Existing Industry News

Earlier this week, some of South Carolina’s up-and-coming businesses were recognized at the SC Fastest Growing Companies awards luncheon in Columbia. The program is the annual ranking of the Palmetto State’s 25 most dynamic and successful companies.

South Carolina produces some of the most complex products in the world. Each time a finished product rolls off an assembly line in the state – whether it be a luxury automobile, a top-of-the-line washing machine or a fighter jet – it continues to solidify S.C.’s reputation as a location that excels in advanced manufacturing.

South Carolina’s talented workforce has earned an international reputation for making some of the most complex products in the world. Now, more than ever, it’s imperative to remain focused on workforce development. And, Team S.C. is committed to creating a pipeline where individuals have access to the education and training to fill the most in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow. That is accomplished by embracing a collaborative, multifaceted approach to recruiting and training.

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the South Carolina Department of Commerce is tasked with more than just recruiting new companies to the Palmetto State. From export assistance and workforce consultation to data and research services and much more, Team S.C. is dedicated to supporting the state’s existing industry – small and large. And, one of the most important resources available to companies is the agency’s Supplier Outreach program.

When companies are looking for the perfect location, it’s a lot like looking for a house. Will it fit the company’s needs? Can the company grow in that location?

In today’s constantly evolving and technology-reliant world, the importance of maintaining private information online is crucial – for individuals and businesses alike. For companies, a data breach can be catastrophic. According to IBM, the average cost of a breach to U.S. companies in 2020 was more than $8 million, with costs spiraling from lost revenue, downtime, reputation, IT work and more.

South Carolina knows what drives automotive success. The state’s reputation as an automotive powerhouse began to develop in the mid-1970s when European heavyweights Michelin and Bosch established operations in S.C. Two decades later, BMW joined the state’s business community, transforming the way South Carolina is viewed worldwide. Today, the Palmetto State is a global leader in automotive manufacturing – home to some of the world’s biggest brands.

South Carolina’s existing industry is an engine of economic growth. Last year alone, 75 companies expanded operations in South Carolina – creating more than 5,100 new jobs and over $2 billion in capital investment.

The S.C. Commerce Business Services Division continues to host free monthly webinars that focus on workforce and retention resources for S.C. businesses. Speakers from across the state are sharing information on available staffing programs, workforce resources, state labor laws and regulations and other timely information to assist S.C. companies with workforce needs. 

S.C. Commerce, in partnership with the University of South Carolina’s Office of Economic Engagement, is launching the Procurement Technical Assistance Center of South Carolina (PTAC SC). To advance economic success, PTAC SC will provide S.C. businesses of all sizes the resources and services required to obtain contracts and subcontracts with the U.S. Department of Defense as well as federal, state and local governments.