Midlands Technical College has opened a new $4.5 million Welding Technology Center on Kentucky Avenue at the Airport Campus.

“Welding programs are among our most in-demand,” said Dr. Ron Rhames, MTC president. “In an average month, employers face about 3-dozen welding vacancies in

Lexington, Fairfield and Richland Counties.” The new building has 64 welding bays. The Airport campus now has 19 additional bays, multipurpose classrooms, a fabrication area and exterior teaching stations.

Vaccination can be required

Food and Drug Administration approval of the Pfizer vaccine has removed a legal hurdle for companies to mandate immunizations as a condition of employment.

The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines had been only approved for emergency use, said David Dubberly, a labor lawyer at Nexsen Pruet.

Dubberly expects more businesses to make mandate policies as Moderna is on its way to approval. Some companies such as Nephron Pharmaceuticals in Lexington County require employees to be vaccinated.

Three Rivers expanding

Three Rivers Behavioral Health at 2900 Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia is expanding with 8,000 sq.-ft. and 7 new beds.

For more than 30 years it has treated adolescents and adults with mental health and addiction. Anticipated completion of the expansion is summer 2022, said CEO Shannon Marcus, CEO of Three Rivers.

Who’s new

• Christian Spradley is new managing partner of West Columbia law firm Moore Bradley Myers. He has practiced law for more than 20 years in criminal defense, family law and personal injury. He has been with MBM since 2002 and

He has been with MBM since 2002 and manages the Saluda office, said MBM founding senior partner Jake Moore.

• Beth Bauknight of Irmo has applied to the SC College and University Trustee Screening Commission for a vacancy as a Francis Marion University trustee.

Jobs update

Lexington County unemployment fell from 3.8% in August 2020 to 3.3% last month. South Carolina unemployment fell to 4.2% in August from 4.3% in July.

The Department of Employment and Workforce estimated more than 2.3 million residents are working, an increase of 3,394 over July and an increase of 30,279 from August 2020. Unemployment estimates decreased to 101,527, down 1,927 from July and 29,022 from August 2020.

National unemployment dropped to 5.2% in August from 5.4% in July.

State government’s gained 5,900 jobs and leisure and hospitality 2,500. Education and health services lost 5,300 jobs. The state added 68,500 nonfarm jobs from August 2020 to August 2021.

Fall flower festival

The annual Fall Plant and Flower Festival at the State Farmers Market at 3483 Charleston Hwy., West Columbia will be Oct. 8-10 Friday and Saturday 8 am to 6 pm and 10 am to 4 pm Sunday. Admission and parking are free.

Admission and parking are free. Wagons will be available on a first come, first serve basis – or bring your own.

Details at scstatefarmersmarket.com.

Scholarship semi-finalists

The National Merit Scholarship Program has named 2 Lexington District 1 students, Emilie He and Arnold Jiang, both seniors at River Bluff High School, as semi-finalists for college scholarship awards. Semi-finalists represent the top 1% of high school seniors across the United States.

Business news wanted

The Chronicle’s online and print editions feature small business, corporate, industry, non-profit, professional practice and other financial news each week on this page.

You may email your news to our editor at JerryBellune@yahoo.com