By SCBIZ Staff

CLEMSON – Clemson’s International Center for Automotive Research will open a new gallery for the public display of international automotive visual arts, innovative research initiatives and other exhibits thanks to a $1.5 million investment by Carolina First, through The South Financial Group Foundation.

The Carolina First Gallery also will serve as a focal point for welcoming and entertaining guests and will provide a space for events and announcements.

“We are very grateful for Carolina First’s generous support in what will be one of the most public aspects of CU-ICAR,” said Clemson University President James F. Barker. “This is just the latest example of Carolina First’s involvement in and support of CU-ICAR. They have been an active and enthusiastic participant from the beginning.”

CU-ICAR is a 250-acre “technopolis” where BMW, Michelin, Timken, Sun Microsystems and other corporate partners are joining with Clemson to focus on automotive research and other transportation issues. BMW and Timken have research facilities on the CU-ICAR campus and others are anticipated. The state of South Carolina is also a key partner, having created legislation to support economic development and innovation.

The gallery will be located in Innovation Place in Technology Neighborhood One of the CU-ICAR complex. Innovation Place will serve as the official welcome point for visitors and, in addition to the Carolina First Gallery, will house the CU-ICAR offices, a cafe, a parking garage and a fitness center. The complex opens onto the Collaboration Plaza.

The Carolina First Gallery’s neighbors in Technology Neighborhood One include the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center, the BMW Information Technology Research Center and Timken’s worldwide powertrain research and development center.

“We are honored to be a partner with CU-ICAR for the Carolina First Gallery,” said Mack Whittle, chairman and CEO of Carolina First. “CU-ICAR is an outstanding example of our community’s initiative, partnerships and achievements, and Carolina First is proud not only to be a part of this innovative project but also a future neighbor.”

According to CU-ICAR Executive Director Bob Geolas, the gallery already has generated interest.

“The community is aware that we have this great space available and we have had many calls in anticipation of its availability,” he said. “We are very excited about being able to use the Carolina First Gallery for a variety of community events and activities and see it as a great way to share CU-ICAR with the public.”

The South Financial Group is the largest publicly traded bank-holding company headquartered in South Carolina and ranks among the top 50 U.S. commercial bank-holding companies in total assets. The company operates two primary subsidiary banks: Carolina First Bank and Mercantile Bank, which conduct operations through 171 branch offices in South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida.