SCC Economic Impact in Cherokee County

April 3, 2022 by Scott Powell | Gaffney Ledger | 2022news

SCC IMPACT on the Cherokee County economy is $43.4 million over the past 5 years.

Spartanburg Community College has made a $43.4 million economic impact and created 811 jobs in Cherokee County over the past five years.

Spartanburg Community College (SCC) supports economic and workforce development in the Upstate by providing education and training in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties.

The college served an average of 6,239 full- and part-time students during the 2017-2021 time period of the economic impact study by Clemson University. The average impact on Cherokee County is $4.4 million in annual output and 117 jobs.

Clemson projected the economic impact of SCC by using a regional economic model that takes into account trade flows between regions based on the availability of labor and natural resources. The study also measured student spending and the impact of the SCC Spark Center on economic development.

Overall, Spartanburg Community College has made a $35 billion economic impact on South Carolina.

SCC established its Cherokee County branch campus in 2007 and added a Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial

Technologies in 2015. Three years ago, the school district built the Institute of Innovation high school career center on the local campus.

“Numbers and data speak volumes, and in all of these examples I have shared, the obvious fact is Spartanburg Community College – in collaboration with our many partners – is one of the most significant drivers of our local economies,” SCC President Dr. Michael Mikota said.

The Spark Center provides workforce services and a space where companies can begin work in the Upstate area before their facilities are complete.

The economic impact study showed the Spark Center has contributed $30.4 billion in economic impact to Spartanburg County, $235 million to Cherokee County and $198 million to Union County.

The study results were presented Thursday evening during its inaugural SCC Impact celebration event at Spartanburg Marriott.

“The future is bright for Spartanburg, Union, and Cherokee counties,” state Rep. Rita Allison said in her remarks at Thursday’s event. “Education is the engine that drives economic development and quality of life for our citizens. SCC holds the key for unlocking the talents of our young and mature citizens.”