Our existing industries not only provide jobs, they fund county services and schools, said SouthernCarolina Alliance Chairman Johnny Williamson, announcing that the regional economic development organizations Annual Industry Appreciation Celebration will encompass a series of marketing activities to drive home this message throughout the fourth quarter of 2009. Raising awareness that industries are the backbone of the local economy, creating business opportunities for service providers and retail operations, is our primary objective through the annual Industry Appreciation campaign.

Providing marketing and recruitment services for Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell and Hampton Counties, SouthernCarolina Alliance launched this years regional program with a full day of networking events for industry leaders on October 8. The campaign will conclude with statewide recognition of industry and S.C.s Economic Ambassadors at a ceremony with the Governor and the S.C. Legislature on January 26.

SCA and the economic development commissions of the four counties sponsored several sporting events on October 8, followed by an informal dinner for more than 200 business and industry leaders where the S.C. Economic Ambassadors representing the four counties were announced.

The events provide a great opportunity for the plant managers and local industry leaders to network beyond county lines, said Williamson, which is key to strengthening our ideals of regional cooperation and trust. During the annual sporting events, we do that through good-natured competition and camaraderie.

According to SCA Marketing Director Kay Maxwell, a record number of participants pre-registered and turned out for the events, which included a captains choice golf tournament at Sweetwater Country Club in Barnwell and a marksmanship sporting event hosted by GTI of Denmark, as well as a reception and dinner.

Were thrilled with the increase in participation across the region, said Maxwell. But were even more focused on the success of regionalism in our industrial marketing and recruitment efforts, which is the goal behind our efforts.

Maxwell cited the historic multi-county agreement approved by the four county councils last December, which allows the four counties to offer a multi-county tax incentive to new and expanding industries locating anywhere in the SouthernCarolina Alliance region.

This initiative is one that other organizations would like to emulate, and we know that the multi-county incentive has played a major role in landing the larger economic development projects in the region over the last few years, including Grant Forest Products, Kronotex USA, Crane/Dixie Narco, and Horsehead Corporation, said Maxwell, adding that the member counties of SouthernCarolina Alliance will share in the tax revenue generated from these multi-county projects.

Its a win-win for everyone involved, said Maxwell. The industries benefit from the incentives and our experienced workforce, all four counties receive tax revenue when one of the counties lands such a project, and the people of our rural area have the opportunity to apply for jobs in communities close to home. By working together as a team, we can continue to attract these industrial projects, thereby creating jobs and improving the quality of life for our residents.

SouthernCarolina Alliances marketing campaign through January 31 is focused on the contributions of existing industry to the community. The message, We Salute Our Industries For Providing Jobs Today, For Building Our Future Every Day, will be featured on billboards, radio and newspaper ads throughout the fourth quarter of 2009, added Maxwell.

The print and billboard ads feature photos of school children to emphasize the role that industries play in funding county schools and services and improving the quality of life for families.

While its been a tough economic year for our country, with plant closings and consolidations everywhere, our region has been fortunate enough to gain some new jobs as companies carve a successful path through lean economic times, said Williamson. We appreciate the commitment our local industries have made to not only create jobs, but invest in our communities by announcing expansions.

In 2009, Rockland Industries in Bamberg, Dixie Narco in Williston, UniTech Services Group in Snelling, and Shakespeare Composites in Varnville have already announced plans to grow their workforce in the region, which will result on more than 1,100 new jobs.

For more information on the regions industries or the regional Industry Appreciation Celebration, visit the website: www.SouthernCarolina.org.