SC Power Team Success Stories
The following companies had recent location or expansion announcements in South Carolina and are powered by the electric cooperative power system:
South Carolina Aerospace Advantages
- Over 55,000 South Carolinians employed in the aerospace industry
- Exclusive manufacturer of the Boeing 787-10
- Four full-time aviation military bases in the state
- South Carolina offers low-cost, highly reliable energy. Electric rates are 15% less than the national average. To discover readily available sites powered by highly reliable, affordable power from the electric cooperatives click “SC Power Sites”
- South Carolina has the lowest rate of unionization in the nation at 1.6 percent
South Carolina is comprised of excellent resources in the aerospace industry, such as:
- SC Aerospace Advisory Board who champions the needs of the aerospace industry
- Advanced research and development facilities, including USC’s McNAIR Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research and Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research which translates to the aerospace sector
Aerospace Brochure
Workforce Education & Training
- readySC™ and Apprenticeship Carolina™
- Provides skills and technical training to employees of new and expanding businesses in South Carolina
- Works closely with new companies to provide the recruiting, training and workforce development tools and assistance they need to get up and running
- Helps a company’s workforce continue to grow by guiding companies through the registered apprenticeship process from initial information to full recognition in the National Registered Apprenticeship System
- Websites: ReadySC™ and Apprenticeship Carolina
- McNAIR Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research - USC
University of South Carolina’s College of Engineering and Computing
- $4.5 million Advanced Composite Materials Research Center
- South Carolina’s only master’s degree in aerospace engineering and engineering management, offering an undergraduate minor in aerospace engineering
- Provides Total Workforce Development, conducting objective, verifiable and comprehensive analysis based on industry workforce requirements
- Partners with organizations to promote STEM programs, curriculums, camps and activities
- Focuses on developing new lightweight composite structures and advanced robotic technology for aircraft components
- Only university center in the US with a production-level fiber placement machine
- Conducts research targeting industry needs such as engineered materials, stir friction welding and processing, durability, fatigue analysis and health monitoring
- Website: McNAIR Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research
- Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CUICAR)
- Premier 250-acre automotive research, innovation and educational technology campus with $250 million in total investments and 770 on-site jobs created
- Focuses research on Advanced Powertrain Systems, Automotive Systems Integration, Human Factors/HMI, Manufacturing and Materials, Vehicle Performance, Vehicle to Vehicle Connectivity, Vehicle Infrastructure Integration and Vehicular Electronics, which can be applied to the aerospace industry
- Website: Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR)
- Composites Manufacturing Technology Center (CMTC)
- One of nine Centers of Excellence that serve as technology resources to the Office of Naval Research (ONR) under the Navy Manufacturing Technology Program (ManTech)
- Focuses on the development of manufacturing processes and equipment in a cooperative environment with industry, academia and the Navy industrial facilities and laboratories
- Works to improve manufacturing processes for composites and advanced materials, with applications for modern DoD aircraft, surface ships, submarines, land vehicles and weapons
- Website: Composites Manufacturing Technology Center
- The Challenger Learning Center
Richland County School District One
- Provides interactive learning experiences in aeronautics and space education, where students K-12 apply their math and science knowledge through simulations, scenarios, and activities that help develop practical skills in teamwork, problem solving and communications
- Hosts immersive learning missions for students based on simulations used by NASA to prepare astronauts
- Offers a flight training department with two aviation programs, each containing several training modules
- Houses a portable e-Planetarium along with hands-on science explorations
- Partners and collaborates with NASA, SC Aeronautics Commission, U.S. Air Force, University of South Carolina’s McNair Center and College of Engineering and Computing as well as College of Charleston’s Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Website: The Challenger Learning Center
- South Carolina Technical College System
- Offers close to 80 aerospace courses, including degrees and certifications in Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Aircraft Manufacturing, Avionics Technology and Quality Assurance Technology
- Partners with both Clemson University and the University of South Carolina to provide advanced training
- Website: South Carolina Technical College System
- Clemson University Advanced Materials Center
- internationally recognized for its work in advanced fibers, films, ceramics, plastics, optics, composites and nanomaterials
- 111,000 square foot research laboratory and technology campus in Anderson
- Website: Clemson University Advanced Materials Center
- Savannah River National Laboratory
- Employs a research staff of more than 700, including mechanical, chemical and nuclear engineers along with a variety of other scientists, engineers and technicians
- 23% of the research staff hold PhDs
- Website: Savannah River National Laboratory
South Carolina 
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