The agribusiness industry has a $51.8 billion economic impact on South Carolina each year, according to a new analysis. Agribusiness is responsible for 259,215 jobs and $12.3 billion in annual labor income in the state as of 2020.

Those numbers represent a major milestone achieved for South Carolina’s agribusiness community, officials said.

In 2009, the state’s industry and government leaders set a strategic vision to grow the economic impact of agribusiness to $50 billion annually by the year 2020. The 50 by 20 plan helped the industry increase its impact from $34 billion in 2006.

“We didn’t reach this goal by accident; it took collaboration, strategic planning, and a lot of hard work,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “From farmers to foresters, from poultry plants to paper mills, from turfgrass to high-tech tractor repair, agribusiness has an enormous impact on South Carolina, and we’re proud of it.”

Since laying out the 50 by 20 goal, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and its partners have worked to expand the Certified South Carolina program, created the Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE) to nurture and fund new agribusiness entrepreneurs, and developed new expansion and export opportunities to grow South Carolina agribusinesses. 

“It’s no surprise to anyone who’s paying attention that the agribusiness industry has achieved this important milestone,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “Over the years, South Carolina’s economy has changed and grown dramatically, but our farmers and others in the agribusiness industry have been a constant and have always helped lead the way.”

“Agribusiness has long been a pillar of South Carolina’s economy, and its contribution is continuing to grow,” said Joseph Von Nessen, a research economist with the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business and author of the study. “The industry expanded by 40 percent between 2010 and 2020.”

The study is available on the South Carolina Department of Agriculture website.

Milliken & Company, a Spartanburg-based diversified global textile manufacturer with more than 70 locations worldwide, announced plans to expand operations in Cherokee County. 

The company’s $27.4 million investment will create 75 jobs, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce. 

Milliken is a materials science expert with a diverse portfolio serving the textile, flooring, specialty chemical and healthcare industries.

South Carolina is home to more than 25 Milliken locations, including textile and chemical manufacturing facilities, showrooms and the company’s corporate headquarters in Spartanburg.

Located at 157 New Milliken Road in Blacksburg, Milliken’s Cherokee County expansion will include newly added production lines to increase manufacturing capacity, Commerce officials said. 

Known as the Magnolia Finishing Plant, the facility specializes in workwear, military and flame-resistant apparel. 

The expansion is expected to be complete by year-end. Those interested in joining the Milliken team should go to the company’s careers page.

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a $200,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) grant to Cherokee County to assist with costs related to the project.

USPTO China IP Road Show coming December 15

9am - 4:30pm

Greenville Technical College (Barton Campus) Student Success Center

506 Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s China Intellectual Property (IP) Road Show comes to Greenville, South Carolina, with a free one-day program bringing together experts from the U.S. government, academics, IP attorneys, and local business people to share insights on China and IP issues that will benefit U.S. IP rights holders. Join us to hear from these experts about how to protect and enforce your IP rights in China and the United States. To register CLICK HERE

Boise Cascade Company, a leading manufacturer and distributor for building materials, announced plans to expand its South Carolina operations with a new facility in Colleton County.

The company’s $9 million investment will create 30 jobs, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce. 

A Fortune 500 company with over 55 locations and 6,800 employees nationwide, the Colleton County facility marks Boise Cascade’s first distribution location and second facility in South Carolina. Its existing South Carolina facility is in Chester.

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Boise Cascade serves residential and industrial construction retail yards, manufacturing wood products and distributing wholesale building materials across North America.

The new facility will expand the company’s footprint in South Carolina and on the East Coast, Commerce officials said. 

Located at 157 Risher Mountain Tower Road in Walterboro, Boise Cascade’s new Colleton County facility will increase the company’s distribution capacity with direct access to the Palmetto Railways Salkehatchie Subdivision rail line, connecting Boise Cascade to the national freight rail network. 

Those interested in joining Boise Cascade should go to the company’s careers website. 

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project.

A $200,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) grant was also awarded to Colleton County to assist with the costs of site preparation and infrastructure improvements.

Grace van Rij delivered the go-ahead free throw with seven seconds remaining, and Furman’s defense made it stand to deliver a 65-64 victory over UNC Asheville in women’s basketball action Dec. 7, 2022, at Kimmel Arena.

The win marked the 200th head coaching victory for Furman’s Jackie Carson ‘00, now in her 13th season in charge of the program for which she once starred as a player.

Counting her 200 coaching victories and the 68 wins she registered during her playing tenure, during which time she was twice named SoCon Player of the Year, Carson, a member of Furman’s Athletic Hall of Fame, has had a hand in nearly 42 percent of all victories in the history of Furman women’s basketball.

“I am so proud of this team,” said Carson following the win. “To win 200 games at my alma mater is surreal. 

"I am truly blessed to have so many people who have helped this program get to this point. This is a milestone made possible on behalf of a lot of people. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the 200!”