GSHRM Offers “Economic Development Hardball for the Heavy Hitters”

June 2, 2015

GREENVILLE, SC – Interested in hearing about economic development from those on the front lines? Wondering how economic development impacts human resource issues? The Greenville Society for Human Resource Management presents “Economic Development Hardball for the Heavy Hitters” on Tuesday, June 2 at the Greenville Marriott from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To register, go to www.GreenvilleHR.org/june. The cost is $25 for all attendees.

The lunchtime session will feature a panel of economic development experts moderated by Steve Nail, vice president of HR at Hubbell Lighting.

Panelists are J. Mark Farris of Greenville Area Development Corporation, Hank Hyatt of the Greenville Chamber, John Lummus of Upstate Alliance, and Nancy Whitworth, with the city of Greenville.

Mark Farris was named president and CEO of the Greenville Area Development Corporation in October 2014, leading the industrial and business recruitment efforts of the largest county in South Carolina.

Hank Hyatt is the vice president for economic development for the Greenville Chamber. In addition to assisting firms looking to invest in Greenville, Hank provides support to the region’s existing base of major employers and works to prompt community change through community and economic development research.

John Lummus serves as the president and CEO for the Upstate SC Alliance. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the direction of the Alliance as well as running the day-to-day operations. John has more than two decades of experience in economic development, governmental affairs, and public administration.

Nancy Whitworth is the deputy city manager and director of economic development for the City of Greenville. In addition to her role as deputy, she is responsible for commercial and neighborhood revitalization, downtown development, business recruitment and retention, planning and zoning and building codes. A native South Carolinian, she has been in Greenville for over 30 years and has played an integral role in Greenville’s transformation.

Topics of discussion will include the proper role of incentives in economic development, the possibility of union-friendly companies, road conditions and the impact on economic development efforts, impact of a minimum wage increase, perception of Greenville, South Carolina, and the South as backward, areas of weakness observed by prospects, and how to progress to best in class for infrastructure, education, culture, and inclusiveness.