Upper Savannah Council of Governments - USCOG

09/15/2026

🏗️ What does infrastructure have to do with economic development? Quite a lot.

Join us September 23 for the next Upstate Connect — a small-group conversation focused on The Role of Infrastructure in Supporting Economic Development.

And we’re taking the conversation somewhere you don’t get to visit every day: the Laurens County Water Tower near the ZF facility. 💧

Hear from topic leaders Jon Coleman, Jeff Field and Dabs Davis as we explore how infrastructure investments are helping create new opportunities for growth and development in Laurens County — and what these lessons can mean for communities across the Upstate.

📅 September 23 | 9:00–10:15 AM
📍 Laurens County Water Tower | Gray Court
💰 Free to attend

Come see the infrastructure behind the growth, connect with fellow Upstate leaders and be part of the conversation.

Space is limited — register today!

Register here

09/14/2026

Are you looking for employment or ready to make a career change? Counties from Abbeville to York, across the Upstate, Midlands, P*e Dee and down into the Lowcountry are looking for qualified candidates to fill multiple positions. View openings at SCCounties.org/county-jobs

09/11/2026

09/10/2026

09/09/2026

The SC Office of Resilience's Hurricane Helene Housing Recovery program is accepting applications at a mobile intake event in Saluda County at the a community resource event — September 19, 2026. Residents with remaining damage to their homes from Hurricane Helene are invited to drop in between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to apply for assistance at no cost. The event is hosted at the Progressive Church of Jesus Christ, 347 N Bouknight Ferry Rd, Saluda, SC 29138.

Can't make it to the event?
✅ Download the SC Hurricane Helene Recovery mobile app
✅ Apply online at www.scstormrecovery.com/helene
✅ Call 844-410-8560 for an appointment
✅ Visit any SCOR office listed on https://scor.sc.gov/contact-us

09/08/2026

💼 Economic Development 101: Why Business Retention Matters

Attracting a new company makes headlines, but supporting the businesses that are already investing and employing people in McCormick County is just as important.

Business retention and expansion means working with existing employers to understand their needs, identify challenges, connect them with resources, and help create conditions where they can continue to grow.

When an existing business expands, the benefits can include:

✅ New jobs
✅ Additional investment
✅ Greater opportunities for local workers
✅ A stronger local tax base

Economic development isn't only about finding the next business. It's also about helping our existing businesses succeed for the long term.

09/02/2026

Please click here https://conta.cc/4gORpNf for story on municipal and county clerks, professional panel discussing social media, misinformation and website strategies at Upper Savannah COG clerks lunch last week. Also, Municipal Association of South Carolina provides important updates.

08/28/2026

08/27/2026

💧 Not your typical meeting venue. Not your typical conversation.

Join us for our next Upstate Connect on September 23 at the Laurens County Water & Sewer Commission Water Tank as we take a closer look at The Role of Infrastructure in Supporting Economic Development.

From water and sewer to roads, utilities and beyond, infrastructure often works behind the scenes—but its impact on growth, development and the future of our communities is anything but invisible.

Come check out this unique venue, connect with others from across the Upstate and join the conversation about how infrastructure can help communities grow and thrive.

Register today and meet us at the water tank! 💧

08/26/2026