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Archive for the ‘Upstate Thoughts’ Category
30
Jan
Ecoplosion: Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, & Real Estate
Posted by: rblackwell
Clemson University hosted “ecoplosion” at their CU-ICAR campus in Greenville last week with the intention of “igniting an economic explosion!” in the Upstate. Read the rest of this entry »
10
Jan
Clemson University Ecoplosion
Posted by: rblackwell
The Upstate SC Alliance is proud to support Clemson University’s summit event, Ecoplosion. This event will focus on entrepreneurship, real estate, and economic development. The day’s events will include keynote speaker, Governor Nikki Haley and several other influential people speaking throughout the day, as well as many panels.
Please make plans to join Clemson University on Thursday, January 26, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Campbell Graduate Engineering Center at CU-ICAR.
To register for this event, visit www.clemson.edu/cred or call (864) 656-5164 if you have any questions.
09
Sep
A Local Industry Grows in Abbeville County
Posted by: rblackwell
The following blog post comes from Mr. Steve Bowles, Development Services Director for the Abbeville County Development Board. Read the rest of this entry »
11
Mar
Global Carolina Perspectives: Hal Johnson and the Upstate SC Alliance
Posted by: rblackwell
GREENVILLE, SC – One could be excused for thinking that Hal Johnson had spent his entire life in the Upstate – so at home does he seem in his role as president and CEO of the Greenville-based Upstate SC Alliance. Read the rest of this entry »
24
Feb
Guest Editorial: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Posted by: rblackwell
The Dow Industrial Average, more commonly referred to as the stock market, has closed above 12,000 for a few days in a row now. Industries are starting to hire again and unemployment claims are dropping, slowly but surely. Is this a temporary turn around or the beginning of the return of the boom times we have lived through most of our lives? That remains to be seen. What we do need to be focused on are the opportunities and obstacles placed before our industries.
27
Aug
Appearances by South Carolina gubernatorial candidates Vincent Sheehen and Nikki Haley along with reports of more than $1.7 billion in economic development activity across the region despite a lingering recession highlighted the Upstate SC Alliance mid-year meeting held this afternoon at the CU-ICAR campus in Greenville.
08
May
Innoventure Southeast 2010 is May 11th and 12th in Greenville
Posted by: rblackwell
InnoVenture Southeast 2010 is next Tuesday and Wednesday, May 11 and 12 at the Carolina First Center in Greenville, SC.
67 presenters who are among the world’s best are set.
Tuesday: Smart Communities, Transformed Mobility, and a networking BBQ dinner at CU-ICAR
Wednesday: Advanced Materials and Clean Energy
400 and counting thought leaders are registered to attend….will you be there?
Register online today, or if you already have, invite a friend to join you.
For more information and to get your place at the event go to – http://innoventuresoutheast.com/
20
Mar
Google on Main Event in Greenville
Posted by: rblackwell
Please take a few minutes to learn more about what Greenville has planned as part of its efforts to convince Google to build its new, ultra-high speed fiber network in our community. There will be quite the event on Main Street tonight (March 20th) and they still need volunteers/participants. It’s free to participate but you need to register online.
To learn more about this event, go to
Thanks and I hope to see you downtown Saturday night!
05
Feb
South Carolina Ready to Lead in Green Engineering
Posted by: rblackwell
Mention South Carolina to an out-of-stater, and he may think of the beach, terrific golf courses, or lamentably low SAT scores. What he might not know is that South Carolina is a world class center of engineering that is uniquely positioned to contribute to and benefit from the outcome of the current energy and environmental legislative debate. This legislation could bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to the Palmetto State.
Democrats in Congress are calling for tough new standards on carbon-based fuels purported to cause global warming. Republicans are concerned about the high cost and controversial benefits, but recognize that we must develop new sources of energy for both economic and national security reasons.
Senator Lindsey Graham made waves recently by teaming with John Kerry to support climate change legislation. They make the case that now is the time to develop the blueprint for a clean-energy future that will revitalize our economy, safeguard our national security, reduce pollution, protect current jobs and create new ones. No matter your political stripe, we can all agree that these are critical goals.
Clearly, there is much to be done. South Carolina engineers are ready to step up to our drawing boards, roll up our sleeves, and get to work.
There are over 200 engineering firms employing over 75,000 engineers in South Carolina. These experienced professionals are world class in terms of energy technology, design, and construction project management. South Carolina engineering firms generate over $3 billion in revenue for South Carolina’s economy and are recognized leaders in supporting energy, infrastructure, and technology initiatives anywhere in the world.
South Carolina is particularly well poised to take advantage of any new legislation because these engineers and firms are already organized through the New Carolina Engineering Cluster. This organization, led by industry volunteers, is dedicated to promoting the engineering industry, supporting current engineering jobs, and preparing students for future engineering and technology employment. Membership of the Cluster is made up of both industry and academia: Clemson, USC, SC State, the Citadel, as well as our community colleges and prep schools are all active participants.
As professional engineers living in the Upstate, we see a South Carolina that is ready and qualified to take the lead in carrying out the necessary projects across the country and around the world. These projects will implement equipment for carbon capture and sequestration, design and install more efficient manufacturing processes, replace old inefficient lighting, heating and cooling equipment, and design and construct better highways and high speed railways. A nuclear “renaissance” that results in the design and construction of nuclear power plants will need the specialized expertise of these engineers.
All of these projects will employ many thousands of other skilled South Carolina workers; not just engineers, but craftsmen of all types. The effects of these high-paying jobs will ripple through our economy, benefiting many while providing welcome relief to our tax coffers.
The stars are in alignment: We have the people, the education, and the commitment. We must work together to develop this energy and environmental legislation in a way that recognizes and capitalizes on South Carolina’s wealth of engineering resources.
Authored by :
Dan Bargar, PE
Principal, Vincula Group
&
Lee Stogner, PMP
Chair, SC Engineering Cluster
18
Jan
Port Issues are not just a low-country concern
Posted by: rblackwell
I recently finished reading a article entitled, “Ports Plot a Course for the Future” in the January 2010 edition of Business Expansion Journal by Rachel Duran. It gave a update on what other ports across the US are doing to strengthen their competitive standing. It solidified what we already know concerning the South Carolina Port System and that is we, as a state, must continue to advance the port to better position it for future international trade as the environment they compete in is getting more competitive.
What got me thinking was this statement – “With 30 percent of the United State’s gross domestic product comprised of international trade, a percentage expected to increase, federal infrastructure funding must include the last mile connections in to and out of ports, as well as building the navigation channels that will accommodate large vessels involved in international trade.”
Public Ports across the US are doing things such as building new berths, building intermodal facilities and working to reduce diesel emissions. These things must be done across the nation as international trade and the global economy is becoming more and more a part of our everyday life. The SC Ports must evolve or risk being left behind. I know you agree with me when I say we don’t want to experience the latter part of that statement.
I challenge you to look at that next rail car that goes down the track and try to see what is on it. You may see a GE wind turbine, a BMW, polymer chips from a Upstate company or tires from Michelin. All these products are making their way down the track to the SC Port. From there, who knows what direction and what country.
The South Carolina Port is the life-blood of the Upstate and the SC economy. 60 percent of what comes into or out of the SC Port either originates or ends up in the Upstate region. Wow. That says it all and shows how the SC Port is a Upstate issue.
So pay attention this legislative session on issues/legislation dealing with the Port as it means investment and jobs for the Upstate.
