Our Mission At
SCEDA
is to enhance the professional development of its membership and to advocate economic development to benefit the citizens of South Carolina.
Since 1965
Our Story
The South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association is a not-for-profit organization of 600+ members whose primary objective is to increase the effectiveness of individuals involved in the practice of economic development in South Carolina by encouraging cooperation, exchange of information and promotion of professional skills.
58 Years
Our History
In 1965, a group of visionary professionals dedicated to developing the economy in South Carolina founded the South Carolina Industrial (now Economic) Developers’ Association. Envisioning a bright future for South Carolina, this proactive group came together determined to be a force of positive influence on economic development in our state. As South Carolina’s economy continues to prosper, SCEDA members remain at the center of development activity, supporting each other for the benefit of all South Carolinians.
Objective
Through effective internal and external communication, enhance the reputation and credibility of SCEDA and position the organization as the economic development authority in South Carolina.
Objective
To provide ongoing educational opportunities, which enhance the professional and personal development of SCEDA members.
Objective
To actively involve SCEDA in the influencing of critical economic development policy leading to sustainable statewide prosperity.
SCEDA is celebrating 58 years as the leading association for economic development in the state of South Carolina. Looking back allows us to see all that has changed in our state.
1966 —
The first container ship calls on the Port of Charleston.
1968 —
General Electric opens a turbine facility in Greenville County.
1968 —
Kimberly-Clark opens a production facility in Aiken County.
1969 —
Federal approval to extend I-77 south to Columbia from Charlotte.
1971 —
Michelin makes first investment in South Carolina.
1971 —
Timken opens its first South Carolina plant in Spartanburg County.
1972 —
Act 1268 establishes the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education.
1974 —
Robert Bosch establishes a manufacturing facility in Dorchester County.
1978 —
GlaxoSmithKline’s Aiken manufacturing facility established.
1984 —
“Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places” campaign is launched.
1987 —
FILOT incentive is passed into law in South Carolina.
1988 —
Fuji Photo Film announced in GreenwoodCounty.
1991 —
Wal-Mart announces plans for a distribution facility in Laurens County.
1991 —
Hoffmann-La Roche in Florence County.
1992 —
BMW breaks ground on its first manufacturing facility outside Germany in Spartanburg County.
1993 —
South Carolina Development Board becomes the South Carolina Department of Commerce.
1995 —
Enterprise Zone legislation passed into law.
1995 —
Nucor Steel locates a recycling plant in Berkeley County.
1996 —
UPS opens its Southeast air hub at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
1996 —
The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor is established.
1997 —
Honda announces plans for an ATV manufacturing facility in Florence County.
1997 —
Bridgestone-Firestone announces in Aiken County.
2000 —
Haier opens a manufacturing facility in Kershaw County.
2001 —
Harbor Freight Tools establishes a distribution center in Dillon County.
2002 —
Endowed Chairs Program is created.
2004 —
Alenia Aeronautica and Vought announce a joint venture to build components for Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner in North Charleston.
2005 —
Arthur Ravenel Bridge opens with clearance of 186 feet.
2007 —
Google announces plans to build a data center in Berkeley County.
2008 —
Monster breaks ground on customer service facility in Florence County.
2009 —
Boeing announces a 787 assembly site at its North Charleston facility.
2009 —
readySC™ trains its 250,000th South Carolinian.
2010 —
First Quality makes South Carolina’s largest investment on record in Anderson.
2011 —
Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that the company will locate its new operations in Lexington County. The $313 million investment generates over 700 new jobs.
2012 —
BMW expands its plant in Spartanburg County. The $900 million investment generates 300 new jobs. BMW also commemorated a production milestone of 2,000,000 vehicles since the company began U.S. production in 1994.
2013 —
Google expands its operations at the Mt. Holly Commerce Park in Berkeley County. The additional $600 million investment at the data center site brings Google’s total investment to over $1.2 billion.
2014 —
BMW announces $1 billion expansion creating 800 new jobs.
2015 —
Volvo Car Corporation selects Berkeley County for its first manufacturing facility in the Western hemisphere. The new $500 million factory highlights the attraction of the United States as a location for high-technology manufacturing. The plant is expected to create 2,000 new jobs over the next decade and up to 4,000 jobs by 2030.
2016 —
China Jushi, a global manufacturer and promoter of fiberglass products, establishes its first US fiberglass manufacturing operations with an 80,000-ton production line in Richland County. The first phase of the project is expected to bring $300 million in capital investment and create 400 new jobs.
2017 —
Volvo Cars announced an additional $520 million investment in its Berkeley County operations and creating 1,910 new jobs. This new commitment adds to the company’s initial 2015 announcement and brings the collective total to more than $1 billion in investment and 3,900 jobs, respectively.
2018 —
Google confirmed plans to further expand its existing campus in Berkeley County, marking the 10-year anniversary of its data center at the Mount Holly Commerce Park. The expansion is projected to bring approximately $600 million of additional capital investment.
2019 —
McCall Farms, a South Carolina-based manufacturer, announced plans to expand its existing operations in Florence County. The $50 million investment is expected to create 140 new jobs.
2020 —
Mark Anthony Brewing Inc. announces headquarters in Richland County with a $400 million investment and 300 jobs.
2021 —
Oshkosh Defense establishes operations in Spartanburg County creating 1,000 jobs with a $155 million capital investment.
2022 —
Redwood Materials announces a $3.5 billion investment in Berkeley County that will create 1,500 new jobs.
2023 —
The Scout Motors project is announced and is the largest economic investment in the history of Richland County.