SCEDA awarded its scholarships during its Annual Meeting at the 2025 SCEDA Annual Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC.
One of the main objectives of SCEDA is to provide ongoing educational opportunities which enhance the professional and personal development of SCEDA members. The Scholarship program helps to achieve this objective.
The Sloan W. Gable, Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute Scholarship, provides the recipient up to $2,000 a year for the next three years to attend and complete the Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute, an executive development certificate program that has been the primary professional training program for those in the business of economic development since its creation.
Established in 1962, OU EDI, the only professional-level program in the U.S., provides professional economic developers with up-to-date knowledge in today’s constantly changing economic development marketplace. The OU EDI experience advances participants’ professional careers by providing comprehensive courses that align with the IEDC manuals and the latest trends.
The 2025 recipient is Kelli Brunson with Beaufort County.
The Truman H. Safford Basic Economic Development Scholarship provides the recipient up to $1,200 of IEDC’s Basic Economic Development Course.
The BEDC provides a solid foundation for entry-level economic development practitioners. BEDC courses are sent to IEDC’s Introduction to Economic Development course in preparation for the IEDC Certification exam. Accreditation by IEDC ensures that each BEDC covers subject areas determined to be the core building blocks in any economic development organization.
The 2025 recipient is Devarius McDonald with Fairfield County Economic Development.
The 2025 recipient of the Irwin Maceo Nance SC Economic Development Institute award is Austin Walker with Abbeville County Economic Development.