Dear Colleagues and Partners,

As we begin 2026, I am proud of the progress SC Competes made alongside our Partners to advance South Carolina’s long-term competitiveness. Last year was marked by meaningful collaboration across industry, education, and government, as well as tangible steps to strengthen the state’s workforce, innovation capacity, and economic resilience. Be sure to explore the “By the Numbers” section further below for a snapshot of the impact we achieved together over the past year.

Over the past year, SC Competes convened leaders from across our core industry clusters – Aerospace, Logistics, Technology/AI – through smaller but targeted events held across statewide locations, working groups, webinars, and research initiatives. Our Spring and Fall Summits brought together industry champions, educators, policymakers, and students to focus on emerging technologies, workforce readiness, logistics and supply chain innovation, aerospace, advanced energy, and applied research. These convenings reinforced the importance of aligning strategy with the real needs of South Carolina’s employers and communities, setting a strong foundation for continued impact in 2026.

Preparing the workforce for a rapidly changing world remains a central priority as we move forward. Recent efforts to expand engagement around artificial intelligence, robotics, and technology-enabled career pathways, including hands-on engagement with K-12 and postsecondary partners, position South Carolina to compete in an increasingly technology-driven world. Through initiatives like our Palmetto AI Corridor and TransformSC, we continue to connect students and educators with industry-relevant skills and real-world applications.

The SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance continues to serve as a critical bridge between South Carolina companies and applied research expertise from our statewide colleges and universities and the global Fraunhofer network. Through new and ongoing projects, the Alliance is supporting industry-driven innovation focused on practical solutions, with emerging project areas trending toward artificial intelligence, advanced energy technologies, life sciences, and process optimization. These collaborations are helping companies to accelerate product development, improve efficiency, and reduce risk while strengthening South Carolina’s applied research and innovation ecosystem.

None of this work would be possible without the strong partnerships that define SC Competes. We are grateful to the businesses, educators, researchers, state agencies, and community leaders who have engaged with us—through events, shared expertise, and collaborative problem-solving—to help turn ideas into action.

Looking ahead to 2026, SC Competes remains focused on strengthening industry clusters, advancing workforce innovation, and supporting the adoption of emerging technologies that will shape South Carolina’s future. We look forward to continuing this work together.

Warm regards,
Susie Shannon
President & CEO
South Carolina Council on Competitiveness