YORK COUNTY, SC – As part of the 26th annual Industry Appreciation series, the S.C. Department of Commerce recognized its 2017 Industry Impact Award recipients during an event on Thursday, May 11 at The Hall at Senate's End in Columbia, S.C. Honoring businesses that have made significant contributions to their communities and state, the recipients were selected within a certain employment size and county development tier group.

Two of the 12 companies honored were from York County. Shutterfly was selected in the large company category and Anderson Hydra Platforms was selected in the small company category.

Shutterfly is a US Internet-based image publishing service headquartered in Redwood, California. The company relocated their Charlotte operations to Fort Mill, South Carolina in 2013. The company reported over 450 full time employees and an additional 1200 temporary employees based on seasonal demand in 2016. Last year Shutterfly invested over $21M in total capital investments in the Fort Mill operations facility and continued to invest in product innovation and process improvements.

Over the past 4 years, Shutterfly’s local foundation team has supported the York County community in many diverse ways, reaching out to more than 20 local non-profit agencies in the area. In addition, the company is focused on their employees and targets numerous programs that support employee engagement.

Anderson Hydra-Platform is the nation’s leading manufacturer of under bridge inspection equipment providing access to inspect, repair, restore, and maintain bridges. They are located in the East York Industrial Park in York, South Carolina, and over the last three years the company has grown its revenues greatly and has added over 40 employees to its York County operations.

The company is very engaged in the community through nonprofits in the area as well as local churches. They continue to develop strategic partnerships with York County school districts and have established a growing apprenticeship program designed to attract and keep local talent.

During the event Governor Henry McMaster shared, "South Carolina continues to have one of the most pro-business climates in the world, and this couldn't be possible without the partnerships we've forged with companies both large and small. These local businesses -- and their leaders -- form the backbone of our state's economy, and I congratulate them on this deserved recognition." 

Each year, S.C. Commerce joins local communities to thank businesses for their vital contributions to South Carolina's economy with an Industry Appreciation event. Nominees for this year's Industry Impact Awards were judged based on a number of factors, including capital investment, job creation, community engagement and environmental stewardship.

"The secret to South Carolina's economic success is its people, and we will always honor the fine work they do," said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. "The state's Industry Appreciation events are a long-running tradition, and we're proud of this year's recipients."

In addition to presenting the 2017 Industry Impact Awards, the state also recognized three businesses with a South Carolina Export Achievement Award and one firm with a Recycling Industry Excellence award. S.C. Economics also recognized five students as Young Entrepreneurs of the Year.

2017 Industry Impact Awards: