Commerce News

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Eighteen communities across South Carolina are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by more than $6.1 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 74,820 residents, for the following projects:

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) and S.C. Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA) today announced that approximately 45 state and community leaders have graduated from two statewide economic development training programs. Five individuals completed the S.C. Economic Developers’ Advanced Symposium (Advanced Symposium), while more than 40 graduated from the S.C. Economic Development Institute (Institute).

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 40th Annual Joint Meeting of the Southeast United States (SEUS)-Japan Association and the Japan-United States Southeast Association commenced today with an opening ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville, S.C. Although the conference is closed to the general public, it’s occurrence is significant because it brings together many political and business leaders from around the Southeastern United States and Japan.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD) met today to review the results of a statewide manufacturing workforce survey. Conducted by the S.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Research, the survey provides insight into workforce issues facing the state’s manufacturing industry. More than 70 percent of the survey’s respondents had 50 or fewer employees.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The S.C. Department of Commerce has been awarded a State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for the sixth year. In total, the SBA is awarding $18 million to 44 states in this year's round of STEP grants, which are designed to support and encourage small business export success. South Carolina was awarded its full requested amount of $340,600.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce today announced the creation of the Council for Innovation Initiatives. Tasked with helping the state advance the South Carolina Innovation Plan, which was published in January 2017, the council will meet quarterly with its inaugural meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 29.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – On Friday, August 11, York County Attorney Michael Kindree completed the S.C. Economic Development Institute. Kindree received a certificate of completion at the conclusion of August’s industrial development session held at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT) in Florence County.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina’s life sciences industry has an annual economic impact of approximately $11.4 billion, according to a study commissioned by the S.C. Research Authority (SCRA) and S.C. Biotechnology Industry Organization (SCBIO) in partnership with the S.C. Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce). Prepared by the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, the study finds that this growing sector has experienced an average annual employment growth rate of approximately 1.7 percent in the Palmetto State since 2005.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Fifteen communities from across South Carolina are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by more than $9.8 million in funds from the latest round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The S.C. Department of Commerce is awarding CDBG funds to these communities, representing more than 6,900 residents, for the following projects:

City of Bennettsville – Wells Street Sewer Upgrade                                           $750,000

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce today announced that Cynthia Jones will serve as a senior program director for the agency’s Existing Industry program. Jones will oversee the day-to-day operation of the program, including the coordination of efforts to expand the agency’s reach to existing companies and sectors.