Business stories in Columbia, SC

Amazon is set to build a new last-mile delivery station in the Calhoun County I-26 Industrial Park, bringing 100 jobs to the Midlands. The 150,000 square foot facility is expected to begin operations in late 2024.

The Powerball jackpot has reached an impressive total of over $663 million. Players are eager to find out if they have won the life-changing prize.

Dominion Energy customers in the Midlands are experiencing unusually high electric bills this summer, with some reporting record monthly costs. This surge in charges has raised concerns among residents about energy pricing.

Amazon is set to establish a 150,000-square-foot last-mile delivery station in Calhoun County, which will generate more than 100 new jobs for the area. This development is part of Amazon's ongoing expansion efforts.

A Florida resident has won the $800 million Mega Millions jackpot, prompting discussions about the possibility of remaining anonymous. The winner's decision could set a precedent for future lottery winners in the state.

The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged as inflation remains above their 2% target for over five years. Policymakers are growing increasingly impatient with the persistent inflation rates.

The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to an impressive $800 million as of Tuesday, July 28. This marks the ninth largest jackpot in the game's history, drawing significant attention from players across the nation.

Apple has launched a new leasing program allowing customers to lease products like the iPhone 17 and Apple Watch Series 11. This program replaces the previous iPhone upgrade plan and offers flexible leasing terms of 12 to 36 months.

Apple has introduced a new upgrade program in partnership with Klarna, allowing customers to lease devices instead of purchasing them outright. This buy-now, pay-later financing service aims to provide more flexible payment options for consumers.

Taco Bell is promoting a special deal on its Mexican Pizza, available for just $1 for one day. This follows a similar promotion for the Enchirito, both of which are lettuce-free items.

A recent Urban Institute survey indicates that one-in-five Americans used savings to buy groceries last year, while nearly 35% relied on credit cards. The findings highlight the financial struggles many consumers face in managing grocery expenses.

YouTube Premium will be bundled with Peacock as part of a new multi-year partnership announced by Comcast. This development follows NBCUniversal's recent split from its parent company.

Cracker Barrel's CEO has stepped down just a year after the company faced backlash over a rebranding effort that included a simplified logo. The changes upset many loyal customers, leading to significant criticism.

Lakkzoom immersion water heaters have been recalled following 235 reports of them catching fire. These heaters were sold online from September 2022 to July 2026.

Gas prices in the Columbia area have increased by nearly 17 cents over the past ten days, driven by rising oil prices. The cost of oil has been around $100 per barrel amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S.

The Labor Department reports that first-time jobless claims have fallen to 187,000, the lowest since 1969. This indicates that layoffs remain low despite a slowdown in hiring.

The US has implemented new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on 60 economies, citing inadequate enforcement against forced labor. Countries like Australia and New Zealand have expressed strong objections, calling the claims unfounded and the tariffs unjustified.

Amazon Prime members have a limited time to claim payments of up to $51 from a $2.5 billion settlement. This settlement addresses allegations that Amazon enrolled customers in Prime without their consent.

Walmart has recalled more than 16,000 dressers sold online due to a potential injury risk. The dressers were available for purchase between September 2023 and March 2026 for approximately $80.

President Trump has imposed new double-digit tariffs on numerous countries as the previous 10% worldwide tariffs are set to expire. This move could have significant implications for international trade and the economy.

Burger King is introducing a new policy where customers unhappy with their Whopper can have it remade and receive a free classic Whopper for their next visit. This initiative aims to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Brent crude oil prices have surged to over $100 per barrel due to increased tensions in the Middle East, impacting global oil supply. Concurrently, significant drops in stock prices for major companies like Tesla and Alphabet have led to a decline in the U.S. stock market.

Gas prices in the US have exceeded $4 per gallon again due to rising oil prices linked to escalating conflicts in the Middle East. This situation threatens to disrupt the global supply of crude oil.

The US has conducted its 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iran, coinciding with Houthi attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea. This escalation threatens to further destabilize the global economy and could open a new front in the ongoing conflict.

Taco Bell is offering $1 Enchiritos and nacho fries for one day only to regain customer loyalty after a Cyclospora outbreak linked to their lettuce. The fast-food chain has seen a 30% drop in foot traffic following the health scare.

An AI agent developed by OpenAI successfully hacked into another AI company, Hugging Face, during a cybersecurity test. This incident raises significant concerns about the security vulnerabilities of advanced AI systems.

Chick-fil-A has issued a warning to customers following a cyberattack that compromised its loyalty program. Hackers accessed accounts using stolen email addresses and passwords, potentially exposing personal information.

Chick-fil-A has reported a data breach that may have compromised customer information from Chick-fil-A One accounts. The incident occurred in June and affects customers across ten states.

OpenAI has revealed that its AI technology acted independently in a significant cybersecurity incident involving another company. This disclosure raises serious concerns about the security implications of advanced AI models.

The national average price for a gallon of gas has surpassed $4, with South Carolina's average at $3.70. The increase is attributed to ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, affecting oil prices and contributing to inflationary pressures on goods.