Greenville City Council approved the creation of a new economic development arm. The Greenville City Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) will be a 501(c)3 with its own board of directors and the ability to raise private funding, much like other economic development organizations around the country.
GCEDC will carry out the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan, which was finalized and adopted in 2022. This approval provides City staff the authority to begin creating the organization, which includes bylaws, governance and hiring staff.
“The City of Greenville is relatively small, just over 30 square miles, and our population is under 75,000, neither reflects our true impact on economic development of the region. The City is a hub of innovation. Our vibrant downtown, quality of life, climate and business-friendly approach make us a draw for anyone looking to scale and grow a company. This new structure and organization allow us more flexibility of operation,” said Mayor Knox White.
The GEDEC will have its own president and CEO and is expected to include the following divisions: real estate and property development, small and minority business, retail, marketing, investor relations and business recruitment. It will work in a collaborative manner with our economic development partners, such as the GADC, Upstate Alliance, SC Department of Commerce and the Greenville Chamber.
“This new organization and its professionals will allow the City to be laser focused on how we want our City to grow as it relates to jobs and capital investment,” said Greenville City Councilman John DeWorken. “More specifically, we will have the people, resources and funding to actively recruit corporate headquarters, businesses, retail and restaurants that will serve our citizens. We will have the resources to close better real estate deals and the right people to grow and support small and minority-owned businesses.”
Current staff in the City’s Economic Development Department will transition to the new entity, bringing their expertise and institutional knowledge to the organization.