South Carolina Celebrates Milestones in Hosting Neighbors from Canada, Southeast

South Carolina’s relationships with its neighbors are vital to its economic success. Foreign direct investment and trade are part of the fabric that ensures the state’s sustainable advantage.

Last month, delegates from the United States and Canada met in Greenville for the Southeastern United States-Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Conference. It was South Carolina’s first time since 2012 to host the conference, which is aimed at fostering collaboration and business relations between the two regions.

Experts led panel discussions in the conference’s three target sectors: mobility, advanced energy and life sciences. Attendees also took advantage of ongoing B2B discussions throughout the event.

In total, 121 small and medium-sized companies participated in more than 1,400 meetings with major anchor companies and potential suppliers — the highest number in the 20 years of the SEUS-CP Alliance.

South Carolina and event organizer S.C. Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) also marked key milestones during the event.

Gov. Henry McMaster joined Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Mark Wiseman and other dignitaries to sign a memorandum of understanding between the South Carolina and Ontario, aimed at increasing cooperation and opportunities between the two regions and boosting economic prospects.

Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III also announced the agency would be establishing an office in Toronto, joining the state’s other five international offices. The Canada office reinforces South Carolina’s deep relationship with its northern neighbors in trade and foreign investment.

“In South Carolina, we believe that when our neighbors succeed, we all succeed,” Secretary Lightsey said. “That spirit of shared prosperity is exactly why gatherings like SEUS‑CP matter — they create the space for deeper business connections, stronger relationships and expanded economic activity across our regions.”