Abbeville County Development Board
Steve Bowles, Development, Services Director
Last year alone, the Abbeville County Development Board reported more than 300 new jobs and $46 million in capital investments -more than the previous 10 years combined. This year, Development Services Director Steve Bowles expects to announce close to another $15 million and more than 200 additional jobs. With work force development a priority, Bowles and staff member Jane Hannah have formed partnerships with local colleges and universities to create a dropout prevention and work force development program that partners businesses with high school students. In terms of continuing to attract new industry, Bowles plans to develop a spec building and a business incubator, and continue to work on infrastructure and rehabilitating brownfield sites. When it comes to existing industries, the county offers a vigorous expansion plan. Bowles recently won a South Carolina competitive grant to create a professional video highlighting Abbeville County. This video will be available as part of a standard packet for tourism and economic development prospects.       

Alliance Pickens
A. Ray Farley II, Executive Director
As executive director of Alliance Pickens for the last six years, Ray Farley has focused on developing infrastructure, assisting existing industries expand current operations and recruiting new industry. His efforts have resulted in the announcement of approximately 11 companies that have created about 2,000 jobs and invested approximately $100 million in the community. The key to this success has been using existing industries to help recruit new employers, Farley said. And on occasions that Pickens County does not have the product (building or site) a client needs, Farley suggests locations in surrounding counties. He said he realizes that the “rising tide raises all ships” and that a new plant in Oconee County, for example, will create job opportunities for Pickens County residents as well. Farley continues to focus on providing the products global companies seek: modern manufacturing buildings; sites with full utilities; a readily-available, trained and trainable work force; infrastructure, transportation, education and business support.

Anderson County Office of Economic Development
Heather Jones, Assistant County Administrator - Economic Development
In the last two years, Heather Jones has helped bring 11 new companies to Anderson County, which translates into 1,630 new jobs and $154.5 million in investments. The groundwork for future success is being set as the economic development office has begun several initiatives to increase its competitiveness including: completing site certifications for multiple strategic sites; developing a new marketing plan that includes a new brand image, interactive Web site and attractive marketing collateral; and maximizing the advantage Anderson County has in Interstate  85 frontage. The office has also identified potential new parks along the I-85 corridor and purchased additional acreage at the Anderson Airport Business Park, which has surfaced as an advantage for Anderson by making air travel and transportation easy and convenient. Anderson County continues to invest in what Jones calls the core of any economic development program, the exiting industries. In addition, Jones’ office is pursuing sustainable agriculture and equestrian initiatives.

Bamberg County
Rose N. Dobson-Elliott, Bamberg County Administrator
In a small rural county, you have to be flexible and be prepared to do a multiple number of duties. Rose Dobson-Elliott is very familiar with this concept, as she serves as the county’s administrator and head of economic development. In the last three years, she has personally been involved with bringing three companies to Bamberg County, which injected $4.7 million into the local economy and created about 65 jobs. She works hand-in-hand with Southern Carolina Alliance on its regional economic development efforts. She is focused on improving what attracts companies to Bamberg County, as well as handling leads to make sure each prospect is provided with all requested and other potentially useful information. As an administrator, she is personally involved in the issues that affect economic development and addresses any problems that may develop while working with a prospect so that the process of their research and location goes as smoothly as possible.

Barnwell County Economic Development Commission
Marshall “Marty” L. Martin Jr. Executive Director
Since Marty Martin became executive director of the Barnwell County Economic Development Commission seven years ago, the organization has successfully recruited over a half dozen new industries with an estimated quarter billion in capital investment and 1,000 jobs. During the same time period, existing industry expansion has had an estimated capital investment impact of tens of millions of dollars and several hundred jobs. Martin and the EDC work closely with Southern Carolina Alliance to recruit domestic and international businesses. Martin also maintains close ties with existing industries to assist with expansions. The EDC, Barnwell County and Denmark Technical College formed a partnership this April and together will open the Technical Training Center in the Barnwell County Airport Industrial Park. The goal of this facility, as well as the EDC’s work with the Lower Savannah Education Business Alliance, is to better prepare local students to take advantage of local job opportunities, as well as supply a qualified work force to businesses and industries considering Barnwell County as a home.

Berkeley County Economic Development
Eugene V. “Gene” Butler III, Director of Economic Development
As Berkeley County’s new director of economic development, Gene Butler brings with him 23 years of experience bringing new companies to the state and helping existing companies expand. Past recruitment efforts with Colleton and Dillon counties resulted in the location of more than 25 businesses/industries and Butler said the promise for economic development in Berkeley County is bright. He believes supporting existing industries is key and wants to provide the atmosphere and infrastructure needed to foster growth. Butler plans to lead the county to create a comprehensive strategic plan to identify target areas in the county on which to focus efforts, as well as address staffing needs and the structure of the economic development department.

Calhoun County Development Commission
Pat Black Jr., Chairman
While Calhoun County does not have an economic development director, it does have a development commission, of which Pat Black has been the chairman since 1982. The day-to-day development efforts are handled by the Central Carolina Economic Development Alliance and a secretary who serves the commission and the Calhoun County Chamber. Black said the commission is most proud of its efforts to support large and small businesses in the region. The commission continuously works to educate citizens and government officials on the importance and necessity of economic development and its contributions to the well-being of the citizens. Black said the commission works closely and communicates clearly with existing and new businesses to evaluate needs and make every effort to meet them. One of the many challenges Black has enjoyed tackling is dispelling the perception that small counties cannot meet the needs of industrial and business clients.

Central SC Alliance
G. Michael Briggs, President and CEO
Since joining the Central SC Alliance in 1997, Michael Briggs and staff have worked with 300 companies that have announced $6.5 billion in capital investment and created over 36,500 new jobs. The Alliance is a regional public-private economic development partnership that represents 12 counties in the center of the state: Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Fairfield, Kershaw, Calhoun, Sumter, Orangeburg, Lee, Clarendon, Saluda and McCormick. As president and CEO, Briggs has helped develop innovative marketing approaches focused three main areas: corporate site consultants, existing industry and new companies looking for a location. Briggs believes what sets the Alliance apart is that it offers clients a full range of services including market research, economic impact analysis, as well as event coordination and customer service after a company has decided to locate in the area. It works very closely with the city and county developers and the hundreds of economic development allies that have a common goal of advancing the region.

Charleston Regional Development Alliance
David T. Ginn, President and CEO
Since David Ginn became the president and CEO of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance nine years ago, the organization has facilitated 108 competitive location and expansion projects for the three-county Charleston region (Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties). These 68 new businesses and 40 expansion projects have created 9,027 direct new jobs and pumped $2.892 billion into the region. Since late 2005, entities from throughout the three-county region have joined forces to support and grow competitive industry clusters to drive innovation and wage growth. The clusters include: advanced security, aerospace/aviation, automotive, biosciences and creative industries. As the region’s economic development marketing arm, the Alliance promotes the clusters to site selection consultants, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, world-class talent and top-tier media. The CRDA also works with other entities throughout the state and region to help advance these target clusters. Ginn said the Charleston region is fortunate to have an array of globally-competitive assets, including its position as a hub for international trade, a unique and attractive quality of place, a growing base of skilled workers, several research/innovation assets, and a significant military and defense sector.

Cherokee County Development Board
Jim Cook, Executive Director
In the two years Jim Cook has been executive director of the Cherokee County Development Board, four companies have settled in the region, investing $50 million and creating a total of 350 jobs. Cook works closely with the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Upstate Alliance and the South Carolina Economic Development Corp. to market Cherokee County worldwide. The board also works with Spartanburg County, specifically on the Multi-County Upstate Corporate Park, the only park in the state that is physically in two counties. Cherokee County enjoys many advantages with its location on the Interstate 85 corridor and Cook said one of its most attractive features is that the county’s “rural” status is complemented by the two major metropolitan areas nearby.

Chester County
Karlisa Parker, Economic Development Director
Chester County may be rural in character and charm but it is a very proactive, progressive and business-friendly county. In fact, in the last four years, the county has made at least 13 announcements for new businesses and expansions to the tune of $450 million and 1,225 new jobs. Economic Development Director Karlisa Parker said the county is part of an economic development team that includes the Chester County Council, the Chester Development Association, the S.C. Department of Commerce, the Charlotte Regional Partnership and more. The team works together to land new and expand existing businesses to benefit the county, state and region. The development office recently enhanced its technology so it can respond to prospect inquiries faster. It is also implementing a new strategic plan, target industry study and worldwide marketing plan. Parker has obtained grants to help fund the GIS data conversion for all economic development properties and purchase new mapping equipment. In addition, the development office is moving to a new location on York Technical College’s new campus in Chester and is working with YTC to develop an incubator program.

Chesterfield County Economic Development Board
Cherry G. McCoy, Executive Director
In 14 ½ years, Cherry McCoy has made a lot of progress for Chesterfield County, as more than 5,700 new jobs have been created and more than $760 million have been invested in the region. This success has only made McCoy strive for more. Last year, the Economic Development Board hired its first consultant to conduct a strategic plan, target industry study and provide market implementation assistance. This effort has led to a more focused targeting program and resulted in a higher level of funding from the county. Recent activities include: the development of specialized targeting brochures, updates to the Web site and the addition of an existing industry coordinator to the staff to enhance support services for local businesses. One of the county’s most attractive economic development attributes is that its southeast corner is located on the recharge area of the Middendorf Aquifer, one of the largest underground aquifers in the southeast, affording almost unlimited access to great quantities of pure water.

Clarendon County Development Board
John Truluck, Executive Director
Executive Director John Truluck makes sure the Clarendon County Development Board nurtures existing industries, as history has proven most economic growth comes from them. The results during the last seven years include the announcement of six new companies and five expansions, creating a combined 530 new jobs and $275 million in investment. Truluck and his team continually work to improve their product and develop the best sites and buildings possible. The team focuses on finding new ways and taking advantage of technology to market the county worldwide. It also focuses on ways to improve and showcase its work force. Availability of a trained work force is not only the biggest challenge Clarendon County, and many other counties face, but it’s also one of the most important site location factors and its importance will continue to grow.

Colleton County Economic Alliance Inc. 
Peter H. Arnoti, Executive Director
Overcoming economic development history and education are challenges the leaders in Colleton County are working hard to achieve. Peter Arnoti, executive director of the county’s Economic Alliance, is one of them. Since he took over the position four years ago, he and others have made it a priority to address issues head on, find resolutions to their challenges and commit to funding what is necessary to attract new investments. The Alliance has set long-term strategic goals that include: addressing critical issues that have impeded economic growth; establishing Level IV certified Foreign Trade Zone sites with interstate and airport access; expanding technical training skill sets and providing an international business enrichment support program for existing industry; and expanding international investments. A recent assessment of the last four years revealed that four new companies were announced, representing 188 jobs and an investment of just over $11.5 million -- ending a 10-year dry spell. Two companies representing 420 jobs were also saved. Looking forward, a 260-acre Class A distribution park has been readied on Interstate 95, the county has secured $2.6 million for a work force training center and improvements have been made to the Lowcountry Regional Airport in Walterboro.

Darlington County Economic Development Partnership
Robert D. Long, Executive Director
Robert Long just joined the Darlington County Economic Development Partnership as its executive director in September. Previously, he was the assistant director for the Aiken/Edgefield Economic Development Partnership where he helped attract more than $1.5 billion in new capital investment and created over 4,100 jobs since 2000. In his new position, Long is focused on developing a strong existing industry program and developing a new industrial park at Highway 340 and Interstate 20. Long is also working on creating innovative ways for existing industry to work with the public education system to promote the manufacturing cluster under the Pathways to Success initiative.

Dorchester County Economic Development
Jon Baggett, Director of Economic Development
Jon Baggett has only been with Dorchester County Economic Development since April, but the department has already announced the location of one company, translating into a $10 million investment and 15 new jobs. A high priority for Baggett, and the rest of the economic development team, is developing new industrial product. The current industrial parks are nearly full and new product is needed so the county can remain competitive. In early 2009, the county will unveil the first certified industrial site in the Charleston market. Looking toward the future, Dorchester County is extending infrastructure to open an Interstate 95 corridor in the county. This will allow them to advantage of growth that will spin off from the Jafza logistics hub in Orangeburg County. The development department has also created an existing industry program and is constructing a Quick Jobs center in St. George in partnership with Trident Technical College.

Economic Development Partnership
Fred. E. Humes, Director
When asked to name one hindrance the Economic Development Partnership has when trying to attract new business to the region, Director Fred Humes said there aren’t any hindrances – just opportunities. It is this approach that has helped Humes, who has been the director for 18 years, lead Aiken and Edgefield counties down the road of success with the announcement of some $5 billion in investment and 11,000 jobs created through the years. Humes believes economic development should strike a balance between bringing in companies that offer high-paying wages with companies that can employ workers at all levels of skill and capability. In order to build jobs for the future, the partnership has initiatives that are centered on technologies that are available or can be attracted to the community. Emphasis has been placed on hydrogen technology, which has resulted in the establishment of the $10 million Center for Hydrogen Research.

Fairfield County Economic Development
Tiffany Harrison, Economic Development Director
Tiffany Harrison continues to be impressed by the dedication and commitment of all of the economic development professionals and allies in this state. Though in some cases, local developers and regions compete for the same projects, Fairfield County’s economic development director said overall, South Carolina approaches economic development as a team that leads to a win-win attitude across the state. Since joining Fairfield County 2 ½ years ago, Harrison has helped announce a company that said it would create 400 jobs and invest $1.68 million in the community. She said the 50,000-square-foot spec building the county built earlier this year in the Walter B. Brown II Industrial Park has increased interest in the county. Developing additional industrial sites and parks will continue to be a focus for Fairfield County, as will work force development. The county has partnered with Midlands Technical College, the Midlands Workforce Development Board and Central Midlands Council of Governments to aggressively pursue funding to construct a Quick Jobs Training Center. The county recently received a $1 million grant from the CDBG program to help make this project happen.

Florence County Economic Development Partnership
Joe King, Executive Director
The goal of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership is to be the most prepared and responsive economic development organization in the United States. Executive Director Joe King said one of the unique things about the Florence region is that each organization or entity that is actively engaged in economic development understands the need to work together. This team approach has proved successful with the announcement of nine companies in the last four years that have invested a total of $300 million in the area and created more than 2,000 jobs. There are many advantages offered to a business considering a move to Florence County: Its location along Interstate 95; its collaborative economic development and marketing efforts with the Northeastern Strategic Alliance; an active retention/expansion program; and the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology, a facility designed solely to provide work force training in advanced manufacturing environments.

Georgetown County Economic Development
Wayne E. Gregory Jr., Executive Director
Anchored by the Port of Georgetown and the tourism industry, Georgetown County already has a strong hold on economic development. But Wayne Gregory, executive director of the economic development commission, is preparing for the future by focusing on diversification. Gregory recognizes that small business and tourism are high growth sectors for the local economy and is committed to nurturing these businesses, all the while working hard to attract manufacturing jobs and develop industrial parks. The county is developing the Georgetown County Business Center, a 450-acre Class A industrial park, as well as developing a proactive marketing program to draw attention to the region. In the three years Gregory has led the commission, the county has landed eight companies that invested $314.2 million and created 312 jobs. Over the course of Gregory’s career, he has helped South Carolina announce 52 companies that have invested $669.6 million in the state and created 3,253 jobs.

Greenville Area Development Corp.
Jerry Howard, President and CEO
The Greenville Area Development Corporation is a public-private economic development partnership dedicated to the growth and prosperity of Greenville County. Its mission is to assist new and existing companies in growing or relocating in Greenville County and, ultimately, to improve the quality of life of every Greenville County citizen. As president and CEO of the GADC since it was created in 2001, Jerry Howard has helped announce 134 projects with a total capital investment of $1.797 billion and the creation of 8,273 new jobs. The GADC assists organizations by providing economic development resources, site location assistance, custom research, and serving as a liaison with local and state government and the Greenville business community. The GADC has developed a strategic approach to work force development and is developing recruitment and retention initiatives around business “communities.”

Greenwood Partnership Alliance
Jay West, CEO
The Greenwood Partnership Alliance has just completed a new strategic plan and expanded its staff to seven people. And, in the last year, it has announced $50 million in capital investments by companies who collectively created 528 new jobs. Under the leadership of Jay West, who joined the Alliance last summer, the group has begun to implement a new Web site, developed an airport industrial park, developed an endowed site certification program and created several work force development programs with the public schools and vocation center. The Alliance is currently focusing on edifying site consultants about the products they have recently developed. Thus far, they have hosted three events for site consultants and attended three site consultant conferences.

Hampton County Economic Development Commission
William Small Jr., Executive Director
Once listed among the most economically-distressed counties in South Carolina, Hampton County was recently being evaluated by five known projects, any one of which would have a major impact on the region, said William Small, executive director of the county’s Economic Development Commission. Simultaneously, leaders were working on an existing industry expansion that could aggregate a $45 million to $50 million investment and create an additional 85 to 100 jobs. These are examples of the county’s careful transition from predominantly rural to “rural /developed,” Small said. With redefined development strategies in place, Hampton County recently signed agreements to construct a spec building in the Lowcountry Regional Industrial Park, which is already the national distribution headquarters for LeCreuset of America and the site of the Hampton County Foreign Trade Zone. The strategies also include emphasizing the county’s geographical strengths, its Interstate 95 and major highway connections, as well as its CSX rail service.

Kershaw County Economic Development Office
Nelson Lindsay, Director
Kershaw County continues to diversify the types of companies it courts, from office-related companies to traditional manufacturers. To achieve this goal, Economic Development Director Nelson Lindsay said the county has created a new office park, Wateree Executive Park on Interstate 20, which is solely dedicated to office sector industries including call centers and back office operations. The Economic Development Office works with new companies looking to locate in their community and assists existing industry on expanding their presence. For new companies, the county works to ensure it has the necessary product in place for them to locate. For existing industry, the county maintains a pro-business climate of low operating costs, including property taxes, and helping companies with work force development issues. In the last 11 years, the Kershaw County Economic Development Office has announced 34 new and expanding companies, $740 million in capital investment and the creation of 3,000 new jobs.

Lancaster County Economic Development Corp.
Keith Tunnell, President
As president of the Lancaster County Economic Development Corp., Keith Tunnell has helped Lancaster County announce more than 30 companies with investments in excess of $1.5 billion and the creation of more than 3,000 jobs. Currently, Tunnell and his team are focused on creating new marketing materials, including a new Web site and promotional videos; and in increasing private membership in the LCEDC. They are also implementing a call center training program and actively recruiting new business and industry per the LCEDC’s new strategic plan. Lancaster County has evolved into three main sections and targeted marketing plans are being created for each. The northern section of the county has a metro area attached to Charlotte where the focus is in recruiting headquarters, back office, call centers and other white-collar jobs. Central Lancaster County is attractive to mostly manufacturing and distribution companies. Southern Lancaster County is largely rural in nature and a distinct market of its own where Tunnell hopes to recruit small manufacturing companies, agribusiness and food processing companies.

Laurens County Development Corp.
Marvin Moss, Executive Director
Laurens County’s roster of industrial sites and spec buildings continues to grow under the leadership of Marvin Moss, executive director of Laurens County Development Corp. Recently, the group developed two new industrial parks, certified four sites/parks and built two new spec buildings. In addition, the county is the process of creating a strategic plan to identify areas to improve. It is proactive efforts like these that have helped Moss in the last 10 years announce: 26 new companies investing $382.6 million and creating 2,821 jobs; and 62 expansion projects totaling $464.7 million and creating 2,176 jobs. The combined investment is nearly $850 million. Moss works closely with the Upstate South Carolina Alliance on marketing efforts, which include marketing trips, trade shows and consultant visits and an aggressive national marketing campaign.

Lee County Economic Development Alliance
Jeff A. Burgess, Executive Director
In the last 5 ½ years, Lee County has attracted seven new companies that have invested $40 million in the community and created 400 new jobs. Led by Jeff Burgess, executive director of the Lee County Economic Development Alliance, current efforts to attract new business and industry to the county include the certification of three industrial sites through the S.C. Department of Commerce’s Certified Sites Program and the construction of the county’s second spec building. Burgess has formed partnerships with Clarendon and Sumter counties in the development of the I-95 Mega Site at the intersection of Highway 27 and I-95. In addition, a partnership with the Central Carolina Technical College helped the county land its first technical college site. Realizing it cannot rely solely on the traditional approach to economic development, Lee County has taken part in an effort to reinvigorate downtown Bishopville, the county seat, in order to improve the appearance of the downtown to prospects and tourists and to attract small business into the downtown area. 

Lexington County Economic Development Office
Charlton L. “Chuck” Whipple, Senior Project Manager
Lexington County sits in the center of the state and is one of the fastest growing areas in South Carolina. As an example of this growth, Chuck Whipple, senior project manager for the Lexington County Economic Development Office, announced five new companies and two expansions in the last two years. Combined, the two translate into a commitment in excess of $180 million and 325 new jobs. And while Whipple admits the county could use more industrial spec buildings in the 100,000-square-foot range, he and his staff have much to highlight for prospects including: an available skilled work force; affordable cost of living; an excellent education system both primary, secondary and post secondary; and lastly, the integrated multi-faceted transportation network that exist throughout the county. Additionally, Whipple touts the fact that Lexington County’s temperate climate allows for year-round recreation, more than 500 acres of shoreline on beautiful Lake Murray and the array of cultural activities that are available in Lexington County and the region.

Lowcountry Economic Network
Kim Statler, Executive Director
The Lowcountry is in a position to take advantage of numerous economic development opportunities, according to Kim Statler, executive director of the Lowcountry Economic Network. She said people will continue to want to live and work on the coast and, more than ever, businesses that can operate anywhere are considering the Lowcountry. What Statler and groups like the Lowcountry Economic Network have to focus on doing is letting prospects know the region long-known for its tourism can also support knowledge-based businesses, aeronautics, green building, logistics and distribution, and more. The Network represents the greater Beaufort-Hilton Head region and has taken on several initiatives over the past two years to foster economic development including working with the Beaufort County Council to create a streamlined permitting process for the Beaufort County Commerce Park. The Network is also creating incentive packages for knowledge-based and green businesses. In the last two years it has succeeded in recruiting one company that resulted in 150 new jobs and a $10 million investment.

Marion County Economic Development
Rodney Berry, Executive Director
Rodney Berry was hired in November to lead the economic development efforts in Marion County and has since been getting up to speed. Berry intends to challenge everyone to buy into the responsibility of growing Marion County. He plans to market the “heart” of Marion County, which he said helps to separate the county from competitors. Berry believes Marion County is full of intangibles industries depend on and he plans to let everyone know about them. Berry takes over for Frank Jones, who held the position for 15 years. Earlier this year, an announcement was made by a company that planned to invest $17 million in Marion County and create 40 new jobs.

Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership
Floyd S. “Butch” Mills Jr., Executive Director
In the 3 ½ years Butch Mills has been with the Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership, he has helped recruit four companies, which has created about 700 jobs and invested $96 million in the region. Mills said he works closely with the North Eastern Strategic Alliance on marketing efforts. He also focuses on coordinating efforts between existing industries, suppliers and customers so they can all take advantage of local services and save money on transportation costs.

McCormick County
George Woodsby, Economic Development Director
In the three years George Woodsby has been the economic development director for McCormick County, the county has announced one company expansion and one new company, resulting in the creation of 217 new jobs and a total new investment of $6.5 million. Woodsby wears many hats, as McCormick County is a small, rural county with limited resources. Currently, he is: working with the planning commission to develop a land use plan; working on a GIS mapping project; and trying to get infrastructure to the economic development sites and the county’s 402 miles of shoreline on the 70,000-acre Lake Thurmond. The challenges that face McCormick County include its lack of interstate highways and mega sites, but the county is focused working with the Chamber of Commerce to develop new small businesses to meet the needs of growing retirement communities in the areas of recreation, tourism and other services.

Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corp.
Hugh Owens, President and CEO
In the three years Hugh Owens has served as president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corp., nine companies have announced a commitment to the area, investing $46 million and creating 420 jobs. The MBREDC is currently developing two new industrial parks and building a spec building. It is in process of updating its Web site and implementing a targeted marketing plan and rebranding initiative. The MBREDC is a non-profit public/private organization, representing a cross-section of government and businesses in the Horry County and greater Myrtle Beach area. It advocates pro-business issues and develops strategies to diversify and enhance the Horry County economy by attracting new businesses to the area.

Newberry County
Teresa C. Powers, Economic Development Director
Since joining Newberry County four years ago, Economic Development Director Teresa Powers has helped the county land six new companies totaling $244.5 million in investment and 450 jobs. She has also assisted with eight expansion projects totaling $150.8 million in investment and 1,138 jobs. The Newberry Opera House has been the catalyst for much of Newberry’s economic success over the last 10 years, Powers said. The community is continuing to build on that momentum. The new Firehouse Conference Center recently opened to attract conferences and meetings to downtown Newberry. Newberry also offers outstanding lodging, dining, shopping and entertainment all within walking distance. Focused on product development, Newberry County is preparing to break ground on the new Mid-Carolina Commerce Park, a 463-acre Class A industrial park located on Interstate 26.

North Eastern Strategic Alliance
Jeff McKay, Executive Director
The North Eastern Strategic Alliance was created to generate economic development opportunities within a nine-county region that includes Chesterfield, Marlboro, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Williamsburg, Georgetown and Horry counties. As NESA’s executive director, Jeff McKay said the group is currently laying the groundwork for future investments by pursing regional infrastructure initiatives including Interstate 73, an international trade and convention center and the regional international airport. McKay’s strategy is to market the region to companies and consultants around the world that other economic development organizations are not actively pursuing. This will allow NESA’s constituency to capitalize on untapped markets. One of the biggest challenges McKay faces is convincing companies that rural communities can compete, in terms of work force and infrastructure, at the same level as the top-tier economic development hubs in the nation. Efforts are paying off, as the region is seeing an increasing number of quality companies interested in doing business here.

Oconee County Economic Development Commission
Jim Alexander, Director
With the help of executive director Jim Alexander, the Oconee County Economic Development Commission is poised to take advantage of opportunities to grow well-paying jobs in the “Golden Corner” of South Carolina. During his tenure, the county has developed a strong plan for attracting and maintaining business and industry, and the county has already seen success to the tune of $384 million in company investments and the creation of more than 1,900 jobs. Part of that plan includes working with existing plant managers to help the community understand the importance of manufacturing to its citizens. They recently produced a video and presented a showcase featuring 20 industrial companies to more than 1,600 middle and high school students, teachers and parents. The commission is in the process of planning for and constructing a spec building, as well as starting its second industrial park. The Economic Development Commission also helped create the Oconee Alliance, a public-private organization that works to improve quality of life, develops tourism and attracts small business. They recently completed a Strategic Plan that outlines 37 tasks and sub-tasks that increase the county’s competitiveness.

Orangeburg County Development Commission
C. Gregory “Gregg” Robinson, Executive Director
Gregg Robinson joined the Orangeburg County Development Commission three years ago after working for several years as the global project manager for the S.C. Department of Commerce. With the Department of Commerce, Robinson was responsible for successfully recruiting and publicly announcing the location of 45 companies totaling $475 million in capital investment and creating more than 4,500 jobs. Since coming to Orangeburg, Robinson has announced more than $325 million in new capital investment and over 722 new jobs for the county. In addition, the Orangeburg County/City Industrial Park exceeded 1 million square feet and created 1,000 jobs in less than six years. This growth has allowed for the construction of Phase II, which includes more than $5 million of new utility infrastructure and road improvements, over 225 acres. The commission oversees five industrial parks in the county.

Richland County Council Economic Development Committee
Paul Livingston, Chairman
A lifelong resident of Richland County, Councilman Paul Livingston currently serves as the chairman of the Richland County Council Economic Development Committee. As the chairman, Livingston plays an integral role in attracting major industry to Richland County and the Midlands. He is a graduate of the South Carolina Economic Developer’s School and serves on several major regional economic development boards, most notably Ingenuity SC, City Center Partnership, as well as the Central South Carolina Economic Development Alliance.

Saluda County
Tom Brooks, Planning Director
Saluda County is currently working with existing industry and attempting to help them expand ongoing operations. The county is also aggressively researching and pursuing thriving industry and offering strong incentives to locate operations in the county. 

South Carolina Economic Development Association
John H. Lummus, SCEDA President- 2008-2009
The South Carolina Economic Developers Association has more than 650 members from across South Carolina. John Lummus is the current president. He is also the vice president for economic development and governmental affairs at Tri-County Technical College. He also served as the Anderson County economic development director from 2002-2006. The SCEDA does not directly recruit companies to the state. Instead, Lummus said, the organization assists in supporting economic development efforts across the state. Its mission is threefold: 1. To provide ongoing educational opportunities that enhance the professional and personal development of economic development professionals who are SCEDA members; 2. To be involved in the process of developing economic development policies; and 3. Through effective internal and external communication, enhance the reputation and credibility of SCEDA and position the organization as an economic development authority in South Carolina.

South Carolina Power Team
Ralph U. Thomas, President
The South Carolina Power Team represents the electric cooperatives and Santee Cooper in their industry recruitment efforts for rural South Carolina. Ralph Thomas has served as its president for the last 20 years. During the years the Power Team has been in business, more than 500 companies have either moved to or expanded in its service area, including $8.1 billion in initial capital investment and 43,000 new jobs with an annual payroll of $1.3 billion. To foster continued economic development, the team supports regional and statewide efforts by aggressively promoting and marketing the state. The team also administers a grant program that often helps close the deal on valid projects for site, building or infrastructure improvements. The team has awarded $7 million in such grants through the years. In addition, in 2006, the team launched three new initiatives to underwrite the costs of: formal training for county and regional economic development offices; the preparation of professionally-delivered strategic plans, target industry studies and marketing implementation plans; and the certification of “shovel ready” industrial sites.

SouthernCarolina Alliance
Danny Black, President and CEO
SouthernCarolina Alliance is a regional economic development organization representing Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell and Hampton counties. The SCA was formed as a nonprofit economic development organization to aggressively market this region for industrial locations. Led by Danny Black, SCA’s team consists of site location professionals prepared to quickly assess site location needs and formulate sites and present existing buildings that will meet the clients’ business needs. Working with the S.C. Department of Commerce, the Alliance prepares incentive packages that are among the most competitive in the Southeast. In recent years, the SCA has helped the region announce 23 companies that have invested $615 million and created more than 2,300 jobs. The SCA’s mission is to improve the quality of life through job creation, a goal that has met success, as the region’s per capita job creation and capital investment has outpaced the state average for the last five years. The SCA is also leading a regional work force development partnership through the nationally-recognized WorkKeys certification program, creating a pool of certified workers for existing and incoming industries.

Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce Economic Futures Group
R. Carter Smith, Executive Vice President
The numbers speak volumes. In the last 16 years, Spartanburg County has attracted 60 new companies and 79 existing companies have expanded. All-told, the capital investment has been some $4.5 billion and nearly 28,000 jobs have been created. As executive vice president of the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Futures Group, Carter Smith has been involved with these announcements, as well as the development of the Path to Prosperity, an 11-point plan to enhance and broaden the county’s continued economic development activity. Some of the unique approaches the group is taking to attract development to the area include: establishing a community Web portal, creating an entrepreneurial support system and recruiting talented people to the community to enhance existing work force expertise.

Sumter County Development Board
Jay Schwedler, President and CEO
Jay Schwedler’s career in economic development spans 12 years, the last two of which have been spent with Sumter County. During this time, he has assisted the county in announcing three new companies and working with nearly 25 existing companies to expand. These efforts have resulted in $197 million in new capital investment and the creation of more than 1,000 new jobs. To foster future economic growth, Schwedler is focused on developing parks, sites and spec buildings, as well as work force education and development. He has created aggressive and unique targeted marketing efforts aimed at the aviation/aerospace and advanced materials/metals clusters, and he has formed partnerships with the leaders of Lee and Clarendon counties to develop a mega site on Interstate 95.

Union County Development Board
Stanley Vanderford, Executive Director
In the 8 1/2 years Stanley Vanderford has served as executive director of the Union County Development Board, the county has announced 13 new and expanding businesses, $450 million in capital investments and 1,500 new jobs. Vanderford actively markets the area through the Upstate Alliance. The board is currently focusing efforts on building and certifying industrial parks and building a training center to attract companies in the automotive, plastics, logistics and metal fabrication industries.

Upstate South Carolina Alliance
Hal Johnson, President and CEO
The Upstate South Carolina Alliance is a regional marketing organization created in 2000. Hal Johnson has served as its president and CEO since 2005. In the last five years, the Alliance assisted counties in the region to generate $1.532 billion in capital investments from 54 new and existing companies, creating more than 4,600 new jobs. The group’s mission is to market and brand the Upstate to make it attractive for business. The Alliance accomplishes this by leveraging the business-driven attitude of the region, and all of its assets, to meet the needs of global business. The Alliance has just completed a regional strategic plan and launched a new marketing campaign that crosses all boundaries of economic development, from business recruitment, to talent recruitment, to tourism and more. The campaign is called “I was Blown Away!” and was launched in May 2008 to take on stereo types and or perceptions that people may have about The Upstate and hit them head on with testimonials from people and companies that faced the same issues.

York County Economic Development Board
J. Mark Farris, Director of Economic Development
As head of the York County Economic Development Board for 21 years, Mark Farris has helped recruit 186 companies, resulting in the investment of $2.5 billion and the creation of 21,000 jobs in the county. To encourage future growth, Farris and the board currently offer speculative building incentive programs, cost/benefit analysis for incentives and an aggressive existing industry program. They concentrate resources on providing added value to a company’s investment project. And while York County’s proximity to Charlotte can be listed as a pro and a con when recruiting new companies, Farris said it’s important to think and act regionally in order to capitalize on opportunities to make York County a better place to live and work.