The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced the addition of Allison Amick Barry to the agency’s Global Business Development division as the new agribusiness project manager.
Barry will be part of the S.C. Department of Commerce’s Global Business Development team and will focus exclusively on agribusiness projects that will bring investment and job creation to South Carolina. Companies in this sector provide a range of goods and services relating to the production, processing, and distribution of food, feed, fiber and fuel.
“Agriculture and agribusiness have long been an important part of South Carolina’s economy. Allison Barry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and will play the lead role in helping recruit new agribusiness-related firms as well as helping our state’s existing businesses in this sector expand,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.
Barry has been part of Commerce since August 2010 and worked in the agency’s Research division. She holds a bachelor of arts in Political Economy and a master of arts in Economics, both from Clemson University. A Columbia native, Barry grew up immersed in her family’s agricultural business in Gilbert, S.C.
“In our long term strategic planning, we determined that a focused agribusiness recruitment effort was vital and that the office should be staffed with professionals,” said Hugh Weathers, Commissioner of Agriculture. “Agribusiness grows South Carolina. With the help of the new project manager in recruiting new and expanding agribusinesses, we can create jobs and achieve economic growth and prosperity for South Carolina.”
Agribusiness, agriculture and forestry have been a bright spot in the economy for the past few years. The economic impact of agribusiness in South Carolina has been measured at nearly $34 billion providing almost 200,000 jobs. Part of Barry’s focus will be on ensuring that the business climate is open and conducive to the expansion and development of agribusiness firms in South Carolina.
The funding for the new position was appropriated by the S.C. General Assembly last year. In the fall, Secretary Hitt and Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers signed a memorandum of understanding creating a partnership between the two agencies to recruit agribusiness firms and establish the agribusiness project manager position.
