Thursday headlines: What pandemic? Tourism in Charleston bigger than ever in 2021

Charleston’s tourism industry broke a new record for economic impact in 2021: exceeding $10 billion for the first time, according to a new analysis from the College of Charleston. Its impact was nearly $1 billion higher than the previous record-setting performance in 2019. More: The Post and Courier

In other headlines:

S.C. among GOP-led states challenging plane mask requirements. Twenty-one states with Republican attorneys general — including South Carolina — filed a lawsuit Tuesday to halt the federal government’s requirement that people wear masks on planes, trains, ferries and other public transportation. More: AP News

S.C. House advances bill curbing spiked desserts. Alcohol-infused desserts sales could be curbed from convenience stores and mobile vendors under a House bill. More: The Post and Courier

It’s cool to be hot in this Lowcountry steel plant. Apparently, folks like a bit of irony with their manufacturing. In South Carolina Manufacturing Alliance’s inaugural competition to find the coolest S.C.-made item, Nucor Steel, made in Huger, beat out three other finalists — F-16 jets made by Lockheed Martin in Greenville, side-by-side refrigerators and freezers from Electrolux and Frigidaire in Anderson and Honda’s Talon 1000 X-4 heavy-duty ATV made in Timmonsville. More: AP News, Columbia Business Report, The Post and Courier

Declaration of Independence signer’s Charleston house up for sale. The Governor’s House, built in 1760, was formerly home to Founding Father Edward Rutledge, the youngest signer of the declaration. The double house, built on two lots, is listed at just under $7.5 million. More: Charleston Regional Business Journal

• To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.

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