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Upstate Alliance Germany Economic Development Mission a Resounding Success

Contacts: Jody Bryson, Investor & Public Relations Director
Office: 864.283.2305 Cell:
864.275.6426

Jennifer Noel, Regional Marketing Director
Office: 864.283.2307 Cell: 864.313.2598

Sam Konduros, President/CEO, Upstate Alliance
Office: 864-283-2301 Cell: 864-313-2277

Date: June 28, 2004

Note: Photo cutlines at end of press release below

Upstate Alliance Germany Economic Development Mission a Resounding Success

Upstate SC Delegation hosts seven major Economic Development events, contacts
over 250 targeted European decision-makers during 10-day mission

Upstate, South Carolina – A 33 member Upstate Delegation comprised of: Upstate
Alliance executive staff and business leaders; elected officials including
Greenville Mayor Knox White; Clemson University officials -- including
University President Jim Barker, Research VP Chris Przirembel and ICAR
Executive Director Bob Geolas; and Economic Development Professionals from
Greenville, Spartanburg, Pickens, Laurens and Cherokee Counties, the City of
Greenville and the City of Greer, participated in the Upstate South Carolina
Economic Development Mission to Germany, June 15-23.

The Upstate Delegation merged with a European trip led by Governor Mark
Sanford, Secretary of Commerce Bob Faith and other Commerce officials for a
strategic reception in Munich June 21 and an automotive conference in Stuttgart
June 22 - 23.

The goal of the international economic development mission trip—the largest
ever undertaken by the Upstate as a region—was to create branding exposure and
marketing opportunities for the region to the technology-driven German
automotive sector. The strategy included leveraging the Clemson University
International Center for Automotive Research -- a world-class research campus
in the Upstate spearheaded by Clemson University in conjunction with the State
of South Carolina, and private sector partners BMW, Microsoft, Michelin, and
IBM, in collaboration with Rosen Associates and the adjacent Millennium Campus.

"The mission not only provided outstanding opportunities for discussions with
current and potential strategic partners, but also underscored the uniqueness
of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research,'' said
Clemson University Vice-President of Research Chris Przirembel.

Seven major Economic Development events were executed by the Upstate Alliance
team and attended by more than 250 targeted European audience members: