Newberry County Councilman Scott Cain, right, received a Certificates of Completion on May 15 from the S.C. Economic Development Institute at the conclusion of the community development session. He is shown with Dr. Walt Tobin and Marty Sauls, both of whom received their certificates as well.

COLUMBIA — Newberry County Councilman Scott Cain received a Certificates of Completion on May 15 from the S.C. Economic Development Institute at the conclusion of the community development session.

The session was held at the Central Carolina Technical College Health Sciences Center in Sumter County.

A partnership between the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association, the Institute emphasizes elements necessary to be competitive in today’s global economy and educates supporters of economic development on emerging trends in community and economic development.

Now in its 25 year, the program is comprised of quarterly, two-day sessions for which participants travel to various locations throughout South Carolina that have been successful in community development and attracting and expanding their business and industrial base.

Attendees gain insight into issues relating to: water and wastewater infrastructure, available industrial or business buildings and the importance other community development components necessary to attract investment.

The Institute is open to participants from a wide variety of organizations and entities, including city, town and county councils, local economic development practitioners, county economic development boards, county school boards, regional economic development boards, utility companies and local and state government employees.

Sixty participants are enrolled in the program’s 2015 class, which began in February and will conclude this November.