20 Years of Advancing South Carolina
For 20 years, SC Competes has brought together leaders from industry, education, workforce, research, and government to strengthen South Carolina’s long-term economic competitiveness. This documentary reflects on the partnerships, milestones, and shared vision that have shaped our journey while looking ahead to the opportunities that will define our state’s future. As we celebrate this milestone, we thank the many partners who have made this work possible and invite you to join us in building South Carolina’s next chapter of competitiveness.
How We Accomplish Our Goals
We lead research studies that empower policymakers and industries with the information required to grow and sustain their competitiveness throughout the state and across the world. Our research allows for deeper insight into the threats and opportunities industries face.
We manage multiple clusters and initiatives across South Carolina and supports several others indirectly. As innovation and technology remain a driver in business development in South Carolina, we continue to be called upon to vet, support, incubate, and steward emerging clusters.
The ability to meet industries’ education and workforce development needs is an evergreen issue for the long-term economic health of our state. We support multiple statewide education initiatives that work collaboratively to optimize existing resources, expertise, and ideas to develop world-class talent in South Carolina.
Our History
In 2003, the South Carolina Competitiveness Initiative was established as a collaborative effort between public and private individuals, organizations, and educational institutions. The Initiative commissioned Dr. Michel E. Porter to conduct a comprehensive study of South Carolina’s economy that would identify eight distinct issue areas for the state to focus on in order to increase per capita income in South Carolina and make the state more competitive overall. In 2004, Dr. Porter’s study led to the adoption of bylaws for the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, and in 2005, SC Competes was publicly launched.
In the years since the official launch of SC Competes, South Carolina’s business landscape has altered. Industries have evolved, priorities have changed, and along the way, SC Competes has remained flexible in its ability to meet the ever-changing needs of the state as it strives to remain competitive in a global environment.
Initiatives of SC Competes have come and gone – some have been absorbed, transferred, or been re-imagined to better fit the current needs of the state. However, throughout its many iterations, three priorities have remained the cornerstone of the SC Competes approach to serving the state – providing actionable research, supporting industry clusters, and furthering education & workforce development. We remain a standard-bearer in the realm of industry clusters and continue to be called upon to vet, establish, and incubate clusters as they navigate the industry-changing dynamics that come with technology and innovation; we produce and provide research studies that allow business leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to make informed decisions; and our tireless advocacy and support for iterative change in approaches to education and workforce development remain impactful.
The resulting inter-cluster business environment fosters innovation. Innovation, in turn, spurs new business ventures.