January 2017 Features

• The Latest from Greenville Technical College with Dr. Jermaine Whirl, VP of Economic Development and Corporate Training

  January 31, 2017

  We had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Jermaine Whirl, Vice President of Economic Development and Corporate Training for Greenville Technical College. During our interview, Dr. Whirl shares his focus on the continuing education side of the institution and the work they are doing to prepare today’s workforce for tomorrow’s challenges.

• Shipping in the Fast Lane with SVP Barbara Melvin and the SC Ports Authority

  January 27, 2017

  Barbara Melvin gives us a rare glimpse into her water world with insights on the real value of the 52-feet channel deepening, how technology has changed the landscape in shipping, and what’s next for Charleston’s deep-water port in growth and economic benefits to the State.

• Matt Dunbar of Upstate Carolina Angel Network and VentureSouth Talks about Venture Capital

  January 26, 2017

  We sat down with Matt Dunbar, Managing Director of Upstate Carolina Angel Network and VentureSouth. We learned about this investment group supporting and funding many entrepreneurs and startups in the southeast over the past eight years.

• O’Neal Launches Food and Beverage Strategic Business Unit

  January 25, 2017

  The company is launching a Food and Beverage Strategic Business Unit that will focus on food processing, food distribution and the broader consumer packaged goods markets. The firm has hired David Dixon as Food and Beverage SBU Leader.

• S.C. Economic Developers Say Elephants, Buffaloes Are Always in Season

  January 23, 2017

  They're the big projects that bring in hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in investment. Experts have their own special terms for this type of much-sought-after economic development. “I've heard it called elephant hunting or buffalo hunting – either one,” says Carter Smith, executive vice president of the Economic Futures Group in Spartanburg.

• University Spotlight: Fred Carter of Francis Marion, Helping Boost Success of Florence, Pee Dee and South Carolina

  January 18, 2017

  With 18 years in place as president of Francis Marion University in Florence, Fred Carter has had time to see the institution’s place in its region change. To Carter, one of the most sweeping changes at FMU is how it has become more influential in people’s lives in Florence, Pee Dee and the state of South Carolina.

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Releases 2017 Competitiveness Agenda

  January 10, 2017

  The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is announcing the release of our 2017 Competitiveness Agenda. As the unified voice for business in our state, we are fighting for these changes to not only keep local businesses prosperous but also to attract new businesses to the state.

• Lawmakers Talk Pension as Top Priority

  January 09, 2017

  Several South Carolina lawmakers met with the press Thursday during the SC Press Association workshop. Lawmakers spoke about the most important topics that they will discuss when session starts on Tuesday.

• NARENCO Constructing New Solar Projects In South Carolina, $89.1 Million Capital Investment

  January 06, 2017

  NARENCO will be constructing two new utility-scale solar farms in Orangeburg County. The projects are expected to bring $89.1 million in new capital investment.

• Construction Workforce Shortage Could Hamper Economic Development Efforts

  January 05, 2017

  As we move into 2017, economic forecasts suggest companies will increase their investment in facilities. In South Carolina, we stand to continue to benefit from this investment. However, the shortage of skilled workforce to building and maintain these facilities could threaten our economic development efforts.