Greenville Area Development Corp. celebrated its 25th year and highlighted more than $94 billion in economic impact during its annual meeting June 10.
The nonprofit agency – commonly known as GADC – is charged with recruiting industry to the county, supporting existing businesses, creating jobs and fostering overall economic growth. It was formed by Greenville County in 2001.
During the event, CEO Max Stewart highlighted the theme for 2026: “Rooted, rising, forging legacy.” With a quarter-century of work creating a strong economic base in Greenville County, the organization is focused on selective business recruitment and educational initiatives to develop the local workforce. In particular, Stewart said prospective companies ask about qualified employees.
“The one thing that we’ve learned in the last few years with economic development is that talent is the new location,” Stewart said “Talent is the location. It is the driving factor to every project.”
Stewart went on to highlight additional factors such as affordable housing and transportation.
“The whole community matters when a prospect or an existing industry is looking at evaluating our community,” he said.
Earlier in the event, a research economist from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina delivered a series of statistics to quantify the impact of GADC, as well as the relative strength of Greenville County’s economy compared to the state and the country.
Joey Von Nessen said that, despite economic uncertainty and low U.S. consumer sentiment, South Carolina led the nation in gross domestic product growth in 2025. Greenville County was a standout, with 15% employment growth over the past five years compared to 12.4% statewide and 10.1% nationally.
According to Von Nessen, GADC’s current annual impact on Greenville County is $8.46 billion. The expansion of existing businesses accounts for 59% of that impact, with the rest coming from new business entering the county. Nearly a fifth of the county’s economy is driven by GADC-related activities.
Since its inception in 2001, GADC has accounted for $94.2 billion in cumulative economic impact in the county, Von Nessen said.
GADC also handed out several awards during the event, and acknowledged new and departing board members and officers.
- Chairman’s Award: Piedmont Natural Gas
- Buffalo Hunter Award, for allies who bring projects to Greenville County: Daniel Beaty, senior project manager, South Carolina Department of Commerce
- Expiring board members: Marshall Franklin (chairman), Jim Burns, Larry Miller, Chad Tumblin
- Incoming board members: Peter Brock, Eric Groves, Vicki Peek
- Incoming board officers: Dan Rundle, chairman; Tim Morgan, vice chairman; Michael Johnson, secretary; Scott Case, treasurer
The event was held at The L, Larkin’s Catering and Events, at 211 E. Broad St. in downtown Greenville.
