Testimonials

For several companies and organizations, investing in South Carolina’s Centers of Economic Excellence Program is already paying dividends:

“CoEE offers us a remarkable investment opportunity. The dollar-for-dollar match that the state of South Carolina provides makes it one of the smartest investments we could make. What other kind of investment can you make that guarantees a return of 100%?”

Bobby Hitt
Manager of Public Relations, BMW Manufacturing Co.
BMW Manufacturing has invested $10 million to fund two CoEE Endowed Chairs at Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR).

“By investing in CoEE, BMW is planning for the long-term. They are making sure they have a good supply of engineers.”

Tom Kurfess
BMW Endowed Chair in Manufacturing Integration

“As the Michelin Endowed Chair in Vehicular Electronic Systems Integration, Professor Todd Hubing’s research has attracted the attention of automotive partners the world over. His strong collaboration with other industry and academic partners will help ensure the long-term success of CU-ICAR and its partners.”

Jim Micali
Chairman and President, Michelin North America
A pioneer in automotive research, Michelin was one of the first CoEE partners, funding an Endowed Chair at CU-ICAR and its associated laboratory in February 2004. Michelin will use the center for some of its automotive research, including electronics systems for tires.

“John Ziegert, holder of the Timken Endowed Chair in Automotive Design and Development, is in the unique position as the endowed chair to combine research with innovation to develop friction management and power transmission solutions that will transform the automotive industry and other industrial markets.”

Jacqui Dedo
President, Automotive Division, The Timken Company
The Timken Company manufactures highly engineered bearings, alloy steels, and related products and services. In 2006, the company announced it would invest $3 million to fund a CoEE Endowed Chair at CU-ICAR.

“The companies we are working with benefit because we are helping them build better products. They also hire many of our graduates.”

Todd Hubing
Michelin CoEE Endowed Chair in Vehicle Electronic Systems Integration

Excerpts from the 2006–07 CoEE Onsite Review Panel Report
The Onsite Review Panel is composed of experts from outside the state who evaluate each proposed Center of Economic Excellence and make recommendations about which proposals should receive state funding.

"The strong business participation, including the notable up-front pledges of cash offered [for the CoEEs approved in 2007], [is] powerful and tangible evidence that the program is very well conceived."

"[There is] demonstrated impact of cluster effects stemming from the aggregation of innovative people and an entrepreneurial climate."

[Referring to the CoEE in Reconstructive Methodologies and Materials] “[T]he economic development potential looks excellent. In today’s marketplace, biological materials have a worldwide value of $1.7 billion. The principle investigator, Dr. Matthews, is a successful entrepreneur having produced a new start-up company, Carbonix, during the past year. His experiences, along with those of the partners, promise to yield significant economic impact in South Carolina in this medical field."

[Referring to the CoEE in Stroke] “MUSC and USC have been very active in the development of startup companies in the area of neuroscience and neurodegeneration. These companies are in various phases of drug discovery and development that will be able to provide new and novel compounds for the treatment of stroke."