July 2024

FEATURE

Summertime and the Living is Easy

We asked for photos from all of our counties to showcase what summer is like in their communities. We got so many great pictures demonstrating what a vibrant place our state is that we had to share them all with you.

From summer enrichment tours of council chambers to parks and recreation programs to special events galore, this season is a time our counties shine in public service.

Take a look at our Sun-Kissed Counties photo gallery.

AWARDS

SC Coroners' Association Names SCAC's Kent Lesesne 2024 Champion of the Year

PUBLICATIONS

2024 County Profiles Published Online

The 2024 edition of County Profiles is now available online. The statistical profiles of each of the 46 counties include population trends as well as economic, tax and county finance and employment data. You can also find general county information, county millage rates and mil values, county local options sales and use tax collections and more.

Download County Profiles

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Pickens County Selected for ErlingKlinger's First South Carolina Manufacturing Site

German automotive supplier ErlingKlinger has selected Pickens County as the new home for its first South Carolina operation.

The new 226,000-square-foot facility is set to open in 2025 and will be a manufacturing site for electric battery cell contacting systems. The $40.3 million investment is expected to create 115 new jobs.

"Pickens County's workforce, including the Scholar Technicians from our Pickens County Career and Technology center, are a perfect match for ErlingKlinger's high manufacturing standards and cutting-edge technology. We are excited to welcome ErlingKlinger and its 115 valuable jobs to the Easley area where we are poised to thrive together for years to come," said Pickens County Council Chairman Chris Bowers.

Schneider Electric Expands SC Operations in Richland and Oconee Counties

Schneider Electric, a leader in energy management and automation, is expanding its existing operations in Richland and Oconee counties throughout this year and investing $23.8 million in South Carolina.

"Schneider Electric has a long history in Richland County and has become an integral part of our community," said Richland County Council Chairwoman Jesica Mackey. "It is always exciting to hear that a successful company is expanding, but County Council is especially thrilled to have an established business partner continuing to add to the impressive economic growth in Southeast Richland. We look forward to supporting Schneider Electric's future success."

The Richland County engineer-to-order facility manufactures NW breakers, low-voltage switchgear and switchboards and will see 150 new jobs in the expansion. The Oconee County engineer-to-order facility, which manufactures low-voltage motor control centers, panelboard box and trim and lighting and PowerLink panelboards, will see 130 new jobs. The expansion at this facility will include the addition of HVAC electrification manufacturing.

"Schneider Electric has been operating in our community for over 30 years and is one of our most respected employers. We are thrilled and appreciative of their decision to invest in the Seneca plant," said Oconee Economic Alliance President Jamie Gilbert. "The expansion is a strong testament to the county's outstanding business climate and talented manufacturing workforce. Companies like Schneider Electric are what make Oconee a top shelf for business location."

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT

Lancaster County High School Students Compete Junior Firefighter Competition

On June 15, students from Lancaster County Fire Rescue High School Program traveled to Myrtle Beach for the South Carolina State Firefighter Association Junior Firefighting Competition.

Caleb Baker, Vincenzo Amore, Noah Burgess, Dylan Effren, and Addison Padgett competed in two events. The first event was Individual Quick Dress. Unfortunately, none of the students placed in the top three of this event.

The second event was Hose Deployment. Baker, Amore, Burgess, and Effren competed as four-person team and finished third in the competition. The top three teams only had seven-tenths of a second between first and third places.

Lancaster County and Lancaster County Fire Rescure are proud of these students for taking time out of their schedules to train and commit to a full day of travel and competing in the summer heat! All these students will return in August for their senior year in the program and are already talking about traveling down next summer to compete again.

South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Introduces New Population Dashboard

The South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (RFA) has published a new Population Dashboard on its website that gives users visual representations of the state’s actual, estimated, and projected populations and demographic components.

The Population Dashboard includes interactive charts and graphs showing population counts and changes by age group, race, and county. The data are also available for users to download. In this initial release, users can access population figures for 2010 through 2042. Actual population data and current estimates are from the U.S. Census Bureau. Population projections through 2042 are provided by RFA.

Population projections by RFA are based on current and historical trends and do not account for potential changes due to economic development or other dynamics. Therefore, these projections should be interpreted with caution.

GRANT CENTRAL STATION

Grant Training Center Hosts Live Online Workshop on Writing Grant Proposals

The Professional Grant Development workshop has moved online! The upcoming session from 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. July 24-25 will cover ways to identify potential funding sources, application guidelines and how to write a grant proposal that stands out.

The $595.00 workshop fee includes a comprehensive list of resources, workbook and a certificate of completion. Space is first come, first served. Register today!

Can't make this session? Register for the self-paced course.

You may also be interested in the Essentials of Grant Management Online Workshop on July 30, 2024. Learn more.

Questions? Call (866) 704-7268.

Submit Your Entries for 2024 Annual Awards

SCAC ON SOCIAL MEDIA

📆 There's less than 1 month until the SCAC Annual Conference! Join us to hear from keynote speaker former SC Gov. David Beasley.

Get more info and register at https://www.sccounties.org/2024-annual-conference.

🥳We're thrilled to welcome Darci Marteeny as our new HR Director! With her extensive experience and passion for people, we're excited to see the positive impact she'll bring to our team. Welcome aboard, Darci! 🌟

🧑‍🚒Jasper and Saluda County firefighters recently received Meritorious Action Awards from the S.C. State Firefighters’ Association for rendering services beyond the ordinary course of duty in an attempt to save a life.🎖️

🔗https://bit.ly/3Wcuzps

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