South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and S.C. Commerce staff, led by Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ashely Teasdel, welcomed British Ambassador to the U.S. Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, to Columbia, S.C., to further economic development and trade relation discussions.

In mid-July, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ashely Teasdel and S.C. Commerce led a state delegation throughout the United Kingdom. The mission trip helped grow bilateral collaboration, strengthen economic ties and build trade relations — continuing to advance the December 2022 memorandum of understanding between the two economies.

The life sciences industry has built a solid foothold in South Carolina, where today it ranks as the Southeast’s fastest-growing life sciences ecosystem according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The life sciences industry is South Carolina’s fastest growing sector, accounting for an annual economic impact of $25.7 billion. With high growth potential and average wages nearly 80% above the state’s average, the industry’s upward trajectory is part of its selection as one of three target sectors in S.C. Commerce’s new strategic framework to guide future economic development efforts, announced in January 2024.

To recognize the innovations and talent supporting South Carolina in “advancing the future, now,” The 2024 Governor’s Economic Summit united state, business and community leaders Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, setting forth South Carolina’s long-term economic development vision. In addition to remarks by Governor Henry McMaster, Secretary of Commerce Harry M.