Commerce News

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.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – On Friday, May 12, two local leaders completed the S.C. Economic Development Institute. Pam Nobles of the SouthernCarolina Regional Development Alliance and Barnwell County Economic Development Commission and Blakely Williams of the Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce received Certificates of Completion at the conclusion of May’s community development session held at the Arts Center of Greenwood in Greenwood County.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - As part of the 26th annual Industry Appreciation series, the S.C. Department of Commerce recognized its 2017 Industry Impact Award recipients during an event on Thursday, May 11 at The Hall at Senate's End in Columbia, S.C. Honoring businesses that have made significant contributions to their communities and state, the recipients were selected within a certain employment size and county development tier group.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce today announced that Laura Corder has joined the agency as Managing Director of the Office of Innovation. Corder will lead the agency’s strategic innovation efforts and oversee the implementation of the South Carolina Innovation Plan, which was released earlier this year. She will also manage the S.C.

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The South Carolina Military Base Task Force (Task Force) will be releasing an updated study, which reflects that the South Carolina military community collectively creates an economic impact to the state of $24.1 billion. The 2017 study was prepared by Dr. Joey Von Nessen of the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. The Palmetto State is home to eight major military installations and numerous facilities, supporting 62,520 in Department of Defense (DoD) personnel with $2.6 billion in payroll.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce today announced the launch of its brand new website, which offers companies of all sizes a new view of the resources available to them.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce gathered leaders from across the state on Monday, March 6 and Tuesday, March 7 for the 2017 South Carolina Rural Summit. Held at the Pawleys Plantation Conference Center on Pawleys Island, S.C., this year’s event featured leadership development sessions, opportunities to share best practices between community leaders, an awards ceremony and presentations from several keynote speakers, including former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced the conclusion and release of the South Carolina Innovation Plan. A comprehensive look at the state of innovation in South Carolina, the plan is intended to provide direction on how best to encourage the growth of innovation and tech-related entrepreneurial activity within the state.