Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina (GIUMSC) and Palmetto Goodwill will hold a press conference Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. on the State House steps (1100 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29208) to announce the findings of the economic impact study conducted by the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business.

The study sought to measure how the non-profit’s career services and training programs - which help place 10,000 people into meaningful employment each year and strategically support growing industries - are stimulating the state’s economy. The findings? A projected $638 million contribution to South Carolina.

The two Goodwills headquartered in South Carolina serve a combined 35 of the state’s 46 counties. Together, these two Goodwills represent the largest workforce training provider in the state, delivering comprehensive career services to 23,000 South Carolinians in 2024 alone.

“It all starts with a donation and a transaction in our retail stores,” said Pat Michaels, GIUMSC President and CEO. “Goodwill gives people an on-ramp into creating, not only economic impact, but personal impact in the community. When people give Goodwill what they no longer need, they give somebody else a new chance. It’s amazing to see that all those ‘somebody else’s’ together total 10,000.”

"Dr. Von Nessen and the team at the University of South Carolina did exceptional work, and the findings speak for themselves. Goodwill is so much more than our stores - we are a social enterprise built on the belief that mission without margin doesn't scale, and margin without mission doesn't matter. This study confirms what we see every day: when people have access to real training, real education, and real jobs, communities get stronger across generations. Alongside Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands, we are proud of the measurable economic value we are creating for thousands of South Carolinians - and we don't take that responsibility lightly," said Brian Itzkowitz, President and CEO of Palmetto Goodwill.

The report also shines light on South Carolina’s tight labor market as the state’s growing population and other factors only magnify the need for Goodwill training programs and services. Through free access to certifications in high-demand industries, Goodwill is building a sustained pipeline of trained workers who will live, work, and participate in the state’s economic growth for decades to come.

Economic Impact Report