A 1201 Main Street Suite 100 Columbia, SC 29201 W centralsc.org P (803) 733-1131 BRAG FACTS SOUTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL SC ACCOLADES ABSTRACT Excerpts of various publications and studies on workforce, tax regulations, infrastructure, cost of doing business, and quality of life.
BUSINESS CLIMATE Area Development magazine s location consultant s survey ranked South Carolina as 3 rd Top State for Doing Business in its 2014 ranking. South Carolina ranked as the consultants top choice in overall cost of doing business, ranked 2 nd in incentive programs, 2 nd in cooperative state government, 2 nd in labor climate, 3 rd in business environment, 4 th in speed of permitting, and 5 th in access to Capital. Area Development, October 2014. Business Facilities magazine ranked South Carolina s business climate 8 th Best in the Nation in their 2014 State Rankings. Their best business climate ranking evaluates an amalgamation of our key rankings results including: education climate, workforce training/availability, cost of labor, infrastructure, utility costs, credit rating and business tax climate. Source: Business Facilities 2014 State Ranking, July/August, 2014. Chief Executive: South Carolina came in as the 10 th Best State in Which to Do Business in the magazine s 2015 annual poll of CEOs. About 650 CEOs rated states on taxation and regulation, workforce quality and quality of life. Source: Chief Executive, June 2015. South Carolina consistently ranks high on Site Selection magazine s Top State Business Climates and in 2014 took the 6 th spot overall. The state also scores high with business executives surveyed by Site Selection. They ranked South Carolina 3 rd in 2014 and among the top 10 for the past 11 years. South Carolina also ranked 7 th in competitiveness. Source: Site Selection, November 2014 Issue. For the second consecutive year, South Carolina came in 1 st for jobs through foreign investment in IBM's Global Location Trends Report. According to the Site Selection publication, South Carolina procured 62 projects, which promised more than 9,200 jobs and will involve more than $3.7 billion in investment. In addition, the publication noted Japan, Germany, France, the U.K. and China as the top countries; and Continental, Michelin, and Bridgestone among the largest tire manufactures in the world that committed to invest in South Carolina. Source: IBM, Global Location Trends, December 2013. South Carolina has the 4 th best business climate in the nation according to a survey of U.S. corporate executives by Development Counsellors International (DCI). DCI asked executives to name states with the most favorable business climate, and South Carolina was identified because of these top reasons: low cost, right-to-work state, and pro-business climate. South Carolina has consistently received high marks since DCI began the survey in 1996. DCI conducts the survey every three years. Source: Development Counsellors International, October 2014. Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc., a corporate real estate consultant, ranks South Carolina as the 9 th most Pro-Business State and has ranked our state among the top ten for the last decade. The study evaluates and ranks states based on 31 factors including: taxes, human resources, right-to-work legislation, energy costs, infrastructure spending, workers compensation laws, economic incentive programs and state economic development efforts. Source: Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc., Top 10 Pro-Business States, August 2014. Forbes magazine ranks South Carolina s regulatory environment 8 th best in the nation for business. The 2014 ranking is based on the state s regulatory tort climate. Source: Forbes, the Best States for Business and Careers, November, 2014. The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, a nonprofit advocacy group, ranks South Carolina as the 17 th Most Entrepreneur- Friendly state in the nation. The ranking is based on the state s public policy climate for small business and entrepreneurship. Source: Small Business and Entrepreneur Council, Small Business Survival Index 2014, December 2014. BRAG FACTS 2
The Council also ranks South Carolina s state gas taxes 3 rd, state and local government five-year spending trends 7 th and highway cost effectiveness 4 th. Source: Small Business and Entrepreneur Council, Small Business Survival Index 2014, December 2014. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that South Carolina has one of the lowest industrial power rates at more than 12% below the national average. The cost of natural gas falls more than 4% below the Southeastern U.S. average. Source: U.S. EIA, Electric Power Annual, 2014. South Carolina ranks 4 th in the nation in the percent of private-industry employment in majority-owned, U.S. affiliates of foreign companies at 7.0% and 104,300 employees. Of these employees, 58,800 work for companies that primarily manufacture in the U.S., placing South Carolina 14 th in the nation. Source: U.S. BEA, Survey of Current Business, August 2012. Data are 2010. Area Development named South Carolina a 2015 Gold Shovel award winner in recognition of economic development projects undertaken in 2014. Berkeley s Volvo plant announcement of 4,000 jobs and $500 million in capital investment was recognized by Area Development as one of South Carolina s projects that created a significant number of high value-added new jobs as well as investment. This is the sixth year in a row that South Carolina has received a Gold or Silver Shovel Award in its population category. South Carolina was a Gold Shovel Award recipient in 2014, 2012, and 2011 and a Silver Award recipient in 2013, 2010, and 2009. Source: Area Development, April 2015. South Carolina came in 8 th on Southern Business & Development magazine s SB&D 100 per capita ranking, based on 2014 projects with 200 or more jobs and/or projects with investments of $30 million or more. Columbia took 2 nd place on the magazine s Mid- Market of the Year list. Source: Southern Business & Development, Spring 2015. Business Facilities named South Carolina the 7 th strongest state in the U.S. for automotive manufacturing on the magazine s 2014 Rankings Report. South Carolina s position is based on 2013 automotive projects and investments as well as the number of current automotive parts and assembly facilities in the state. Source: Business Facilities, August 2014. Business Facilities also awarded the Palmetto State with the runner up title for 2012 State of the Year. Source: Business Facilities, published March 3 rd, 2012. In 2013, South Carolina was named a Top Ten Competitive State by Site Selection. The state also took third place within the South Atlantic region. The Top Competitive States ranking is based on an index of 10 criteria, most of which are tied to new projects and expansions tracked by Site Selection s New Plant Database. Source: Site Selection, May 2013. WORKFORCE CNBC ranks South Carolina s cost of doing business and the state s workforce 22 nd best in the nation. The cost of doing business ranking is based on taxes and the cost of utilities, wages, workers compensation, and office and industrial rent. The workforce ranking is based on quality and availability of workers as well as workforce training and union membership. Source: CNBC America s Top States for Business, July 2015. South Carolina is among ten states with the lowest cost of labor on Business Facilities 2014 Rankings Report. The ranking is based on unionization, unemployment insurance, workers compensation premiums, hourly pay in manufacturing, average annual pay in the private sector and average employer cost for an employee plus one health care premium. Source: Business Facilities, August 2014. BRAG FACTS 3
South Carolina is a right-to-work state with a low unionization rate of 3.7% overall, ranking 4 th lowest in the United States. South Carolina's unionization rate for the private sector at 2.5% is the 7th lowest in the nation and the rate for manufacturing at 3.9% is also the 7th lowest. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2014. U.S. Census Bureau: South Carolina was among the nation s fastest-growing states, with a population growth rate of 15.3% between 2003 and 2013, according to the latest population estimates. South Carolina now has a population of more than 4.7 million, ranking 24 th in the nation. The Central South Carolina region has a population of more than 920,000. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, July 2013. In the Business Facilities 2014 Rankings Report, South Carolina holds the number one spot for Employment Recovery Leaders. Due to manufacturing and new tire plants, unemployment rates dropped from 12% in 2009 to 7.1% in 2014. Source: Business Facilities, 2014 Business Facilities Rankings Report, July/August, 2014. Columbia was ranked nationally in Job Growth Percent from 2012-2013 in best performing cities. Rated by the Milken Institute, Columbia s job percentage grew 2.02% within one year. The Index ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. Source: 2013 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index, published December 2013. readysc was one of three state workforce training programs recognized by Business Facilities magazine with an Economic Development Achievement Award. The program also received an Achievement in Workforce Training honorable mention. Source: Business Facilities, March/April 2012. At the 2014 International Economic Development Council Annual Conference, two South Carolina organizations were awarded. For the Human Capital awards of population areas greater than 500,000, Apprenticeship Carolina won the bronze award. In the same population group, readysc won a bronze award for Partnerships with Educational Institutions. Apprenticeship Carolina and readysc collaborated with local leaders to establish the Center for Advanced Manufacturing, offering classrooms and labs for technology-based skills training. Both helped guarantee that the automotive supplier had the workforce needed for success. Source: IEDC, October 2014. Apprenticeship Carolina was recognized again by the Community College Futures Assembly, a national independent policy think tank, with a top ten innovative workforce development best practices. Apprenticeship Carolina s host, the South Carolina Technical College System, was named a Bellwether Finalist for hosting and planning a national-caliber technology conference. Source: Community College Futures Assembly, January 2009 & January 2013. South Carolina was ranked 2 nd in the Top Ten States for High-Tech Employment Growth. With an 8.6% in growth, the state beat the U.S. national average of 2.6% from 2010-2011. Columbia also ranked 2 nd for the Top 25 Metros for High-Tech Employment Growth with a 28.2% increase, adding over 1,400 jobs to the area within one year. In this same category, Columbia came in 4 th with a 40.1% increase from 2006-2011. Source: Bay Area Council Economic Institute, December 2012. QUALITY OF LIFE Kiplinger ranked South Carolina 9 th most Tax Friendly State for Retirees in 2013. The report noted South Carolina s exemption for social security income tax, deduction for retirement income, and low property taxes as factors surrounding their ranking. Source: Kiplinger s 10 Tax-Friendly States for Retirees 2013 June 2013. Columbia came in number 8 on MSN Real Estate s Most-Livable Bargain Markets for 2009. Bert Sperling, of Sperling s Best Places, evaluated the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. to determine the 10 most affordable housing markets based on the ratio of median BRAG FACTS 4
income to median home price. Sperling noted that his top 10 metros combined affordability with low unemployment, short commute times, and entertainment and cultural amenities. He called Columbia a capital city with lots of historic charm. Source: 2009 MSN Real Estate Most-Livable Bargain Markets, November 2009. Boating Magazine ranked Lake Murray and Columbia as one of the top ten best places to live and boat. The article noted Columbia s low cost of living, upscale home communities, River Banks Zoo and Garden, and numerous other quality of life amenities. Source: Boating Magazine s 10 Best Places to Live and Boat May 5 th, 2011. Columbia made CNN Money magazine s Top 25 Places to Retire list in 2011. The magazine noted Columbia s great weather, low cost of living, and abundance of indoor and outdoor recreation as just a few of the reasons Columbia is a great place to retire. Source: CNN Money Magazine list of America s Best Small Towns 2011. Columbia s Riverbanks Zoo and Garden was ranked in the top ten best zoos in the country by TripAdvisor.com. TripAdvisor, which bills itself as the world s largest travel site, released a popularity index for zoos based on its users reviews. Source: TheState.com article, published 2014. Columbia ranked 5 th in Kiplinger s Personal Finance annual report of 10 Great Places to Live. This year s ranking placed emphasis on small and mid-sized cities, considering metro areas with a population of one million or less that have good jobs, affordable homes, quality schools, and access to great healthcare. Source: Kiplinger s September 2013 Issue, July 25, 2013. CITY AND TOWN SPECIFIC Forbes named Columbia as one of the nation s metropolitan areas offering the most Bang-for-the-Buck. Columbia came in 12 th on the America s Best Bang-For-The-Buck Cities based on housing market, employment, cost of living, and commuting time. Forbes looked at the country s 100 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Source: Forbes, November 2009. fdi Magazine named Columbia as one of 2011/2012 American Cities of the Future. The magazine also ranked Columbia 3 rd among top Small Cities of the Future, cities with a population of more than 100,000 but fewer than 250,000 people. Columbia also ranked in the top ten for quality of life. Source: fdi Magazine, April 2011. Forbes magazine ranks South Carolina s regulatory environment 23 rd best in the nation for business. The 2014 ranking is based on six vital factors for businesses: costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, current economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life. The magazine highlighted South Carolina s increasing population, support of incentives to attract businesses and being a rightto-work state among the many qualities that helped propel the Palmetto State to a higher position on the list. Source: Forbes, the Best States for Business, November, 2014. The 2009 Miliken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners Best Performing Cities Index ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The components include job, wage and salary and technology growth. Columbia is currently ranked as 65 th out of the top 200 metro areas. Source: Miliken Institute, 2010. Columbia was ranked 10 th nationally in Amazon.com s list of Most Well-Read Cities in America. The ranking is derived from Amazon.com s sales data for print as well as Kindle reader formats for books, newspapers and magazines since June 1 st, 2012. It is based on per-capita consumption in cities with more than 100,000 residents. The Capital City was ranked 15 th in the online retailer s list for 2012, and 16 th in Amazon s first list of well-read cities released in 2011. Source: Amazon.com Reveals the Most Well-Read Cities in North America, 2014. BRAG FACTS 5
Columbia is ranked 35 th on the Brookings Institution s latest MetroMonitor report Tracking Economic Recession and Recovery in America s 100 Largest Metropolitan Areas. Columbia s placement is based on its overall economic performance on four key indicators relative to the country s largest 100 metro areas. Brookings researches changes in employment, unemployment, gross metropolitan product and housing prices. Source: MetroMonitor: Tracking Economic Recession and Recovery in America s Largest Metropolitan Areas, July 2015. Columbia ranked among the nation s top 40 Metropolitan Areas in college education rates for young adults. According to The Business Journals, the 2010 Census reported that 23.42% of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area adults between the age of 18 and 34 have a bachelor s degree or higher. Source: The Business Journals: Boston leads the U.S. in education levels for young adults, May 7, 2012. The Brooking s Institute ranked Columbia 21 st nationally, in growth of manufacturing jobs from 2010 through 2011. From the first quarter of 2010 through the fourth quarter of 2011, manufacturing jobs in the Columbia area increased 5.9% compared to the national average of 2.7%, the report said. The report also ranked Columbia 3 rd in the number of employees in each manufacturing plant (2009), and 31 st in the percent of manufacturing jobs classified as moderately high-tech. Source: Brookings Institute analysis of Moody s Analytics data, published on the Columbia Regional Business Report on May 31, 2012. The Bay Area Council Economic Institute s Technology Report ranked Columbia 4 th for High-Tech Employment Growth, 2010 2011. At a growth rate of 28.2% (addition of 1,400 jobs), the Columbia, SC MSA outpaced the national growth rate (2.6%) for the same period. Furthermore, between 2006-2011 the Columbia, SC MSA s employment in high tech jobs grew 40.1%, the third highest growth rate, nationally. South Carolina was also ranked nationally in the following categories: No. 3 for Foreign Direct Investment. SC now has 4.6% of jobs in foreign controlled companies, higher than the U.S. national average of 3.0%, 2014. No. 6 for Movement Toward a Clean Energy Economy, 2014. Top 5 Movers in E-Government, 2014. No. 12 for Export Focus of Manufacturing & Services, 2014. No. 20 for Entrepreneurial Activity, 2014. No. 20 for Manufacturing Value Added, 2014. Source: The Bay Area Council Economic Institute Report, December 2012. Columbia ranked among MarketWatch s 100 Top Cities for Business Growth. 20 metrics were used to develop the rankings and were divided into three main groups looking at business climate, how New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq companies performed over the past year, and how local economies performed. With a total score of 834, Columbia ranked 86 out of the top 100 cities. Source: MarketWatch Top Cities for Growth, April 22, 2013. MarketWatch also ranked Columbia 63 rd overall for America's 100 Most Business-Friendly Cities. The city came in 36 th for business climate. In this category, there are eight metrics used to measure the framework each city had laid for its commerce. Source: MarketWatch, 2014. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Columbia s hourly wage is 13% below the national average. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages in Columbia, May 2014. BRAG FACTS 6
The Brookings Institute released their 2014 Global Metro Monitor Report in which Columbia was ranked. Based on economic performance from 2013-2014, a list of the 300 largest metropolitan economies was compiled to reveal Columbia s employment was up by 0.8%. Source: Brookings Institute, 2014 Global Metro Monitor Report, 2014. Southern Business and Development included Newberry, South Carolina in 10 Rail, Air, or Interstate Frontgate Sites in the South Perfect for any Large Manufacturer. The county s I-26 Megasite is located at Old Whitmire Highway, SC Highway 76, and Interstate- 26. The Site is adjacent to both the Columbia and Greenville MSA. Source: SB&D, 2014. INFRASTRUCTURE The Journal of Commerce acknowledged that the North Charleston Terminal is ranked second for the Most Productive East Coast Port. Charleston was named the third best port in the nation, averaging 41 container moves per hour with an average trucker turn time of 20 minutes. Source: Journal of Commerce, 2014. The Port of Charleston is one of only a handful of ports to have received the Presidential E and E-Star awards for excellence in exporting. Shippers in two dozen states use Charleston to access foreign customers and suppliers. Source: South Carolina State Ports Authority, 2010. Area Development magazine s special publication, LDW Logistics Distribution & Warehousing 2009, named Orangeburg a Top 10 Emerging Logistics Location. The Port of Charleston was also named a Top 10 Port-Related Intermodal Site. Source: Area Development & LDW Logistics Distribution & Warehousing, 2009. An independent study by Ball State University s Bureau of Business Research (Muncie, Indiana) ranks South Carolina in the top 5 states for global reach. Ball State s National Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card ranks all 50 states on 19 factors that are important to manufacturers and the transportation and logistics industries. For global reach, they measure the variance, or spread of foreign direct investments from different regions of the world. South Carolina also was ranked in the top 5 for manufacturing industry health. Source: National Manufacturing and Logistics 2015 Report, Ball State University & Conexus Indiana. fdi Magazine ranked two South Carolina Foreign Trade Zones, FTZ #21 and FTZ #38, among the Top 25 Free Zones of the Future 2010/2011. They were the only U.S. zones to make the top 25 list. fdi invited more than 700 economic zones worldwide to complete a survey, this group was then reduced to 200 based on additional information collected by fdi Benchmark, and the zones were scored based on economic potential, cost effectiveness, facilities, transportation, incentives, fdi promotion, airports and ports. Source: fdi Magazine, June/July 2010. The Economic Development Impact Award was received by the South Carolina Inland Port. The annual award recognizes a public or private sector project that strengthens the Upstate business climate and enhances the area s marketability to prospective industry, resulting in an overall positive impact to the economic development efforts of the region. Source: South Carolina Ports Authority, released March 27 th, 2014. Columbia, South Carolina ranked among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for locating a warehouse according to a study conducted by the Boyd Company. The analysis includes all major geographically-variable factors critical to the corporate site selection process including labor, real estate, construction, taxes, utilities, and shipping. Source: Material Handling & Logistics, Top 10 Best Cities to Locate Your Warehouse, released May 13 th, 2015. In 2015, South Carolina was ranked in the top 15 states for sector diversification based on manufacturing activity. Source: Conexus Indiana, 2015 Manufacturing & Logistics Report Card. BRAG FACTS 7
The South Carolina Research Authority won the Gold Excellence award in Economic Development Award for Technology-Based Economic Development. The award focuses on economic development efforts that stimulate and support the growth of technologyintensive firms and sectors as the key drivers of prosperity in their communities and was awarded to SCRA for their work on the SC Launch program. SCRA has won Gold Excellence from the International Economic Development Council four out of the past five years. Source: SCRA, published October 9 th, 2013. For the third year, SCRA was recognized by the American Business Awards as a Nonprofit Organization of the Year. This 2014 Gold Stevie Award was presented to SCRA for its role in leading collaborative entrepreneurial and economic development efforts. Additionally, the organization won the bronze award for the SC Launch Annual Report in the best annual report category. Source: The American Business Awards, June 13 th, 2014. Inbound Logistics' 75 Green Supply Chain Partners list featured South Carolina Ports Authority. To be selected, companies must demonstrate their commitment to sustainable supply chain, logistics, and transportation practices. SCPA was named due to its commitment to sustainability through several initiatives, like its Clean Truck Certification Program which improves air quality in the area. Source: Inbound Logistics, June 2014. The Port of Charleston was ranked as the Top South Port by Logistics Management Quest. Not only was it number 1 overall, but ranked the leader in three categories, including: ease of doing business, value, and open network carrier. Source: Logistics Management, Peer Research Group, August 11 th, 2014. EDUCATION U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of South Carolina s Darla Moore School of Business IMBA number 1. The school, which ranked in the top 50 overall among the best undergraduate business programs in the country, finished ahead of Arizona State s Thunderbird School of Global Management, the University of Pennsylvania s Wharton School, and Harvard Business School. In addition to the U.S. News & World Report Ranking, the Moore School has also received the following recognitions: No. 1 in undergraduate international business, making this the 16 th consecutive year the school has claimed the top spot, U.S. News & World Report, 2015. Recognized as one of the 75 best value public colleges and universities by the Princeton Review, 2013. No. 1 in research productivity in experimental accounting in a study conducted by Brigham Young University. Across all research method areas of accounting, the Moore School s accounting faculty rank 21. No. 4 for best international experience in the Global MBA Rankings Financial Times, 2015. No. 3 for fastest return on an MBA student s education investment in BusinessWeek. No. 30 for the Integration of Social, Environmental & Ethical Issues into its MBA program by the Aspen Institute. No. 11 for Risk and Uncertainty Management Program in the US News and World Report, 2013. Top 20% of Business Schools Worldwide by the Aspen Institute Beyond Gray Pinstripes 2011/2012. No. 1 undergraduate international business program, Business Institute, 2013. No. 53 for Best Business Schools by Forbes, 2015. No. 23 globally for Relevant Coursework, Aspen Institute, 2011/2012. No. 33 globally for Business Impact, Aspen Institute, 2011/2012. No. 21 globally for Faculty Research, Aspen Institute, 2011/2012. No. 53 globally for Student Exposure, Aspen Institute, 2011/2012. BRAG FACTS 8
Source: The Moore School of Business, July, 2015. The University of South Carolina is listed on the National University Rankings of Best Colleges with an overall score of 43 out of 100. This list is determined based on all aspects of the institution. In addition, USC was ranked nationally on the U.S. News & World Report for Best Business School. Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2015. U.S. News & World Report also ranked USC Aiken 18 th in its regional college ranking (South). Other schools ranked in this category were: Newberry College in 33 rd, Columbia International University in 37 th, and Columbia College in 37 th.the ranking is based on a number of factors which include: Student-Faculty Ratio, Average Freshman Retention Rate, and Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index. Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2015 Issue. In the first-ever ranking of public university honors colleges, the South Carolina Honors College was ranked number 1, according to the soon-to-be published guide, A Review of Fifty Public University Honors Programs. The ranking is based on honors curriculum, honors retention and graduation rates, honors housing, study abroad programs, and priority registration. The 275-page book, to be published in April, is intended to be used as a guidebook for prospective college students. It reviewed honors programs at all public universities ranked in the top 75 nationally as well as those public universities that are members of the Association of American Universities. Established in 1978, USC s Honors College enrolls 1,400 students and is known for leadership and service learning, research and internship opportunities, in addition to a curriculum that emphasizes cutting-edge thinking and problem-solving skills. In 2009, a new, LEED-Gold certified honors residence hall with suite-style rooms and meeting space opened. The average SAT score of last year s incoming class was 1427. Source: Columbia Regional Business Report, Published March 29, 2012. The University of South Carolina is among the nation s best values for public higher education according to Kiplinger s Personal Finance magazine. USC ranks 48 th on Kiplinger s annual list of 100 best values in public colleges. The ranking cites four-year schools that combine outstanding education with economic value. Kiplinger assesses quality according to a number of measurable standards, including the admission rate, the percentage of students who return for sophomore year, the student-faculty ratio and the four-year graduation rate. Cost criteria include low sticker prices, financial aid and low average debt at graduation. Source: www.kiplinger.com published 2015. OTHER Ball State University s Center for Business and Economic Research ranked South Carolina 8 th in the nation for demand adaptability. The study examines the ability of all 50 U.S. states to adapt to changing demand from OECD countries; the top states export substantial amounts of demand-dynamic products, such as machinery, pharmaceutical, chemical, electrical, and medical products. Source: Nalitra Thiaprasert, Ph.D., Center for Business and Economic Research, Ball State University May 2011. South Carolina ranks 4 th in the U.S. for globalization, based on exports of goods and services and share of the workforce employed by foreign-owned companies, on the 2014 State New Economy Index. The 2010 report also ranks South Carolina 5 th in the nation for alternative energy use. Nuclear power makes up more than half of the total energy consumed in South Carolina, and ranks 3 rd nationally, in net nuclear generation. Source: The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, the Kauffman Foundation, November 2010 and November 2014, and the Energy Information Administration. South Carolina s credit rating remains one of the highest in the nation according to the country s 3 major credit rating agencies, Standard & Poor s (AA+), Moody s (Aaa) and Fitch (AAA). Only 9 states have credit ratings as high as South Carolina s. Moody s credit ratings for the counties in Central SC range from AA- to AAA. Source: South Carolina Office of the State Treasurer & the SC Association of Counties, 2015. BRAG FACTS 9
With 61% of moves to and from the state being inbound moves, South Carolina ranked 2 nd in United Van Lines' 38th Annual Movers Study. Source: United Van Lines, 2014. South Carolina has been named an Emerging Epicenter of High Tech Industry in 6 fields by WIRED magazine. WIRED magazine asked the Cluster Mapping Project at Harvard Business School to provide the top 20 job-creating areas in 11 fields of high tech industry. South Carolina areas are listed as top 20 job creators in 6 of 11 fields, including aerospace vehicles, automotive, plastics, metal manufacturing, communication technology, and electrical equipment. Source: WIRED Magazine s The Emerging Epicenters of High Tech Industry June 2011. Newberry County Memorial Hospital was named the top rated hospital in South Carolina s Midlands, according to HealthGrades. The HealthGrades report found that patients treated at five-star rated hospitals experience a 73% lower risk of mortality and a 63% lower risk of complications compared to one-star rated hospitals. In addition to being the Best Hospital in the Midlands for joint replacements a region that includes Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, and Saluda counties Newberry Hospital is ranked 3 rd best hospital for joint replacements in South Carolina, according to HealthGrades. As of 2014, the joint replacement program puts the Hospital in the top 10% on a national level. Newberry Hospital also received Five Stars for Total Knee and Total Hip Replacement in 2012. Source: http://www.newberryhospital.org/, 2012 and 2014. The Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area ranked 36 th best medium sized city for job growth. The study, done by New Geography, studied all 398 MSAs and calculated an index based on a weighted summary of recent growth trend, mid-term growth, longterm trend and momentum of employment. Source: New Geography, 2014 Best Cities for Job Growth, July 2014. South Carolina ranks as the nation s leading tire producer, according to Tire Business annual ranking of states. In 2014, the daily production capacity in South Carolina s tire plants totaled 89,000 units, the trade publication said. Source: Tire Business Magazine, 2014. The Southern Legislative Conference and U.S. Department of Commerce also ranked South Carolina 1 st nationally in tire exports. 2015 reports state this was the 5 th consecutive year the state held this rank and currently accounts for almost 30% of the value of all tires exported from the U.S. The 2014 exports totaled to $29.7 billion, an increase in 13% from 2013. This increase ranks first among states that export more than $6 billion in goods. Nationwide, only Hawaii, North Dakota, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Alaska posted a larger percentage increase, making South Carolina the top state in the Southeast for export growth. South Carolina also holds the following ranks: No. 17 in exports overall No. 1 Southeastern state for export growth No. 1 exporter of completed passenger motor vehicles No. 1 exporter of tires No. 1 exporter of synthetic staple fibers No. 1 exporter of ball or roller bearings and parts No. 1 exporter of lawn mowers No. 2 in the export of gas turbines No. 2 in the export of craft paper and paperboard No. 4 in the export of fuel wood, logs and billets No. 12 in the export of civilian aircraft BRAG FACTS 1 0
Source: Southern Legislative Conference, November 2013 and data from U.S. Dept. of Commerce, February 2014, published February 11, 2015. In 2015, South Carolina ranked in the top 5 for Manufacturing Industry Health in Conexus Indiana s Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card. Manufacturing industry health ranks are measured by: the share of total income earned by manufacturing employees in each state, the wage premium paid to manufacturing workers relative to the other states employees, and the share of manufacturing employment per capita. Source: Conexus Indiana, 2015 Manufacturing & Logistics Report Card. The U.S. Department of Energy named South Carolina a top 5 state fuel cell forklifts deployed or ordered and for hydrogen furling stations. To be named within the top 5 states, the USDE looks for supportive policies and incentives that have proven to encourage fuel cell installations, industry research and development and business expansion. South Carolina has been a leader for 5 consecutive years and recognized as the only state with uniform statewide permitting of hydrogen and fuel cell facilities. Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Fuel Cells in America, December 2014. In the State Bioscience Jobs, Investments and Innovations Report of 2014, it was found that South Carolina s bioscience sector grew by 45% from 2001-2010. During that period, South Carolina was one of 8 states where bioscience employment grew by more than 30%. The state s largest subsector is medical devices within the bioscience industry. In the same report, South Carolina was ranked in the top 10 leading states for Bioscience Share of Total S&E. Source: Battelle and Biotechnology Industry Organization, 2014. Data from 2012. As a part of the 2015 Economic Development Awards by Business Facilities, the South Carolina Department of Commerce was recognized for its efforts in strengthening the state s automotive manufacturing. With companies like Giti Tire, Continental, Bridgestone and Michelin, SCDOC was named the Cluster Development award winner. These large companies chose to locate to South Carolina due to the area s workforce and training opportunities through the technical college system, and proximity to major transportation infrastructure. Source: Business Facilities, 2015 Economic Development Awards, March/April 2015. BRAG FACTS 1 1