Department of Commerce launches new S.C. innovation resource
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The S.C. Department of Commerce's Office of Innovation today announced the launch of Scribble - an online tool for the state's innovation community. Providing individuals and businesses a platform to access resources, this new site is designed to highlight South Carolina's exceptional ingenuity and create a common place for users to access a variety of helpful tools.
Grants awarded to improve 16 South Carolina communities
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Sixteen communities across South Carolina are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by more than $9.6 million in funds from the latest round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The S.C. Department of Commerce is awarding CDBG funds to these communities, representing more than 20,660 residents, for the following projects:
Statewide SC Codes initiative officially launches
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Innovation, in collaboration with Build Carolina, today officially launched SC Codes, a statewide program designed to provide free access to coding education for all residents. Hosted at Blackbaud World Headquarters in Charleston, S.C., the celebration event provided an opportunity for current and prospective students, mentors, programmers, educators, business and industry leaders and innovators to connect and learn more about SC Codes.
South Carolina export sales top $34 billion in 2018, achieve ninth consecutive record year
COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the ninth consecutive year, the state of South Carolina set a record for total export sales in 2018. Today, Gov. Henry McMaster, the S.C. Department of Commerce and the S.C. Ports Authority announced that the state’s 2018 export sales totaled $34.6 billion, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The figure represents a 7.5 percent increase over the 2017 total.
S.C. Department of Commerce hosts 29th Annual South Carolina Rural Summit
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce gathered leaders from across the state on Monday, March 4 and Tuesday, March 5 for the 2019 South Carolina Rural Summit. Held in Orangeburg, S.C., this year’s event featured leadership development sessions, opportunities to share best practices between community leaders, an awards ceremony and presentations from a variety of speakers, including Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt and renowned entrepreneur John Hope Bryant.
S.C. Department of Commerce announces new Marketing and Communications director
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce today announced that Alex Clark has been promoted and will serve as the agency’s marketing and communications director. Clark will lead the department’s strategic marketing and communications initiatives and serve as the agency’s spokeswoman.
S.C. Department of Commerce Office of Innovation to launch Pen to Paper Tour
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Innovation today announced a Pen to Paper Tour of various innovation and incubator locations across the state. With six dates already scheduled, the tour will allow the Office of Innovation staff to connect with local members of the state’s innovation ecosystem through pre-scheduled, full-day visits.
Grants awarded to improve 21 South Carolina communities
COLUMBIA, S.C. – More than 20 communities across South Carolina are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by more than $7.6 million in funds from the latest round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The S.C. Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) is awarding CDBG funds to these communities, representing more than 34,720 residents, for the following projects:
State and community leaders graduate from South Carolina economic development training program
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) and S.C. Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA) today announced that 49 state and community leaders have graduated from a statewide economic development training program, the S.C. Economic Development Institute (Institute).
Governor’s Opportunity Zones Summit scheduled for January 25
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Led by Governor Henry McMaster and in partnership with the Office of U.S. Senator Tim Scott and the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), the state of South Carolina will present the Governor’s Opportunity Zones Summit on January 25, 2019 in Columbia, S.C. Taking place at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, the full-day event will allow attendees to learn how to maximize the positive impacts of Opportunity Zones.