I-77 Alliance Announces Fletcher as New CEO

COLUMBIA, SC – The I-77 Alliance, a newly formed regional economic development organization, has hired veteran economic developer Rich Fletcher as its first president/CEO.

The alliance is a public-private organization that will market and brand York, Chester, Fairfield and Richland counties.

Fletcher joins the alliance from SCANA Corp., where he most recently managed the company’s economic development and local government activities in the eastern and southern portions of South Carolina.  Prior to SCANA, Fletcher worked at the North Eastern Strategic Alliance and the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

Fletcher holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He has also completed training at the South Carolina Economic Developers School at the College of Charleston and the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.

“Rich’s work on a regional and state level and his combination of private and public sector experience gives him a unique perspective and skill set that fits this new job perfectly,” said Dr. Britt Blackwell, chairman of the I-77 Alliance and of York County Council.

“Our four-county region already is seeing exciting new growth and we’re confident that Rich can play a key role in helping us move forward even more quickly in the critical areas of economic development and job growth,” Blackwell said.

Fletcher will be responsible for developing marketing initiatives, including branding and imaging, as well as taking the lead on regional development issues and working to enhance the regional business climate.

“I am excited and humbled to be given this opportunity,” Fletcher said. “The leadership of the four county governments, the county economic developers and our private sector partners have worked so hard to structure a unique and cohesive partnership. Our region is poised to see tremendous growth along the I-77 corridor, and it is an honor to be part of that effort.”

 
I-77 Alliance
The South Carolina I-77 Alliance is a newly formed regional economic development organization representing York, Chester, Fairfield and Richland counties.