South Carolina Economic Developers' Association

South Carolina Economic Developers' Association SCEDA - SC's Voice for Economic Development

News for the Upstate region: USA Rare Earth, Inc. has announced a $1.2 billion investment at Bailey Industrial Park in B...
06/11/2026

News for the Upstate region: USA Rare Earth, Inc. has announced a $1.2 billion investment at Bailey Industrial Park in Blacksburg, creating 490 new jobs in Cherokee County. The facility will produce rare earth magnets and refined metals essential to advanced manufacturing — a signal of South Carolina's growing role in the nation's critical materials supply chain.

Four SCEDA members were recognized by Consultant Connect in its 2026 Top 50 Economic Developers in North America. Honore...
06/04/2026

Four SCEDA members were recognized by Consultant Connect in its 2026 Top 50 Economic Developers in North America. Honorees are nominated by peers across the industry and selected for their outstanding leadership, community impact, and innovative work in economic and community development.

Congratulations are in order for the following members honored in this year's list:
Daniel Beaty, S.C. Department of Commerce
David Ginn, Charleston Regional Development Alliance
Jennifer Brown, Palmetto Railways
Karen Davison, Chester County Economic Development

Congratulations to the newly elected members of SCEDA’s Board of Directors!⭐️ Ann Broadwater, SCCED, Fairfield County Ec...
06/03/2026

Congratulations to the newly elected members of SCEDA’s Board of Directors!
⭐️ Ann Broadwater, SCCED, Fairfield County Economic Development
⭐️ John F. Wall, IV, Burr & Forman
⭐️ Brantley Strickland, SCCED, Colleton County Economic Alliance

These three professionals join our 2026-2027 Board of Directors members, who will continue their service to SCEDA:
John Truluck, SCCED - President, Dorchester County Economic Development
Melvin C. Williams, F.SAME FACEC - Vice President, Terracon
Kris Phillips - Treasurer, SeamonWhiteside
Jamie Frost - Secretary, Alliance Consulting Engineers
Tavia CM Gaddy, SCCED - Past President, Greenville Area Development Corporation
Amy Page, Thomas & Hutton
Will Williams, SCCED, Western SC Economic Development Partnership
Ryan Coleman, City of Columbia
Caroline Warner, South Carolina Power Team

Thank you to our ex-officio members:
Hugh Weathers, SC Department of Agriculture, Designee: Clint Leach
Dr. Tim Hardee. SC Technical College System, Designee: AJ Newton
Mr. Harry M. Lightsey III, Secretary of Commerce, Designee: Julie Kunkle
Mr. Duane Parrish, SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Designee: Emily Frierson
Mr. Micah Mallace, SC Ports Authority, Designee: Travis Frank

SCEDA Women was honored to receive the “Laying a Foundation" Award at the Original Six Foundation's recent “A Decade of ...
06/02/2026

SCEDA Women was honored to receive the “Laying a Foundation" Award at the Original Six Foundation's recent “A Decade of Opening Doors” event, in recognition of our ongoing partnership supporting South Carolina students through the My O6 Library program.

We’re grateful to stand alongside educators, families, students and community leaders working to open doors for the next generation. Thank you to Tavia Gaddy, SCCED, and Erin Cole for representing SCEDA Women at this special celebration.

Did you know? SCEDA performs industry research into economic developer career statistics including compensation and bene...
05/23/2026

Did you know? SCEDA performs industry research into economic developer career statistics including compensation and benefits. To view the 2023 survey, visit 🔗sceda.org/resources/.

South Carolina continues to attract global investment and job growth. Signature Foods USA has selected Anderson County f...
05/22/2026

South Carolina continues to attract global investment and job growth. Signature Foods USA has selected Anderson County for its first U.S. manufacturing operation, bringing a $11.5 million investment. The facility in Easley will create 202 new jobs, further strengthening the state’s food manufacturing sector.

Congratulations! During SCEDA’s Annual Conference earlier this month, awards and scholarship winners were announced, inc...
05/15/2026

Congratulations! During SCEDA’s Annual Conference earlier this month, awards and scholarship winners were announced, including the following members.

🌟 Rising Star Award - Garrett Dragano, County of Lexington Economic Development
🤝 Ally Award - John Wall, Burr & Forman
📚 Truman H. Safford Basic Economic Development Course Scholarship - Jonathan Bennett, County of Lexington Economic Development
🏢 Irwin Maceo Nance S.C. Economic Development Institute Scholarship - Darlene Sparks, The LINK

On April 28, SCEDA hosted its 5th Annual Emerging Leaders Golf Tournament, and it did not disappoint!Nearly 100 golfers ...
05/13/2026

On April 28, SCEDA hosted its 5th Annual Emerging Leaders Golf Tournament, and it did not disappoint!

Nearly 100 golfers and volunteers gathered for a fantastic day on the course, all in support of SCEDA's mission and work across South Carolina.

Thank you to our incredible sponsors, including presenting sponsors The Link and Thompson Turner Construction, and everyone who came out to make it happen.

3 days. More than 350 attendees. 60 Years of Sharing Solutions. Thank you to all who joined us for the South Carolina Ec...
05/11/2026

3 days. More than 350 attendees. 60 Years of Sharing Solutions.

Thank you to all who joined us for the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association Annual Conference in Hilton Head.

Three productive days of conversation and connection are in the books! Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate SCEDA...
05/08/2026

Three productive days of conversation and connection are in the books! Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate SCEDA’s “60 Years of Sharing Solutions” this week in beautiful Hilton Head.

Address

1122 Lady Street, Ste 720
Columbia, SC
29201

Telephone

+18039290305

Website

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