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Message from Secretary Hitt: A Big Week for Team S.C.

As June winds down and the first half of 2017 comes to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on all that has been accomplished over the last six months. Since January, Team South Carolina has been on a roll, achieving some remarkable results. In total, we've announced 60 projects in 25 different counties. This week alone, three major projects were announced, representing the creation of more than 2,300 new jobs and nearly $1 billion in capital investment. 

On Monday, celebrating the 25th anniversary of its decision to establish operations in the Palmetto State, BMW made another exciting announcement -- a $600 million expansion and the creation of 1,000 new jobs. Then, on Wednesday, Samsung announced a new $380 million manufacturing operation expected to generate more than 950 new jobs; additionally, T-Mobile US announced a new $16.7 million customer care center, allowing the company to expand its workforce by 400 new positions. After such a monumental week, our year-to-date job creation total has surpassed 7,400, and our capital investment total has eclipsed $2.2 billion. 

Despite all of this success, however, we know that now is not the time to let up or become complacent. Throughout the first half of 2017, we've been working hard to set the table for continued economic growth. In March, ground was broken on a new inland port in Dillon, S.C. This new asset will enhance our already robust infrastructure network, helping us provide unmatched global connectivity for years to come. And, in May, the state's workforce training efforts achieved a milestone, as Apprenticeship Carolina announced that more than 26,000 people have now enrolled in its programs -- far surpassing the initiative's original goal to hit 20,000 by 2020. 

From the Lowcountry to the Upstate, it's clear that Team South Carolina has built a truly exceptional momentum. As we move forward, the continued collaboration from economic development allies and partners across the state will allow us to add to this momentum, bringing even more jobs and opportunities to the people of South Carolina.