News and Reports

Jun 12, 2012  |  Area Development magazine gives “Gold Shovel” award to S.C.
Sumter and South Carolina continue to reap rewards for outstanding economic development. The latest honor is a “Gold Shovel” award for the Palmetto State, in part due to Sumter’s acquisition of Continental Tire the Americas. The tire manufacturer is currently constructing a massive $534 million facility in Sumter that will
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May 6, 2012  |  Jay Schwedler named Developer of the Year
Sumter County Development Board President and CEO Jay Schwedler - for his efforts in leading Sumter County’s economic development efforts over the past year, including his part in recruiting Continental Tire the Americas to the area - has been named Local Developer of the Year by the South Carolina
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Apr 19, 2012  |  Sumter Rakes in Magazine’s ‘Top 10’ Honors
Sumter County received four recognitions, either directly or indirectly, in Southern Business & Development magazine’s annual Top 10 issue, released this week. Sumter Development Board Chairman Greg A. Thompson earned the top spot as one of “Ten People Who Made a Difference in the South,” while Sumter County was tapped
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Apr 18, 2012  |  Watch out world: The Palmetto is back
South Carolina weighs in with some huge job and investment-generating projectsBy Mike Randle,Publisher, Southern Business & DevelopmentI remember when the South Carolina Department of Commerce (back then it was called the S.C. Development Board) was the most feared state economic development agency in the most competitive economic development
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Apr 18, 2012  |  David Tsu, Au’Some CEO, Named Ambassador for Economic Development
Gov. Nikki Haley and the South Carolina Department of Commerce honored selected economic development leaders as South Carolina Ambassadors for Economic Development as part of Industry Appreciation Week. The awards ceremony recognized 51 individuals from all 46 counties who contributed to economic development in their local communities.Sumter County’s Ambassador
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Apr 16, 2012  |  Explore the weekend in Sumter
There are more things to do in Sumter, SC than you can possibly pack into a weekend.This quaint southern town has a rich and colorful history, amazing antebellum architecture, award winning parks, and a simmering food scene. Follow Potter’s Raid and visit the many surrounding Civil War
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Mar 14, 2012  |  2012 CiCi Awards Announced by Trade & Industry Development
Corporate Development Investments total more than $11.6 billion; over 34,500 jobs created and retainedTrade & Industry Development, the leading magazine dedicated to site selection, has announced its 7th Annual CiCi (Corporate Investment & Community Impact) Awards.The 30 recipients of the 2012 CiCi Awards helped create 26,605 new jobs, retain 7,902 jobs, and represent investments in
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Mar 13, 2012  |  Caterpillar expanding in Sumter County
$20 million investment and more than 80 new jobs expected over two yearsCOLUMBIA, S.C. – March 14, 2012 – Caterpillar Inc., manufacturer of the yellow and black iconic construction equipment, announced today plans to expand its hydraulic facility in Sumter’s Black River Airport Industrial Park. The $20 million investment is expected to
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Feb 6, 2012  |  Sumter Economic Development Announces 2012 Manufacturers of the Year
(HILTON HEAD, S.C.)—A small company on the brink of closure just 18 months ago joined two established community manufacturing pillars as Sumter County’s Manufacturers of the Year. The 2012 winners were announced at the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce annual retreat in Hilton head on Feb. 4, 2012. 
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Jan 30, 2012  |  Sumter, S.C. wins big – beating the odds by getting into the game
The criteria for Project Soccer were specific – a 240 acre rail site on an interstate. By Rick FarmerWhen Jay Schwedler, president and CEO of the Sumter Development Board, found out what the project required, he knew he had the site, the speed and the determination to make Sumter a viable
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