State Unveils New Jobs Program

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) –South Carolina has launched a marketing campaign of job centers that serve the state’s unemployed. Gov. Nikki Haley announced Monday a rebranding of the state’s more than 50 centers, from SC One Stop to SC Works. She says the focus is on connecting the jobless to open positions. The outgoing director of the state unemployment agency says a local consulting company was hired to come up with the new brand. John Finan says TV commercials begin statewide Monday. The federally funded campaign cost $468,000 total, including commercials. Haley also announced a change in the board that oversees the federally funded job training programs offered at the centers. She says half of the board’s 31 members are from the business community, rather than 30 percent. Its first meeting is in September. www.midlands.scworks.org