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Upstate SC Alliance Releases Results of Comprehensive Target Industry Study

Upstate SC Alliance recently revealed the results of a comprehensive study that began in May of this year to identify new industries and opportunities for future economic growth in the region. With the support of South Carolina Power Team and AdvanceSC, the Alliance recently partnered with national consultants Avalanche Consulting, Inc., McCallum Sweeney Consulting and Greyhill Advisors to develop a highly targeted marketing approach for the region.

The results were unveiled at a presentation held at Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton, S.C. To hone in on the strongest opportunities for the Upstate South Carolina region, the consulting team considered industries that intersect both the region’s business and research strengths. The study determined that the best opportunities lie within the following industries:

Advanced Materials
~Metal fabrication
~ Optoelectronics / photonics
~ Advanced textiles

Automotive
~ Diesel powertrain
~ Boutique / specialty original equipment manufacturers
~ Automotive R&D in fuel efficiency, batteries, and plug-in hybrid vehicles

Biosciences
~ Medical devices
~ Biomaterials R&D
~ Clinical testing and outsources R&D

Energy
~ Energy grid components
~ Energy systems solutions
~ Nuclear components
~ Clean energy (wind, solar)

Commissioned by the Upstate SC Alliance in 2009, the study began with the consulting team traveling throughout the region spending a day in each of the ten counties represented by the Alliance. While visiting, consultants investigated what companies are already is the area and the strengths and weaknesses of each. This “targeting” phase provided asset maps and target cluster identification.

The second phase of the study focused on the production of a strategy to seek out these identified industries. Formulating a strategy to deliver the correct messaging and materials to each identified segment, the study resulted in focused steps to attract the identified industries.

Upstate SC Alliance President and CEO Hal Johnson stated “that now is the time to focus on marketing this region and what we have done is re-tooled our approach to become laser-focused on what we go after and how we accomplish our duty of telling the Upstate story to the world. By us becoming more effective in our marketing and branding of this ten county region it will lead to new opportunities for the region and an increased quality of life for everyone.”

“This Study has resulted in the most highly targeted marketing strategy in the Upstate SC Alliance's history. It provides a detailed five year roadmap that hones in on four specific industries that will catalyze economic growth across all 10 Upstate counties,” comments Amy Holloway, President and CEO of Avalanche Consulting, Inc. “We expect the Alliance's target marketing initiative will result in heightened awareness of the region internationally and, at a minimum, a doubling of prospect activity by 2015. More information is available at upstatetargetstrategy.com ."

ABOUT THE UPSTATE SC ALLIANCE

The Upstate SC Alliance is a public/private regional economic development organization created to market the South Carolina’s 10-county Upstate region, including: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union. These 10 counties represent the commerce-rich northwestern corner of South Carolina, including the I-85 corridor and the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metropolitan area. For more information, log on to: www.upstatealliance.com . Experience the Alliance’s interactive promotional campaign at www.iwasblownaway.com .