Sustain SC Celebrates Five Year Anniversary with Launch of New Strategic Framework
This March, Sustain SC is celebrating our fifth anniversary with the launch of a refreshed Strategic Framework designed to support our new Purpose statement—to build and grow a more sustainable future for South Carolina at the intersection of commerce and conservation—and sharpen how we deliver impact statewide.
From the beginning, Sustain SC has brought together a diverse coalition of stakeholders to advance initiatives that benefit South Carolina’s economy, communities and natural resources. Our Mission remains clear: connect the sustainability goals of business in South Carolina with local solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment and people.
Five years into our work, this is the right moment to refresh our strategy—ensuring alignment with the work we’re doing now while creating space for what’s next.
Building the New Framework
Our updated framework was born out of a Sustain SC Board strategy session in March 2025, alongside the development of our Purpose statement. It also reflects feedback from Sustain SC’s first Annual Membership Survey and one-on-one partner discussions that helped shape the direction and priorities.
At a high level, the framework reflects how Sustain SC supports the growth and long-term success of South Carolina-based organizations by shaping the sustainability conversation statewide. Through strategic programs and initiatives, we act as a trusted advisor, helping businesses navigate and lead in sustainability.
Our Strategic Framework: Four Pillars, One Balanced Approach
The framework is organized around four pillars: Expanding our Economy, Growth and Retention, Municipal Support and Land Use Planning and Outreach and Education.
Two pillars are directly focused on economic development, reinforcing a simple truth: long-term competitiveness depends on both economic growth and resilience, and South Carolina needs both reflected in strategy.
Below is a look at each pillar and how it shows up in our work.
Pillar 1: Expanding our Economy: Economic Development + Recruitment
Sustain SC supports economic development and business recruitment by using data-driven insights to position South Carolina as a leader in sustainable growth. We provide transparent, data-driven insights that demonstrate how South Carolina enables companies to achieve both economic and environmental goals.
Key actions include:
Annual South Carolina Sustainability Scorecard: A statewide economic development tool designed to showcase South Carolina’s performance in Energy, Circularity, Water and Conservation to tell a clear story about sustainable growth to attract and recruit business to South Carolina.
Serving as a Recruitment Pitch Partner: Sustain SC serves as a partner to economic development organizations and the South Carolina Department of Commerce, helping communicate how sustainability goals can be achieved in South Carolina.
Pillar 2: Growth and Retention: Supporting South Carolina Organizations
Sustain SC supports South Carolina-based organizations through strategic guidance, storytelling and initiatives that strengthen sustainability and resilience statewide. That includes acting as a trusted advisor, amplifying member successes and connecting individual impact to a larger statewide success.
This pillar is brought to life through our member network and Roadmap to Sustain South Carolina—seven accelerators that guide our work across partnerships, resilience, workforce, innovation, circularity, energy and metrics and reporting.
Pillar 3: Municipal Support and Land Use Planning
Sustainability is shaped locally, and growth is happening fast. Through this pillar, Sustain SC partners with local governments to advance municipal sustainability and resilience planning—helping communities prepare for the future through strategic, sustainable growth.
Key actions include:
Municipal Resilience and Sustainability Planning: In 2025, Sustain SC and VisionGreenwood announced a strategic partnership to launch Greenwood, SC as the pilot community for an initiative focused on municipal sustainability and resilience planning.
Sustainable Land Use and Economic Development: Sustain SC supports sustainable land use and development practices and assists with smart planning and large-scale site selection so environmental priorities align with economic opportunities across South Carolina.
Pillar 4: Outreach and Education: Trends and Data for Decision Makers
Sustain SC equips decision makers with timely data, insights and education to shape sustainability strategy across South Carolina.
Through annual statewide polling, education for decision makers at the federal and state level and thought leadership pieces, we provide the insights and resources leaders need to make informed decisions.
Key actions include hosting monthly technical assistance webinars, publishing thought leadership content and sharing annual polling insights with leaders at the State House and in Washington, DC.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate five years at the intersection of commerce and conservation, this Strategic Framework reflects both how far we’ve come and what we’re building toward. With a clear Purpose and Mission, and a framework designed to match the moment South Carolina is in, we’re energized for what’s next; supporting sustainable growth, strengthening resilience and helping South Carolina-based organizations lead.
About Sustain SC
Sustain SC is an economic development-driven organization that connects the sustainability goals of businesses in South Carolina with local solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment and people.
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