Annual Report
Mission
Vision
Upstate Alliance Program Pillars
To establish Upstate South Carolina as a unified and innovative economic region; market the Upstate for global business investment and talent attraction; foster public-private collaboration and regional relationships; and move ideas into action. 1 2 3 4 5
Showcase the Upstate’s value proposition
Generate data-driven leads and attract business
Promote the Upstate as a career destination
Captain “Team Upstate” + foster business friendly environment
A 10-county Upstate SC region where business thrives, and people can prosper through access to a diverse array of career opportunities.
Operate efficiently with culture of continuous improvement
GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT & BUSINESS RECRUITMENT
We put the Upstate on the radar for business through a mix of visits to companies in target markets and at tradeshows, and through building relationships with Centers of Influence (COIs – site selection consultants, international business and trade organizations, real estate brokers and developers who serve as referral sources). When a company’s search turns to a formal inquiry, it becomes a “Request for Information” (RFI).
54 company visits
102
429 78 262 presentations about the Upstate RFIs completed new leads added to pipeline
visits hosted in the Upstate
SHOWCASING THE UPSTATE
48 COI visits
What makes the Upstate a standout destination for business investment and prosperity? Here are highlights from our activities to promote the region:
BUILDING CONSULTANT RELATIONSHIPS
Site selection consultants play a central role in location decisions, leading 61% of Upstate RFIs. To ensure they understand the Upstate beyond the numbers, we welcomed consultants to the region, took our story on the road through events in Atlanta and Chicago, and shared updates at major consultant conferences, including NextGen Talks, Area Development, and the Site Selectors Guild. Our Fall Consultant Inbound brought 11 consultants to the Upstate, highlighting regional talent initiatives and providing local economic developers an opportunity to showcase their communities.
GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY REMAINS ESSENTIAL
Global connectivity remains essential to the Upstate’s economic success. During our International Inbound, we hosted 17 international delegates—including consuls general and trade representatives— from 14 nations for a focused look at the region’s business-ready assets, logistics, and collaborative approach. We also welcomed business delegations from the United Kingdom, Japan, and Austria, strengthening relationships with international partners, supporting investment prospects, and reinforcing the Upstate’s position as a trusted U.S. landing point for global companies.
TAKING THE UPSTATE ON THE ROAD
We participated with state allies in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s European Office and engaged companies through targeted missions across Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Germany, and Brazil. We also met with Aerospace prospects at the Paris Air Show, conducted outreach to Food & Beverage companies in California, and represented the Upstate as part of South Carolina’s delegation at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, DC.
UPSTATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT PIPELINE
Prospective companies our team has supported as they are considering growth in the Southeast: 2025
By
Industry Sector: Top Parent Countries:
Engineered Materials
Automotive & Mobility
Industrial Manufacturing
Life Sciences
Aerospace & Defense
Food Production
Business Services
Other
Advanced Energy
Manufacturing Technology
TOTAL
53 total projects
CONNECTING EMPLOYERS AND TALENT
Move Up markets the Upstate as a leading talent location to local populations, higher education institutions, and individuals in key external markets. Skill Up showcases in-demand technical training pathways and opportunities.
RETAINING REGIONAL TALENT
200,129 75,415 5,310 2.1M
website sessions
job views Skill Up program clicks social media impressions
Our second Upstate Immersion Tour welcomed 38 visitors from career services offices at 35 colleges & universities within the Upstate — and in nearby markets — to make connections with employers. They connected through a health occupations panel, career fair, and tours of regional employers.
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Our investor events aim to please, from annual favorites like Sporting Clays and the Oyster Roast to women’s networking at Sassafrass Flower Farm and Wine House. Our speaker series explored SC Ports, sustainability, and reaching students through gamification.
102
219
230+ investor events research requests fulfilled public & private investors
$43,082.74 $853,151.16 $712,738.79 $1,985,428.84 $169,532.96 $2,928,685.49 $2,867,700.59