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Retired Duke Executive Jim Rogers Joins New Carolina Staff

Jim Rogers to support Apparel, Automotive, Nuclear and Textile Clusters for S.C.'s Council on Competitiveness

COLUMBIA, S.C., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- New Carolina - South Carolina's Council on Competitiveness has hired retired Duke Economic Development Director James C. Rogers to provide staff support to South Carolina's Apparel, Automotive, Nuclear and Textile Clusters. He will work based out of Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Nearly three years ago, multiple business organizations and government entities formed S.C.'s Council on Competitiveness to implement a long-term economic strategy aimed at raising South Carolina's per capita income. Over 50 leaders from all over the state are on the Council board, which is chaired by Ed Sellers, chairman and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

With more than 32 years experience with Duke Energy, Jim Rogers has participated in recruiting dozens of companies to South Carolina, including BMW Manufacturing Co. in Spartanburg County, Sterilite in Laurens County and Poly America in Chester County. Rogers graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biological and agricultural engineering, and is a registered professional engineer in South Carolina and North Carolina.

Rogers has developed a long list of civic commitment and leadership in South Carolina. He currently is President of the Utility Economic Development Association, an international association of investor-owned utilities involved in economic development. He is on the board of the South Carolina Export Consortium, Chairman of the Board of the Spartanburg County Economic Development Corporation, a member of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce board, and a member of the South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers.

"Jim approached me at the perfect time about the possibility of working with S.C.'s Council on Competitiveness. As our clusters grow, we acknowledge the need for staff to nurture them along," says Council Executive Director George Fletcher. "Jim is ideal for this role: He has expertise, insight and a civic spirit that fit well with the Council. We were delighted when he expressed an interest and welcome him to the New Carolina team."

Rogers, age 55, began in his new role in January through a grant to promote economic development activities across South Carolina from Duke Energy Carolinas to S.C.'s Council on Competitiveness.

"It's an exciting opportunity to work with New Carolina. The strategies for improving South Carolina's economy will have a profound impact on future generations. They add value to South Carolina's economic development efforts through cluster-focused support of existing business and the recruitment of new business," said Rogers.

The Council has identified 14 statewide clusters for South Carolina, in varying stages of development: Apparel, Agribusiness, Asset Performance, Automotive, Aviation, Composites, Distribution Services, Engineering, Hydrogen/Fuel Cells, Medical Devices, Recycling, Nuclear, Textiles and Tourism.

Together with partners, S.C.'s Council on Competitiveness is driving the movement towards a New Carolina -- a South Carolina with a brighter future and a competitive, winning economy. The focus is on a strategy to play to the strengths of the state's core industries, emphasize education, and build an environment that fosters innovation. For more information, visit www.newcarolina.org.

Source: New Carolina - South Carolina's Council on Competitiveness

CONTACT: Amy Love of New Carolina - South Carolina's Council on
Competitiveness, +1-803-264-4524, or alove@newcarolina.org

Web site: http://www.newcarolina.org/