COLUMBIA, S.C. (September 1, 2016) - The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced the official launch of its new Landing Pad program. A collaborative effort with the state's regional economic development alliances, the Landing Pad program aims to assist established companies from around the world who are looking to enter either the U.S. or South Carolina markets for the first time.
Through this program, the Department of Commerce will encourage and enable global companies to put feet on the ground in South Carolina by streamlining what can be perceived as an overwhelming process in an unfamiliar market. From regulation and taxation issues to translation or office space, the Landing Pad program will connect businesses to the appropriate service providers through the state's regional economic development partners, helping them get started in a reliable and cost-effective way.
“We frequently come across successful and growing global companies who know that they have market potential here, but aren't quite ready to dive in and open a full-scale manufacturing facility before testing the waters,” said South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “These firms want to be conservative and begin with a sales and marketing office, or a small warehouse with a few employees - but they don't know where in the U.S. to go, or how to start. The Landing Pad program will allow us to help these companies minimize the risk of establishing operations in a new market and guide them through the process.”
By helping businesses make necessary connections and navigate the requirements for doing business in the state, this program will allow companies to focus more on securing new North American sales and expanding existing customer bases. In the end, the goal for the Landing Pad program is to ensure an even greater success rate for these companies and lay a foundation for future investment and job creation in South Carolina.
“Our hope is that our Landing Pad participant companies thrive here, so that, in the future, when they are ready for something larger, it will be here in South Carolina due to their positive experience and our pro-business climate,” said Hitt.
For more information on the Landing Pad program, contact the S.C. Department of Commerce's Division of International Strategy & Trade at GrowfromSC@SCCommerce.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina's leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. IBM-Plant Location International reports in 2012, 2013 and 2015 ranked South Carolina first in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment. The state won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012, 2014 and 2015. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Adrienne R. Fairwell, APR
Director of Marketing & Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998