News and Reports

Jan 22, 2015  |  Partnering for the Workforce of Tomorrow: Work Experience Program Announced
A new economic development program that will offer paid work experience opportunities for Central Carolina Technical College Industrial & Engineering Technology students was unveiled on January 22nd at the Central Carolina Technical College’s Main Campus in Sumter.  The program – called WE (Work Experience) is a partnership
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Dec 1, 2014  |  Sumter one of America’s ‘Smartest Cities’
A ranking by New Geography calls Sumter the 56th smartest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) of the country's 380 MSAs. The rankings grade communities on growth in the number of college degrees attained. Sumter grew by 7.5% from 2000-2013. Sumter was the third ranked city in South Carolina, behind only Charleston-N. Charleston (1
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Nov 4, 2014  |  Voters: Penny Makes Sense
Sumter County voters on Tuesday voted in favor of renewing a penny sales tax to fund dozens of capital projects in the county over the next several years. The vote came via a ballot referendum, which 60 percent of voters favored, according to preliminary results. With 58 of the 67 precincts reporting as
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Sep 4, 2014  |  Interest in mechatronics field grows
The mechatronics program at Central Carolina Technical College is constantly evolving - changing and improving to meet the demands of the industry that, even in trying economic times, continues to progress and expand. After the 2012-13 school year, the college had a 92 percent job-placement rate for graduates who received degrees
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Sep 2, 2014  |  More jobs coming in Sumter Metals $4M expansion
Lasers, machinery and paint could add up to a multi-million-dollar expansion and some new job opportunities at a local company. EnerSys has announced a $4 million investment at its Sumter plant, an addition that will include two new buildings at its manufacturing facility in Live Oak Industrial Park and two dozen
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Aug 20, 2014  |  Confirmed: Apex Tool Group to expand Sumter County employment
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Apex Tool Group, LLC, a leading manufacturer of power and hand tools with more than 30 brands, is expanding its Sumter County workforce, adding between 150 and 200 jobs by the end of 2015. Apex Tool Group, headquartered in Sparks, Md., is one of the largest manufacturers of professional
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Aug 10, 2014  |  200 jobs could come to Sumter with new Apex Tool expansion
Company will shutter its plants in Texas, ArkansasBY BRADEN BUNCHApex Tool will add between 150 and 200 jobs to its Sumter location beginning next year after the company announced it will restructure its manufacturing efforts by closing facilities in Texas and Arkansas.The global tool manufacturer headquartered in Maryland said because the
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Apr 6, 2014  |  Continental Tire’s Craig Baartman Ambassador of the Year
We at Sumter Economic Development are pleased to congratulate Continental Tire Plant Manager Craig Baartman as our Ambassador for Economic Development. We first got to know Craig when he was part of Continental Tire's site selection team, a group that eventually chose Sumter County for the $534 million, 1,65
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Mar 31, 2014  |  Sumter bests U.S. jobless rate for1st time in 14 years
The job picture in Sumter County is better than the national average for the first time in nearly 14 years, according to figures released by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce on Friday. New positive numbers from the DEW's monthly unemployment rate report also indicate more people were
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Mar 31, 2014  |  Sumter Mold Service preps for full production
There's a new mold in town. Or at least there soon will be. Employees at Sumter Mold Service are working to get the business ready for full production in about two weeks. The business is coming to Sumter primarily because of Continental Tire the Americas. General Manager Dan Wright
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