Sustain SC

📣 ICYMI: There’s still time to register for our final Energy Roundtable of 2025 focused on Rural Energy in South Carolina. Join us in Columbia on Tuesday, December 9 at 11:00 am.     Huge thanks to our sponsors:  Platinum – The Nature Conservancy, Google, The Pew Charitable Trusts  Gold – Advanced Energy United  Silver – Ceres, Inc. and RMI    🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/4qSWd8w    #SustainSC #EnergyRoundtable #RuralEnergy #CleanEnergy 

In September, Sustain SC members, industry leaders and university partners gathered in Charleston for our third Energy Roundtable: Grid Modernization – How Does a Modernized Grid Lead to a Clean Energy Future?     Hosted at Clemson University’s Innovation Center, the session moved beyond theory into applied learning—combining scene-setting remarks from Duke Energy Endowed Chair Dr. Kevin Tomsovic, a tour of cutting-edge grid technologies and a focused discussion on the workforce needed to power South Carolina’s clean energy transition.    From understanding the difference between grid modernization and grid optimization to seeing innovative tools up close, participants explored how new technologies, microgrids and university–industry partnerships are reshaping resilience, reliability and opportunity in our state.     📰 We’re breaking down key takeaways from the day in our latest recap. Read the full article now!     ⚡ Want more energy content? Join us in Columbia on December 9 for our fourth roundtable of 2025 focused on rural energy in SC. Register now at this link: https://bit.ly/4qSWd8w #SustainSC #EnergyRoundtable #GridModernization  

On November 6, Sustain SC’s SVP of Conservation, Kristen Austin Gunter, joined members and partners in Columbia for Resilience Day, hosted by Sustain SC member PHENOGY AG.    Their session, “Building Resilience Together: Advancing Energy Solutions for Communities, Facilities and Utilities,” brought together professionals from municipalities, airports, government agencies, businesses and nonprofits to explore what energy resilience looks like in today’s world—and how we can work across sectors to achieve it.    Led by Suzanne Dickerson, Phenogy’s Director of North America, the conversation highlighted a powerful vision: Phenogy isn’t waiting for the energy future, they’re building it today across America, where communities gain autonomy, sustainability becomes standard and energy security starts locally.    We’re grateful to Phenogy for convening this important dialogue!     #SustainSC #EnergyResilience #ResilienceDay #CommerceAndConservation 

📣 ICYMI: We’re closing out 2025 with our Sustain SC members in Columbia!   🎉 If you haven’t already, be sure to RSVP for our End of Year Celebration, sponsored by AFL, on Tuesday, December 9 at 5:30 pm. We’ll gather in the Upstairz Lounge at Pearlz Oyster Bar for appetizers, drinks and connection as we toast an incredible year of commerce + conservation wins across South Carolina.    👉 Space is limited — reserve your spot today: https://bit.ly/SSC25eoy    #SustainSC #EndOfYearCelebration 

⏳ There’s still time to register for our TA Webinar focused on our new member offerings. Join us on Wednesday, November 19 at 2:00 pm for a guided walkthrough of our new Supply Chain member benefits designed to help members strengthen connections, accelerate sustainable practices and unlock new business opportunities across South Carolina. 🔗 Register now at this link: https://bit.ly/4qBX0un  

Today, we’re spotlighting new Sustain SC member Explore Charleston, the region’s destination marketing and management organization dedicated to promoting balanced tourism that keeps the Charleston area a top place to visit and an unparalleled place to call home.     Through research-driven marketing and year-round group sales and media relations initiatives, Explore Charleston invests in destination promotion to create the highest value visit and maximize downstream benefits for the community and its long-term reputation, not encourage mass visitation. The organization's efforts span the Charleston metro, made possible through important partnerships with 12 local governments in the Tri-County area.     Explore Charleston values the spirit of collaboration and a shared commitment to the tourism economy and its tremendous benefits to local businesses and residents' quality of life. The organization takes an active role in tourism management and prioritizes workforce development initiatives to assist employers with developing and retaining talent. Its Hospitality Academy has been supporting industry education for over 25 years!     In 2024, tourism drove an estimated $14 billion economic impact, accounted for 23.5% of all sales, supported 54,900 jobs, and generated $4.92B in labor earnings—underscoring travel’s ripple effects across the region.  Explore Charleston's efforts have real-time impacts and are an investment in a sustainable future.     Welcome, Explore Charleston! We’re proud to have you as a Sustain SC member.      #MemberSpotlight #ExploreCharleston #Tourism #Workforce   

Last week, Sustain SC’s SVP of Commerce, Cynthia Davis, joined the Columbia Rotary Club’s “Rotary Monday” as the featured speaker, sharing how Sustain SC’s mission, purpose and key initiatives connect South Carolina’s business community with conservation solutions.    Thank you to Columbia Rotary for the opportunity to highlight how we’re working together to build a more sustainable, competitive future for our state.    #ColumbiaRotary #CommerceAndConservation #SustainSC 

Last week, Sustain SC CEO Leslie Skardon attended Boeing South Carolina’s groundbreaking ceremony! It was great to see past board member Lindsay Leonard and SLI alum Erin Fisher. We’re proud to partner with Boeing, a major economic engine for our state and a leader investing in South Carolina’s workforce and communities. ✈️ #SustainSC #SCBusiness #GroundbreakingCeremony 

On October 29, Sustain SC’s SVP of Conservation, Kristen Austin Gunter, joined Governor Henry McMaster and other partners at Pea House Landing in Georgetown County to celebrate the finalization of the largest conservation easement in South Carolina’s history.     More than 62,000 acres of forestland are now permanently protected—preserving critical wildlife habitat, strengthening flood resilience and sustaining working timberlands. Beginning in early 2026, portions of this landscape will also be open for public recreation and tourism, showcasing how conservation and commerce can work hand in hand to secure South Carolina’s future. 👏 Congratulations to all partners involved in this historic achievement.    #PeeDeeInitiative #CommerceAndConservation #SouthCarolina 

Throughout 2025, Sustain SC has hosted in-person, quarterly Energy Roundtables. Join us in Columbia on Tuesday, December 9 for our fourth and final roundtable of the year. We will explore rural energy and discuss how we can strengthen clean energy efforts in rural parts of South Carolina.     Thank you to our platinum sponsors, The Nature Conservancy, Google and The Pew Charitable Trusts; our gold sponsor, Advanced Energy United; and our silver sponsors, Ceres, Inc. and RMI.     These member-only events offer two and a half hours of interactive, facilitated dialogue and insight from subject matter experts. Closed to the press and designed to foster collaboration, the sessions include ample networking time with companies, utilities, nonprofits, government entities and providers.     🔗 Register now at this link: https://bit.ly/4qSWd8w     #SustainSC #EnergyRoundtable #RuralEnergy #CleanEnergy