Spartanburg’s Carter Smith gets Order of the Palmetto

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Carter Smith, executive vice president of the Spartanburg Economic Futures Group, has received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian award in South Carolina. S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster presented the award to Carter during the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s centennial event Tuesday.

“As an outstanding leader in the area of economic development, you have demonstrated an uncommon commitment to the highest standards in all you do. Your extraordinary efforts and success in recruiting billions of dollars in global business investment to the state has resulted in the creation of countless jobs, brighter futures and promising opportunities for individuals and families throughout our state,” McMaster said in a news release. “You have made a positive impact, and one that will last for generations to come.”

Carter announced his retirement earlier this year, effective June 20. He spent 27 years positioning Spartanburg County as a statewide economic development leader, the release said. He was involved in many of the public-private partnerships that led to economic development in Spartanburg County. He played “an integral role” in attracting major firms including BMW, Toray, Amazon, Adidas, Michelin and Keurig Dr. Pepper. During his tenure in Spartanburg, Carter recruited $16 billion in investment and 50,000 jobs.

“Carter’s record of success is unparalleled. Carter is of the utmost integrity, and his positive spirit is contagious. His record of success is remarkable and the Order of the Palmetto serves as a capstone to commemorate the impact Carter has had on Spartanburg County’s economy and the lives of those who live and work here,” Spartanburg County councilman David Britt said in the release. “It was an honor to see Carter, a man who so often focuses the spotlight and praise on others, be recognized for the years and years of hard work he has taken on here in Spartanburg.”

Carter will remain in Spartanburg and will work on a part-time basis with the Economic Futures Group as director of special projects, effective July 1.

"Carter's professional accolades are widely known, but after working with him, I am more impressed with not what he has done, but how he has done it. He is one of those rare people who has the priorities of life in order,” Allen Smith, Spartanburg Chamber and Economic Futures Group president and CEO, said in the release. “I know I speak on behalf of our team when I say he is a professional and personal role model. We are delighted that he will remain on in a part-time capacity."