Commerce News

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce today announced a partnership between the state of South Carolina and the Fraunhofer USA Center for Experimental Software Engineering to bring state-of-the-art innovation to South Carolina industry and logistics providers.  

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce has been awarded a State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for the seventh year. This program is designed to support and encourage small business export success. The state was awarded its full requested amount of $360,400.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Innovation, in collaboration with Build Carolina, today announced SC Codes, a new statewide program designed to provide free access to code education for all residents. A first-of-its-kind, state-funded resource, the new platform connects students with experienced industry mentors and provides pathways for continuing education and employment in technology-related fields.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce today announced that Vanessa Goeschl will lead the agency’s office in Munich, Germany. Currently in its 43rd year of operation, the office spearheads the state’s international business recruitment efforts across Europe.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – As part of its new 3Phase initiative, the Office of Innovation at the S.C. Department of Commerce today announced a workshop series aimed at educating attendees on how to write grant applications for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. Taking place on Monday, July 23 in North Charleston, S.C., the inaugural workshop will include a networking lunch and individualized 30-minute consulting sessions.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Fourteen communities across South Carolina are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by more than $7.2 million in funds from the latest round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The S.C. Department of Commerce is awarding CDBG funds to these communities, representing more than 8,630 residents, for the following projects:

COLUMBIA, S.C. – On Friday, May 18, two local leaders completed the S.C. Economic Development Institute (Institute). Anna DeLage of the S.C. Department of Commerce and Jamie Gilbert of Lancaster County received Certificates of Completion at the conclusion of May’s community development session held in Lake City, S.C.

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- As part of the 27th annual Industry Appreciation series, the S.C. Department of Commerce recognized its 2018 Industry Impact award recipients during an event on Thursday, April 26 at 701 Whaley Street in Columbia, S.C. Honoring businesses that have made significant contributions to their communities and state, the recipients were selected within a certain employment size and county development tier group.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce Office of Innovation today announced more than $719,000 in grant awards to nine organizations as part of its Startup Fuel Challenge grant series. Tasked with advancing innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-based economic development, this grant program focuses on projects that are outcome-oriented and aim to build stronger entrepreneurs and companies.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Commerce gathered leaders from across the state on Monday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 6 for the 2018 South Carolina Rural Summit. Held in Columbia, S.C., this year’s event featured leadership development sessions, opportunities to share best practices between community leaders, an awards ceremony and presentations from a variety of speakers, including Governor Henry McMaster and Giti Tire’s Hank Eisenga.