Florence, SC County Council Chairman, K. G. Rusty Smith, Jr. designated as an SCRA Knowledge Economist

CHARLESTON, SC – April 20, 2010 – SCRA and Florence County Economic Development Partnership are pleased to announce that K.G. Rusty Smith, Jr. was named as an SCRA Knowledge Economist recently at the Materials Innovation Technologies grand opening ceremony in Lake City, SC. On behalf of SCRA, Stewart McKenzie, SC Launch Midlands Zone Manager, recognized Smith for his contributions to South Carolina’s Knowledge Economy, which creates high-salaried technology jobs, nurtures new ventures and capital investment, and builds equity for the future – a perfect parallel to MIT opening a facility in South Carolina, which is expected to hire up to 120 employees over a five-year period.

 
The SCRA Knowledge Economist Award Program recognizes outstanding citizens who have made significant contributions to South Carolina’s Knowledge Economy “where the value of the mind shapes the successful profile of progress,” said Mahoney. “Part of SCRA’s role in its dedication to South Carolina’s Knowledge Economy is to recognize those outstanding citizens in our society who have made significant contributions to Knowledge Economy advancement,” he said.
 
To confirm that its knowledge economy efforts are being realized, a recent study by The University of South Carolina Moore School of Business cited SCRA’s 2007 contribution to economic development at $1.4 billion, encompassing more than 11,000 jobs with per capita incomes of $55,000-$77,000.
 
For more information about the SCRA Knowledge Economist Award Program and a list of persons who have been recognized as a South Carolina Knowledge Economist, please click on this link: http://sclaunch.org/knowledge_economy_awards.shtml
 

About SCRA
SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with offices in South Carolina, Ohio and in McLean, Virginia. SCRA collaborates to advance technology, providing technology-based solutions with assured outcomes to industry, government, and research universities in SC, the US and globally. For more information, visit www.scra.org.

K. G. RUSTY SMITH, JR. FLORENCE COUNTY COUNCIL
DISTRICT #1
 
K.G. “Rusty” Smith, Jr. is a life-long resident of Lake City, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Lake City High School where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track. He received a degree in Government & International Studies from the University of South Carolina and is a veteran of the United States Navy. He currently owns and operates K. G. Smith Company Sales & Rentals; which specializes in heavy equipment sales, rentals and supplies and employs 15 individuals.
 
Mr. Smith is married to Rita Franklin Smith and they are the proud parents of twin sons, K.G. Smith, III and James Pearson Smith. Both boys obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. One son is a student at Francis Marion University and the other a student at Florence-Darlington Technical College.
 
Mr. Smith was selected as Citizen of the Year in 1989 and again in 2001 by the City of Lake City. He is the first person to be chosen twice for this award. He was also the 1990 Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce Contributor of the Year. He is a member of the Lake City First Baptist Church and past member of the Lake City Rotary Club and American Legion.
 
Mr. Smith was first elected to Florence County Council in 1986. He currently serves as Chairman, a position he has held on four different occasions. He has served on the Florence City-County Civic Center Commission, FLATS Committee and continues to serve on the Florence County Economic Development Partnership. He serves as Chairman of the Florence-Williamsburg County Joint Industrial Park Commission, Past President of the South Carolina Association of Counties, as well as a Recipient of the coveted SCAC Presidents Cup Award, and serves as Vice Chairman of the Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments Board of Directors.