| | A Message from the Director |
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| As we head into the second half of the year, South Carolina’s logistics industry continues to move at an incredible pace.
Our state is seeing sustained growth in both population and manufacturing, creating exciting opportunities while also challenging all of us to think differently about how we move goods, build resilient supply chains, and prepare for what’s next. Add in the continued expansion of defense manufacturing, evolving customer expectations, and rapidly advancing technology, and it’s clear that our industry isn’t standing still.
Every conversation I have with logistics leaders across South Carolina reinforces the same idea: our industry is full of people who are embracing change and finding new ways to solve complex challenges. Whether it’s AI, automation, data analytics, or process improvements, successful pilots and real-world implementations are happening all around us. The companies willing to learn, adapt, and invest through uncertainty will be the ones that set the pace for the future.
That’s where SC Logistics comes in. Our goal is to create opportunities for you to stay connected, learn from your peers, and bring back ideas you can put into practice. No one organization has all the answers, but together, we can build a stronger, more competitive logistics ecosystem for South Carolina.
In this newsletter, you’ll find highlights from recent events, our latest Logistics & Lattes videos, legislative updates, upcoming networking opportunities, and other resources designed to keep you informed and connected.
I encourage you to dive in, join us at an upcoming event, share these resources with your colleagues, and stay engaged with the SC Logistics network. The more we learn from one another, the stronger our industry becomes.
Thank you for being part of SC Logistics. I look forward to connecting with you soon.
Warmly,
Amy Sartain
SC Logistics Director, SC Competes |
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Bringing Industry Voices to the Table
One opportunity I’ve especially enjoyed this year has been serving alongside SC Competes CEO Susie Shannon on the South Carolina Freight Advisory Committee. As SCDOT updates the Statewide Freight Plan, we appreciate the department’s commitment to gathering a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the issues impacting freight movement, from congestion and truck parking to infrastructure and supply chain needs. If there’s a logistics topic you’d like the committee to consider, I’d love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. And stay tuned next week for an opportunity to share your perspective through a brief survey or interview that will help shape the future of South Carolina’s freight network.
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| | From Cargo to Baseballs: Highlighting South Carolina’s Competitive Advantage |
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| | | On June 11, SC Logistics and SC Aerospace partners gathered at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) for a behind-the-scenes look at the airport’s expanding air cargo operations. Hosted by the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District, attendees heard from Air Cargo Development Manager Peter Gross and toured the cargo facilities, gaining valuable insight into GSP’s growing role in connecting South Carolina businesses to global markets. The meeting highlighted the critical link between logistics and aerospace, reinforcing the importance of strong transportation networks, industry collaboration, and continued investment in South Carolina’s supply chain infrastructure. The day concluded with SC Aerospace Night at Fluor Field, celebrating the partnerships and workforce that continue to drive the state’s innovation economy. Read the full recap here. |
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| | SC Defense and SC Logistics |
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Earlier this year, SC Competes launched its newest cluster, SC Defense. The initiative brings together the combined strengths of SC Logistics, SC Tech, and SC Aerospace, recognizing that the industries supporting national security, from advanced manufacturing and aviation to technology and logistics, are deeply interconnected.
For South Carolina’s logistics sector, defense is about far more than moving equipment. It requires resilient supply chains, efficient transportation networks, secure distribution, warehousing, and the ability to deliver critical materials where and when they’re needed. As defense investment continues to grow across the state, logistics companies will play an increasingly important role in supporting military readiness and strengthening domestic supply chains.
By aligning our existing clusters and working alongside industry, government, and education partners, SC Defense is helping South Carolina companies better navigate defense contracting opportunities, build stronger supply chains, and position our state as a national leader in defense innovation and manufacturing.
To learn more about SC Defense and the initiative’s work across South Carolina, visit our SC Defense webpage.
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| | | Have you caught SC Logistics Director Amy Sartain’s Logistics and Lattes videos? Follow SC Competes and Amy on LinkedIn to stay in the know as she explores logistics topics from A to Z while covering important topics, companies, and more in the SC logistics industry. Check out a few of the latest shorts below and stay tuned for future episodes! |
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| Logistics and Lattes: B is for Beverage |
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| Logistics and Lattes: E is for Energy |
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| | SC Logistics Holds Q1 Meeting at Darla Moore School of Business |
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SC Logistics kicked off the year by bringing partners together from across the state for its Q1 Partner Meeting at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.
Attendees toured the Operations and Supply Chain Center, learned more about the university’s nationally recognized supply chain program, and heard from students as they shared their capstone projects with industry leaders. The meeting also provided valuable opportunities to network, strengthen connections across the logistics community, and explore ways to collaborate with partners throughout the SC Competes network.
The event reinforced the importance of connecting industry, education, and workforce partners to help strengthen South Carolina’s logistics ecosystem.
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| | Upcoming Fall Event! State of the Industry: Logistics Pricing & Economic Predictions |
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| SC Logistics is bringing partners together for a closed-door discussion on the economic forces shaping today’s supply chain landscape. Designed for logistics and supply chain leaders, this partner-only event will cover pricing trends, labor economics, equipment costs, real estate, and the growing role of AI in helping companies make informed business decisions.
The afternoon includes expert-led discussions, peer networking, and happy hour-style drinks and appetizers.
This is a closed-door, partner-only event. If you’re interested in speaking, sponsoring, or inquiring about non-partner attendance, please contact Amy Sartain at asartain@sccompetes.org. Partners will receive a registration link from Amy soon.
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| SC Logistics Legislative Monitoring Notes |
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| SCDOT Modernization – S. 831
On Monday, May 18, 2026, Governor McMaster signed the SCDOT Modernization Bill S. 831 into law. As a bill being touted as one of the most significant pieces of legislation in quite some time, and given the anticipated broad impact on our state’s logistics cluster and far beyond, we have provided a detailed overview of the legislation below.
S.831 Accomplishes the Following: Transitions the Department of Transportation (“Department”) to a cabinet-level agency and the Secretary of Transportation (“Secretary”) to a Gubernatorial appointed position; Abolishes the Commission of the Department of Transportation (“Commission”) as of January 1, 2027, and transfers the duties of the Commission to the Secretary; notably, the legislation did not stand up a Coordinating Council for Transportation as initially contemplated; Replaces the Chair of the Commission as a member of the Transportation Infrastructure Bank with the Secretary; Requires the State Auditor to employ an external firm to conduct an independent state performance and organizational audit of the Department every 4 years; Specifies the circumstances under which tolls and usage charges may be imposed; Provides for “Choice Lane Facilities” or “Choice Lanes,” including language making it clear that the fast lanes will not be compulsory and highways with choice lanes will not be tolled in their entirety; Expands the ability of the Department to enter into public-private partnership (“P3s”) agreements for transportation projects; however, the terms of such agreements may not exceed 60 years; Gives the Secretary the authority to coordinate with relevant agencies to expedite environmental decisions arising in transportation projects; Increases the amount of gas tax funds County Transportation Committees (“CTCs”) are required to spend on state highways/roads to at least 33%; Creates the Pothole Mitigation Program, which requires the Department to establish a system for the public to report the presence of potholes, sets deadlines for the Department to complete permanent repairs (within 7 days, when feasible), and provides funding for pothole mitigation ($15 million); and Allocates staggered implementation dates for the provisions of the law.
Read the full bill here. |
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| | | We Want to Hear from You!
We love highlighting the great work happening across our network. If you or your organization has an award, milestone, community impact, upcoming event, or other news you’d like us to feature in a future newsletter or on social media, we’d love to hear about it.
Send a short description, photos (if available), and any relevant links to Jamie Metz at jmetz@sccompetes.org. |
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