Press Release 4/27/2023

South Carolina Community Capital Alliance Honors Ashely Teasdel & Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation with 2023 Community Champion Awards

The South Carolina Community Capital Alliance (the “Alliance”) is proud to announce that Ashely Teasdel, Deputy Secretary of Commerce of the South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce), and the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation (RHEDC) are the recipients of the 2023 Community Champion Awards. The award is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual or organization by the Alliance and is presented annually to a local leader and organization that has made significant contributions to community economic development.

Since its launch in 2011, the Alliance has been dedicated to increasing capital resources for South Carolina’s underserved and undercapitalized communities and providing job creation opportunities that make a difference in people’s lives. Deputy Secretary Teasdel has been an integral part of this effort since the organization’s inception, working to create and sustain partnerships to bring resources to improve the economic well-being of South Carolina’s citizens. The Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation is being recognized for their years of commitment to advancing economic growth in the Rock Hill area including the Knowledge Park redevelopment strategy, promoting mixed-use redevelopment of the urban core of Rock Hill connecting historic downtown and Winthrop University.

Prior to being promoted to Deputy Secretary of Commerce in 2021, Teasdel served as Director of the S.C. Commerce’s Business Services Division. During her tenure as Director of Business Services, she successfully merged the functions of the division through deliberate efforts to integrate the division’s purpose of what S.C. Commerce has dubbed as “Service After the Sale.” Teasdel was instrumental in the launch of support resources for start-ups and existing companies; accelerated the use of B2B platforms for specific industries; managed an initiative to build minority business engagement that included supplier outreach experiences; and developed ally outreach for effective coordination of small business support for more sourcing needs. Teasdel is an active board member of the SC Economic Developers Association (SCEDA) and the Business Development Corporation (CDC) of SC.

Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation is committed to representing the business, educational, and community interests of the city while promoting jobs and supporting growth in Rock Hill. By fostering increased employment opportunities and partnering on redevelopment projects, RHEDC improves the quality of life for Rock Hill residents. In recent years, RHEDC has played a key role in facilitating the redevelopment of the urban core through the Knowledge Park Action Plan, leading to $400 million of investment in downtown Rock Hill, and is a partner in the Clinton ConNEXTion strategic plan for attracting jobs, businesses, and housing to the historic neighborhoods in South Rock Hill. Through RHEDC’s Talent Pipeline program, educational institutions and local businesses build supportive relationships with students through employment, internship, and apprenticeship opportunities.

In recognition of the impact of Teasdel’s and RHEDC’s work in community economic development industry, the award will be presented to them at the 2023 Community Capital Conference in Rock Hill, SC, which is an annual gathering of community development stakeholders, lenders, financiers, and investors from across the state.

“We are grateful for Deputy Secretary Teasdel’s and Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation’s commitment to the South Carolina communities they serve,” said Vice Chair Bernie Mazyck, President and CEO of South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development. “Their dedication to expanding economic opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs is invaluable, and this award recognizes their years of commitment and achievement.”

The 2023 Community Capital Conference features a robust slate of sponsors and speakers. This year’s sponsors include:
– Premier Sponsor: South State Bank
– Exclusive Session Sponsor: City of Rock Hill & Truist Bank
– Exclusive Mobile Workshop Sponsor: Wells Fargo
– Mobile Workshop Co-Sponsors:
Woodforest National Bank
REV Federal Credit Union
TD Bank
Pinnacle Financial Partners
– Reception Sponsors
Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union
Optus Bank
South Carolina Community Loan Fund
Family Trust Federal Credit Union
– Community Partner: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
– Minority Business Networking Mixer Sponsors
City of Rock Hill
The Black Economic Leadership League of Rock Hill
Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation
South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development
South Carolina Community Navigator Program

“South State is proud to sponsor this year’s Community Capital Conference in Rock Hill,” said Sedrick McCallum, Senior Vice President, Community Development Officer at South State Bank. “We’re excited to play a role in bringing together financiers, community and real estate developers, and government officials to learn how to advance community economic development with creative financing tools.”

About the Alliance
Launched in 2011, the Alliance is a statewide CDFI made up of a network of community development stakeholders, lenders, financiers, and investors focused on increasing capital resources for South Carolina’s most underserved and undercapitalized communities to support job creation opportunities. By engaging in public policy and capacity-building support to develop a network to support community investment and generate economic opportunities and growth, the Alliance raises, leverages, and aligns capital for community economic development; identifies gaps in community development financing, and facilitates co-investment opportunities between and among community development financial institutions (CDFI)s for qualified projects. Learn more about the Alliance at www.sccommunitycapital.org.