Greenville, SC Economic Development Group Announces Strong Job, Investment Creation for 2013

GREENVILLE, S.C. - April 23, 2014 - PRLog -- The Greenville Area Development Corporation, charged with promoting and enhancing quality of life in Greenville County by facilitating job growth and investment, announced continuing strong job creation and capital investment for 2013, and a 7-to-1 return in county revenues for each dollar invested, at its Annual Meeting on Wednesday.

GADC interim President & CEO Kevin Landmesser and Board Chairman Bob Howard greeted the full house of elected officials, economic development leaders and business executives attending the luncheon.  Howard also recognized Dr. Larry Brotherton, CEO of Ortec, Inc. -- a leading polymer technology, medical material and custom chemical synthesis company serving the pharmaceutical and other industries -- as Greenville County’s Economic Development Ambassador for 2014. In saluting Dr. Brotherton, Howard cited his significant and ongoing efforts to advancing a diverse and sustainable economic development climate in Greenville County and the Upstate.

South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt served as keynote speaker for the event, saluting the historical job and investment producing accomplishments of the GADC and its partners in economic development.  Hitt emphasized the importance of continuing to cultivate a business-friendly state at all levels, stressed the continuing importance of workforce development initiatives and called for improving infrastructure as key to continuing the state’s current momentum and growth.

In reporting to the standing-room-only gathering, Mr. Howard noted that in 2013 the GADC worked with 21 relocating and existing companies to add 1,001 new jobs and attract new capital investment of $239 million.  Wages for the new jobs will pay 18.1% above the existing county average, Howard noted.  Since inception in mid-2001, the GADC has announced in excess of 17,500 new jobs and $3 billion in capital investment in Greenville County for projects they have managed.

Greenville County revenues generated by GADC-assisted companies continue to grow, producing a 7:1 return on investment for public dollars invested in the organization since the GADC's inception.

In other comments, GADC Investor Relations Chair Tim Justice noted that private sector support of the organization remains at an all-time high, thanking attendees from the more than 140 investor organizations now contributing to the GADC’s success for their support.

“Without all of our investor companies, the Greenville Area Development Corporation’s ability to produce such great returns for the people of Greenville County – in quality jobs, increasing tax revenues and a robust and vital economy – would be severely restricted,” said Justice.  “Every penny our investors provide goes to our marketing budget, and every penny you invest is working hard and producing better jobs and a brighter future for this community.”