Economic Growth & Prosperity
R
esults from the first Regional Economic Scorecard published in 2008 showed that after twenty years of outperforming the U.S. in income growth, we had lagged the country for nine consecutive
years. Action was necessary to stimulate our local economy and compete in the global marketplace. To that end, the Chamber, under the advisement of business leadership, crafted the ACCELERATE! initiative to
build economic momentum in our community. The rally cry was heard and more than 100 local investors joined the effort. Today, in addition to funding the Chamber’s Regional Economic Scorecard, ACCELERATE!
supports strategies to improve income growth determined by the four main drivers of wealth creation - Human Capital, Innovative Activity, Entrepreneurial Environment, and Industry Strength.
Current ACCELERATE! Funded Strategies Include: NEXT Innovative, fast growth companies offer our region a great opportunity for creating high wage jobs while generating wealth via business ownership. NEXT is the internationallyrecognized economic development program dedicated to growing and attracting high impact, entrepreneurial companies in the Greenville/ Upstate SC area. ACCELERATE! funds the full-time operations of NEXT. See more about NEXT on page 9.
CATALYTIC PROJECTS MINORITY BUSINESS ACCELERATOR In times of economic development specialization, ACCELERATE! serves the critical role of identifying and addressing strategic opportunities or threats to our regional economy that cut across traditional organizations and roles. In this capacity, ACCELERATE! supported the recruitment of Southwest Airlines and led the creation of a strategic plan for NEXT.
ACCELERATE! Investor Council:
To positively impact per capita income and job creation in Greenville, ACCELERATE! is one of several partners funding the launch of the Minority Business Accelerator program. The program will foster the economic success of disadvantaged organizations through business development services, mentoring, and access to large corporations for partnership opportunities. The Greenville Chamber conducted a national search and added to the staff a full-time Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion to oversee development and implementation of this program.
TALENT RECRUITING The successful THINK Greenville marketing piece was created to help companies of all types attract new talent to Greenville and Upstate SC. It’s the only publication of its kind, targeted specifically at encouraging talented individuals, couples, and families to move here. ACCELERATE! funded Think Greenville and provides resources for high impact talent recruiting projects across the community.
Co-Chairs Toby Stansell, Acumen IT Craig Brown, Greenville Drive Ownership
Members Jim Bourey, Elliott Davis Dennis Braasch, Braasch Building Group Julie Godshall Brown, Godshall Staffing William Cdebaca, Fluor Mark Crocker, Dixon Hughes
Charles Dalton, Blue Ridge Electric Tee Hooper, General Wholesale Distributors Adam Landrum, MERGE Steve Nail, Hubbell Lighting Matt Puckett, Wells Fargo Insurance Brian Rogers, Wachovia/Wells Fargo
Jerry Youkey, Greenville Hospital System Minor Shaw, Micco Corp
Ex Officio Sam Konduros, SK Strategies
www.greenvillechamber.org | 2013 Greenville Business Directory
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