SC Department of Commerce Receives 2012 International Economic Development Award
May 16, 2012
GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Chamber and Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. presented the 10th annual International Economic Development Award to the South Carolina Department of Commerce (SCDOC) for helping international companies establish, relocate and expand business operations in Upstate SC.
The award was presented at the Greenville Chamber’s 20th annual International Event to celebrate the investment of international companies in the Upstate. It was held on Thursday, May 10th at the Poinsett Club in Greenville. The program featured live feed updates from the SCDOC’s offices in Munich, Shanghai, and Tokyo.
Past recipients of the International Economic Development Award include BMW Manufacturing Co., CU-ICAR, Fluor, Michelin North America, and GE Energy.
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. presented the annual International Economic Development Award to the SCDOC for its role in helping international companies establish, relocate and expand business operations in the Upstate. Ranked No. 3 in the nation for globalization on the 2010 State New Economy Index, it’s no wonder that more than 700 international firms have facilities in South Carolina. In fact, foreign-affiliated companies employ more than 107,000 South Carolinians, comprising seven percent of the state’s private industry employment.
Pictured: Representatives from the South Carolina Department ofCommerce (SCDOC) accepted the International Economic Development Awardfrom Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. (HSB) at the Greenville Chamber’sInternational Reception on May 10th at the Poinsett Club in Greenville.From left to right: Frank Davis (Shareholder, HSB Greenville), ClarkeThompson (Director of International Trade, SCDOC), Anne Ellefson(Managing Director, HSB Greenville), Ford Graham (Directorof International Investment and Managing Director, State of South Carolina European Office, SCDOC), KnoxWhite (Shareholder, HSB Greenville, Mayor of Greenville), EdwardKluiters (Shareholder, HSB Columbia), Will Johnson (Associate, HSBColumbia), Carl Roberts, Jr.(Special Counsel, HSB Columbia) and BenHaskew (Greenville Chamber President & CEO).
About the South Carolina Department of Commerce (SCDOC)
The SCDOC recruited 20,013 jobs and over $5.12 billion in investment in 2011, broke a previous record for investment in 2011 and recruited a near-record in new jobs for the year. Of that total, 73%, or $3.7 billion, was international investments. International jobs recruited in 2011 were 9,200 or 46% of the total. Learn more at http://sccommerce.com/.
About the Greenville Chamber
The Greenville Chamber is the largest business organization in the Upstate. The Chamber’s mission is to build one of the premier business communities in the world by leading through collaboration, building community prosperity, being the voice of business, and enhancing quality of life. For more information about the Greenville Chamber, call 864-242-1050, or visit www.greenvillechamber.org.
