Economic Ambassadors from The T&D Region as selected by local economic development commissions were honored by Gov. Mark Sanford at a Columbia luncheon on Sept. 17 sponsored by Secretary Joe Taylor and the S.C. Department of Commerce.

"From day one, our administration has been committed to improving the business climate so that businesses can prosper. Efforts like workers' comp reform, tort reform and income tax relief have paid real dividends in our state's ability to compete," Sanford said. "I'd give real credit as well to the individuals who have gone above and beyond to encourage growth in their respective communities. South Carolina thanks them for their efforts to create jobs and economic opportunity throughout the state."

The ambassadors for Orangeburg County, Calhoun County, members of the Central South Carolina Alliance, and Bamberg County, part of the SouthernCarolina Alliance, are:

* Dan Seaman of Allied Air/Orangeburg County -- Dan Seaman was considered instrumental in planning the expansion of Allied Air's facility in the Orangeburg County/City Industrial Park in June 2006.

A subsidiary of Lennox International Inc., Allied Air added 238,000 square feet to the existing 350,000 square feet already in use. The expansion will create more than 200 new jobs in the next five years, and represents a $30 million capital investment.

The facility features metalworking equipment, producing heating and air-conditioning equipment sold to wholesalers throughout North America.

Additionally, Seaman was considered instrumental in locating an Allied Air Research and Development facility in Lexington County, creating as many as 120 new jobs in the next five years and an additional $6 million capital investment.

* David Rickenbaker of Hi Cotton Greenhouses/Calhoun County -- Hi Cotton Greenhouses' David Rickenbaker has served on the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Area Commission, the South Carolina Greenhouse Growers Association and is a past board member of the Southeast Greenhouse Conference.

Rickenbaker earned a bachelor's degree in ornamental horticulture from Clemson University.

Hi Cotton was recognized as Business of the Year by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce in 2004.

Hi Cotton Greenhouses started in 1985 when a young floriculture extension specialist at Clemson University named John Kelly met with Kit and Frank Wannamaker to discuss how the Wannamakers could diversify their row-crop farm in St. Matthews.

The Wannamakers accepted the challenge of starting a greenhouse business. Hi Cotton Greenhouses was born in 1986 when they began delivering poinsettias from a station wagon pulling a horse trailer.

Today, the farm has become one of the largest wholesale poinsettia operations in the state.

* Nancy Ray Foster of Foster & Company Real Estate/Bamberg County -- Nancy Ray Foster has served the Bamberg County area as an economic ambassador for 30 years through her efforts to market the county to visitors, attract prospective industry and business, and revitalize downtown areas.

A real estate broker, Foster operates Foster & Company Real Estate located on Main Street in Bamberg in the historic bank building, which she recently restored to serve as a centerpiece for the revitalization of downtown Bamberg.

Highlights of her community development enterprises include chairing the committee that created the Paw Paw Country Club and Golf Course; creating the Edisto Holiday Market; publishing a walking tour of Bamberg's National Historic District, chairing Bamberg's Sesquicentennial Celebration, and developing the annual William Gilmore Simms' Birthday Commemoration at Woodlands.

Her current work includes serving as an advisory board member to the Leadership Institute of the University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie, president of the Historical Society of Bamberg, a member of the board of directors for the Bamberg County Arts Council and the board of directors of the County Chamber of Commerce.

Foster's most notable current projects include the formation of the Bamberg County Tourism Development Association, which she co-chairs with nationally renowned artist Jim Harrison of Denmark. This non-profit organization is focused on the recruitment and development of retail businesses, restaurants and services for downtown revitalization throughout the county to create jobs for local residents and attract prospective industry.

* Dave Johnson and Steve Johnson/Barnwell County

Together, Dave and Steve Johnson oversee operations at their company, Mid-Am Metal Forming Inc. in Barnwell County. The two brothers came to South Carolina in 1998 when they expanded their company's operations from Missouri to Williston with the assistance of the Barnwell Economic Development Commission and Tri-County Alliance (now SouthernCarolina Alliance). In 2006, Mid-Am was able to expand its S.C. operations by moving into BEDC's speculative building in the new Industrial Park West.

With that move, Mid-Am has been able to increase its employee base and invest additional capital.

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