Existing Industry News

Last week, representatives from the S.C. Department of Commerce visited the Pee Dee region to meet with Myrtle Beach-area business leaders to discuss local and statewide economic development updates.

With an annual economic impact of more than $11 billion, the life sciences sector has become one of South Carolina’s top industries. Thanks to the state’s talented and innovative workforce, cutting-edge research institutions and world-class hospital systems, life sciences employs more than 43,000 professionals across the state. 

The Central SC Alliance and its nine member counties and city met with Secretary Harry Lightsey on Tuesday to wrap up his statewide visits with regional alliances.

Relationships are the backbone of industry, and S.C. Commerce’s B2B events are one of the many opportunities Team S.C. provides to help businesses work together and find that perfect match. The upcoming S.C. Automotive B2B Supplier Matchmaker, taking place during the annual South Carolina Automotive Summit in March, will give suppliers a venue to meet first-hand with major players in South Carolina's automotive industry with the goal of generating new business connections. 

Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III and representatives of Team S.C. celebrated Belimed Life Science, Inc.’s new operations in Charleston County with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 6. The company is a leading supplier of steam sterilizers and parts washers. 

Returning to the in-person format this year, the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo celebrated the state’s robust manufacturing footprint and looked to the future of this critical sector. The conference, which took place in Greenville on November 10-12, is one of the largest manufacturing events in the Southeast each year.

S.C. Commerce is pleased to unveil a new video highlighting the recent supplier event for South Carolina companies looking to do business with Oshkosh Defense in Spartanburg County. The event, hosted by S.C. Commerce and OneSpartanburg, Inc. in October, provided around 150 S.C.-based companies the opportunity to meet face-to-face with representatives from the electric vehicle manufacturer.  

S.C. Commerce continues to host monthly webinars that focus on workforce and retention resources for companies. The October session detailed incentive programs for companies that hire hard-to-place employees. 

Representatives from the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce discussed how companies can take advantages of resources like Work Opportunity Tax Credits, Federal Bonding and Second Chance programs. 

S.C. Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III kicked off the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association Annual Conference on Hilton Head Island last week with his first address to the organization.

S.C. Commerce and OneSpartanburg, Inc. partnered with Oshkosh Defense to host an in-person supplier event for South Carolina companies last week.