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The Upstate Alliance is extremely pleased to announce that the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the South Carolina Legislature have awarded the Upstate Alliance four hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($450,000) pursuant to the General Appropriations Act of 2007.
The South Carolina Department of Commerce appropriated funding for Regional Economic Development Organizations through the General Appropriations Act of 2007. These funds were appropriated pursuant to Proviso 73.12 in the Appropriations Act of 2007 from unobligated Fiscal Year 2006-2007 general fund revenue as certified by the Board of Economic Advisors. Pursuant to Proviso 27.36, this is a ‘State Match’ Program meaning each dollar of state funds must be matched with one dollar of private funds. The organization receiving state funds must certify that the private funds are new dollars specifically designated for the purpose of matching state funds and have not been previously allocated or designated for economic development. The matching dollars must be in place and certified prior to being awarded the funds from the South Carolina Department of Commerce. The Upstate Alliance, in the application to the South Carolina Department of Commerce, stated that these funds will be used to enhance efforts of the Alliance team in the areas of: website revitalization, to utilize research consultants on foreign marketing missions, to execute an external/internal public relations strategy, conducting a regional promotion campaign, and to fund a target market study for the Alliance. “Our Executive Committee made it a goal to meet the necessary guidelines to acquire this funding and after months of hard work and support from our investor base, the Upstate Alliance was successful,” commented Richard K. Blackwell, Director of Investor and Public Relations for the Upstate Alliance. “Now that there is a check in-hand it does not mean that the work is done and we can spend it freely. There are checks and balances in place to make sure we utilize these funds as stated in our application, and demonstrate measurable results.” The Upstate Alliance will be required to submit quarterly reports concerning the progress of the projects being developed and a financial summary concerning how funds are being expended. The Upstate Alliance is also required to submit an Annual Report by November 1 of each year to the Chairmen of Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committee and the Secretary of Commerce concerning the use of the matching funds until the funds are completely spent. “With a proud record of accomplishment and partnership with our investors, the Upstate Alliance is working harder than ever to position the Upstate SC Region for success. This funding from provided by the General Assembly will make this region stronger,” commented Hal Johnson, President / CEO of the Upstate Alliance. “Our organization, our board members, our investor base and our team of local economic developers are grateful to all the South Carolina Legislators for their support of regional economic development. It is evident that our Legislature believes and understands the more our state invests in economic development the better South Carolina will be in the future.” For additional information on the Upstate Alliance, visit them on the web at www.upstatealliance.com or call 864.283.2300. (Image provided by Upstate Alliance.)
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