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COLUMBIA — Hoping to make a name for Columbia and South Carolina as a hub of quantum computing, an area nonprofit is asking state lawmakers for $15 million to create a program for workforce development, research and education built around the emerging technology.

The proposal by the South Carolina Quantum Association mirrors similar efforts in others cities, such as Chicago and Chattanooga, Tenn. It seeks to spark interest from high school students to pursue careers using the technology by introducing it as part of their curriculum, creating a curriculum around the technology for college and graduate students who will be able to work with it as it continues to mature, and encouraging research into new commercial uses for the technology.

“This is the first step in creating a ‘technology hub’ that will attract entrepreneurs, academic researchers and business innovators to the region,” the group writes in its proposal. “As a result of investing in this type of technology now, South Carolina will make its mark in the economy of the future.”

The nonprofit is backed by the same entrepreneurial leaders — Joe Queenan, who has been the founder of multiple startup ventures, and Mapquest co-founder Chris Heivly — who are behind Columbia’s GrowCo organization, a conglomeration of technology startups trying to increase the number of high tech companies that call the Capital City home. The effort is being championed by state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Columbia, and has the backing of Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, who sees its potential as an economic development engine for the area and has voiced his support in meetings with the governor’s office.

“This is an investment in our intellectual capital,” Harpootlian said, allowing kids with an interest in the technology to learn it early, have continued access to it through college, and stay in South Carolina to continue working with the technology after graduation.

Rickenmann looks to cities like Durham, N.C., and the development it has been able to draw because of its technology sector. He believes a quantum computing center could serve as a similar base for Columbia to attract new tech companies and the type of investment the city “couldn’t even fathom in the past,” while also helping to revitalize the Five Points neighborhood where the S.C. Quantum Association will be housed.

“This is a great opportunity as a community for us to separate ourselves,” he said.

The Governor’s Office expressed concerns that the earmark will be duplicative of another quantum project at the University of South Carolina.

S.C. Quantum Association plans to partner with Benedict College on its curriculum development efforts, as well as Clemson University for a graduate school curriculum. Queenan said the group thought working with Benedict, a historically Black college, was important as a way to increase diversity in the tech field. The group also suggests USC as a partner for at least one commercial research project, coming up with a solution for a business need using the technology.

“We know Boeing and BMW and others are already investing in this area,” Queenan said. “Could we do a couple of projects that collaborate with some of the universities, with their students solving real world problems?”

Leaders at Benedict have already met with U.S. Department of Energy officials, and the partners expect to be able to leverage the $15 million in state funding to attract further federal research dollars, Queenan said.

The group points to $1.25 billion in federal funds distributed to date as part of the National Quantum Initiative Act and more to come over the next five years.

The Chicago Quantum Exchange has been able to bring in $300 million in federal funding, the University of California Berkley and the Berkley National Lab have netted upwards of $100 million, and Duke University is set to open the Duke Quantum Center.

“South Carolina could take the lead on a regional effort and establish a group like this for the Southeast,” the S.C. Quantum Association proposal reads.

“While government and industries around the world are investing billions of dollars in companies applying this transformational technology, no region in the United States has emerged as a destination. ... Much like Silicon Valley became a destination for internet and web technology companies, we believe South Carolina can and should be a destination for quantum research and commercialization.”

Quantum computers have the power to make calculations far faster than even today’s supercomputers. When it comes to loading shipping containers at the port, for example, quantum computers can take in many more variables to make sure it’s done as efficiently as possible.

“It’s really complex problem for conventional computers because the computation has to consider so many different targets and constraints, including revenue and delivery and industry standards and weight restrictions,” Queenan said. “That’s where the divergence is between a classical computer and a quantum computer.”

And South Carolina needs people capable of applying the technology as it develops.

“We’ll have, at the very least, a lot more people who understand this space and how industry can benefit from it,” Queenan said.

The effort is different from a proposal that Gov. Henry McMaster vetoed last legislative session, when the S.C. Quantum Association had sought a $25 million earmark in the budget to purchase its own quantum computer, which it would have rented time on to entrepreneurs and researchers as a way to generate revenue.

For this effort, the association would use a portion of the earmarked funding to rent time on someone else’s computer. The money would also pay for consultants and professional service providers who would help with curriculum development, specialized training for those involved, and development of online courses that could be accessed statewide, as well as special events and a pair of demonstration projects with private industry partners.

Queenan said leasing, rather than owning, gives dedicated access to the best, most current type of computer. The association and the hub allowing remote access to the quantum computer would be housed inside the Boyd Foundation Community Innovation Center in FivePoints, where GrowCo is headquartered.

In addition to students and researchers, area entrepreneurs would be able to use the quantum computing access point, as well as attend special quantum computing events put on by the center and receive tailored business support offered by GrowCo.

“This is a technology that’s going to dominate the world in another few years,” Harpootlian said. “So we’ve got to get ahead of the curve. ... We, Columbia, South Carolina, could be a center for this kind of innovation.”

Harpootlian said he takes responsibility for the failure of prior quantum computing efforts, adding that he did not do as much as he should have to advocate for them with lawmakers and the Governor’s Office. By having the support of Columbia’s mayor and doing more to disseminate information about the proposal to state lawmakers this time around, Harpootlian and the S.C. Quantum Association are more hopeful of success.

“It stands a good chance of getting approval this year,” said state Senate Finance Committee Chairman Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney.

Peeler said Harpootlian has “done his homework.”

“He’s convinced me it’s a good thing for Columbia and the state,” Peeler said.

Seanna Adcox contributed to this report.

Price was convicted of murdering college student Carl Smalls at a Columbia nightclub in 2002.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has vacated an order releasing a convicted murderer early from prison, siding with the state that he man never should have been set free.

The justices issued a 3-2 ruling Wednesday calling for Jeroid Price to be returned to prison to serve the rest of his sentence. The court did not elaborate on their decision but said they would issue a lengthier written opinion on their ruling in the near future. Justices John Kittredge, John Few, and Garrison Hill were in the majority, with Chief Justice John Beatty and George James Jr. in dissent.

The ruling came just hours after justices heard oral arguments from the state attorney general's office and Price's defense attorney regarding his release.

"We’re pleased the Court heard our request with such urgency and agreed that Jeroid Price’s release was unlawful and that he should be remanded back to the Department of Corrections immediately," South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said.

Price was convicted of murdering college student Carl Smalls at a Columbia nightclub in 2002. He was sentenced to a term of 35 years to life with no chance of parole until he served 30 years of the sentence. However, Price was released from prison in mid-March 2023 and the records in the case were sealed.

After the decision came to light earlier this month, however, Wilson and others raised objections as to how the early release could have happened. The State Supreme Court last week unsealed the order freeing Price.

Price's attorney said he'd asked the judge and the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's office for a reduced sentence for their client. Court documents provided by his attorneys documented incidents where Price either aided the Department of Corrections or potentially saved lives and where he alerted people of a prisoner escape.

There is a provision of state law that allows for early release for prisoners who provide substantial aid to prosecutors or law enforcement. However, Wilson said that doesn't trump state law which mandates a mandatory sentence of 30 years for anyone who gets a sentence of 30 years or more.

On Tuesday, Smalls' family joined state prosecutors, a host of lawmakers and law enforcement officials in a call for judicial reform in the wake of the case.

“Our main goal is we don’t want another family to go through this again," said the victim's father, Carl Smalls.

The Supreme Court's decision came down just hours after they heard oral arguments in this case with Price's attorney claiming his release from prison was legal.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court voted 3-2 in favor of voiding the early release of convicted killer Jeroid Price. Price had been released last month, 16 years before finishing his 35 year sentence.

The state Supreme Court's decision came down just hours after they heard oral arguments in this case with Price's attorney claiming his release from prison was legal while the Attorney General argued it wasn't.

“The State failed. The State failed in this process," said Attorney General Alan Wilson.

That was the message from Attorney General Alan Wilson in today's hearing in the case of State vs. Jeroid Price.

“When we walk away as we don’t think there should be an ability in the law for individuals like a judge, a defense attorney, and a solicitor or an attorney general, myself included, should never be able to consent or enter into a secret agreement that violates the law and denies people their constitutional rights," said Wilson.

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Price was serving time after being convicted in the 2002 killing of Carl Smalls at a Columbia bar. Representative Todd Rutherford, who serves as Price's attorney petitioned for his release. He said under statute 17-25-65, inmates can seek a reduced sentence if they provide substantial assistance.

He said that's what his client did and the law is designed to make inmates feel safe coming forward with information. Rutherford said sending Price back to prison would defeat the purpose of this statute by putting him in danger.

“Somebody who cooperated with the state of South Carolina can be placed simply in solitary confinement for the next 15 years is absolutely ridiculous and an affront to what the General Assembly tried to create when they created this statute," said Rep. Todd Rutherford.

Wilson said the judge was wrong to release Price early because South Carolina law mandates inmates serve at least 30 years for this type of conviction.

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News 19 spoke to the family of Carl Smalls after the court's decision.

“We are so happy. There’s no words to express. We’re still traveling back to Charleston and we just got the call. We we were really down and out because we just didn’t know how the judges were gonna go," said the victim's mother Lillie Smalls, "I think it's done now I think he'll go on and accept his sentence and we won't have to worry about him anymore."

News 19 has reached out to Rutherford for reaction to the decision. He told reporters after Wednesday's hearing that Price is not hiding from anyone. As for Price, the Supreme Court said it's now up to law enforcement to bring him back to prison to finish his sentence.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina’s Supreme Court ordered a convicted murderer back to prison after he was released 16 years early.

The 3-2 decision from the South Carolina Supreme Court came down Wednesday, roughly two hours after a hearing about the release.

Justices John Kittredge, John Few, and D. Garrison Hill signed the order. Chief Justice Donald Beatty and Justice George James dissented.

Jeroid Price was sentenced to 35 years in prison for killing college football player Carl Smalls, Jr. in 2002.

In December 2022, Former Richland County Judge Casey Manning signed and sealed an order cutting Price’s sentence to 19 years.

Price was released in March 2023.

The order came under intense criticism this month over its secrecy, questions about court procedure, and arguments the law wasn’t followed.

Wilson had requested the S.C. Supreme Court void the order and issue a bench warrant for Price’s arrest.

The Supreme Court’s order doesn’t provide any legal arguments but vacates Manning’s order and instructs law enforcement to “immediately take custody” of Price.

WIS has reached out to defense attorney Todd Rutherford about Price’s whereabouts and any potential surrender.

Attorney General Alan Wilson released a statement after the ruling:

“We’re pleased the Court heard our request with such urgency and agreed that Jeroid Price’s release was unlawful and that he should be remanded back to the Department of Corrections immediately. Secret orders and backroom deals have no place in our justice system. I hope this sends a clear message to the people of South Carolina: our procedures matter and no one is above the law.”

WIS also reached out to a spokesperson with the South Carolina Department of Corrections. As of this writing, she said the SCDC did not have custody of Price but would announce when that changed.

Wilson represented the state in the hearing.

Justices grilled him on whether the court had the authority to rule on the case, citing 5th Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson’s role in getting the order approved.

Chief Justice Donald Beatty said the solicitor is a representative of the Attorney General’s office.

“[Gipson] consented to this matter, how is it you have the authority or the right to come in and complain about it?” Beatty asked.

Wilson argued the jurisdictional requirements for moving on the order were not met and asked the Supreme Court to intervene.

Gipson’s office has not returned a request for comment.

Rutherford argued the order was lawful and needed to help keep Price safe, as he provided information that led to the recapture of an escaped inmate.

“I think that honestly that, sending it back and sending Mr. Price back to the Department of Corrections is like ordering a death sentence on him,” he said.

WIS reached out to the Smalls family for comment.

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Columbia has been hot for a while now and not just because of the weather.

Often referred to as ‘famously hot’ because of the high summer temperatures every year, Columbia has also been hot lately in terms of attracting new residents. For instance, Columbia recently ranked second among all U.S. cities that gained the most new 18 to 24 year olds or Generation Z. The 2021 Census data, compiled in a report by Today’s Homeowner, shows that Columbia had a net gain of 11,640 Gen Z residents.

And more broadly, according to more recent, preliminary Census data, South Carolina was the third fastest-growing state in 2022.

However, more people drives demand for housing and Columbia has not been immune to this fact. Sales prices for homes in the Columbia area have skyrocketed in recent years.

The greater Columbia area has a median sales price of $250,000 for 2023 as of February — up 2% from $245,000 for the same period last year, South Carolina Realtors statistics show.

But fear not, for there are places in the Columbia area that offer more affordable housing.

Redfin, a residential real estate brokerage website, has used its latest March housing market data to compile a list of the most affordable places in the Columbia area to buy a home. Affordability is based on whether the city or unincorporated area’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Columbia and under a 25-minute drive from downtown Columbia.

Here are the five most affordable places in the Columbia area.

The unincorporated community of Red Bank is about a 25-minute drive from Columbia proper. It has a median home price of $239,750 and $155 average sale price per square foot.

“With 10,900 people living in this affordable town, Red Bank is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Columbia without paying the premium for a home in the city,” Redfin states.

West Columbia’s listed median home price is $215,000 has an average sale price of $153 per square foot. With a population around 17,400, the city boats plenty of things to do and places to eat. Enjoy the riverfront views at West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater and then stop by the Riverbanks Botanical Garden. Also, downtown Columbia is only an 8-minute drive away.

Drive 15 minutes outside of Columbia to find Seven Oaks. The area has a population of just under 15,000 and several places to check out nearby, such as Seven Oaks Park and the Environmental Center at Saluda Shoals Park. Seven Oaks has a listed median home price of $191,000 and an average sales price of $130 per square foot.

Woodfield is a suburb of Columbia with a population of around 9,200 people. It’s median home price is $160,000 and it has an average sale price of $136 per square foot. And at just a 20 minute drive from Columbia, you can easily visit places like Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Or, if boating and fishing are your hobbies, just take another quick drive to Lake Murray.

With a median home price of $158,950 and an average sale price of $101 per square foot, Denstville tops Redfin’s list of most affordable places around Columbia. The Columbia suburb with more than 14,000 people is a 15-minute drive from the city. It’s also a short drive from Sesquicentennial State Park, where there’s plenty of hiking and camping options available.