A diverse range of companies seeking a competitive advantage have found a business-friendly trifecta in Upstate South Carolina: a top-ranked business climate, a world-class research environment and a superb quality of life. They are drawn here by our favorable tax rates, market accessibility and the quality and availability of our workforce. Supporting this is our dedication to research and innovation, including R&D facilities for Michelin, Fuji and General Electric and research centers that support the automotive, life sciences, plastics and photonics industries. And it's all set in a region where cost of living is about 10 percent lower than the national average and cultural and recreational opportunities cater to a diverse range of tastes.

Greenville is the most populous county in the state and the centerpiece of a region long considered the "economic engine of South Carolina." It is now one of the Southeast's premier areas for business. Over the past 30 years, Greenville has transformed itself from the Textile Capital of the World into a destination for both international and national corporate offices and state-of-the-art manufacturing and warehousing/distribution operations. It is now home to dozens of world-class companies, including GE, Michelin, Fluor, Samsung, and 3M.

Spartanburg is conveniently located at the crossroads of I-26 and I-85, in the center of the booming Upstate. It has historically been known as the "Hub-City," because of the prevalence of rail lines in the area. Spartanburg is home to BMW Manufacturing, Milliken & Co., QS/I, and Denny's Corporation. Surrounding Spartanburg County boasts the highest per capita international investment in the country, according to The New York Times. With five colleges in the city, Spartanburg supports business, the arts, and cultural events.

Information compiled from census.gov, gadc.com, and upstatescalliance.com