While some state officials are calling for more emphasis on industrial recruitment to help cure the unemployment woes, an economist with the South Carolina Department of Commerce says more development is not always the answer to change unemployment figures.

Dr. Rebecca Gunnlaugsson says instead of responding to the same old stereotypes, guessing at problems and devising solutions to guesses, they have gathered data to find what the real problems are. Gunlaugsson says economic development is not a panacea nor cause of the jobless issue.

“While economic development is a key factor,” said Gunnlaugsson, “it’s not the panacea.  It’s not going to cure unemployment and at the same time it’s not the cause.”  [Read more...]

Clemson University will be positioning a business school in downtown Greenville. Clemson University President James Barker made the announcement Friday. A one million dollar donation from a resource foundation will allow Clemson University to move its Masters of business administration program to downtown Greenville. Clemson says it will move the center of two hundred-70 students into an office building that used to house papermaker Bowater, Incorporated. The program is currently located further out in the city’s suburbs.

David Wilkins is the chair of the university’s board of trustees. He said the school made the move to give students a better opportunity to work in a business culture they don’t find on a university campus.

The million dollar donation from ScanSource, a Greenville technology manufacturer, will help the school move in January–provided they receive permission from the State Commission on Higher Education and the Budget and Control Board.