Our investors, both public and private, understand the value proposition of their membership in the Central SC Alliance – they help us attract companies that build the region’s business base, expanding opportunities for all.
The Central SC Alliance is South Carolina’s oldest regional alliance and represents the City of Columbia, the University of South Carolina and nine central South Carolina counties: Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Orangeburg and Richland. As a public-private partnership, we work with local county developers, County and City Councils, local companies, and the SC Department of Commerce to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Since our founding in 1994, we have been central to the recruitment of world class companies to our region – Amazon, Caterpillar, Haier, Michelin, Starbucks and many more. We firmly believe that the future growth and development of the region is dependent upon the success of everyone working together.
One of our biggest points of pride as a regional economic development alliance is that we are a 501(c)(3). This designation allows us to focus on our core mission: recruiting capital investment and jobs. As a non-profit, we rely on funding from public and private sources, and strive to be a good steward of these dollars. With our investors’ financial and professional assistance, and their active engagement, the Alliance offers a full array of services for our region, including market research, project generation, economic impact analyses, site identification, site and building development, incentive facilitation, marketing missions and working relations with corporate real estate consultants and major industries around the world.
Our strategy is one that works – a track record in attracting industry, growing the job market, and nurturing our existing business community is proof. In fact, we have just closed out what will be a record year for Central SC. In 2011, our region attracted over $1.4 billion in announced new capital investment, generating over 4,200 jobs. This momentum is a result of collaboration with all of our economic development allies, but the long-term success of our strategy depends on the businesses and individuals who benefit from the work we do. As a non-profit organization, we rely first and foremost upon an engaged and committed support network to keep central South Carolina moving forward and thriving.
INVESTORS ARE PART OF THE TEAM
There are nearly 100 local businesses supporting the Central SC Alliance as Investors and over 300 individuals who participate in the Committee of 100. Alliance investors come in all shapes and sizes, and from a variety of industries. They support our organization with in-kind donations and annual contributions ranging from $1,000 – $50,000, each one making a commitment to the economic vitality of our region.
Investors are afforded many benefits (depending on their level of contribution), including invitations to economic development announcements, regular updates from the Alliance via newsletters and Investors Calls, access to a network of business leaders and service providers – and, more notably, a seat at the table to help steer our efforts and the future prosperity of our region.
Most importantly, our investors, both public and private, recognize their financial commitment to the Central SC Alliance helps us attract companies that build the region’s business base, expanding opportunities for all. We leverage these regional resources to promote Central SC’s outstanding business climate, accessibility and quality of life. Although our results speak for themselves, we believe that Investors are often our best advocates:
“Elliott Davis believes attracting new industry and supporting expansion of existing industry is vital to the continued prosperity of the Midlands. The Alliance represents a very professional and effective approach to accomplish these objectives. Further economic growth contributes greatly to the growth of our firm and our clients, and as a result, the continued improvement of the quality of life in the Midlands,” says Jim Hazel, president of Elliott Davis, Central SC Alliance Board
“The Alliance is a vital resource for the Midlands of South Carolina. The organization works hard to recruit companies that add value to our great state in the form of jobs and expanded tax base. As important as the recruitment and development of larger corporations is, the Alliance has likewise shown great care in the welfare and interests of small business, which are the backbone of our local economy,” says William Gresham, president of McWaters.
A RENEWED EMPHASIS ON INVESTORS
The Central SC Alliance is a “heads down organization” focused on recruiting investments and jobs. In addition, this year we are emphasizing the need for our investors and communities to feel engaged in our success by:
- Better articulating the value proposition of Alliance membership.
- More effectively communicating the ongoing dynamics and results of local economic activity.
- Enhancing Central SC’s role in relationship-building among the communities and constituencies of the Midlands, especially our counties outside of the greater Columbia area.
- Providing more and varied opportunities for investors to stay involved and up to date through newsletters, Investors Conference Calls, events and social media.
We thank all of our partners and investors for their ongoing support as we continue to work hand-in-hand to bring prosperity to the citizens of Central South Carolina. Your time and financial commitment play a critical role in transforming our region into a thriving economic center and destination for jobs, talent, and investment.
INVEST IN CENTRAL SC
Learn how you can get involved and become an Investor in the Central SC Alliance by calling Callison Rawl, Director of Public and Investor Relations at 803-733-5435 or crawl@centralsc.org.
For more information on the Central SC Alliance visit www.centralsc.org, follow us on Twitter @Central_SC, or find us on Facebook and Linked-In.