The Greenville Area Development Corp. plans to launch in July a new campaign to recruit corporate headquarters to Greenville County.
The economic-development group announced the year-long campaign at the 2025 Investors Annual Meeting on June 12. Max Stewart, CEO of GADC, explained that the campaign will initially focus on companies with established operations in Greenville but which are headquartered in a separate state or country.
Recruitment will center around Greenville’s targeted industries: manufacturing, research and development, advanced mobility, and life sciences. Stewart explained the campaign aims to bring high-skilled and high-wage jobs to the market.
“It will increase the talent availability and the retention of our university students,” Stewart said. “If there’s a corporate operation here, they’re more likely to stay in this market.”
In addition to Greenville’s robust talent pool, Stewart said the area provides the quality of life many CEOs look for when relocating their corporate headquarters. GADC plans to collaborate with VisitGreenvilleSC, the city of Greenville, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and the other local economic-development agencies to share Greenville’s story.
The Reedy River will serve as the symbol for the campaign. Stewart explained that the river powered the area’s first industries and serves as the heart of Greenville. “The river never stops and neither do we” will be used as the slogan for the campaign.
Panel and awards
The annual meeting also featured a panel discussion with representatives from Isuzu and GE Vernova. Both companies announced major investments in the Greenville market this past fiscal year. The panel included:
- Eisaku Akazawa, executive officer of project integrations for Isuzu North America Corp.
- Hiroki Motohashi, vice president of Isuzu Motors Limited’s sales division
- Jason Reagan, executive plant manager for GE Vernova
Isuzu, a Japan-based commercial-vehicle supplier, plans to create a $280 million production facility in Greenville, creating more than 700 new jobs. Motohashi said Greenville was chosen for the North American plant because of the competitive tax environment, existing automotive production base and the skilled automotive workforce.
GE Vernova announced in January that it will invest $160 million in its Greenville gas turbine production facility. This investment will create more than 550 additional jobs. Reagan explained that Greenville continues to be a place where the company wants to grow.
“The customer focus that we have both in this factory and the product that we make in this factory has made it a prime location, not only within this community but for GE Vernova as a whole,” Regan said.
Incoming members of GADC’s board of directors were also announced at the meeting. They include John Long with JTICK Associates, Tim Morgan with Genesis Marketing Group, Dan Rundle with Worthwhile and Stephen Piper with Piper Insurance Group. Departing the GADC board are Justin Bagwell of Michelin North America and William Moon with Moon & Associates.
GADC also presented two awards during the meeting:
- The Chairman Award: Greenville Technical College Center for Manufacturing Innovation
- Buffalo Hunter Award: Amanda Lucas, project manager at the South Carolina Department of Commerce
For more information on GADC, visit greenvilleeconomicdevelopment.com.
