South Carolina Engineering Cluster grows to 160 members, receives grant
September 10, 2008
COLUMBIA, SC – September 10, 2008 – More than 160 organizations have joined South Carolina’s engineering industry group, the South Carolina Engineering Cluster, since it was established just 9 months ago. The group is part of New Carolina, South Carolina’s Council on Competitiveness.
The cluster has two goals: promoting engineering as a career choice for young students and promoting and growing the South Carolina engineering industry. The cluster represents government, economic development, academia, engineering companies and professional societies aiming to promote engineering in South Carolina. A member directory can be found at the cluster’s web site, www.southcarolinaengineering.org.
“I’m very pleased that so many companies are finding ways to work together here in the state,” said Lee Stogner, who chairs the cluster. “This cluster is providing a forum where educators, businesses, government representatives and others can get together to discuss what we need to do to grow this industry in South Carolina.”
The Engineering Cluster has also received a grant from the S.C. Department of Education that will allow middle and high school students in the state to participate in hands-on science and engineering classes through Project Lead the Way, a national, nonprofit education program. The program’s goal is to encourage students to go into the engineering field. More details will be released about the grant in the coming weeks.
New Carolina defines a cluster as a group of interconnected companies in a similar line of business that collaborate to build and expand their products and services. Specific goals of the Engineering Cluster include promoting the services of state-based engineering organizations, promoting investment in the state’s engineering economy, providing a forum to discuss engineering issues, recognizing the accomplishments of South Carolina engineers, and encouraging students to choose an engineering career.
More than 45,000 South Carolina engineers are developing new technologies and designing major projects around the world in almost every industry including electronics, automotive, chemical, biotech, energy and infrastructure.
More information can be found at www.southcarolinaengineering.org, or by contacting Lee Stogner at [email protected].
Together with partners, S.C.’s Council on Competitiveness is driving the movement towards a New Carolina – a South Carolina with a brighter future and a competitive, winning economy. The focus is on a strategy to play to the strengths of the state’s core industries, emphasize education, and build an environment that fosters innovation. Visit www.newcarolina.org for more information.
