Economic Alliance for Sumter and Lee Counties

10/07/2026

Yesterday, our Ross McKenzie Emerging Leaders got an inside look at the many moving pieces behind public safety in our community.

During their visit to the Sumter Police Department, participants sat down with representatives from several areas of the department, including K-9, Victim Advocacy, Investigations, 911 Dispatch, and many more.

They had the opportunity to hear firsthand about the different roles, responsibilities, and challenges each team faces and how they all work together to serve and protect the City of Sumter.

The day also included a Criminal Justice 101 lecture by Lieutenant Hall (Sumter County Sheriff's Office (Sumter, SC)), giving participants an educational look at the criminal justice system while continuing the college-credit component of the Emerging Leaders program.

Through our partnership with University of South Carolina Sumter, our Emerging Leaders have the opportunity to earn college credits while gaining real-world exposure to leadership, careers, and the organizations that help Sumter thrive.

A special thank you to the Sumter Police Department for opening your doors and sharing your expertise, Staff Sergeant Hilliard for leading us throughout the day, and USC Sumter for partnering with us to invest in the education and development of Sumter's next generation of leaders! 💙

10/02/2026

The forecast may be keeping us on our toes, but the plans haven’t changed! 🌦️

The tents are going up and eSTEAM Sumter is ready to welcome our community to Downtown Sumter this Saturday.

☀️ Sunshine or 🌧️ showers, the festival is ON!

Come ready to explore, discover, and experience eSTEAM! 🚀💡

Rain or shine, eSTEAM is happening!

There’s a chance of rain in tomorrow's forecast, but we’re prepared and ready to go. Our tents are going up, our exhibitors are getting ready, and Downtown Sumter is about to come alive! 🚀

Consider the weather just one more reminder that science is always happening around us. 😉

☀️🌧️ Come prepared for either and ready for an incredible day.

See you Saturday at eSTEAM Sumter! 💙💚

10/02/2026

ONE DAY LEFT!!!!

Registration for the eSTEAM Sumter Festival closes TOMORROW, September 9!

If you've been thinking about participating, this is your sign to stop waiting and get registered!

Whether you're an exhibitor, organization, business, school, or community partner, we want you to be part of a day all about innovation, creativity, technology, and FUN!

Don't miss your chance to be a part of eSTEAM Sumter!

10/01/2026

This is what connecting education, industry, and community is all about. Proud to celebrate Merchant Iron Works, Inc. and the incredible impact of manufacturing in the region. Congratulations on this recognition and 25 years!!

09/02/2026

📣 Don’t miss your chance to be part of eSTEAM Sumter!

The September 9 registration deadline is just 7 days away, and now is the time to get signed up, get involved, and help spread the word.

eSTEAM brings together students, families, educators, businesses, and community partners for a day centered around innovation, creativity, and opportunity.

Know someone who should be part of it? Tag them, share this post, and make sure they don’t miss the deadline!

🚨 7 DAYS LEFT! 🚨

The countdown is on! September 9 is the deadline for eSTEAM Sumter registrations and applications, so if you’ve been meaning to sign up, apply, register your student, or get involved — now is the time!

From student opportunities to festival participation, we don’t want anyone to miss their chance to be part of this year’s eSTEAM Sumter experience.

📅 Deadline: September 9
⏰ Just 7 days away!

Help us spread the word by sharing this post with families, educators, students, businesses, and anyone who needs to know.

eSTEAM Sumter is coming and we want YOU there!

05/19/2026

04/30/2026

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.

04/20/2026

Graduate to Greatness isn't just another program, it's a pipeline of motivated, prepared, and ready-to-work talent right here in our community.

We're currently looking for local businesses and organizations that are actively hiring and want to be a part of something impactful and bigger than just filling positions.

-Connect with emerging talent
-Build your future workforce
-Make a direct impact on the next generation of professionals
-Be recognized as a company that invests in people, not just positions

If your company is hiring, or you know a business that should be at the table, please contact
Erika Williams ([email protected])

03/26/2026

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.

02/11/2026

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 ⬇️

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.