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).

Read an interview with BMW's Bobby Hitt on the benefits of a CoEE investment.

“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.

Read an interview with Michelin Director of External Research Ralph Hulseman.

“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.

Read an interview with Timken Integration Leader Goverdhan Lahoti.

“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 2008 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.

 “South Carolina has an exceptionally strong program in the Centers of Economic Excellence. There is no question that the investments made in the previously and currently recommended programs are beginning to yield extraordinary benefit for South Carolina.”

“This is an outstanding program which demonstrates the enlightened thinking of state and university leaders. It is attracting national attention and will produce new ideas resulting in the creation of new, high quality jobs for the citizens of South Carolina.”

“The competition to be a leader in the knowledge economy is getting tougher ... South Carolina needs to continue its bold, but also balanced and prudent investments in the knowledge economy.”

[Referring to the CoEE in Nuclear Science and Energy] “As the nation expands its inevitable commitment to increased nuclear power generation, the industry will need the solutions developed by this CoEE.”

[Referring to the CoEE in Advanced Tissue Biofabrication]

“South Carolina is well positioned to make major contributions in the basic science and technology of in vitro tissueengineering.”