch competition, began in conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week Monday. More than $10,000 in cash prizes is up for grabs in the collaboration between the S.C. Department of Commerce, the South Carolina Research Authority and state colleges and universities. S.C. unemployment falls to 5.1% in September Led by a gain of 8,100 jobs in the government sector, the state’s unemployment rate dropped from a revised rate of 6.4% in August. The leisure and hospitality industry saw a decrease of 2,900 jobs. | 
The S.C. Council on Competitiveness will unveil the results of a statewide economic impact study during the S.C. Manufacturing Conference & Expo at 12 p.m., Oct. 29. This year, the Expo is going online, including keynotes from economic development officials, industry leaders and others devoted to ensuring the viability of manufacturing in the Palmetto State.
Drawing from personal experience assisting patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, a USC School of Medicine student and Navy ensign pursues the development of a four-year Spanish language program to meet a growing need in the Upstate. One out of every three patients he's assisted at local hospitals spoke Spanish, he said, and phoned-in translators can only do so much.
The BP gas station and convenience store at 4500 Highway 81 North in Anderson recently sold in a $2,070,000 transaction facilitated by Greyson Furnas of Colliers International. Furnas said the sale is indicative of a steady market for convenience store property. For more 
