Commerce News

COLUMBIA, S.C. –As part of the annual Industry Appreciation Week, the South Carolina Department of Commerce on Thursday announced the 2015 Ambassadors for Economic Development. Recognized for their exceptional efforts to bolster community and economic development activities in South Carolina, the ambassadors were honored in a ceremony held on Thursday, April 2 at the Governor’s Mansion Complex. This year, 48 individuals from 46 counties were selected.

COLUMBIA, SC - The State of South Carolina is launching a new program aimed at helping defense-related businesses in the state broaden into new markets and position for future success.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Commerce is awarding $2.6 million in a second round of funding to 19 organizations across the state to further innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-based economic development.

COLUMBIA, S.C. –For the fifth consecutive year, the state of South Carolina has set a record for total export sales. Today, Gov. Nikki Haley, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the South Carolina Ports Authority announced that the state’s 2014 exports totaled $29.7 billion, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The figure represents a more than 13 percent increase over the 2013 total.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina posted another solid business recruitment year in 2014, with capital investment recruited to the state topping $5 billion for the second year in a row and for the third time in four years. From January to December 2014, the state won 146 economic development projects, totaling $5.088 billion in capital investment and 19,020 jobs by new and expanding businesses.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina's military footprint accounts for a significant portion of the state's total economic activity - generating an impact of more than $19 billion annually - according to a study released today. 

COLUMBIA, S.C. – August 26, 2011 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced that approximately $16.3 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have been awarded to 37 communities across the state. These projects will benefit more than 23,000 residents.  A full list of grant recipients is listed below.“The CDBG program consistently has a positive impact on communities across our state that lack resources for community development.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – August 22, 2011 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and a number of state economic development partners will host a day-long workshop this month to help small business owners with strategies on financing their businesses and meet lenders. The event will be August 31, at the Columbia Conference Center.“Small businesses are the backbone of South Carolina’s economy and we are intensely focused on ways to help them meet with success.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – April 25, 2011 – Area Development magazine, a national, leading economic development publication, has awarded South Carolina with its 2011 Gold Shovel award for the state’s economic development efforts last year. In addition, South Carolina also received the magazine’s “Project of the Year” award. South Carolina was the recipient of both awards for the first time.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Fourteen communities from across South Carolina are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by nearly $8.9 million in funds from the latest round of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The South Carolina Department of Commerce is awarding CDBG funds to these communities, representing more than 13,900 residents, for the following projects: