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Charleston Business

The Business Narrative: Another 40 Years

Sep 16, 2022 03:44PM ● By David Dykes

Looking to 2062: Westinghouse Continues Fuel Production in South Carolina

Westinghouse Electric Company said it received confirmation from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that its Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) operating license is renewed for an additional 40 years. 

The license extends Westinghouse’s operations at the Richland County facility until 2062.

The Westinghouse facility in Hopkins, S.C., manufactures fuel rods used in commercial reactors to generate electricity.

Ten percent of the nation’s electricity comes from the nuclear fuel manufactured by more than 850 employees at the site.

In recent years, Westinghouse said it has made substantial investments in the CFFF to improve operations, infrastructure, maintenance, environmental, and safety standards throughout the facility.

Westinghouse said it remains committed to continue investing in facility enhancements as well as in its ongoing engagement with the local community.

The Charleston Post and Courier, citing an Associated Press account, reported environmental groups had fought the new license or at least asked federal officials to limit it to 20 years because of more than 40 environmental and safety problems at the facility since 1980.

Westinghouse supplied the world’s first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company’s technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants.


Norman USA Establishing Operations in Beaufort County 

 Norman USA, a global leader in window furnishings, announced plans to establish operations in Beaufort County. 

The company’s $16 million investment will create 67 jobs over the next five years, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

For more than 40 years, Norman USA has crafted quality window furnishings for various industries around the world. 

The company is a vertically integrated original manufacturer that designs, manufactures and assembles many of the parts that go into its products. Norman USA offers an extensive portfolio of innovative, stylish shutters, blinds and shades, Commerce officials said.

Located at 74 Schein Loop in Beaufort, Norman USA’s new facility will expand the company’s cross-docking operations to the East Coast.

Operations are expected to be online by October. Those interested in joining Norman USA should email the company.  

YWCA Greater Charleston Receives More Than $42,000 in Grant Funds to Scale Its Y Girls Code Program

YWCA Greater Charleston, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women and girls, is a first-time recipient of a $42,115 grant from Power:Ed, a philanthropy of SC Student Loan.

Officials of the two organizations said the funds will be used to support growth of YWCA Greater Charleston’s Y Girls Code program, which financially empowers young women and girls—especially those of color—by preparing them for high-paying careers in technology.

The officials say the goal is to create a pipeline of future engineers and technologically savvy women in South Carolina to increase the pool of eligible women needed to realize equity in the tech industry.

They say breaking down barriers to STEM-related professions is vital for the economic advancement of women, especially women of color.

Y Girls Code utilizes a proven curriculum from Girls Who Code, enabling participants to learn key coding concepts and develop projects that solve real-life problems in their own communities.

“Y Girls Code has grown from one to four Charleston-area schools and three libraries in under six years,” said Power:Ed Director Claire Gibbons.

“With these additional resources supporting full-time staff, Power:Ed is excited to see what YWCA Greater Charleston will do, and the potentially transformative impact they will have on the lives and career opportunities of these young women.”

In the first quarter of FY2022-23, Power:Ed has awarded six grants to South Carolina education and career readiness nonprofits, including YWCA Greater Charleston, totaling nearly $219,000.

Grants are administered quarterly and the deadline for the next round of grant funding is Oct. 1, 2022.


Publix Super Markets Charities Donates $5.65M to Alleviate Hunger

Publix Super Markets Charities said it will donate $5.65 million to 328 Feeding America member food banks and other nonprofit organizations working to alleviate hunger throughout the Southeast. 

The 35 Feeding America member food banks that will receive funding include Harvest Hope Food Bank and Lowcountry Food Bank in South Carolina.

“For many of our neighbors, a daily meal isn’t a choice of what they will eat, but if they will eat. It may be a choice between eating a meal or paying an electric bill. We want to help alleviate that burden by putting nourishing food on the tables of our neighbors in need,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones.

Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 230,000 associates, operates 1,305 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. 


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