The state will celebrate the 18th annual Industry Appreciation Week from Sept. 15-19 with various events.

The week’s theme, “South Carolina. We Mean Business” is an annual opportunity to highlight companies throughout the state and their impact on both local and state economies.

The Department of Commerce is well-positioned through a number of initiatives to help the state’s existing companies continue to grow and be competitive in the global market place.

Among the efforts are:

• The International Department staff worked with over 300 existing South Carolina companies to identify markets for goods and services made in the state, resulting in nearly $20 million in new sales revenue for small and medium sized firms.

• The International Department developed multiple trade and investment missions to Guatemala/El Salvador, Japan, Australia, China and Brazil.

• The Small Business program received 500 calls for assistance. These were referred to resources that support small business growth and success.

• The Workforce Investment Act -- incumbent worker training funds were used by 230 South Carolina businesses between July 2007 and April 2008, with 4,245 employees completing training. About 532 new jobs were created, and 964 jobs saved across the state through the incumbent worker training program during the same time period.

• The Recycling Market Development Advisory Council (RMDAC) responded to 170 requests for assistance from recycling related businesses, industries, government agencies and the general public.

You must be logged in to comment.