South Carolina Earns Area Development’s Gold Shovel and Investment Project Of The Year
June 4, 2015
SOUTH CAROLINA – The State of South Carolina once again has been awarded a Gold Shovel by Area Development magazine, a leading national economic development publication. The Gold Shovel is awarded to states in recognition of projects undertaken during the previous year that have created a significant number of high-value-added new jobs and investment. The magazine also recognized South Carolina’s Giti Tire investment as a “Project of the Year.”
This year’s Gold Shovel was awarded to five states that excelled in job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes and promotions that attract new employers, and investments in expanded facilities. The Gold Shovels are presented annually to the states that have achieved the most success in terms of new job creation and economic impact.
South Carolina also was recognized as a 2015 Investment Project of the Year for attracting Giti Tire to Chester Country. Giti Tire is the 10th largest tire company in the world and is establishing its first North American manufacturing facility in South Carolina. This $560 million investment will create 1,700 jobs and manufacture 30,000 tires daily. The addition of Giti Tires solidifies South Carolina’s position as the country’s top producer and exporter of tires.
“The states and their communities receiving 2015 Shovel Awards have proven that they understand the makings of successful economic development strategies,” says Geraldine Gambale, editor of Area Development. “They deserve special recognition for their efforts to grow their economies and provide well-paying jobs in a time of intense competition for new investment.”
Upon receiving the award, Governor Nikki Haley said, “South Carolina is on the move and the world has taken notice. Companies know that if we build their product in South Carolina we build it well and with pride, that paired with our loyal workforce is always a recipe for success. We want to congratulate Team South Carolina for all of their hard work and success, but we are just getting started.”
South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said, “With our strong economic recruitment in 2014, Team South Carolina is riding a wave of positive momentum. From our training system to our port, and state leadership who understands the importance of pro-business policies, collectively we are poised to celebrate even more success.”
For more information about the Gold Shovel and Investment Project of the Year, visit www.areadevelopment.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. Commerce partners with the S.C Technical College System viareadySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. Consistently, South Carolina has ranked as one of the top states in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment, according to IBM-Plant Location International reports. The state won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
