Upstate SC Alliance

09/03/2026

Greenville Technical College has expanded its welding program with a new $32 million Center for Welding and Automation Excellence.

Designed to meet the growing demand for welding technicians locally and nationally, this 44,000-square-foot facility will feature specialized labs for robotic welding, pipe welding, laser welding, and more.

Unique to the facility is the first artificial intelligence-powered welding lab in the country. This will allow students to be more productive, receive hands-on training with advanced technologies, and gain a competitive edge in the market upon graduating.

Greenville Tech’s welding technology program has a 91.6% job placement rate for students after graduation. This new facility will build on that success, helping prepare even more students for in-demand careers in the Upstate and beyond.

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4csZxBA

Greenville Technical College has expanded its welding program by building a $31 million Center for Welding and Automation Excellence.

09/02/2026

Many people might see a new company announcement and think, “How do I benefit from this?”

They might think about traffic, housing, development, and how much the Upstate has changed.

Those concerns are understandable.

Here's what often gets overlooked: growth is happening whether we plan for it or not.

The question is whether we prepare for it.

Thoughtful economic development helps communities attract investment, improve infrastructure, create jobs, expand the tax base, and support the services residents expect.

It's not about chasing every project. It's about making smart decisions that help ensure the Upstate remains a great place to live for future generations. And that’s why communities compete for investment.

See more here: https://land-wise.org/upstatesc/

08/28/2026

How does economic development help build stronger communities? That’s one of the many questions we’re exploring through LandWise, a new video series created in partnership with Beth Land, and Land Strategies.

Our recent Coffee & Conversation brought together Upstate leaders for meaningful conversations about the work happening across our region and a special launch of a new resource for our economic development partners.

Designed to break down core economic development concepts in five minutes or less, LandWise will provide accessible insights and information for partners and communities across Upstate SC.

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for Coffee & Conversation, Sponsored by MTC Federal Credit Union, and helped us kick off this exciting new initiative. We’re looking forward to sharing more LandWise episodes in the months ahead!

You can view the resource here: https://land-wise.org/

08/27/2026

What is the goal of economic development? Why do communities compete? How does this support community amenities and government services?

We're is excited to answer questions like these through LandWise, created in partnership with Land Strategies.

LandWise is a video series that relays core concepts of economic development in five minutes or less, created for our partners in economic development across Upstate SC.

See more at: https://land-wise.org/upstatesc/

08/26/2026

Did you know that the Upstate is home to a 26+ colleges and universities?

That means businesses here have access to more than a large workforce. They have a growing pipeline of talent.

With a labor force of more than 781,000 people and more than 26,900 higher education graduates each year, The Upstate is continually adding skilled talent to its workforce. Four technical colleges serving more than 29,680 students add another layer of industry-focused training and talent development.

From advanced manufacturing and automotive to aerospace, life sciences and beyond, the Upstate workforce is equipped to support a diverse and growing economy.

Learn more about the Upstate’s workforce advantage: https://bit.ly/3tJisUZ

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

The 13th Annual Upstate Alliance Golf Tournament brought together 130+ players for a day of friendly competition, meaningful conversations, and plenty of time to strengthen existing relationships and make new connections on the green. ⛳️

It was a great opportunity to reconnect with longtime partners, meet new faces, and spend time with the people who help make the Upstate such a special place to do business.

Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event a success, and to everyone who joined us for another great day on the course!

Did we catch your swing in action?

Photography: Kim Adair DeLoach

08/20/2026

What does workforce development look like when it starts at the very beginning?

For students at Reedy Laurel Elementary School in Greenville, it looks like getting hands-on with science, exploring the outdoors and discovering how the world around them works.

The innovative Greenville County school, recently featured on NBC’s Today Show, is designed around environmental science, with wet and tech labs, outdoor classrooms, a greenhouse and garden creating opportunities for students to learn by doing.

Experiences like these can spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire young minds to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers.

Investing in students today helps build the workforce of tomorrow, and we’re proud to see innovative approaches to education taking root right here in the Upstate.

08/13/2026

UFP Packaging, an industrial packaging solutions and services provider, today announced it is growing its South Carolina footprint with a new Cherokee County operation. The company’s $5.31 million investment will create 136 new jobs.​

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, UFP Packaging designs and manufactures a variety of packaging solutions for businesses, including wood pallets and crates, corrugated boxes, structural steel packaging, and horticulture racks. ​

This expansion is a testament to our region's strong workforce, business environment, and quality of life. Congratulations, UFP!

Cc: Cherokee County Development Board