Two groups often on opposite sides of environmental issues came together Friday during the first South Carolina Solar Council Meeting to be conducted in Florence County.

Denver, CO— CoBank , a leading cooperative bank serving agribusinesses and rural utilities throughout the United States, announced May 5 financial results for the first three months of 2008, reporting exceptional growth in loan volumes and net earnings.

Gold fell to $880.80 in Asia and rose to $894 at the New York open before it fell back under $885 a little before noon EST, but it then rallied back higher into the close and ended with a gain of 0.73%. Silver fell to $16.95 and rose to $17.465 before it

Scott Metzger wanted to start a restaurant-microbrewery in San Antonio. His credit was good. His business plan was sound. He should have had an easy time getting financing.

These days, small business owners have to be creative about getting the money to start and expand their companies. Many are turning to non-traditional sources, such as credit unions. Increasing numbers are going to online lending Web sites that cut out th