Commerce News

South Carolina export sales top $34 billion in 2018, achieve ninth consecutive record year

COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the ninth consecutive year, the state of South Carolina set a record for total export sales in 2018. Today, Gov. Henry McMaster, the S.C. Department of Commerce and the S.C. Ports Authority announced that the state’s 2018 export sales totaled $34.6 billion, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The figure represents a 7.5 percent increase over the 2017 total.

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S.C. Department of Commerce hosts 29th Annual South Carolina Rural Summit

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce gathered leaders from across the state on Monday, March 4 and Tuesday, March 5 for the 2019 South Carolina Rural Summit. Held in Orangeburg, S.C., this year’s event featured leadership development sessions, opportunities to share best practices between community leaders, an awards ceremony and presentations from a variety of speakers, including Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt and renowned entrepreneur John Hope Bryant.

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S.C. Department of Commerce announces new Marketing and Communications director

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce today announced that Alex Clark has been promoted and will serve as the agency’s marketing and communications director. Clark will lead the department’s strategic marketing and communications initiatives and serve as the agency’s spokeswoman.

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S.C. Department of Commerce Office of Innovation to launch Pen to Paper Tour

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Innovation today announced a Pen to Paper Tour of various innovation and incubator locations across the state. With six dates already scheduled, the tour will allow the Office of Innovation staff to connect with local members of the state’s innovation ecosystem through pre-scheduled, full-day visits.

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Grants awarded to improve 21 South Carolina communities

COLUMBIA, S.C. – More than 20 communities across South Carolina are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by more than $7.6 million in funds from the latest round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The S.C. Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) is awarding CDBG funds to these communities, representing more than 34,720 residents, for the following projects:

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State and community leaders graduate from South Carolina economic development training program

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) and S.C. Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA) today announced that 49 state and community leaders have graduated from a statewide economic development training program, the S.C. Economic Development Institute (Institute).

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Governor’s Opportunity Zones Summit scheduled for January 25

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Led by Governor Henry McMaster and in partnership with the Office of U.S. Senator Tim Scott and the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), the state of South Carolina will present the Governor’s Opportunity Zones Summit on January 25, 2019 in Columbia, S.C. Taking place at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, the full-day event will allow attendees to learn how to maximize the positive impacts of Opportunity Zones.

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State of South Carolina announces partnership with Fraunhofer Institute

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce today announced a partnership between the state of South Carolina and the Fraunhofer USA Center for Experimental Software Engineering to bring state-of-the-art innovation to South Carolina industry and logistics providers.  

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S.C. Department of Commerce again awarded grant to support export assistance programs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce has been awarded a State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for the seventh year. This program is designed to support and encourage small business export success. The state was awarded its full requested amount of $360,400.

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South Carolina to offer free code education for all residents

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Innovation, in collaboration with Build Carolina, today announced SC Codes, a new statewide program designed to provide free access to code education for all residents. A first-of-its-kind, state-funded resource, the new platform connects students with experienced industry mentors and provides pathways for continuing education and employment in technology-related fields.

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