Clemson's wind turbine project could lure jobs

The Energy Department picked a site on the former Navy base in North Charleston as a test-bed for the world's largest offshore wind turbines, a move that lawmakers said could lure more business and jobs to the area. A consortium led by Clemson University's Restoration Institute beat proposals by several other states to land a $45 million federal grant to jump-start the project.

The facility will be operated as a nonprofit and provide cutting-edge testing to interested wind power manufacturers.

The grant is part of a $98 million proposal organized by Clemson and other state agencies. The project was described as the largest single research effort in the university's history.

The project will create at least 113 construction jobs and 21 full-time jobs.

Checking out

Food Lion might not gobble up Bi-Lo after all. Competing restructuring plans filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court by Upstate-based Bi-Lo and a committee of creditors leave Food Lion out of any reorganization scenarios.

In October, Food Lion's owner signed a letter of intent to acquire most of Bi-Lo's 214 supermarkets. Bi-Lo sought bankruptcy protection in March.

The proposed merger would have eliminated a major rival in the grocery business in the Charleston region, where the Bi-Lo chain operates 15 stores and Food Lion has 18.

Food Lion said that it remains interested in acquiring some of Bi-Lo's assets.

Incoming

A Montreal apparel company purchased a vacant warehouse in Berkeley County for $20 million in a deal that could provide a jolt of business for the Port of Charleston. Gildan Activewear Inc. emerged as the successful and only bidder for the former Mikasa distribution center on Clements Ferry Road.

The seller, American Commercial Inc., sought bankruptcy protection in September. To pay creditors, ACI arranged the court-supervised sale. Gildan said it still was finalizing plans for the building and would not elaborate about hiring, port usage or other details.

Tie ups

The Celebrity Mercury tied up near the foot of Market Street Nov. 23 with 1,900 passengers on board, giving downtown businesses and residents a partial glimpse of what's to come next year.

Cruise ships will be an increasingly common sight at the State Ports Authority terminal starting in February, when the Mercury launches the first of seven sailings that will begin and end in Charleston in 2010. On top of that, the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy will originate cruises from the same pier at least once weekly as of May.