Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation (SC) – Technology Ecosystem Mapping & Tech-Focused Economic Development Strategy

Challenge

Located along South Carolina’s northern border, with access to the I-77 corridor, Rock Hill is well positioned to capture expansion from nearby Charlotte. While Rock Hill’s robust population growth has failed to match the rapid pace set by the metropolitan area, employment gains in the city have outpaced the surrounding area. Although these increases have largely been in sectors that serve local markets, Rock Hill leaders have set their sights on supporting the growth of innovative and emerging sectors. Achieving this ambitious goal will require intentional investments—starting with foundational pillars like attracting skilled talent, leveraging existing assets, building smart and resilient infrastructure, and fostering an entrepreneurial climate—and a long-term perspective.

Response

With the goal of establishing Rock Hill as a leader in the tech space, the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation (RHEDC) engaged TIP Strategies to map the innovation ecosystem in Rock Hill and its surrounding region and prepare a detailed action plan for the city. The planning process included both quantitative analysis and qualitative input gathered from stakeholders through onsite and virtual engagement. Building on insights gained from these tasks, TIP prepared a map of the Rock Hill technology ecosystem to inform future efforts to expand the number and diversity of technology businesses. Using this framework, TIP worked closely to identify strategies and actions that would (1) grow the local technology landscape through industry attraction; (2) build on current technology assets and existing industry; and (3) foster a startup-friendly culture that encourages innovation. In support of the industry attraction goal, TIP identified three industry niches that align with Rock Hill’s existing assets including the presence of Winthrop University and the city’s proximity to Charlotte: Sports & Health Technology, Financial Technology (fintech) & Cybersecurity, and Advanced Materials & Manufacturing. For each target, TIP provided examples of related industries, an overview of the hiring landscape, and sources for industry intelligence. The resulting plan, Rock Hill Rising, serves as a guidepost for the future of Rock Hill and is intended to be an ongoing resource for local leaders.