South Carolina's February Spotlight: Economic Growth, Legislative Shifts, and Infrastructure Advances

South Carolina navigates a mix of legislative progress, economic growth, and post-winter recovery as February unfolds. Top headlines include protests against ICE operations in Rock Hill, a rare cannonball discovery, and Super Bowl buzz, according to South Carolina Public Radio's afternoon update on February 9[1]. In government and politics, the Senate unanimously passed S. 52 to strengthen DUI laws after weeks of debate, sending it to the House, while the House approved limits on abortion drugs but returned a hemp ban bill to committee, as reported by South Carolina Public Radio[6]. Bill H.4755 advanced, shifting Judicial Merit Selection Commission appointments to the Governor's Office effective February 2027, with fiscal notes from the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office estimating added costs[2]. Magistrate reforms in H.3530 also moved forward in the House Judiciary Committee[10].

Business and economy shine brightly, with Greenville County securing $725 million in 2025 investments and 1,293 jobs through projects like Isuzu North America's $280 million plant and expansions by DartPoints and Vermeer Corporation, per the Greenville Area Development Corporation[3]. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham announced nearly $150 million in federal funding for infrastructure, including $25 million for Greenville-Spartanburg Airport runway work and education grants for Clemson and Coastal Carolina University[4][8]. Upstate commercial real estate advances, such as Greenville's Woven mixed-use development and Spartanburg retail projects[7].

Community news highlights education with the South Carolina Construction Academy charter school set to open in Myrtle Beach in 2026, offering hands-on training in trades like electrical and plumbing alongside Morning Star Academy[12]. Public safety saw one roadway fatality over the February 6-8 weekend, per the South Carolina Department of Public Safety[13]. Recent winter storms prompted Governor McMaster's state of emergency and approved federal aid, with roads still impacted as of February 1, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division[9].

No major new weather events dominate current reports.

Looking Ahead: Watch for Senate debates on charter school accountability in S. 454, vape regulations in S. 287, and a House Ways and Means hearing on road funding February 11[6][10]. SCbio's economic impact report on life sciences looms large[11].

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