SCRA's SC LAUNCH Receives Recognition at Annual International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Conference
October 7, 2009
South Carolina-based Organization Recognized for its Annual Report
COLUMBIA, SC – October 6, 2009 – Acknowledging SC Launch for its exceptional annual report, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recognized the South Carolina-based company, an SCRA affiliate, with an honorable mention at IEDC’s Annual Conference in Reno, Nevada. SC Launch was acknowledged for this achievement during an awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 6th.
Furthering economic development is rarely a simple task in the best of times, and advancing the cause in the midst of a global financial crisis is nothing less than arduous, said Ian Bromley, IEDC chair. As the consequences of the widespread economic turmoil have taken hold, we have seen our members become even more ardent proponents of economic development, flying in the face of one of the most challenging economic environments we have experienced in our careers. We tip our hats to SC Launch for its superior work during these difficult times.
Competing in the category of Annual Report by organizations serving areas with populations exceeding 200,000, SC Launch made a notable impression. The SC Launch Annual Report describes how SC Launch–a collaboration among applied research and commercialization services organization SCRA and South Carolina’s university research foundations–helps strengthen South Carolina’s Knowledge Economy by providing a pathway to commercialization for entrepreneurs to grow companies, create jobs and bring innovative products and services to market.
Technology sectors that SC Launch has identified as having the greatest benefit in South Carolina are cited in the report: Advanced Materials, Alternative Energy, Engineering, Life Sciences and Information Technology. Additionally, the document describes how SCRA provided a $12 million investment through its retained earnings to fund the first three years of the SC Launch program, and then established the Industry Partnership Fund, which provides ongoing financial support of the program through individual and corporate donations. This strategy has been quite successful: IPF contribution goals have been met each year at least six months earlier than expected.
About IEDC
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is headquartered in Washington, DC. Its mission is to provide leadership and excellence in economic development for communities, members and partners. IEDC’s professional economic development awards annually recognize excellence in the economic development profession.
About SC Launch (http://www.sclaunch.org/)
SC Launch, an SCRA affiliate, assists entrepreneurial start-up companies with up-front counseling, seed-funding, and access to a powerful resource network. The SC Launch mission is to help generate knowledge economy jobs in South Carolina, enhance the state’s quality of life and provide opportunity for all South Carolinians in the new economy.
About SCRA (http://www.scra.org)
SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with offices in South Carolina, Ohio and in the Washington, D.C. area. SCRA collaborates to advance technology, providing technology-based solutions with assured outcomes to industry, government, and research universities in SC, the US and globally.
