South Carolina Economic Developers' Association

In our membership meeting last month, University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business economist Joey Von Nessen gave South Carolina’s economy a “B+” in the grade book. Though economic growth continues, he says consumers “have lost significant purchasing power” due to inflation and rising interest rates. Follow SCEDA for more facts and insights.

Thank you to Speaker of the House G. Murrell Smith, Jr., (R- Sumter) for sharing your insights on the upcoming legislative session during our recent membership meeting. Speaker Smith is a dedicated proponent of economic development in our state, and a vital partner of our organization.

We are just a few weeks away from our gathering in Greenville! Don’t miss this opportunity to network and learn at SCEDA’s MidYear Meeting, to be held October 17 and 18. Get all the information and reserve your spot at bit.ly/scedamidyear24.

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” Thank you to everyone who made August’s membership meeting possible, including SCEDA board secretary Melvin C. Williams who coordinated outstanding event speakers. Melvin is pictured here with Speaker of the House G. Murrell Smith, Jr., (R-Sumter).

Another productive membership meeting under our belts! Yesterday's gathering gave us great insights into South Carolina's economic future, hearing from University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business economist Joey Van Nessen and Barbara Melvin of South Carolina Ports Authority. Thank you to our membership, which makes our work possible!

FYI 📸 October’s Emerging Leaders Conference hosted by Southern Economic Development Council will offer headshots to attendees! Read more below.

Hey, SEDC Emerging Leaders! Make sure to be camera-ready at the Emerging Leaders , set for October 28 - 30 in Greenville, SC, and grab your free headshot. Register today at https://www.sedc.org/events/2024-emerging-leaders-conference-ypcon.

We are just two months away from our gathering in Greenville! Don’t miss this opportunity to network and learn at SCEDA’s MidYear Meeting, to be held October 17 and 18. Rooms in our hotel block sell out quickly, so don't wait. Reserve your spot at bit.ly/scedamidyear24.

Joey Von Nessen will offer his insights on the South Carolina economy at our Membership Meeting on Thurs., Aug. 29 in Columbia. Von Nessen is a renowned research economist and thought leader in housing economics.

You won’t want to miss this, so visit bit.ly/aug29sceda to register.

Will you be joining us? SCEDA’s August meeting will be held on Thurs., Aug. 29 in Columbia. Heads up- this is the same night as Hootie & the Blowfish’s Summer Camp with Trucks first tour date in the Soda City. Plan for traffic delays and scarce parking, and register at bit.ly/aug29sceda.

Heads up! SCEDA’s August meeting will be held on Thurs., Aug. 29 in Columbia, the same night as Hootie & the Blowfish’s Summer Camp with Trucks tour date in the Soda City. With Darius and the band in town, plan for traffic delays and scarce parking.

Barbara Melvin, President and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority, will be a featured speaker at SCEDA’s upcoming Membership Meeting on August 29 in Columbia. Highly esteemed, Melvin is the first woman to lead a top 10 U.S. operating container port. Don't wait, register now at bit.ly/aug29sceda.

VICTORY! 🎉 H.4087 has passed the House and Senate and is now heading to the Governor’s desk. This bill advances JDCs, remote workers, corporate headquarters, retraining credits, and recycling provisions.

Thank you to everyone who called and messaged legislators. Your voices made all the difference. Together, we did it!

Join SCEDA to become part of our vibrant community dedicated to advancing economic development across our state.

🔹 Professional Development: Access exclusive training and educational opportunities like the Basic Economic Development Course and the SC Economic Development Institute.
🔹 Networking: Connect with industry leaders and peers at our annual, mid-year, and membership meetings, legislative receptions, and specialized networking events.
🔹 Advocacy: Influence economic policies and initiatives through our lobbying efforts and stay informed with our legislative updates.
🔹 Recognition: Nominate deserving colleagues for our prestigious awards, recognizing excellence in economic development.

Whether you're starting your career or a seasoned professional, SCEDA offers the resources and support to help you succeed.

👉 Visit https://tinyurl.com/33rzypp6 to select your membership type and start your journey with SCEDA today.

Did you know SCEDA houses a job postings webpage? Whether you're looking to start your career or advance in our community, our continuously updated listings have something for everyone. Visit now to take the next step in your professional journey! https://tinyurl.com/bdzdbuus

Hey SCEDA members, mark your calendars because we've got some awesome events lined up:

📅 August 29 - Member Meeting in Columbia
📅 October 17-18 - MidYear Meeting in Greenville

Join us for engaging discussions, networking, and come together to foster growth and progress. See you there!
https://tinyurl.com/43jc3fhb

Do you have an interest in trains and rail service in South Carolina? 🚆 Hop on board to learn about the SCDOT Statewide Rail Plan! Register for the Statewide Rail Plan Virtual Public Meeting on June 26, 2024, 5:30 - 6:30 PM EST: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7zFdX-BWRlaeVM4mgMpdqQ

Wonderful to see past SCEDA Presidents at this year’s Annual Conference. Thank you for joining us!

Left to right- David Cuda, Andrena Powell Baker, Jeff McKay and Mark Warner. Back row- Marty Baltzegar, Buddy Bateman and David Ginn.

Congratulations to Holly McCrary for earning the SCEDA Rising Star Award! Holly's commitment to excellence and passion for learning shine through in her receipt of this prestigious award. We are proud to have Holly as part of our economic development family!

We are thrilled to announce that John Truluck has been named the Local Developer of the Year! John boasts an impressive 23-year career in economic development and has been a member of SCEDA for all 23 of those years. We are grateful for your contributions to Dorchester County Government and the state of South Carolina.

Join us in congratulating John on this well-deserved achievement!

SC Nexus drives advancements in technology for a resilient, sustainable energy future and is leading the charge in the Southeast. Fearn Gupton, Rural Development Manager at South Carolina Department of Commerce will join us at the SCEDA Annual Conference to discuss its initiatives and efforts to advance SC!

SCEDA's Institute class of 2024 just wrapped up Session II in North Augusta, SC. The participants learned from real world experts, networked with professionals statewide, and attended a baseball game! Thank you to The City of North Augusta and WesternSC for sponsoring lunch!

As we gear up for the Annual Conference, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to all the amazing companies who have generously sponsored this event. Your support means the world to us and is vital in making this conference special.

To our sponsors: You're not just supporting an event, you're investing in the growth and success of our state. Your commitment to SCEDA and our members is truly commendable, and we can't wait to showcase the impact of your contributions this week!

Davis & Floyd Engineering, Alliance Consulting Engineers, Central SC Alliance, Core Development Strategies, Carlisle Associates Inc., Charleston Regional Development Alliance, Dorchester County Economic Development, Edcon, Inc., Edifice Construction, Evans General Contractors, Graycor, Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), Goodwyn Mills Cawood, GFI Partners, Harper General Contractors, Hogan Construction Group, LLC, HUSSEY GAY BELL, Landmark Construction Company, Inc., McCrory Construction, Mead & Hunt, MRB Group, Pacolet Milliken, LLC., Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation, R.H. Moore Company, Inc., Samet Corporation, Union County Development Board, SSOE Group, and WK Dickson & Co., Inc.

Explore the implications of the South Carolina Ten Year Energy Transformation Act at the SCEDA Annual Conference! Legislative Committee Chairs Sandy Steele and John Wall will unpack H.5118 and its significance for economic developers. https://tinyurl.com/k5smjtw2

The Thursday afternoon beverage station is coming your way at the SCEDA Annual Conference, thanks to our awesome sponsors, ADC Engineering, Inc.! Swing by to mingle, sip, and keep those conversations going. Register now to be a part of the fun! https://tinyurl.com/k5smjtw2

Keeping the momentum going at the SCEDA Annual Conference is the Thursday afternoon networking session, sponsored by Goodwyn Mills Cawood! 🤝 Join us for an afternoon of enjoyable and meaningful conversations! https://tinyurl.com/k5smjtw2

Experience an enlightening session with Justin Powell from the SC Department of Transportation at the Annual Conference. Justin will be sharing insights on SCDOT's crucial role in assisting the Department of Commerce attract economic development projects to our state!

Secure your spot at the conference now: https://tinyurl.com/k5smjtw2

Get ready to feast and connect at the SCEDA Annual Conference Thursday lunch, sponsored by Landmark Construction Company, Inc.! Don't miss this opportunity to nourish your body and mind as you network with industry leaders. https://tinyurl.com/k5smjtw2