Unemployment rate falls to 2.3% in December

South Carolina continued its record streak of low unemployment, with the number of people working in the state climbing to more than 2.3 million in December 2019. Lexington County is tied for the lowest unemployment rate in S.C.

State successfully transitions to new eWIC cards

Since the beginning of the year, more than 43,000 electronic benefit cards have been distributed to S.C. participants, and 25,000 participants have downloaded the eWIC mobile app. 

Small Business Administration to host grant workshops

Women’s Business Center grants are available to private nonprofit organizations such as universities, foundations, economic development institutions, or chambers of commerce. 

State Earned Income Tax Credit increases in 2020

By tax year 2023, the state Earned Income Tax Credit will increase to 125% for eligible taxpayers. People who qualify for the federal credit are also eligible for the tax credit on their state income tax returns. 

Richland Library art series joining First Thursday

The library will feature a local artist creating original work during downtown Columbia’s monthly First Thursday activities. Program attendees can enter a drawing to win a piece created by the featured artist. 

Greenville Tech bachelor’s program gets director

Greenville Technical College has hired the person who will lead the first bachelor's degree program offered at a two-year college in the S.C. Technical College System. Philip Caruso is the new academic program director.