Economic developer awarded as best in state.

• Position: Jim Cook of Cherokee County Development Board, South Carolina Economic Developers' Association

The S.C. Economic Developers' Association awarded Jim Cook, executive director of the Cherokee County Development Board, its Local Developer of the Year award during the 2022 SCEDA annual conference, held May 4-6 at the Sonesta Resort in Hilton Head.

Cook has been a member of SCEDA and part of the economic development community for 15 years.

Since 2005, SCEDA has presented an award to the individual who best exemplifies leadership in the state's economic development efforts, according to a news release. SCEDA's Economic Developer of the Year Award is given in recognition of the winner's involvement in leading innovative programs, overcoming obstacles and impactful efforts in the community.

During his tenure as executive director of the Cherokee County Development Board, Cook has played an instrumental role in closing 53 projects and fostering new and existing industries resulting in approximately $1.2 billion in new capital investment and 3,800 new jobs, the release said.

Cook, an Army...