The South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association Helps Drive a Powerful Economic Engine

August 2010
Atrade association can be a powerful tool. An industry trade association is an organization founded and funded by member businesses that operate in a specific industry. The South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association (SCADA) is the trade association for new car and truck dealers in the Palmetto State. SCADA is the only statewide lobbying force in South Carolina dedicated to the economic and political interests of dealers of new cars and trucks, according to Patrick Watson, executive vice president/CEOof SCADA.

Convention and Meeting Business Seeing Recovery From Recession

August 2010
Columbia and Florence are ideal places for a conference, convention or business meeting in many ways – they’re both located in or close to the center of the state and near major highways, allowing easy access for attendees, and the low price points impress meeting planners from larger cities. But one expense that businesses cut back on during the recession was travel, which caused a drop in the number of meetings booked at several venues in the state throughout 2009.

Fly Florence’s Friendly Skies: Florence Regional Airport

August 2010
An airport is a place filled with a feeling of anticipation. And that sense of excitement is alive and well at the Florence Regional Airport (FRA). The possibilities seem to abound for the thousands of passengers that fl y from the airport each month. There is also enthusiasm for the economic growth of the Pee Dee that is attached to air travel.

Auto Sales Steadily Increasing Throughout Midlands, Pee Dee

August 2010
The business might not be back to its lucrative highs of two to three years ago, but something very good is transpiring at auto dealerships across the Midlands and Pee Dee – people are actually buying cars again. Inspired by generous incentives, low interest rates and online offers, foot traffi c through dealerships was dizzying during the Memorial Day weekend that gave way to a hot and hazy fi rst month of summer. In June alone, Dodgeland of Columbia was offering a free laptop computer for anyone who bought a new or pre-owned vehicle from its lot, while Jim Hudson’s Hyundai promised double rebates on most models up to $6,000 and BMW of Columbia trumpeted interest rates from a low of .9 percent to 3.9 percent.

As we move forward we are bringing fresh faces and new ideas to our readers. Our core remains the same with an editorial format focused on local business people and the community. We cover young entrepreneurs, local businesses, industry and government leaders, colleges, the arts, and everything in-between that make our communities great places to live, work, and play. We have a very talented, creative, and experienced staff that continue to build on an already great product and invigorate new ideas and diversity.

When it comes to higher education, South Carolina offers a variety of educational opportunities for high school and college graduates to pursue numerous careers throughout a large variety of industries. Whether you’re searching for a technical, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, South Carolina has the right school to fulfill your needs. Welcome to Greater Columbia Business Monthly and the Greater Pee Dee Business Journal’s directory of South Carolina’s colleges and universities. This list also will serve as an invaluable tool to companies and organizations offering educational benefits to employees.