The Association of Economic Developers SC awarded Jim Cook, Executive Director of the Cherokee County Development Boardits Local Developer of the Year award at the 2022 SCEDA Annual Conference, held May 4-6 at the Sonesta Resort in Hilton Head.
Cook is a member of SCEDA and has been part of the economic development community for 15 years.
Since 2005, SCEDA has presented an award to the person who best exemplifies leadership in the state’s economic development efforts, according to a press release. The SCEDA Economic Developer of the Year Award is presented in recognition of the recipient’s involvement in leading innovative programs, overcoming barriers and impactful efforts in the community.
During his tenure as Executive Director of the Cherokee County Development Board, Cook was instrumental in closing 53 projects and promoting new and existing industries, resulting in approximately $1.2 billion in new capital investments and 3,800 new jobs, the statement said.
Cook, an Army veteran, says he was shocked to receive the award and felt honored to have been considered.
“I served my country, then I continued to serve my county,” he said in the statement. “These past 15 years have not been work; I consider this role as a mission and a service of which I am extremely proud.
John Lummus, President and CEO of Upstate SC Alliance said Cook is highly respected upstate and statewide.
“Jim has helped us as local economic developers in upstate function better,” Lummus said in the statement. “He challenged us to view economic development as a team sport, not an individual activity.”
