Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson (The Upstate) Region

South Carolina’s Upstate region, which includes the Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson areas, is located at the base of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Appalachian Mountains .

As the nation was forming in 1776, the region's first business was built – a trading station and grist mill – on the falls of the Reedy River in what is now downtown Greenville. Following the Revolutionary War, treaties with the Native Americans opened up what was called the Pendleton District – now Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee Counties , and settlers flowed in. Many settlers planted cotton, which, combined with the development of the cotton gin and the waterpower available from the region's rivers, provided the foundation for the textile industry.

Today, diverse businesses from around the world have put down roots in the Upstate, making it one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation. The region’s quality of life is a positive feature and recruiting advantage for some of the world’s most recognized companies, including: BMW, Michelin, Fluor Daniel, and Mita. The Upstate has a long and remarkable history as an area that attracts and nurtures technological innovation and application across broad industry sectors.