GEORGETOWN COUNTY — Perry Collins, owner of Winyah Properties and Chairman of the Board for the Georgetown Economic Development Alliance, has been declared 2015 Ambassador for Economic Development for Georgetown County.
The title was bestowed by the S.C. Department of Commerce earlier this month as part of the annual Industry Appreciation Week. Ambassadors were selected for each South Carolina county based on efforts to bolster community and economic development activities in the state. Ambassadors were honored in a ceremony on April 2 at the Governor’s Mansion Complex.
Collins was nominated for the award by Brian Tucker, Georgetown County Director of Economic Development. “Perry has been a tremendous asset to many of our existing industries through his workwith Liberty Terminals and now with Winyah Properties,” Tucker said. “Perry has a long history as a stevedore and logistical problem solver. With his experience in the stevedore industry, he has a great appreciation for the Port of Georgetown, and has been one of its biggest advocates. He understands that our port offers our community a competitive edge and he has fought hard over the years to secure funding for our port.”
Collins has also served as a sounding board for local industries as they explore various transportation issues, Tucker said. Additionally, in his role as Chairman of the Georgetown Economic Development Alliance, Collins led the effort to reorganize the group to more closely align with county government’s economic development efforts.
“For the first time in many years, the Alliance and the county are operating as a real partnership,” Tucker said.
Gov. Nikki Haley said it was an honor to recognize the ambassadors.
“South Carolina’s people are what truly make our state one of the best places in the world to do business, and events like [the April 2] ceremony give us the opportunity to recognize just some of the people that help make South Carolina so special,” Haley said.
Ambassadors were selected from local leaders from the private sector, representing a variety of businesses committed to advancing their communities.
“The success that we’re having in economic development in South Carolina can largely be attributed to our team-first approach,” said S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “These ambassadors truly reflect the enthusiasm and commitment that makes Team South Carolina so successful, and we’re thrilled to recognize them for all they’ve done to advance their respective companies and communities.”
