Center ignites economic spark' in Spartanburg.

Over the last 11 years, the Spark Center SC at Spartanburg Community College has supported the development of 34,600 jobs generating total wage earnings of nearly $2.3 billion, according to a 2018 economic impact study.

The study, compiled by Mike Forrester, vice president for economic development at Spartanburg Community College and Leanne Burkhead, enterprise director for the Spark Center SC, also shows a net positive creation of 6,284 jobs generating total wage earnings of $403.9 million between July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018.

Future projections estimate the Spark Center SC will directly impact the creation of 1,000 jobs annually through the four services it provides soft landings, small business incubation, workforce employment services and special projects, according to the report.

The soft landings program provides furnished office space and basic office services, for up to one year, to qualifying foreign or domestic companies who are looking to start new operations and locate in Spartanburg County. The small business incubator assists new businesses in the early start-up phase and existing businesses that are re-tooling or reorganizing by offering space and basic office services. Workforce employment services include assistance with advertising, employee application process and employee training. The center also is available to assist established business and industry partners with special projects. This program provides space that may be used to beta test a new product line or manufacturing process as well as train existing or new employees. In addition, space is available for the temporary warehousing of inventory, according to the center's website.

Providing nearly 400,000 square feet of flex space, the Spark Center SC is designed to accommodate multiple startups and growing businesses. The space provides 261,000 square feet for light manufacturing and warehousing and 44,000 square feet of class A office space that includes four conference...