On Wednesday, the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA), the nine county economic development organization that serves South Carolina’s northeast region, held a legislative reception in Columbia to express their collective appreciation for the support the region has received from its elected officials.

More than 75 business, political and community leaders, including members of the South Carolina State Cabinet, senators, representatives, administrators, economic developers, and county-council chairs from all nine NESA counties attended the reception.

NESA Chairman Sen. J. Yancey McGill delivered brief remarks expressing gratitude for NESA investors and supporters in enabling the organization to bring jobs to the region.

“With the support of many of the leaders here tonight, NESA has had an important impact on our community, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to increase employment opportunities in South Carolina’s northeast region,” McGill said.

South Carolina State Senate Finance Committee Chairman and member of the NESA Executive Committee Sen. Hugh Leatherman joined McGill in thanking NESA’s supporters and noted the importance of continued regional collaboration.

“Regional cooperation is vital to NESA’s success,” Leatherman said. “By bringing together community leaders from all nine NESA counties, the organization is able implement a strong, focused strategy that maximizes our likelihood of economic development success.”

The North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) is a regional economic development organization that serves a nine-county region in the northeast corner of South Carolina. NESA’s primary objective is to enhance significantly the quality of life for residents of the region by creating additional jobs and capital investment within the existing industry base as well as through recruitment of new companies and expansion of tourism related development. NESA’s nine member counties are Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg.