Upstate SC Alliance names Bock as Economic Developer of the Year
August 28, 2013
UPSTATE, SC – August 28, 2013 -The City of Spartanburg’s director of economic development Patty Bock was chosen by her peers as this year’s Upstate Economic Developer of the Year. The award was announced at the Upstate SC Alliance’s Mid-Year meeting at the Marriott in Greenville. The award recognizes the hard work and dedication of local developers in the Upstate who have made a significant difference in their community.
This year’s honoree has a strong background in everything that makes an economic developer great. She has worked in both the public and private sectors, she has a strong understanding of commercial real estate, and she has an incredibly positive attitude that makes others want to work with her, Henry Hal Johnson, Upstate SC Alliance president and CEO, proclaimed in announcing the honor.
Johnson cited many accomplishments in giving examples of Bock’s leadership, but particularly focused on the Main Street Challenge. As part of a project to bring more business to downtown Spartanburg, city officials endorsed a plan to pay the first year’s rent and local businesses have agreed to provide other services to the three winners who won a competitive contest to put their business downtown. Other assistance to the winners included marketing support, printing, accounting and tax preparation.
This program ‘went viral.’ They have had interest from all over the country as the cleverness of the story captured the imagination of community leaders everywhere. Such a simple concept, cost effective and well executed, has created a buzz and excitement that would make any marketer envious, Johnson said.
Bock started her current position in July of 2009. Prior to that, she worked with Spartanburg-based Johnson Development, a private real estate developer of industrial, multi-family, office and retail properties.
About the Upstate SC Alliance
The Upstate SC Alliance is a public/private regional economic development organization designed to market and brand the Upstate of South Carolina. The Upstate represent the commerce-rich northwestern corner of South Carolina, including the I-85 corridor and the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metropolitan area. Additional information is available through the Alliance’s web site, www.upstateSCalliance.com.
