Will Williams, President & CEO of The Western SC Economic Development Partnership on Economic Development Process, Developments and Impact

Each spring, the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA) recognizes a local developer who has made a significant difference in his or her community. This year’s winner of SCEDA’s Local Developer of the Year award is Will Williams, president and CEO of Economic Development Partnership (EDP) — a non-profit, public-private development corporation focused solely on serving the needs of new and existing businesses in the Aiken, Edgefield, and Saluda Region of South Carolina.

Since 2005, the SCEDA Local Developer of the Year Award has been earned by hard working and dedicated developers in the Palmetto State. The award criteria include leading innovative programs, overcoming obstacles, impactful efforts in the community, consistent involvement with SCEDA, professional development and personal traits.

Williams received the award in May during SCEDA’s Annual Conference at the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island. The three-day conference was attended by more than 250 industry professionals.

Will Williams (in green) being recognized as South Carolina’s 2017 Local Developer of the Year at SCEDA’s Annual Conference.
A member of SCEDA for close to 20 years, Williams has a long list of accomplishments, with “Fostering a strong apprenticeship program at manufacturing companies across Aiken, Edgefield and Saluda counties” at the top of the list. Over the past seven years, Williams has landed more than $1.8 billion in capital investment in the region with close to 2,200 new jobs. In fact, in 2011, Williams helped win a Bridgestone Americas’ $1.2 billion investment in an off -road radial tire plant in Aiken County — still regarded as the largest single capital investment in South Carolina’s history.

While not someone who seeks recognition, Williams is very appreciative of the award. “It is very humbling to be honored by your peers,” he said. Past recognition for Williams includes the W. D. Workman III Buffalo Hunter Award, presented by the Greenville (S.C.) Area Development Corporation (GADC) for his leadership in facilitating Cytec Industries’ $150 million expansion in Greenville 10 years ago.

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