Joe Wilson

10/24/2026

My prayers go to Aiken County Sheriff’s Deputy Preston Metts who was severely wounded while on duty this week. Roxanne and I are thinking about his family, Aiken County Sheriff Marty Sawyer, his team, and all the men and women of law enforcement as they put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. May God Bless this brave officer.

10/23/2026

Continuing with our tradition, the final stop of our 2026 Annual Bus Tour was Shealy’s Bar-B-Que in Batesburg-Leesville where my staff and I enjoyed a delicious meal. Having completed 19 great and informative stops over four days, we are already beginning to plan for next year. We appreciate Shealy’s for the warm welcome to conclude our trip.

10/23/2026

Led by Ty Davenport, Executive Director of the Orangeburg County Development Commission, we heard an update about the tremendous business growth in the county including 14 industrial parks or sites. As part of our visit, we toured the Mission Critical Interior Solutions (MCIS) site. MCIS is a data center infrastructure services platform specializing in design and installation of containment, raised access flooring, security cages and cabinets, and structural ceiling systems. In 2025, MCIS committed over $7 million into this new Springfield facility dedicated to manufacturing conveyance systems that support data center buildouts, creating nearly 50 new jobs with plans for a bold expansion.

10/23/2026

Feeding Barnwell for nearly five years, we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at the Country Cafe and Restaurant. Grateful to be joined by the City of Barnwell Mayor Ron Still, Mayor Pro Tem Peggy Kinlaw, and others, we were briefed on plans for the city’s plans for growth.

10/22/2026

Led by Mayor Briton Williams, my staff and I toured North Augusta, on trolley and by foot, visiting local shops and businesses. We witnessed its vitality and learned more about its investment for the future. With a population of over 25,000, North Augusta is located along the northern bank of the Savannah River and offers many opportunities to those who ‘work, live, and play.’

10/22/2026

Joined by Congressman Rick Allen, DOE Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management Tim Walsh, Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) President Tom Burns, other SRMC and Department of Energy leaders, and community representatives, I was grateful to attend the ribbon cutting for SRMC’s new facility in Jackson. This facility will serve as a hub for 3D printing and prototyping attachments for drones used in SRMC’s radioactive liquid waste tanks. These drones and robotics attachments will support sampling of liquid waste of varying consistencies and inspections inside the tanks. SRMC is committed to safely reducing risks to the community and the environment.

10/22/2026

It was wonderful to visit Aiken Technical College and tour with Chad Crumbaker, VP of Academic Affairs and Workforce Innovation, members of the faculty, and students. We had the opportunity to see their radiation technology lab, newly updated welding lab and grinding area, and more. Founded in 1972, this public, two-year college in Graniteville serves over 3,000 students through a variety of academic programs, workforce training, and continuing education to meet the evolving needs of students and employers across the state.

10/22/2026

I appreciated the opportunity to meet with BAE Systems Aiken Site Manager, Jamile Donovan, and Director of Legislative Affairs, Chrissi Lee, while touring their impressive facility and production floor. While the Aiken location is BAE System’s primary manufacturing site, they have multiple facilities across the state. This international defense, aerospace, and security company delivers a full-range of products and services for air, land, space, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, informational technology solutions, and customer support services.

10/22/2026

Grateful to start our third day of the 2026 Annual Bus Tour by paddling in the beautiful Aiken State Park. Joined by Joy Raintree, Director of the Park Service, Kristi Floyd, Park Manager, and others, we enjoyed seeing Cabin Lake, the Edisto River, and learning about their new trail system. This 1,000-acre+ state park features a 1.7 mile canoe and kayak trail, fishing lakes, and a spring-fed swimming area.

10/21/2026

Grateful to learn of the nearly $1 billion investment announced by Westinghouse Electric Company to expand its Richland County operations and boost its uranium fuel production, creating jobs.

Approximately $1 billion investment to boost LEU+ fuel production