2023 Catawba Regional Forum Highlights

2023 Catawba Regional Forum – A Winning Workforce

Catawba Regional Council of Governments partnered with the region’s seven Chambers of Commerce to present the 2023 Catawba Regional Forum. The Forum was held on January 5, 2023, at the Gateway Conference Center in Richburg, SC. Over 200 attendees, including our region’s elected officials and business leaders, attended the Forum, which focused on building a winning workforce.

Following an overview of Legislative Priorities of the region’s Chambers of Commerce, Dr. Laura Ullrich, Federal Reserve Senior Economist, provided a ‘State of the State’ presentation, giving an overview of current workforce participation trends across South Carolina. Dr. Ullrich is also a COG Board member. A panel discussion followed the presentation, featuring leaders of our region’s higher education institutions. Each panelist had the opportunity to highlight current and unique achievements and plans in the area of workforce development. This panel included Dr. Walter Collins, Chancellor USC-Lancaster; Dr. Randy Lowell, Chancellor USC-Union; Dr. Lester McCorn, President of Clinton College; Dr. Stacey Moore, President of York Technical College; and Dr. Edward Serna, President of Winthrop University. The Forum concluded with a networking reception, during which attendees could talk directly with the presenter and panelists.

Catawba Regional Council of Governments would like to thank the region’s Chambers of Commerce, its public and private community partners, and the York County Regional Advocacy sponsors for making this event possible.

Event Resources & Media:

2023 Catawba Regional Forum – Program & Agenda

‘State of the State’ Employment Update Presentation – Dr. Laura Ullrich, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Catawba Regional COG – 2022 Year-End Impact Video

CN2 News – “Forum Covers Where Workers are Going and Why so Many Jobs are Vacant”