Economic Alliance for Sumter and Lee Counties

Yesterday was an eventful day!

Graduate to Greatness, presented through a partnership between TheLINK Economic Alliance, S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, Lee County School District, SC, and Sumter School District, was designed for students who may still be undecided about their plans after graduation.

Unlike a traditional career fair, Graduate to Greatness gives students the opportunity to participate in 15-minute face-to-face interviews with hiring employers creating the potential to leave the event with a job offer in hand. Students also have access to a resource fair featuring local professionals and organizations who provide guidance on banking and personal finance, college and post-secondary education pathways, military opportunities, and more.

The goal is simple: to ensure every student leaves enrolled, enlisted, or employed.

This year’s event was made possible with the support of presenting sponsor Anderson Brothers Bank, along with the many employers, educators, and community partners committed to investing in the future workforce of our region. We also extend a special thank you to University of South Carolina Sumter for hosting this year's event and helping create a space where students could connect with valuable opportunities for their future.

The Ross McKenzie Emerging Leaders continue to gain meaningful exposure to the opportunities available right here in our community.

This week, the session was held at University of South Carolina Sumter where our Emerging Leaders heard from Alex Floyd, Registrar for the campus, who spoke about navigating the college experience such as scholarship opportunities, the importance of FASFA, work-study programs, drop/add week, and why maintaining credit hours is essential for keeping financial aid. These are important conversations that our Emerging Leaders will continue to have with their guidance counselors as they prepare for their next steps.

The students were afforded the opportunity to connect with local professionals to learn more about career pathways and what it takes to succeed in those fields. These conversations are critical in helping our Emerging Leaders see what's possible.

The students finished the day creating vision boards mapping out what they want their lives to look like 10 years from now. It was powerful to see them think intentionally about their futures and begin putting those goals into perspective.

It's experiences like this that make the Ross McKenzie Emerging Leaders program so impactful. Students aren't only being exposed to opportunities, but they are gaining clarity, direction, and confidence for their future.

Exciting news for TheLINK region! 👏🏾

Georg UTZ has selected Sumter County for its first South Carolina operation — bringing new jobs, investment, and manufacturing growth that will benefit both Sumter and Lee counties.

Projects like this strengthen our regional workforce and create opportunities that extend across our two-county community.

Read the full announcement from SC Department of Commerce below ⬇️

Georg Utz, Inc. selects Sumter County for first South Carolina operation | S.C. Governor Henry McMaster COLUMBIA, S.C. – Georg Utz, Inc., a plastic container manufacturer, today announced it selects Sumter County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation. The approximately $40 million investment will create 50 new jobs.

The Ross Mckenzie Emerging Leaders had an incredible, hands-on learning experience at SAFE Federal Credit Union, gaining real-world insight into money management and future planning.

Students learned practical strategies for spending and saving wisely through the 70/10/10/10 rule, how to budget both money and time, and why the greatest investment is people -- because investing in people creates a powerful multiplier effect.

They also explored what it truly means to prepare for the future, from understanding how wealth is built, to learning the basics of investing and financial growth. One of the most impactful moments came from hearing a former Emerging Leader (Gabrielle Miller) share how after graduating and moving on, she now recognizes just how valuable this program was in shaping her journey.

The visit included an inside look at SAFE's Operations building and a discussion on how to be financially equipped for the future with SAFE's Financial Counselor, Shretta Godbolt.

Thank you to Hennie Van Bulck (Interim Assistant Dean for Business and Administrative Management at University of South Carolina Sumter) and Reid Schwartz (Creech Schwartz Wealth Management) for sharing their knowledge and tips on how to start preparing for the future now.

Our Emerging Leaders are taking this knowledge with them as they build a strong financial future.

As we close out the year, we're grateful for the partnerships, progress, and momentum that continue to move Sumter and Lee Counties forward. Wishing our businesses, partners, and community a safe and Happy New Year. Here's to continued growth and opportunity in the year ahead.

Watching the Ross McKenzie Emerging Leaders learn that leadership isn't just about titles, but about service, has been powerful.

Over the past few weeks, our students have been immersed in learning about philanthropy and nonprofits, and more importantly, putting those lessons into action.

They participated in a poverty simulation where they gained real insight into the challenges many families face every day.

They partnered with Sumter United Ministries: Rebuilding Lives by helping with the cleaning efforts in preparation for Christmas giving.

And they also led a self-directed service project at Liberty STEAM Charter: A School of Inquiry, Innovation, & Impact, where they welcomed scholars in the morning drop-off line to ensure each scholar's day started off with encouragement, smiles, and positivity. Once the scholars were in their classes ready for the day, our emerging leaders came by and read to them.

These moments reminded our students that leadership begins with empathy, grows through action, and is strengthened by community. We are incredibly proud of how they showed up, not because they had to, but because they wanted to.

As we celebrate Christmas, we’re grateful for the people who support, collaborate, and believe in our mission. Wishing you peace, joy, and a wonderful holiday season.

Our Ross McKenzie Emerging Leaders are doing more than learning about leadership, they're living it!

Last month, they engaged with the local legislative process where they gained firsthand insight into how decisions are made and voices are heard at the local and state levels.

What made it even more impactful? They had the opportunity to personally meet with their council members, ask questions, and learn what it truly means to advocate, serve, and lead within their communities.

These experiences will help bridge the gap between education and real-world impact; showing our young leaders that leadership isn't something you wait for someday. It's something you step into now.

We're incredibly proud of this group for showing curiosity, confidence, and courage as they learned how government works and how THEY fit into shaping the future!