20 years of producing results: Greenville County Economic Development recognize milestone with fresh look, special events, leadership reflections
April 14, 2021
Founded in mid-2001, GADC to celebrate community’s economic and job growth, industry diversification, increasing per capita incomes with special events, leadership reflections, celebratory graphics
The Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) – established by Greenville County Council to promote and enhance the economic growth and development of the county – has kicked off its 20th anniversary year by publishing its first ever Economic Impact Study, scheduling multiple special events for organizational supporters and the community, publishing articles, and featuring a fresh new look across its communications platforms, GADC leaders announced today.
Formed by Greenville County Council in 2001 as a public-private venture with a mission of driving new economic development and investment in the area, the GADC built off of earlier efforts by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, which had managed economic development efforts in the county prior to the creation of the GADC.
Longtime leaders credit the chamber’s work with County Council for helping create the groundwork for the region to attract new industries, even as the textile industry began is decline. The arrival of the GADC in 2001 accelerated economic development efforts in the community, bringing a dedicated team and new strategy and focus to economic growth and diversification efforts.
Twenty years later, it is clear that County Council made a wise decision, as the GADC’s results speak for themselves. Since its 2001 founding, GADC efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 30,000 new jobs and more than $6 billion in capital investment in Greenville County.
To recognize the two-decade milestone, GADC leaders undertook its first ever economic impact study by the Moore School of Business this year, which determined the GADC’s total economic impact in the county exceeds $6 billion annually and sustains 64,784 jobs in Greenville County alone. Researchers also noted that, since 2001, the cumulative impact of all GADC-affiliated business activities exceed an astonishing $55 billion.
To celebrate, the GADC is rolling out a series of events for its supporters and the business community, starting with a CEO’s Speak Out program this week featuring four prominent Upstate business executives speaking about their recovery and outlook post-pandemic.
Other events to come include the GADC’s Virtual Annual Meeting & Celebration on June 16, a program on the Future of Higher Education featuring top educators in August, a program on the Life Sciences Industry Boom in October, and a year-end Holiday Drop-In in November.
Feature articles on the GADC are planned for Upstate media beginning in May and continuing periodically throughout the year, featuring milestones of the community’s economic growth and leaders who played key roles, while monthly newsletters will highlight events and activities, and include interviews with select business executives focusing on the organization’s history and the community’s outlook.
Lastly, the GADC has adopted a fresh commemorative look for the 20-year anniversary period that is being deployed across all touch points from websites and presentations to e-signatures and digital materials.
A full schedule of events and activities can be found on the GADC website, located at www.gogadc.com.
Since its founding in mid-2001, the GADC team’s efforts have resulted in the announcement of more than 30,000 new jobs and in excess of $5.9 billion in capital investment in Greenville County. To learn more, please visit www.goGADC.com or call (864) 235-2008. To learn more about workforce opportunities, visit www.jobsingreenvillesc.com.
