Commerce News

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina posted another solid business recruitment year in 2015, with capital investment recruited to the state topping $4 billion. From January to December 2015, the state won 150 economic development projects, totaling $4.21 billion in capital investment and 17,280 jobs by new and expanding businesses.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced that Benjamin D. Johnson has joined the agency as research director. Johnson will manage an interdisciplinary team of researchers and analysts who support the mission of the Department of Commerce as the lead economic development agency of the state.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – On Friday, November 13, more than 50 local leaders and development professionals from across South Carolina completed the 2015 South Carolina Economic Development Institute. Institute attendees received their Certificates of Completion during the final day of the 2015 Institute held at Red Ventures in Lancaster County.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The State of South Carolina is expanding its export initiative for in-state businesses through a new program:

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Communities across the state are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by nearly $13.3 million in funds from the latest round of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The recycling industry in South Carolina brings a $13 billion boost to the state's economy annually - double the estimated impact of recycling in 2006 - according to a new report released today. 

 Compiled by Dr. Frank Hefner, the economic impact report quantified the contributions of recycling through a combination of direct survey data from recycling companies as well as economic modeling through IMPLAN. The report was an update to a 2006 study with the same methodology. 

COLUMBIA, S.C. – March 2, 2012 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce will host a day-long workshop this month to help small business owners with strategies on financing their businesses and meeting lenders. The event will be March 13, at the TD Convention Center in Greenville.

“The emotion and energy of Commerce is toward having an impact. Meeting the needs of small business through sessions like this one help us do that, and bring important resources right to small business owners,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – February 13, 2012 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced that Ford Graham will lead the agency’s Europe Office in Munich, Germany, which spearheads Commerce’s international recruitment efforts on the continent.      

Graham is currently the S.C. Department of Commerce’s director of International Investment. He is responsible for the international recruiting strategy, as well as leading the Department in large-scale economic development efforts.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – February 9, 2012 – The State of South Carolina will host the 5th Annual Southeastern U.S. - Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS-CP) trade conference in Myrtle Beach May 20-22. More than 300 Canadian and U.S. business and government leaders will connect at the Marriott Resort and Spa at Grand Dunes to promote trade and investment opportunities.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – January 26, 2012 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce earned second place in the Business Facilities 2011 Economic Development Deal of the Year competition for the Continental Tire the Americas (CTA) new plant in Sumter County, S.C. The $500 million investment is expected to generate 1,700 new jobs, including 80 new jobs in CTA’s headquarters in Lancaster County, S.C.