Tag: SC Education

$19M early childhood education center being constructed in Spartanburg County

By Chris Lavender. Originally posted by The Post & Courier Spartanburg on May 8, 2025

DUNCAN — A $19 million early childhood education facility will soon take shape, providing additional resources in a rapidly growing section of Spartanburg County.

On schedule to open in August 2026, the 44,500-square-foot Middle Tyger Education Center at 101 S. Danzler Road will sit across from Duncan Elementary School.

The project is possible through a partnership involving SEW Eurodrive, Spartanburg County School District 5, Spartanburg Academic Movement, Middle Tyger Community Center and the S.C. General Assembly.

The school district donated 13 acres for the new center.

Lt. Gov. Pam Evette stopped on May 7 at SEW Eurodrive in Wellford to speak on the new center and efforts statewide to boost early childhood education.

“There’s also a lot of work gone into providing school choice, and education remains a top priority in South Carolina,” Evette said. “The new center for early childhood education being developed for this community at large will be a template and model, and I am hoping to talk about it all over the state with other businesses.”

The new center will have 17 classrooms and serve up to 260 children ages 6 weeks through 4K. The new center will create 25 jobs.

Middle Tyger Community Center Executive Director Haley Grau told The Post and Courier the new center will help expand the district’s current model.

“We want to make sure that we can keep serving children and provide high-quality child care,” Grau said. “This is going to be incredible for our workforce. We just want to make sure people can work and have child care.”

The average cost for child care annually in the area is about $14,000 annually or $300 per week. The new center is expected to alleviate the financial strain of child care on families in the region.

SEW Eurodrive is among the project’s supporters. The company is a global private industry that manufactures gearboxes.

“SEW Eurodrive is proud to invest in the future of this community by supporting the Middle Tyger Education Center,” said Rainer Blickle, vice president of SEW Eurodrive USA. “We believe strongly in the mission of MTCC and in the power of early education to uplift families. This project will have a lasting impact not only for our employees’ families, but for the broader economic and social health of the region.”

Former state Rep. Rita Allison, who attended a media conference at SEW Eurodrive, spoke about the new center’s innovative partnership.

“The center is going to be an economic development tool,” Allison said. “There are so many places in our state that need this model with the school district, Middle Tyger Community Center and businesses coming together with all their talents.”

The site at the corner of East Main Street and South Danzler has been cleared of trees for the new center, and construction should start in late 2025.

Grau said children with disabilities and living in poverty are prioritized in the center’s child care program enrollment process. The two-story facility will also include space for future expansion and playgrounds.

Spartanburg Academic Movement has committed $500,000 for the project. Grau said the General Assembly earmarked $3.5 million for the project.

Evette praises YMCA’s impact during visit

By Brandon Roberts, Originally posted by The Summerville Journal Scene on April 27, 2025

Lt. Gov. advocates for youth programs, small businesses, public-private partnerships

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette visited the Summerville Family YMCA at The Ponds on April 24 to discuss the YMCA’s role in the community and emphasize the importance of local partnerships.

During the one-hour tour, YMCA CEO Joe Debney highlighted the organization’s community-focused initiatives, such as drowning prevention programs, outreach efforts, and partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits and elected officials.

“Every single time I have heard her speak, she stresses the importance of small business, public-private partnerships and nonprofits,” Debney said. “Not only here in South Carolina, I’ve seen her do this at the national level with the YMCA.”

Evette expressed her strong support for the YMCA’s work, particularly its effect on youth and seniors. She praised the organization’s programs that teach soft skills to high school students and provide seniors with opportunities to stay active and socially engaged.

“I am a huge champion of the Y, and for so many reasons,” Evette said. “First and foremost, because of the impact you’ve had in your community, not just with young people.”

She also shared her enthusiasm for the YMCA’s historical connections to prominent figures such as Ronald Reagan and Walt Disney.

“Ronald Reagan’s first job was being a lifeguard at the Y, and Walt Disney lived at the Y while he was sketching out his characters,” she said. “All these amazing people who did such impactful things have such a strong connection to the Y.”

Evette also highlighted the YMCA’s role in fostering youth involvement in government, pointing out the Youth in Government program led by the Y.

“It is so important for us to get our younger generation involved in government,” she said, referencing the increased awareness of state government processes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to discussing the YMCA’s contributions, Debney recognized local partnerships that strengthen the organization’s impact. The visit underscored the YMCA’s commitment to community health and its role as a resource for Summerville residents.

“Higher Education Day” celebrated at the SC State House

Originally posted April 1, 2025 by ABC Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– On Tuesday, April 1, at the State House “Higher Education Day”  was celebrated, and brought together students from over 30 colleges and universities across South Carolina.

The event recognizes the value of higher education while emphasizing the importance of it being both accessible and affordable.

According to speakers, around $80 million is allocated for needs based aid to help students cover the cost of tuition each year.

Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette says the number of secondary degrees and certifications have risen from 40% to 51% in the past seven years.

There are currently around 75 higher education institutions in the state.

SC Lt. Gov. visits Darlington Co. to highlight youth career pathways

by Haleigh West, originally posted March 24, 2025 by ABC 15 News (WPDE)

DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — The South Carolina Lt. Gov., Pamela Evette, traveled across the Palmetto State to visit several companies that hire young people.

On Friday, she was in Darlington County visiting Sonoco, which hires teenagers straight from the area’s schools.

The goal is to introduce them to career pathways early and give them job experience.

Darlington County School District works to prepare students for the workforce with programs like internships, career exploration and career awareness programs.

ABC15 spoke with two students who are involved in the program, one student who had been through it and another who is taking advantage of the program right now.

“The transition coming in as a teenager at 17 years old, I hadn’t really known a whole lot. And over the course of years between school and Sonoco and Darlington County itself, it helped me learn what I know now.”

ABC15 spoke to the Lt. Gov. who said it is a great effort to give students work experience for those who may not want to jump into college debt.

S.C. Lt. Governor tours PALM Charter High School

Originally published by WMBF News, April 30, 2024

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – South Carolina’s second in command praised a Grand Strand school for setting its students up for success in the workforce. 

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette toured the PALM Charter High School in Conway on Tuesday and spoke with students and teachers about the hands-on experience kids receive. 

The school has a unique curriculum centered around motorsports and life skills and Evette said the school is a great example for the students to learn all the the careers out there. 

“There are some kids that just do better hands-on, and I think you know as a country we overcorrected years ago, a 4-year college degree is not the only path to success and we see that,” she said.

Evette added that careers outside the college degree tract are lucrative for those pursuing that route. 

“We see it from carpenters to HVAC workers and electricians and plumbers, these are great careers. Those people are making a lot of money doing what they love to do and it didn’t require going to get a four-year degree.”

Evette told WMBF News she is rolling out a new initiative Wednesday with the state’s Department of Employment and Workforce to help boost youth employment.

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