Johnson earns SC Certified Economic Developer designation

Russell Johnson, Project Manager, with the Oconee Economic Alliance has earned the South Carolina Certified Economic Developer (SCCED) designation. The SCCED is earned by completing the South Carolina Advanced Symposium, the highest level of professional economic development education in South Carolina. Successful completion is based on demonstrated knowledge of the curriculum offered and the ability to translate that knowledge into day-to-day real life situations. The South Carolina Advanced Symposium is a partnership of the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association. Ranges of topics are covered including Workforce and Leadership Development, Product and Infrastructure Development, Marketing and Communications, and Negotiating and Deal Structuring. Testing is conducted on each topic presented, and execution and presentation of a project to a team of peers is required to graduate. To be eligible, professional economic developers must have at least five years of fulltime experience or three years with graduation from the Economic Developers Institute or four years with completion of a Basic Economic Development Course or a university degree in Economic Development. “This is great news for Russell and Oconee County,” stated Glenn Buddin, chairman of the Oconee Economic Alliance and CEO/CFO of Blue Ridge Bank. “The SCCED certification reflects his continued commitment to expanding his talents and supporting the pursuit of better jobs and a brighter future for our community”
“Professional development is key to staying up-to-date of current trends in economic development and I want to congratulate Russell for earning the certification,” stated Richard K. Blackwell, executive director of the Oconee Economic Alliance and himself a SCCED.