GADC celebrates 2018 economic development success, presents Chairman’s Award to John Moore and NEXT
May 1, 2019
Lt. Governor Pamela Evette Delivers Keynote
The Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), charged with promoting and enhancing quality of life in Greenville County by facilitating job growth and investment, today announced continuing strong job creation and capital investment for 2018 at its Annual Meeting and Luncheon.
The annual luncheon, open to current GADC Investors, designated guests and media invitees, featured a keynote address by Pamela Evette, Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, and presentation of the Chairman’s Award to John Moore, CEO of NEXT. The GADC Chairman’s Award is presented annually for significant impact on and contributions to the economic betterment and growth of Greenville County.
Also recognized were outgoing GADC board members, Greenville County Council members, and other officials from across the county and its municipalities. The luncheon was held at The Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville.
In his comments, GADC President and CEO Mark Farris noted that 17 successful announcements in 2018 had resulted in announced capital investment of $162 million, and the addition of 1,477 new jobs to the community at wages averaging nearly 18% higher than state averages. He also noted significant advances in product development and business park additions, office recruitment, partnering connectivity and cooperation, and land use planning advocacy to help create a sustainable community tax base.
Keynote speaker Pamela Evette was elected as South Carolina’s first-ever female Lieutenant Governor on November 6, 2018. The founder of Quality Business Solutions in Travelers Rest, she has grown the company from start-up to a spot on the Inc. 5000 listing of the nation’s fastest growing small businesses and is the recipient of numerous business and professional accolades, including recognition as a member of the Impact 50, a ranking of the most powerful women leaders of Inc. 5000 companies.
In her comments, Lt. Governor Evette lauded the strong and continuing economic growth of the state and regions such as Greenville, noting that the Upstate has long played a critical role in determining the outlook for South Carolina. She congratulated the GADC and County Council on its continuing strong performance of smart growth and commitment to education, quality of life and creating a pro-business community.
John Moore, CEO of NEXT – the award-winning organization that builds the entrepreneur ecosystem and supports the high-impact ventures in it — was honored as 2019 recipient of the Chairman’s Award at the annual meeting.
In 2006 while at the Greenville Chamber, Mr. Moore founded NEXT which today supports over 100 early-stage ventures and has created a supporting ecosystem in the Greenville area including three facilities totaling 100,000 square feet of entrepreneur-targeted space, the Upstate Carolina Angel Network, and MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service. Previously John served as the Chamber’s Interim President and CEO in 2003, and co-launched Accelerate!, its strategic effort to boost regional economic performance. John also has held brand management positions with The Coca-Cola Company, Kimberly-Clark, and Zipit Wireless.
Honored by incoming GADC Chair Beverly Haines for their contributions were outgoing GADC Directors Tom Quantrille, Jim Wiginton and outgoing Chair Marshall Franklin. The luncheon, hosted by GADC President and CEO Mark Farris, attracted more than 150 Upstate and state business leaders and economic development officials.
Since its founding in mid-2001, the GADC team’s efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 27,000 new jobs and in excess of $4.9 billion in capital investment in Greenville County.
