H 5663

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 5663
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A house RESOLUTION
to recognize and honor Jay Schwedler, the founding
CEO of TheLINKSC Economic Development Alliance of Lee County and Sumter County
and president and CEO of the Sumter Economic Development Board, and to congratulate
him upon his induction into the Southern Business and Development Hall of Fame.
Whereas, the South
Carolina House of Representatives is delighted to learn that Jay Schwedler has
been inducted into the prestigious Southern Business and Development Hall of
Fame; and
Whereas, for more than
two decades, he has been a steady, trusted force in Sumter as the town's leading
economic development professional, an uncommon blend of strategist,
collaborator, and community advocate whose work has helped drive the resurgence
of an historic South Carolina community; and
Whereas, Mr.
Schwedler's induction into the Southern Business and Development Hall of Fame
recognizes not only a career of measurable results, but also a philosophy of
development that values long-term resilience over short-term gains; and
Whereas, in a career
that spans some thirty years, Mr. Schwedler has been integrally involved in
projects representing more than five billion dollars in capital investment and
nearly four thousand new high-quality jobs for the community; and
Whereas, from
transformational milestones, such as Continental Tire, Americas' first U.S.
manufacturing facility, to significant investments and expansions by companies,
including BD and eVAC Magnetics, his work has helped position the region to
compete in a global market; and
Whereas, Mr. Schwedler's
career has been defined by navigating the complexities of balancing public and
private interests, aligning regional assets with market realities, and
translating vision into execution. Through a practical, and at times stubborn
approach, he has operated at the intersection of economic competitiveness,
rural development, and quality-of-life investment; and
Whereas, throughout his
work, he has maintained a consistent focus of building strong fundamentals in
workforce, infrastructure, education, and community character in order to
sustain accompanying growth; and
Whereas, having secured
the respect of his peers, Mr. Schwedler is frequently asked to moderate panels,
advise elected officials, and mentor emerging professionals across the South. He
has earned credibility through his hands-on experience and his keen grasp of
challenges presented to rural and mid-sized communities, such as workforce limitations,
missing infrastructure, capital access, and the need to envision and
communicate a captivating local story; and
Whereas, without
depending on what has worked in former situations, he seeks and develops
solutions and strategies to meet each community's needs and potential; and
Whereas, Mr. Schwedler
has used his positions to form cooperation and lasting relationships within
public and private sectors. He realizes that with every new development,
individuals and families are looking for permanence, prospects for the future,
and the pursuit of shaping their communities; and
Whereas, the South
Carolina House of Representatives values the recognition that Jay Schwedler has
received from his induction in the Southern Business and Development Hall of
Fame that highlights his career of integrity, persistence, and excellence for
the communities he serves. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the
South Carolina House of Representatives,
by this resolution, recognize and honor Jay Schwedler, the founding CEO of
TheLINKSC Economic Development Alliance of Lee County and Sumter County and president
and CEO of the Sumter Economic Development Board, and congratulate him upon his
induction into the Southern Business and Development Hall of Fame.
Be it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Jay Schwedler.
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This web page was last updated on May 06, 2026 at 11:55 AM