The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Brand Leader, presented the 2017 SC Branded Awards on Nov. 2nd in Columbia. The SC Branded Awards honor local initiatives, locations, products, and events that make up the brand that is South Carolina. Fifteen groups were honored on Thursday evening, including the 2017 Legends Award winner, Milliken.

“We are proud to announce the inaugural winners of the SC Branded Awards” said SC Chamber President & CEO Ted Pitts. “Our winners and finalists represent the best our state has to offer. Through their unique brands, they are moving South Carolina forward in the areas of economic development, environmental stewardship, charitable giving and more.”

The 2017 SC Branded Award winners are:

Legends Award: Milliken – Spartanburg

 

Economic Development Project: Samsung – Newberry

Finalists:

Taylors Mill – Taylors

Nexton – Summerville

  

Palmetto Green: GF League – Greenville

Finalists:

Hook & Barrel – Myrtle Beach

Summerville, SC

  

Health Initiative of the Year: Harvest Hope – Columbia

Finalists:

First Choice Fit – Statewide

Bon Secours / Young Adult Cancer Care – Greenville 

 

Arts Champion: Cherington Shucker – Greenville

Finalists:

MAC – Greenville

Palmetto State Arts Education Alliance – Greenwood

 

Woven & Worn: Kentwool – Greenville

Finalists:

Carolina Creative – Greenville

Homegrown Cotton - Kingstree

  

Farm, Forest & Field: District Six at Cragmoor Farms – Spartanburg

Finalists:

Collum’s Lumber – Allendale

Mill Village Farms – Greenville

 

*Taste of the State: Soby’s – Greenville

Finalists:

Lizard’s Thicket – Columbia

Hyman’s – Charleston

  

*Brewery of the Year: River Rat Brewing – Columbia

Finalists:

Quest Brewing – Greenville

13 Stripes – Taylors

  

*Iconic Sports Moment: Clemson Football Championship – Clemson

Finalists:

Wesley Bryan’s win at the RBC Heritage – Hilton Head Island

USC Women’s Basketball Championship – Columbia

  

*Destination Award: Greenville’s Main Street – Greenville

Finalists:

Hilton Head Island’s Harbour Town – Hilton Head Island

Myrtle Beach’s Oceanfront Boardwalk – Myrtle Beach

 

Product Innovation: Growler Chill – Myrtle Beach

Finalists:

Haile Gold Mine – Kershaw

Hook + Gaff – West Columbia

 

Charitable Impact: BCBS – Columbia

Finalists:

Colonial Life – Columbia

Cox Industries – Orangeburg

  

Hometown SC: Spartanburg, SC

Finalists:

Aiken, SC

Travelers Rest, SC

 

Brand on the Rise: Brackish Bowties – Charleston

Finalists:

Bandwagon – Greenville

Heybo Outdoors – Chester

*Denotes categories in which winners determined by popular vote.